The Wolf & Goblins

*Irellia's POV*

It didn’t take me long to learn the reason for Ghost’s name, his smooth and quiet gait.

He carries me through the thick brush without slowing his graceful trot, plants tickle my leg, left exposed by my riding skirt. I frown down at the unfashionable brown color, but quickly cast my eyes back up at the passing scenery.

Tall, healthy trees stretch up toward the sky, as though reaching for the setting sun, a cool breeze causes the weaker branches to sway in a lazy wave. The Wind bats me in the face with my own hair, but I don’t dare raise a hand fight it. I tighten my lips, trying to keep the silky strands from slipping in.

The sound of his hooves meeting the ground is drowned out by the melody of birds singing high in the canopy. Their sweet chrips bring a smile to my face. I feel like they’re encouraging me, silly as it might sound.

Wild flowers, pale shades of yellow and blue, peak out at me from the shrubbery as Ghost whisks me deeper into the forest. I notice the soft rustling of leaves disappears and trees increase their numbers, seeming to huddle in.

I had thought the forest dense before, but as the branches above begin to intertwine, I realize there is more life here than I’d ever imagined.

It’s so peaceful, quiet, yet lively. I can’t help but feel a fresh surge of resentment. Father hadn’t brought me out here since I’d turned twelve, each time I’d asked he’d given some excuse, usually involving kingdom affairs, and I eventually stopped asking.

Now I wonder how I’d gone nearly four years without such beauty.

Soon, the orange sun dips under the horizon as the moon takes its turn in the sky. Silver beams stream down through the leaves, but not nearly enough light makes it to the forest floor.

“Whoa.” I tell Ghost, giving the reins a light tug. He instantly obeys, with a small sound of, what I think is, disappointment. I leap off his back, then begin digging through the saddle bag.

Once I’ve retrieved the two thick, violet blankets I’d packed, I stroke his mane. “We will set off early tomorrow, it is too dark.”

He looks away and taps his hoof in response, or at least it seems like a response to me. A soft giggle escapes me, before I tie his reins to a nearby tree. I feel a twinge of guilt at the action, but I’m afraid of him running off.

I look about, as I lay out a blanket, peering into the darkness. The scurrying of animals in the blackness scares me, soft sounds have me dragging my make-shift bed closer to Ghost, who lets out a small, calming neigh.

I give him a worried smile, before catching sight of two nocturnal eyes staring down at me from the green canopy above. I tell myself it’s just a bird and pull the second blanket up over me, hiding most of my form. Though my gaze remains locked with the glowing, yellow circles.

It makes a strange ‘coo’ sound, I pull the plush purple over my head.

I don’t think I’ll be getting much sleep tonight, I’m sure of it when an ominous screeching in the distance puts an end to the silence. Curling into myself beneath the warm blankets. I pray to Gondis, god of animals and travel, that I survive the night.

 

The sun’s rays gently illuminate the forest, I can’t help but sigh in relief. That horrible screeching hadn’t let up until just before the yellow ball took to the sky. At some points I swore the sound had drawn closer, but whatever it was, it never appeared.

My eyelids feel heavy, the lack of sleep has taken its toll and left me looking around groggily, my eyes half-open. Ghost neighs at me, as though urging me to get a move on, I lazily stuff everything back into the black saddlebag. Though I retrieve some cheese and an apple for our breakfast, small as it is. I can’t risk wasting anymore time in one place.

It takes me three attempts, and countless yawns, before I finally mount him. Ghost impatiently taps his hoof on the ground, as I glance about. The forest once more instills peace and a sense of beauty.

Morning light illuminates the shadows, driving back the creatures that called darkness their home. My eyes dart up to the tree, where the glowing eyes had watched me from, I breathe a sigh of relief. My fears quelled, I give into Ghost’s demand.

He surges forward, tearing a surprised gasp from my throat, and I cling to the reins. I can’t help but think Ghost is even more eager to escape Saffron than I am, it brings a smile to my face. I’ve chosen an excellent companion.

We spend the morning covering as much ground as possible, my legs and back side are throbbing by afternoon. Should I take a break? The idea is tantalizing, but I fear that knight’s will catch up to us if I do. They’d certainly noticed my absence by dinner last night.

As I mull it over, a strange sound catches my ears; a gravely, high-pitched growl. I throw my head to the side, searching for its owner, as my stomach tightens. My heart races, threatening to leap from my chest, as my pulse quickens. I can barely hear myself think over the sounds of my body.

Bushes rustle, my eyes focus in on the movement, anticipation stealing sweat. A small, green thing emerges, creepy grin on its lip-less mouth. The creature’s teeth look sharp enough to tear flesh from bone, I shiver as its bright, red eyes meet mine.

It’s then that I notice the smell, more putrid than a chamber pot, but somehow its appearance is more disgusting. Green, wrinkly skin, dry and chapping. The strange armor adorning it does not hide nearly enough, its face alone makes me want to wretch.

“Goblin?” I ask, subconsciously leaning away.

Ghost rears up, nearly dumping me off his back, before taking off. The goblin screams behind us, a horrible, angry sound. I don’t look back, as I struggle to keep a grip on my ride; I don’t need to for long.

Our path is suddenly blocked by a dozen of the short creatures, forcing Ghost to stop and turn in circles. The, presumed, goblins raise up their weapons, spears and axes. I suck in a deep breath, while my steed panics, neighing and kicking at the creatures.

We’re going to die, the thought leaves me shaking. Tears spill down my cheeks, as they move in closer. I slam my eyes shut and wait for the end. It doesn’t come.

Screams of pain reach my ears instead. Strange, somehow gruesome, sounds mixing in with the chaos. I can’t bring myself to look, something in me says I don’t want to see whatever’s happening, and I heed the warning.

It isn’t until the sounds die out, in a deep gurgle, that I finally open my eyes. A wolf stands over a corpse, white fur splattered with green, its mouth dripping with the odd colored blood. It’s light, golden eyes peer up at me, intelligent and questioning.

I don’t know what to do, the beast doesn’t seem keen to attack, but it’s a predator. A predator that just killed over a dozen goblins, on its own. Ghost lets out a snort, he doesn’t appear concerned in the least. It calms me a bit.

Then the wolf begins to shake, I watch in horror as its bones snap, fur seeming to retract back into its body. Its sharp canines appear to slam back up into his gums, causing blood to gush from the animal’s mouth, as limbs dance about in chaotic, jerky movements.

When it’s over, a man crouches where the wolf stood mere moments ago, cloaked in heavy, white furs. His hair is as white as the wolf’s, those familiar golden eyes stare at me through clouds of pain. It clicks, he must be one of them.

My nose crinkles, I can only assume the Wolf-Men have been organized to find me, and this one succeeded.

Despite being saved, dread wells up within me- I don’t want to go back. My gaze falls on Ghost, wondering if he can outrun a wolf, but returns when the Wolf-Man clears his throat.

He wipes blood from his mouth, his tongue flicking out to finish the clean-up. “What are you doing out here?”

“Running away, and you will not drag me back!” I declare, tightening my grip on the reins. I pray Ghost is ready to run, though he stands oddly calm.

The man quirks a brow and steps closer, I tense up in response. “Where do you plan on running?”

“You are not going to stop me.” I state, giving the reins a light tug. Ghost takes a few steps in response, maintaining a short distance between us and him.

“Don’t remember saying I wanted to.” He waves his hand in a ‘come here’ and I’m shocked. Ghost doesn’t hesitate to close the distance I’d created, and then some.

Scowling at the man, I leap off my steed and nearly collapse under my own weight. I’d completely forgotten the state of my legs, numb yet aching from the ride. He reaches out a hand to offer help, but I don’t take it. Instead, I glower and note the truth in my sister’s words. At the very least, they most certainly do violate one’s personal space.

His expression morphs from mild concern, into one of offense and annoyance. “Well, aren’t you the loner.”

I feel confusion at his tone, the way he says it makes ‘loner’ sound like an insult, rather than a life preference. “What do you mean by that?”

“In this case, it means you’re unsociable.”

I sharply exhale at his bewildering tone, placing my hands neatly before me. “You are making things difficult. Tell me whether or not you mean that as an insult, because it is not insulting.”

“Maybe not for your kind, but it’s one of the worst for mine.” Pride gleams in his eyes, bringing a frown to my lips. I feel insulted, but not because of his attempt at one.

The idea that any Wolf-Man thinks them superior, it’s enraging, yet laughable. Such uncivilized beasts can never hope to compare, they are incapable of building even a single city.

“Anyway,” I grind out the word, raising a hand onto Ghost’s saddle. I don’t wish to continue this conversation. “Since you are not here to stop me, I shall be on my way.” I finish by lifting my foot up to the stirrup.

His voice stops me, mid-mount. “Why did you think I’d stop you?”

I swing my leg over Ghost’s back, trying to remain calm as I stare straight ahead. “I told you, I am running away. Most would try to stop me, would they not?”

He steps closer, his gaze scrutinizing, searing into the side of my face. My eyes waver to my other side, desperate to avoid meeting his, I swallow down a lump of nerves. Just as I’m about to send Ghost into a full run, the man grabs hold of one of the reins.

“What are you doing?” I try to sound angry, but my voice cracks and he gives me a smirk. I feel like I’ve become his prey, part of me misses the goblins- at least I knew their intentions.

“Can’t let you run off without me.”

I blink, there’s no way I heard him right. “What?”

“I said,” he raises up on his toes, getting as close to my face as he can. I feel the heat of his breath tickle my neck, his golden gaze is mesmerizing. I subconscious allow him to take the reins. “I’m coming with you.”

“No!” I shout, having regained my senses, and reach for the reins.

He catches my hand with his, causing his furs to flutter and give me a quick glimpse inside; a plain, dirty, beige tunic and dark slacks. I can’t help but wonder how they were still intact, he certainly hadn’t worn them as a wolf.

The warm cloak is less confusing, mother told me that the furs his people wear are magic, that some scholars think them the source of their transformation. The Wolf-Men themselves are said to be very secretive about it, which makes me think it’s true.

I shoo the thoughts away, focusing on the man before me. A mischievous smile plays on his lips and glimmers in his eyes, I can’t help but find it oddly attractive. Though Jaron is far more appealing. My stomach twists with grief, as does my mouth.

He releases my hand. “Is it that bad an idea?” Giving me the reins, he takes a step back. “Wherever you’re going, there’s sure to be more goblins on the way.”

I frown, he’s right. I’d always assumed goblins were a rare sight, that the Wolf-Men must keep them far from our borders, but it seems that I was wrong. So, why were they given lands and a princess? It irks me, I must be worth even less to my family than I’d thought.

“Well?” He stresses the word, watching me with those intense eyes.

I sigh, feeling defeated. Though I want to spit harsh words at him, tell him how useless his people are, there’s no denying it; I need a guard.

“Fine.”

He snorts. “You sure seem happy about it.”

“I am not.” I tell him. How could I possibly be happy in this situation?

“I was being-“ he shakes his head. “nevermind.”

“Well, whatever you were ‘being’, I did not find it intelligent.” I tell him, and am shocked when he laughs.

The sound is deep, father always says such laughs come from people who ‘truly laugh from the belly’. Guilt claims me, weighing me down like wet clothing.

“Well, since we’re going to be traveling together, I guess you should know my name.” he puts his open hand out in front of me, “Arken.”

I stare at his hand for a long moment, before I place mine on top and give it a limp, awkward shake. His deep laughter rings in my ears, again.

“Why are you laughing?” I demand, annoyed that my face is heating with embarrassment.

My grip on the reins tightens, as he gives me an amused smile. “You’re an odd one.”

“I am not.” How dare he insult me! “Shaking hands is not odd, you are odd for thinking otherwise.”

“I wasn’t trying to shake your hand.” He tells me, casually crossing his arms inside the cloak.

I mirror the action. “Tell me then, what were you doing?”

“Offering you my scent.”

Gods, they really sniff each other? My nose crinkles with distaste. “That is disgusting.”

“It’s a show of trust.” he spits the words back at me, an angry glint to his gaze.

I’ve offended him and I actually feel a bit bad about it. I offer him my hand, even as the rest of my body pulls away. “I will allow you to sniff me, in apology.”

He gives me a look that I don’t quite understand, various thoughts and emotions seem to be warring inside of him. I squirm under his confusing gaze and bring my hand to the collar of my white blouse.

“I don’t understand you.” He tells me, my response is a short laugh which takes both of us by surprise. “Whoa, you can laugh?”

I flush, turning my gaze to a gnarled trunk on my left. “Of course I can laugh, everyone can laugh. I just… have not been given reason to.”

Arken smirks. “Whatever you say.”

“Well, I say that.” I tell him, unable to conjure more words.

He has no such difficulty. “You never did give me your name.”

Panic has my heart jumping to my throat, would he know my name? Considering my intended fate, I think he must. My mind races, searching for a name I can use.

In the end, I force out a shortened version of my own. “Ellia.”

“Well, Ellia, where to?”

Relief floods me, he doesn’t seem to suspect anything. Though I can’t help but wonder, why is he so willing to accompany me? I push aside my own suspicions for the moment. I need his help.

“Likuna.”