Chapter 9; Entering The Wolf's Den

At dawn, Ravena assembled a few of her warriors. Although it was still dark outside, the first light of the day was yet to break forth from the sky.

Using the advantage of the covering provided by the darkness. Ravena led through the thick forest.

Pushing through branches and twigs, they finally got to the borders of Shadowfang Pack. 

With her warriors in tow, she squatted low behind the tall swaying grasses. 

In front of them the imposing gates of Shadowfang were firmly in place heavily guarded by sentries with keener senses and eyes.

 Her second-in-command, Ethan moved uncomfortably next to her. 

His eyes narrowed. “Ravena, we can't just go in without being seen.”

Yes. They were a formidable team but that doesn't mean they'd throw caution to the wind.

Then he continued. “We had a confrontation with them on the border the last time. To the best of my knowledge you have no idea where they house their prisoners.”

Ravena took some time to reply. She was scanning and analyzing the entrance with her eyes fixed on it. 

Her instincts had been refined over years of combat and she was now not just looking, she was calculating. 

Then she reached behind her and took a small folded piece of paper out of her pocket with a calm that even Ethan found unsettling.

 Kneeling, she spread it out on the damp soil. A map was illuminated by the moon which was shining and brilliant. 

As Ethan and the other four warriors leaned closer their eyes darted over the crude drawings of the Shadowfang compound, their curiosity blazing. 

A thin winding path beneath the packhouse was traced by Ravena's finger. “I have a man on the inside,” she declared with assurance in her voice. “ I got this from him.”

Ethans eyebrows raised.  “An informant?”

She nodded. “He claims that the dungeon is located underground, under the packhouse. We can get to the dungeon through an abandoned tunnel.”

Ethan blew out a long breath. “So we will not pass through the gate?”

Ravena glanced at him. “We will be dead before we make it through the gate.”

As the realization set in they became silent for a while. 

Daemon, one of the warriors asked. “ Then where do we enter from?”

Ravenas finger moved once more indicating a faint trail that sliced through the thick forest. “ Here, a secret route that takes one straight to the tunnel's entrance.We can sneak in undetected if we move swiftly and silently.”

The warriors looked at each other and then nodded. Ravena folded the map and put it back in her pocket without saying another word. 

“Let's move. Time is not on our side,” she ordered.

Their movements were as silent as shadows and they remained low. 

Passing through the forest, twigs snapped beneath their boots.

They walked through the secret path for what seemed like an eternity. 

Finally they showed up before a huge hole in the ground that was partially obscured by thick roots and overgrown vines. 

Ravena took a look around. No patrols were visible.

No, not yet. 

Then she faced her warriors. “Lukas, Daemon, remain here. Watch. As soon as something goes wrong, report back.”

Nodding they moved back into the darkness while keeping an eye out for any movement.

 Then Ravena’s eyes reached the sky. The pack was illuminated by silver light from the  moon. 

She inhaled deeply while whispering a silent prayer to the Goddess of the Moon. 

Then she entered the tunnels  without hesitation. 

As they got in, darkness covered them. The tunnel smelled of filth and rot.Mold and something more vile, blood. Were mixed into every breath Ravena took. 

She didn't recoil. She'd been in worse situations. But the darkness was unsettling.

Searching her jacket, she brought out a flashlight. As she turned it in, a bright light came through. Pushing the darkness away and illuminating their path.

From the damp wall, she could see their shadows outlined on it.

They caused the dust particles to float  in the air. The slender corridor extended ahead, vanishing.

Ethan stepped forward scowling. “It smells as though something died here.”

Ravena gave him a stern look. “Remain attentive.”

With a sigh he adjusted his sword in the sheath.

 As they proceeded farther into the tunnel their footsteps were barely audible above the stone. 

Ravena felt her senses sharpened and every muscle in her body tense. They were out of time.

Selene's execution would be at dawn. They only had a few minutes. With every second that went by her anxiety increased and she moved swiftly. 

Just as they turned another corner they heard voices. 

Ravena stopped abruptly and signaled the others to do the same with a raised fist. 

With their bodies tense and their backs against the damp walls they complied, breathing shallowly. 

The sound of the voices was increasing. Then they heard footsteps .

Two males. 

Ravena put out the flashlight leaving them completely in the dark. With caution she looked around  and signaled the others to remain hidden.

 Ignorant of the intruders hiding in the shadows, two Shadowfang warriors were approaching the exit. 

One of the guards muttered. “ It's a shame, Luna Selene is about to be executed.

The other person laughed. “What gives you such assurance that Rylan will do it?

“She is a  traitor. The penalty for that is death.” 

The other fighter snorted. “You seem so sure.”

Their words were tinged with a mixture of curiosity and indifference bounced off the tunnel walls.

 Ravena's hand gripped her sword firmly. 

They needed to keep going, swiftly but Ravena and her warriors stayed motionless barely breathing as the warriors passed their hiding place utterly oblivious to the danger just inches away. 

Their voices trailed off as the two guards carried on. 

Ravena did not move until their footsteps were completely gone.

She turned to Ethan and the other warriors. “Time is not on our side. Keep moving.”

She took the lead once more, moving more quickly.

Selene must not die. 

No.

Another Luna will not be sacrificed, not when she is still alive.