Realms of Valor - James Lowder [6]
As it had in Lowhill, the dagger began to glow. The halflings could feel its warmth as they stood over it. Then, very slowly, the weapon wiggled across the ground. In a few moments it lay still, pointing directly at the narrow, rocky gap up the stream. “Up there,” Pawldo said. “That's where it came from.” “It-it looks pretty dark,” Stefanik observed hesitantly. “Morning will brighten it up,” Pawldo announced, his voice heartier than his thoughts. In truth, the forest-shrouded chasm seemed like a foreboding place. It didn't take him more than a moment to decide to postpone its exploration until the morrow. Stefanik unsaddled the ponies while Pawldo gathered some dry branches he found scattered conveniently around the camp. He set them beside the fire scar and looked to Stefanik-only to see the younger halfling freeze taut, his eyes bulging at a sight behind Pawldo's shoulder. The lord mayor whirled to confront a pair of unblinking yellow eyes, less than six feet away. A canine face stared impassively. A narrow snout gaped, while a pink tongue lolled between long, white fangs. “Wolf!” Stefanik hissed. Pawldo had already recognized the powerful body of the predator. The creature squatted upon a rock, ready to pounce. Yelping in astonishment, Pawldo fumbled for his sword, but all he managed to do was stumble backward to collapse into an ungainly heap. All the time the wolf stared at him with those penetrating yellow eyes. By the time he had his sword half-drawn, the halfling realized that the creature presented no immediate menace. “He looks hungry,” observed Stefanik. The wolf's flanks showed the clear outline of his rib cage, screened only slightly by scattered patches of mangy fur. One of its ears flopped sideways, scarred by an ugly red wound. At the sound of the voice, the wolf shifted its gaze to the younger halfling's face, the good ear cocked forward attentively. “Give him something to eat!” hissed Pawldo, more than a little embarrassed by his clumsiness-and still not certain of the wolf's intentions. “Here, fellow,” said Stefanik, pulling an entire slab of bacon from the saddlebags. He threw it onto the ground near the animal. The wolf's eyes followed the meat but then came back to Pawldo. Finally, hunger won out. The creature sniffed tentatively, then hopped down from the rocky perch. With another look at Pawldo, who still had not climbed to his feet, the wolf settled to its haunches, tearing at the tough meal with teeth still white, long, and sharp. In short order the wolf put a dent in their stockpile of cheese as well. Keeping a wary eye on the beast, Pawldo built the fire while Stefanik stretched out the bedrolls. They cooked some bacon for themselves, throwing another morsel to the wolf, as full darkness descended. Finally the animal dropped its head onto its outstretched forelegs with a contented sigh. “I think we've found a friend,” Stefanik said as the wolf closed its eyes. “I suppose we could have a worse companion in these woods,” Pawldo
observed warily. The thought of sleeping here, with this huge carnivore just a few feet away, bothered him more than a little. “Maybe we should give him some more bacon.” “I think we should let him rest. He looks all worn out.” In fact, the animal appeared to have reached the end of a long and grueling trail. The shaggy flanks, now noticeably bulging, rose and fell with deliberate breathing. Pawldo noticed that the animal's muzzle and forelegs were also scarred, though not so badly as the ear. Many wounds, however, showed raw and moist-they had not yet had time to heal. “Don't wolves usually travel in packs?” asked the younger halfling. “It seems odd to see one by himself.” “Do you see lots of wolves in Llyrath Forest?” demanded Pawldo. Stefanik shook his head. “They're rare. Once or twice in the fall and winter we've seen them running past the village-like gray ghosts in the