The Auric Insignia by Perry Horste Page A

She gave him a look of played annoyance.
         - You will, I promise.
         - I’ll hold you to that.
         They continued their march into lands more foreign by the minute, following a path Roarke couldn’t see but that Korri assured him was there. The very air seemed more feral, and it had since they had entered the pass. The trees seemed stronger and more wild. The flowers and vegetation that covered everything like a carpet, shifted in colors combinations Roarke had never seen before. Like Korri, it had a fierce and untamed beauty about it. Suddenly, Korri slowed down, smelling the air.
         - Oh great, just my luck.
         - What is it?
         - It’s fine, an old acquaintance is all. Stay here while I go ahead and explain the situation.
         - What situation? You said we didn’t have to worry.
         - We don’t, its okay. I’m just taking precautions. I’ll be back before you know it.
         - Well why can’t I come with you then, shouldn’t we stay together?
         - Because you’re the situation. Just don’t move around too much and nothing will happen.
         She gave him a stiff smile before bolting off through the trees.
         - Oh great! I’ll just stay here then, great!
         Remembering where he was, he decided to heed her advice and proceeded to sit down next to a big tree.
         - Unbelievable.......
         He picked a flower growing beside him, on a root that shot out from the tree, making its way across the forest floor. He had not seen this kind before, pointy petals that almost seemed to shimmer with teal hues. After smelling it and finding that it made his nose itch, he ripped off a petal.
         - Korri has a stupid face.
         He ripped off one more.
         - Korri has a really stupid face.
         As he was ripping off the last one, he heard a noise. A faint whooshing, so faint the Roarke questioned if he had really heard it. Hearing it again, now accompanied by muffled thrumming, Roarke stood up and tried to locate the origin of the sound.
         - Korri?
         After it was too late, he saw what was coming towards him. A pack of wolves came darting through the trees, weaving between them,  back and forth. Before he could formulate a plan, Roarke had been surrounded, standing tense, not knowing how to proceed. Looking around him, Roarke saw ten wolves standing in a circle around him. Snarling and biting the air, they were held back as if by some unknown force, muzzling their ferocity. Roarke was stunned, sightings of lone wolves were not uncommon but a pack of this size behaving like this was unheard of. Slowly, Roarke reached for his axe that were hanging from his belt.
         - Human, I would advice against it.
         The low ferine voice came from beyond Roarke’s field of vision. Emerging from the myrtle green tapestry, was a huge gray shape, walking erect like a human but that was two heads taller than any man Roarke had ever seen. A muscular torso covered in ragged silver fur, supporting a head with canine traits. A snout ending with a big, black nose, situated above rows of sharp teeth. The eyes were yellow like those of a wolf, settled in a face distorted in anger. A large scar ran down one side of the worn face, telling of former battle.
         - Who are you!?
         - Silence human, you presume to ask!
         The fearsome creature quickly closed the distance between them, stopping right in front of Roarke.
         - These lands are not for you, human, you should not have come here. What is your mission? Speak!
         - I don’t have a mission. I..
         - My patience grows thin, human! Speak the truth and I will grant you a quick death.
         - I am speaking the truth! I came here wit....
         The wolf-creature moved with supernatural speed, knocking the wind out of Roarke with a closed fist right to the gut, who fell to his knees gasping.
         - Lies and deceit.