Tristram looked down at his travelling companion. The wolf called Yoshi was still injured, and it was slow going for them. But eventually they had located where this Kabian was.

The wolf they followed had fooled them. First it had headed inland and then back to the beach. It had Tristram completely confused. But Yoshi seemed to be following something that was obvious only to him.

“All wolves have two scents. Their Clan Leader marks then with his scent,” Yoshi had been explaining the lives of wolves as they had walked, “This allows all other wolves to know where you come from. Then there is a wolf’s individual scent. This is what shows through under the Clan Leaders scent. Once you know a wolf by his scent, then you don’t even need to be able to see him to know he is there.

Scents hang in an area for a time. But they fade over time, making it difficult to tell who has been in an area. When many wolves travel over one spot it also makes it hard to tell exactly where wolves have gone. That is why it has been a little difficult for me sorry.

My injuries are making it hard to concentrate precisely, and Kabian’s scent has been walked over many times. Not only that, but other wolves now carry his scent making it hard to distinguish him exactly. I am doing my best though.”

“So you’re saying this Kabian is a Clan Leader?”

“Of sorts. I don’t understand exactly what is going on with Kabian right now. These last few days have been strange. He is little more than a pup; he is only one year old.”

“How old are you then?”

Yoshi had looked at Tristram then, eyes narrowed.

“I am sorry, I did not realise it was so personal,” Tristram waved his arms before him in mock defence.

“Let us just drop it. I can handle questions about my kind, but I can’t handle questions about me.”

Tristram let out a chuckle, “You’re sounding more and more human. Aside from the growling. Okay, I won’t ask any more personal questions. Just tell me what else you can about wolves.”

Yoshi growled deep and menacingly, but continues none-the-less.

“We have five of these Clans within the bounds of the mountains. I mean, we had five I mean. It seems that your leader came her once before and all but wiped out one of our Clans. The Hot Sands Clan was well respected. Only one of the wolves survived. And we go to see him now. I hope you’re prepared.”

Tristram could feel the disgust flowing from Yoshi. It was literally hanging in the air between them. It made Tristram sad.

“I was not here. I feel sorry for the loss,” something clicked in his mind as he spoke, “Oh; you mean this Kabian is the only surviving member of this Hot Sands Clan?”

“Thank Monok you figured that out. I would have been worried if that slipped past you. Yes he is. And you had better be prepared; I doubt he will be very forgiving.”

“I can understand why, but I must try. I assume you speak of Captain Morgan when you say our leader.”

“The large one with the three pointed thing on his head. Doesn’t say much by the looks, but he did stand on a box at one stage to address your entire clan.”

“That will be Captain Morgan then. My Clan? Oh no, these are not part of my ‘clan’. I am travelling with them to assist them.”

“You humans are a strange bunch.”

“I could say the same of you wolves, but I won’t.”

“You just did.”

“Forget it. Please just speak to me of the Clans. Put your mind to other things.”

“If you will Tristram. Be it on your head when you meet Kabian though. I will just tell of the remaining Clans.

Until very recently four clans remained. The Oak Wood, the Crystal Glade, the Scarred Tree, and the Holy Guardians. But recently that changed again. The leader of the Scarred Tree turned his entire clan over to Kabian. It is unheard of, but that is what had happened. So every wolf in the Scarred Tree Clan became a member of the Blood Mist Clan. It is more confusing than you could imagine.”

Tristram laughed again. It was uncanny how the two races were so alike.

“Yoshi, you could not believe how what you have just spoken of rings true of us humans in more ways than you could imagine. But I won’t speak of it now. I need to know of you wolves before I meet Kabian.”

“There is too much to teach. There is no way for you to know it all before you meet him.”

“Why do you say that?” Tristram’s eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed.

“Because his scent just got stronger. He is not far from us now. Just remember one thing, you humans killed his father.”

Tristram stopped dead in his tracks and looked around. As he had suspected there was no visible change in the forest to say that there were any more wolves around. The shadows were complete within the trees at night. The moon shone through the leaves where it could, but that wasn’t as often as Tristram would like.

“So Yoshi, what do we do now? We can’t just walk in unannounced can we?”

“You weren’t paying attention before were you? If I go near there then they will smell me, and those who know me will, well, know me. Kabian, Estumi and Koga all know me, so that should deter any other wolves from attacking us.”

“But that doesn’t solve the problem of me does it.”

Yoshi sniffed in the direction of Tristram and his eyes widened. He turned closer to the human and sniffed deeper. Slowly he paced around Tristram, trying to decipher something that was puzzling him.

Yoshi walked back along the tracks they had made. Tristram had to look closely at them though. Then he noticed it. There was only one set of tracks, and they were paw prints. Yoshi looked at him with worried eyes.

“This morning when I spoke with you, Tristram the human, you had two things that you do not have now. You had a scent and you had tracks. I watched as we took our first steps together through the forest, and your feet left clear marks in the soft dirt. And it was hard to get your smell from my nose long enough to find Kabian’s.

I don’t know what you’ve done. I also don’t know if it will be good or bad. But you remind me of one of our own.”

Tristram was perplexed. How was it he could have no scent, nor any tracks. It was not possible. No living creature should be able to do that. He looked down at his feet and stamped them hard. There were no boot prints though, and the grass he seemed to squash just sprung back to life when he lifted his foot.

“It wasn’t me! Look, Yoshi, I have no idea what is going on here.”

Yoshi looked up at Tristram as the human was frantically trying to make footprints in the grass.

“I can do nothing except believe you Tristram.”

“I tell you Yoshi, I am not lying… oh, that’s good. Sorry, normally people don’t believe me straight away.” Tristram rubbed his hand through his hair. He watched on as Yoshi suddenly became more alert. The wolf’s nose was high in the air and sniffing, as he twisted first one way then another.

“Tristram, you might have just made things a little easier on me, whatever it was you did, but we have to move now. The scent is strong. I don’t want to lose him again, I need my sleep. Follow me now.”

Yoshi turned away from Tristram and started walking off into the forest. Tristram stopped his stamping his feet on the ground and started trailing after Yoshi. The wolf wasn’t hard to follow though; he couldn’t walk very fast at the moment.

The trees started to pull away a bit into a large clearing. The moon was shining down and Tristram could see fairly clearly what was there.

A stream ran down the far side of the clearing, swollen due to the recent rains. The grass was lush and green. Another sign of the rain. But it was what was along the bank that was of the most interest. Quite a large number of wolves were sitting on the ground, relaxing near the stream.

A few had their heads up, sniffing the air. A couple stood and started moving in the direction of Yoshi. Tristram thought it best to hide off in the trees behind Yoshi, and let the wolf introduce him. He could hear the wolves speaking to Yoshi.

“Is that you Yoshi?” This wolf had the look of youth, much like dogs did.

“Yes it is Kabian. A little worse for wear. But still alive.”

“That is good to hear then. Though I dare ask what happened to the others.” Tristram kept an eye on this wolf. His thoughts were proven correct when Yoshi said his name, maybe for Tristram’s benefit.

“There was a fire. The humans created it, and it drove the others right into their path.” Tristram could feel the sorrow in Yoshi’s words. He had seen it happen. It was a horrific sight to behold. He had done what he could to help though.

The other wolf spoke quickly with a question. “Humans?” His voice spoke of age. Likely he was older than Yoshi.

Yoshi looked across at him and nodded his head slowly. Both wolves just looked at him questionably.

“Kabian, Hinjo, please remain calm.”

The one called Kabian lifted his head a little and tried sniffing the air. But he didn’t look in Tristram’s direction, so he doubted he could smell Tristram either.

“Kabian… The creatures we have been driving from our shores. Or trying to anyways. They are called humans.”

“How could you know that?” Hinjo was being very direct and he was speaking fast. But Kabian was still looking around behind Hinjo. Kabian’s eyes passed over Tristram many times, but never settled on him. For this he was grateful. He doubted he could withstand their stares.

“Hinjo, please understand. This was not my idea. I was completely against it to begin with. But one of the humans told me himself.”

Kabian’s head whipped around to Yoshi, eyes narrowed.

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“How is that possible? I cannot understand them. They make such strange noises.”

“I don’t understand him. Somehow he understands us, and speaks like we do.”

“That is not possible. Are you trying to make a joke Yoshi? If you are, then it is in bad taste. We lost a worthy wolf tonight to the creatures.”

“I jest you not Kabian. Please, listen to him yourself.”

Kabian let out a short chuckle. “Your dream creature has run off Yoshi, I sense nothing out there. You must have been imagining the whole thing. Maybe it’s due to those injuries of yours. Come to the stream and get cleaned up.”

“I did not think it would be easy for you to believe. He is here though Kabian. Likely listening to everything you have said.”

“Bring your imagination to life then Yoshi. Prove us all wrong.”

Yoshi turned back to look roughly where Tristram was standing. “Tristram,” he called behind him, “I think it may be safe enough now. Come out and introduce yourself.”

Tristram looked at the two wolves that were now staring intently at the spot where Yoshi was talking to. He took a glance at the rest of the wolves too. They were all standing, paying close attention to what was about to happen.

He stretched his arm forward and moved a branch to make his way clear. Stepping forward he entered the clearing. As he walked something felt different. He looked down at his clothes. They had somehow changed. From the time he had been stamping his feet on the ground to now his clothes had changed drastically.

Though what he was wearing now was much more suited to being in a forest such as this. The change had been so subtle he hadn’t noticed it. Now though he was wearing shiny leather boots that reached almost to his knees, with the tops turned down. On his legs were leaf green leggings tucked into the top of his boots. His shirt was now short sleeved and the same leaf green as his pants, with a fine belt of black leather wrapping around his waist. He could feel a hood hanging down his back to.

He wondered what other surprises would be in store for him soon. Everything seemed to be happening so fast. There was only one explanation of all this. The man from his dreams, well that must be Volg, god of the Hunt. His god. He recognised his outfit now as the one from the tapestries. He was wearing Volg’s raiment.

But he had no time to think on that now. He had wolves to face.

They kept a clear eye on the forest as it parted way. As soon as Tristram was stepping free they all took on a defensive stance. Both Kabian and Hinjo started growling at him, their teeth barred and the hair along their back erect like spikes. The two wolves were growling low and looking from Yoshi to Tristram and back.

“How dare you bring one of the creatures to us!” Hinjo’s venomous words were thrown at Yoshi.

“This can only bring trouble down on our heads.” Kabian’s voice was more calm than Hinjo’s had been, but his anger at the human’s intrusion was clear.

“I don’t mean you any harm Kabian.” Tristram held his hands before him, palms facing the wolves.

Kabian rounded on Yoshi, “He knows my name too?”

“Kabian, what do you expect? He helped me. He stopped the fire that drove the others from the forest and then healed me as best he could. He has only done things to aid us!” Yoshi was trying frantically to calm Kabian down and it seemed to work a little.

The hairs along Kabian’s back went down a little, but Hinjo stayed on guard. Kabian turned to Tristram and looked at him deeply. He sniffed the air again and shook his head.

“I do not know what is going on Yoshi. I have not seen any of what you say happen, but I must take your word. But I would like to know why he has no scent?”

“Your guess is as good as mine Kabian. The only other I know like this is Ohenoki.”

“You are right there Yoshi. This is intriguing,” Kabian looked at Hinjo who was still growling in Tristram’s direction, “Hinjo, stand down. Take Yoshi over to the stream and keep the others back. I don’t want anyone making mistakes here.”

Hinjo didn’t stop growling but his hackles went down a little. He glanced briefly at Kabian and spoke curtly, “As you will, Kabian. But we will be just there.”

Hinjo and Yoshi both headed away, leaving Kabian and Tristram alone to speak face to face.

Feeling that he was not showing the proper courtesy to the wolf, Tristram found a comfortable place and sat down on the ground. Kabian walked around him, sniffing and searching for either a scent or some sort of tracks. He could find neither.

“We, creature, you are quite intriguing. What was it you call yourself?”

“Lord Kabian, sir, we are called humans.”

“Lord? Ha! I am no lord, wolves have no lords. I am merely little more than a pup. Who has had lots of things thrown at him. Don’t try and make me your friend human. You killed my family.”

Tristram followed the wolf, turning his head one way then the other as Kabian circled him. “I was not here when your family is killed.”

“But you humans have acted all the same. You came and killed the first time. You come and kill this time.”

“I did not come to kill. I did not know why the others came. I was just with them at the behest of my master. He bade me come and see what was happening. When I saw the others destroying the forest I did what I could, instinct took over, and I put the fire out.”

“How can one human put an entire fire out?”

“Our gods grant us the power to do many things.”

“And our god will grant us the power to drive you from our shores.”

“You have a god?” Tristram’s surprise was evident. This was one comment he had not been expecting.

“Our god watches over us from the moon. He keeps us safe as best he can.”

Kabian looked up at the moon and walked a little distance from Tristram to see it more clearly. Tristram stood and went to follow when a strange feeling came over him.

He looked at his arm and could see the slight hairs there start to rise. He looked at Kabian and the other wolves. The hair on their backs was started to stand on end, but not from anger, something was drawing it up. It felt like the start of a violent storm.

Tristram stood looking at the sky. The clouds were no different. There was no sign of a storm growing in the sparsely clouded sky. It had rained itself out the other day. He looked at his arm again. Something was definitely creating some energy nearby.

Then the humming started. A crackling hum that sounded like it was speeding along. All the wolves were looking around, trying to figure out where it was coming from. Tristram looked as well, until a voice called his attention back.

“What are you doing human?” Kabian screamed at Tristram, making himself heard over the humming.

Wind picked up, and some of the wolves were finding it difficult to stand. Tristram was struggling against it. The humming was starting to drive into his head and he covered his ears with his hands. But it didn’t help. The sound filled his body.

Over the sound and the wind he could hear Kabian yelling something at him. He looked at Kabian and saw him starting to run in Tristram’s direction. A glow started as Kabian leapt. Tristram was driven to his knees by the sound.

Kabian arced over the land and came directly at Tristram when he was suddenly struck by a glowing blue orb of pure energy. The orb struck Kabian squarely on his back and forced its way into Kabian’s body. The light encased the wolf in mid flight and everything seemed to stop.

Soon the glow had completely encased Kabian and a shockwave of energy left his body and struck out in all direction. The ground rippled as the blast went through it. Everything suddenly became barren around them. Tristram could feel himself being forced backwards by the blast.

Green sparks filled his vision, clashing with the blue glow. The pushing stopped. But something else was there, and it caused him to drop to the ground. He could not explain it, but he collapsed into unconscious as the green sparks fought with the blue glow.

The blue blast spread out and wolves were thrown in all directions. Some were dashed into trees and others flung into the stream. Some managed to hold their grip on the grass, and by crouching low the blast seemed to fly straight over them.

Hinjo and Yoshi managed to stay firm in their positions where they had been watching the two. They stood as the blast died down and looked at each other. Neither had seen the likes of this in their entire life. They walked a few steps toward where the glow was starting the die down.

The wind and the energy in the air were gone, but they struggled to see what was in the centre of the blast as a blue mist-like glow surrounded the area. Slowly is shrunk, into a single point. That point was Kabian.

They rushed over. Kabian was lying on his side in the middle of the devastation, the blue glow still hanging around his fur. He seemed unhurt, and was breathing deeply. But when the two tried to wake him he wouldn’t budge.

They looked to the side where another figure was appearing from the blast. The human Tristram was lying on his back on the grass, feet pointing at Kabian. The only grass left within twenty feet of Kabian’s body was the grass under Tristram and more that seemed to spray like a shadow behind the human.

They gazed intently at the grass for a few moments. It seemed somehow lusher than it had been before. The human himself was strange. Where Kabian was slightly glowing blue, Tristram was slightly glowing green. The green around Tristram was fading fast.

Yoshi went to try and wake him, but he too would not open his eyes. He licked at his face, but there was no reaction. Tristram was breathing deeply too. So the signs of life were visible in both of them. They just would not wake.

“What has that creature done to Kabian?” Hinjo asked at no one in particular.

“Did you not see for yourself Hinjo? The blue orb came from the cliffs! There is no way Tristram had any part of that.”

“So you’ve named your pet too? I say we leave here now. We need to take Kabian somewhere that he will be safe while he recovers. Koga will know what to do. We need to leave the creature here. Let the crows finish him off.”

“I will not do that Hinjo. He has helped me when I was almost dead, it is only right I repay the favour. I could not live with myself otherwise.”

“Fine, but take him away from Kabian. I will not have him tainting our leader.”

The two stared daggers at each other while the rest of the wolves scrambled to the grass again. Some limped as they got up from the base of trees. Others shook themselves dry when they finally clawed their way onto the bank.

Hinjo turned away from Yoshi and went to talk to the rest of the clan. But he stopped after two steps, looking in the direction of the cliffs.

Yoshi saw Hinjo standing still and turned his head to look in the same direction. He shook his head and blinked his eyes. What was a black wolf doing here? What was a black wolf anyway? None in any of the clans had colours such as this. Hinjo spoke to it though, as it started walking into the clearing.

“Who in Monok’s everlasting Halls are you? And what are you doing here?”

Yoshi sniffed the air. The wolf had no scent. It paid no heed to Hinjo and just kept walking on, in the direction of Kabian and Tristram.

Hinjo stepped forward, and so did Yoshi, blocking the black wolf’s path to the unconscious two.

“Stand aside you two. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.” The black wolf was matter of fact. It didn’t make a threat; it just spoke clearly exactly what it meant to say.

Yoshi looked at him deeply and then said one word, “Ohenoki?”

The black wolfs head dropped and sorrow came to its eyes.

“No, I am not Ohenoki. Though he was a brother of mine. You do not know me, but you need to trust me. I am the same as Ohenoki. He looked after you here, between the mountains. I look after my own clans on the other side of these mountains.”

Hinjo and Yoshi were in shock. Both took a step back and the black wolf walked between them towards Kabian and Tristram.

“I see am too late. Kabian is not dead, he is very much alive. But he will remain unconscious for some time. Ohenoki sent me to look after him. My name is Seichi.”

Seichi seemed to only just then notice the human. His eyes narrowed and he walked over to sniff Tristram. He turned back to the two wolves waiting in shock to the side.

“Was this human glowing green not long ago?”

Hinjo seemed to stammer out a reply, “Y-y-yes. He was.”

Seichi turned back to human again and looked at him.

“We need to get both these two out of here. They are not safe. Our enemies are getting closer and we will not have enough time. Get some of your wolves to carry them. The human is just as important as Kabian at the moment. Do not harm him in any way.”

Hinjo seemed in shock again, but turned and started barking orders at the wolves to come and aid in carrying the two bodies. Wolves quickly came over and lifted them, making sure they were well off the ground. Yoshi moved over to Seichi.

“Where will we take them?”

“Koga and Sugano are waiting for us with the humans at the cliff. They have them surrounded. We will be much safer up there than we are here.”

Seichi peered off to one side and could see another wolf still lying under a tree. “See to that wolf over there too, we cannot leave anyone behind.”

Yoshi only noticed the wolf when it was pointed out.

“Hinjo,” he called, “there’s a wolf off to the side.”

Hinjo came quickly and the two went off to see who was still down.

“Oh no, that’s Tobi. We need to bring her, and quickly,” Hinjo spoke fast, leaving Yoshi a little confused at what was going on. But between the two of them they got Tobi off the ground and went after the others.

Seichi came up beside them. “She is alive, do not fear. I feel we may need her, so please keep her close to Kabian.”

Seichi then went to the front of the line and looked at the human. He shook his head and looked in the direction of the ocean. He could feel Innic getting closer. Briefly he had felt Innic’s power inland, but that wasn’t possible. But this feeling coming closer was definitely him. And it could only mean that trouble was brewing.

“Why have you come Volg?” He whispered to himself.

Yoshi and Hinjo were beside him again, keeping the body of Tobi close to Kabian. But Yoshi seemed to be struggling, so Seichi organised someone to replace him.

“Your wounds aren’t too bad. But they will cause you pain for a day or so.”

“I know. Please, Seichi, call me Yoshi.”

“Thank you for trusting me Yoshi.”

“Too many strange things have been happening recently for me not to trust a wolf of no colour found in our clans. You know Ohenoki, and that is what counts. But I do want to know why Ohenoki didn’t come himself? Usually he would be helping us.”

“Ohenoki didn’t come because he was going to his death. I tried to get here earlier, but your tracks through here are strange and I couldn’t follow them properly.”

“Ohenoki is dead?”

“I am sorry to say that this is the truth,” the pain was clear on Seichi’s face, “that blue orb that struck Kabian was Ohenoki. Kabian may well become Ohenoki soon, if he is strong enough to survive. Or the spirit will seek out another body. But Ohenoki seemed to think Kabian would have no trouble. You will say goodbye to Kabian and welcome Ohenoki back to the land of the living in a few nights.”

“That is all too strange Seichi. But I will go along with you for now. But I think you will find that Kabian is tougher than you think.”

“I sure hope so.”

The wolves carried the bodies off into the forest.