Hoof beats could be heard thundering through the forest, their metal shoes echoing off the trees. The haggard and ragged breathing of the horses and riders told of their long hard run. The enlarged whites of the horses eyes showing their fear. Eight riders plunged recklessly through the woods. The fierce howls of a pack of hunting wolves lent wings to the feet of the horses. The lead rider was a woman of fair complexion, her long blond hair trailed behind her in twin braids, done up in mauve colored ribbons. She wore a short matching white and mauve colored riding dress. An elegant bow hung by the saddle, and a short delicate sword by her side; the fear shown clearly in her eyes. The other seven riders were all men-at-arms in full armor, their chain mail shirts clanging in their mad dash. The ensigna of the Marquis de Harnikian, one of the richest and most powerful Hylian nobles, sewn on their shoulders. They all had swords, spears or axes strapped to their backs or saddles, with one carrying a bow.

"Hurry we're almost clear of the trees." The woman cried.

The howls of the wolves behind them where becoming louder and fiercer. A humongous black wolf suddenly leapt from in front of them at the women in the lead. The sharp twang of a bow string and the shrill cry of the wolf as the arrow pierced his soft coat, told of the narrow escape she had. The wolf's limp form hit the group with a sickening thud and he was trampled under the feet of the panicked horses. A loud angry snarled sounded as another giant wolf jumped at them, this time taking the archer down, his gurgled cry as his throat was ripped open, drowned in the thundering of the horses hoofs. The riders burst from the forest and raced for the bridge across the gorge ahead.

"Quick!" the woman exclaimed. "I'll blow the bridge when we're across."

Looking back, she saw seven gigantic wolves gaining on them in a ground eating run.

"But Mi'lady!" one of the soldiers objected, "your magic is dangerously low as it is!"

"I know that!" She snapped. "But they're too close for bombs. So unless you'd like to fight those monsters I am going to use my magic."

Cowed, he didn't reply, urging his horse to keep up its break neck pace. The woman turned back to the bridge. "Almost their" she said to herself. "Just a little further." They sped toward the bridge taxing the horses already spent strength. The loud clatter of horseshoes on wood echoed down the chasm as they crossed the small wooden structure. The deafening explosion behind them told of the success of the woman magic, and the flying boards of them destruction of the bridge.

They galloped another several hundred yards before they pulled their exhausted horses up and turned to look at the charred bridge. The wolves were racing at the gorge at top speed, showing no signs of slowing. The group expected they'd stop when they came to the edge of the pit, but their eyes grew wide in shock and terror as the watched the wolves leap effortlessly over the narrow fissure. The riders quickly turned and fled at full speed. Their horses kicking up a large dust cloud.

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"Sir!" a soldier yelled.

"What is it soldier?" The captain demanded.

"There is a party of seven riders headed this way. They are being chased by seven of those beasts." He replied.

"Notify the knights," the captain called to a soldier on the ground, "there is work to be done."

Turning back to the look out he said "Good eye soldier."

"Thank you sir."

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"Mi'lady," a soldier shouted, "there is a party of horsemen headed this way from the city. Get across the bridge quickly, blow it when your across. We'll turn and hold these beasts off."

"Francis, no!" She exclaimed.

As the soldiers slowed to turn the soldier responded, "GO! Your life is more important than ours. Your father would never forgive me should something happen to you." With that the men turned and began a dead run toward the wolves with their weapons drawn.

"NO! Come back!" She screamed, but he paid no heed. She turned, tears gathering in her eyes as she continued her race for the bridge. Her broken sobs shaking her thin frame.

"For Zelda!" Francis yelled as the men and wolves collided. The wolves leapt and the soldiers swung their weapons, as the two sides locked in deadly combat. Blades tore through fur and flesh, teeth and claws ripped soft skin. The shrill screams of the dying men and the pained yelps of the wolves mingled in the intense melee. The sounds of weapons being sunk into flesh and the horse's screams of terror filled the mid-afternoon air. As the sounds died, the field seemed to cry, the blood soaking its earth. The bodies of the two dead wolves and four dead men spread about, amidst the unconscious bodies of the other three men and the corpses of the horses. The bodies of the wolves shifted into human form, lying still in the embrace of death.

The other five wolves shifted form, and the young leader looked around at the bloodshed.

"You two," He said to the most wounded of the five. "Stay here and bind these three. You two are with me. She will not escape."

The three reverted back into wolf form and took off after the fleeing figure.