Chapter 19

Channon dreamt that Reilly was being killed by the trolls. He awoke, he swore he heard her screaming and calling out his name. He jumped up and grabbed his things. He bounded down the stairs. He told the soldiers to stay where they were, he would be back. He saddled Midnight as fast as he could and took off across the Beanstalk Forest. As he was clearing the other side he caught Tony's scent. He found him bound to a beanstalk. Tony was struggling against his chains. His arms and wrists were red and bleeding. Channon took the gag off.

"She…they…hurry…in the castle…" he mumbled. He was still delirious and had a huge welt on the side of his head. Channon shook him gently.

"Anthony, where is Reilly?" He asked, terror in his eyes. Channon shook Tony again. Tony stared at him blankly. Channon knew he had to get Tony back to the soldiers quickly. He had to think of a way to communicate with Reilly to let him know he was there. He cried out her name and howled into the full moon. Then he mounted Midnight with Tony in front of him and galloped back across the forest. He took Tony into the house and ordered the soldiers to get Tony back to the castle as soon as possible. He told them that he was going for Reilly and they were not to follow. Both soldiers knew he was a wolf and a former mercenary and so they agreed not to follow. He promised he would return with her as soon as he could.

Chapter 20

Reilly swore she heard her name called from outside. She stood and went directly under the window. The bottom sill was just above her head. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the noises coming from the window. She heard a wolf howl in the distance. She knew it had to be Channon. She prayed he would get to her in time.

Boar heard the howling of the wolf, he knew it must be someone coming for Anthony and the girl. There were no wolves in this part of the kingdoms. He told one of his lackeys to let the dogs loose. His plan was ruined, Wendell had sent a trained professional for them. He should have known the little coward would not show up himself, even to reclaim his bride. He ran to find Burly who was sulking in the kitchen.

"You get your wish now, Wendell has sent a professional to get them." Boar snapped. "It is a wolf, take the girl and get her out of here, now. I will deal with anyone that comes looking for her."

Burly ran up the steps two at a time. He burst into the chamber, Reilly was standing under the window, she seemed to be smiling. She must know that someone was coming to rescue her. He grabbed her arm.

"No time to talk Princess, you are coming with me. You will not be rescued so easily." Burly grabbed her chains and dragged her out the door; she tripped and fell hurting her ankle even more. Burly swore at her and then picked her up, he slung her over his shoulder.

Chapter 21

Channon raced to the Troll castle. When he got within 100 yards the dogs that had been set loose tried to attack. Midnight was able to fight them off except one. Channon jumped off of Midnight and growled at the dog. His eyes began to glow green; he could feel the wolf welling up in him. The dog lunged at him, he grabbed it and growled again, the dog ran away when he released it. He left Midnight in the field outside the castle gate. He was suspicious; it was late at night yet the gate was still open and unguarded, they must know he was here. He knew they had probably heard him but he did not let that bother him right now. He had to find Reilly, that was what he was there for, he would rescue her or die. If he did not rescue her there was no reason to live.

He could smell Reilly and Tony in the courtyard. He followed the scent into the castle courtyard. When he got near the door he caught the foul scent of troll. He grabbed the handle and shoved his way in. He caught Bluebell by surprise, the young troll fell to the floor, Channon jumped on him. He growled, his eyes were glowing, he grabbed Bluebell by the throat

"I will only ask this once…where is she." He tightened his grip.

"Upstairs…in the tower." Bluebell croaked. Channon cracked Bluebell's head on the floor knocking him out cold. He walked slowly toward the stairs; he saw something moving out of the corner of his eye. He pulled his whip from his hip. Blabberwort lunged at him; Channon moved to the side, she ran past him. She turned and came at him again, he stepped to the side once again and as she went past he caught her ankles with his whip. She fell hitting her head on the wall.

Reilly heard fighting downstairs, Burly stopped on the stairs. He had heard it also. Reilly cried out. "Channon."

"Rei…l…ly" Channon responded. He ran for the stairs, he did not see Boar in the shadows. Boar hit him broadside, knocking him down. The troll was taller and heavier than Channon, however he did not have Channon's animal reflexes. Channon rolled and was back on his feet almost instantly.

"Channon." Reilly cried out again. Burly took off again in the opposite direction; he was heading for the back stairs.

Channon could hear the fear in her voice; he growled as the wolf was building in him, his fangs began to grow. Boar watched as the young wolf grew longer fangs, Channon's hackles were up, he seemed to get broader with every growl. Boar pulled out his pouch of Troll dust; he blew some in Channon's face. The young wolf sneezed but it did not affect him. Boar pulled his short sword. Channon pulled out his whip again. They circled the floor.

"Reilly." Channon yelled when he was near the stairs.

Reilly did not hear him, Burly already had her out of the castle and in the stable where he was loading up some gear in a small cart. He had gagged Reilly again and thrown her in the back.

Boar lunged, Channon was able to side step him. He cracked the troll in the back of the neck with the tip of his whip, drawing blood. The troll turned on him again. Channon cracked the whip again; it hit Boar in the face. Boar grabbed the whip and pulled Channon closer. Boar swung at him, he caught Channon in the upper arm, it was a superficial wound, which only succeeded in making Channon madder. Boar pulled him closer, Channon struck out with his foot, knocking the sword from Boar's hand. Boar jumped at Channon, grabbing his arm as he went by. Boar dragged Channon to the ground, using his weight he was able to pin Channon to the floor. Channon started growling again. Boar pulled a small knife and put it to Channon's throat.

"First I am going to kill you, then I am going to cut off your tail and put it on a post under your head." He sneered at Channon. "and when my nephew gets done I am going to have my way with the girl. I can tell by your reaction that she is your female not Wendell's. That's why the little coward sent you." He pressed the knife even closer to Channon's throat. He did not see Channon reach for the knife he had picked up at Reilly's old house. Channon pulled the knife from its sheath and buried it in Boar's side. He pushed the troll off.

"You will not touch her ever again." Channon kicked the troll and ran out of the castle. As soon as he was in the courtyard he caught Reilly's smell. He whistled for Midnight, the horse appeared almost immediately.