Author's Note: Thank you Tom Valor. Night Stalkers, uuu, never thought of that. Hmmm, but yes, the Night Walkers have some signifigant importance, you see. After this chapter...I AM SO DYING TO WRITE THE NEXT ONE!!!!! lol. Hope you all enjoy it :) - Sandra

Scarlet and the Blade of Light

Chapter 4: Rescue of the Wolves

Though they grew tired, the party never ceased, they pressed on for another 3 hours, another 5 miles. Their destination point was just one more mile up ahead. They were at the end of the forest now. They could see no signs of the haunted house, all they saw was land and green rolling hills. It was now morning, the sun was shining bright and there was no signs of dangers, no threats that entered the minds of the three.

"Were very close." Edlyn whispered.

By now, the three of them were weary from all their walking. They decided to rest their at the edge of the forest, lying against trees and shutting their eyes. All of them were too tired to keep watch. Edlyn chose a secluded area just a couple of feet away to meditate for four hours. When she focused back on the world, she saw that her friends were still gathering the extra sleep they needed. She ate a bit, and kept watch for them for the next four hours. By the time the other two woke and ate enough to satisfy, it was between noon and evening. They didn't even bother to have a campfire or sleeping bags out, all they had to do was throw on their backpacks and get up again.

"Alright, you ready?" Edlyn asked as she got up.

"Just you wait one moment!" Ariadne busted out, she stood up so fast that Dimble became very startled and started to screech at Edlyn for causing his master to stand up so abruptly.

"Ah, shut up, you stupid monkey." Edlyn said indignantly.

"Dimble isn't a stupid monkey. You're the one that's stupid. By the time we get to…that house…it'll be dark! Are you out of your mind?!" Ariadne cried as she tapped her quarterstaff lightly on Edlyn's head. She could have easily dodged it, but she liked this better.

Edlyn's eyes glittered with mischief and cunning, a teasing grin danced on her lips, "What's the matter Ariadne, scared of what? Ghosts?"

"Shouldn't I be?" she asked in a low tone.

"Well, you don't believe me, so no…why, you finally taking me seriously? Besides, my dear friend, it could be as bright as day when we get there, but once were inside, it'll be darker than black, if that's possible. Anyway, were only 30 minutes away, so you are wrong, when we get there, it will still be light out."

"She's right," Demonia said, "Let's go."

As soon as the three of them moved forward they saw something up ahead. A line of tiny humanoids walking towards them. Only…they couldn't be human. The three started to get a little anxious, for they could not make out what was up ahead, they were to far, but they were getting closer and closer. And by the looks of things, they spotted them right back. Though they were still like little pinpoints to their eyes, you could hear them more than see them. They heard ruckus angry language that sounded basically like a bunch of angry dogs barking and growling at one another. It was definitely not human. Demonia drew her blade out, the magninficent metal glinting bright under the sunlight, the pommel gem glowing so lovely, the hilt was gripped tight in her grasp. Edlyn set an arrow ready in her short bow, promising her rapier she would use it soon. Ariadne just stood there, waiting.

Finally, the line was close enough to make out. There were exactly seven kobolds. All lined up with each other, carrying simple spears. They were now a good several feet away. As soon as Edlyn let her arrow fly, Ariadne knelt on the ground on one leg as Dimble started to do a little dance around her in a circle. The arrow flew sky high and pierced one of the kobolds in the shoulder, doing good damage, but not killing it. The kobolds grew angry and started to charge. Demonia was set and ready, Ariadne started to chant, Edlyn lit off another arrow and killed one kobold. The arrow hit it's neck, it choked, stunned, sputtered blood and fell to the ground. They were so close to them now, so ready to fight up close and personal, Edlyn pulled out her rapier, but there was no need. A loud howl fell into the air, out of no where, a swarm of seven wolves total came running out from the forest. There eyes vicious and there fur shining so lovely, they could only be described as violent beauties as they rushed out faster than light it seemed out in front of the three to protect them from the kobolds. Some immediately got injured by the piercing spears of the kobolds, but they recklessly fought on, gnawing at their heads and destroying all kobolds completely within a matter of five minutes. First saved by a bag of coins, now a pack of vicious wolves. Ariadne smiled, feeling satisfied as the other two watched in absolute amazement. After the mini battle was over and all the kobolds laid piled on top of each other staining the grass with their filthy blood. The leader of the wolf pack was bleeding slightly from the shoulder, oddly she still seemed quite noble even as she limped towards Ariadne, the leader of the wolf pack bowed down on it's knees, Ariadne bowed back in appreciation. They seemed to communicate with one other through the eyes. Thank you, for protecting my friends. Ariadne said in a way that only the wolf could understand. Always proud to serve any true druid who passes my threshold. The wolf talked back, and with that it met up with the rest of it's pack and disappeared deep into the heart of the forest where they lived.

Edlyn and Demonia were still awestruck at what happened, when finally Edlyn's swift eyes darted and saw that there were a couple of kobolds to the west of where Edlyn and the other two were standing.

"LOOK!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

The kobolds, obviously were spies that roamed through open lands, startled by Edlyn's outburst and scared of meeting death like their friends did. The two kobolds barked and started to scamper away. Edlyn shot off an arrow as quick as she could, but they were to fast for her and the arrow missed completely. The two kobolds shot a last fearsome look and disappeared into the forest.

Demonia rested a hand on Edlyn's shoulder, "Let it go, were almost there."

Edlyn nodded and put her weapons away. The three of them started once more, ready to face a moment of their lives, knowing little it would be something they would never forget.