Chapter the Second
Scyler didn't know how long he had been running. The wolves were still in hot pursuit and he didn't have time to stop and think.
If he had he would have noticed that he had run for three days without rest. Yet he was barely tired. Thinking to lose the wolves he cantered away into a huge canyon.
Caroak was different from most wolves. He was much more intelligent and cruel than the other members of his pack which made him the leader almost as soon as they took him in. He was a dire wolf.
Twice the size of a normal wolf and a temper to match he ran at the head of the pack following the troublesome half-grown.
Already he had formed a plan in his mind and as the youngster turned away into the canyon. He sent half of his wolves down a different passage.
He was in his element. The hunt was going perfectly.
Scyler was lost. Among huge walls of grey there were many paths but he didn't know which one to take. He was weakening, whatever force that kept him running was leaving his body. His knees wobbled as he walked on.
His nostrils flared, the wind had changed. The wolves! Have they caught on to me?
His natural instinct was to flee, but because he couldn't choose a path he was rooted to the ground with fear.
An inhuman howl rent the air, forcing his mind back to reality. Caroak stepped out from behind a rock, his wolves forming a circle around Scyler.
If I can't flee then I'll fight and die like a warrior! He braced his legs and ran his hoof down his horn a few times to sharpen it.
Giving a battle cry that sounded more like a stallion's than a half-grown's he reared, defying the wolves. Come and get me! If I die then I'm taking some of you with me!
The wolves started to close in when another cry answered his. Looking up he saw a great figure closing in from above. "A griffin!" he exclaimed.