Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Two- The Black Wolf

The permanently grey sky seemed to be getting darker as she continued pulling the two cobs that followed her along the destroyed road, another thing that had suffered at the hands of the dragons. The tarmac that once covered it practically melted into oblivion made the going tricky, but she had been on worse. She could sense that something was not right, and yet she could see nothing that indicated danger. She looked to the skies, she looked in front and behind at the road, she looked to her left up the hills, and looked below to her right into the valley- nothing.

The horses trudged along behind her, weary from their long journey, but Wolf knew it was worth it. The dragons may have been decreasing in numbers but there was no need for complacency, one bad move and she would be toast. They were heading north and so was she, away from the ever growing numbers of human survivors that had gone South, it was a feast that they had yet to stumble on and she had no plans on being around when that happened. Of course her other reason for leaving was the rebel gangs, all vying for food and control, it was not safe to even be around your own kind any more.

She just thanked her lucky stars for the abandoned military convoy she had come across not far from Manchester. It was practically untouched, the food was gone but the weapons, ammo and clothing were left behind. The boots she picked out were certainly heaven sent, since she had found them her feet no longer ached or bled from the journey she was making. Still she felt uneasy, whistling to dog, who she was yet to name, she stopped and listened. There was nothing, but the wind was not in her favour and untold sounds may have been deflected away from her sensitive hearing. Dog bounded up, unaware of the fatigue his new master was feeling. Dropping a dead rabbit at Wolf's feet, the Irish Wolfhound bounded around some more until he stopped and watched Wolf pick it up and put it in a saddle bag. Well it might be a rabbit but its the first fresh meat I've seen in a long time, she thought getting ready to move on again.

It was a she was just about to turn the corner that she finally saw what had been bothering her. Standing in the road was a group of men, a rebel gang or at least part of one, right in her way. That's odd what are they doing out here? she queried before looking about for a safe place to hide until they had gone. At first glance she had missed it herself, but down below in the valley was a small cottage and in the fading light, it would be hard for the group to spot. Making her way slowly down with horses and dog in tow, she hid inside the cottage out of sight. Collapsing to the ground beneath a window, she felt her eyes close; Wolf wasn't sure which she wanted- sleep or death but either would have to come soon if it was going to happen.

A piercing scream woke her from her state of limbo, snapping her eyes open as her brain engaged with what she heard. Looking out of the glassless window the sight before her was one of deja vu. The screaming continued along with many a jeer and laugh from the men. She had seen this before, only this time it was another poor defenceless girl playing the role of her sister. Grabbing a revolver and her favourite hunting knife she left the cottage, signalling to Dog to stay where he was; which he did reluctantly. When she got close enough to see what was happening, bile rose in her throat and her blood began to boil. Memories came back and the need to help this girl grew stronger each minute. Wolf knew what this girl was in for, a night of rape, as each man sated his needs on the child- and that was what she was.

Climbing onto the road, barely yards away from the disgusting crowd, she acted before she knew what was going on.

"I would not do that if I was you." She said, revealing herself to the group of men.

The men turned in her direction, some wielding knives the others frowning, annoyed at the interruption.

"And why do you think that?" a tall yet skinny man asked her, his northern accent spitting out the words.

"Because it's a vile and sinful act. Plus I don't want to have to kill you all." She said matter of factly. The girl was still lying on the ground, her eyes wide with pain and fright.

"Oh really?" the man said, it was obvious by now that he was the leader and he was enjoying this far too much.

"Really," she replied, her hand moving to the knife tucked down the back of her pants.

"And who are you to stop us eh? It's not like your a dragon little girl, I have no need to fear you" he laughed.

"Who am I? I am the darkness, the petite morte- the little death, I am justice, I am the hunter, the slayer and the angel of death. You wish to know who I am gentlemen? I am the Black Wolf." She said, the men closest to her visibly cowered. It was true, she was the Black Wolf, known within the Rebel Gangs of the South as the last person you wanted to mess with. She had brought dragons and men alike to their knees. And looking at her you knew it was apt. She was quite tall, 5ft 8 inches at the most, slender but very well built- just the right side of muscular for a woman. She was pale in complexion, possibly due to the lack of good sunlight- ash still clung to the air. Her hair was the darkest of blacks, and if washed look like silk; and her eyes only worked to prove that she did indeed look like a wolf. They were blue, but not your normal sky blue, or stormy blue or grey blue- but ice blue. The colour of ice caps in the Arctic, the tinted blue you see in the glaciers. It was a brilliant bright blue, totally unnatural and completely hypnotic. She moved towards the group, her movements soft and graceful; she had all the power of a wolf stalking it's prey and it did nothing but intimidate those she wished to. Within seconds she had kicked the man to her right in the head, swinging her leg around to the left to take out the other man. Both crumpled to the ground unconscious, the eight other men and their disgusting leader all moved back away from Wolf unsure of her next move.

"Do you still wish to ignore me, sir?" She asked coolly. He turned red and shook his head, this could cost him his leadership; but he valued his life more so.

"She is mine now. My prey understand? Good. Now leave, run away and never come back." she finished in a low growl. The men all embarrassed but still rightly scared left quickly in the direction she had come from. Night had fallen, but Wolf's vision was still very good; for months she had travelled under the cover of darkness and it only seemed to aid her in her attempts to escape the horrors she had left behind.

She moved to the girl's side who flinched away, with obvious good reason.

"Hush, child it's all right I won't hurt you," Wolf cooed, taking off the girl's gag. The girl coughed but continued to cower, unsure of who had saved her.

"Can you stand?" the girl nodded her head and fearfully whispered a 'yes' as Wolf helped her up. She led her back down to the shack, holding the shivering girl up for most of the way. It was obvious she didn't want to enter the old cottage but some gentle encouragement from Wolf helped the girl go inside and sit by the door. Wolf eventually lit a small fire, which she knew was a bad move if anyone, or anything, saw it but the girl was cold and she knew it would help calm her.

"Come here it's all right your safe with me. My name is... Holly, what's yours?" the girl sat next to her but kept her distance. Wolf had no clue as to why she had given the girl her real name, but it seemed to work. The girl looked less wary of her, even if her stare was still intense.

"Sarah-Lou" she answered. In the firelight Wolf could see the girl better, she was very young. Long dirty blonde hair was pulled off her face to reveal many a freckle. She still maintained the chubbiness that many children lose as they begin to grow up.

"It's nice to meet you Sarah-Lou. Tell me, are you hurt anywhere?"

"My- my arm hurts. I think it might be br-broken" she stuttered as tears began to stream down her face in rivulets. Wolf tenderly picked up the girl's arm, who immediately whimpered in pain.

"Yes you're right it's broken. Now I think I have a way of stopping it from getting any worse, will you let me put a splint on it?" Sarah-Lou nodded between tears. Fetching one of the saddlebags, Wolf began work on stabilising the break, all the while asking little Sarah-Lou questions.

"How old are you Sarah-Lou?"

"13"

"Why are you out here all alone? Surely you don't live around here?"

"I live in a castle not far from here, I ran away."

"Why?"

"Because a man came to the castle and told us we should go to the city, it would be safe there. Quinn wouldn't let us, but I so wanted to go, the man said the cities would soon be like they used too." Sarah-Lou explained sounding rather excited about the city. Holly sighed, if only she knew the truth.

"Have you been to the city Holly?" Wolf stopped and stared at the girl who looked so hopeful.

"Yes I have, I lived there for some time."

"What's it like? Why did you leave?"

"I- look Sarah-Lou what that man said was a lie. No cities are wonderful and they are certainly not safe. Those men, who, who attacked you" Sarah-Lou shuddered, "They are from there, like so many others. Surely your home is a nice place?"

"Yes it is but I wanted to have an adventure."

"Sarah-Lou, adventures are not worth the trouble they cause. I know this for sure." Sarah-Lou seemed to accept this and Wolf continued with her work.

"Holly, I liked your speech, did you make it up yourself?" Wolf stopped again and smiled.

"Not really, I can't remember where I got it from."

"Are you really the Black Wolf? Why were they scared of you?" Wolf sighed.

"Yes I am. It seems my fame precedes me. You see Sarah-Lou, in the city you have to protect yourself to survive and I did many bad things that earned me that title and the fear of those around me- things I regret to this day."

"Oh, Holly?"

"Yes."

"I want to go home please"

"Of course, I'll take you in the morning all right?"

"Thank you"

"It's not bother."