The ship pulled into harbor, its great masts billowing in the wind. The sailors aboard were all busy making preparations to dock near Surgate. The King was inside the ship, while Galuf much preferred to be on the deck helping the sailors.

"I guess the young man has sea water in his veins," thought the King, who was doing some last minute document reading before he met with the king of Surgate.

Galuf didn't mind working with the other sailors. In fact he relished the experience to do some manual labor, instead of being pampered in the castle. The seas were restless and churning, the frothy waves lapping on the ships deck every now and again. When his muscles burned and ached, when sea water got in his hair, when the noise of seagulls could be heard, these were the times that Galuf truly felt alive. The captain, looking through a telescope, caught sight of land and ordered his crew to get ready to arrive at port.

The ship finally docked and the anchor was weighed. A band was already waiting at the dock to welcome the King of Bal. As he and Galuf were walking onto the port flanked by an entourage of diplomats and other royals, the band began to play a very regal and official melody. While the king seemed to be enjoying himself, chatting with the diplomats from Surgate and performing other such pleasantries, Galuf looked out at the open sea.

"Don't stand there with that blank expression son, we must head to the castle so we can see the royal family," said the king, lightly prodding his son on the shoulder.

"Oh, yeah dad, coming." Galuf was the type of person easily susceptible to the allure of staring off into space.

The royal entourage climbed into their carriages and made their way towards the castle. Everything seemed to move like clockwork, like all official visits usually did. Galuf had to make small talk with many of the Surgate diplomats, who all dispensed with the usual pleasantries such as "the prince is getting taller every year" or "how is your sword training going?" Galuf simply answered these questions rather mechanically; he had developed practice doing it after so many years. Finally the carriages were outside of Castle Surgate, and the King and prince were led inside the great hall of the castle.

The King, Queen, and Prince of Surgate were waiting diligently at the entrance. Both Kings embraced each other wholeheartedly.

"Tazar, I haven't seen you in ages. Nor have I had the privilege to see your lovely wife Anastasia," remarked the King, lightly kissing the Queen on the hand.

"You flatter me King Zan", said the Queen laughing.

King Zan then walked over to the young prince Zeza and put his hands lightly on the boys shoulders. Zeza was two years younger than Galuf, and had short cut black hair parted straight down the middle. He was always a rather sturdy young man, and always seemed to be prepared for whatever social situation might arise.

"Prince Zeza it is good to see you again. You've grown at least a foot since my last visit. You've already started growing a beard, you'll be an old man like myself and your father in no time," said King Zan beaming. Zeza simply smiled and took the compliment. Galuf and Zeza simply gave each other a brief look, each knowing just how the other felt.

After pleasantries were done, both Kings retired deep into the castle, while Galuf and Zeza slipped away. The prince's had been best friends since early childhood, and while they had not seen each other in many, many years, they acted as if they had been around each other since forever.

"I thought we'd never get out of there," remarked Galuf, scratching the back of his head.

"You're always too anxious, Galuf. Our fathers were simply happy to see each other. Besides, we have plenty of time to goof off while they do that whole 'being royal' spiel."

"Well Zeza what is there interesting to do around Surgate?"

"Hmm, we could always visit town square and see what is going on there. I'm sure there is a wandering minstrel or some act we could go see."

"Well I guess, maybe we'll catch wind of something exciting."

"You're always sticking your nose in trouble Galuf…" smirked Zeza, leading his friend into town.

Between the two of them, Galuf was by far the more adventurous. Zeza didn't mind a little monotony to life, because after all, excitement can shorten one's lifespan. Besides Zeza hadn't seen Galuf in such a long time, it might be nice just to hang out for a bit before Galuf had to return home to Bal. The boys had finally made it into the village near the castle, and walked around. The town square was alive with people that day. There were merchants selling their wares from wooden stalls, jugglers and minstrels performing, and even a group of contortionists arranging themselves into a human pyramid.

"I didn't think the human body could bend that way…" said Galuf, turning his head to try and make sense of the shape one of the contortionists bent themselves into.

"Wonders never cease, believe me. I'm used to it though; I've seen the act before."

Galuf quickly grew bored with the activities at town square, and was itching to do something adventurous. Then the idea hit him.

"Isn't there some forest around here where there are supposed to be man sized boars?"

"Man sized boars? You've got to be kidding me!"

"Yeah, I heard one of the minstrels singing about it in Bal. They say that in Surgate forest lurks a mighty boar which no man can run down. Its tusks are like swords and its skin is like plate mail."

"That's just like you, to fall for the ramblings of a minstrel. How do you think they make their money? By singing about everyday life? What a grand score that would make! Tales of washing in the bathtub! The joy of paying bills!" chuckled Zeza lightheartedly.

"Well, why don't we go and see who is the one telling tall tales, that is, if you aren't too afraid to go…" said Galuf shrugging his shoulders. If there was anything Zeza did not like, it was being called a coward. This simple yet effective manipulation was one of many tricks Galuf usually kept up his sleeve.

"You're on then…" retorted Zeza, not wanting to seem cowardly in front of his friend.

The two princes immediately left the village and headed down a beaten path leading into Surgate Forest. The overhang of evergreen and maple trees blocked out most of the sunlight. Galuf, eager to get his adventure off to a good start, stood on a massive boulder and tried to look around to catch sight of any boars. Zeza didn't so much enjoy wandering around in the woods since it was usually fairly dark and gloomy.

"I don't see any man sized boars Galuf…they shouldn't be hard to spot."

"Maybe it's sleeping…"

"And what will you do if you were to wake it from its slumber?"

"Why, I'd take my long sword out and give it a good thrashing. Then I'd pierce its skin and bring it home for dinner!" exclaimed the boisterous young lad, waving his long sword in the air.

"I thought its skin was made of plate mail and its tusks as large as swords?"

"Well then, maybe I'll just have to settle for a regular boar then."

Just as Galuf jumped off the boulder he was on, a loud roar reverberated throughout the forest. The birds took flight, and the smaller creatures darted to and fro looking for shelter.

"What…what is going on Galuf?"

"I don't know. Sounded like the cry of an animal…"

"That isn't…oh my god run! It's a werewolf!"

The color in Zeza's face disappeared when he saw a large wolf man bound out of the darkness of the woods. Its mouth was foaming and its eyes blood red. Growling and snarling, the large monster charged towards the two boys. Galuf and Zeza broke into a sprint, running for their lives away from the murderous beast. Being the more athletic of the two, Galuf was way ahead and was nearing the exit to the forest. However his friend wasn't faring so well, and was about to be overtaken by the blood crazed werewolf.

"Galuf help!" cried out Zeza, nearly without hope.

Just as the beast was about to pounce on the hapless prince, another werewolf leaped out of the brush and tackled it onto the ground. The two beasts wrestled each other, gnashing and clawing. Galuf motioned for Zeza to get moving, and both princes quickly left the forest with their lives intact.

"Gods that was close," panted Zeza, bending over to catch his breath.

"I wasn't expecting a werewolf that's for sure. And a wild one at that! I thought most had become civilized awhile ago…"

"Well, it looks like one of them has found their roots. Chalk one up for bad luck Galuf. Let's just get back quickly, I've had enough excitement for one day," said Zeza, finally regaining his composure and the color in his face.

Meandering along the path with his companion in tow, Galuf looked out at the horizon towards the town and noticed that the sound of minstrels and performers could no longer be heard. In fact, when he took a closer look, he found that there was little movement about the town at all.

"Zeza we have to hurry, I think something is very wrong. C'mon!"

Zeza simply sighed heavily and ran down the path with his friend, hoping above all hope that maybe Galuf was just imagining things. Sadly, the carnage that was waiting for the princes was no ones imagination. The citizenry of the town had mostly fled by now, and the only people left were mauled and mangled lying on the ground. Zeza and Galuf just stood wild eyed at the scene, unable to believe their eyes. Most of the stalls and set ups for the merchants lay broken on the ground, and large claw marks could be seen on the walls of buildings.

"What happened here…" choked Zeza, unable to maintain his composure.

Both princes were soon met with the answer as three snarling werewolves appeared and slowly began to encircle the two princes. Their fangs were dripping with gore and their claws were soaked in it. Galuf drew his sword, but knew he was no match for the enraged animals.