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Part III
Chapter 2:
Krieger
Marcus, Gideon and friends walked a day stopping only for water, lunch, and the occasional pit stop. They made good time. They were only a day’s journey away from his home. They picked a spot to camp for the night near the great river. Marcus and Gideon gathered wood, while the rest of the pack stayed behind to watch over the camp site.
It was dusk. Nightfall would come too soon. She and her minions would be coming out to feed. Whether they would come in this direction or not, was unknown. Marcus wasn’t about to take any chances. When he returned to the campsite with Gideon, the wolves had already cleared a spot for themselves and surprisingly caught dinner; two decent sized rabbits, and a large fish.
Marcus was impressed at his new friends’ skills. This looked like the beginnings of a beautiful partnership. He cleaned and cooked the dinner, served his new friends and himself possibly one of the best meals he’s had in the last two or three days.
“This could work out nicely,” he thought to himself.
By dinners end, it was night. In the distance, Marcus could hear the howls of the beast pack. Gideon and friends perked their ears up and stood ready. Marcus grabbed his revolver, made sure it was loaded, and grabbed any extra ammunition he could pull aside for quick loading.
Marcus could feel them around him. The pack stood alert in all directions. The growls were closing in. The first of the beasts made itself visible. It was the one she called, Krieger.
Krieger stood up on his haunches and slowly transformed, human. Another beast walked up beside him carrying a bag of sorts. Krieger opened the bag and pulled out his robes. Quickly throwing on his robes, he addressed Marcus.
“Her Majesty wishes words with you.”
“If she wishes to speak with me, she can do it herself. She doesn’t need you.”
“Oh, but she does. You see, I was here first, and I will be here when she grows tired of you.”
“So, you must be the one who wants her throne. It’s common with the royal societies. There’s always an ‘advisor’ who wants more control; who get greedy and want the true power.”
“hmpf. I’m not sure you know what you’re dealing with.”
“Maybe not in your mind, but I’m pretty sure I’m dealing with a two faced cheating beast who hasn’t the courage to step up and take control of what should be his.”
A deep guttural growling came from within Krieger.
“I’m sure you must be mistaking. I was there when Her Majesty was transformed; your first kiss. I was there when your village cast her out. I was there when she needed to learn to hunt. I was there when she needed comfort, and I was there when she found you.”
“So, you’re the jealous type; the one who should rightfully be at her side, instead of a mortal, like me.”
Krieger made another low growl. Two beasts moved in from the sides. The smaller of the wolf packs moved quickly; taking defensive positions to protect Marcus.
“I take it I was right?”
“HAHAHAHAAA… You expect them to protect you from us?”
“No, but they’ll help.” Marcus raised his revolver pulling back the hammer with his thumb.
CLICK! BANG!
The first beast dropped to the ground and transformed; dead. Marcus spun to his left.
CLICK! BANG!
The second beast stumbled backwards and dropped.
The other beasts howled and looked to Krieger for instruction. He stood in amazement, as Marcus smirked behind his revolver aimed at Krieger.
“I don’t like threats,” Marcus stated as Krieger stepped forward, “Keep moving forward if you wish to be dead.”
Krieger stopped. “You’ll regret that, human!”
CLICK....
He quickly shed his robes, transforming into the beast that once converted Kritzia, now lunging for Marcus, knocking him down and sinking his teeth into Marcus’ shoulder.
BANG!
“HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWLLLLL!”
The other beasts joined in the hurtful howling, while Krieger stood up on his hind legs clutching his left side, and stumbling backwards.
Marcus rolled over, quickly standing up and pointing the revolver at Krieger, again.
Krieger could barely stand as he transformed human, again. He grabbed on to the fur of his next closest beast, hoisting himself onto its back.
“You haven’t seen the last of us, human. Your time will come.”
Marcus exhaled a breath he didn’t realize he was holding as he watched the beasts run off toward the mountains, howling. He dropped his revolver and clutched his bleeding shoulder.
His friends turned and stared at him, many starting to growl, others beginning to run away. Gideon backed away slowly, whimpering in the process.
Marcus knew what was happening, although he tried to deny it. Reaching for his bag, he found some medical supplies; wraps, and a medicinal ointment. Rubbing the ointment on his shoulder wound, it burned.
Gideon cowered even further away from Marcus.
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