Chapter 21: Wolf Attack
The skies dimmed unnaturally, as though twilight had arrived hours early. Thunder rumbled overhead, and the sudden downpour thickened into sheets, soaking everything beneath. No one had expected this, not with how brightly the morning sun had shone.
Kaelor stood motionless beneath the torrent, drenched from head to toe.
Rain dripped from his hair, clinging to his armor like second skin. His heart pounded against his ribs, each thump loud in his ears as he tightened his grip on his longsword. Eyes sharp and unwavering, he scanned the dense wall of trees and underbrush that surrounded them.
"Form a circle, now!" Hound barked.
At once, the twenty Guardsmen moved with discipline honed through experience and fear, forming a ring of men with Kaelor at the center. Sabers gleamed dully beneath the gray light, their tips tilted forward in readiness, the stance of men expecting death to leap from every shadow.
At first, only the steady hiss of the rain filled the air.
Then came the growls, deep, guttural, resonating from the underbrush like the sound of living drums.
Muscles tensed.
Awoo!
The eerie, guttural howl pierced the rain like a blade. From the undergrowth burst six direwolves, their matted fur soaked, yellow eyes burning with hunger. They raced forward with terrifying speed, beasts the size of small bears, all sinew, claws, and fury.
"Hold!" Hound’s voice cut through the tension. "Tighten your grip. Let them come close. Drop to your knees and thrust upward! The rest of you, guard the sides!"