A book he had owned since childhood. The only one in the world. The one that had taught him his lessons. He picked it up as if it would crumble at his touch. On the cover stood a small ragged looking boy with a wolf head in the background.

“Today is the day.” the man whispered to himself, “The day I have been waiting for has finally come.”

A lady walked into an old used book store, and looked around confused. The middle aged man behind the counter saw this and couldn‘t let her walk around with no idea what was going on.
"Anything in particular you lookin' for?" he asked the lady.
She gave the man a grateful smile and walked up to the friendly looking store owner, "Yes, actually I am. You see, my daughter's birthday is coming up and she's starting to really get into fantasy books, but I have no idea what to get her."
The man nodded, "How old is your daughter turning?" he asked.
"She'll be ten in two weeks," the lady answered.
The man raised an eye brow, "Ten and she's already acquired a taste for reading. Good for her. Good for her," he gave a small chuckle and a strange smile formed on his face. He didn’t know why or how but he knew she was the one. The one he had been waiting for his whole life, "Well, good for her. You know, I think I may have just the book for ya."
He bent down behind the counter and pulled out a very old looking book. He held it like glass and looked at it longingly before he handed it to the lady, "This is a special book, it is," he told her, "Had it when I was young, and another book keeper before me had it. Don't know exactly how long the line goes. You make sure your daughter takes real good care of this now, ya hear?"
The lady looked at the cover of the book, "The Legend of Tobin?" she read out loud, "Looks good enough. I'll take it. How much do I owe you?"
The man shook his head, "The price of that book is too great for words. Once reading that, your daughter will be changed forever. It's on me."
"No, I couldn't. I'd feel like I was stealing it if I didn't pay something," The lady insisted and started opening her purse.
"Okay, you win. Give me two dollars for it. I'll use it to buy some pop for later."
"All right if you say so," The lady still felt like she was cheating the man, only giving him two dollars for a book, but she gave him the money and walked out of the store.
The man watched her leave, "Yes, yes, I do believe she is the one I've been waiting for all these years. The Legend will continue!" he said to himself. He gave a small laugh, "The Legend of Tobin? An interesting story that one will be. It was The Great Wolf War when I read it."

Colt had just waved goodbye to the last person leaving the house. Her birthday party was over, and there was nothing left to do now but clean up.
"One more thing," her mother smiled as she went into the closet and brought out a rectangle shaped package.
Colt immediately recognized it as a book and started jumping up and down. Her mother gave her the package, and she ripped away the wrapping paper. She starred at the book in her hand. She'd never heard of it before.
"That's an old book, so be careful with it," her mother warned, and walked away to go clean up the kitchen. Colt turned the book around and looked at the back.
"This book is a spell," it said, "Once you open the first page and read the first sentence you become part of that spell. You become part of it's destiny. You become part of it's fate. The only way to break the spell is to finish the book. Only read if you are strong of mind and true of heart, for this book will take you on adventures such as no other has before. In a land long forgotten and far, far away."
Suddenly Colt was ecstatic. She had never read a book like this before. She took it to her room and sat down leaning against her bed. She open it up and started reading.
It had been nine years since the great wolf war, she read, Things were getting out of hand again. The Wolf's stole food from the humans and the humans captured the Wolf young for fun. The young boy, Tobin, now ten years old, and neither human nor wolf, traveled through out the land, trying to make peace with both sides. His young companion Spark, the wolf destined to help him, was his only friend.
How sad Colt thought Having only a wolf for a friend. she smiled, I'd be his friend. She thought even though she knew it was impossible to make friends with a story character.
Suddenly the book started to glow. Colt gave a small scream and dropped the book like it had burned her. She and stood up, but the glow surrounded her. She tried to run away but couldn't move. She cried out, but no one heard.
The book stopped glowing and laid open in the empty room.

Colt slowly regained consciousness. The first thing she heard were the birds.
Mom must have left my window open again, she thought. She opened her eyes. Everything was blurry at first, but she was surrounded by green. That's when it registered in her mind that she was in a horribly uncomfortable position. She was laying on her left arm which was numb and tingled from the cut off circulation. Her eyes came into focus and she found herself surrounded by trees and bushes.
She sat up and looked around, rubbing her arms and legs to get the stiffness out of them. She picked off the leaves and tried to brush the grass stains on her clothes as she stood up, even though there was nothing more to see than the green bushes and tall trees. Where am I? she thought. Soon the memories came flying back to her. The birthday party, the book, the strange glow of light. Could I...? she didn't dare think it was even possible, but a smile slowly appeared on her face.
She turned around to get a better look at thing only to came face to face with the head of a spear. She gasped and froze, instantly scared to death.
"Don't move," A small harsh voice came from the bushes.
She didn't dare disobey. She shook with fear and never took her eyes off the deadly blade only inches in front of her throat.
A young boy holding the spear stepped through the bushes shifting his arms so the spear never moved from it‘s position, "Who are you?" he demanded.
Colt opened her mouth but all she could manage were a few croaking sounds. Her eyes never left the spear. She could just imagine how many people had died by that spear. The kid was probably a head hunter and her head was going to be the next main course.
"I said, who are you?!" He asked again.
Colt knew she had to say something. She closed her eyes and was able to yell out one word, "Colt!"
Still the boy did not take the spear away from her face. The bushes moved again and a huge wolf stepped through. It’s fur was a bright white color with deep silver zigzags running down it’s back like lightning bolts.
"Come on Tobin, the girl’s harmless, surely you can see that."
Colt spazed. The wolf had just talked!!! And he had said the boy's name was Tobin.
It's true then, she thought I'm in the book!

Tobin sighed and lowered the spear. He looked Colt up and down. "Strange clothes. Where do you come from?"
"I, uh, come from a place far away from here. You've probably never heard of it." Now that he had lowered the spear she didn't feel as scared as before.
"Try me. You'd be surprised where I've been."
"I, umm...come from the USA."
Tobin stared at her for a second then turned away. He didn't have the pride to admit he'd never heard of it.
"So where's your mom and dad?" he asked looking at the trees.
"They're....they're not here." Colt lowered her eyes.
"So your all alone?" The wolf stepped closer to her, making Colt take a step back from the creature, "So are we. Would you like to camp with us tonight?" the wolf was bigger than any other she had ever seen. Even though it could talk it was still very intimidating.
"Spark!" Tobin‘s hand curled into a fist.
"What?! Your just going to leave her all alone in the woods?" the wolf countered.
Tobin thought for a second then sighed, "Fine. It's getting dark. I'll go get some fire wood." he stepped out into the woods and disappeared behind the trees.
It's already getting dark? Colt thought, I must have been asleep longer than I thought. She turned back to Spark. She was alone with the big wolf now and she could just picture him jumping on her and ripping her throat out.
“You…you’re not going to e…eat me, right?” she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

The wolf laughed.

“No, no, no!” Spark told her, “It’s against the code to eat humans. Besides, there’s not enough meat on you to make a snack.” he winked, but Colt still felt uneasy being left alone with a wolf. The only ones she had ever seen were at the zoo and they were always a good fifty yards away. Besides, this one had to be almost five feet high! He did seem friendly though. No one would believe her when she told them she had met a talking wolf. If she ever got home to tell anyone.

Tobin came back several times with the wood and within an hour they had a good fire blazing. Tobin found some berries and fruit for Colt to eat as they tried to figure out where she had come from and how to get her back. Something inside the back of her mind warned her not to tell them she was from another world.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" A scratchy voice suddenly came from the woods. Two wolfs, slightly smaller than Spark came out from behind the trees. Colt hadn’t even heard them coming! Tobin and Spark jumped up and Tobin pulled out a dagger.
"Oh, come on guys," the wolfs taunted, "We don't want to fight, just hand over the newby and we won't bother you again."
Colt stood slowly and backed away, closer to the fire. What did these wolfs want with her?!
"Your not getting her," Tobin said firmly, his dagger held out.
"Why not? She's obviously no use to you.“ the wolfs taunted as they walked back and forth, their eyes darting from Tobin to Spark to Colt.

“You’re just looking for a fight.” Spark told them, “Go find it somewhere else.”

“We want the girl. We haven’t had fresh prey for a long time.”

“Abusing the humans for no reason does nothing!” Tobin snapped and waved his dagger at the nearest wolf. It darted to the side then jumped at Tobin, he dodged with impossible speed and slashed it's arm. The other wolf attacked Spark and soon all four were locked in battle.
The more Colt watched, the angrier she got. Fighting was useless in the first place, but why were they fighting over her?! It was just as the wolf had said, she was no use to anyone, why was she so important?! Without thinking, she picked up a lose branch and put it in the fire. She took the flaming branch and charged at one of the wolfs.
"Get away!" she screamed. The wolf backed away but not quickly enough where it's fur caught on fire. Both of the wolfs retreated into the trees.
Tobin wiped the sweat off his forehead, "Not bad." was all he said. He put his dagger away again and sat down by the fire once more.
Colt dropped the branch back in the fire, still shaking slightly, "What did they want with me?!" she cried.
"They probably would've killed you," Tobin said like it was no big deal.
"Ki...killed me?!"
"No, even outcasts like them don't go against the ancient promise," Spark told her, "They probably would've just starved and beaten you, just to prove they were better than the humans, but they would've let you go eventually."
For the first time Colt was truly scared. She sat down at the fire and sobbed, "Why did I come here?!" she cried, "I wanna go home! I don't wanna be stuck in this stupid world anymore!"
Suddenly the entire clearing was filled with a bright light. Spark and Tobin jumped up again but the light soon faded. When it was gone, Colt was no where in sight.

Colt opened her eyes. She was back in her room. The book laid closed in front of her. She sat up trying to figure out what had exactly happened.
"Colt!" her mother’s voice called, "Come help me clean up the kitchen!"
She's still cleaning the kitchen? Colt thought. She looked at the clock. It had only been ten minutes since she had gone into the book! But there it had been hours.
"Colt, come on!" her mother yelled again.
Colt quickly picked up the book and threw it into the closet. She ran out of her room, intending to tell her mother everything. But as if under a spell, the moment she stepped outside her door she forgot everything.

*5 years later*

Colt was fifteen now, and she was going through the worst thing any teenager can go through.
Her family was moving.
And not just across town. Her father had gotten transferred to another state. She fought it all the way, but now sat mumbling as she cleaned out her closet, and put the vitals in boxes, while everything else went in the trash or the Good Will bag. She dug up a pair of sunglasses, shrugging, she put them in her pocket. She picked up a book laying near the back. It must have sat there for years. She blew off the dust and looked at the cover.
"The Legend of Tobin?" she mumbled, "When did I get this?" She leaned against her closet door and read the back.
"You are bound to the spell of this book," it read, "The only way to release yourself from the spell is to read the book to the end. But even when you finish it you will still be bound to the destiny of the book."
"Weird," Colt said, "I so do not remember this book." She opened it up and started reading.
Five more years passed and the fight between the wolfs and humans was no better. Some thought another war would be started. The wolfs tried to keep to themselves. And the humans refused to have anything to do with them. The Crones were talking and moving, great powers were being unleashed. Tobin and Spark were caught in the middle, messengers between the two races.
Tobin? Colt thought Why does that name sound familiar?...
Once again the book started to glow, and the next thing Colt knew, she was no longer in her bedroom.

Colt opened her eyes, and slowly sat up. She was on a bed in a hut of some kind. It looked like one of those old fashion one room wooden kind of houses.
She gasped as she remembered the glowing book. Now all her memories from her earlier visit came flooding back into her mind. The first thing she did was swear with every word under the sun...twice.
"@#%$! How could I have forgotten?! Now I'm in that stupid book again! I won't have to move... but that's not the point! I have to get back somehow...Tobin, he's got to have something to do with all this! I'll just find him, he'll be able to get me back home." she swung her legs out of bed and started towards the door.
"Tobin will be here shortly," a slow voice said. It sounded old, tired and very wise all at the same time.
Colt whipped around to find the owner of the voice, but there was nothing else in the room except a huge pile of rags.
Colt's eyes darted back and forth, "Who's here?"
The pile of rags moved, "Do not be afraid child. I know the way to return you to your world."

Colt starred wide eyed at the rags, "Who are you?"
The rags shifted again, and this time Colt could make out a head buried among them, "I see all that others cannot see. You may call me Crone." he paused and the rags shifted, "Ah, Tobin arrives."
At that moment the door to the small hut opened, and a figure appeared wearing a hood and cloak that covered his body. He closed the door and the took off his hood, revealing bright yellow eyes and short spiky brown hair, and very, very, buff build.
Colt's eyes opened wide, Oh, god, he is HOT!
The boy seemed to take no notice of her, he walked over to Crone and gave a small bow. "Give me the stats, I wanna be outta here as soon as I can."
The Crone gave a small laugh, "Tobin, dear boy. Have you not noticed our visitor?"
"Of course I-" he had sensed Colt a long ways off but had been too busy to give her any thought. Thinking she was just another poor soul going to the Crone to ask for a love potion or advice. Now that he looked at her, his eyes grew wide as he recognized her. He jumped back and pointed a finger at her, "Witch girl!"
Colt's eyes narrowed, "Nice seeing you again too."
Crone nodded, "She will be joining you on your journey."
"WHAT?!" two voices chorused.
"You’re not serious!"
"But you said you could get me home!"
"I am very serious. And I said I knew HOW to get you home I never said I could do it myself. Only one knows the way to get you home. You will find this one at Tobin‘s destination." he turned to Tobin again, "If she goes with you, she will be safe. Trust me, she must come to no harm. You must swear to protect this girl with your life."
Tobin paused as if considering, then sighed, "Fine.”

“Swear it.”

“I swear. But she's gonna slow us down at least a week!"
"That is not my concern." There was a hint of satisfaction in the voice.
Tobin sighed again, "Okay, you got your way, now give me the stats so we can get out of here!"
"So pushy. Let's see. No new news. The next town is half a days journey if you follow the river."
"Thank you." Tobin put his hood back on and looked at Colt rather coldly, "Let's go." he walked out the door.
Colt blinked a few times, then ran after him out of the hut, "I don't get it, where are we going?!" she asked. He was walking so fast she had to jog to keep up with him.
"To the Royal city, Nubia. Where else?" They had come to the edge of the village. They stepped through into the forest, and onto a very unused path.
"How are we going to get there?" Colt continued, "I seriously doubt this world has cars."
“Spark will give you a lift.”

“Spark? The wolf?”

“What else would he be?”

“What about you?”

Tobin stopped and looked at her from under his hood, "Are you going to be this annoying for the entire trip?"
Colt stared back, "Well, excuse me for being clueless! It's not like I asked to come here or anything."
"Whatever, just keep up." Tobin gave a short whistle, "Spark, we're going."
The trees started to move and a wolf the size of a mini van stepped out. He had pure white fur with silver streaks going through it. Colt's mouth dropped.
"T...that's Spark?" she remembered Spark, but there was no way he had been that big.
Spark looked down at Colt. It took him a moment but slowly his eyes grew as he remembered her, "Hey, it's alien girl!" he said with a smile.
Colt threw up her arms, "Oh come on. First it's witch girl and now I'm an alien? I'm glad you remember me, but can I please get a better title?!"
"He called you an alien because you come from another world," Tobin said simply.
"How did you know that?!"
"The Crones told me."
"How'd they know?"
"They know everything." He looked at her, then turned to Spark. "She's coming with us to Nubia."
"Great. But she'll be slow."
Come on, I got second place in the mile last year! Colt's head screamed.
"I know. That's why I was thinking...." Tobin let it hang.
It took a moment for Spark to catch on, when he did, he shook his head and looked like he was going to protest but took a deep breath and held it back, "Okay, okay I'll do it."
"Good." Tobin patted his friend on the shoulder. Spark laid down on the ground, but even then he was still five feet tall. Tobin motioned to his back, "Get on." he said.
"What?" Colt said, aware at what he was getting at, but not about to believe it.
"Get on Spark's back. We'll go too slow if you travel on foot."
She was this close to fighting that remark, but was too tempted to take his offer. She'd always loved riding horses. Riding a wolf was just to tempting to pass up. She slowly walked over to Spark and put her hands on his soft fur.
"Uh, how do I get up?" His back was five feet up, and there was no step to help her.
"Jump?" Tobin said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
She just stared at him, until he sighed and locked his hands together. She put her foot on his hands and he pushed her up. As soon as she was situated on Spark's back, he stood up. Colt held in a cry. They had to be at least eight feet high!
"Attention passengers, keep you arms and legs inside the ride at all times, and if you start to feel queasy, yell so you don't stain the fur. Thank you and enjoy your ride on Spark enterprise!" Spark laughed, "I've always wanted to say that."
"Focus here. We'll get to the next town if we follow the river. Ready?" Tobin asked.
"Ready. Colt, hold on tight."
Colt grabbed his fur, "But how did you knowwwahhhhhh!"
They took off so fast, Colt almost got thrown off his back. She held on as tight as she could, closing her eyes and laying on his back so the wind didn't hurt her. Now she knew why they said she'd have slowed them down. Tobin was running just as fast as Spark and they kept the pace going for hours.

The sun slowly set, and Spark finally slowed down.
"We're here," Tobin said.
Spark laid down and Colt got the hint that she was supposed to get off. She lessened her grip, and slowly sat up. Her fingers were stiff and her arms hung limp at her side. She slid down Spark's back, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, her legs gave a way and she fell. She expected Tobin to start off about how weak she was, but he just caught her and put her arm around his shoulder so he could help her walk. Spark disappeared into the trees.
"See you tomorrow," he whispered.
"Good night," they whispered back, and walked into the village.
Colt was beat. Just trying to hold onto Spark had been enough. Now it was all she could do to keep her brain from shutting down and falling asleep in Tobin's arms.
Hang in there, girl she told herself, Just hang in there until we get to Nubia and then you can go home. The feeling in her legs started to return and she started to walk on her own.
"The Crone's house is across town. Do you think you'll make it?" Tobin asked.
Colt nodded, "I thought Crone lived in the other town."
"Every town has a Crone. There are hundreds of them. They know things no one else does and they can see into peoples minds. They know we're coming right now."
"Cool. Like physcic powers?"
"Yeah, but with their power comes a price. They can't move or eat. They live off people's life force."
They walked in silence for a while, finally Tobin said, "What's your world like?"
Colt looked at him, "My world? well, it's nothing like this one that's for sure. I can't even begin to describe the differences....There are no giant wolfs, that's for sure."
"Ha. You haven't even seen the giant wolfs."
"I donno. Spark is pretty big to me."
"Spark?! He's still a kid. Like you or me. There are some twice his size. How big are the wolfs on your world?"
"Remember those two we faced when I first came here? They're about as big as they get in my world."
Tobin shook his head as if he couldn't believe it, "You know, you were pretty brave back there."
Colt felt her face get warm, and was glad the sun was down, "Where?"
"Back then, when you first came. Not many people would have the guts to charge at a wolf with just fire in their hands. Even a baby like those two were."
"You remember that?"
"Of course, it's not everyday you meet an alien."
Colt's hand formed a fist and she lightly hit Tobin on the head. She didn't have the strength to hit him any harder. He didn't seem to mind and just kept walking. They finally came to a small hut.
"We're here."

Colt followed Tobin into the hut. Just like the other one, it was mostly bare except for a bed and the pile of rags in the center. This time Colt could actually make out the person sitting cross legged under all the rags. She spotted a bare bed on the side of the room and again she silently begged for sleep.
"Good evening, Tobin. Colt. I'm not using the bed."
Colt, who had been just thinking that, gratefully crossed the room and fell onto the bed. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow. Tobin watched her for a moment, just sleeping.
"You’re glad she came along aren't you?" the slow voice asked.
Tobin knew you didn't denai things in front of a Crone. He nodded.
"You wish to see her world."
Again he nodded, "I've seen and done a lot of things. But to go to another world completely....No more fights, no more running. I could start all over and no one would judge me because of my birth."
"You are looking for a home."
"It would be nice not to have to worry about people being afraid of me. Maybe even have a human friend." Tobin sighed and turned to the Crone, "How far is it to the next town?"
"Only a quarter day's journey, even with Colt."
"Then I'll let her sleep in."
"If you are going to stay a while, I was wondering if you would do me a favor."
"Sure. What is it?"
"There is a bully in town. Every night he goes to the local pub and arm wrestles people. He takes all the money of the losers. I was hoping you could teach him a little lesson, and give some of the poor people their money back."
"If he's so good why do people keep wrestling him? Why don't they just refuse?"
"Because he intimidates them until they're either to mad to care or tricks them to where they believe they can win. His claim to fame is that he's 1/20 wolf."
"We'll see about that. Okay, I'm gonna need a little info on this guy. How long does he stay at the bar?"
"From midnight until sunrise."
"How drunk does he get?"
"On a good day, he'll collapse as soon as he gets home and won't wake up until the next night."
"Okay. I'm off."
"Not going to rest before you go?'
"I'll get plenty of rest in the next town." Tobin waved and walked out the door, pulling the hood to his cape back on.
It took him a while but he found the local pub. He walked in, the room smelling of alcohol and smoke. He went to the bar and ordered a small drink. Looking around he noticed a group of men standing in a corner. In the middle he could make out two men arm wrestling.
Bingo he thought. The bar tender gave him his drink and he moved to a table closer to the fighting. He watched for hours. He had an amazing ability to blend in and no one even noticed him. When the Crone had told him that the guy took the losers money, he was greatly understating the situation.
He robs them blind! Tobin thought outraged. The guy's statement about being 1/20 wolf was bull too. A baby wolf was ten times stronger than that guy. He just worked out a lot. About an hour before sunrise, Tobin stood up and walked over to the hot shot.
"Mind if I have a go?"
The guy laughed, "Sure hood boy. Get ready to lose some of that money!"
Tobin sat down, "And if I win, I get all the money you've won so far tonight, am I right?"
The guy laughed as if to say, 'like that'll happen' "Yup that's right. You get all the money I've won so far. In fact, just to give you a little motivation..." the guy pulled out a huge bag, the entire thing filled with coins and put in on the side of the table, "Lets go."
Tobin stuck his hand out and locked it with the other guys. A random person yelled go, and the dude started pushing.
I'm tired. I'm gonna end this quick Tobin thought and pushed the guys hand so it hit the table.
Everyone starred at the newcomer that had beaten him with no trouble.
Before the guy could even register what happened, Tobin grabbed the huge bag of money and motioned to a few guys that had lost everything.
The guy stood up and lunged at Tobin, "No on beats me and gets away with it!" He yelled.
Tobin casually flung his hand backwards. His fist connected with the guy's face, punching him out cold.
Tobin left out the back door, a few men following him.
When they had reached an ally, Tobin opened the bag of money, "Here, you can take back what you lost if you make sure that guy get's run out of town."
The men agreed and took their money.
When they had gone, Tobin still had a good quarter of the bag filled with money. He tied it to his belt and walked back to the Crone's house.

Colt slowly opened her eyes. Her whole body killed. As she woke, she remembered all that had happened the night before.
"You sleep a lot, you know."
The voice startled Colt. She sat up with a jerk, which caused a head rush, and she realized the voice was Tobin's. She swore several times as the headache receded.
"Are those the only swear words you know?" Tobin asked, a little amused. He held out a piece of bread, "Eat up. The next town isn't far so we're gonna travel non-stop."
Colt took the bread. At home, anyone in their right mind would have thrown it away instantly, but she was starving. She took a big bite of the bread, and stood up. Her body threatened to give out but she held her position.
"What time is it?" she asked, still not quite awake.
"The sun is a quarter high in the sky," Tobin said as if she would know what he meant, but she was too tired to push any further.
As soon as she finished the bread, Tobin started pushing her out the door, anxious to get moving. She quickly bowed to the Crone, "Uh, thanks for everything....I think."
The Crone simply nodded in reply.
Colt followed Tobin to the woods where they met Spark.
"Okay everyone ready?" Spark asked, laying down so Colt could get up. Tobin locked his hands together and helped Colt up again. Colt held on tight, but when they started moving, she noticed it wasn't as fast as before and she was able to sit up, and even enjoy herself a little.
Enjoy it now, she told herself, ‘Cause you know it's not gonna last.

They traveled in silence again. Colt grew bored quickly and tried to talk to Tobin.
"How'd you learn to run so fast?"
"I'm half wolf."
Colt tried to imagine it. That had to hurt she thought. "So where are you from?" she asked.
"Everywhere."
"Do you have a family?"
"No."
"Why are you going to Nubia?"
"I have a message for the Emperor."
"What's the message?"
"The mother wolf of the Shiza tribe refuses to fight."
"Is that a big tribe?"
"Yes."
Colt sighed, "Your not much of a people person are you?"
"They don't like me so I don't like them."
"That's sad. Why don't they like you?"
Tobin glanced at her for the first time since they had started, "I told you. I'm half wolf."
"So?"
Tobin looked at her again, "So...they don't like wolfs so they don't like me."
"But you look like a human. I bet cha ten bucks that if you walked down the street without that stupid hood on, no one would notice you were a wolf."
"They would notice...what's a buck?"
"Never mind. Anyway, how do you know they would notice? I didn't know you were half wolf until just a second ago."
"My eye's are silver like a wolfs."
"Is that it?! Oh, honey I can take care of that." she put her hand in her pocket and took out her sunglasses, "Here." she tossed them to Tobin. He caught them while still running.
"Put them on!" Colt told him.
Tobin did as he was told and immediately stopped, which cause Spark to stop and threw them all off balance.
"I can hardly see!" Tobin cried turning around.
Colt laughed, "They're sunglasses. They're supposed to be dark like that. But they're tinted so you can see out of them but people can't see in!"
Tobin took them off, "Really?"
"Yeah! Take them. I don't need 'em."
Against his will, Tobin's face grew slightly warm. He turned away, so Colt couldn't see, "Um, th...thank....you."
"Are we gonna go or just stand here all day?" Spark asked.
"You're right. Let's go." Tobin agreed and they started again. After a while he looked back at Colt, "Why are you so nice to me? Even after you found out I was half wolf?"
"Why shouldn't I be nice to you? I mean, just because, your quiet, rude, thick headed, you have no respect for-"
"Your point." Tobin snapped.
"My point is, we learned long ago on my world that looks or birth doesn't matter when it comes to a person's personality. So what your half wolf? Doesn't mean I have to hate you."
Tobin was silent after that.

They got to the next village by lunch time. Tobin and Colt had to ditch Spark about a mile away from the town, due to the traffic of people arriving.
"Why is this place so busy?" Colt asked.
"They're having their spring festival. I hate coming through these but it's the fastest route to Nubia," Tobin said as he put his hood up. Colt yanked it back down and pointed to the sunglasses.
"Just try them," she said, "I think you'll be surprised."
Tobin sighed, but put on the glasses. They walked into the town. Everywhere there were shops and stands and performers. People crowed the streets so in some places the traffic came to a stop. Colt could tell Tobin was not at all comfortable. She put her mouth next to his ear and even then she had to talk loud to be heard above the roar of people.
"At least the glasses are working!" she smiled.
"I guess," he looked back at her, but his emotions were impossible to read with the glasses on. Suddenly Colt stopped a jewelry stand. It had some of the most beautiful stuff she had ever seen. She picked up one of the necklaces. It had a gold chain and a small wolf on the end of it. It was freakishly detailed for something so small.
"It's amazing," she said. Tobin grabbed her hand.
"Let's go," he said, not wanting to spend another minute in the crowd of people. Colt quickly put the necklace back as Tobin dragged her away. He led them to the Crone's house.
"You like your gift?" the Crone asked as they entered and Tobin took the sunglasses off.
"No one noticed a thing," he admitted.
"Told you," Colt smiled.
Tobin said nothing.
The Crone turned to Colt, "Why don't you go out and enjoy the festival?"
Colt's face lit up, "You mean it?! Yes!" she started towards the door.
"Wait," Tobin said, "You can't go without money," he took off his money pouch and gave her a fourth of it.
She looked at the coins a little confused, but then smiled and put them in her pocket, "Thanks!" she said and ran out the door into the crowd of people. Tobin watched her go, wondering why her had just given her that money.
The Crone gave a small smile, "Crowds mean people and people mean information. Go to the bar across town. You'll find some very interesting news." Tobin looked back at him and nodded. He started to put on his hood, but stopped. He slowly put the sunglasses back on.
"You know, it is costume that when you receive a gift you are supposed to give one in return," Crone said.
"Huh? But I gave her the money," Tobin stated.
"Money is not a worthy gift."
"Well, then what am I supposed to get her? I've never given a gift before."
"When you go out, watch the women. See where they go and what they buy. I'm sure you'll think of something."
Tobin nodded slowly then walked out the door.

The first thing Colt noticed as she walked through the crowds of people, was how everyone kept starring at her.
This must be how Tobin feels she thought. Soon they started whispering and pointing, What?! Did a bird poop on my head or something?! she looked down and it was then she noticed she was the only girl with a t-shirt and shorts on, Cool. Cloths shopping, renaissance style. I always wanted to get one of those old fashion dresses. she smiled slightly as she went off to one of the clothing shops.

Tobin walked as fast as he could, but he didn't feel right until he entered the dark atmosphere of the bar. He sat down at the counter and ordered a drink, listening to the conversations near by in case anything came up.

Colt walked out of the store and admired her new dress, "Sweet. Not to bad if I do say so myself." she pulled out the coins she had left. She was pretty sure she had been screwed on the price of the dress because she had hardly any money left. But at least now the people didn't even notice her.

Loud laughter erupted from the back of the bar. Tobin turned his head only slightly in the direction, but he didn't even have to let the wolf part of him, take over so he could hear.
"If they think they're gonna pull that off, they're dumber than they thought!" one of the men laughed.
"Not even the Emperor is that stupid!" another cried.
"What's all the commotion?" the guy behind the counter asked.
The men cracked up, "Rumor has it, some drunks in a town west of here are planning to capture a mother wolf!"
With that the whole bar erupted with laughter. Even a baby wolf is twice as strong as the average human. To capture a mother wolf was just plain insanity. Tobin even allowed himself a rare smile. The whole bar talked about it for a good ten minutes until things died down again. Tobin sensed that was what the Crone had sent him to hear, so he finished his drink and left.
Half way back to the Crone's place, he remembered he was supposed to get a gift for Colt. What the heck do you get for a girl? he thought. He remembered how she had been looking at the necklace. I've got no other lead. Might as well he started off to the booth she had seen it at.

Colt walked around for a long time, just looking at the different things. Jewelry and food and house hold things. She must have tried a dozen different foods, This is so cool she thought, It's the renaissance, but for real she walked around a corner and found herself in a back ally. She walked a ways almost glad to get out of the crowds of people.
"Hehe, what do we have here?" a voice said behind her.
Colt whipped around to see two men smiling at her...and not in a good way.
"Fresh meat," the other said.
Colt noticed a dagger in his hand.
"She's a bit young," said the first one.
"Beggars can't be choosers," the other replied.
They laughed and started advancing on Colt.

Tobin was finally heading back to the Crone's house when he heard a faint scream. In the crowd of people, no one else would have heard it, but he had a wolf's senses. Any other scream and he would have continued on his way, but this one he recognized. It was Colt's.

"Help me! Someone please help!!" Colt cried, she ran faster than she had ever run before, but one of the men caught the edge of her dress. It ripped and she started running again, but the other one caught up and pushed her to the ground. She landed hard, cutting her arm. She tried to get back up, but then men where already above her, "Stay away!!" she cried and kicked out. She caught one, but the other caught her foot and twisted it. She cried out in pain.
Suddenly one of the men were knocked down. Tobin stood on top of him, faster than Colt could see, he whipped out his dagger and cut the other guy. A deep gash appeared in a line from one side of his chest to the other. It wasn't deep, but the man cried out and ran away. The other got up. Tobin punched him. The man staggered and put a hand to his face, when he recovered he took off in the other direction.
Tobin looked down at Colt, "Are you okay?" he asked.
Colt slowly stood; she was shaking. She stared where the men had run off. Tears stained her cheeks. She looked at Tobin with scared eyes, and hugged him. Unable to say anything, she cried on his shoulder.
Tobin was shocked. No one had ever purposely touched him, let alone hugged him, but his eyes softened as he thought about what had happened and he slowly hugged her back, "It's okay. They're gone. You're okay now," he whispered.
Colt nodded, still unable to speak.
"Let's go back to the Crones," Tobin said.
Colt nodded again and let go, but she almost collapsed again. Tobin caught her and noticed her ankle was already starting to swell. He put his arm around her waist and helped her walk back.

The three slowed as they neared the next village. It had been three days since the attack. Colt had gone into strange silence ever since then. Spark disappeared into the trees and Tobin and Colt made their way into the village. They walked into the Crone's house. He was sitting on the floor, like they always were, covered in rags.
"There is food on the table," he said in a slow voice. Colt went over and started eating. The sun was going down and they had been traveling all day, only stopping for a short meal.
"Now is the time to give it to her," the Crone whispered to Tobin.
Tobin looked at him, and nodded slowly. He looked at the necklace he had been carrying in his pocket the last few days. The one with the Wolf on it that Colt had been admiring at the festival. He started walking towards the table, but the Crone cleared his throat. Tobin stopped and the Crone pointed outside to a small hill. Tobin nodded again and waited for Colt to finish her food. She ate slowly and silently until she was full.
"Colt," the Crone said, "There is something you should see outside."
Obediently, Colt headed out the door and to the back where the hill was. She sat down on the hill and hugged her knees. She watched as the sun started to set and held back tears. Soon Tobin came out and sat next to her. She didn't even look at him as he sat down. For a moment they just sat in silence, watching the sun set. The clouds turned pink and purple making it a beautiful sight. After a while Tobin pulled out the necklace and held it out to her.
"Here," he said, "A thank you...for the sunglasses."
Colt blinked a few times and took the necklace. Her eyes widened and she smiled sadly as she recognized it. Then she couldn't hold back the tears any longer and they ran down her cheeks as she held the necklace close.
"Thank you," she said, speaking for the first time in three days.
"You're welcome," Tobin said softly.
Colt starred at the wolf on the necklace, "I knew you'd come," she said finally.
Tobin looked at her a little confused.
"The day I was attacked," she said not taking her eyes off the necklace, "I don't know why or how, but I knew you'd come to save me..." she wiped her tears away on her sleeve.
Tobin smiled softly, "I made a promise to help you get home. I won't let anything happen to you until then. Here," he took the necklace. Colt pulled back her hair and he put it around her neck, locking it in the back.
"How does it look?" Colt asked looking down.
"Beautiful," Tobin whispered.

A shadow moved across the ground. Spark glanced up from his place in the woods. He looked around and sniffed the air. Cursing he headed off to the Crones house, using the woods as cover.
Tobin's head snapped around as Spark drew near. He and Colt walked over to the woods, "What's up?" Tobin asked quietly.
"Have you looked at the sky lately?" Spark asked.
Tobin looked up and saw a small shape high in the sky. He also cursed and turned back to Spark, "What are we gonna do about it?"
"We can't leave the people here. Not even the most dishonest wolf would leave an entire village to their deaths."
"What's going on?" Colt asked.
"We've only fought one before and that was a teen," Tobin said, back to ignoring her.
"Maybe they'll help?" Spark suggested.
Tobin gave a mock laugh, "And risk their own lives? I swear you trust humans more than I do."
"You have to admit they aren't all the same," Spark glanced at Colt.
"She's from another world," Tobin said following his eyes.
"I'm standing right here," Colt crossed her arms.
"We have to help." Spark said in a tone that told Tobin he was staying where he liked it or not.
"Okay. Your right. We can't just leave them here to die. I'll help."
Colt stomped her foot, "WHAT IS GOING ON?!"
Tobin looked at her as if he had just noticed she was here, "Go to the Crones house. Do not come out until we come back." he and Spark disappeared into the woods.
Colt threw up her hands, "I'll luggage. Excess baggage. I'm nothing to those two. AHH!" she stormed off to the Crone's house.
The figure in the sky eyed the village hungrily. It landed with a deafening roar in a farm field and started eating the animals. The people on the farm fled from the house to the village. Before they got twenty feet the dragon's head snapped around and it's tail stopped them in their tracks. They starred at the creature in fright, unable to move or speak. The dragon raised it's tail and brought it down on the villagers heads, knocking them all unconscious.
It finished it's snack and took to the sky’s again. The dragons had not always been as violent. Once upon a time they had been friendly and harmless but the harsh conditions of the world had forced them to evolve into the same as every other species. Ruthless, take what you can, no mercy, group they now were.
Tobin and Spark ran through the woods following the dragon in the sky.
"We have to warn them somehow," Tobin said.
"I'll get their attention," Spark said and jumped onto a roof. He let out a roar only a wolf could make. People stopped what they were doing and came out of their houses.
"Dragon!" Tobin cried running through the village, "Dragon coming! Save your selves!" there was instant panic as the villagers gathered their children and necessities and took to the woods. Soon the place was deserted.
"We've still got it," Spark said as he jumped off the house into the empty streets. Tobin didn't respond. He was watching the sky’s. Watching as the dragon flew closer to the village. Knowing it saw everything and already knew they planned to kill it, so in return planned to kill them.
"Now!" Tobin and Spark jumped out of the way as the dragon plummeted to the ground and shot a line of fire through the streets, barely missing them. They felt the heat as a house caught on fire. The dragon took to the air again to find Tobin and Spark.
"I'll distract him. You go for the wing," Spark said. He and Tobin separated. Spark jumped on top of another roof and let out a roar. The dragon's head snapped towards him and it turned.
Spark jumped off the roof as the fire came down, setting the house on fire. As the dragon passed Tobin, he leapt from another roof and landed on the dragon's back.
Crying out in surprise, the dragon flew high and jumped around in the air, trying to fling Tobin off. But he held on tight. When the dragon settled for a moment he grabbed his dagger and slowly crawled towards the dragon's wing. Sensing this, the dragon went into another round of flips and dives to try and pry Tobin off his back.
Hanging on with one hand, Tobin raised the dagger and plunged it deep into the thin wing. The dragon cried out and instantly fell to the ground. Tobin jumped off moments before the dragon hit the ground, and landed safely on a roof.
"Nice one," Spark said as he joined Tobin. The dragon cried out in pain as it realized it could never again use it's wing. It roared and stood on it's back legs as it shot a line of fire, making five houses go up in flames.
Tobin and Spark had just happened to be behind one of those houses. The fire burned them and the intense heat clouded their vision. They ran into the streets, coughing and choking from the sudden smoke. The dragon followed them and swung it's tail around. Spark managed to jump over it's tail, but Tobin who was still coughing. didn't jump far enough and landed hard on it. The tail was hard and lined with scales. Tobin still held his dagger, but knew it would not penetrate the hard shell. The only other weak spot on the dragon, besides it's wings, was it's chest, and both attackers knew that.
The dragon was smart enough not to shoot fire at it's own tail, so it brought it up in the air and made it come crashing down on one of the few houses still intact. Again Tobin managed to roll off seconds before impact and land gracefully on the street.
"Spark!" Tobin called as he ran to the side. Debris and ash from the houses on fire falling around them like rain.
"I'm on it!" Spark yelled back, running in the opposite direction. He let out another roar, making the dragon pay attention to him. As the dragon lifted his tail out of the destroyed house, Tobin caught the end of it and was lifted into the air with it. As the tail hovered over it's back, Tobin jumped down. He landed softly hoping the dragon wouldn't notice him as he crawled up his back.
Spark ran between the houses and shops. The dragon swung his tail around. Spark jumped over it and continued running, but the dragon aimed at him with it's claw and connected. Spark was thrown across the street and hit a tree. He bounced off and laid on the ground, unable to move.
Tobin wanted to cry out, but knew the dragon would notice him. He saw as it prepared to throw fire at Spark and kill him for sure.
"No!" Tobin ran the last few feet, onto the dragons head. He swung around on it’s nose and plunged his dagger into the dragon's head between it‘s eyes. The dragon cried out bloody murder and the fire ball was thrown into the sky.
Tobin swung down and stuck the dagger into the dragon's neck. He let go of the dragon and held onto the dagger, forcing it to slide down the dragon's neck and chest, making a dark red line. Tobin closed his eyes and held his breath as the dragger went in deeper. And as he dropped the blood started falling out, covering him in the sticky red substance. Finally Tobin fell to the ground, and the blood gushed out like a river, covering him completely. Running almost blindly, Tobin managed to dart out of the way before the dragon crashed to the ground. Dead almost instantly.
Breathing heavily and furiously trying to shake off the blood, Tobin ran over to Spark, "Spark! Spark wake up!" he called to the wolf.
Spark groaned and opened an eye, "Good to know you still care about me," he muttered to Tobin and forced himself to stand.
Tobin helped his friend up, "Come on. Let's get to the river to we can wash ourselves off."

The rain had started an hour after they had left. Colt pulled the cloak the Crone had given her closer.
The Crone's house had been on the edge of town so it had not been destroyed during the attack. Tobin and Spark had come running in saying they had to leave before anyone found out what had happened. Colt, as usual, had had little say in the matter and now she sat shivering and soaked on Spark's back.
Progress was slow and Colt soon noticed they had been going up hill for at least twenty minutes. She couldn't tell where they were. It was dark out and the clouds made it impossible to see past thirty feet. But the land still sloped up for as far as she could see.
"Where are we going?" she asked finally.
"To the next town," Tobin answered patiently as if working with a child.
"I know THAT!" Colt snapped, "But direction wise, why have we been going up hill for the last half hour?"
"We're on a mountain range," Spark told her, "The next town is over this mountain. That's why we've been going so slow."
"Why don't you just go around the mountain?"
"This is the fastest path to Nubia," Tobin said, "Hang on tight because it's going to get very steep, very soon."
He was right. Soon the land sloped up so high, Colt could swear she was vertical. The rain started coming down harder and faster. Progress slowed to almost walking. The ground became soft and muddy under their feet. After slipping for the fourth time Spark stopped and laid down.
"Colt, I don't want to sound rude or anything but you're gonna have to get off!" he yelled over the rain, "You're weighing me down so much, I can't move!"
"Okay!" Colt yelled and slipped off. Under any other situation she would have gone off on if he saying she was fat. But now she was too tired and cold to care. She couldn't stop shivering and was almost glad for the chance to exercise and warm up. Tobin went to her side in case she needed any of his help. As soon as Colt was off, Spark became almost ten times faster than the other two.
"I'll go a head to the top of the mountain and wait for you guys!" he said, "I'll try and find some kind of shelter!"
"Sounds good! Thanks!" Tobin yelled, but wasn't even sure if Spark had heard him. The rain was so loud now you had to yell to be heard a foot away. Spark ran off and was soon out of sight.
Now that Colt had to go on her own, things were almost twice as slow. And the exercise wasn't warming her up. Her hands and feet became numb and it was getting harder to hold onto the ground to climb. The noise from the rain started to ring in her ears and the pounding on her back became a constant pressure that pulled her down. Her eyes opened and closed against her will, and her head bobbed.
"Colt? Colt?"
The voice seemed so far away and she was too weak to answer, Cold...so...cold...tired...sleep...good....
"Colt?! COLT!" Tobin yelled. She wasn't responding. Her face was pale and it was like she was going on automatic. Her hand reached out and slipped. Her eyes closed and head dropped against the ground. She started falling down the mountain.
"Colt!" Tobin dropped down and caught her wrist before she was able to go very far. Her hand was white and deathly cold, "Colt, open your eyes!" Tobin yelled.
Colt groaned and her head lifted. Her eyes opened for a second, then closed again.
"No," Tobin picked her up and swung her over his back. He started climbing with new strength and determination. It wasn't long before he reached the top, but it felt like a year had gone by.
"What's wrong?!" Spark yelled when he saw Colt.
"I don't know, she just collapsed!" Tobin cried.
"Get on!" Spark told him. Tobin put Colt on Spark's back, "You too!" Spark yelled.
"Are you sure?" Tobin asked.
"This is no time to argue, just get on!"
Tobin jumped on Spark's back and held Colt in his arms. Spark ran down the mountain as fast as he could. It took him record time, even with the rain.
No one was outside in the village. Spark ran right up to the Crone's house and slammed into the door. Tobin jumped off with Colt in his arms. She was shivering violently.
"Through here, there's a bath ready!" A boy cried and pointed to a door on the side. Tobin ran through and dropped Colt in the warm water.
"What's wrong with her? Tobin demanded.
"Hypothermia," the boy answered and used a cup to pour the water over Colt, slowly warming her up.
"What's hypothermia?"
The boy smiled, "It's a more common illness in her world." Colt's shivering settled a little, "You don't need to worry," the boy said, "I can take it from here. Colt will be fine."

Tobin softly closed the bathroom door behind him.
"That is Mikel. He is a Crone in training," the Crone said from the floor.
"There is a Crone in training?" Tobin asked, "I've never seen him before, and you've never mentioned him."
"There was never a need. His powers are still young. He can still eat and move. He is like a delivery boy to us. If we need a certain object to give to you or someone, he has the power to bring it to us and will not ask questions. Until his powers mature and he becomes fully in sync with us, he our puppet."
"Sounds a little harsh," Spark said from his place near the fire.
"We all went through it."
"I want to know what happened with Colt," Tobin said firmly.
"She's just a little worn out."
"A little worn out?! She was practically dead in my arms!"
"The point is she will be fine, so you can stop worrying...but nice to know where you stand."
"I missed the phrase for the point," Spark said randomly.
"What do you mean where I stand?"
"How you feel about her. It's important."
"Why does it matter what I feel for her?"
Spark looked up, "Do you love her?"
“That way we-"
"NOO!"
"-know how well you'll protect her."
"When did THAT become an issue?!" Tobin glared at Spark.
"She's the only human you've ever actually talked to willingly," Spark said innocently.
"And that's supposed to mean I love her?!"
"Just wondering..."
Mikel stuck his head out the door, "You do know these walls are thin right?"
Tobin's face went red.
Mikel smiled, "Don't worry. She's not quite with us yet. Just warning you," he went back in the bathroom.
Tobin sighed and visibly relaxed.
Colt came out a little later. She had a towel wrapped around her and she moved as if she were sleepwalking. She sat down at a small table at the side and said nothing.
Tobin watched her. He wanted to say something but was never good with words, "How do you feel?" he asked finally.
She shrugged and pulled the blanket tighter, "I've been better," she mumbled.
Mikel brought her some food and she ate it slowly and hungrily. Soon the Crone cleared his throat, making everyone turn in his direction.
"Now that you are in the home stretch of Nubia," he said with the same slow tone he always used. Colt's head snapped up at the mention of Nubia, "I have some things to tell you," the Crone went on, "The Crone that will get you home lives in the palace, and to get into the palace you have to be directly invited or have royal blood. Neither of which you have."
Colt's face fell.
"But they don't know that!" Mikel announced with a smile.
The Crone nodded, "We have the connections to make you into royalty. All you need is some decent clothes, the right transport and a good story."
"We have none of the above right now," Tobin stated.
"Wrong," the Crone told him, "You have one of them. We have all of them," the We referring to the Crones, "You shall collect the others over time."
"Which one do we have now?"
"The transportation," The Crone glanced over to Spark, "If our princess here comes riding in on a Wolf it will signalize the power of the country she comes from. People will assume they are so powerful they were able to tame a Wolf; If we form an alliance with them we will become powerful too. Primitive thinking. They will no doubt open Colt with open arms."
"They will want to know how she got the wolf."
"Oh so now I don't even have a name, I'm just 'The wolf'." Spark said disgusted.
"She will tell them her kingdom took him when he was a baby and taught him to obey."
"They'll never believe it."
"Yes they will. When they see how obedient Spark is, they'll believe it."
"Who said I was going to be obedient?! There is no way I'm doing this! Do you know the level of shame this will put me on?! Not to mention the personal pride it will damage!"
"You will do it," the Crone repeated with the same amount of confidence. Not demanding, just confident.
"What about everything else?" Tobin asked, "The clothes, the story, the company. She can't just go riding in there by herself."
"That is why you and Mikel shall accompany her."
"I'm not going as any servant boy!"
"Of course not. You will be the body guard. Mikel will be the servant boy."
"Even then, we'll be a small group for royalty."
"That's were the story comes in. Your kingdom is at a time of war so you traveled to keep the princess and current air to the throne safe. You require peaceful stay until the dispute is settled."
"That's good." Spark had to admit.
"Good enough to work?"
"It'll work," Mikel said with a smile.
"He's already got the confidence of a Crone," Tobin muttered to Spark.

Colt woke to the smell of food being cooked. She never knew exactly what he put in the pot, but it was edible and she found it better not to ask, just incase it ended up being worms or something. She opened her eyes and saw Mikel standing over a pot on the edge of the fire.
He stirred the contents in the pot and took a bit up in his spoon. Being careful not to spill he lifted the spoon to his mouth and tried his creation. After a moment of blank looks he nodded and took the pot off the fire. He looked up and saw Colt watching him. He smiled and gave a small wave, "Good morning! How are you today?"
"Fine..." Colt mumbled and sat up. It had been three days since they had set off after her hypothermia attack. She looked around and noticed Tobin and Spark were gone. They usually were in the mornings, off getting their own breakfast.
Mikel took one of the bowls on the ground and filled it, then gave her the bowl of soup. Colt took it gladly. For the first time since she had gotten there she felt like she was getting real food. God forbid Tobin should ever learn to cook. He just threw some meat at her like she was supposed to eat it raw and still covered in blood. Needless to say she had soon gone on a strict fruit diet pretty quick. The two ate their breakfast and soon Tobin and Spark returned.
"Pack up, we're moving out." Tobin said as he grabbed the bucket of water to put out the fire.
"We've got a surprise for you!" Spark said happily. Tobin doused the fire and smoke rose through the trees
"A surprise? What?" Colt asked as she walked over to Spark.
"We're going to give you two a cultural experience." Tobin told them as he put the bucket down and wiped his hands together, "Took us almost an hour of arguing to get them to let us stay one night so be thankful."
Mikel's head snapped up, "We're going to stay with a wolf clan?" he asked excitedly, like it was a dream come true.
Tobin nodded, "There's one not far from here Spark and I are good friends with. They said they would allow you to stay for one night."
“I'll get to see it with my own eyes." Mikel muttered to himself, looking like he was going to explode from excitement, "YES!!!" he laughed and jumped up and down like a kid on Christmas morning.
"Someone's happy," Colt muttered as Spark laid down and she put her hands on his back. She jumped up and pulled herself onto his back. She had finally learned to get on herself without Tobin's help.
Mikel ran over and Colt put a hand down to help him up. He grabbed her wrist and managed to crawl up behind her. Spark groaned as he stood up.
“I think you guys are gaining weight," he smiled.
"Never question a girl about her weight!" Colt snapped.
Mikel just smiled, "Yeah, either that or you're getting weaker!"
"Never question a wolf about their strength!" Spark joked and started walking.
"It's not far, we should be there in an hour." Tobin said as he started a light jog beside them.
"If we're that close why haven't we seen any wolfs?" Colt asked.
Tobin shook his head and Spark chuckled, "People don't see wolfs unless they want to be seen." Spark said.

“I though you would have learned that by now,” Tobin muttered.

“It’s early!” Colt through out as a defense.
They traveled at a reasonably slow pace, but as they got closer Colt still couldn't see any sign of any wolfs. Soon they came into the dense part of the woods where the trees and branches slapped them no matter how hard they tried to keep away.
"STOP."
Spark stopped sharply causing Colt and Mikel to grab on to his thick fur to avoid falling off.
A huge wolf stepped from out of no where. He was a good three feet higher than Spark and Colt felt very small sitting on his back.
"I am Spartakus from the Coracle clan. We have come seeking shelter for the night." Spark said formally.
"Oh yes! You two." the guard looked from Spark to Tobin to the two riders, "I don't know how you can bear those humans on your back." he mumbled.
"It wasn't my first choice," Spark said softly.
"I would imagine. Now you agreed to keep an eye on them and only stay for the night."
"And I take full responsibility for their actions." Tobin added.
The guard nodded, "Fine you may pass. Keep in mind I'm only doing this because the clan Mother approved it." he stepped aside, but behind him was just a wall of thorns.
"And we thank her deeply for that," Spark said and walked towards the thorns.
"Uummm..." Colt looked around, wanting to trust Spark but going into a thorn grove was putting her a little on guard.
Tobin went in first and seemed small enough where he could avoid the spikes easily. When Spark entered the thorns dug into his fur but he didn't seem bothered at all. Colt laid down flat on his back to avoid being scratched. She dug her nails into his fur out of instinct and found the fur was thick and several inches off of the actual skin. She realized that's why the spikes didn't hurt the wolfs and provided a decent protection wall. The tunnel wasn’t long and they came out into a huge valley. Colt couldn't even see the other side, but her view was mostly blocked by the wolfs.
Most of them seemed around Spark's size but there were some as big as houses, and a lot of small ones close to the size Colt had always known. A lot of the activity around the gate stopped as Spark entered as the Wolfs stopped to look at the humans on his back. They had all seen them countless times but it was unusual to see them in their own territory.
Spark laid down and the two passengers got off as one of the biggest wolfs approached them. Nearly twice the size of Spark. A brownish gold color with random gray hairs among the fur. Spark, Tobin and Mikel all bowed for the clan Mother and Colt shakily realized she was to bow too.
Great first impression Colt thought mentally kicking herself, as she fell down to her knee and looked at the ground.
But the Wolf just chuckled and nodded, "Greetings. Welcome to the Satimem clan."
"Thank you. We appreciate you letting us stay for the night." Tobin said.
Colt's eyes grew slightly, He's actually being polite. What a concept. I guess there's a first time for everything.
Everyone quickly branched off. Spark and Tobin went with a group of wolfs to one side and Mikel stuck to the clan Mother like glue, asking questions and getting information. But soon Colt found herself standing alone and feeling very uncomfortable.
Suddenly she fell flat on the ground, the wind getting knocked out her. Something stepped off her back and she heard laughing behind her. She slowly sat up and got her breath back as she turned to looked at the small group of wolfs around her. There were five of them, all slightly bigger than the wolfs on Earth. Two of them were a grayish silver color like Spark. One had a deep brown almost black look and the last two were both a light brown gold color. They were all smiling and giggling.
"Humans aren't very big," the dark brown one laughed, "But they make great pillows!" she guessed that was the one who had jumped her.
"Wolfs make pretty good pillows themselves," Colt said back.
"Hiromi makes a good pillow!" one of light brown ones smiled, swiping a paw at Hiromi, the one who had landed on her. Hiromi put up his own paw to push it away.
"Yeah, we all know you'd like to sleep on him Kazumi!" the group broke out into a fit of giggles again.
Colt smiled as both quickly turned away from each other.
"Well, who wouldn't want to sleep on that hunk?" the other light brown teased and jumped on Hiromi and wrestled him to the ground.
"Ah, get off a me!" Hiromi pushed her off.
"Any excuse to tackle something, eh Misa?" one of the grays jumped on her and the two laughed as they rolled around.
"Any excuse to get humiliated, eh Yahiko?" Misa smiled as she pinned him down.
"Hey!" he pushed her off then just turned around and tackled her again.
Colt looked at the last gray who sat chuckling on the side. The quiet one she assumed, "What's your name?" she asked.
"Kenshin," he said, "What's yours?"
"Colt."
"You seem pretty nice for a human!" Kenshin said.
"Really? Thanks!"
"Yeah, she just sits quietly like an obedient pup!" Hiromi said.
"Light forbid you should ever be an obedient pup!" Kazumi smiled.
"Hey, do you think humans know how to swim?" Misa asked getting up from where she had Yahiko pinned again.
"Let's find out!" they started running off.
Kenshin turned around, "Come on!" he called and waited for Colt to stand. She ran over and they all hopped around her as they led her into a wooded part inside the barrier.
Soon they came to a cliff above a river. It was maybe thirty feet high and river below was crystal clear.
"Go on, take a look," Yahiko said to her.
Colt walked to the edge of the cliff and looked over. She had never seen such clear water before, she could almost see the bottom and it couldn‘t have been less than twenty feet deep.
Hiromi's tail slipped up and gave her a light push. Colt gave a small scream and waved her arms around but she fell off the cliff and hit the cold water below. There was more laughing as one by one the others jumped off and joined her in the water with a splash.
Colt came back up with the others where a water fight was immediately started. It was fun to be with the children. They seemed almost exactly like humans. And other than Spark, all the wolfs Colt had met had been outcasts and mean. She laughed and played with the kids unaware she was being watched.
"It's not nice to spy on people."
"Who said I was spying? I'm just making sure she doesn't hurt herself."
Mikel smiled, "She's a big girl I think she can take care of herself." he walked out from behind a tree and to the edge of the cliff.
"I said I was responsible for you two so I'm just making sure nothing happens that ends up in disaster," Tobin said, arms crossed, leaning against a tree and not meeting Mikel’s eyes.
Mikel just chuckled and grabbed Tobin's arm. Without warning he jumped off the cliff and took the half wolf with him.
There were some mild screams drowned out by the splash as the two hit the water. Tobin fought his way to the surface but he got one breath before his head was dunked back under the water.
"Don't do that to me!" Colt let go to let him breath.
Tobin came back up coughing lightly, "He pulled me in," he said looking at Mikel.
"You could have stopped me," Mikel said lightly with a smile.
Tobin found his face being rained on as Colt splashed him. He splashed her back and soon the water fight had begun again.

Colt had one of the best days she'd had since being pulled into the book. She played with the kids and gathered wood with the older females. She was sad they would be leaving in the morning. She walked through the woods with Mikel on their way to a nearby town to get some dinner.
"Why won't they let us eat there?" she had asked.
"You wouldn't want to eat their food." Mikel had told her, "It's similar to the reason Tobin and Spark eat their meals away from us...unless raw meat covered in blood appeals to you?" he joked.
"No thank you. I'll take the rotten bread and moldy cheese." Colt muttered. Mikel just chuckled.
They walked in silence a while longer. Colt looked at Mikel. He seemed so carefree and innocent. He didn't look very strong at all and was not the aggressive type, "Hey Mikel, can I ask you something?" she asked finally.
"Yeah, sure go ahead!" he said with a smile.
"You must travel for the Crones a lot right? And so you must run into a lot of thieves and wolfs right?"
"Yes, they pop up occasionally," Mikel nodded like it was no big deal.
"Well, How do you defend yourself and all that? I mean you don't look very tough, let alone tough enough to handle a wolf...no offence or anything."
Out of all the reactions she had imagined, laughing was not one of them. She looked over at the young boy who was chuckling softly.
"It's funny you should ask that now of all times!" he smiled, "And I'll show you soon." he winked, "It must be nice on your world not having to deal with all of that."
"Hey my world is not all fun and sunshine!" Colt countered, "You wouldn't believe how many thieves, murderers, rappers, are on the news every night! My world is not a friendly place if you don't know what you're doing."
"That goes for both worlds then," Mikel said, all trace of fun out of his voice, replaced with sadness and hurt. He fumbled with his belt until he took out a good sized dagger. It had a normal leather hilt, but the deadly looking blade was crystal and glowed when the sunlight hit it through the trees.
"Colt, I'm going to ask you to stay behind that tree. Do not come out no matter what. I'll be right back." Mikel dropped his bag and walked another ten yards before he stopped. Colt did as she was told. By now she had learned to listen when people told her to do something in that tone of voice. She picked up the bags and stepped behind the old giant tree. She poked her head out to see what was going on.
Mikel stood in the path. He couldn't see the hidden ones with his eyes, but his mind could sense their troubled souls and the trees spoke of danger.
He didn't have to wait long. Soon five big men stepped out of the trees and surrounded Mikel. Colt couldn't hear what they were saying but their intentions were clear enough as she saw the reflection from the weapons in their hands. One of the men jumped on Mikel, but the crystal dagger cut into his arm sending him crying out as he stepped back.
Then it seemed as if they all attacked at once, but it was as if Mikel was possessed. No one could touch him, the dagger dodged, cut and pulled Mikel through every turn and attack. He moved so fast he was almost a blur. The attackers were so stunned they could hardly defend themselves. Five against one and the one had the upper hand.
Colt saw now why Mikel was able to travel so freely. He couldn't be beat. She wondered what it would be like to see him and Tobin fight. Before she knew it, three of the guys were on the ground and the other two were running for their lives. Mikel walked over to a patch of grass and wiped off the dagger, then returned to where Colt was still standing behind the tree.
"How'd you like the show?" he asked with his usual giddy smile.
"It was....great!" Colt shook her head as if she couldn't believe what she had just seen, "I had no idea you were that good a fighter! You could take on Tobin and come out all right! You were invincible! That was so cool!"
"I wouldn't go as far as invincible," Mikel said as he picked up his bag, "To be honest, without the dagger I'd be just as helpless as you."
"Hey."
"Sorry. It's true though." he held up the dagger and turned it so it caught the reflection of the sun. The sudden bright light made spots in Colt's eyes and she blinked several times to make them go away, "It was made centuries ago and has the magic on the Crones within it. It is passed to the trainee when the old one becomes in tune with the other Crones. It takes over your mind and controls your body. Making you move like a demon. It's an amazing piece of work and saves us from many unwanted situations."
Mikel turned it again so he could see his reflection in the perfectly designed crystal. Despite the countless battles it had been through it might as well have been formed the day before. Mikel finally put it back in it's sheath and put his bag on his shoulder, "Shall we go?" he smiled.
"That is so cool." Colt muttered. She stepped out from the tree but then stopped dead as she looked upon the limp bodies on the ground in front of her. It was like she had completely forgotten about them.
"Are they...dead?" she asked in a small shaking voice.
"Oh no!" Mikel walked up to one and lightly nudged the body with his foot. The man groaned slightly, but remained still, "We don't kill any form of life. It's against out code. The dagger isn't even that sharp." he smiled.
"You have a code?" Colt asked as she slowly stepped closer to the body and Mikel.
"Oh yes. Every living thing has a code they live by. We live to help others grow and learn the ways of the light. But sometimes some don't listen and stray down the path of chaos." he glanced at the men. He walked to the edge of the path and put a gentle hand on a small bush.
"We can do wondrous things to help the world. But our code forbids us to interfere directly. That is why we stay in one place when we become in tune. But we can teach others and help them make the changes we all long for. But no one listens. And as the years pass, they listen less and less." The bush glowed and small buds appeared that became beautiful blue flowers. The small decoration brightened up the whole bush and made a small smile appear on Colt's face.
Mikel took a small stem in his fingers and paused as if asking permission, then smoothly broke the flower away from the plant, "We are a dying race Colt," he stood and walked back to her, "We know more than we can ever tell in one lifetime. And if people continue to ignore us, we will disappear and no one will ever be able to hear us again." Colt stood still as he reached a hand up and placed the flower in her hair.
"Our world may be an illusion. But illusions fade. And when they fade, their memory eventually fades with them." Mikel stepped back and smiled at the small token he had given her, "That is why your people come. So our memory will be alive for just a little bit longer. Listen to your heart. That is where we speak. And never forget what you have seen or learned. That is our message. May it be remembered forever."
Colt didn't know what to say. She stood there for a moment just looking at the small bush that lit up the whole path with it's new found beauty. Then she turned her gaze to the men still on the ground.
"Oh don't worry about them!" Mikel said, going back to his giddy happy self, "They'll wake up with one bad bruise but they'll be fine in a day or two. Come on now. We still have some things to do." he took a few steps down the path.
Colt smiled and nodded, "Yes." she stepped over one of the bodies and the two continued on.

Colt and Mikel did just more than get some dinner when they went into town. They visited the local Crone and Mikel put in a reservation for some royal clothes. They would have to pick them up in a town closer to the royal city but Colt had a fun time describing what she wanted them to look like.
By the time they got back to the Wolf clan it was dark out. There were big bon fires scattered around the area and small groups of wolfs around each one. Spark came by and greeted them as they walked in and led them a fire in the middle. Around it sat Tobin, the clan Mother and four other big wolfs that made Colt feel like a bug compared to their size. Colt sat down next to Tobin with Mikel next to her and Spark sat down on the other side of Tobin.
"Colt I have been very anxious to hear all about your world. Tobin says you speak very little about it." The clan mother said. Her eyes shining like fire as the light reflected off them.
"Well, there's not much to tell really." Colt said and cleared her throat, "The wolfs there are just another animal to us."
"Yes, we heard about that part," another of the giants spoke with naked disgust in their voice.
"Our technology is...freakishly advanced compared to here…“ Colt went on, “I never realized how much I took a toaster for granted. And cars. But I guess you don't need them with your speed. Of course the lack of wind and maybe a little A.C would be nice. Indoor pluming, electricity. I swear when I get home I'm going to make a shrine to Edison. The man is a god. You realize I'm ready to kill for a simple flashlight?! You have no idea how many times I've wished if I had even been able to bring just a backpack full of things with me how much easier my life would be right now. Toilet paper! Don't even get me started on that one! Ever since I got pulled into this book I-"
Her rambling was cut off by a sharp flick to her leg. She turned her head to find Mikel staring into her eyes and shaking his head so softly it was hard to make out. But his message was clear.
"Since you what?" the clan Mother asked, "Got pulled into a book did you say?"
"I, uh, no. Since I, uh, got pulled into this world...and uh, yeah. There's not much else to tell you really..."
Tobin looked at her strangely but didn't push the subject. They all soon went to bed and in the four companions left in the morning.

Two weeks later they came into a village where the clothes Colt and Mikel had ordered had been made. The Crones had luckily been able to talk to the local designer and weaver. It was all done a ready and the creator was undeniably proud of herself. Tobin paid her handsomely and took the pile of clothes.
They took them back to the Crone's house and Colt went into a separate room than the other two to try them on. She tried them all on then put the best one back on. A deep purple, the color or royals, the dress was more layered than Colt would have wanted but it was beautiful all the same.
She stepped out of the room. Tobin and Mikel had been talking, but they looked up when she stepped out. Mikel broke out into a huge smile of approval and Tobin's eyes grew almost too wide for his face.
Colt broke out into a fit of giggles and a nudge from Mikel brought Tobin back into the real world, where he shakily told the girl how nice she looked. Colt blushed and smiled as Mikel ushered her back in the room so the dress wouldn't get dust all over it.

"Sit up straighter. Head up. Don't move. Don't look around! Remember, you're better than everyone else!" Mikel coached. They were in a valley. The sun was high and everyone seemed to be in a decent mood.
"This is so stupid!" Colt cried from Spark's back. Or not.
"If you're going to play the part of a princess, you need to know how to act it. Now we've only got a few days to get this down."
"Who’s We?! I'm the one straining my neck and acting like a bitch!"
"That's how you're supposed to act." Mikel said calmly.
"This sucks," Colt muttered.
Tobin smirked, "Just remember the outcome," he said softly from his place on the side lines. He was leaning against a tree using his dagger to lazily cut a piece of wood.
Colt nodded and sat back up.
"Yeah. She may get to go home, but I'm the one who's gonna be humiliated! No self respecting Wolf would allow himself to go through this torture! I'm going to be the laughing stalk of both races! I'll never be able to show my face in public again!" Spark complained as Mikel instructed him on how to walk straight and smoothly while carrying Colt.
"Think about it this way," Tobin sheepishly waved his dagger at Spark, "No one from the Wolf clan is going to see you. And to the humans your just another wolf, so when rumors start going around it will just be 'the wolf' that was tamed. No one will know it was you, and you can join in the conversation on how dishonorable and embarrassing it is."
"This sucks," Spark muttered and stood up tall.
Colt flopped down so she was laying on Spark's back, "I think we should rebel," she said and buried her head in his fur.
"I agree! This is like unnecessary torture!"
"Cruel and unusual punishment!"
"Exactly!" Spark curled his tail over Colt and tickled her. She laughed and rolled around on his back. It felt good to laugh. Since she had gotten there it had been rare when she even smiled.
Tobin smirked again and shook his head.
Colt glanced up and stopped Spark's tail, "You're smiling!!"
Tobin's head snapped up. Colt jumped off Spark and ran over to Tobin, "You smiled!" she accused again.
Tobin blinked and stepped back, wondering why she making such a big deal out of it, "So what?" he said quietly.
"So, you never smile!" Colt said. She leaned forward, "You should smile more often. You look a lot better," she whispered and walked back to Spark.
Tobin blinked again and found his ears growing warm as he watched Colt climb back on Spark.
Mikel watched them with a small smile and just clapped his hands ordering everyone to get back to work.

Colt sat straight with her head high. The people stared as Spark walked calmly through the city, and bowed when they noticed the royal clothes Colt wore. She sat on a rug of royal markings. The rug hung over Spark's shoulders so it made it impossible for him to move faster than a walk. Mikel and Tobin sat farther back on Spark to show they were lower than Colt.
She felt kind of bad. Everywhere she looked she could see the same thing in everyone's eyes saying, "She thinks she's better than us," she could see them judging her.
Then one little boy saw her and was fascinated that she was able to ride the wolf without fear. His mother bowed and judged, but he laughed and waved. Colt would have kissed the kid if she had been on the ground. She smiled happily and waved back. The young boy's face brightened like it was Christmas and the mother was almost in shock. Colt waved at her too and the woman smiled proudly. She bowed again and this time Colt knew it was from respect and not the forced bow everyone else was giving her.
She started waving to other people and they started waving back. It wasn't long before she knew she had won them over.
"You shouldn't be doing that," Mikel scolded out of the corner of his mouth.
"Screw you. These people like me." Colt said through her teeth. She had changed over the past few weeks. She had become stronger and more sure of herself, but she also snapped and swore more than she used too.
Soon they got to the castle. The gates were thrown open and a huge carpet to welcome them had been put out. Guards stood everywhere and in perfect formation.
"How did they know we were coming?" Colt whispered.
"People see a wolf in town and news travels faster than lightning," Tobin whispered back.
Two people emerged from the castle. Both were dressed in fine clothes, similar to Colt's.
"The King and Queen of Nubia," Mikel muttered.
"No duh. I'm not blind."
Spark stopped obediently when they were inside the gates. He laid down smoothly. Mikel and Tobin got off first then made a show of helping Colt down from her perch. They backed off and she faced the royal couple bowing slightly. They nodded back acknowledging her position.
"Greetings," Colt said in a firm but soft voice, "I am princess Coltania from the kingdom of New York. I come here seeking temporary shelter and aid for my kingdom is at war, and my father the king thought it best if I took solitude in a neighboring kingdom."
The king nodded and stepped forward, "We recognize your father is a powerful man and no doubt has a powerful kingdom," he said glancing at Spark, "We will gladly open our doors to you and your servants."
Colt smiled and bowed in thanks.
They took her and Mikel to the castle and showed them around. They showed Colt to a room she could stay in. Colt took one look at it and almost dropped, This is nicer than my house! she thought with a smile, Finally things are actually looking up!
They introduced her to their two sons and daughter. The oldest son was ten. Their daughter next was six and their youngest son was four. Colt treated them with respect and felt sorry for the children. Being forced to act all prim and proper, no doubt they had never had a true childhood.
The guards stumbled and paused around Spark. They had no idea how or where to put him. They couldn't put him with the horses and they couldn't set him free in the courtyard or kingdom. Tobin watched amused as the confused soldiers tried to figure it out.
Spark stayed still the whole time as if waiting for someone to tell him what to do. He glared at anyone who came close, making the guards job that much harder. Finally, when the two had had enough fun, Tobin took over and got Spark a comfortable spot in the stables.
Colt had dinner with the royalty and was overjoyed to be eating food that didn't look like lunchroom leftovers for once. She talked with the King and Queen. She politely answered their questions about her "kingdom". How it was run. How big it was. How powerful it was. How the people got along. All the things she and Mikel had been planning for weeks. Then came the question she had been waiting for.
"Tell me...How did you come across that wolf you have?" the king asked.
Colt looked up, "My father captured it when it was a baby and trained it to behave."
"But every wolf we've ever tried to train either dies or escapes...And it's the same everywhere else. What's your secret?"
Colt gave a thoughtful look, "Father is very secretive in his training. He only lets very specific trainers help him and doesn't even let mother and me watch."
The king gave a thoughtful nod. Colt left out a silent sigh. Mikel had been right. The King had understood another Kings privacy. And the fact that Colt had made it clear she didn't know how it was done.
This time it was the Queen who spoke, "The last event in the tournament is tomorrow. How would you like to be our guest?" she said it with a smile. Colt had taken an instant liking to the Queen. She seemed cheerful and easygoing, and it was easy to tell everyone in the castle liked her. They all smiled and acted more polite around her. Not like they were supposed to do, but like when the woman had bowed to Colt after she had waved to her and her son.
Colt nodded and smiled back, "I'd be honored to."
She talked to Mikel and Tobin briefly that night. They were both staying in the servants quarters.
"Keep your eyes and ears open," Mikel instructed, "What we have to do now is find the Crone. He should be here somewhere."
"All right," Colt agreed.
Tobin nodded but was all ready to carry out his own plan. The mission he had originally been sent on. Getting into the castle had been the only thing he had ever been worried about. This had worked out to his advantage.

Colt actually slept through the entire night. Something she had rarely done since she had gotten there.
She spent the next day wandering around the castle. Tobin kept Spark company and Mikel tried to see what he could find out from the servants.
After their lessons, Colt played with the children. She taught them games and a relatively new concept called "fun". They seemed thrilled with everything and were fascinated with anything she did. After a few hours they clung to her like bees on honey. She didn't mind. She liked teaching them and they were decent company.
That afternoon Colt met up with Mikel and Tobin again. They were coming with her to the tournament. The children were too young to attend and stayed behind.
The three followed the King and Queen in a carriage to a huge building that reminded Colt of the Roman Coliseum. They sat high up in a balcony away from the rest of the people. The King and Queen sat in the chairs at the top. Colt, Tobin and Mikel got the smaller ones near the front of the balcony, but they knew it was a huge honor just to be in the booth. It was only then Colt wondered what the tournament was about. She assumed it would be games of skill like the Olympics.
Soon a man appeared in the center of the large arena. The noise level increased about 110%, until the man held up his hands and the whole place went deathly silent.
"Not even a classroom can get this quiet," Colt whispered and felt like she had blown into a trumpet when she broke the silence.
"This is an important event. An annual thing that people would kill to attend." Mikel whispered back.
I don't think anyone ever killed to go watch the Olympics Colt thought.
The man started speaking but Colt could hardly hear him. She was too high and microphones were generations away from being invented. She could hear the royal couple speaking softly behind her in excited tones. When the man started walking away, the great cheer went up again.
Colt watched, catching the people's excitement. She leaned forward. Whatever was going to happen she knew it was going to be good.
It wasn't long. The people quieted again. The silence wasn't as complete as before but noticeable. Two large doors at each end of the arena opened and two young wolfs walked out. They didn't look any bigger than Spark, but they were noticeably thinner. Like they had been starved. Colt sat back and started getting a sinking feeling in her stomach.
The two circled each other for a moment, looking at each other hungrily, then one jumped on the other. The people roared and Colt gasped. The wolfs continued to fight for some time. The more they fought the louder the place got, and the more Colt felt like she was going to hurl.
After what seemed like hours, one wolf overtook the other. One dropped to the ground, it was hard to tell if it was dead. The other stood looking at the body for a minute and catching it's breath.
The place cheered and clapped. Colt could hear the King and Queen clapping behind her. She wanted to turn around and scream at them but held her position. Then she heard clapping next to her and turned to see Tobin slowly hitting his hands together.
She glared at him, "You of all people!" she hissed.
Tobin kept his eyes fixed on the two wolfs below, "I clap for performances that deserve clapping," he said slowly.
Mikel looked at him, "Knowing you, that can't be too many."
"They are far and few between," Tobin admitted and stopped.
"But!...But that wasn't a show! That was murder!"
Tobin looked at her, "You've never seen a real wolf rumble. That was no fight. That was a very well planned and rehearsed performance."
The standing wolf walked over to the other and started eating. Blood spilled onto the ground. Colt gasped and looked at Tobin.
"You call that a show?!"
"Berry sacks...probably hidden in his neck. Very clever. They're not amateurs."
Colt could only stare at him.
Tobin met her eyes, "Wolfs aren't that dumb Colt. I thought you would have figured that out by now."
Colt softened and nodded, "You're right." she began to relax once she realized it had all been fake, "Wresting in the old days," she muttered.
Late that night Tobin snuck into the arena cells. He found the two wolfs talking. When he approached them, they were silent at first but when he got closer they recognized his sent.
"Tobin you son of a-" it was hard to tell if the wolf was mad or happy to see him. Every wolf knew Tobin's sent. Half human, half wolf. It was hard to miss. They talked for a long time. Tobin gave them news of the outside world and they told him about how they had gotten there and planned the fights. How sometimes it was necessary to train others to take over.
Tobin returned before dawn, and told Spark everything. Spark was almost happy to hear he wasn't the only one purposely making a fool of himself.

Colt had been at the castle for almost a week now. None of them had seen hide nor hair of anyone resembling a Crone. Colt was getting depressed. Mikel was getting anxious. Tobin was getting impatient. And Spark was having the time of his life.
They had no idea what to feed him so the food was straight from the palace. Spark admitted over and over how he had never eaten anything so good in his life. Once Colt was able to convince the kids Spark was harmless, they played with him day and night. They brought him treats and told him secrets. He had never been much for humans but he was getting attached to the children. At night he would go and talk to the wolfs in the coliseum. They were all glad to have the company and Spark brought them food, because they really were being starved by wolf standards.
Colt never got tired of the beautiful hallways she had become familiar with over the week. The children were at their lessons, so she spent her time wandering, hoping one day she would run into a clue about the Crone. Having come so far she was getting anxious to get home.
On one such day she was walking past one of the court rooms. She could hear the King and a woman speaking softly, but she knew the woman's voice was not the Queen's. Bored and curious Colt stopped outside the door. Almost immediately the voices stopped.
"Someone is eavesdropping," the woman said with slight amusement in her voice.
Colt felt her face grow warm and quickly turned away, but she hadn't gone more than a few steps before the King appeared around the door.
"Ah, Princess. Don't go," he said kindly.
Colt stopped and turned around. She knew better than to disobey. She slowly walked back towards the King and opened her mouth to get out an apology but the King interrupted her.
"There is someone I'd like you to meet." He led her into the room and gestured to the woman, "This is my adviser, the Mistress Enorc."
The woman smiled and bowed slightly in respect, but Colt could only stare. She wore a common gown of dark colors. She wasn't thin but you couldn't call her fat either. But her eyes. They were...completely white. And in that moment she understood. One of the eyes winked at Colt, but as soon as it was over she didn't know if it had happened or if she had just imagined it.
Colt nodded her head, "Pleased to meet you."

"I have never heard of a woman Crone," Tobin said sternly like it was impossible.
"Actually there have been in the past but it's extremely rare," Mikel said, "Are sure it was her?"
"I'm positive!" Colt said pacing around her room. She could tell she wasn't getting through to them.
"Did she look like a Crone?" Tobin asked.
"Well...no. She was standing and wearing normal clothes."
"Crones don't stand."
"I think the woman can." Mikel told them.
"Can you sense anything from her?" Tobin looked at Mikel, "The Crones all share one mind so you should be able to pick up her thoughts or something," Tobin suggested.
Mikel thought for a moment, "It's not that easy. The thing about woman Crones is that they more advanced than the rest of us. They can move and eat...they can also block their thoughts from us. The only way to really find out is to talk to her." he looked at Colt.
"I'll see what I can do, but this is the first time I've seen her, so who knows when I'll see her again."
Colt did see her again. At dinner.
"She's been on an errand to the town across the mountain," the Queen explained.
Colt nodded and watched the woman all through the meal. She ate and talked normally. The only thing that gave her away was her eyes. Any time Colt started having doubts that she was really the Crone all she had to do was look into those eyes and she knew. It was just a gut feeling. She just knew.
After dinner the King started talking Enorc again.
"Your highness. If I may excuse myself I would like to talk to our guest." she said politely.
"Oh, yes. Yes of course." The king nodded and walked away.
Colt and the woman walked through out the halls and into the courtyard. Colt could sense she was waiting for her to make the first move. Colt knew she would not talk unless she said something first.
"Your name," Colt said finally, "It's Crone spelled backwards is it not?"
Enorc nodded and smiled a smile that reminded Colt of teacher proud of a student that had just solved a hard math problem.
"It suits me," she said, "I have no real name of my own and no one seemed to notice being most of them are illiterate." she paused, "You are here for my help?"
Colt nodded, "They say you can get me back home."
The Crone also nodded, "Yes. But the real question is, do you want to go home?"
Colt was shocked, "Yes, of course! That's why I traveled here! That's why I've put up with everything! I want to go home to my life!"
"That's good...Now I'm going to tell you a secret. Going back to your world depends on your will alone. You could have gone back any time by just strongly wishing it. Think back to the first time you came..."
Colt thought and her eyes widened in realization, she opened her mouth to speak but the Crone cut her off.
"But...the longer you stay, the more difficult it becomes to return to your world. You have been here so long, you would now require the aid of friends and the stars to make the journey. On your first journey you had only been there a few hours before your desire for home reached it‘s peak. Now even that won‘t help."
"When will I be able to go home?" Colt asked quietly.
"In two weeks time. I have already calculated the stars and am currently working on a decent shrine. You should be able to go home soon young one."
Colt gave a small smile, "Thank you. Thank you so much!"
The Crone just gave a knowing smile, "I realize many things have happened to you these past few weeks. Yet something has occupied your mind and forbade you to go home until it was too late for your mind alone." she paused, "Or someone."
Colt stared at her and felt her face grow warm. Her hand reached to the necklace she still wore around her neck. The one Tobin had given her what seemed like years ago.
"Now go report what I have told you. You will speak to no one else but your companions of this. It is to remain secret, am I understood?"
Colt nodded, "Yes."
"Good. I will see you later but we shall not speak of this again until late."
"I understand."
"You're a good girl and you have a strong heart. Now go." The Crone watched as Colt walked away and smiled sadly.

Tobin slowly changed into his old cloths. He took off the sunglasses he had been wearing even in his sleep since he had gotten to the castle. And he entered the main hall.
Colt had told them all what the Crone had said and now that her mission was complete, he had to concentrate on his own.
He entered the hall standing tall and proud, didn't mean he wasn't scared on the inside but he looked composed on the outside. He walked right up to the doors before the guards stopped him.
"Who are you and what business do you have here?" the guard demanded.
Tobin just smiled wide enough for the guard to see his small fangs and looked into his eyes, giving away the wolf's yellow eyes. The guard's own eyes grew wide and scared. He started shaking slightly and Tobin knew he was making a death wish.
"I am here to speak with the King," Tobin said firmly, "Tell him Tobin of the Wolf clan is here."
The guard stopped and straightened. The king had said something about meeting with a wolf boy but that had been months ago!
"Tell him I have an important message from the wolfs that we must discuss." Tobin looked at the guard until he nodded and went into the great hall.
"Your majesty...The uh, Tobin of the Wolf clan is, uh, here to see you!" the guard stammered, not at all like his usual together self.
The King straitened in his chair, "Tobin of the wolf clan..." he whispered, then remembered, "Send him in!" the king commanded.
"Y...yes sir," the guard ran out and motioned for Tobin to enter. Tobin flashed him his fangs again on the way in, leaving the guard shuddering.
"Your majesty," Tobin walked up to where the King sat and bowed deeply. He normally wouldn't let himself do that, but he wanted to get off on the right foot and show the wolfs meant no harm, "I've come to negotiate the terms between the wolfs and the humans." he stood up without waiting for the King to address him. He didn't want to lose all his pride.
The King stood and nodded, "I have a feeling the problem will never be solved."
"Neither do I, but I've come to tell you and your people that the wolfs refuse to fight. They will defend themselves when necessary, but a war will not be stood for. They wish for peace and always have."
The King sighed, "I wish for peace too. That's why I've held the troops off this long. But a lot of them wish to put the wolfs in their place."
"They stand no chance of winning. You know that your highness."
"I know...I know..."
"It is by Wolf kindness that humans still walk this planet."
"I know that. They all know that. They just refuse to believe it. Their prides are too big to believe otherwise."
"What they need is something to convince them."
The King nodded, "They need a Wolf to show them they can be kind. You know. I have a guest that has a trained wolf. It has already changed the opinions of several of my men and my children love him. It has changed my opinion greatly."
Tobin held back a smile, "Then tell your people. Convince them that wolfs can be good. Let the wolf go out into your city."
The King shook his head, "Oh no. The people would never stand for that."
"It's the only way. You know that."
He nodded, "I do...but it would never work."
"It already has! Listen to what the people are saying on the streets. Word of that wolf in your keeping is getting around. It has not attacked. It is obedient. It is friendly even."
The King still didn't look convinced, "We would need more than just one."
"Then I'll get more than one! I'll make the wolfs start behaving if you make your people."
The king nodded and smiled, "Yes...yes I think it might just work. Go then. You have my full support and command to do whatever possible to convince my people."
"I can't do it alone."
"Of course. I will do my part as well!" The King stepped down and shook Tobin's hand, "I believe this will turn out to be a great new partnership!"
Tobin nodded and gave one of his rare smiles, "Thank you your majesty. I will report back to you in two weeks time."
"Good, good. I will see you then!"
"Yes sir," Tobin bowed slightly on his way out and flashed his fangs at the guard again.

Colt jumped in her seat when she heard the knocking at her window. She whipped around to see Tobin's face inches from the glass. She sighed and walked over. It was dark out and Colt had just changed to go to bed. The half moon was high in the sky.
"At least you knocked this time!" Colt said when the window was open. Tobin was standing on the balcony. For some reason he liked using his claw like nails to climb on the outside wall.
"I have to go."
It was so simple and so short but hit Colt like a hammer, "What?! Why?! No, Tobin you can't go! I need you here for support!" she started rambling on.
Tobin finally had to cover her mouth with his hand, "Shut up will ya?! Don't make this a big deal. There's something I just have to take care of first. Spark is staying here with you." he took his hand from her mouth.
"You'll be back for the ceremony won't you?" she asked.
Tobin nodded, "I wouldn't miss it for anything."
They just stood there for a minute. As if under a spell, Colt couldn't take her eyes from his. With the moon and the castle it was like a scene from a fairy tale, and with their faces just inches away, every bone in Colt's body was screaming, "KISS HIM!!!" but she held herself back, and Tobin finally looked down.
"Hey, just, uh, take care of Spark for me will ya? He can...he can be a handful sometimes," Tobin said as he climbed down.
Colt smiled sadly knowing it was his pathetic attempt at a joke, "Yeah. Sure, I won't let him bring the castle down," Colt said softly as she watched him go.

Colt quickly agreed to the Kings idea bout sending Spark out to meet the people. Spark himself protested all the way but was eventually forced to go. Colt and Mikel always went with him to make sure there wasn't any trouble. He met the towns people and got to know some of them. The children took to him more quickly than the adults and he started letting some of them ride on his back.

Tobin was having a harder time. The Wolfs would not go into villages easily. Tobin stopped wearing his sunglasses and worked hard to be polite to people. Again the younger wolfs took to the idea more easily than the older ones and started going closer to villages. They wouldn't dare enter but they slowly made their daily routine go closer. And some of them would just not hear of it.
"We hear you're trying to unite humans and wolfs," A voice said. Four big wolfs stepped out from the trees and surrounded Tobin.
"Unite is a strong word," Tobin said calmly, "I'm just trying to get them to...understand each other better."
"Understand this!" One of the wolfs jumped at Tobin, he ducked down but another came at him. Tobin dodged to the side and took out his dagger.
"I don't want to fight!" he yelled as he avoided another one. They started coming faster until Tobin couldn't even think. All he could do was react. Left. Right. Up. Right.
"STOP!!"
The voice was loud. It was commanding. It was impossible not to listen too. Everyone stopped in their tracks and turned towards the woods.
A wolf stepped out. Twice as big as Spark. His fur gray with old age, and his eyes were filled with wisdom.
"Listen to the half wolf," the deep slow voice commanded, "He is just doing what everyone wants but no one admits."
Tobin turned to the wise one and bowed deeply, "Thank you old one."
The wolf nodded, "The clan mothers send their blessings."
Tobin gave a small smile, "I thank them. That means a lot to my mission."
"You have the old one's approval but the young ones will not be swayed so easily. Be careful."
"I understand. Thank you."
The wolf nodded and motioned for the others to follow him. The young wolfs did as they were told and followed reluctantly, staring at Tobin as they disappeared into the woods.

A week later the controversy was still at full debate. Tobin knew it would be generations until it was solved completely. He had started back towards the castle. He had promised Colt he would be there when she went home, and he had never been so intent on keeping a promise before. He didn't know what it was. Something about her made him feel whole. His whole life he was torn between Wolfs and humans, but when she was around it was like it didn't matter and she didn't care if he was half wolf. She made him feel warm. A feeling he was going to miss when she left.
He sensed a group of wolfs around him. He kept going paying them no mind. They slowly got closer and closer until Tobin could see them keeping pace with him in the woods. Finally one stepped out in front, forcing him to stop. The look in his eye told Tobin he wasn't joking around. Tobin turned only to find another blocking his path.
"What do you want?" Tobin asked finally.
"We want you to stop this futile mission of yours."
"I can't do that. I've got orders from the king and blessings from the Clan Mothers."
"Then you can continue your mission after death," he said with an evil glow in his eyes.
"You wouldn't dare," Tobin challenged. No wolf would kill someone the Clan Mothers had blessed.
"Not directly. But leaving you in a place you can't escape isn't killing you directly." he started to advance.
Tobin backed away and looked around. He knew better than anyone, once a wolf was set on something they didn't budge.
He whipped around right as the wolf behind him lunged. Tobin managed to dodge to the side but the other one was waiting for him. One swipe of the paw and Tobin's world went black.

"Colt?" Mikel stuck his head in her room, "We gotta go."
Colt sat staring out her window. She was wearing the clothes she had first come in. The royal tailors had fixed them up and made them as good as new. The Crone had made it important that she was exactly like she was when she came. The only thing Colt hid under her shirt was the necklace she still wore.
Mikel saw her and walked over. He put a hand on her shoulder, "He'll show up. You know he will."
Colt just shrugged and stood up. She knew she wouldn't be able to go home without at least saying goodbye.
The two walked down to the shrine the Crone had set up. It would still be a few hours before Colt attempted to go home, but the last minute preparations required her help.
They had talked little through out the week. And when they did it was always in secret. That day the royal family was on one of their rare outings. The Crone had made it clear to the servants not to go near the shrine until the next day.
Colt worked slowly as if on automatic. When asked a question, she usually had to be asked twice. It was clear her mind was off on it's own.
In the late afternoon they snuck Spark in through the side. He had insisted on being at the ceremony.
The Crone went over the plans again and again until they all felt like they could do it in their sleep, but Colt was still distant.
"Sunshine. It's time." The Crone said when the full moon was at full height.
"Can't we wait just a little longer?"
The woman shook her head sadly.
Spark walked up to Colt and nudged her back with his head. Colt jumped a little then turned around and hugged the giant wolf. She buried her head in his neck fur, "I'm gonna miss you."
"I'm gonna miss you too," the wolf was close to tears.
Mikel put a hand on her shoulder and she turned to hug him too.
"Take care of yourself." he whispered.
"Good luck with the whole Crone thing," Colt told him.
He nodded and let her go. She walked over to the High Crone.
"I...I want to thank you. For everything."
The woman smiled and also gave Colt a small hug, "It's time," was all she said.
They all took their places. The four of them at a point around a circle of magical objects. Candles were lit around the room and the Crone was dressed in robes that reminded Colt of a witch. The Crone started speaking in an ancient language that reminded Colt a little of Egyptian.
I never got to say goodbye...I will never forget you...I promise... she thought as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
The light from the candles started to flicker and move as if blown by an invisible wind. The patterns and shadows on the wall moved and danced like ghosts at a celebration.
The circle of objects started to glow. A subtle glow at first, but it slowly grew brighter until it looked like a golden ring on the floor.
The Crone's eyes were closed and her words were loud and demanding. She was shaking slightly from the strain.
Suddenly Colt felt a warm glow inside her chest. She knew what she had to do. She brought up every memory she could about her home. Her house, her school, her friends. Then she realized she was glowing as well. A white glow was surrounding her body and the more she thought of home the brighter it got, and the brighter the circle got. The light around the circle started to move and dance as if on fire. A great ring of fire that kept getting higher and higher.
There was a sudden flash of light that almost blinded them all. When it receded, Colt was back to normal and the entire space within the circle glowed. It was like a golden bottomless pit.
"You must go now. The portal will not stay open long," the Crone demanded.
Colt nodded sadly and stepped toward it.
"Wait!!"
Colt whipped around. Tobin was standing in the doorway. It was the first time Colt had ever seen him out of breath. His clothes were torn and dried blood covered him. Colt let out a small cry as he came towards her. She hugged him so tight her arms hurt, and she never wanted to let go.
"I thought you weren't going to come," she said as tears ran down her face.
"I promised I'd be here. I promised I wouldn’t let you get hurt. I promised I'd get you home...I'll never forget you."
"If you do I'll have to come back here and kick your ass," Colt said with a smile as she forced herself to let go and look at his face.
He smiled. A real smile with real emotion in his eyes as he nodded, "Fare enough." They hugged one more time.
"The portal will not stay open any longer," the Crone said with a slight smile on her face.
Colt nodded and once again went to the portal, "Goodbye everyone. I swear I will never forget any of you." and with that she stepped inside.

An aged man around 50 mumbled to himself as he started to close up his store. He went to the door and reached out to lock it but a young girl came running in, almost knocking him over. The girl looked around franticly and turned to the man when she realized he was the only one in there.
Her eyes were red and tears stained her cheeks, "Are you the owner?" her voice was shaking.
The man nodded once, "Yes. I am..."
Colt held up the book. She couldn't speak and her hands were shaking slightly.
The man's eyes widened in realization. He looked back and forth from Colt to the book and back again. He whipped around and locked the door, then motioned for Colt to follow him to the back room where they talked for hours.

*** 10 years later ***

Colt hummed a small tune as she opened up shop. Her fingers played with the necklace of the small wolf she still wore. She went behind the counter. She opened a drawer and threw the keys in. She closed the drawer but kept her hand on the handle... She whipped it open and took out the book that laid with in it. Her eyes grew wide and her hands shook slightly.
It was different. The book she had kept and looked at everyday for years was... different.
It no longer had the picture of Tobin with a wolf in the background. It had the picture of a young girl and a ragged face in the background.
Colt had no idea who the girl was but she recognized the face in the background.
"Mikel!" she cried.
And suddenly a smile spread across her face. So today is finally the day she thought sadly and happily. The name at the top read, "The Crone."
She waited patiently all day. She was nicer to all the customers and watched them all carefully. In mid afternoon a woman came into the store. She looked around confused. Colt saw this.
"Excuse me mam? Is there anything I can help you with?"
The woman looked at her relieved and walked over, "Yes. I'm looking for a book for my son. Something to tear him away from that computer for ten minutes."
And then Colt knew. She didn't know why or how. She just knew.
"I think I may have just the thing for you," she said and opened the drawer. Colt took out the book and handled it like it was glass, "I think your son will enjoy this book very much."
The woman looked at it and smiled, "I hope so! How much do I owe you?"
Colt shook her head, "The price of that book is too great."
"Oh, but I feel I should pay you something, or I'll feel Like I stole it!"
Colt smiled, "All right. Give me five dollars and we'll call it even."
The woman smiled, "Alright." she gave Colt the money and walked out.
Colt smiled and watched her leave, "Yes. I believe he is the one I have waited for all these years. The Legend will continue," she whispered.