Chereads / Great Tales of the Old Gods and Men / Chapter 6 - The Great White Wolf

Chapter 6 - The Great White Wolf

"Where AM I?!" cried Jon in a panic. "I just told you, you are in Frosthorn, my home." the battle ready woman replied calmly, after taking a great swig off of an ale horn. "Who are you, my lady?" asked Jon after calming down.

"I am the spirit Goddess of these woods, my name is Freya." replied the woman politely. "You are Jon Berskaggr, from a great line of warriors and mages. I know everything about you. I would like to assist you in your journey to become Champion of Woden. We have not seen a great age in a millenia and you should be the one to usher it in. We all benefit from this" Freya the Goddess said slyly, raising one corner of her mouth slightly.

"Well then I accept your help, I was raised to hold the Old Gods with the highest regard and respect. I would help any way I can my lady!" said Jon triumphantly.

As soon as he said this, he felt his conciousness being pulled backwards as he was pushed from the realm of Frosthorn and back to earth. He awoke in a cold sweat. Laying beside him was a beautiful ornate steel shield with golden inlay and braised runes of power. As he looked at this shield he realized that was no dream. He was gifted a sturdy shield from the Goddess Freya. This was probably her personal shield.

As he stood, he picked up the shield and felt it was surprisingly light, as if it was not made from the materials of this world. As soon as he put the shield on his arm, he felt a cool sensation winding up his arm, strengthening the muscles in his shield arm. This shield was blessed with a 'Kiss from the Gods'. This shield was invaluable to him and he knew he better make use of it.

As light began to creep into the dark woods, he went to the place he found the rabbit tracks. As he followed the tracks he found a hole in the ground. All that was left was to wait.

After what felt like an eternity, he saw a head pop up from the ground. The rabbit had emerged. Slowly nocking an arrow, he pulled the string back to his cheek. He loosed the arrow and it flew straigh.

Thunk!

The arrow pierced the rabbit through its head and pinned it to a nearby tree. He now had breakfast. As he cleaned the animal, he realized he had an opportunity to attract a predatory animal. Hopefully a wolf and not a bear as he was not equipped or strong enough to kill a bear. He left the guts behind in a pile by the tree and walked back to camp hare in hand. After it was cooked and he ate, he checked the pile if guts, it had not been touched.

Days later the entire pile was just gone, as if it had never been there in the first place. Tonight, Jon would watch the pile from a tree to see what happened and plan from there. For all he knew it might be a bear! He hunted another rabbit, left the extras behind, filled his stomach and climbed the tree.

Not even an hour later, a massive white haired wolf slowly crept towards the pile of guts on the ground. Jon's heart skipped a beat as he saw the beautiful pelt on this majestic animal. As he watched the wolf, it ate the entire pile in a single gulp, like a big fish eating a worm! He used his energies and the world stopped, feeling his muscles bristle, he was about to jump from the tree. As soon as he was ready, the wolf howled loudly and turned away, sprinting faster than he had ever seen. He had missed his opportunity. He decided to sleep in the trees tonight for fear the beast might return.

The next morning he was ready to finish off this wolf. As he was starting to hunt for a rabbit he realized the beast left his tracks. Jon wondered if he should follow the tracks, this wolf was probably a loner. He followed the tracks for miles, until he came to a ravine. The tracks followed the ravine, until they suddenly went over and into a cave about 8 feet down. Luckily after following the wolf tracks, he discovered a narrow path down. Jon Berskaggr was ready to become a man. He placed some fresh guts near the mouth of the cave and waited just above it. As soon as the white wolf comes out he will pounce.

Hours went by and finally he heard a scraping noise of claw against rock. He was hopeful that this white wolf was coming out. As the beast emerged from the small cave, it was surprised to find more guts so close. The wolf just kept walking. Not giving it a second thought, Jon jumped from his perch, sword and shield in hand and immediately the wolf turned! It knew all along that he was there! Raising his shield a mighty paw smacked him back a few feet. This wolf was so strong his shield arm was tingling! He raised his sword and let it rest on the top of his shield, ready to fend off the Great Wolf.

For being so deep in the woods, it had never met a human, however it was very smart. The wolf cornered Jon almost talking to him with its growls. Foam dripping from its fangs, it was hungry for him. The wolf lunged at Jon, who slashed his sword at its face. He missed his strike and had to raise his shield to protect against the incoming paw.

SLAP!

The blow almost knocked the shield from his arm! Finding his courage, Jon used his energy to slow the world down. Raising his shield he went to one knee and rolled to the side.

The most awful yelp came from the beast, but only for a second, as John stood and slashed his sword upwards, a nasty squelching noise was made at the same time as the awful yelp. He had sliced into the neck of the beast so deeply that its head was only held on by a single strip of skin, blood and foam gushing from the open wound, the creature twitched one last time and died.

Jon stood there almost in disbelief. His father taught him that skill almost 3 weeks ago. This was the first time he used it in actual combat. He was beside himself now and immediately gave thanks to the spirit of the wolf, spreading its blood across his face, he put the beast on his back and started the long walk home.