Amri was waiting in the cabin for her soldiers to report their findings in the tunnel. She had gone through several of the books that had been stored in the cellar. The soldiers returned about an hour before sunset. They reported the tunnel was a dead end; which seem to annoy their queen. "I grow impatient waiting for this man," she seethed. "You and you; stay here for the farmer to return. Bring him to me alive! The rest of you come with me. I must pay my father a visit." She left with her soldiers to go to the village.
She stormed into the medicine shop demanding her father's presence. "Father! I wish to speak with you now!" she yelled.
Sevren appeared from the back room to greet her. "Father is not here dear sister. He left early this morning on errands. I do not know when he is due to return."
"Errands?! He never leaves this shop! Where did he go? I need to see him right away." She made no effort to conceal her anger.
"I don't know where he went. He left before I awoke," he said surprised at his sister's outburst.
She swept her hand across a shelf emptying its contents onto the floor. "He has betrayed me!!!" She spun around and cleared yet another shelf in a single sweep. "He warned him, didn't he?" she demanded. "He told the farmer I knew about her, didn't he!!"
Sevren retreated from the counter to avoid her sweeping blows. "What are you talking about Amri? How could Father betray his own daughter?"
"You set me up. Didn't you? You sent me on a wild goose chase to the cabin looking for Bayla's daughter, knowing full well she wouldn't there! Does she even exist?" She glared at her brother with rage burning in her eyes. "I shall repay you dear brother, for your treachery." She spun around again and ordered her soldiers to destroy the shop. They followed her order by sweeping their weapons across the shelves clearing their contents onto the floor. Sevren escaped out the back door as she set the ruined remains of the shop on fire.
He ran as fast he could away from her and the shop. Flames shot high into the sky as the various potions and tonics fed the blaze. He ran as far he could before his lungs would no longer allow him to keep such a pace. He collapsed to knees in exhaustion before a tall oak tree. At the foot of the tree sat a small she-wolf. It looked at Sevren with great concern. "Help me," wheezed Sevren. "Amri…" He lost consciousness and fell forward burying his face in the dirt. The she-wolf came over to him; nudging his face to the side with her snout so the man may breathe. She sat next to him and howled in a low tone. Many wolves joined her, encircling the man on the ground. They began growling loudly at Amri's approach. Many of the larger wolves paced back and forth in front of Sevren's body as if to say they would defend their meal to the death. Amri saw her brother's body lying on the ground behind the wolves and chose not challenge to wolves for it.
"A perfect end for a wretched betrayer," she sneered to her guards. "Farewell, dear brother; may your carcass feed your hunters well. Come. Let us return to the castle. We have wasted enough time here."
***
As Amri disappeared through the forest the wolves maintained their guard over Sevren. Several minutes passed and then they heard a long howl in the distance letting them know they were safe from Amri's ears.
The small she-wolf approached Sevren with caution and began licking his face to bring him back to consciousness. Sevren awoke to find himself surrounded by wolves which frightened him. He shared his father's fear of the wild animals. He sat upright in a panic looking for a way to escape, but there was none. The small she-wolf sat in front of him tilting her head to show Sevren she would not hurt him. She let out a little whine which caused the other wolves to sit where they were and look at him silently. Sevren eyed the wolves still fearful of them. They all looked concerned, though not frightening at all. He began to relax his breathing a bit. "You don't want to hurt me, do you?" he asked the small one who tilted its head the other way. The she-wolf lowered herself to the ground and crawled closer to him. Sevren reached out his hand allowing her to smell him. She licked his hand to show her peaceful intentions. The other wolves came closer wagging their tales and licking his face. He relaxed his guard and felt completely at ease with his new friends until he remembered his sister's rage. His body tensed and he shot a fearful glance through the distance between him and his father's shop. There was no sign of Amri anywhere. "Did you scare her off?" he asked petting the small one.
"Yes, we did," came the reply.
Startled, Sevren looked down at the small she-wolf. "Did you just speak to me?"
"Yes," replied the she-wolf.
"Whoa, I had only dreamed that was possible."
"Only a few humans choose to hear us."
"Thank you," beamed Sevren. "You saved my life, I believe."
"Yes," said the she-wolf. "The evil one sought your blood. She believes you are dead."
"Evil one? Why do you call her that?"
"Because that is what she is. She has ruled the forest with tyranny and cruelty for many years. The animals of the forest consider her the enemy of all."
"Ruled the forest? Our family is not of rulers and royalty. How is she able to rule the forest?"
"There is much you do not know of your sister. Come let us leave this place before our deception is discovered." The pack leapt to their feet and strode off into the forest with Sevren following closely.