The Morning came as soon as the night had gone and so as the chores in the medicine hut.
Gwen had had little sleep thinking of the conversation she has heard from her parents, hopefully, she was going to snap out of it being busy the whole day.
She poured some alcohol in gauze and smiled at Mrs. Johson, to be honest, she was glad her patient today wasn't her pet.
Although there were noting like some scratches and nibbles to stop her from overthinking.
"And I didn't notice I chopped my finger instead of the carrot" the elderly woman explained for the fifth time and Gwen simply listened attentively as she slowly clean the deep cut across the woman's middle finger "oh. That really burned"
"Take heart, we are almost done" using a new strip of gauze she enrolled the finger till she was sure it was secure of any infection.
"Gwenyvere!" Both Mrs. Johnson and her turned to look to her startled father, he was breathing heavily as if he has been running for hours.
"Father, what is going on?" she asked with worry clouding her senses.
She has never seen her father so scared before.
"I need you to pick everything you can and ride to your uncle with Lacie," he told her gathering some things himself in a big sac.
"But, father why," she asked feeling her father's attitude was because the situation was really worrisome.
"take" he handed her a piece of paper, it was a map " I will explain later" he gave her the bag.
"No, am not going anywhere without you" her eyes were filled with tears now. She has never lived separated from her parents and didn't know anywhere out of the County of Merrylands.
"Listen to me!" the man yelled out of desperation and cradled her face into his hands "the county is in danger you and Lacie have to leave now".
As soon as he was done talking a very strong howl came from outside the hut followed by an uproar of various voices.
Mrs. Johnson was no were to be found, people passed running as if they were being persecuted with horror embodied on their faces.
"No" his father whispered and took her by the hand leading her outside.
"what is happening?" she asked him more scared than ever.
"Gwen, don't look back and stay behind" that was the last thing he said before they stormed out.
Outside the hut the village was in complete chaos, even the cattle ran from one place to another. She noticed some people were hiding as scared as rats when the cat was prowling around. Cries were echoing in the environment and Gwen couldn't picture what was tormenting her home.
Until a wolfish howl as potent as Viking horn resounded throughout the area.
They both went into their horse stable and he hurriedly unleashed his favorite horse, Connor, it was a horse that has grown under her watch and was very docile with her.
"climb" she hurriedly did as she was told "your mother will be here soon with Lacie" he loaded the horse with some sacks and waited impatiently scanning the opened door of the barn.
Gwen knew she would never forget that day, the hair at the back of her neck risen warning her of a bad omen. She was so scared she couldn't stop shivering; the mere thought that something has happened to her mother or sister had her heart sinking in dismay and it was like Connor could sense her discomfort for he wouldn't stop neighing.
"There is no time to waste," said father as he turned to her "Look Litte bird, I want you to be brave and wait here" Gwen denied with her head as tears soaked her cheeks "I will go for your mother and Lacie," he said with enthusiasms and a slight smile "everything is alright if I spend more than ten minutes, I need you to flee from the village and look for your uncle" he kissed her forehead and left before she could stop him.
More howls came from outside the hut but she determined to leave with her family. As minutes passed by the anxiety and need to go out for them grew as well, her father was no were to be seen and Connor wouldn't stop snorting nervously.
She cleaned her tears and took hold of the reins.
"Okay, little one, let's go look for your owner" she gave him a slow thud with her leg and stormed out.
She rode with no destination, scanning the faces of every being she came across with. There were barbarians everywhere.
Devastating everything in their path with no single sign of remorse.
Her heart felt like it was going to pop out of her chest. She rode to the center of the village; it was a roundabout with a well in the middle. There was no sign of her parents anywhere but she did see a wolf.
He was blocking her way. its hair was black as the night and his body was brawny full of thick flesh.
Connor snorted scared and Gwen patted his neck with no other act of consolation for she was terrified herself.
The wolf seemed more like a beast, it was ten times bigger than the ones she has ever seen, wait she looked at it. She has seen a bigger wolf. She remembered the white wolf she has saved yesterday.
Why were they here?
The wolf snarled and it took one second for it to come running towards her. Gwen urged Connor to the side and rode as fast as her fear permitted her, she looked back at the wolf following her, there was something different about him from her previous patient.
She knew she wouldn't make it when suddenly the wolf connected his claws in one of Connor's hind paws. She was shot off to the ground. Her head was spinning and she could tell she was bleeding on her forehead but yet she made it to stand up. She brought out the dagger that her uncle Floyd has specially made for her, her uncle was a warrior of the south county and he has shown her how to defend herself if it was needed.
The wolf surrounded Connor as if he was playing with his prey eyeing her with supremacy, her horse lay on the ground, neighing, struggling to stand up.
The big canine looked at her one more time and attacked Connor biting his head off in one bite.
Gwen trembled with fear and held her weapon with two hands as tears started coming down her eyes.
She has fed and rode the black stallion ever since she was a lad.
The wolf now faced her and growled with his bloody mouth it was just a matter of time before it lurch against her.
She had no other choice but to fight back or die trying.