The Calling . . .

When the Crie rematerialized it was standing next to the Knight. The Crie had traveled through the earth as it would travel through air. Cries after all are the spirits of the elements, and Xan Par was a force of nature. If there was once thing that Xan Par was sure off, it was that creatures of nature are peaceful. No wolf pack would attack so violently without cause. The canines must be under the control of the Knight.

Par swung violently at the Knight but was only met by air. The Crie was impressed by the creatures agility. Still to pervert nature so was a crime against life. As the Crie prepared to swing again, it heard the screams of its temporal colleague. With great strength of will and even greater reluctance, Xan Par held off his second swing.

Bolt met the nearest wolf's bite with a block from his rapier. Parrying off the creature, he looked for an opening to finish it. With the help of his little clerical friend, the dog was killed. As he paused to consider attacking the knight or turning back to help Dev, he heard an ear numbing sound. Thunder rolled across the hills and then was gone. A small wisp of smoke was climbing up from where Dobbs stood. Pointing a small metal boomerang like object towards a dead wolf, Dobbs seemed oblivious to the world around him. Slowly he turned towards the wolf near Dev. He pointed his object and again the thunder rolled across the hills. The dog dropped to the ground. Confused, Bolt looked back towards the Knight. Now Xan Par stood near. The Crie swung fiercely at the Knight but only managed to hit the warrior's shadow. Slowly, Bolt regained his composure. He was unsure if he was yelling or still looking at the smoke from Dobb's magic metal, "Xan Par, stop! Stop! Hold off for a second! Stop!"

After the wolves were dispatched, Bolt approached the Knight. The warrior wore a dark uniform, but Bolt felt that he recognized the soldier. As the Swordsman introduced himself, he learned that the Knight had been a part of the original Damauk's army. He was, indeed, a soldier from Easbrak. He introduced himself as Hans Goatcabin, and said that he had been separated from the army when the Frost Giants had attacked. He said he was unaware of the pack of wolves presence. He had been wandering on the far side of the ridge when he heard the clash of metal.

Bolt accepted the Knights words and then added, "You shoot fairly well, how would you like to join our group?

" I also suggest that we follow the tracks of the wolves back to their lair and see what there is to see. Then we can go back to the original mission."

Dev ignored the rest of the group and went about hacking off the hindquarter of the wolf that had taken a bite of him. " Someone should probably tend the big ugly one . . . if they find his presence absolutely necessary. He may, after all, be useful should we be attacked by a vicious horde of pixies." After cleaning and dressing the wolf, Dev found a comfortable enough spot, built a fire with a pinch of magnesium dust, and went about cooking his chunk of wolf meat. While the dog roasted, Dev slowly and meticulously cleaned and shined his silvery two-handed sword.

Xan Par laid a hand on the half-gnoll and slowly it regained consciousness. It stood and walked, perhaps stumbled, to Dev's fire. With a gesture, the quiet warrior offered the monster a bit of wolf steak. The rest of the group discussed if they should set up camp, continue on, or wait for Dev. Dev had suggested that they go on, but in the end, they all cleaned their blades and ate some of their rations. Only Dev and Phth felt fit enough to dine on the beast carcasses.

Bolt had suggested the group try to find the wolves den and with the help of Dev, they started out to track the beasts home. As the day passed, it became clear to all that the creatures had come down the same direction that they were traveling up. Xan Par suggested that the wolves must have been perverted pets of the Frost Giants. Phth suggested that Xan Par might be finding a few too many things perverted.

The group settled down for camp about five miles further up the valley from where they had battled the wolves. Bolt suggested a night watch of himself and the knight, followed by Xan Par, Phth, and Florimund, with Anterbach and Dobbs holding the last shift. Already, Bolt had learned to not count in Dev. He was a great warrior, but he lived his own way. If Bolt was to keep him with the group he would have to let him be.

On the next morning, the air was cold but the sun shined bright. Frost had settled on the hills. Winter came early this far north, it was only the 9th month, but the group was only to aware of the need for urgency. Snow storms in the mountains could have them all feeding on carcasses before long, their own comrades carcasses that is.

Again there was an unexpected noise. This one, however, was more familiar. It was a loud, vicious, bark. Another wolf had wandered towards them. This one, however, made the others look like pups. It stood nearly 4' of the ground. It moved swiftly and jumped like a panther. In seconds, it had cleared the distance of the camp and had placed its moistened fangs on the neck of the now prone Anterbach.

Only Xan Par was quick enough to ready an attack. In an instant the earth force found his quarter staff and swung it at the wolf. "Don't hit the beast. It will make me really unhappy!"

Standing at the far side of the camp was an immense humanoid. Seemingly human, its muscles bent the leather fabric it wore. The creature was white and bearded and nearly 8 feet tall. Dev sighed, "Frost Giants, I really hate these guys!"