Along the way, we passed through the nearest water source that was in the direction we were headed. We filled up our water bottles and then took turns bathing. The other would stay on guard whilst the other showered. By evening, we had reached the border. I was glad we had made it in time. Surely, my father was back at the castle now.
The border was well guarded to prevent the raided wolves outside from entering. As wolves heavily rely on their sense of smell, Maya and I could rely on the fact that our scents were asked so they wouldn't be able to smell, and we had the dark of the night to help cover for us as well. We snuck past the guards
Once we crossed the border almost immediately, I felt the difference in the terrain. The vegetation was more sparsely populated, and had a pale-yellow colour compared to the ones before the border. The ground seemed more dry; this wasn't the best soil for farming.
My father really left the worst land for the raided packs.
"From here on out, we have to be extremely careful," I told Maya as we continued our journey.
I knew a lot about my father's territories, but now we were entering uncharted territory. How did the surviving raided packs live? Where did they live? There were so many unknowns. I was both curious and fearful of what we would encounter.
"We need to find a place to take shelter. It's not safe for us move around at night like this," Maya said.
I agreed with her, and with a quick check of the map, we began to look for a cave. It was dark, and on the path ahead we were walking, I noticed something strange on the ground ahead.
"Maya, wait! Watch your step!" I tried to warn her. I even stepped forward and reached out to pull her back.
"What?" She started asking me as she turned her head to look at me, but it was too late. Her foot was already stepping on the object. A loud sound pierced the air, and something fell from the trees above.
"Maya! I screamed out in a panic as a cube-shaped cage came over her. It was made of wood and had thick bars all around.
Maya let out a blood-curdling scream, and she dropped to the ground. I looked at her leg…her leg was bleeding! One of the sharp legs of the cage had caught her leg and pinned it down. I rushed to her in a panic and looked at the cage leg that pierced her leg.
I tried to lift the cage, but it was so heavy, and Maya winced from the movement. I couldn't…I couldn't get her out. I started to panic.
"I caught something," I then heard a disembodied male voice from above say. I looked up at the trees but saw no one.
Oh no, someone was coming…another wolf? From the raided clans? Most likely. This was bad. I had to get Maya out now.
"Your Highness, leave! You have to get away from here before they get you," Maya said in a panic.
"No, I have to get you out!" I told her. I wasn't leaving without her. I continued to attempt to get her free, but nothing worked.
Suddenly, I felt myself get knocked to the ground by the side of the cage.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" A deep male voice asked me. From the ground I looked up and found two large men staring at me and Maya. I couldn't really make out their faces in the dark.
"Marven, this isn't the large deer you promised to catch for the pack." The one who had spoken earlier continued with sarcasm.
"What are you wolves doing here? What pack are you from? You know you shouldn't be in our territory by breaking the agreement" The one called Marven got closer
"Wait Marven, there's no need to be so rash," the other spoke up. "They're just women, you'll scare them." He then looked at Maya and I carefully before his eyes narrowed. "Besides something's definitely strange here."
"Yes, Vice Chief," Marven agreed.
The Vice chief looked quite young. I thought to myself. Perhaps a few years older than me. He looked around 25 to 27. I was 24. Marven seemed like he was in his late 30's.
"We capture them alive and see what to see what to do back in the village," the Vice Chief said.
I couldn't let that happen. My thoughts went to the ointment I had been working on earlier. This was the perfect time to use it. My hand slowly reached into my bag. Marven approached us. I got in front of Maya to protect her.
I pulled out the jar opened it and threw some of the contents at Marven. It was an orange-ish powder that went straight into Marven's eyes, nose and mouth.
"Aah!" Marven let out a loud groan as his hands went to his eyes. The concoction was a dust made from crushed seeds of poisonous plant. If touched would cause inflammation and extreme pain and I had just made sure it went in his eyes and nose. He wouldn't be able to see and smell for a while.
"Looks like we have a fighter," the vice-chief said as he looked from Marven to me unintimidated. He came toward me and lunged at me. I tried throwing the remaining contents of the powder. He lifted up part of the cloak he wore and covered his face and arms from touching the powder. He then lunged at me again I instinctively dodged and stepped away from him.
He continued to I still had some powder remaining if I could get a clear shot I got get him.
"Unless you want grandma by the cage to be killed, stand down," He ordered me.
Those words made me stop in my tracks as I turned to look at Maya. Whilst Marven was still wincing in pain, he extended his claws and threatened to harm Maya. I realized the Vice Chief had tricked me into moving away from Maya.
I was outmatched in this battle. I couldn't save both myself and Maya. I risked getting her killed.
"You have to get out of here! Run while you still can," Maya yelled out to me.
After a moment I threw away the bottle in my hands.
"Wise choice," the Vice Chief said as he got closer to me. He then knocked me hard in the head. My legs gave out and I fell to the floor. My eyelids became heavy and started to close. I was going to pass out. Maya… what was going to happen to Maya?
The Vice Chief
"Let's see how my brother decides to deal with you." Was the last thing I heard.