Its like all the weapons I fought had a life of their own and the clashing with each other, they shout to each other portraying their prowess. I once struck companionship with the strong. He always used a great war hammer before we met. He used me as one. His skill with sword ended at knowing which side to hold while fighting. But surprisingly we were very compatible in fight. With his strength, he would first break their weapons before burying me deep into his enemies.

 

The wolves are changing their formation. I can sense them splitting into groups to flank us. The ones on the right are going ahead, a couple behind us and a few to support from the left. The formation is precise. Even the wise would agree. I wonder how these creatures learn to make such stratagums. May be they communicate in a toungue even I can't understand. Well not much I can do now. I can anyways hardly concentrate with the clank clank the pot is making with me. The wolves will attack soon. I see the forms racing in the front, they will attack from 3 sides. What a clever stretagy. 

 

Even with me on his side, the companion will be vulnerable when attacked from various sides. The horse will run right where his nose is as soon as it hears the attack from behind. They don't need much to scare the already afraid stead so only a couple of wolves will be sufficient. The party in the left will follow and push the stead to the right toward the thicker growth cutting off its advantage of speed of the faster animal. And then the real attack will come from the front. With thick growth on the right and attack from 3 directions, no one can come out of this alive. Unless.

 

I can't communicate to him. If the companion should pick me up now, there might still be a chance. If we act quick. Why am I so anxious to help this boy? Is it just the initial excitement before I enter the battle? Or I am worried I will be lost in the middle of nowhere? Not really sure. But this should not end in the companion's death.

 

The attack has begun. Wolves know their territory. They seem to understand the flow of the tree around the road. Here comes the growls from behind. I am sure the push from the left will come as soon as the growth becomes thick on the right. The animal under the companion is terrified. I can hear its whimpers along with its steady breath during the sprint.

 

Here comes the group from the left. Two wolves behind us and three on the left. That leaves three others which will break our stride from the front. These are based on what I sensed from the motion of the wolves beside us. There may be some more following us to back up the pack. The danger right now is from the front. 

 

I see them now. In the middle of clank clank I am making with the pot, I seem to be losing my senses. There are four wolves in the front. There is no way the companion is making out of here. The already terrified stead abruptly stopped with its front legs in the air. The companion held on to the horse with something almost close to natural skill. 

 

"Go. Now."

 

With a clear confident voice, companion's command was clear and direct. This was no bumbling fool's voice that sang for hours in the woods. This was the voice of a commanding officer rallying his troops in face of insurmountable danger. The stead took notice. It is picking up speed toward the front charge. 

 

The wolves seem unprepared for something like this. The stead crossed the couple in the left almost jumping over them. The body of the companion looks relaxed like instincts taking over. And we are through.