Chapter Eighteen: Full Circle

Armand walked, hand in hand with Chrysanthemum. He kept his cloak and his wits about him. He felt an impending doom. He now knew his old Master certainly was back from hell itself. He was changed. He had been scouring the countryside for the book. Armand himself had been doing all he could to preserve his own life and protect the book. And now, he saw the one chance to kill his master and end this for good. Only then would he have release.

He had promised the demon Shamarna a woman. Fate had brought this woman to him. Even better that she was connected to the ranger who seemed to be thrown into the mix by his desire to heal the wrongs done to this land. He would prove an invaluable distraction.

He also seemed to hold some affection of sorts for this woman. Perhaps it was merely his protective nature. Regardless, he would try to save her should danger come to her.

Armand contiued to debate to himself as he led Chrysanthemum through the thicket. She, too, was silent.

After a time, Armand looked to the moon. The third night would approach soon. He would have to risk it. He mustn't be late.

As his mind wandered, so also did his feet.

"Sir...whither do you lead me? The world grows dark and I think you've lost our way."

Armand shook himself and slowed to a halt. He had been lost in thought.

He looked about.

He turned to her.

"M'lady...I sense a darkness coming over this land. What I ask of you is to put you in great danger, but you are vital to stopping a great doom from coming. I cannot at length explain all things to you. I need you to trust me."

She looked to his pale eyes. They had urgency inside, and sorrow.

"Keep me safe, my black guardian."

As the words left her lips, she felt a coldness come upon her.

Armand saw her breath and felt the danger rising.

Voices and shadows crept out from the woods.

Hellish screams emanated from all directions.

Chrsyanthemum felt a fear unlike any she had felt before. It was if hell itself were breaking forth upon them. Dark things came from the edges of the forest and began to surround them. Darkness itself seemed to reach out from the ground, clutching at the hem of her dress, trying to drag her down. Armand drew his sword and cut at the hell-wrought claws.

Seeing himself being surrounded by fiends and nightmares,Armand made his choice.

"Lady, I need you to not be afraid. Hop on my back."

She shot him a quizzical look.

He didn't have the time to calm her fears. He simply had to do what needed to be done.

With the words spoken, he howled and doubled over. Darkness began to engulf him as his body twisted at horrible lengths.

Finally a great furry mane, broke from the darkness.

The wolf looked to Chrysanthemum and spoke,"Get on, child. Hold on. I shall outrun these demons."

Chrysanthemum now knew the truth. She had seen Kinningson fall over the edge with a wolfman. But this one was different. He was an enemy to Kinningson, but now, her only friend.

She threw herself on top of him as her back was clawed upon. She shut her eyes, and in a moments time she was being carried across great plains under the moonlight.

The only sound was the rhythmic panting of the black wolf.

As the morning approached, the two came to a valley where a small abandoned church lay. Armand. came to a halt and fell down, exhausted. He had run all night, fleeing from demons.

He changed back. There he lay, seeming to be a much smaller man than before and drenched in sweat.

Chrysanthemum looked to him with pity. He had saved her.

He stirred a bit, and looked to her in fear.

His hand went to his haversack.

"My book....it's gone."