The three of them made their way as quickly as they could following the path of the river. Marybeth and Sophie ran hand in hand as Franklin flew high above calling down to them. "There is a small fishing port not far from here. You will be safe there."

A swish sounded by Marybeth's head as an arrow flew by and pierced the ground in front of her. A wild howl could be heard far behind them but not far enough. The wolf riders were getting closer.

"Marybeth," Sophie said as she turned to look.

"Keep running. Don't look back." Marybeth pulled on her hand harder trying to keep her sister at the same pace. It was a terrifying yet frustrating experience all at the same time. Afraid of an arrow piercing her or Sophie in the back but also frustrated that Sophie couldn't run faster and constantly kept tripping over her feet. Marybeth was the best runner in her class. Part of the track team, both as a leader and a member. She would wake up early in the morning to go running every day. To be the best. Now that training was being frustrated by a sister with two left feet.

"I can't keep running. My side hurts," Sophie cried as she put her hand to her waist. "Marybeth I can't..."

Marybeth reached down and pulled Sophie up onto her back. The two of them continued like that. Marybeth carrying Sophie. An old memory suddenly flooded her mind. The day she and Sophie went to the local park. They had climbed on the playground playing no-ground tag. They sang their favorite songs as they did so and even sat next to each other as they swung on the swing set. Sophie had decided she wanted to look out on the playground from its highest point. Marybeth had told her not to but Sophie didn't listen saying she was going to climb to the top of the world. Shortly after she fell and hurt her leg. Luckily it wasn't broken but Marybeth had carried her home. Despite Sophie having been crying from the pain she had a smile on her face as she snuggled into Marybeth's hair. As the two ran now there was no smile on Sophie's face.

"Franklin how much farther?" Marybeth called up to the bird.

"Just around the bend up ahead," Franklin called down. "Marybeth watch out!"

A heavy weight slammed into the two sisters causing them to fall hard into the grassy knoll. Marybeth hit her chin hard on the ground unable to catch herself as she tried to keep her sister safe. Marybeth could feel Sophie fall from her back and roll away from her. A low growling mixed with a high-pitched squeal came crawling up Marybeth's neck.

"I caught you. I caught you. Krik caught you little one. You will feed my wolf just fine." A horrible squeaky voice growled.

Marybeth turned herself over and came face to face with the snarling muzzle of a wolf. It had grey hair, and a black nose and its left eye was scarred and missing. The other was a striking silver. She could smell the scent of fresh meat and blood on its breath.

"Careful now Silverstride. Don't go on killing her just yet. The master needs his feasts." The creature who called itself Krik said staring down with his red eyes and stretched yellow-greenish face.

"Marybeth!" Sophie cried out as another wolf striding rider came up to her. The rider was working hard on trying to keep his beast at bay.

"Leave her alone!" Marybeth screamed.

"Quiet little sheep or I'll let my wolf take a part of your arm. Just enough to keep you in line but leave a big enough meal for our master." Krik laughed as he jumped off Silverstride.

"Marybeth," Franklin called circling above. "Use your Law! It's your only way."

Law? Marybeth thought. What is that blasted bird talking about?

"Don't try anything funny." Krik fell on his knee and pulled a blade out. He slowly brought it up to her neck. "I can assure you little sheep that my Law is not to be messed with. And I keep to my Law."

"As do I." Out of the corner of her eye, a blur of metallic motion zipped through the air knocking Krik and Silverstride back. With an unnaturally smooth motion, the metal chain pulled itself back around the air to hit and knock over the other wolf riders.

Marybeth turned back onto her stomach as Sophie rushed up to help her to her feet.

"Are you alright?" A tall figure came up to help Sophie pick Marybeth up. His voice was deep and smooth like the voice of a trusted friend.

"Yes thank you." Marybeth looked up into the face of this new stranger and had to hold back a scream. His face was that of a lizard or rather a combination of a human with reptile-like features. A long snout, lines of green and black scales, and small beady eyes. His entire body was covered with scales of green, gray, and black with large talons at the tips of his fingers. He wore a dark leather jerkin with a thick chain wrapped around his shoulder. "I... I..."

"Hold that thought." The lizard-man moved her and Sophie behind him as the little yellow creatures climbed back onto their wolves.

"How dare you strike me," Krik yelled. "My master will not be pleased with the loss of a meal. He will feed on us for our failure and I will not let that happen." Krik lifted his blade, arced his arm, and threw it at the lizard-man.

"Stand back." The lizard-man pulled on the chain around his body and it came alive. Like a snake, it curled and lifted itself into the air to swat away the dagger. The two objects collided in a spark and clatter but the chain had knocked the blade back to the ground. "Not so fierce without your weapon little hobgoblin?"

Krik smiled a sharp toothy smile and then lifted his hand into the air. Marybeth watched in wonder as his dagger suddenly reappeared back into his grasp.

"I think I'll do just fine." Krik's smile was wide and reached ear to ear.