A Wolf Story by James Byron Huggins Read Free Book Online

eternal war against all who worship the Lightmaker. Baalkor, the black wolf, is one of the Council. Second among them is Incomel, a cruel mountain lion that has long ravaged the land. And chief of the Dark Council is Corbis, a godlike beast of a bear, supreme on the Earth in strength.
    "Baalkor was once the strongest of our pack and roamed the mountains of our homeland. Long ago, when I was young, as you are, I hunted beside him. But when he reached the age to endure the Watch, he turned away from his faith to pursue the pleasures of the Night, rebelling against the Lightmaker to worship the Dark Lord. Since then, he has slain many of our kind. Years ago he hunted down our beloved king, Karidural, and killed him in the Deep Woods. And as you know, upon Karidural's death I was chosen as king.
    "Soon after, Baalkor hunted me down also when I was alone in the frozen North. He trapped me on a ledge of ice and demanded that I swear allegiance to the Dark Lord. But I told him that I was a servant of the Lightmaker. 'Always, I said, I stand between you and the world.'
    "We fought through the long night, with only the stars to see the savage outcome. I did not ask for mercy, nor did I give any. The ledge was torn and bloodied by our struggle, and today I bear the scars of that conflict. Then with morning the ravaged ice collapsed beneath us, and we tumbled together into the White River. Even as we fell, we fought, taking the battle to the death. Then we crashed together into the swirling waters and were separated. When I reached the shore he could not be seen. But I knew that he had survived. He had escaped me to attack me on another night when I would be low in strength. And that is how he will attack you."
    Aramus stared into the night. His legs still trembled from his ordeal, and he stiffened them to conceal his fear.
    "If you defeat him," Gianavel continued, "he will retreat. But he will always return. On another night, when you are tired, weak, or afraid, he will come to you again. He will wait until you are beaten down by the world, attacking when you are weary. He will lure you with pleasures and the secret desires of your heart. It will be a great struggle. But you must endure it. You must endure. The Lightmaker will not allow you to suffer more than you can bear. Always, his grace is sufficient for the task.
    "Remember this and it will give you hope. And when your great suffering has ended and you stand again in peace, then you will possess a deeper strength and understanding. You will be more than you were. And your heart will be great, guiding you with wisdom and knowledge."
    Often, his father had spoken of the spirit, the endless need for strength and faith, and being set free from the world. But Aramus had never really understood the old wolf ’s teachings. Always, it seemed, no matter how faithful he tried to be, his fears defeated him.
    Now his father looked upon him, noble and wise. And no trace of disappointment could be heard in the soothing voice as he spoke again.
    "I know you don't understand now, my son. But the time will come when the Lightmaker will enlarge your heart, renewing all that is within you, making you strong with his strength. And then you will see even as I do."
    His father's kingly head turned again toward the darkness, and Aramus knew that nothing could hide the dark wolf from those piercing gray eyes. After a moment the eyes softened, looked upon him once more.
    "Do not fear Baalkor," his father said, smiling. "Death and the power of darkness have been conquered. You are a child of the Lightmaker, and there is nothing that Baalkor can take from you."
    Yet Aramus found little comfort in his father's words. He only remembered the nightmarish face poised in the night, and he stared silently into the shadows, ashamed to admit his fear.
    Gianavel smiled gently, and the shadows seemed to retreat from his presence. The majestic voice was strong and clear in the night.
    "The battle is beyond the flesh,