B’keul woke with a start, the dream still as vivid as when he moved in its midst. He rose and moved on all fours across the cavern floor, which was warm from the fire in the central pit. He stopped near the entrance, just short of where the pale moonlight infringed upon the shadows that danced about the inside of the cave.

  Looking out across the ridges and peaks directly in front of him, he saw not mountain tops nor clouds nor stars dotting the night sky. Instead, he saw the vision etched into his mind from the prophetic dream he had just woken from.

  Kovak, his sword drawn, moved through a forest like an arrow, swift and intensely focused. An enemy of great power, wicked and ruthless, pursued the wolf. B’keul also saw, or more precisely felt something else, subtle and unspoken, yet unmistakably present.

  The old mystic gave himself to the vision, let himself drift free of thought and judgment and simply became a part of the scene. He felt the foliage whip across his snout and ears as Kovak tore through the undergrowth faster than any charging bull. He heard the gurgling, grotesque growl-sounds made by a hulking creature crashing through the forest behind Kovak.

  He followed the current of thought flowing through both of them, moving like an underground spring that surfaced on a slope and vanished again beneath the earth of the valley floor. It was impossible to tell who initiated a thought, Kovak or Claercholybus, which B’keul knew to be the monstrous pursuer’s name, for the two were merged of mind and spirit.

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  “Kovak is quickened.” the old wolf said aloud. “Soon he will become.” He chuckled, joyful for his pupil’s advancement and proud as any father.

  Suddenly in the moonlight that filled the entrance to the cavern, stood Kovak. Straight as a tulip poplar tree with a placid expression, he said in an almost playful tone, “I have quickened teacher. A fairy queen taught me also that I may “project” or “soul travel” and visit you whenever I wish.”

  The Eshj Eshja blinked hard, somewhat stunned by this unexpected event.

  “I have learned many strange things this day about the manner of our world and other worlds. I look forward to sharing these details with you soon teacher.”

  No doubt thrilled by the younger wolf’s tidings, the elder Faolchu interrupted urgently. “Kovak! Return at once, her warriors are nigh!”

  The younger wolf snapped like a whip, weaving his body to the left and looking back over his shoulder.

  B’keul heard the whooshing sound and felt the wind of a mighty strike Kovak had just narrowly evaded.

  A low, short growl erupted from Kovak as he vanished like a doused candle flame.

  Without hesitation the Eshj Eshja, while the connection with his student and the enemy in the forest yet lingered, projected Gr’tchum gri, or the subtle smashing fist, from his solar plexus and through the ether in an effort to aid Kovak.

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