Free King Of The North (Book 3) by Shawn E. Crapo Page B

he could not stop, or he would be dead. He ran with all his might, feeling the wolves snapping at his heels and growling like beasts from Hell.
    Farouk's heart pounded rapidly, his body wracked with fatigue. He was not used to such activity, especially in the slippery snow. His only hope was to reach an area that was impassable to his pursuers.
    Ahead and to the right, he spied a grove of small, tightly packed pine trees. He ran toward it, hoping they were close enough to prevent the sled from chasing him any further. He used his last ounce of strength to sprint the final few yards, collapsing to the ground within the grove. He was spent.
    The wolves entered the grove, but stopped short when their master cracked his whip. They continued growling and snapping, angrily trying to bite at the Druid's legs as he scrambled to pull them out of the way.
    Frustrated, the wolf master stepped off of his sled, grabbing a huge axe befitting for a giant of his size. Farouk gulped, knowing he would have to run again. Though the trees prevented the sled and its team from pursuing him any further, the hunter would easily be able to give chase.
    The Druid stood, backing away as he watched the hunter push through the branches, uttering curses and knocking the saplings out of his way like twigs. Farouk turned and ran once more. He was thankful that he had grabbed his pack, as there was no way he would ever get back to his campsite and remain hidden from this giant hunter.
    Though fatigued and on the verge of collapsing again, he ran at full speed. Despite the hunter's size, he kept up, shouting his curses in a language that even Farouk did not understand. The Druid weaved his way through the trees, avoiding the lower branches, hoping to lose his pursuer. But the hunter still came.
    Desperate, and out of breath, Farouk finally reached the edge of the grove and backed away into the rock wall that lay behind him. The hunter slowed, bouncing his axe on one hand as he grinned and crept closer. Farouk dropped his pack, raising his staff and conjuring enough energy to cast a spell. Any spell.
    "I do not know who you are," he said in the northern tongue. "But I do not mean you nor this land any harm. I am a Druid on a journey for the Great Mother."
    The hunter ignored his words, and continued his approach. Farouk pointed his staff at the hunter's feet and released enough energy to create a fireball. The magic streaked downward, bursting at the hunter's feet with a deafening blast. The hunter was startled, and shielded his eyes from the flash of light. The spell did not appear to have done any damage.
    But now the hunter was angry.
    Farouk cast his staff aside and drew his sword, taking a cautious stance as the hunter circled him. The giant man's nostrils flared with rage and his breathing was as close to growling as one could get. Farouk breathed heavily with both fatigue and fear. He had never faced such a large opponent before, and this one was as large as they come.
    The giant reared back his axe for a wild horizontal swing. As he attacked, the axe whistled through the air, impacting on the rock wall just as Farouk dodged. Splinters of stone exploded from the blow, and the loud clang of steel echoed through the forest. The giant reversed his attack, swinging backhanded. Farouk ducked and countered, slashing at the man's thigh. Curiously, his sword bounced off harmlessly.
    Farouk back away again, fearful of the nature of his attacker. He had clearly struck the man's bare skin with his enchanted blade, yet not a single scratch was left. His fear grew as he contemplated his doom. If his blade could not harm the man, then there was no hope for victory.
    Thinking quickly, he raced to retrieve his staff as the man attacked again. Farouk rolled out of the way, grabbing the staff in the same motion, as the axe split the frozen ground. The Druid stood as his attacker struggled to pull his axe free. He pointed his staff at the nearby trees, calling on the power