You keep walking, and find that, with just a short distance, there are more wolves. They all seem to be rather concentrated with some rocks on the ground. It looks like they are playing some sort of game with the rocks.
The closest wolf, whose coat is mostly blue, looks over and is taken aback by your presence at first. "Don't sneak up on us like that!" he yells, baring his teeth.
The next, whose coat has a base of purple, laughs. "Calm down, Zalulten, the wanderor means no harm. Besides, there was no sneaking going on here. This wanderor was making a lot of noise!" He throws you a smile. "Welcome."
The other wolf, who before was hanging back, skips up to you merrily. His coat has a base of green, and his voice is medium and jolly. "I am Lothirenad!" he said. "I love to see visitors!"
Zalulten shakes his head. "I think you would, of all of us, be the least fond of wanderors."
Lothirenad, however, seems the most happy to see you. "I am now under the protection of the pack, and this wanderor is definately safe." His voice becomes a whisper, "But I have met a few unsavory characters in the Wood. That mage, Fri-on, passed by my area once. Most of us fled."
"Indeed," says the purple-bodied wolf.
His voice is quick-witted and sharp. "I am Frivio," he says, "and perhaps the oldest wolf here, between us three. I used to dwell in the Artic, but now that it is so close to the castle," he sighs, "it is not worth it."
"Why?" you ask, perplexed. Most creatures want to live in the castle.
"Unlike those within, those directly outside the castle are in danger. People who seek to harm the queen or the king will have to march through various area. Most of them don't know about the Maze. So they'll attack anything that they think is benign."
With your look of dismay, Frivio adds, "Look, it's not so bad anymore. These are indeed troubled times, but not as they once were. The pack helps me, and I help them." He nods. "Troubled times brings people together."
Zalulten says, "If you keep going, there will be more of us, I am sure they will be glad to meet you."
Deeper into the Cave
Back out to the forest
