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He
had been planning to do something much different than this.   The soldiers were so focused on
self-preservation that they began to move toward the water under the belief
that their general had actually spoken the command audibly.   As they edged away, there was an explosion of
fire that incinerated three of the wolves instantly.   Fire and debris began flying in every
direction.   The wolves were howling in
pain and shock.   Yukio took advantage of
this unexpected opportunity.
    “Kill
them all!” bellowed Yukio out loud this time.   He and his men charged the confused beasts and tore them to pieces.   Fire continued to come from the north, which
provided the Nairians the edge they needed to finish off their enemy
quickly.   The smell of burnt flesh and
fur permeated the now still air.   The
smoke swirled high up into the clear afternoon sky.
    As
the smoke thinned and the flames died out, the men could see a tall, slender
figure walking toward them.   Dead wolves
lay all around the bewildered soldiers.   The general ignored the stranger and quickly sought out his troops to
make sure everyone was still there and in one piece.   No one had been harmed.   Yukio was proud of his men and their
success.   They had taken on a breed of
gigantic wolves and had won decisively.   The big question now was who the person was that had interfered.
    As
the mysterious figure continued to glide toward the exhausted group, it became
clear that it was a woman, a female elf to be exact.   She had a brilliant gold and silver crown on
her head that glinted and shimmered as she moved into the sunlight.   She seemed to float toward them because of
her exceeding grace and fluid movements.   She seemed to be glowing white as she approached the men, who were still
huddled together in a small circle back to back.   The men held their collective breath as they
realized that it was this delicate being that had provided them with the
perfect distraction during their battle.
    “I
am glad that you are all safe,” the elegent elf said softly.   Her eyes were fixed on General Yukio.   She swayed gently side to side as she floated
to a halt right in front of them.   “It
was lucky for you that I was walking along the edge of the forest on this fine
day.”   She was smiling as she said this,
which had a soothing effect upon the men.   It was a reassuring smile that made them forget their recent deadly
battle.   They did not want her to stop
talking; it was like drinking water after traversing a scorching-hot desert.
    “We
are indebted to you, milady,” the general said with a bow.   His men quickly prostrated themselves before
the powerful elven princess.   They did
not know why their general bowed to this elf. He never bowed to anyone
including queen of Nairi.
    “Please,
do not bow before me.   I merely provided
assistance in a battle that you were going to win without my help,” she said
with hushed tones as she gestured for the men to stand.   “I am Princess Kira, daughter of King Tiranidrol,
ruler of the woodland elves of Renshaw.   Please gather your horses and follow me.   We are not safe out in the open.”   She motioned for them to hurry as she looked around furtively.   She had an anxious look that clearly
indicated that they were still in danger.   They glanced at their general, who quickly nodded to them that they
should do as she said.
    They
hurriedly gathered up their horses that had gone further north away from the
wolves that had attacked and were off with the elf shortly after returning with
their steeds.   The general picked up the
princess with one of his massive arms and had her ride behind him.   They sped off quickly into the interior of
the forest in the opposite direction of the dead and dying wolf pack.   Men were usually not permitted into the
confines of the forest, but their situation was one of need.   Princess Kira assured them that they were not
in any immediate danger from the