Page 19 of Black and White, Twice the Might

The wolves slowly walk over to us. Wolf Cam licks Enoch’s hand.

“Can I stroke you?” Wolf Cam nods, and Enoch strokes his head. “You’re so soft. Thank you,” and with a last lick and nod, the two wolves are just turning around when a scream of terror sounds, and not one we have heard before.

The wolves start running as more screams are heard.

“We should go and help,” Xander suggests.

“Agreed,” Sly says. “Stay close and protect yourselves,” and with that, we take off after the wolves.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but scarecrows walking around swinging weapons at people and the headless horseman riding amongst them wasn't it. Somehow, the hologram has become real. I send my magic out to see what has happened; I see Sly’s magic go off as well.

One of the scarecrows starts walking towards the people held in the willow’s branches. I can't believe I missed them. Not Wolf Cam runs at the scarecrow and attacks it. I see the scarecrow slash at the wolf and hear a yelp of pain before the wolf bites the straw arm off.

“Help those people,” I say to the others, as I send magic towards the one-armed scarecrow. As my magic hits it, the scarecrows blow up, and a shower of straw and clothes falls around us.

I send my magic out to the other scarecrows with the intention of stopping them, but nothing happens. Gah, dark magic is infused all the way through them. I wonder if they need to be injured before we can kill them.

I look at the hurt wolf and send a burst of healing into him, and then look round. Wolf Cam is attacking another scarecrow and bites its leg. I see Sly send some magic out, and the scarecrow explodes.

I’m suddenly tackled to the ground by a man, just as a sword sweeps over me. If I’d still be standing, I’d be headless by now. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” the man says, standing up and holding out his hand to help me up. I can feel his strong magic.

“They are all infused with dark magic. The scarecrows can only die if they are injured,” I tell him, taking his hand and standing up.

“So, let’s injure them,” he says, throwing his magic out and hitting them. I go behind and blow them up. I see Sly scowl my way and let him blow a few up. Honestly, he is such a baby sometimes.

“Focus on the headless horseman,” I call to him.

Another younger man comes running towards us. “Ben,” he shouts at the fallen wolf, and runs to stand by him. “A headless horseman, seriously?” he says, sounding way too happy.

I look for my brothers, and they are helping the trapped people in the willow limbs. The other walkers have gone.

“Everyone down,” Sly yells.

I throw protection around the people in the trees as I drop to the ground? The others don’t hesitate, and as soon as we’redown, Sly sends his magic out, and with a boom, the headless horseman vanishes, and the final scarecrows explode.

I stand up and look him over, making sure he’s alright, as I head towards the boys and people in the trees. Thankfully, I notice they have been released and look fine.

“So cool,” one of the boys says. “I can’t wait to see how they top this on the rest of the walk, and when we come back tomorrow,” and with that, he and his friends carry on the walk laughing and chatting as they go.

“Are you both alright?” I ask my brothers.

“We are,” Xander says.

I touch their shoulders and then walk towards Sly. I take his hand and we walk to the others.

The young man is kneeling down, stroking the wolf that got injured, who is still lying on his side, with his eyes closed. Wolf Cam is sitting by the downed wolf’s side.

“Is he alright?” I ask. “He was slashed by the scarecrow’s sword. I sent him some healing, but didn’t see how badly he was injured.”

“He’s fine. When Ben gets injured, he likes to stay in his wolf form for sympathy,” the man says.

I turn to look at my rescuer. “Thank you for your timely save.”

“You’re welcome. I was waiting at the entrance to meet my brothers when I felt something weird and then heard the screaming. I’m glad I came in to investigate. I’m Titus, and that is my brother Temp.”

“Ebby, Sly, Xander and Enoch,” I reply.