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CHAPTER 2 - JOURNEY'S BEGINNING, PART 2: DECONSTRUCTING THE LEGEND

Warm...

Not the most intelligent of waking thoughts, but Max didn't really care.

At least his next thought was a little more relevant. He wondered where his clothes were.

This was immediately followed by Max sitting up suddenly, taking in the full view of his new surroundings.

He was lying naked in a bed. Well, 'bed' was being generous. It was actually just a collection of animal furs clustered in the corner of the room.

And what a room it was, wide and well furnished, with a gently sloping ceiling. There were no windows and only a single door. The room had an overall motif of darkly polished wood. The floor, furniture, door and ceiling were all made of a polished dark wood. The sloping crossbeams of the ceiling were even glowing, giving off the light that was allowing him to see.

Max took particular note of the fact that the furniture had been constructed for beings that were larger than the average human. Like that wolf-man he'd met.

He also noticed that his clothes were nearby, folded and placed on what Max assumed to be a chair, despite its big size.

Dressing quickly, Max found that his clothes had been cleaned and dried while he'd slept, indicating that he'd been out of things for a while.

The Traveller Device was still attached to him, of course, its central gemstone dark. If what he'd been told were true, he'd have to get used to this thing, since it'd be with him until he died.

But at least, he consoled himself, his life would be getting a lot more interesting from here on out. He'd left Earth behind, presumably for good. No great loss, his life back there hadn't been up to much anyway.

Still, he did feel a slight pang of homesickness, but it didn't last long.

Anyway, Max was soon fully dressed and ready to go. That just left the question of where exactly he should go to. The Device was apparently not yet recharged, so another world was out of the question.

Besides, he felt it only polite to find and thank whoever had been kind enough to give him shelter and a warm place to sleep. Max guessed that would probably be that Draig being he'd met as well as his grandfather, who's home Draig had mentioned being nearby. This must be it.

On top of that, his adventurous, explorer's spirit had started to kick in. He wanted to take a look around, find out more about this place.

The door wasn't locked. Max could tell this without even touching it. As he approached, it slid open of its own accord, to reveal a brightly lit passageway beyond.

At least I'm not a prisoner here, Max mused as he left the room.

The passage was very similar to the room, furnished with darkly polished wood. Sloping ceiling with glowing crossbeams.

He didn't really have to decide in which direction to go. To his right, he could hear faint voices, fervently discussing something.

It probably would have been the smart thing to head in the opposite direction. He had no idea to who those voices belonged, whether they were friendly or not. He was in an unfamiliar environment and caution would be wise.

Unfortunately, in Max's psyche, curiosity had always been much more powerful than caution. And so he promptly set off to check out the source of the voices.

They got louder as he got nearer. He could pick out two distinct voices.

"It is him. He possesses the Device." This voice was unknown to Max, old and grizzled.

"You can't be serious. You're telling me that scrawny little thing I found is the legendary Traveller?" This voice was sceptical. It was also one Max had heard before. It was Draig, the wolf-man who'd pulled him from the snow.

Max crept forward, although he wasn't quite sure why he was sneaking. There was no reason to expect these two beings to be dangerous. Draig had, after all, saved him from freezing to death.

The corridor opened out ahead, emerging in the corner of a large room. The design ethic he'd seen in the passage and previous room was echoed here. The floor was polished wood. Glowing crossbeams overhead provided the light.

The ceiling of the room was domed, however, all the crossbeams curving upward to meet at a point above the room's centre, where there was a shallow pit-like area lined with seating. A circular pedestal sat in the pit's centre, which held a roaring fire that warmed the room.

The room's overall decor was strange, a mixture of various elements. One wall was covered with shelving and packed with books and scrolls, arranged haphazardly. On the opposite wall hung a collection of apparently mediaeval weaponry. Swords and shields and spears and daggers, all of very unusual, non-human design.

The remainder of the room was adorned with hanging tapestries and abstract sculptures. Overall, the place seemed pretty cluttered.

And there were the two beings, seated beside one another in the central pit area, talking.

One was, of course, Draig. He looked just like he had out in the snow. Basically, he was still the same wolf-man He'd ditched the heavy cloak at some point, as well as the bundles and packages he'd been carrying, but other than that, he looked exactly the same. He still had his sword though, strapped across his broad, bare back.

The other being was also a wolf-man like Draig, but smaller and less imposing. If Max's reasoning held out, this was probably Draig's grandfather. He certainly looked elderly. Although definitely taller and heavier built than Max, next to Draig, he looked frail. His black fur was fading, tinged with grey. He wore only a loose-fitting dull red robe.

As Max watched, the old wolf-man stopped, mid-sentence, and his ears pricked up. He turned to look straight at where Max stood. He had fiery, bright eyes, burning with life.

"Ah, Traveller, you are awake." He said, rising to his feet. "I trust you are feeling better." Draig looked round as well and stood up.

"Yes, thank you." Said Max, stepping forward, slightly cautiously. "How did you know I was there?"

"I heard your heartbeat and breathing." The old wolf-man explained with a smile. "I may be getting old, but I still have the sharpest ears in all the Twelve Republics."

While the Twelve Republics part meant little to Max, he did find himself impressed by this creature's powerful hearing.

"Will you come sit and join us?" Said the wolf-man "We'd be honoured."

Max's curiosity kicked in once more. The chance to talk with these two creatures and learn more about them and their world was too good to pass up. And they would be 'honoured'. No one had been honoured by Max's company before. It was a new experience. So Max went to sit down.

"My name is Reyeck." The older wolf-man said. "And I believe you have met my grandson Draig." Draig stayed silent, opting not to speak to Max, just watch him like a hawk.

"You'll have to excuse Draig." Reyeck seemed to want to apologise for his grandson's lack of a greeting. "He has a somewhat cynical nature and is having trouble believing that you are the Traveller of legend. Even though you possess the Device." He pointed to Max's hand.

"You know what this thing is?" Max was surprised. "How?"

"The legend of the Traveller is an ancient one on this world." Said Reyeck. "Although many dismiss it as just an old myth." A meaningful glance was directed at Draig.

Legend of the Traveller? Trakis had mentioned something of that to Max, but hadn't had time to elaborate. Now, he'd suddenly found his way to someone who apparently could.

Max thought of the Device. Trakis had said he'd suspected it may be intelligent. Had it brought him here so that he could learn what Trakis hadn't been able to teach? On the other hand, of course, it could just be a bizarre coincidence.

Whichever it was, this was an opportunity Max could not miss.

"This legend." He said. "You couldn't perhaps fill me in on it, could you?"

This was a definite shock to Reyeck. That much was obvious from his expression.

"You mean you don't know it?" Said the old wolf-man

"Well," said Max, sheepishly, "to be perfectly honest, no. I'm sort of new at this. This is the first world other than my own that I've visited."

"Surely your predecessor would have told you?" Said Reyeck.

"He didn't have time before he died." Max explained. "He was only able to explain about the Device."

"Fascinating." Said Reyeck. "And also, something of a major coincidence that you found your way to me, to someone capable of answering whatever questions you may still have about being the Traveller."

"So you can tell me the legend?" Asked Max.

"Oh yes." Reyeck nodded. "And much more." He turned to Draig. "This may take some time. Could you fetch some refreshments? Food and drink?"

Draig didn't like this, and even looked about to protest, but Reyeck gave him a stern look which stopped him. "Of course, grandfather." He said, departing.

"What did you mean when you said you can tell me much more?" Max wanted to know, once Draig had gone.

"It's the reason that you happening to find me is so amazing." Said Reyeck, standing and walking across to the cluttered bookshelves. "You see, I happen to be an expert on the Traveller legend."

"An expert?" Said Max. Reyeck was right. It really was an amazing coincidence.

"Oh yes." Said Reyeck, digging through the scrolls and books on the shelves. "When I was young, many, many years ago, I met the Traveller, one of your predecessors probably, and spent some time talking with him before he departed. That's how I knew the legend to be true. But, of course, my claims were laughed at whenever I told anyone."

"What did this other Traveller look like?" Max asked. Maybe it had been Trakis?

"Much taller than you." Reyeck told him. "And with a tail. Looked like he was of reptilian descent."

Not Trakis then. Someone else.

"Anyway," Reyeck went on, "that meeting sparked off a lifelong obsession with the Traveller and the legend surrounding him. I spent most of the early part of my life conducting an extensive study. Even wrote a book. Give me a moment and I'll find it. It's here somewhere." The elderly wolf-man was still rummaging amongst the books.

"There is something else I wanted to ask." Said Max, while he was waiting. "Why are there no windows around here?"

"Because they'd be pointless." Said Reyeck, not turning away from his search. "My home is underground."

"Underground?"

"Yes." Reyeck explained. "This part of the world is often ravaged by ice storms. While it is possible to build surface buildings capable of withstanding them, it is very expensive. It is much cheaper to build one's home beneath the surface. Ah, here it is..." He pulled a hefty leather-bound book from the shelf and returned to sit beside Max.

Reyeck showed Max the cover. The markings were strange, yet he was able to understand them. The book's title translated as 'A Study: The Traveller And The Legend' and the author's name was marked down as 'Scholar Reyeck'.

The old wolf-man began leafing through the pages, looking for something. "I wrote this book over several decades. I travelled across the world, gathering accounts of others who'd claimed to have met the Traveller as well as studying local variations of the legend."

Reyeck stopped at a page. "Here it is. The legend. It's the basic version. I found that certain regions tend to embellish certain elements, but this here is the basics."

He passed Max the book. The writings on the page were in a strange language, of symbols and scratches, but, like the cover, Max could understand it.

The particular section he was looking at was titled 'The Legend Of The Traveller'. He began reading.

It told of a creature, an alien being, at the end of time and everything, who created a Device capable of transporting its owner absolutely anywhere or any when in the multiverse. It told of how the creature, with its final, dying breath, flung the Device across time and space where it found its way to the first Traveller.

It then went on to explain how there had been many Travellers, with many more still to come, the Device passing from being to being.

It also told how each Traveller became a force for good, righting wrongs and helping the helpless, fighting the good fight and generally being a hero wherever he went. Apparently, the Device only bonded to beings suitable for this purpose.

Max finished reading, handing the book back to Reyeck. He sat back, thoughtful. It was certainly interesting.

Draig returned, carrying a tray. There was a plate of strips of some sort of meat, a jug filled with a black liquid and some empty glasses.

"I'm curious." Said Reyeck, pouring out a glass of whatever the black liquid was and offering it to Max. "What did you think of the legend?"

Taking the drink, Max looked at it, puzzling over what it might be. Then he answered.

"It's ridiculous." He said.

This was pretty much the opposite of what Reyeck had been expecting. Or Draig, for that matter. He'd stopped in the middle of chewing a strip of meat in order to stare at Max.

"I don't understand..." Reyeck struggled to get that much out, being lost for words.

Draig swallowed what he'd been chewing. "The Traveller himself refuting the legend?"

"I mean, yes, it's kind of interesting," said Max, "but it is ridiculous. A being at the end of time? How could anyone possibly know that?"

"But..." Reyeck stammered, "but you have the Device. Surely that proves the legend is true."

"Actually, all it proves is that the legend has a small grain of truth to it." Max pointed out. "That someone, somewhere created this incredible Device. The rest is just conjecture."

Reyeck gaped at this. Draig actually smiled. "He does have a point, grandfather."

"I'm sorry to have to burst your bubble." Said Max, apologetically. "But just think about it logically for a moment. A Traveller would visit thousands of different worlds, each with its own culture and society, each with its own definition of 'right'. How is he supposed to 'fight the good fight' when the definition of 'good' changes from world to world?"

A thoughtful look crossed Reyeck's face. He was intelligent enough to realise that Max was right.

"It is just a legend." Max went on. "And, like most legends does have a small basis in fact. And the legend doesn't answer all the questions."

"Such as?" Asked Draig. His grandfather was still distracted, in his own thoughts.

"Such as how I'm able to read that book." Said Max. "Even though its written in a language I have never seen before. And why we're able to talk to each other. There is no way I'm going to believe that the language of this world happens to be exactly the same as English."

Reyeck perked up a bit at this. "I think I can answer that." He said, searching through his book. "I believe that some aspect of the Device allows its owner to understand all languages, and be understood by others, no matter where he is. Up until now, I didn't know it included written languages."

It only took Reyeck a moment to find what he was looking for, stopping at a certain page. Max glanced at it. It was titled 'Eyewitness accounts'.

"This is it." Said Reyeck, scanning over the page. "Several decades ago, I spoke to a young Wolven Knight of the Seventh Order. He claimed to have met the Traveller in the wilderness north of Pyrius City. The Traveller was injured and he looked after him for several days as he recovered."

"But this is the most interesting part. The young knight recounted a conversation they'd had about the Device. The Traveller said that the crystal, the gemstone at the centre, was the Device's power source. He then proceeded to remove it and check it for damage. The knight said he was unable to understand the Traveller's words while the crystal was removed."

"Once the Traveller had replaced it in the Device, the knight asked about this. The Traveller said that with its source of power taken out, the Device shut down completely, and that shut down included its translation capabilities."

Reyeck closed his book. "So, as long as you carry the Device, you need never worry about language barriers."

That wasn't what had most interested Max. He was staring at the Device. At the central gemstone.

"It can be removed?" Said Max.

"Oh yes." Said Reyeck. "The knight's account is quite clear on that point. Here." The old wolf-man gently took Max's hand and went to pull out the red gem, digging his claws in on either side of it. But the gem wouldn't budge. It was stuck.

"I don't understand it." Reyeck was puzzled.

"Let me try it." Max reached down. The gemstone came away easily and he pulled it out.

"Bloody hell." Was Max's comment.

The crystal, or gemstone, or whatever, was about four inches in length. It was certainly shiny, the firelight glinting off its long, multi-faceted shape. But that didn't answer the obvious question.

"Why the hell wasn't the end of this thing sticking out the back of my hand?" He looked at Reyeck and Draig, expecting answers. All he got were confused stares.

"Rworrl rur rrurl?" Reyeck growled. It was a strange sound.

"Damn it." Said Max, realising the problem. With the crystal out, the Device wasn't able to do the whole translation bit. He was hearing Reyeck speak in the growls and snarls that seemed to make up his native language.

He had to put the crystal back in. Max shivered at the thought. It was like thinking about jamming a spike through his hand.

Yet it had to be done. Grimacing, Max began pushing it into the dark hole it'd been occupying, taking great pains to be gentle. But once he'd slid it in part way, it was yanked back in of its own accord, clicking into place, making Max jump slightly.

"Can you understand me now?" Max asked, turning back to Reyeck and Draig.

"Yes, perfectly." Said Reyeck. "Curious. You were able to pull out the crystal and I wasn't. That would seem to indicate that only the person with the Device can do it."

"Yeah." Said Max, examining his hand. "But you saw how long that crystal was. Why isn't the end of it sticking out the back of my hand?"

"It's an extra-dimensional device." Said Reyeck, as if this explained everything. Upon seeing Max's uncomprehending expression, he continued. "The Device probably extends into more than the three dimensions we occupy. It's probably safe to assume the central crystal does as well. So the other end is probably phased into those other dimensions, safely avoiding your hand."

Max thought about this for a moment. Then he came to the conclusion that he didn't understand a word of it. "If you say so." Was all he said.

Reyeck grinned. He offered one of the strips of meat to Max, to go with his glass of black liquid.

He took it in order to be polite and spent a few minutes just staring at it and the liquid. "Do I even want to know what these are?" He asked, nervously.

"Don't worry, Max." Draig reassured him. "The meat is just from a rel-beast and the drink is a simple organic suspension of water and leaves from a trakel plant."

Max put the meat in his mouth and chewed, finding it was, somewhat surprisingly, pretty tasty. As much as Max hated cliches, he had to admit, it did taste like chicken.

The drink had a familiar taste too. It tasted like a glass of cold tea.

As he ate, he realised there was something else bothering him.

"There is something else the legend doesn't cover." He said. "It doesn't explain Malign or the other Traveller Device."

"What other Traveller device?" Reyeck didn't know what Max was talking about.

"Just after I received this Device," Max explained, "I was attacked by some big monster called Malign, who said he'd sworn to track down and kill all Travellers. He had a Device like mine on his hand."

"Perhaps it was a previous owner of the Device." Said Reyeck, thoughtfully. "Or maybe someone who possesses it after you."

"No." Max shook his head. "The gemstone crystal thing in it was green, not red. It was a completely different Device."

This was surprising to Reyeck. "I don't know what to tell you. The legend only ever mentions one Device. And, in all my studies, I have never encountered any mention of this 'Malign', or of a second Device."

"Think about it." Max said. "For all we know, there could be hundreds, or even thousands of Devices in circulation. Since the legend only mentions one, everyone simply assumes all Travellers have the same Device, just at different points in its history. But we have no way of knowing for sure."

"Then what about this Malign creature?" Asked Draig. "You say he attacked you. Could he follow you here using his Device?"

"I don't see how." Said Max. "Whenever the Device is used, the destination is completely random. At least, that's what Trakis told me..."

He trailed off as a thought entered his head. "Damn! I'm so stupid! Why didn't I realise it before? Malign obviously used his Device to follow Trakis to Earth to finish him off, which means he could use it to follow me here!"

"But if it's random..." Said Reyeck.

"There must be a way for one Device to track another somehow." Max stood to leave. "Look, I should go."

"Why?" Reyeck wanted to know.

"Because Malign could turn up here at any second." Said Max. "And when he does, he'll try to kill me again. Both of you have been very kind and hospitable. I don't want to see you get caught in the middle of this." He headed for the corridor, determined to find a way to the surface.

"Wait!" Called Draig, leaping to his feet and following him. Max stopped and looked back.

"You say this creature will try to kill you?" The large wolf-man asked.

"Yes." Max nodded. "That's what happened the last time we met."

"Then you will be safe here." Said Draig, confidently. "Outside, you will die."

There was a brief pause. "Does that come with an explanation?" Said Max, finally. "Or am I supposed to just guess?"

"An ice storm is currently raging outside." Draig explained. "No offence, but you would not last three minutes up on the surface right now. In here, there is me. I will protect you."

"You?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I am a Wolven Knight."

There was another brief pause.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Max spoke, breaking the silence. "I thought there'd be more than that, some sort of point."

"Draig." Reyeck interrupted. "Remember, he's new to this world. He does not know of the Wolven Knights."

"Yeah." Max agreed. "For all I know, you could be a gang of stamp collectors."

Draig narrowed his eyes at Max. "You're sarcasm is very annoying."

"Oh, I know that." Max shrugged.

"Max." Reyeck attempted to explain things. "The Wolven Knights are the keepers of law and order on this world. They uphold the law, help the helpless and protect those in danger. Draig is one of the cadre of knights that watches over this particular province of this world."

"And since you are in my province." Said Draig. "It is my duty to protect you if you should be in danger. Despite the fact that I still have doubts over whether or not you really are the Traveller."

"Staying here is the safer option, Max." Said Reyeck. "Believe me."

"I do." Said Max, returning to sit down. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

"I'll just go check that the laser perimeter and infra-red alarms are operating." Said Draig, departing with a purpose.

When he thought about it, Max knew staying put was the right thing to do. Yes, it put his new friends at risk, but at least Draig, with his size and apparent strength, might stand a chance of stopping Malign. Max himself wouldn't.

But then, what if Draig couldn't stop Malign? Would Max just have to keep running from world to world, hoping to stay one step ahead of the pursuing monster? It certainly wasn't an appealing prospect for how to spend the rest of his life.

"I really don't understand why you seem so down at staying here." Said Reyeck, interrupting Max's thoughts.

"Sorry." Said Max. "As much as I appreciate all this, I'm just uncomfortable with the idea of someone having to put their life at risk just for me."

"Well, I'm going to." Said Draig, strolling back into the room. "So just accept it. The perimeter sensors and alarms are operational. You've kept them in good order, grandfather."

"Only because if I didn't," said Reyeck, "I'd have to listen to you moan at me about them."

"Anyway." Said Draig. "Now we wait. Either this Malign creature will turn up, or the Traveller here will depart before he does."

Max looked at the Device. The gemstone was dark. "I'll be out of here as soon as this damn thing is recharged."

"And how long is that likely to take?" Asked Draig.

"Don't ask me. I'm new at this remember?" Said Max. The two of them looked at Reyeck.

"I'm sorry." the old wolf-man apologised. "That is one area where my knowledge of the Traveller is somewhat lacking."

Draig and Max both sighed.

"Look," said Max, "as great as it is that I have protection here, I'd feel more comfortable if we were more substantially armed than just one of us having a really big sword."

"Don't worry, Traveller." Said Draig. "There is no need to doubt my combat abilities. I am highly skilled at armed and unarmed combat."

"Fine." Said Max. "I'd just prefer being armed myself. You wouldn't happen to have any guns hanging around the place, would you?"

Both wolf-men looked at Max blankly.

"Guns?" Said Draig.

"Oh, bloody hell." Moaned Max. "Don't tell me you don't have guns on this world."

"Apparently, we don't." Said Reyeck.

"But you're sort of an advanced people!" Said Max. "You have laser perimeters and infra-red alarms! You've got knowledge of extra-dimensional physics! And you're saying you don't have guns?"

"What are these 'guns' then?" Draig asked, seriously wanting to know.

Max paused, trying to figure out how to explain the complex science of ballistics in a simple way.

"A gun is a weapon." Max began. "It's a mechanical device that uses a small chemical explosion to propel a projectile at great speed toward the enemy. Can be quite damaging."

Draig and Reyeck considered this.

"Barbaric." Reyeck concluded. Draig nodded, agreeing.

"Barbaric?" This was hardly what Max had expected.

"Yes." Draig explained. "The idea of attacking someone from a distance. Anyone worth fighting is worthy of some respect. You show that respect by giving them the honour of being able to look you in the eye. Everyone on this world knows this. Attacking your enemy from a distance is just... unthinkable." He seemed thoroughly disgusted at the idea.

Of all the places to land while being chased by a homicidal monster, thought Max, why did it have to be the place without sophisticated weaponry and where long-range combat is merely an alien concept to the natives?

But, he mused, at least this world didn't have the problems that arose from sophisticated weaponry. A world without nuclear weapons could hardly be a bad thing. And at least the natives seemed to have an inbred code of honour.

"As barbaric as guns may be." Said Max. "I wouldn't mind having one right now..."

Suddenly, an alarm blared all around. A grating, nerve-splitting noise.

"What's that?" Max said.

"Something's outside." Said Draig, leaping to his feet and drawing his big sword.

There came a sound from far off, loud enough to be heard above the alarm. It was the sound of wood being smashed and splintered.

"I'd guess it's inside now." Said Max.

Reyeck fumbled in a pocket of his robe, pulling out a small remote control device. He flicked a switch on it and the alarm shut down.

"Both of you stay here." Said Draig. "I'll take care of this. He left the room, sword at the ready.

"Are you sure we should be letting him go alone?" said Max.

"Don't worry, Max." Said Reyeck. "I've seen him fight. If anyone can defeat the Malign creature that's following you, it's him."

"You really believe that?" Said Max.

"Absolutely." Reyeck replied.

There was a pause of silence.

"You're worried, aren't you?" Max stated.

"Oh, yes." Admitted Reyeck.

A few seconds later, they could hear the fight. The screech of metal striking metal. The crash of breaking wood. The sounds of many things being smashed and broken.

And then it was over. There was a sudden horrible silence. Then footsteps, loud and heavy, headed toward Max and Reyeck.

"Draig?" Reyeck called. "Is that you?"

"No." Came the answer in a voice Max knew.

Malign stepped into the room, brandishing his huge axe. He definitely looked a little worse for wear since the last time Max had seen him. Ice and snow clung to his clothing. He was bruised and bloodied, sporting a bleeding scar across his chest. At least Draig had been able to wound him.

Max and Reyeck backed away, but they were both acutely aware that there was nowhere to go.

"Reyeck." Said Max, urgently. "Get out of here. It's me he's after." With that, he pushed the old wolf-man away and went in the opposite direction, finding himself trapped in the corner of the room.

But Reyeck didn't go. He stood where he was, mesmerised by the scene before him. The monstrous Malign stepping around the fire in the room's centre, axe ready to deliver the killing blow as he approached Max.

"No more running, Traveller." He said. "This ends now."

What a way to die, was the only thought Max could come up with, something he found slightly disappointing.

"Hey you!"

Everyone looked. Draig was standing at the room's entrance, pointing his sword at Malign. His fur was matted with blood in several places and he was bleeding through a number of injuries, but he looked like he had plenty of fight left in him.

"We're not finished yet." He growled, charging at Malign.

The two of them grappled each other like a pair of sumo wrestlers. They pushed and struggled against one another. But they were equally matched in size and strength. Neither could defeat the other on those terms. They both backed off at the same moment and swung with their weapons. Sparks flew as sword and axe met in mid-air.

"Max!" Reyeck's urgent cry dragged his attention away from the fight. The elderly wolf-man was pointing at his hand.

Looking down, Max saw a red glow. The Device was charged, and not a moment too soon. Once he left, Malign would follow, leaving Draig and Reyeck in peace.

He turned to open a dimensional hole, barely noticing as he did that Malign was getting the upper hand against Draig, parrying a blow from the wolf-man's sword and hitting back by striking the Wolven Knight across the face with the handle of his axe.

Max swiped at the air with his hand and watched as the familiar black hole in the air opened up, offering an escape route.

He glanced back to see that Malign was coming his way. Then he saw Draig leap up onto the monster's back trying to bring his sword around to slice at Malign's throat.

Instinctively, Malign grabbed at Draig and threw him overhead, in Max's direction. In fact, straight into Max, knocking him into the dimensional hole along with the battered wolf-man.

A few moments after that, the hole closed. Max and Draig were gone.

Malign wasn't worried. He could track the Traveller anywhere.

He was aware of someone nearby, an elderly wolf-man, fleeing the room. But Malign ignored him. He was unimportant.

The monster checked his Device. It was glowing. Quickly, he swiped at the air, creating a dimensional hole of his own. He was anxious to continue the chase.

Malign jumped through the hole, headed for wherever his prey had gone.

He had only one thought on his mind.

He would kill that Traveller...

To Be Continued...