Champion by Jon Kiln

scattered throughout. These pockets of greenery were the places where the prairie people had made their homes. They used the stones and trees to create small shelters, but they also lived in subterranean dens.
    Mostly, the Wolf people live in small packs, usually with one male as leader, and a number of females who care for the young. No one really knows if these people are of human origin, but it is said that they are capable of shape changing into a huge wolves. They were not the only shape changing creatures that lived in these lands. Legend has it there were bears too. The shape changing bears lived in the mountainous region on Mount Arrid, the other side of Slohal Prairie.
    The two races lived side by side, peacefully. Mount Arrid, on the border of Palara, is considered impenetrable, not only because of the impassable mountain peaks, but the bears are formidable border guards. They will let no one pass. This was one border that Queen Myriam did not have to concern herself with.
    As the men rode along the cliff top pathway, Ganry looked out to sea, watching the waves crashing up against the rugged rock face. The pounding sounds of the sea always soothed his thoughts. Riley came up to ride by his side. It was clear from the look on his face that he wanted to speak with Ganry.
    “Do you believe Artas to be fit enough for this journey?”
    Ganry glanced behind him without stopping his grey speckled horse. Artas looked as if he was sleeping, with his eyes open. It was true, Artas had been acting rather strange as of late, but he had assumed it was exhaustion from the fast journey they had taken back from Mirnee. After all, he was not a seasoned warrior, just yet.
    “You lead, I’ll go speak with him.” Ganry turned his horse to ride towards the young man.
    “Artas, my friend, you look like you’re about to fall from that saddle. What ails you?” Ganry joked, trying to keep the mood light.
    Above, the white gulls squawked as they flapped their wings overhead, diving into the water to capture a fish or two. The tide was in, so sea spray occasionally splashed over the top of the cliffs as the waves crashed their way into the land. Ganry breathed in the salty aroma, wondering why Artas did not reply to his question. He leaned over to give him a little nudge on his shoulder, causing Artas to jolt awake.
    “How do you do that?” Ganry asked. “I know no one who can sleep on a horse with their eyes open.”
    “Was I sleeping?”Artas said, surprise in his tone. “I don’t think so, Ganry.”
    “Do you feel tired?”
    “No. I feel light headed, if truth be known. Surely this is not reason enough to send me back?” he asked, worrying this would be Ganry’s course of action.
    “You sure?” Ganry was puzzled, thinking that maybe he had picked up some illness from Mirnee.
    “I am fine, I’m just not sleeping too well. A few days out on the road and I will be better. Don’t send me back, please,” he pleaded, his blue eyes now alert and awakened.
    “We are up against witches, Artas,” Ganry reminded him. “Powerful witches who can raise the dead. We are also facing shape changers, who, whilst they may swear fealty to our Queen, do not particularly like the company of humans. You tell me, are you up to it?”
    “I’ve always wanted to go to the land of the shape changers since I first heard about them in my lessons. I long to meet them.”
    “I want you to get a good night’s sleep, there are enough of us for guard duty. Then in the morning, I want you up at the crack of dawn for practice.” Ganry was determined that Artas would take care of himself in a fight, for he would not have time to look out for him.
    “Yes, sir,” Artas replied, a smile to his eyes. It was clear he was glad to be continuing on the journey, but Ganry would make him pull his weight.
    “Make yourself useful when we stop and help the men set up camp. There is wood to be gathered for the fires and water to be drawn.”
    “Yes, sir,”