[ IP ] Big Bad Wolf

I was riding back to the dorm from a village near the academy late in the evening, where I had delivered some parcels to the local magistrate ’ s office. On my way back, I saw something moving through the trees. It was large and slunk quietly as though stalking prey. I loosened my sword in the scabbard and prepared to pull it free. As I moved closer, I saw that it was larger than I had originally thought. It was much larger. 
 
 
 I took a deep breath and continued to move my mount closer. When I was only ten feet away, I saw that this creature was very large, and covered in fur. My mount ’ s horshoed feet scrabbled in the gravel on the ground and the creature whipped around, snarling and baring its long, pointed fangs. 
 
 
 It was 20-foot-tall black wolf. I pulled my sword free and urged my mount closer. The horse reared and neighed in fear and apprehension, it shook and pranced nervously. The wolf stalked closer, lowering its head to get a better look at its small challenger. 
 
 
 I spurred the horse ’ s sides and charged the wolf, yelling as my mount neared the huge creature. As we ran toward its legs, the wolf leaned down and took a huge chunk out of my mount, picking me right up as I sat on the saddle. My mount ’ s head and body came with me. The legs were broken off and remained behind, I saw from between the fangs before being mashed into the wolf ’ s mouth. As I was, I could feel my poor mount writhing and screaming in pain as it died and bled out slowly and horribly beneath me. 
 
 
 I maneuvered my sword and began jabbing it into the wolf ’ s tongue, gums, and even into the palates of its mouth. As I did this, I moved slowly back and down until I was right at the top of the wolf ’ s gullet. I jabbed and thrust my sword one more time, and it got pulled out of my grasp as I lost my foot and went sliding down toward the wolf ’ s belly. 
 When I landed at the bottom, I stood up slowly. Half-digested food and stomach acid came up to my waist. I sniffed and groaned when I realized what a bad idea that had been. I remembered that my sword had gotten stuck at the top of the wolf ’ s throat and I was now without it. 
 
 
 Almost right away, the unnatural wolf ’ s stomach acid began to work its way through my armor. I spent the next several hours in an uncomfortable and painful situation. As time passed, I became extremely hungry while just waiting for something to happen. And then, something did. In a sudden rush, all the liquid and food began to drain out of the wolf ’ s stomach. The undertow was overwhelming and I tried to stay upright, but I had no chance of escape, and was pulled under with only enough time to take a quick breath of the disgusting and rancid air. 
 
 
 I freefell a very, very long way and landed hard, in a pile with the other contents of the wolf ’ s stomach—including my poor horse ’ s carcass—on the pine needle covered ground. I blinked my eyes and looked around, finding my rescuer standing a few feet away, wearing tall dark brown boots, tanned leather pants, a puffy white shirt, and a plain brown vest with a long, dark cape. The face was haloed by the moon ’ s light. I blinked and squinted my eyes to see them better. 
 I took off my gauntlets and my arm guards to give myself better mobility and traction for when I would try to get up. A gloved hand was thrust into my field of vision. I took it, grasping the forearm with my hand to give myself better leverage. 
 
 
 My rescuer helped pull me to my feet. I moved to get my feet back under me, but instead I was yanked about five feet farther than I had expected. “ Let ’ s go, Red, move it! ” a loud, gruff voice said as I went somersaulting over myself until I landed on the ground, again. As I lay on the ground, I heard the large wolf ’ s body hit the ground with a loud thud. 
 As I regained my breath and as I got to my feet, I noted the beautiful ax hanging on the belt that hitched up the pants. I looked up into a strong jawed, unblemished, and quite striking face. “ Th-thank you for the assistance… Thank you, Madame Woodcutter. ” 
 
 
 She smiled, and said, “ You ’ re welcome, Little Red Riding Hood. ”
