The Dark of the Moon

[Swashbuckler]

OOC:

This is an open thread, there are a few players who have already joined with their characters. If anyone else would wish to join please PM me with a character description and an idea of how you could fit in. We may need a few victims and other characters as time goes on. But please refrain from posting to the thread until I can work you in.

Thanks,

~Swash~


Peter

The winter of 1620 seemed to be as brutal as the previous summer's desasterous cmpaigns. The entirety of the Kingdom had become over ran by the forces of the emporer. Prauge had fallen and Spainish soldiers were setling down for a cruel occupation.

The emporer Ferdinand II must surely be enjoying his revenge that his cousin's troops were dispensing upon the hapless people of the Kingdom on the fringes of the empire. Grinding them under foot, their coin turning as uselss as mud in the snowcovered quagmires that once were roads.

All that was of little consequence. Things on the frontier southwest of Brunn went on as they had for centuries, until one night..., one night when the nightmares began...


I woke in sweat soaked furs, despite the howling wind, driving the white dusting of december's snow through the leafless, lifeless trees. I could feel every fiber of every hair upon my neck prickling, prickling, prickling...

Two trembling hands washed over my face, wiping chilling sweat from my hazel eyes and clawing their way through my thick chestnut hair. I could feel the soaked mat gliding over that small bite that had healed so quickly, though it itched still on my right hand.

That memory washed over my mind like a roar of Spainish cannon fire. After the reduction of the rebellious kingdom, as one of the impressed levies and a survivor I was on my way home after my parol from Paruge. After starting out into the wilderness south of Brunn I heard a small noise rattling in the dark brush near the small trail.

What a fool I was to investigate with only a full moon to light my way. Parting some tangles I had stumbled upon a dangerously beautiful scene. A she wolf was suckling a cub. Startled she snarled at me, though, I could have sworn she was a woman covered in fur and calling to me. So long had I been in the infantry I was nearly half mad with pent up lust. I blinked in disbelief when it happened, the she-wolf snapped at me. Just a nip, but enough to draw blood. I fell back in fear and the brush crashed as she disappeared into the darkness.

I wrappped my hand in a fold of my cloak to staunch the blood, and laughed, yes that was the last time I laughed. When I finaly reached home the next morning, I found the war had found its way here as well. There was a flurry of rebuilding in preparations for the looming winter.

The love of my young life had disappeared, and I sank into drink. Within a month's time The first snows had began to settle in. As did the strange itching of my healed wound. It itched to the point of fire, and held me to a fitful sleep. That night I dreamt of wolves racing through the dark wilds, and..., and other things.

Clenching my eyes I could not remove that first dream from my burning mind. Ilse, the teuton barmaid with lovely blonde tails and overspilling breasts that any man would kill for, entered my dream, like a long off howl, calling to me..

She was sleeping quietly, in a small cot at the back of her father's tavern. She lifted her head and sleepily blinked in the darkness, then she flashed a small, welcomng smile as she began to pull the wool from her chest to reveal a perfectly un-hidden flesh.

Just as her large breasts revealed their imagined treasures to my dream's eye. The vision of desire that dominated my mind was washed away, washed away with crimson horror. Lust replaced by carnage of battle. Her smile turning to a throated scream. Her luscious breasts reddened with blood. Her sweet throat, that I desired so often to sip, split and...

That is when I woke, heart racing, flesh fevered, manhood standing at marshalled attention. Sweat poured from my flesh, and I growled in my frustration that it had turned so, before I could experience Ilse, if only in a tired solider's dream. A fist thudded heavily into the straw of my bed and I rolled over, forcing my eyes closed again.

Then that first horrible morning....

I woke early as the village was filled with screams of terror and cries of greif. The square was muddy and filled with everyone running about. Ilse's nude, and torn corpse lie face down in the mud, her throat ripped out as if by a rabid wolf. Immiediately all of us, set out with hounds and mastiffs in search of the ferral beast. To no avail.

**********

As November drew to a close, and the snows of December began softly at first. Some of the outlying villages gathered up their war torn belgonings and pulled themselves to our village for the winter. Gypsies from the Transylvannian alps, displaced serfs, soldiers of the illfated rebellion, all gathering together for warmth, and shelter from the cold and the Spainish occupation. My hand began to itch once more...

 

[ARaynes]

Csilla Tunder

The vinter of 1620 was one of the most brutal my family has ever scene. Our caravan had been stopped, no longer to carry on through the snow, in a villiage. My parents kept with the natives there for warmths and to not go hungry.

I was nineteen that summer. My Papa, he talked of all the beauty that the snow brought in, but that it too had a bad side. "You can't see what is coming for you, my Csilla." he would say to me. "The snow, she blinds you with her beauty, only to allow the night to take you away."

My grandmother sat in her kampini, waiting for death to take her on his wings. She was waiting to go see my grandpa, though it was not going good for her. She couldn't get a journy to him and that was breaking her heart as it was mine.

"Csilla, my granddaughter, come to me." She called me one night. "There is danger lurking in these lands. Do not go out at night, for it vill come for you."

Her words frightened me. In all my years the one that I respected most of our group was my grandmother. She would tell of things unimaginable to me. Of men that dressed as animals to hunt. She taught me of herbs and superstition.

My Papa, well, he was more of a man looking for a husband for his daughter. I was the youngest and it was I who would carry on the family in this caravan. My older sister had taken with another, to spread our family into other lines.

There had been a murder in the villiages just days before we arrived. It would have been us to blaime had we been there. We always seemed to bring trouble in the eyes of the villiagers we pass. They loved to throw coins our way as long as they were pleased with out performances, but if we dared to do wrong in their eyes, we were rushed out of town. Theives were were called. Blasphemers! Harlots! They would yell my way.

I was far from a harlot. My dowry was not set yet. I had yet to find a man. I could not be a harlot no more than the the Redeamer was a part of the Devil.

This is not what they saw though. They saw only the hate in their eyes. The blood that rushed to blind them as the snow blinded us of our travels.

 

[Cathay]

Catriona LaPaz

It so cold already in this crowded city. I could see...soon
to be a dead city. The hapless fools here, know not what
awaits them. It is not the battles of men I foresee. The soldiers
can only take their lives....thay cannot take their souls. I travel
with a small party. I am of a once proud Castillan family. Still
wealthy beyond most mortals dreams...only no longer rich in
the way we were. We are now, a house divided. Divided,
dying and.....frightened. My few companions, good men and
women all are all of Castillan blood. We do not look like
this city's enemy and thanks to my father's foresight, we all speak
many languages. We have taken care to dress well, but
not in any way that would bespeak our heritage. For every
region ... we hunt...we have new names to call ourselves, new
stories to learn. It is almost difficult to remember to think
in the language we are using, my father drilled that into us, but
only amongst ourselves do we speak the language of our
people. We have been following the Pack. That hated
in-human unGodly pack. That unholy family my brother
Alejandro now runs with. We will find them, it is only a matter
of time. They leave a bloody swath behind them. We will find
them and we will kill them. My father sent me on this mission
before he fell beneath their bloody jaws, and I shall not
fail. I have trained for this for years. I vowed to end their
existance, including that of my beloved brother. I will
be the instrument that releases him from this unholy alliance.
I will give him ... peace. The others......I will send to Hell.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Peter

The sun was setting quickly, and the smells of nightfall assailed my nostrils like never before. Too long had I been away from the wonders of home. I could smell the smoke of fires, and the roastings of meats. My head seemed to swim as I pulled on a heavily laden goblet of wine. My tongue seemed more atuned to the flavor than I had ever remembered. I was stunned to notice that my tongue was actualy lapping at the crimson liquid. I shook my head and set my goblet on the rough wood of the tavern table.

A gypsy band had roamed thier way into the square. I imagined that soon they would be making thier way to tavern to sing and dance for their supper. How many nights had i sat here through countless winternights of my now shattered youth watching those billowing skirts and twirling legs of the gypsy maids swaying to the hypnotic pine of those delicate violins. I shook my head and raised my glass once more.

 

[Guest]

Licia

Momma, I will be home before dark... I promsie...

*laughing at the thought of the lie*

The moon was just rising through the trees and it would be hours yet before I returned...

Fredrick awaits me at the glen...tonight he will take my virginity... or at least I will make him think so...and then he will feel honor bound to marry me. His father has money aplenty... Already I bleed from my menses...allow him access only on my terms...fake the sound and actions of the struggling virgin to the stage I've set and suddenly I am a virgin...*triumphed grin*.... again...and he and all his lovely money is mine...

*grinning* as i reach the edge of the woods....


"There is the path Mister Moon..the path to my victory...to my destiny"

 

[~misty dawn~]

ooc...that was me... *grin*...just kill me

 

[Swashbuckler]

Peter

The wine hit my lips and my whole body was bathed with a prickly heat that welled from my very blood. My skin tingled as if I could feel every hair on my body tremble and strain. I set the drained glass down and pushed my way to the door. The cold rush of winter air refreshed and rejuvenated my skin as I stepped out into the muddied street. I rubbed both of my eyes with my palms, trying to clear my head. My ears were ringing with the rush of coursing blood. Then I began to feel strange...


My ears picked the soft footfalls of a young girl's gayish tread. Not close, off the streets and in the edge of the encroaching wilderness. My lips stretched to a snarlike grin as I disappeared in the shadows, a firery burn boiling my blood.

With silent motions I followed my ears, towards the hand hushed giggles of the girl. I inhaled deeply of the shrouded winter air, my overy folicle of hair bristled and errupted into life. My chest filled with the night wind and every muscle in my body expanded with it. My fingers clenched lengthening razor points into my palms. My nose revealed the girl was close, and her scent was full with her lust. I took a long lick with my tongue over my sharpened teeth as I stalked closer through the brush.

Silver stream of moonlight glistened off her cloak, as she picked her path through the foilage. I was close enough to taste her breath, and hear the lusty tempo of her young heart pounding within her small ribcage. Silent as a moonbeam, and as still as a tombstone; I studied her gait hesitate as she turned her young face to glance over her shoulder. Her scent now mixing start with her expectant passion. "Frederick?" she asked the gloom quietly, with a look of annoyance about her eyes.

 

[~misty dawn~]

"Frederick?"

Where was he... breaking throught the over-grown path, I look to the glen....

"where is he?"

For my plan to work, I need him here...

stamping my foot as I place my hands on my hips...it was her....that little slut Belinda... he was with her no doubt... we'd see about this... I would have my way or die trying....Determination enters my eyes as I turn to retrace my steps....

The scream barely leaves my throat as I look into the eyes of death....

 

[Swashbuckler]

Peter

I watched as she stamped her small boot ino the frosty mud and balled fists on her hips as she started to turn, her face showing the tension of anger and defiance. She took one step back towards town when the barren brush parted with a rustle and her eyes widened into terror. She managed a half scream before my full wieght crushed her to the snowy earth, knocking all the breath from her her breast.

A frothy snarl issued from betwen my teeth as the air was wrent by the sounds of her wool vest and light tunic shredding beneath my claws. Thier razored edge gliding over the sensually soft firmness of her young breasts. A small trickle of crimsoned life trailed over one nipple, steaming in the chill air.

My bursting breeches crushed hard between her futily thrashing legs. One clawed hand tore the drawstring of her heavy skirt as the other digits pinned her throat to the earth. Her dark hair drowning itself in the muddy trail.

What would have been a shriek simply croaked from her throat as I rose up revealing my extended sex to her already terror filled eyes. Tiny fists pounded at my oversized shoulders, fingernails broke uselessly on the arm pinning her sweet meat neck to the cold ground.

I snapped my teeth as I tore the rmenants of her skirts away, revealing her moonlit thighs to the icy air. Then splitting the air with a triumphant howl as I burst her last walls of resistence with my engorged member, savoring the heated flesh of her lust.

 

[ARaynes]

Csilla Tunder

Dancing in this villiage made for warm nights. It seemed as if the men pawed at me more now that I had come to age. Nasty men. Men with no more respect for the gypsy life than dogs.

Screams rang out through the night here. People spoke of animals, man shaped animals, hunting the night, though I see none of that.

Our campsite was just south of town. Family told me not to speak so much to the villiagers, lest we get called murderers. It had happened before. People don't know of us so they cast about harsh words and memories.

Walking about town I wished for supplies that were hard to come by. Grinning to myself I knew my mother would be upset at my wanting Gumdrops. She didn't trust the sweet flavor saying it was the way of the villiagers to trap us forever in the villiage.

 

[Cathay]

Catriona LaPaz

Vachon, my friend and compatriot, was strapping on his
silver bataak as I hurried him along. "Vashi, hurry..the moon
is up...we have to hurry." Nodding at me curtly, he gained
his saddle and we started off. I was dressed as I always was,
on these dark hunting forays, as a boy. I had learned to ride
a horse as a man, astraddle with a sword in one hand and reins in the other. All in search of this cursed pack. We had been following them since the last full moon. It is so easy to see
where they've been, they left blood soaked ground and broken
hearts behind them. People are so ... sadly...without imagination.
They explain the disappearances, the deaths by...wolven. Lupas.
Anything...and everything but the truth. Vashi, my family..
we know the truth. Not wolves...not coyotes. But evil. A
wolf on two legs. Men and women...corrupted...lured by evil.
Satan himself... their father with his hungry blood thirsty razor
sharp teeth, cloven hoofs and souless howling. Ever calling...ever hunting.
As we travelled further and further from the village, we
could hear the howling. My skin crawled and I could feel
my heart pounding. Mayhaps tonight.... this very night
we will find these creatures, send them to hell where they
belong, and maybe...just maybe....I can go home.
Vashi, riding in front raised his arm, a signal for silence.
I reined Malti and squeezing with my knees, slowed him as I
slowly pulled my silver sword silently from it's leather
scabbard. Silence was the difference between success ... and
death.

 

[~misty dawn~]

licia

The scream had barely left my mouth before he… it was upon me. Razor sharp claws and teeth tore at my clothing… with every rip of my clothing a new cut was added to my flesh… nothing mortal but pain was overwhelming me. It battered me like I was nothing… hands…no not hands yet… Noooooooo… it was between my legs. Holy Mother of God…. With but a single surge it was in me… so large it was tearing me…I start to fight it… then suddenly I feel teeth at my throat….. it's breath hot on me... teeth just touching the skin... a soft growling reaches my ears...

 

[Swashbuckler]

Peter

The shadows flashed and fluttered across the white of her terror lightened face with every savage thrust of my attack into her young lust. Her legs pumped futilly to reppell the invasion, only to betray herself. Enabling me to usurp her own movements to aid and abet the pillage of her sex.

My torch setting the soft thatched house of her desire ablaze with primoridial responses. Her already eagered juices overflowing her banks, giving rise to the flood of her unrepressable release. Boiling about my bayonette, pleading for the final thrust. The one that will shatter her fullly as the cobra spits its venom, hot and thick, into her well trodden fields.

Her ragged, crushed breath; pleading, protesting, gasping, begging for more; all in twinkling clouds within the silvery moonbeam that illuminates her plight. Alone, with no allies, and betrayed from within by her own unrepressable needs. The walls of her kingdom come crashing down. As the battering ram at her gates errupts within her depths. Every fiber of my being electrifies with coldfire, every muscle twitching uncotrolably. My teeth gnashing as I lick and kiss at the small neck in my powerful grasp.

I barely comprehend the sound of snapping bone and tearing flesh as I pull my head skyward and bawl worshipfully to the witnessing moon. Looking down to the muddied earth, her face eternally locked in the perfect mixture of exaultant release and abject terror. Her last breath had been an orgasmic moan, a perfect ending.

Bared fangs smiling at the artistry of the moment, that can only be savored for too short a moment. Twitching ears picking up the hushed tramp of not entirely stealthy feet. With a muted snarl of digust I bound from the ravaged corpse, ripping myself from her slowly chilling wetness. Disapearing into the wilds, like the mysterious wind, sated and enriched.

******

I don't remember anything but the freshness of the alley air. But I was lying on my bed, a fever soaking the furs. I felt exhausted, but very refreshed...

 

[ARaynes]

Csilla Tunder

Night seemed to dawn on the world in this villiage quickly. I watched as windows were shut with wood. They wanted to lock out the evil outside. I soon hurried to our camp, hoping to hide from the evil as well.

Not long within arriving home my father beckoned me to his tent. "My child." He said, "You need to soon marry."

This was a constant fight between my father and I. There was a boy, and boy describes him well, that my father betrothed me to. He was young as I am, yet his behavoir was that of a child. I didn't need to marry a child. I needed a man that could make our tribe flourish, not kill us.

We had words, not so nice in the light of things before I ran. Why I ran I am not really sure. I wanted away from his hateful words. Sharlot. That is what he called me. All because I didn't wish to marry his man. I want to marry for love. NOt because my father tells me so.

That is when I found myself lost in the forrest. My body cold and without shawls. "Hello!" I called out looking for a light, anything to find my tribe. "Hello, Is anyone there?"

Behind me I heard the russling of leaves. Apon turning though, there was nothing there. "Hello!" I called again.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Peter

I coulnd not remember how I made it home, nor could I recall the hour. The one thing I was sur of was the futility of sleep. Everytime I closed my eyes, there were strange scenes dancing in the pale moonlight. So with a heavy sigh I wlaked out into the night. Perhaps a short walk in the wood would calm my restless spirit.

It was a familiar trail, one I had walked countless times before. But this cold night it seemed even more homelike than ever. Its chill, dark forebidding nature seemed comforting. I drew in a deep breath of the december air and filled my chest with its stark tranquility. My eyes closed slowly as I exhaled, then a short ways away I heard a soft voice tremble in the darkness. My skin began to prickle with curiousity.

I could feel my muscles strain and stretch beneath my tingling skin as every folicle of hair burned and churned in the frozen air. My ears twitched, following the soft hello through the leafless, dormant trees. I tried desperately to hold still, but the newness of my being caused my body to quiver and shake as the hunger welled from my very core, a rattling snarl escaped my lips as half frozen footpad nymph floated into my crimson stare.

I knew by her eyes she had seen me before her lips could break the news to the silent world in a shriek. Jaws snapping I lept through the crackling twigs, bounding after my prey. She turned to run, towards the steep bank over looking the river. I had her.

The ground shook as I toppled her to the earth. Ice and light snow crunched beneath the wiehgt of our bodies as I pinned ehr to the precipice of the embankment. Iron hard claws reached to shred the array of gaudy fabrics from her chest, tearing both cloth and flesh at once.

A clumsy, yet well graced thrash of her perfect leg caught my knee. My foot skittered on the ice and soon my wieght betrayed me off the embankment. The ice crusting of the river splintered and chill, rushing torents soaked my pelt instantly as I was swept away from my prize. But as the icy water carried me away, a smile crossed my dagger sharp lips. I may have lost her body for the moment, but her soul was now mine forever...


*****

I was shaking with cold and drenched to the bone. My whole being ached with icy pain as I drug myself from a near watery grave. Someone was running to me faint pleas for help. As my eyes fluttered closed, I tried to whisper to the woman, "Off the.., off the river trail. A gypsy..., a wolf..." With that my blood gelled into a solid and darkness enclosed my mind. A sleep filled with terrible and wonderful mysteries overcame me.


OOC: I will be gone for a few days, please everyone continue as you will. Peter will just be frozen and asleep until I get back, then his blood will be quite warm. Thanks. ~Swash~

 

[ARaynes]

Csilla Tunder

Suddenly out of no where I was attacked. I wasn't sure by what. It looked strange. Man, monster animal. No matter what it was, it scared me.

I couldn't help but think of my family. I yelled for help, wishing I hadn't said the things I had said, and praying to all that could here that I would survive.

My family soon came to my rescue, but not until after I had escaped the attacker myself. I kicked and thrashed about so heavily that I was surprised the attacker had hung on so well. My body ached from wounds that I had yet to understand the full context of.

My father carried me to the campground. Inside a tent the healer came to bind my wounds. I felt hot and feverish, yet the wounds seemed to ache even more with the heat.

"Help me." I asked her, pleading with my eyes that she would help me. That she would take away this pain that I was feeling. Take away the heat that blazed so hard in my body. I was an inferno waiting to burst open and explode turning the forrest to ash.

Slowly though, sleep overtook me. I was not aware that I would sleep for so long.......

 

[~misty dawn~]

Laughter echoed off the trees that lined the rough road…

“…and then he fell off the ledge and …splash!….well when he got home…” amusement colored the voice of the young man telling the story.

Sweat covered the brows of the men as they worked. Hans leaned on the edge of the wooden bridge which now cover the river. They had being working on the project for days… and were just moment away from being finished. This bridge would make all the difference during the times of rain when the river flooded.

Smiling at the others, he listened as Jahn finished the story....

All he could think of was getting home... it would be well after dark before he got there... and there was talk of strange goings on in the region....talk of war...talk of death....

 

[Cathay]

Catriona LaPaz

I held my sword steady and true, my ears listening for
the sounds Vashi had heard. He motioned me to dismount and I did so silently. I cupped my hands and brushed Malti's snout,
a signal to be silent. He was a well trained warrior and friend.
and stood absolutely still. Silently, I followed Vashi into the
brush. He had incredible hearing and the silent fluid moves of
a cat. It wasn't long before he stopped, raising his hand. Turning
his head, he pointed towards his left. This time, I took point
and led the way.

I almost stumbled upon her bloody body. My heart wanted to
break...again. I had to fight the revulsion, keep the nausea
at bay. There was so little left of the young girl she'd been
just an hour ago. "Too late." Vashi said, his voice harsh and
strangled. I could see the torment in his eyes, buried
beneath the icy cold fury filming over his brown eyes. I knelt
down by her, the blood soaked ground soaking through my
pants, reaching for a vial of blessed holy water and my ever
present rosary. I could feel his anger, his anguish as I said
my blessing over her. Crossing myself, I rose and turned to
my friend. "My fault.." he whispered. "Had I hurried, we could
have stopped this....damnation." Reaching out, I laid my hand
upon his arm, his muscles tensing taut and ribbed beneath
my fingers. "No!! You will not do this! You cannot blame
yourself for her fate...dammit for any of them." I quieted my
voice and added to his shuttered face, "Vashi...please.
you are only one man....please remember we are up against
Satan and his minions." He sighed and drew a deep breath.
Reaching for his silver knife he bent to finish his work.
"Vashi...she's dead. There is no need.." I broke off what I
was about to say by the cold glare he gave me.
"I do this for her. To be sure." he added as his knife flashed
and buried itself in her heart. As his knife removed her heart,
I could hear him murmur..."and for me."

 

[~misty dawn~]

On and off all day travelers had passed by… including a gypsy caravan. I think tonight I will take Greta into the village. She will want to trade with the then for maybe a piece of ribbon or some such. I on the other hand want to speak with the men. People are quick to condemn the gypsies but any who care to listen will find that all the news of the outside world travels inside the walls of the gypsy wagons…and I need to know…

Many fear traveling these days but not I . Tall and heathy… strong like and oxen… nothing for me to fear…

Gathering my tools I bid the others fairwell....

Yes tonight would be the perfect night to travel to the village...with the full moon travel will be easy....

 

[rashid]

Etienne Vachon

Looking at the wretched remains of what was once a child of God, tears my heart from its moorings and sets it drifting in the souless night. What was once a man of flesh and blood is now a silver clad killing machine - What purpose God????? what purpose do you have for these foul things? What would you teach me? Have I offended you so greatly that you take from me all that is human and leave only this hate filled husk?????

In all the world only one woman knows my pain. Will you take her too???? Will you let me die alone???

 

[Cathay]

Catriona LaPaz

I watched as Vachon finished his task, words of comfort
stuck in my throat. Has there ever been such a man, I thought?
A singular warrior with an unimaginable heart....and sorrow
to match......... As he put flame to what was once the living
beating heart of a young innocent, my ears hearkened to any
sound alive in the forest. Chills cut through me as I heard
the far off baying in the distance. Vashi's head whipped up
and turned towards me, "Evil still hunts this night, my friend."
he all but grated out between his teeth. "Mount!" he ordered and making the sign of the cross once again over her remains,
we found our horses and silently followed the sounds of the
unholy. As we rode, I silently prayed to the God I was losing faith in, "Please, let us balance this atrocity tonight. Don't let
us close our eyes before we banish at least one of these
monsters this eve." We rode on...silently...hunting.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Peter

Dripping with an icy death, I was sure to faulter in my struggle to life. The blood in my veins congealed and stiff with chill. A numbness crept over my body and my eyes, opaque and icy fluttered shut. My rattling breath, I am sure to be my last as I collapse into a few quickly saoking blankets by a hearth. The burning taste of broth at my lips and a cough from my lungs, expelling it. As sleep overtakes me...

Eyes closing to what should only be the warming chill of the grave. But only turns to be a springboard to the wings of Morpheus. Dark dreams of rapidly rushing wilderness. The flickering fire of silvery moonlight. The crimson wash of...

A hunger a need, beyond the pull of death, yet guided by death leading me on, and on, and on. Through the darkest rescesses of the night, through the horrors of the forest. Its like I am the forest, and I am the darkness...

My nightmare that will not cease running wild and stirring my blood to a fitful boil. Limbs of ice, sparking to firery life, nerves twitching tingle, as a rabid heart sets niter to my blood. Ears rushing with the thunder of hurried heartbeats. Nostrils filling with the scents...the scents of desire..?...


Sitting upright and gasping for breath. To my amazement I am dripping, not with the icy waters of doom, but with my own sweat. I cna barely comprehend the flurry of people about me, forcing broths and tasteless teas to my lips. There is talk of a fever, and praises to god that I am alive. But somewhere, in the pit of my soul, I feel a hunger more powerful than any remedy offered here by freindly hands. Coughing and gasping, more from the frightfulness of my recent slumber than from any demon of disease that they were sure I had. I close my eyes and curl my lips forcing sleep to shield me from the aproaching priest and his all too foreign words.

 

[Cathay]

We rode on...so silent...only the

whisper of our horses hooves as they stepped on the wet
leaves beneath their strong legs. As we moved deeper into
the heavy woods around us we could hear the baying and howling getting louder and louder with every silent step. Vachon
raised his fist again and looking back at me raised two fingers
letting me know he'd heard two lupine wolves ahead. My mount
Malti came to an abrupt stop and though he remained silent,
I could feel the tension and light tremors his muscles could
not help but emit. Though a warrior in his own right, he
like other animals fear the wolven. As he should. I stroked his
snout again and silently dismounted. Vashi was also dismounting
and silently we pulled our silver blades from their leather
scabbards. I could feel the hair on my arms and neck rise, as we split up to surround the monsters in the lair. I reached down
and pulled a smaller silver blade from my boots and moved
to the right. We tread so slowly and held our breaths so
small as to take light shallow breaths thru our nostrils. We
could not afford to tip these creatures to our presence.
Vachon and I had trained so well together, I instinctively knew
that he would appear at the exact second I did to confront them.

The woods suddenly parted and there we stood across from
each other looking on in horror at what we were watching.
Their were two, one a bitch...the other much younger. Her
pup I somehow knew. They were circling and tearing at
a young man curled into a ball on the ground in front of them.
In those few seconds, I knew he was still alive and these...
monsters...were toying with him before they went in for the kill.
Like a cat with a mouse. It sickened me. I knew that wolves
did not toy with their prey, but...werewolves did.
Finally, I thought! The bitch stopped still suddenly and sniffed
at the air. I had noted Vachon moving close towards her, just
as her hackles raised and her body arched. I could see his
steel slice thru the air as I went for the pup. She sensed danger
to her young but was sliced just as my sword found it's mark.
I had swung hard at the young male and sliced through
his neck just as his head turned towards me. It was a clean
hit and his head seperated and fell at my feet. I watched
his death dance for just a split second before turning my
eyes to Vachon. The horrible scream of the bitch....gladdened
my soul. Maybe just for a second she would feel what we
who were left ...felt at the loss of our family. Even with the
horrid gash in her gullet, she still tried to leap for me. Vachon
followed and gutted her as she whimpered looking at her
pup. I could see the steam rising from their bodies as Vashi
rushed to the man writhing in fear on the ground in front of us.
He was covered in blood and I knew Vachon would search
for bite marks before we let the man leave. If he had any
bite marks...I knew that poor man would not be going home.