-----Sarah looks around nervously and edges Marlexana into the middle of the defensive circle. Her fingers dance along the wand her father gave her at her belt. "Stay down Chessie." She whispers into her hood, which she has taken down and Chessie is sitting in.
-----"Werebeasts. I heard tales but little else. No matter." Sol judges tonelessly. He quickly glances over his shoulder at Rinda and nods to her question, "Yer right...they're likely t'panic. If yer t'go t'th' center o' th' circle perhaps ye can hold th' other horses reins. Try an' keep them calm. Or at least stop them from bolting. Do what ye have to."
-----Sol then says to Romney, "Take care of it, Romney. You and Bradley prepare what light is needed so we can see around us."
-----Rinda looks strangely at Sol. It is unclear if the huntress does not understand the young warrior's nonchalant attitude toward the present danger or the fact she is trying to hold eight horses.
-----Meanwhile, Romney, Abram and Bradley work quickly and in a matter of moments they have four torches set into the ground illuminating the area outside their hastily grouped circle.
-----Suddenly the night air is broken again by the loud, long howling, much closer this time. Rinda hurriedly works talking and calming the horses. Most of the steeds keep their feet on the ground although their eyes look wide and panicked.
-----Without warning, one of the horses takes fright and bolts away down the trail road toward the direction of Navlot. It quickly vanishes beyond the torchlight. A few seconds later a hellish sound fills the air as a combination of ripping sounds, animalistic roars and horse screams comes back from the darkness.
-----Behind them in the dark down the trail road from where they came, another howl makes everyone jump. Everything now falls silent and the air seems to grow warmer. Raven's wolf sinks back by his master's legs.
-----Then they begin to come. Deep low growling is heard from the dark and it is evident that the party is surrounded. Raven, Sol and the four guards wait alertly with their weapons drawn as Sarah stays in the middle and Rinda continues to calm the horses.
-----Beyond the torchlight, blood red eyes appear in the middle of the trail road where the unfortunate horse ran. The eyes seem to bob as the unseen creature stalks slowly toward the party. Bradley pants out a noise that alerts everyone in the opposite direction where another set of eyes is approaching. The torchlight begins to pick out black fur covering a form between six and seven feet tall. Long ears extend from a head featuring the unholy eyes and a yawning fang-filled mouth. It stands upright and continues its deep-throated growl.
-----Then between the trees in front of Sol's position another large wolf creature approaches. It makes its way just outside the circle of torchlight and lifts its head. The deafening roar that it fills the air with sends a threatening shudder of terror through everyone. Two more horses run off this time scattering through the dark trunks of the forest. Luckily no one was trampled in their retreat.
-----"Raven!" Rinda screams over the excitement, "they can only be harmed by enchanted weapons!"
-----"Dammit! Rinda! Hobble th' rest if ye have t'!" Sol yells in frustration. Gone is the calm exterior. After a fleeting moment of wide-eyed, disgusted appraisal of the new foes, the young Gorian whispers quietly to himself before launching himself at the horror in front of him.
-----Raven motions for the wolf to stay by Rinda. Raven then steps forward to face the other monster, but he keeps close to the light coming from the torches. With swords ready, Raven stands waiting for the monster to attack.
-----The big wolf creature lunges at Raven, but the hunter finds himself ready for the attack. Sidestepping the monster, Raven drives one of his short swords deeply into the beast's ribs. The werecreature roars in pain as it tries to bite at him, but misses in its feeble attempt.
-----With his off hand, Raven stabs the beast again piercing its chest. Next to the hunter, Romney brings his sword to bear on the monster. It strikes the werewolf, but does not appear to add to its injuries. With a quick move, Raven slices across the neck of the monster ending its howling and its life. With a heavy thud, the beast crashes to the ground; its dark blood staining the weeds.
-----For a moment, a glowing flash appears to emulate from Sol! The werecreature in front of him stops its shuddering howl and in an act of surprise, puts its claws up as if to shield its eyes from the young warrior. With that, Sol's Lathanian blade flashes ripping the monster's front practically disemboweling it. Its unholy shrieks now reflect the terror the monster feels. It lashes out at Sol but misses as its strength leaves it. Abram steps up to finish it, but like Romney, the guard finds that his weapon does not bite into the creature.
-----With a final stern look, Sol hefts his blade and decapitates the werewolf's head.