Crimson

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian heard her moans almost turn into screams of passion and he continued to pound upwards into her. She moved a little however, leaning over him and placing her hands on his shoulders. It did allow him to hit new spots inside of her, but he was no longer able to get so deep.

Still as he thrust into her he could swear her hands began to creep towards his throat, and his other half bubbled up, demanding to be let loose to rip her throat out. It would be so easy. She was right above him, leaning over his face. A quick lunge and he would have a chunk of her flesh in his mouth and she would be gurgling her last breaths above him.

He forced it back down though. She had made no move against him that he could prove, indeed she was giving him more pleasure than he had felt in a long time. Now was not the time to think about things like that.

As she guided him to lay down beside her, facing her, he smiled at her as he lifted her leg so it encircled his waist and continued to thrust deep inside her. They were now on equal footing in the power stakes and he aimed to use what he had.

Kissing her tenderly he trailed soft kisses down her body until he found a nipple and he started to suckle upon it before nibbling it a little and then biting it before going back to suckling on it.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

You had him too! Right in your damn grasp! Her hunter persona screamed in Red's head as the two creatures laid on their side. The hunter instincts couldn't help but feel disappointed that Red threw away the one opportunity she had to murder the creature below her so cleanly. Sure, the wolf would have lunged at her but guess who was going to have the upper hand being on top before he could get to her.

The wolf's kisses at least distracted Red from her nagging conscience for the time being. She brought one hand to the back of his head, gently pressing it forward as she reciprocated his kisses while he continued to thrust inside of her. Her fingers weaved through his hair, accidentally grasping it a little too hard, much to her hunter's amusement on wanting to yank his entire scalp off, before she quickly let it go, massaging and soothing the area.

After a moment of irritation, the wolf surprisingly smiled at her, causing her to blush. He didn't say another word as he focused on trailing his kisses down her chest, finding his way to her breast and nipple. The feeling of his thrusts and sucking started to overwhelm Red that she couldn't control holding off her release.

A few more thrusts did the trick as Red's juices squirted out, covering the wolf's shaft in a sticky mess, leaving Red to slip in to a relaxed state on the bed, breathing heavily.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian continued his assault on her body, licking and sucking on her nipples, occasionally nipping at them as he thrust up into her, varying the pace and depth of his thrusts until he felt the shuddering that signaled her climax.

He felt her juices begin to flow and then a strange thing happened. They actually squirted out of her opening, covering him in her juices and soaking his shaft in them as well. Never had he seen a woman do that before and he was fascinated. Even as she collapsed back onto the bed with a look of both pleasure and fulfillment and started to breathe heavily, he reached down and ran his fingers through the juices and brought them to his mouth.

Sampling them he smiled. They tasted divine and he wanted more. As her breathing started to settle down he started to move his hips again. She may have gotten her climax, but he had still not experienced his and he was not stopping until he had.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

The climax was a rush; a feeling of insanity that Red often did not want to be a part of as it often driven her mind quite mad, often stuck in the middle on whether she wanted to kill the wolf for making her submit to his whim or whether she should push her tension to the side and give in to the depravity that she, as a hunter, had been kept from for so long.

Her breathing slowed as she relaxed on her side of the bed, enjoying the comfort of the wolf's body pressed up against hers.

Red looked up at the wolf in time to see the smile on his lips. A part of her felt happy for him as she couldn't help but return a smile.

The relaxation didn't last too long. Soon, the wolf thrusted himself inside of her without any hesitation. Red immediately grabbed for his shoulders, unsure of whether she should let him have his fun or fight to push him off. Hadn't he had enough already?

Still, he held her as he continued his onslaught. Was it to comfort her or to keep her from escaping?

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian felt her hand on his shoulder and he could feel the tension in it. Why was she so tense? Hadn't he proven by now that he had control over his other half and was not going to rip out her throat in a fit of rage?

He started to get a little angry and pounded into her harder and harder and then realized that was exactly the wrong thing to do. Slowing back down, he returned to a comfortable gentle pace and looked into her eyes.

"I am not going to kill you Red. You have gotten your release, is it so wrong for me to seek mine?" he asked her as he sped up a little, still keeping his thrusts pleasurable.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Absolutely! Her hunter conscience wanted to scream at the wolf. Sure, the naive human may have gotten a thrill and pleasure out of it but to have the beast "return the favor" so to speak will only mean that she was being submissive to his wants.

Or worse, that they were equals.

And no way does the vengeful seeking hunter will ever see to that.

The hunter saw the anger in his eyes growing. Now if she can provoke the wolf inside of him to come out. She knew he will never be able to control his thirst for vengeance.

Red had a difficult time keeping her nagging thoughts quiet. Had the wolf not reassured her just now that he wasn't going to kill her, Red was afraid she wouldn't be able to control herself and dig her fingernails in to his flesh, scratching and tearing his flesh out.

The pleasurable moans have yet to die down. Red finally managed to release her tense hold from his shoulders, looking up at him as he spoke to her. Even with the thrusts, she couldn't help but look downwards, away from his gaze, out of embarrassment. Her face flushed a bright red, having not realized how much pain she had been causing him.

After a few minutes, she looked up at the wolf again. She scooted a little more forward until their bodies were nearly touching. Gently, she took his arm and guided it around her waist.

"I just need to be held while you're doing this." Red shyly replied.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian nodded then slowly moved. Gently he sat up with himself still inside of her and scooted to the edge of the bed. He placed his feet on the floor and then made it so she was sitting in his lap facing him with her legs stretched out behind him, one on either side of his waist.

Gently his arms encircled her waist and around her back, pulling her towards him until he put her head on his shoulder and then he began to gently run his hands up and down her back.

Slowly he began to rock up into her, setting a gentle pace at first and then getting a little faster as their bodies matched each others rhythm.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Red's eyebrows raised as the wolf slowly sat up, being careful to make sure that he was still inside of her. A part of her wondered if her request was odd. In passing during her travels, she had seen men take on their women from behind, pinning them up against whatever hard surface be it a wall. The thought of it did make Red a little nervous as her hunter instincts kept warning her that the creature will turn against her, bend her over the bed and pound her from behind with no sign of relenting until he got what he wanted.

Still, she couldn't help but smile a little when he placed her head on his shoulder, cradling it for a brief moment before his hands roamed on her bare back almost to the point of massaging it. Naturally, her arms returned the gesture as she draped an arm on each side of his neck.

Again he began to thrust inside of her, going at a steady pace so she could adjust herself. The mix of pleasure and pain stirred inside of her as he increased his rhythm little by little.

Had it not been for him holding her against him, Red certainly would have collapse under this sort of madness. One of her hands massaged the back of his neck, trying to be careful to not give in to her hunter's temptations to squeeze and choke the life of it. In between her moans, she massaged the back of his neck and head while her fingers combed through the strands of hair.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He was getting close to release and his thrusts were becoming a little harder as he pushed up into her, but still he kept his hands around her waist and back, gently massaging her. He would run his hands lightly up and down her back and along her sides, before grabbing her buttocks and massaging them as he moved into her. Occasionally he would move one of his hands down her legs, but he kept his movements light, never gripping her hard.

He desperately wanted to lean in and kiss along her shoulders and nuzzle into her neck, but he was sure that would only set off her self preservation instincts so he stopped himself. It was the same way he stopped himself from running his fingers through her hair like she was doing to him. He enjoyed it immensely and he allowed groans of pleasure to escape his mouth to show her just how much he was.

Finally he couldn't take it any more and he moved in and began to kiss her ear. "I am ready to explode little one. Move with me and let us do it together."

He thrust into her a little harder and faster, rocking her in his lap as his hands held her buttocks and his tongue tickled her ear, his hot breath panting in her ear. Then with a sharp gasp he exploded inside of her, sending his seed deep inside of her. Jet after jet rocketed into her before he finally relaxed and sighed in pleasure, allowing her to sink back onto his lap and he wrapped his arms around her lower back, pulling her to him and kissing her.

"That was lovely Red. We should do that more often," he chuckled looking into her eyes.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

If it were her hunter persona that dominated her conscience, Red would most certainly have reached for the nearest sharpest object and slashed his neck. For her human side, however, the combination of his thrusts and his lips lightly nipping at her ear along with the moans and panting sent a nice shiver down her spine. She couldn't help but smile at the effect he was causing.

Like the naive human who was still new to this game, Red couldn't help but be a bit confused on how she should move along with his thrusts when he mentioned that they should move together before he reached his climax. Should she move up and down like he showed her earlier? Or should she grind her hips in the same manner he was grinding his. She wrapped her arms around him out of stability not wanting to collapse before he found any satisfaction.

And he did. Stream after stream of his seed shot up inside of her, flowing inside of her body. By the time he pulled out of her, some of his seed mixed with her own juices seeped on to the mattress.

Red returned the kiss, a bit exhausted from the ordeal. She laid down on the bed, guiding him down with her, exchanging light kisses here and there. She nuzzled her head on his chest, breathing in the natural scent of the beast.

"That was lovely Red. We should do that more often" she heard him say.

She looked up at him, noticing his smile before she too flashed a smile. Lowering her eyes, she pressed up against him. Hiding her face on his chest and behind her hair, she couldn't help but frown at that thought. It would be nice to have that sort of freedom as he and many of a damsel have often indulged in without a care. But like the wolf, even she wasn't sure if she could control her instincts as a hunter to possibly murdering him.

With the wolf, his only challenge was to keep his beastly tendencies in tact and not let the creature take over to murder her. Other than that, he was free to mate with a beauty who was willing. The thought of his obliviousness as to how much more freedom he had angered the hunter. Her human side couldn't help but agree a little on how the wolf's only issue in life was the scar that marked him. He never had to live life in constant alert, constantly being ready for any attack, for most humans were too cowardly to fend for themselves.

Still, Red didn't want to bother him with such thoughts. She can tell him many times but he will rather remain in such ignorance and believe that she can be one of a hunter and a woman at the same time. In reality, she knew it was impossible.

She draped her arm around his neck, keeping herself close to him.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian enjoyed the feeling of having a woman that stayed close to him after lovemaking because she wanted too. It was a very rare occurrence. In fact he could count the number of times it had happened on one hand, (and he would not have to use all his fingers.)

He put one arm over her body and pulled her close, breathing in her scent, and smiled contentedly. He could become used to this but knew his other half would never allow it. This was the girl he was supposed to have killed and because of her he now sported the scar that dishonored him so badly. His Human side may be able to live with that, but his other side bayed for blood and vengeance. Sooner or later it was going to have to be let loose and he needed a plan to deal with that.

For now though, he enjoyed her warmth and weight and he stroked her hair and slowly drifted off to sleep.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

While the wolf slipped in to his slumber, Red stayed awake and still. She felt and listened as his breathing became much deeper and quieter. His body relaxed with her pressed up against him.He made attempts to keep things a bit sane and "normal" as he stroked her hair for periods of time. It brought her back to the days where her mentor will stroke her hair on occasion, namely if she were sick, injured, or (as a child) when she fell asleep.

She wanted to get used to this.The last few nights opened her mind on how enjoyable it was to be able to relax. Sleeping for more than the average four to five hours that was expected of a hunter that stretched to eight? Her body felt better from the tensions and stress that it went through day in and out for years.

Red let out a small sigh. If their human personas can be separated, then it will be all the much easier. She kissed him on the cheek and down his neck before quickly hiding her face by nuzzling up against his chest. The young woman knew it will be the last time she could be allowed to feel such things.

It will be an hour later that Red too finally fell asleep in his arms.

--

The rooster's crow from outside stirred Red awake. The wolf was still there beside her though his hold on her had considerably loosened enough that she easily slipped away from him. She grabbed her clothes from the line near the now dead fireplace and headed for the bathroom. It took a while for the water to warm up before she slipped in the tub.

Figures, it was still a bit cold to the touch with only a hint of hot. The weather outside didn't help matters as it remained just as gray from the previous day.

She sank in to the water and stared up at the ceiling. It was a new day. Her conscience reminded her that she needed to cease cavorting with the damn creature, lest she were to fall in his trap. There wasn't any time to lay her own meticulous trap down. In order to do that, it would have to be somewhere in private and it will have to end where she finally beheads him.

After ten minutes, a rinse, a water drain, and a quick pat down with a towel, Red dressed up in to her spare top and skirt.. She wore her red cloak, pulling the rest of her cloak like a cape.

By time she picked up her scythe, the wolf had just sat up on the edge of the bed. Initially, Red watched him with such a curiosity. That demeanor quickly changed back to the hunter that she was dutifully tied to and who the wolf will just have to deal with during their time together. The time of slacking off on her end was over.

"I'll be asking around." She simply said, picking up her burlap sack.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian woke up and immediately knew he was alone in the bed. He could not feel Red's presence nor could he smell her. Oh her scent still lingered but it was not the sharp scent from her body.

He lay still with his eyes closed for a little while trying to work out if it was a good thing or a bad thing that she had left him alone in the bed. He let his senses reach out and then heard her in the bath and relaxed. So she had not left him and run off, but had just got up before him to wash.

As he heard her get out he began to rise himself and by the time he was sitting up on the edge of the bed with the blankets covering his lap, she walked back into the room. At first she looked at him with curiosity and he smiled at her. She was dressed once again in her red cape and was carrying her scythe but her eyes were warm and he thought that today was going to be another fun day.

Then her eyes grew cold and his smile vanished. Even her scent changed as her look changed back to the Hunter he remembered. "I'll be asking around." she told him as she picked up her sack and walked out.

Sighing he shook his head and got up heading to the bath himself. It took him awhile to heat the water, but he eventually got enough for a warm bath and he washed himself clean, then dressed himself in his spare clothes before packing up his things in his own bag and then heading out.

He was tempted to change and scout around the village letting his others nose try to find out if there was still any more of his kind or indeed anyone was still lurking around. However he knew it would not be a good idea with the hunter here. It would go straight after her and she would go after it and one of them would end up killing the other or they would kill each other.

Stygian wondered if they were ever going to have that closeness again. He hoped so but he also knew he had no say in the matter, it would be up to Red if she wanted to ever do that again. Smiling at the memory he walked to the edge of town and then began his search.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Red left the wolf there to wash himself up. If he thought they were going to be loving towards one another because of last night, he was dead wrong. It was the only thing her true nature and the beast have a silent agreement on. Their human instincts already had their damned fun that they were starting to lose focus. She only agreed to the passionate lovemaking of it if the purpose was to lay the traps that will bring the wolf to his knees.

To his knees.

And if he wanted to maintain any shred of pride, he would be busy begging.

She fixed her cloak and made her way to the main lobby of the shabby inn. The innkeeper was wrapping up business with a new pair of travelers when he spotted her. Red did her best to ignore him but with a finger, he gestured to come over. Maybe that damned wolf didn't pay the innkeeper after all.

The innkeeper leaned forward towards Red and let out a light hearted chuckle.

"I thought you looked familiar, my dear. It's been years. Still wearing a red cloak and all. You and your hunter friend helped get rid of that minotaur that made a mess in our village."

Red's lips stretched in to a nervous smile. "I'm glad you guys were able to rebuild your village in a short amount of time."

"Your hunter friend passed by here about a week ago."

This almost stopped Red cold. So he was here at one point?

"Did he say where he was heading off to?" she asked.

The innkeeper drummed his fingers on the edge of the counter. "Hmm...well my dear, for an extra five gold and two silver, I can tell you whe--"

An irritated Red had no time to waste to play with his silly games. If he kept up his riddles, he may very well be as unbearable as that wolf. Immediately, she grabbed the neckline of his top and yanked him to her.

"I am not up for playing games." She said in a hushed, low voice. "You either tell me where he is or we can coat your dreary inn with a new bright color."

"Such language," the innkeeper pouted. "And especially coming from a lady. You should mind your..."

Dancing around the subject only caused Red's anger to fester. She reached behind her and pulled out her scythe with the other hand, resting the blade on top of his throat. The guests watched the scene nervously, muttering amongst themselves while a few backed away. One who just entered the inn quickly got out.

"Sheffield!" the innkeeper cried out. "He took the road up east that leads to Sheffield in about half an hour. I was only trying to protect you and your comrade since word has it that there are beasts disguised as humans running around and killing the animals and eventually people. Y-you gotta believe me!"

Beasts as humans? The only creature that came to her mind was the Cynocephalus where they had human bodies but a dog's head. Red kept her gaze on the innkeeper for a long moment. She then pushed him away and began to make her way out of the inn when he continued to taunt.

"You're not the same little girl anymore. Yeah, you had to be a tough one when you were younger but at least you were sweet at one point. But maybe that's how it is with you hunters. Maybe you can't feel anymore."

She kept her hand on the doorknob, wanting to turn back and deliver a finishing blow to the innkeeper for his remarks. All her life, she was used to the villagers being grateful for warding off the creatures they were afraid of from causing much dismay. Majority of them were too afraid to fight them themselves. Very few would even be able to survive such a life.

Instead, she slammed the door hard behind her as she left.

Red pulled her cloak down a little more until it covered her eyes. She was still able to see from the bottom of the red fabric and the silhouettes through the silk protection.

Above all, she didn't want the wolf to see her in such a state.

She spotted the wolf near the edge of town where the paths crossed one another. A sign with three arrows pointed to the west, north, and east with different village names:

Woodhurst
Bexley
Sheffield

She stood by the wolf as she stared in to the near vast land covered either in trees or small huts.

"Someone mentioned that he went off to Sheffield."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He had made a half circle around the village and was just outside of it at one of the main road crossings when he heard her coming up behind him. He had to suppress an urge to turn and bare non existent fangs at her and attack. He had brought his other as close to the surface as possible without activating the change to aid in his tracking skills. All his senses were alive but he was on high alert. One wrong thing could push him over the edge and cause his other to seize control.

As he felt her presence he immediately tried to push his other back, but it started to fight him. It wanted to take control and attack it's prey. He knew it was not the right time. For what felt like hours they fought before Stygian won and his other withdrew into the darker reaches of his mind. Of course the battle had only taken a second and so when Red informed him about Sheffield he was in control again.

He nodded and turned to stare down that road.

"East then. If we leave now we can be in Sheffield before Midday," he turned to look at her, "Unless of course there is something to stop us making the trip easily," he smiled already knowing the answer. If her mentor had gone that way there was bound to be something trying to stop them following.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Her fingers squeezed at the crimson fabric of her cloak when the wolf spoke to her. She wasn't in the mood for his banter as she, particularly her human self, processed the words of the innkeeper. The inability to feel, how her duty as a huntress was to remove any sense of emotion if it meant that she would save others from the creatures that would otherwise kill them and destroy cities. That perhaps even when trying to save humans, had she forgotten how to be one?

The wolf prattled on how the trip would go off without much of a hassle unless if something stopped them, bringing Red back to the reality. The innkeeper was also an asshole for demanding a bribe in exchange for information regarding the Hunter. If he remembered her and the Hunter from a decade ago, then he damn sure should remember how close the two were and how much he meant to her.

The gray clouds have not ceased to exist. From a distance, she could have sworn she heard the sounds of a thunderstorm echoing.

"The trip there might be a wet one," she replied, wondering if another rain storm will put a damper on their journey on foot.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian stood up and examined the sky, sniffing the air and trying to judge the weather by the feel of the air. He shrugged and looked at her. "It is still someways off yet and moving erratically. If we move quickly we might make it to Sheffield before we get wet."

Glancing back at the sky he dug into his bag and moved his rainslick to the top of it. Smiling at her he tied it back up. "It doesn't hurt to be prepared though does it."

Making sure his sword was loose in it's scabbard, but strapped tightly to his body, he hoisted the bag onto his back and looked at her. "Well then on to Sheffield and hopefully the final stop of our journey."

He started off at a brisk pace but personally he was pretty sure that all they would find in Sheffield was more clues as to where her Master had gone.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Red watched the wolf dig through his bag for a few minutes and he appeared to be pulling out something. Whatever it was, he didn't exactly take it out but merely shifted it to a more reachable spot in his pack before he tied the ends back up. What did surprise Red was that in addition to sniffing out the weather patterns, he didn't seem to pick up any scent of the creatures that the innkeeper kept shooting his mouth off on. As far as she was concerned, there was no proof that the human dogs were a poor hybrid form of the much more evolved werewolf, if not a failed experiment gone terribly wrong between a wolf and a human.

Or perhaps he was saving them all for her?

She stayed beside the wolf as they began their trip east on a graveled road with the occasional knotted twigs. Red didn't say much, still rather incensed by the innkeeper's words on how the hunters who fought along to protect their fellow human could very well possibly be as cold as the creatures they kill.

Red concentrated on making the journey to Sheffield before the rainstorm hits their path. She had to constantly shut off the vulnerable human side who was desperate to claw out, wanting to express that being bound to her duty comes at a terrible price. Wanting a sort of validation, even from that damned wolf himself, that she was still at least human.

"One can only wish," She said of his remark on how he hoped it would be the last stop. As much as she wanted to find her comrade, he had a week start. The two of them were not known for staying in a place too long as they will have to travel in to another town or back home in to the heavy dense forest.

"Sensing a change in the weather with your nose?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

They had been traveling for a little over ten minutes and the weather had been getting steadily worse. So far the sky had not changed but he could smell the moisture in the air now and the wind was picking up. He was beginning to think they would not make it to Sheffield without getting a little wet, but they should be racing the leading edges of the storm.

Still just as she asked him if he could sense the changes he smelled something else. It was faint and rolled in on gusts of wind from ahead of them. He was puzzled by it and held up his hand to silence her as he tried to identify the scent.

It reminded him of one of his pack's scent but it was also different. It was as if their other and human side was present at the same time. He could tell it was not just a random gathering of Human's and Wolves, or dogs as the scent was not a combination of the two, but one distinct scent. He had never smelled anything like it before and now he could smell several others.

Turning to Red he gestured up the road. "It would seem we have company ahead of us but it is something I have never smelled before. Something like a werewolf but not," he said shaking his head at a loss as how to put into words what he was smelling. "We have two choices. Keep going and take our chances, or wait a little while and try to sneak past under cover of the storm."

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

You mean it's not your kind? Red wanted to spit that question out at the wolf but stopped herself at the last moment. They were between borders and aside from the trees and abandoned, nearly decrepit homes, there wasn't any stable shelter that she could spot.

Red reached behind her and grabbed the handle of her scythe, not quite pulling it out just yet. Sure they can take their chance and walk in to dangerous territory if it meant saving a village from being potentially wiped out by the unknown. The wolf brought up a good point on how they didn't know exactly what they were dealing with and that to wait until the storm rolls in might be a smarter idea if it meant covering up their tracks for a more effective attack.

It reminded her of her younger years arguing with the Hunter during their travels. This wouldn't have been a bad dilemma if they had more hunters but because they were the only ones left, any decision had to be calculated and executed to a tee whether it dealt with their lives or those of the villagers.

It wouldn't hurt for the wolf to use his nose again for the most trivial things.

"How many do you think are out there?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He had seen the movement towards her scythe and was surprised that her first thought was to fight it out. Then again why should he be. She was a Hunter and that is what they did, kill beasts or anything different than themselves. If she didn't want to find her master she would be trying to kill him right now.

Still she did have some brains in her head when she released it and then gazed around her working out their situation. It was not good. Not much cover, obvious hiding places, and easy places of concealment for their enemies.

"How many do you think are out there?"

It was a tough question to answer. The breeze was starting to swirl around, and it wasn't as if he had his others nose. He could smell a lot better than a human, but way less than his other. However lifting his head to the breeze he could make out at least five different scents, but he felt there were more.

"At least five, but I would guess more. To be safe double that. I will know more if they advance or we do. Now I know their scent I will be able to keep track of them. The good thing is the wind is mainly in our faces so I don't think they have smelled us yet."

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Red allowed the breeze to blow the cloak off of her head, revealing her chestnut hair. Though they were still at a distance from Sheffield, the uneasy feeling grew much heavier in the air as little by little did they approach near. The gray clouds continued to slowly roll over until they were well above them before moving along past them. At this rate, they only had two choices: Head as fast as they could to Sheffield to guarantee some sort of shelter that is not entirely covered in leaves or to stick to hiding in the forest where their scent mixed with the dense forest and strong earthy smell.

She perked up a little when the wolf guessed that there may be five of them blending in with the villagers. Five, while challenging, was at least doable, provided that she was likely to get bruised and cut during an ambush. When the wolf told her to double that amount, Red hesitated to come to the conclusion that facing ten or more or them by herself was an instant way to get her killed, if not severely injured.

Red desperately wanted to reach out to those residing in Sheffield. After all, unlike the damn wolf, she too is a human. Being a hunter, she feared that her stalling time would be the cause of an entire village nearly wiped out. As they entered in to the woods and stood around while trying to figure out how to handle the impending enemy, Red stole several glances at the wolf, often turning away when he caught her looking at him. All her hunter self could feel when she looked at him was a deep irritation. With who he is, he will never understand.

If not the presence of the wolf, the innkeeper's words continued to bother her.

Letting out a small sigh, Red relaxed her pent up tension as the conscience and persona of human curiosity took over. They weren't in immediate danger as far as she knew unless if the wolf loses it and resorts to his natural instincts. Slowly, she approached the wolf until she stood in front of him, watching for a change in his eyes and waiting to see his reaction.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian caught Red looking at him with a look he could not read on her face. Just what was she thinking? Was she now scared of him, or disgusted. It was not good for him to be distracted with these feelings when they had to be making decisions that could become life and death ones, but his eyes kept getting drawn back to her.

Meanwhile his nose kept feeding him more information. The storm was almost upon them. In a little less than ten minutes the leading edge of it would be on them. He could smell the rain and the wind and could tell it was going to be a bad one.

At the same time he could smell the beasts ahead of them. More scents had joined those he had identified and he was now sure there were at least seven of them. Because the wind had picked up and was now almost blowing directly at him he was almost certain this was the final number, but he had always been told to plan for the worst.

Red was walking towards him now and he waited for her. For once his wolf was calm, realizing that it would need her in the coming battle to survive. As she neared he smiled at her and gestured towards Sheffield.

"The storm will hit us in Ten minutes maybe less. It may have already hit Sheffield. I smell seven of the beasts now between us and the town, but there may be more. I was always told to plan for the worse, then you will not be surprised. If we run on the road we can make town before the storm truly hits us, or we need to find shelter now. Our only other choice is to go hunting and use the weather to our advantage. The breeze is coming from the Village so they will not smell us. However if it changes in this storm..." he let his words trail off.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

The curious side of her who wanted to inquire something from the wolf frowned and quickly fell, allowing her hunter instincts to take over. Seven wolves he says? Still, he was right: With this sort of thing, they should always assume the worst. Maybe there weren't seven wolves as what his nose can pick up; what if there were more?

Red adjusted her hold on her burlap, muttering something about how she needed to stop slacking off and began to head in the direction that would lead them to Sheffield. The young girl was starting to get in the way at the most inappropriate time.

"The storm will be good for us. Sheffield has enough for them to get distracted." She looked up at the clouds, hearing the thunder roar from a far distance before adding, "By the time we get there, the storm will already be happening."

Red glanced behind at the wolf. "Coming?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian watched Red walk away and shook his head. Females, would he ever get used to their ever changing moods? He was sure she had been going to ask him something important, but then she had gotten very cold and turned away, heading up the road towards Sheffield.

As she told him the storm would be good for them and then glanced back at him and inquired if he was coming with a half commanding tone he just shouldered his own sack and followed along behind.

He still tested the air as they made their way towards the town, and in minutes the breeze picked up and was soon blowing hard in their faces. The smell of the beasts ahead got stronger and he became more sure of the numbers. It was definitely seven, and they were between them and the town. They had been camped near the road, but they had moved almost half a mile away once the winds had picked up.

Stygian was sure they had a camp set up that was sheltered, or they were in a cave. However there was still one scent coming from near the road. Obviously they had posted a guard to inform them of anyone foolish enough to be out in this weather.

He explained the situation to Red and then arched a brow. "Your choice Red. It will be a simple matter to sneak past, or we could surprise their guard. What do you think?"