Crimson

[Lyssa_Marie]

Red stopped, watching the specks of dirt and leaves pick up with the ever building wind blow in their direction. The sounds of thunder were getting louder, a sign that they were approaching closer. The wolf prattled on about how there was at least one of the creatures standing guard in case outsiders were to intrude on their fun. So far, the wind showed no signs of shifting direction any time.

But she knew that they needed to act soon. Weather of this nature was unpredictable. Storm patterns were bound to change and betray them both on a whim.

Though her back was turned towards him, Red couldn't help but smirk at his question on how she wanted to pursue the last few miles before they were likely to run in to someone.

"Perhaps their guard could use a familiar distraction," she tucked her hair that landed on her face behind her ear. Sneaking past these creatures was tempting but not knowing how they were spread out, someone was bound to catch them.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stgian smiled at that and nodded. It was a good plan and one he could see working, after all no one ever suspected a woman capable of fighting. Of course the fact that he would be lying in wait as backup wouldn't harm their chances any either.

"Then I would suggest showing a little more cleavage, maybe rubbing a little dirt on your face, and hiding that," he said gesturing at her scythe, "A little better."

He thought about it and then smiled. "Perhaps you could tie your sack to it so it looks like a plain staff, at least from a distance. You can use a slip knot so as soon as he is close, one pull and it drops off and you can use it normally."

He gestured towards the thin trees scattered along the side of the road. "While you travel openly I will go stealthily. If you have any trouble I will be there. What do you think, a fair enough plan?"

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

It took a bit of Red's energy to not go off on the wolf for suggesting she portray a slutty wanderer. These were creatures, not humans committing crimes that are tried by the magistrate or the occasional mob crowd. Creatures are not as easily distracted as men when it comes to a woman showing off her assets. It wasn't an option for the female hunters in her group when she was younger and they turned out all right until the end. No one would suspect that a woman could actually fight. Why should she lower herself to that level.

Maybe it can work. The other half of her conscience spoke up.

EXCUSE ME?! Her hunter's instincts slowly boiled up.

I mean he is right. Women are usually seen as caretakers and baby makers who are expected to be nothing but sweet. Kind of like what that innkeeper said. Whatever is out there will not take you seriously the minute it lays its eyes on you. If he knew you were a hunter right away, he will warn his comrades. By the time the wolf shows up, who is to say we're not going to be dead by the time he reaches us.

I am not stooping myself to that level. Asshole is looking for any reason to see me naked before I get ambushed by him and all his friends.

If he wanted to kill us, he would have done it by now and left the body for the snakes to feast on.

She reached behind her and took her scythe from the sling that held it in place. She looked up at the blade that was well over her head. Her burlap sack might be able to cover most of the blade but she was worried that if she were to cover it, her parcel will be ripped open.

Fine. But the minute we're even attacked, I'm taking over, whether or not the wolf shows up.

The tension that built up with her hunter side took a side step as her human nature rose once more. She glanced behind the wolf for a moment before she began to adjust her corset and garments, enhancing her breasts by some exposure. She left her clothes alone as it still had that tear from the previous night.

"I need to borrow your sack. They wouldn't think much if I was a peasant."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian nodded to her and handed over his sack. Actually that made his job a whole lot easier as he would not be burdened with it. He had been going to carry it until he got close and then hide it in some bushes or something and retrieve it afterwards, but this way they wouldn't have to backtrack, risking getting caught.

He looked at her preparations and nodded in approval. Not only did she not look anything like the Hunter he knew she was, but she did indeed look like a plain peasant girl, and a good looking one at that. He was sure any guard, no matter what the species would not look twice at her, except with lustful intentions.

"A great disguise, but you also must remember to disguise how you walk." He smiled at her and shrugged. "Not many peasants walk like they own the road or walk with the confidence of a hunter. try slouching a bit and walk to the side of the road as if you expect to leap off it at any second to make way for a noble or a merchant," he suggested.

Stygian had a lot of practice at this. He had passed himself off as a beggar more times than he cared to remember.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

The hunter wasn't amused that she would have to walk with a stagger just to distract the creatures. Red didn't share her hunter's displeasure but even she wasn't sure if she could pull it off. The carefree days of passing off as an innocent bystander of childhood were long gone. Years of posture and contouring readied her to be in tip top shape on the chance that an attack will happen. Having to let her guard down and breaking the habits that have been instilled in her for so long will be a challenging one.

She opted to leave her scythe exposed as a plan and cover story formulated in her head. No sense of sharing a burlap with both of their belongings if she were to try to cover the blade. With both of their sacks together, she threw both of them over her shoulder.

"Here's hoping," Red said with a small smile.

Taking a few slow breaths, she began to make her way down the rest of the path through the forest. Her movements were focused, though casual, almost wandering. Red felt light droplets raining down on her but nothing to get her soaking wet just yet. She didn't see the wolf around her as she neared the clearing that would lead her out of the forest within fifteen minutes.

Indeed, the wolf had been right about a guard being planted near the border. No mistake that this was the creature the innkeeper described at Grimsby: a human looking body with the head of a dog. The hunter wanted to be let out just to have a chance to kill the creature in one fell swoop but Red hushed her. There will be a time for that later.

She didn't dare to look up at the creature when she approached his direction, keeping her gaze ahead. The town of Sheffield, if she remembered correctly, would not be for another several miles.

Just as she passed the creature's direction, Red heard a growl nearby. The creature that had been standing guard immediately rushed after her. His teeth were exposed, snarling at the unwelcome visitor.

Red stopped, looking up at the creature while anticipating his next move or if he were to say anything.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian had watched Red move away, her body stiff and uncomfortable in gait and then gradually settling into it's roll and her walk becoming smoother and more natural the further she walked. Smiling he nodded his head then slipped into the shadows of the sparse covering of the meager forest and began to follow her.

He was finally in his natural element again and he reveled in it. Even his other half was overjoyed and wanted to howl inside his head. He moved mainly on all fours, easily moving from shadow to shadow, making no sound and hardly leaving any trace of his presence.

Indeed he caught Red looking for him occasionally, but from her lack of focus on any one spot he was sure she had not detected him.

As they got closer to the clearing were he could smell the creature he moved ahead of her wanting to get a look at it and be in position before she arrived. He was hidden and watching the dog headed creature, taking a position behind where he was sure it would rush at Red. He had only to wait a few minutes for her to appear.

He was surprised when they creature immediately rushed her. He had expected it to at least call for her to halt or try to take her alive, but instead it had bared it's teeth and barreled right towards her. of course he had charged out straight after it, his sword at the ready only a few steps behind. He was ready to stop and stay silent if the thing paused and began to talk in any way, but if it continued it's attack, Red only had to survive the first swing and he would be there to run it through.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Though she noticed the guard catching a glimpse at her, Red tried to immerse herself in playing the part of a simple villager who was returning from her travels. All she needed to do was be at a good distance to shed the disguise of a commoner.

Evidently, the guard did not take being ignored too kindly as he went after her, stopping the young woman in her tracks.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked her.

Red blinked a few times, pretending to be at least curious. "I'm heading back to the village."

The guard caught a quick whiff of the girl's scent. "We've been here for nearly two weeks and none of us have ever seen the likes of you. What are you trying to sell?"


"I have a small farm," said Red. "I usually travel one week of the month to gather food, some oil and burning wood for my cooking. This weather has been terribly bad lately. Coming back here would have been dangerous."

"Uh huh," The guard reached his finger out and widened the rip on Red's dress, exposing a little more of the side wound that had not fully healed. He turned his attention to the unusually large scythe on her back. The smell of blood seemed to be coming from that direction, despite that the blade was wiped clean.

"Farmers don't normally carry weapons of that size now do they?" The guard yanked the scythe from the small of her back.

"Hey!" Red protested. "Well farmers don't often go searching for silkworms either. Only place you can find then is in that one path covered in nothing but vines and thorns."

The guard sniffed the blade of her scythe, then eyed her out. "Do you hunt much at all, dear?"

Stay calm, stay calm. She thought to herself. The hunter was pushing to get out. The guard was bound to find out her true identity and they needed to defend themselves now!

"Just a few wild rabbits. The fur is great for the winter. Plus, I need to eat too."

He took another sniff at her blade, then smirked at her. "Ever tried snake?"

"There are some poisonous ones out there, but no."

"What about the meat of the Yuxa?"

"Yuxa?"

Growling, the guard pressed the blade to Red's neck. A false move will likely have her neck ripped open.

"You're a hunter, aren't you? No commoner would have survived after meeting one of those."

Not too far away, she heard a different sets of growls growing ever louder.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian had pulled up short as the guard stopped Red and started to question her. Maybe she could talk her way out of this and they wouldn't have to kill the beast alerting the others.

He was rather surprised at how well the thing could talk. Despite being Dog headed the words that flowed from it's mouth were fully legible and the wolf inside of him growled in jealousy. Even Stygian was a bit jealous. If he could talk like that and even think like he did now in his wolf form it would be so much simpler.

Still as his questioning continued he realized Red was getting into trouble. It seemed the thing could smell the blood on her scythe and was only toying with her. She was going to die unless he did something.

Still he hesitated. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity? Let this thing do what he could not, then kill it and take her body, or maybe just her head back to his pack as proof that the deed had been done and finally regain his honor.

Even as the beast placed her own scythe against her neck he was growling in response to his own thoughts and had moved up behind the thing, plunging his blade through it's neck and grabbing it's arm so it's death throes would not accidentally cause it to slice her open.

He did not notice that his eyes were now a bright yellow, or that his teeth had become elongated and sharp. Looking at her he gruffly handed her the scythe and turned away, the voice of his other loud in his ears, urging him to kill her, not turn his back on her. he could hear nothing but that voice as he walked away from her towards where he had dropped his bag. If she wanted to kill him she could.

"We should go," he said gruffly. "Who knows if they change guards regularly but we should get to the village as soon as possible."

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

"I don't know what you're talking about," she responded, anticipating the many possibilities on what the guard was capable of doing.

Red felt a stinging pain on her neck before what felt like cool liquid dripped from her neck and on to the blade.

LET ME AT HIM! her hunter instincts yelled.

Red's human conscience could no longer hold back her fighting spirit. Her soft gaze were quick to harden. In anger, Red let the sacks slip from her grasp. She reached for her scythe, trying to push the blade away from her neck. Before she could give the guard a swift kick to his stomach, she watched as the dog's eyes widened. What were once words and occasional growls, turned in to gurgling noises as the guard fell forward.

As Red finally gathered her thoughts, she realized something a bit odd about the guard's situation. Her human side had been so focused on getting the part of a commoner accurate that she didn't take much notice on how intelligible the half dog's speech was.

Maybe there was more to the creature than she believed.

From the corner of her eye, she could see figures from a distance. Maybe it was her imagination playing with her. She watched the wolf typically walking off without bothering to wait for her.

She shrugged. He can do whatever he wants until her mentor can be located.

Red picked up her sack and scythe, ready to catch up with him when she could have sworn the growls grew much more audible.

And louder.

Just as Red slung her sack over her shoulder, she was tackled hard from the side. Her cheek hit the rock, inadvertently causing her to bite on her lip from the unexpected ambush. As the dog was ready to bring down its sharp claws straight for her, Red barely escaped the blow by rolling out of the way to grab hold of her scythe that fell from her grasp several feet from her.

She struggled to sit up when she saw the two creatures making their way towards her. The one that tackled Red earlier went straight for another attack when she brought her scythe up to block his attack. Though she may be strong, there was no doubt that the dog creature above her had an advantage in strength.

The dog's partner in crime bit her on her left shoulder a few times hoping to have her let go of her weapon. The dog decided to grab hold of her neck. All it wanted to do was have a vein be visible out of such features. Such a vicious attack on their now fallen comrade only demanded the most devastating punishment.

That fucking traitor. She thought about that wolf. As the hunter side of her suspected, the wolf set up a trap.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian was still arguing with his other when the howls finally broke through his mental argument. Already he was more than halfway across the clearing and turning around he saw that Red had been set upon by two other dog headed beasts, only these two had given in to their baser natures and were biting her in an effort to tear her limb from limb.

His anger increased and before he knew it his other was taking control as it burst forth in a rage. No one took it's prey from it, she was his to do away with.

Clothes were ripped to pieces as the large wolf bounded across the clearing, running full tilt into the beast trying to bite it's prey's throat out. It felt the things ribs crack as it sent it flying and it followed, quickly grabbing it by the neck and chomping down hard, succeeding where it had failed and ripping it's throat out.

Raising his head to the sky he howled out in triumph before remembering the other one and he turned to see if he was needed in finishing it off.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

All of a sudden, Red felt the weight of one of the creatures lifted as she saw another dark blur appear out of nowhere, knocking him off of her. The weight on her chest eased greatly, giving her arms a little more room to move. Or at least what her left shoulder was willing to give. The surprise attack caught the other dog creature off guard, distracting it enough.

The creature raised its head to see what the commotion was about. Out of instinct, it was about to make its way to help its fellow member of the pack when Red grabbed hold of its ankle, tripping the half dog before it left her side.

Angered, the half dog turned his attention back to Red, all the more ready to rip her apart.

With the scythe in her left hand, Red worked through the pain and sliced the dog's neck. A strange gurgling sound erupted from the half dog's throat. Blood oozed and bubbled from the opening slit before it collapsed face first beside her.

It took Red some time to finally catch a decent breath before she rolled over away from the dead creature. She used her staff to stab at the rocky ground to help her up. She looked to the other side where the other dog creature was taken, noticing that the wolf had emerged victorious. No surprise there.

Her anger rose again, this time knowing full well that the wolf had set her up to be killed. Dizzy from the betrayal, her mind swarmed with sound, though irrational thoughts. After all, these dog humans were likely distant relatives of those damn wolves.

I'm going to fucking kill him.

Don't, Her human side called out to her. Let me handle the wolf.

Have you lost your damn mind?! First you almost got us killed for not noticing something about the guard they had set up! Then you want to face the one that tried to kill us twice? Maybe the human side of his will show some mercy because he's an idiot but not the one in front of us. He turned his back on you. He betrayed you! He was already almost out of the clearing when we got attacked! If he had been in Sheffield, we would be dead by the time he showed. We don't need the wolf to find him! She argued, referring the last part on locating her mentor.

The way you're acting now, there will be three bodies lying here. You don't have to like the wolf but he seems to have an idea where the Hunter disappeared off too. That's the only reason we need him.

Really? Keep telling yourself that. And you keep saying that until we find the Hunter and he starts asking why would you seek the help of your killer.

Her hunter persona faded in to the background, allowing the soft spoken woman side of her to emerge. She staggered a bit as she made her way towards the creature, still bruised and bloody on her shoulder and lip. She looked at him with some curiosity, allowing the memories of that night as a child to hit her. The fear of the wolf still lingered as he remained as she remembered, him towering over her.

She couldn't quite reach for his face without having to stand on a small tree stump. With her good hand, her fingers reached for the side of his neck and stroked it lightly, massaging it as she would if it were a regular dog, carefully flicking off the small rocks and twigs that were caught on his neck.

"Thank you." Red paused for a split second as she flicked the last bits of pebbles from his shoulder and neck before adding in a whisper. "I'm glad you're okay."

She managed to say before she stepped away from the wolf. Even if she trusted the man behind the creature, she had to admit that her hunter instincts made a good point.

The wolf side can be quite unpredictable.

Still, the hunter had the best intentions: Red still needed to be careful around the creature. Whether or not she and the wolf will have to fight each other in the end, she had to learn how to stop being wrought with fear of the one who tried to murder her.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

The wolf had to fight it's natural instincts to attack it's prey as she moved towards him. He was more than surprised when she stood on a tree stump beside him and began to stroke his neck. His puzzlement was so great that he stood stock still as she began to massage him like a dog and then pull out the twigs and rocks that had gotten stuck in his fur.

He was about to growl and warn her off when she looked into his eyes and thanked him. She, The girl who he had tried to kill as a little girl, actually thanked him. Then even more amazing she actually told him she was glad he was okay.

It shocked him so much he actually licked the woman's hand and then shook his head and walked away going to where he had left his pack and let his human side back.

"She is a strange one. We still need to kill her but for now I can tolerate her. Feel free to call on me and I will control myself around her as long as she does the same."

Stygian dressed himself and walked back out and towards Red again. He wondered just what had happened while his wolf had been out. He had flashes, but he never knew exactly what transpired while he was like that. However looking at the clearing and the ravaged body of one Dog headed man, he knew at least one of them had been killed by the wolf.

Looking at Red he gestured down the road towards the Village. "We should hurry before more arrive."

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

If the wolf was surprised that his prey dared to go up to him and treat him with such obliviousness, Red was equally surprised that the wolf licked her hand without chomping on it. After all, it's in the wolf's nature.

As she picked up her pack, she watched the wolf shift back to the human she had come to know. Before she could say anything, the wolf walked past her, saying something about how they needed to head for the village before others like the half dogs popped up.

Don't even think about it, her hunter conscience called out to her. First off, what was that just now?

Red didn't respond to her nagging thoughts as she followed the wolf, walking a little faster to keep up with him.

You of all things would flirt with that damn creature? Her hunter instincts got angry. They both betrayed you and would have been more than happy to leave you there to rot! You wasted an opportunity to have a mini family reunion lying dead on the ground. Why do you still need them?

Red put the scythe on her back, letting out a barely audible groan. She kept forgetting about her injured shoulder. Her tongue could still taste the blood from her cut lip. As long as the wolf did not notice her injuries, then she can focus on what she needed to do while her hunter side criticized her for slacking off.

Three down, hopefully four more to go.

It took them nearly an hour until the village was in sight. The rain had just started pouring down hard on them. The few that were outside were wary of Red and the wolf's presence, pointing and whispering at them. Through the rain drops, she spotted some of the huts and homes torn.

"How bad has it gotten?" she wondered out loud.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian had kept ahead of her all the way to the village. He had expected to feel the scythe plunge into his back at any moment and was actually surprised when he made it to the village alive but he needed to be away from her and the stench of blood so he could search for the other beasts.

She probably thought he had forgotten about her injuries or did not know she had them, but she was mistaken. How could he not know. Did she think that a person who could smell a person from almost a mile away could not smell the blood of an injured companion a mere five paces away? He could hear her groans every time the handle of her scythe bumped or rubbed on her wounds or she accidentally licked at her cut lip. Still he knew she was trying not to show it so he kept quiet. Once they were safe though he would make sure they were tended to. Who knew what those mutts had been eating. Those bites needed to be cleaned and bandaged immediately.

As they came in sight of the Village he was appalled at the state of it. It was obvious they were being raided. Some of the huts and homes were torn up and he could see old scorch marks. Those beasts however were smarter than he gave them credit for. They had left enough to keep working the land and earn money. They would probably raid them once a season and get what they needed, leaving just enough for the village to survive. A very good plan as long as nobody found out.

At Red's question he looked back and answered. "Very bad, but once you are well we can fix that. Let's get you to the inn where I can tend to your wounds."

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

With each step Red took following the wolf, the hunter side of her screamed in her head how the wolf betrayed them both and how Red needed to kill him before they were not going to be so lucky the next time. His back was turned to her, rarely looking back at the young woman following from behind.

Come on! It's a perfect opportunity! You just jam the blade deep in his spine like all the other creatures you've killed in the past.

It took a lot of Red's mental energy to not reach for her scythe and slice him up.

Red watched the villagers scatter to escape the pouring rain.

I don't need you to take care of me! Red's hunter side wanted to yell at him. If she kept allowing the wolf to treat her wounds, she would be too reliant on him every time she got banged up. As they were venturing, Red tried to keep her mutters of pain to herself as the handle of her scythe brushed up against her wounded shoulder.

With all the homes and huts tarnished by the creatures, it wasn't easy to distinguish an actual home and an inn.

"You don't need to do that for me." Red coughed in her hand. Pulling it away, she was startled to see her blood mixed in with her spit. Immediately, she wiped the blood on her cloak, not wanting to give the wolf any more reason to be concerned. Or for the wolf to attack her at the scent of blood so very close and within reach.

It took some time until they found an inn. The wooden sign was torn, leaving the I hanging.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian knew how hard she was trying to hide her injuries from him, but she was getting worse, much worse. If they couldn't find an inn soon he was going to seek shelter in a barn or someones house.

However just as he was about to give up he saw a larger than normal structure and headed towards it. Above the door was a half battered sign with enough writing on it to identify it as the Inn. Praising the gods, he led Red inside, having to push hard at the door and as hard again to close it.

Inside a meager fire was burning in the fireplace, and what he supposed was the innkeeper was nervously wiping a tankard behind the bar. No one was in the small, but cozy common room, a very unusual sight for a small village.

"Two ales and whatever food you have available," he called out to the man. "We will also need a room." He knew Red would probably complain but he would not leave her side tonight. Her wounds would need treating and she would need seeing to.

Even as the man jumped at his harsh voice he led her to the nearest chair to the fire and helped her into it. Looking into her eyes he reached for her collar. "Let me see oh mighty hunter. I know you are injured and from the sounds of things, it is not lightly. You are not going to be able to tend to it alone."

He pulled it down and hissed at the sight of the wounds. The dogs fangs had done some serious damage. Her shoulder and neck had several puncture wounds from it's teeth and some flesh had been ripped off. Luckily thee neck had not been savaged too much, but it would need cleaning, a salve put on and she would need rest.

"You need food, those wounds cleaned, dressed and sleep. You can accept my help or try to do it yourself. Do it yourself and you risk the wounds festering and you dying," he told her matter of factly. "I leave the decision to you."

With that he sat down opposite her and waited for her to make up her mind.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Even the wolf's harsh voice was not enough for Red to stir and be her usual self. As soon as they entered the inn, she felt the wolf practically drag her in to the common area of the empty inn. She managed to catch a glimpse of the nervous, lone innkeeper at the other side of the counter.

"If you want," she heard the innkeeper speak to the wolf. "I know a nurse around here who can..."

The innkeeper's voice was quick to fade as the wolf's glare intimidated him to get moving. Soon enough, the wolf's attention returned to Red's, grabbing her by the collar almost to the point of yanking her towards him.

"Let me see oh mighty hunter." she heard the wolf say.

Normally, even in a tired and injured state would that remark set her hunter side off with another snippy comeback. Yet for whatever reason, the half dogs did more of a number than she anticipated. Aside from the traces of blood and a small open wound she managed to spot, Red did not realize the extent of her shoulder injury until the wolf described it in intricate detail. It'll be annoying and a pain but Red will simply have to make do with the help she could get.

"Do it yourself and you risk the wounds festering and you dying,"

The last part confused Red though the hunter was riled up, ready to tell him off. Dying? Why would he be concerned? Isn't her death what he wanted in the first place?

Red didn't say much, nor asked if the wolf could help her take care of her injuries. Just as the small tray of food, a jug, and two glasses of ale arrived beside them, Red leaned in and fell forward, her body leaning up against him. The most she did was mouthed the words "Why" as her head nuzzled weakly against his touch.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

As Red fell against him Stygian looked at the innkeeper. There must have been something in his eyes, for the man meekly picked up the tray, walked in front of him up the stairs and opened the door on a large room.

Stygian had meanwhile picked up Red and their gear easily and followed him. He motioned for the man to put the food on the dresser and then handed him a silver piece.

"We will be staying at least a week. I believe this will cover the room and all meals, plus firewood."

He then shooed the man out as he was promising to get his boy to bring more wood up. He kicked the door closed and then laid Red on the bed before starting a fire. No use trying to do this in a cold room.

He retrieved one of the mugs of ale and then got out some bandages and his small sewing kit. Luckily she had lapsed into an uneasy sleep. He slipped her top off and hissed at the sight. Cleaning the wounds with the ale he smiled a little. Well they looked better now, but he was going to have to sew a few up.

Carefully he gently closed the largest of the holes and then bandaged her up before covering her in the warm furs. Later she might wake up enough to eat. He put her dinner near the fire to stay warm while he ate his own. He was surprised to find it tasty and the ale full bodied. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad here after all.

Pulling up a chair he sat by the fire and watched and waited for Red to wake up.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Off and on, Red took little naps to keep her body rested without falling apart. She wasn't deep in to her sleep when the wolf cleaned her wound with some of the ale. Her fingers held a tight grip on the bedsheets as he moved on to sew up the bigger wounds. Normally her flinches were kept to a minimum, having been used to such pain over the years of fighting and training. Her only thought was that the wounds were much deeper than she anticipated.

As the wolf placed another layer of the fur blanket over her, Red closed her eyes and fell asleep. The last thing she saw was the wolf sitting not far away from the bed and staring in to the fire. Sleeping on her back was uncomfortable when her wounds brushed up against the bed sheet, forcing her to sleep on her right side or on her stomach.

Red wouldn't wake for the next two hours. By then, the blanket had covered her entire body. She opened her eyes a sliver, finding herself covered in darkness. She didn't move nor made much of a sound, not knowing if the wolf was still there. Her fingers lightly scratched at the bed sheet as she found herself lost in thought of the incidents in the last several hours regarding the innkeeper back at Grimsby and of the attack by the half dogs, knowing that there were more out there.

She frowned at the extent of her injuries. Her hunter conscience criticized her for slacking off, allowing her human side to take control of a situation where they were at the most vulnerable. And the wolf...the wolf who the hunter was so sure intended to leave her to die.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He had watched her fall slowly asleep and then fitfully doze on and off, tossing and turning, until she found a position she could comfortably sleep in. Finally she settled down and her body went into a deep sleep.

He got up and adjusted the blanket and fur's, covering her fully again and then returning to his chair. Adding another few logs to the fire, he got comfortable and after making sure she was still sleeping he began to doze himself.

He was awoken by the difference in her breathing. His eyes opened and he looked over at her. She wasn't moving, but from the sounds of things she was no longer sleeping. Well two could play at that game.

With the fire behind him, his whole front would be in shadow, making it very hard to spot if his eyes were open or not, while hers would sparkle in the light, but a Hunter's eyesight was extraordinary so he didn't want to take any chances. Closing his eyes until they were only narrow slits, he used his nose and ears to tell him what was going on and waited for her to make the next move.

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

Red continued to lie under the covers, finding the still quietness and dark comforting for the time being. It gave her a chance to think and ponder on things without any other visual stimuli or distraction from the wolf. For a while, both her human and hunter conscience argued over the events of the last few days.

The hunter pointed out that she had been more susceptible to injuries as of late, pointing out the slowly healing wound on her side and the deep scratches on her left shoulder. Though it was true that Red was more prone to injuries compared to the wolf, the hunter side of her rubbed in that the story behind her wounds, particularly the fresh one on her shoulder, were those that could have been easily avoided. Had she been in her constant hunter mind, those scratches would not have run as deep. The voice of the hunter continued to criticize Red, asking her how would her fellow mentor and former comrades will see her as her human side continued to get closer to the wolf in a damning way.

"You're losing your focus," the hunter conscience called out to her. "Either we're going to die from the next creature or we're being stringed by the wolf so he can kill us when you're no longer focused to your duty. Believe me, that's what he's planning. Why else did he leave us to die back there? Fine by me if he wants the hunter half to get killed. But you...both sides of him want you dead. That's why they would rather have you instead of me in control."

Red squeezed the sheets much tighter, wishing that the hunter side would quiet down. Having that part of her point out how much she screwed up in the last several hours was bad enough. But the innkeeper's words came back to haunt her again. How Red may very well be human in name only as her purpose is to kill for the sake of human stability.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the faint sounds of movement not far from her. It was hard to see through the fur blankets. Red was only able to make out the silhouette of the wolf from the fireplace's burning dim glow. While her sense of smell, sight, and hearing were not as fine tuned as the wolf's, her sense of hearing and feeling another person's presence nearby were above normal for the average human due to the years of training by others. She couldn't tell if the wolf was sleeping or awake. The moment he dares to cross the line, her hunter persona will not hesitate to emerge from the covers, grab her weapon, and kill him out of spite.

So far, the only thing she can tell is that she felt him close by. What he was planning or actually doing beyond being a moving shadow is not something she could tell under the covers.

"Where are you?" she called out softly to him.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Stygian debated about answering her for a second, but then decided to be honest with her. After all it could not be easy for her, just as it was not easy for him, so why make it worse.

"I am at the foot of the bed, in front of the fire. I have been dozing on and off keeping an eye on you to make sure you did not damage your stitches and that your wound did not go bad. It seems that neither has happened. Your Hunter training I guess. It has provided you a very healthy body as well as a dangerous one," he chuckled.

He gestured beside her although he was not sure if she saw it so he made sure to tell her as well. "Your scythe is beside you if you are wondering. I won't approach you unless it is to tend your wound and I will warn you when I am going to. You need to stay in bed for the next day at least and if possible for the next couple of days, but knowing you I doubt you will lay still that long."

Sitting up he looked at her and his eyes glowed a little yellow as he took advantage of his nature to see better in the darkened room. "I know what you think of me Red, I am can guess what the other half of you thinks of me." He laughed a bit at her change in expression. "What you didn't think I could tell. Me! a person who lives with a thing locked up inside of him longing to be out every second of every day. Yes I know what that is like, but I will make you this promise. You two do us no harm while we search for your mentor and we will do the same. You did something I never thought possible Red, you impressed my Wolf, so it is your choice."

Stygian got up and headed for the door before looking over his shoulder. "Of course make a move against us and all bets are off and as much as I like you I will take your head back to my pack, or you will kill me. Either way you loose because by yourself you won't be able to free your master."

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

The silhouette of the wolf continued to move about. One minute he would be on her left, the next minute on her right. When his footsteps sounded off at the distance, Red peeked out of the covers just in time to see the wolf nearing the door. She managed to catch a glimpse of the wolf's eyes glowing a faint yellow.

Her hunter instincts instantly tried to claw her way out and be in control. It didn't matter if the wolf was willing to restrain both sides of his persona so long as she didn't make any attempts to kill him. It will not be long until the wolf revert back to it's true nature.

Strange, she found herself frowning when she assumed he was heading out the door.

"So what do I think of you?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

"So what do I think of you?"

A simple question for her to ask, but filled with so much history and twists, it was very hard to answer simply.

"I imagine that every second of every day, you are fighting with yourself wondering why you don't kill me. You think it would be so easy just to take that Scythe of yours, plunge it into my back, or even fight me fairly, and kill me and end this nonsense of working together."

Stygian grinned at her as he walked back to his chair and sat down. "Am I hitting anywhere near the target Red?" Chuckling he looked at her face and continued. "Those are the same thoughts I have had, or should I say my other side has had. It wants to kill you, take your head back to the pack so we can regain our honor and finally take our rightful place as a wolf."

Sitting forward he then looked intently at her. "However I bet you are having other thoughts, thoughts you have never had before. About trusting another person, about being with them and not just traveling with them, but being with them in bed. About love, about lust and a whole lot of other things."

He watched her silently for a minute and then sat back. "I think I know what you are thinking because I am thinking the exact same things, and like it or not Red, we are more alike than we wish to be."

Sighing he looked at her. "So...How did I do? Was I right or wrong?"

 

[Lyssa_Marie]

The wolf turned about face and returned back to the room. Red switched sides, closing one side of the cover and peeking out of the other as the wolf sat on the chair beside her. She remained shrouded underneath the covers while the wolf calmly spoke.

We are not alike! her hunter side screamed inside Red's head, wishing her mind would make the mistake of letting her free and admonish the wolf. We are never fucking alike!.

Her scythe was off to her side, well within her sight. Her hunter instincts was dying to get her hands on the weapon and put an end to the wolf's nonsense once and for all. It was the wolf's fault that she was almost killed back there, so says her hunter nature. There was really no other possibility.

The thunder and lightning came and gone on its own well while the rain pounded hard on the rooftop.

"So...How did I do? Was I right or wrong?"

Red stayed silent for some time as she thought carefully on how to respond. With her good arm, she pushed the covers off and watched the wolf intently. She made an attempt to drag herself towards the wolf but stopped when she was close to the edge of the bed.The same frown pushed from her lips before she turned her head away to rest on the pillow.

"You told me it is possible to become a woman and a hunter at the same time. But the one you prefer to travel and sleep with is more vulnerable and not as focused as the other side."

She pointed out to the still fresh wound on her shoulder. "That usually doesn't happen often. At least not as deep and especially not by those sort of creatures. My mentor would likely be pissed if he knew how I got it."

Red turned her head up so her eyes met the wolf. Her voice softened when she spoke.

"I want to feel the same way. But what happens if we have to...well...you know?"