“Amme, Amme! Look Amme!”
Excitable squeals were heard before small bright face was seen, wide
blue eyed cherub of an elfin looking boy appearing before waking eyes.
Blaze sat up and rubbed over her face, smoothing back her hair “What is
it Gaelin? Have we arrived?!” she chuckled as pulled herself up to stand
from the small cabin bed and allowed her small son to lead her by the
hand towards the porthole. She drew alongside Alastair who held an
equally bright eyed child against his hip, long lashed Celeste with her
face near pressed against the glass. She allowed the child to clamber up
into her arms to join his twin sister in gazing out at the bustling
human port. Blaze smiled with a sigh as glanced sidelong at her husband
“So glad to see this same view for good reason this time around” she
spoke and kissed against the back of her son’s curly haired head, arm
slipping around Alastair’s waist as all four of them looked upon the
final destination of their ship.
Alastair stepped away from the window as the ship started to pull in
closer, ready to toss down anchor and extend the wooden walk way down
from the ship to the docks. He unhooked his daughter’s small hand from
some curtains hanging in the way to head toward the outer deck. "Yes it
is nice for a change" he agreed with a chuckle "I’m sure Ackley and
Calora will be pleased to see Ele's little sister and brother, spoil
them to no doubt. Mostly I’m looking forward to sitting outside on the
porch and watching them play while I recline with tea" he smirked.
He led his family out to the deck, as usual passengers and cargo was
being made ready to exit the ship by plank, rope and pulley. Alastair
made sure to stand well out of the way, pulling his hood up and held his
daughter close to his chest.
"Now don't run too far, stay close" came a mothers warning, spoken
with a smile as playful screams and laughter echoed through the woods.
Bluebells flourished in a carpet of lilac between the trees, a few
crushed underfoot by carefree little legs that went chasing back and
forth. "I do hope Ele is already there" Blaze mused as she walked hand
in hand with her husband, watching over the twin’s game of tag as they
followed the forest path.
"Seems forever since we last saw her, I do...hope..." she trailed off
catching scent of something...faint burning on the air. Lips pursed and
she squeezed Alastair's hand a little tighter but let small fleeting
feeling of unease drift away as gurgling children's laughter distracted
her at once.
He nodded in agreement, though he raised a brow at her as she stopped
mid sentence, wondering what caught her interest. "Gaelin, Celeste" he
called, an instinctive reaction. Gaelin was close enough to be scooped
back into his arms with a quick stride forward. Their daughter made her
way back as well and Alastair hefted her up as well, one child balanced
to each hip. "What is it?" he asked as he too lifted his chin up and
scented the air, he had noticed a burning but he hadn't put it past much
else when farmer’s stoves and fire places going.
Blaze felt unease swell in her, fleeting adrenaline of panic until
he'd gathered children back safe to him. "I'm not sure...just...a
feeling." She led the way given he carried the twins who seemed to know
to keep quiet as she ventured on, cautiously. The forest path swerved to
a sharp turn where the tree canopy suddenly cleared overhead. She
paused again "Alastair..." whispered sharply, blue gaze directed
upwards, for there in the sky could be seen the clear coil of smoke in
the distance, rising up from the farmhouse they were headed too.
Alastair narrowed his eyes at the sight not far before them, he
passed Gaelin to Blaze and walked a bit further, stepping into a quick
jog to get a glimpse around some of the bushier trees along the edge of
the road. More plumes of smoke were rising up in straight columns in the
distance further back spotted though patched of rolling friends and
forest. "Those are not from fireplaces" he stated sharply and with grave
concern. He looked back and forth surveying their immediate
surroundings and where they had come, unsure what was going down but it
was clear whatever was rampaging hadn't yet made it to the small
fishing town though no doubt would be there soon. He then handed his
daughter to Blaze to hold as he had been previously tending both
children.
"Get into the forest Eleni, I am going to sneak ahead to Ackley and
Calora's..." he kissed her cheek but then was rushing forward, tossing
armour to the ground, running as fast as he could. He shrugged from his
shirt as he bound through a nearby wheat field, kicking boots away,
unclasping belt, unbuttoning his pants.. near naked ashen gray elf
running with unworldly speed before he lunged forward just as the wolf
within burst from his skin growing three times his size at least,
midnight fur dancing with each mighty bound he vanished quickly from
sight.
Blaze clasped the children tight to her, could feel their little
hearts pounding against her as if picking up on their parents unease.
She paused only to see him turn and break into a run before she stepped
backwards and turned, veering off the pathway and into the trees
backtracking at a quickening pace though with the baggage of two
children now past their years as babes she moved far slower than she'd
have wished.
Ducking under branches and sidestepping tangled tree roots in small
leaps on deft feet she did not stop for a good five or six minutes.
Reaching a particularly knarled trunk she set the children down on their
feet coaxing them back into the hollow it created. Gaelin reached for
his sister’s hand as Blaze held finger to her lips, standing and
shielding them from view as wild blue eyes peering towards the trees as
if she would spot danger behind every one.
Nearby the sound of twig breaking underfoot had her head snap to its
direction, low unavoidable growl stirring in her throat, arms pressing
back against the twins to keep them safe as she readied herself for
anything that may come. Celeste let out a soft frightened squeal and
began to whisper for her mother. And it was in the instant as Blaze
turned just for a second to beg her for quiet that the arrow hit sending
birds scattering to her cry clear across the forest, cry that told not
only of pain but of warning.
Alastair rushed through the field, barrelling through wheat the dark
lycan made large strides, deep chest allowed for massive lungs to push
him forward with speed and stealth. The house was in sight, he could
smell the smoke as it came down wind making him cough and place his nose
lower to the ground as he neared at a running pace. He could hear no
screaming, no sounds of struggle inside, just the sound of roaring
flames and crackling beams, shifting supports as the house would soon
start to crumble on its foundation.
He rounded on all fours through the back door of the farm house claw
scraping on the wooden floor. He snorted and tried to peer through the
flames searching for anyone trapped, Ele his daughter, her foster
parents Ackley or Calora. But he found neither. Drawers were pulled out
of the kitchen counter and upstairs bedroom dressers, the place looked
ransacked, clearly someone had quickly rummaged.
Ash and soot collected in his already black fur, the air getting to
thick with smoke. He rushed back down to the living room area where one
of the windows had already blown out. He would have kept going but
movement outside in the distance caught his eye. With waves of heat
rushing past he tried to bare it a few second to make them out. Dark
skinned creatures, average height but slim build. Some were cloaked but
then few more joined, gathering together not far down the road from him.
A few he could see held the unmistakable contrast of snow white hair.
Drow.
This was a drow raid? They must have been making their way into
the village pillaging what they could take. No bodies meant they were
taking slaves with their riches. He felt another adrenalin rush, old
feelings and hates swelling deep within but primarily his concern and
thoughts went to his family. He jumped through another already bust open
window and heard Blaze’s scream echo out over the landscape. The worst
came to mind as he raced back.
Back amidst the trees the silvery white lycan had burst from already
heated skin in an instant. Slender frame contorting and twisting,
seeming to peel back to reveal within a mere second a towering muscular
beast that rose above the surrounding cloaked figures...figures that
were drawing close to form a net about mother and children. The arrow
that had struck deep to bone was wrenched free with the shift though the
dull pain and bleeding lingered. Piercing blue eyes that glittered with
aggressive intent glared over those that clearly meant harm. Against
the muffled cries of her son and daughter whom were pushed back, hidden
behind their mothers fur did a low warning snarl of defiance echo
through bared teeth echoing about the trees.
With sweeping glance and perked ears did she surmise quickly there
were six, perhaps seven hooded attackers, drow it seemed for their scent
carried heavy and foul on the air. Glint of silver sparkled against the
half light that crept through the tree’s canopy overhead, faint swish
of feathered ruffling as dark skinned fingers swept through arrow fletch
and the sound of coiled rope being twisted and tightened within one’s
grip told of the intent.
Her chest heaved with fury, claws scrapping threateningly against the
ground though she would not move, would not uncover her children to
them. She knew what drow did with children and the very thought of it
filled her with hatred and disgust. Blood trickled down her chest
staining shimmering fur yet she seemed to pay no heed, the discomfort
nothing to the aggression and fear she felt churning inside of her.
She’d always hated drow and inwardly was most intimidated of their
capabilities...ever since the underdark. “Stay back!” she growled in her
thick heavy lycan speech, leaning weight forward with a heavy step
though still looming tall over them all. Perhaps they may not understand
the exact words but the warning was all too clear.
One of the hooded figures boldly stepped forward and she caught the
wisps of white hair framing her face not quite yet tucked back. A
female. Between her fingers was a rope which she coiled about her wrist
then yanked hard to have it snap taught between her hands threateningly.
Foul, ugly sounding tones hissed off her lips as she too spoke in her
mother tongue though it was obvious to Blaze the subject were her two
terrified children. She growled all the more menacingly, leaning back
now ready to pounce and maim any that dared to try and take them.
The gathered drow began to approach closer, whether brave or
foolish they drew in, closing the net. Blaze’s fur bristled as her lycan
eyes narrowed sharply her head turning at an angle regarding the
approaching drow sidelong whilst trying to keep sharp eye upon the rest
knowing their likely tactic; lure her to attack with one whilst the
others would make grab for her children. Further underdark hissing
syllables whispered like creeping spiders into the air, goading in tone,
manipulative, testing. Gums vibrated with her growl, gruff heavy
breaths sending trail of mist from flaring nostrils.
A twig snapped overhead causing her head to lift, ears pivoting
wildly as dark shape dropped from the branches above. The female drow
made her move, stepping in with glint of blade appeared from nowhere.
But the Lycan was too quick. With one muscular arm she grasped the air,
supernatural strength snatching the lithe drow before his feet hit the
ground, rolling him towards her as elongated black claws tore down his
back only to then send him flinging away toward the female, tumbling
into her with such ferocity she was knocked clean off her feet, blade
spinning away through the air.
Instinct took over, snarling silvery beast lunging forward like a
massive coiled spring, jaws parting revealing gleaming rows of teeth and
fang that clamped down upon bitter tasting drow flesh, fabric shredded
away as if made of rice paper. Vice like grip sunk down deep,
distinctive gruesome sound of bone crunching against enormous molars
accompanied by her victims shriek of pain that almost tore the eardrums
and the shouts and hissed threats from the others poised to attack
though seemed understandably wary even if the lycan was still vastly
outnumbered. Blaze shook her head aggressively, shaking her prey like a
rag doll, flesh and sinew torn and gaping then ground the squealing male
into the ground, leaning all weight down as the crowd looked on, not
one approached yet to aid him. Only when satisfied he would never
recover did she draw bloodied maw away, eyes glinting momentarily as
gazed over the shredded mess left behind. In his own macabre way,
Alastair would have been proud.
Back at the road, Alastair had finally reached the tree line, leaping
over the winding dirt path he burst through into the thick foliage
following scent of blood, he could already smell Blazes and another
laced together hanging thickly in the air about the tree trunks and
forest brush. His heart pounded faster, more for shier worry then rage,
though his blood boiled hot, enough the massive black beast pressed
forward, maw open and panting. Broad paws turned up the forest soil with
the force of each muscled stride.
Blaze and the drow heard the sound of misplaced bushes and foliage as
Alastair closed the distance, not as loud and crashing as one might
think from a beast his size but not caring so much about stealth and
just wishing to reach his family he paid little mind to the foliage he
ran into. Blazes white form was the first thing he saw though the shade
as she stood out in stark contrast, he could see the crimson stain in
her fur then the bloody gory mess all over her muzzle. With a roar he
ran directly at her side, somehow instinctively he knew the children
were behind her pressed to the tree. He took a stance beside his white
wolfess also blocking in the children though wild silver blue eyes
glared with a raw and venomous vitality at the surrounding drow who all
seemed to take a visible step back at the arrival of a second.
The drow only faltered in resolve a moment though. In the blink of an
eye their mind would go from questioning to greed; what sort of drow
would give up opportunity for such a prize? Two lycan and their cubs, of
which most likely they hardly expected to find. They strengthened the
circle. Alastair recognized the tactic, felt the need to lunge now
before they could regroup from losing one of their companions, now
mauled and mutilated, seeping its blasphemous blood into the forest
floor.
He lunged at the closest one to make a move. Like a snake maw opened
wide showed rows of white teeth only for a split second until it
connected with the drow’s arm. Crushing pressure and a quick yank from
his muscled neck would tear the limb from his body. Rage blinded him
from the truth, a worthy sacrifice for the team for such a prize. While
Alastair busied himself taking the drows life another prepared fine
darts into a narrow hollow cylinder. The females hood fell back, her
long hair cascading over her shoulders as she stuffed the weapon full.
Alastair turned, looming up tall to redirect the assault but the shrill
screams of his terrified toddlers came as one tried to slip past Blaze
during the distraction.
Crafty spider worshipers though seemed to have met their match used
the obvious distraction. Alastair turned to the sound, his children were
his priority and their fear rang loud and clear in his mind. A new
adrenaline surge rushed through him but before he was able to grab at
another assaulter, he felt his shoulder hit three times like a bee sting
but it was whatever potent substance laced to their tips that made him
fall. It invaded the pulsing blood stream, vision blurred quickly and
his body seized up. He crashed hard to the floor, muzzle falling to rest
on the edge of the drows boot, the one whom had tried to grab at his
child.
Blaze roared her despair to see her mate fall, her own bristling body
leaping towards the escaped child also. Trying to turn in mid air she
landed with a thud that made the ground shake an ear splitting whine
sounded from deep in her throat. Ears perked back, taut like shark fins
and her head turned to the female that had downed him, wild eyes
narrowing and snarling with deep set hatred and rage, emotion boiling
over and with fur flying she pushed off the bloodstained grass and
barrelled into her as she tried to sidestep, familiar sound of whizzing
darts sounding again.
It ended in slow motion, darts finding their target though barely
felt; each frame moving before her eyes like a dream shrouded in a vast
mist that clouded in from the edges. Her heavy bulk slammed down atop
the female, breaking her spine, an almost merciful death compared to
what could have been. Tormented frightened cries of her babies rang
agonisingly in the breeze, failing eyes seeing their small forms
running, running where she could no longer reach them. Her head lolled
to the grass, shaken drow moving back in like leeches to take the
spoils. Her heart cried with despair to fail in her responsibility but
with only moments to endure it as eyes flickered then closed for good.
