laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

A drastic change in the temperature drew Kailee's attention immediately to the death that enshrouded the Dender Swamp as they entered. The narrow path that had been traveled as this route was the only safe one between Fort William and the Midlands which included a long line of baronies that straddled the only link the Davos Kingdom had overland to its parent Empire to the northwest. Still in sight, the Black Mountains loomed high in the distance - when they had a clear view.
All sounds of nature were drowned by the eerie fog that drifted amidst the forest. Long, grey moss hung low from limbs that reached out over their path and Kailee wondered how long it would be before they slapped down on top of their wagon and steads. The banter between the group also hushed to low tones during their journey to a small, palisade guarded compound of two long buildings that faced one another atop one of the few islands. Barking of two bloodhounds greeted them as Alister and Kasar led towards the stables and drew her attention to their owner, an older man in simple off-white tunic and brown pants stuffed into the tops of tall, well worn boots. His stern, leathery face bordered between angry snarl and broad smile.

"Is this it," he asked, glancing down the road they had just traversed.

"Yes," Lericanin assured as Kailee opened the rear door and hopped out, sending both dogs behind the legs of their owner, whimpering.

"What's wrong with you two," their host asked, petting them on the head, then looked up to the three females approaching the front door to the inn. His deep brown eyes narrowed as Kailee stopped. She could feel the wash over herself and knew immediately what he was doing, just not exactly what he was looking for.

He relaxed a bit, "Okay. I guess I can let you kids stay here tonight," he stated, still studying her.

Tia chuckled, "We appreciate that. How much?"

He motioned into the two story, wood frame building. "Ask Henry, he takes care of that part of the business. You have any problems on the road?"

"No. Why?" Lericanin queried.

His yellowing teeth smiled. "We don't live in this forest alone," he began as he headed to the gate and pulled the large doors closed. "There's werewolves that inhabit the area. Been harrassing caravans for years, then drift back into the swamp to hit the next unsuspecting group. I'm surprised that you didn't meet any, although they don't attack everyone."

Lericanin fingered his hammer hanging on his belt. "Any idea where they live?"

"If I knew that, I'd have gotten rid of them a long time ago, son," he explained as he lifted a long, wooden bar and placed it into the sockets across the entrance. "Where you from?"

"My friend's family lives on a farm south of Carbost," he informed of Alister's parents and brother.

"Name's Elias Dender. My father settled this area fifty years ago when it was a forest and not this mess we've got now. I grew up learning the new animals that have settled here, the poisonous ones have kept me busy. The lycanthropes showed up about eight years ago and have been giving me more grey hairs ever since."

"Why do you stay?" Kailee finally piped up.

"This is my home. If no one is here to greet travelers at this halfway point, then who will?"

She nodded, then started to head inside.

"Kailee," Lericanin called. "Perhaps you can help us keep an eye out tonight."

"Sure."

After the group ate dinner cooked by Henry and his teenage son, Alex, they began making preparations. Kailee went upstairs to the room given to she and Tia. During the daylight venture to the weighstation, she had been feeling strange. This swamp was tainted with an evil that she couldn't focus her magics on and it bothered her. There were many things that watched them from the woods and swamp that stayed just out of reach of her senses.

'That's because I'm protecting you, my love." The familiar, deep voice blew across her neck and sent shivers throughout her body. 'I'm glad that you've come here, there are many in this paradise that will worship you when you become my wife. And they are only the minor servants that I have.'

Kailee focused what little strength she had to resist his advances. "I told you that I don't need you. Why do you keep showing up?"

In a blast of heat, she could feel his anger and frustration as the presence beyond her eyes moved around to face her. 'Without me the presence that has joined Lericanin would've destroyed you. Why do you think that priest in Glencoe didn't act on what he felt when you and Tia were drawing from me? He knew that I would crush his pitiful life for my daughters. I want you to come home with me,' he pressed as she felt warm tendrils course up her thigh and gently pet her.

"NO!!" she screamed and sprinted out of the room and down the stairs as the group armed themselves.

"What was it," Lericanin asked, pulling her behind him as Alister moved to his left, shield up to guard the stairs.

Panting and trying to regain her composure, she wiped tears from her cheeks, then glanced to Elias as he gripped his druidstaff and studied her. "I'm fine. Bad dream," she lied as Tia moved to her side and hugged her.

"You sure," Avion pressed, bow at the ready alongside Elsea, both aiming at the top of the stairway.

"Yeah." She gripped Tia so hard she was afraid that she may squeeze the life out of her. Closing her eyes, she could still feel his presence, distantly.

Soon, they relaxed and waited as the night wore on. Kailee leaned on Tia's shoulder as her lids began getting heavy. Suddenly, she could smell their musty odor, hear their hearts beating out an aggressive tune as they clawed their way up and jumped over the gate.

"They're here," she pushed out as she jumped up just in time to see the front door and flanking window explode into shards. Brown fur, claws and teeth accentuated the growls as everyone engaged the attackers. Tia concentrated on her spells as Kailee smelled another upstairs which prompted her to quickly sprint up to help Alister guarding Alex's room. As she arrived, the farmer hit the floor hard and was bitten by the werewolf on the calf. Screaming, Alister tried to free himself as he reached for his sword. Glowing red eyes looked up to Kailee as she moved to attack him and in a flash, he leaped up, sprinted down the short hallway and vaulted out of the two story window, Kailee on his heels.
Her eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness as she chased, her blood pumped through her veins in the thrill of the hunt. His nervous sweat fueled her aggression as branches snapped amidst the explosion of leaves. Nearing her prey, she leaped onto his back, digging her claws into his shoulders and knocked him to the ground. He spun and backfisted her, knocking her away as he jumped up and fled. The night turned to shades of red as she sprinted and caught him in the water, spun him to face her and slashed across his chest. The growling cry echoed through the surroundings as she watched his heart slow, then stop. Beyond, she could sense more of these things in the distant woods. Concentrating, her body melted into water and sped along through the cool river to hunt her next target from below.
Soon, she could hear the group in the distance as they chased the remaining lycanthropes to the woods not far from her. She would join them, but there were other problems out here waiting for the humans to approach. The body of water slithered up the bank as Kailee reformed herself and slowly moved to the three man-sized reptiles, bows at the ready. As combat ensued to her distant left, the three hidden archers fired towards the lightsource and silhouettes. Kailee attacked, killing one instantly which sent the other two in flight. She was beginning to enjoy this as she quickly caught the slower of the two and raked him up the back, then pressed on to his friend. After the last was down, her nose attracted the scent of something larger and more powerful in the distance which the females and young of the lizardmen's families were fleeing towards. She moved in the same direction to investigate them further until a burst of hot gas wafted through the forest which stopped her in her tracks. The noxious fumes nearly made her vomit and she assumed that the intruders of this individuals domain had run to the wrong sanctuary.
She would wait for the others.