His breath reeked something foul as his exhale came closer to my face. His grip was tight against my collar though the rest of me hung freely a few feet up. Still holding tight to my sword, I swipe upwards with wild abandon and cleave off the gnarly left claw holding me firm. The fall to the ground was short and sure footing was easy to gain. The Silvermane quickly got ahold of his mangled limb and took a step back, the first sign of doubt showing on his face.
I charged again aiming center mass. Once more he sidesteps. A second time he strikes my shield with a claw attack, this time I let go and loose the shield, it’s served it’s purpose. It flies off to the ground beside me, instead of me having to pick myself up.
My counter is swift, calculated, fluid-like in movement and is immediately slowed as my sword meets dense flesh and thigh bone. The Silvermane trys to step back as I pull free my sword and whirl around in a wild attempt to maim the leg. I need to apply more damage to my foe. I’m sure he felt the same.
You could feel the rage built up in this beast. Thick in the air, even palatable. He savagely backhands me. It felt like being ran over by an ox. Strong. I don’t remember landing and I vaguely recall rolling out of the way as the pouncing werewolf flew toward me to land in the very same spot I currently occupied. Fast. As I rolled to the side I realize I didn’t have my sword. My knives were still in the Silvermane’s back. Then I remembered my short sword is still latched to my shield. I’m closer to it than to my longsword.
We both saw each other look towards my shield. We had the same idea. Smart. He and I both dove to my shield trying to get there first. I reached it just before he tore into my side, tearing my belt from me and damaging my shield side armor beyond usefulness. I rolled over with my back to the ground and used my shield to cover my face and chest. For the briefest of moments I had wished to be back at my cabin, resting. Comfortable. Safe. Then a claw tore through and rendered my shield to splinters. My sword now relieved of its confinement lay next to me. The beast loomed over me like a champion easily dominating his foe. And just like that his smile came back.
The Silvermane let loose a roar that seemed to shake the very hills around us, deafening to me as I lay there seemingly helpless. A bead of sweat rolled down my face. Then another. And another. Not sweat, rain. Now my ears are ringing? Has my sense of awareness truly gone mad? No.
A yip of surprise comes from the beast and his attention is diverted to the hill flanking us. An arrow now lodged in his shoulder. As the Silvermane is distracted I take this opportunity to arm and ready myself. Another whistle; the ringing in my ear. Another arrow loose in the breeze. The beast turns to dodge it. This one misses the mark.
I roll to my feet still a bit dazed yet thankful to be alive. It looks like those who fled had gone for help. Five maybe six of the villagers with bows and makeshift spears. I see Gosha welding a longbow, posed for immediate release. His arrow let loose flew to its mark with great presision, impacting the chest of the beast. Gosha did not waver while notching another arrow. If he was scared he didn’t show it. Brave.
The beast, in his rage left me. He dropped to all fours and charged the group on the hill. Two of the villagers dropped their spears and fled for their lives. Gosha stood firm and fired again. Hit. Fearless.
With sword in hand I give chase after the Silvermane knowing I couldn’t keep up. The beast made it to the group and mauled the villager closest to him, ripping and tearing him to shreds. Two more of the villagers cried out and fled. Another villager tried to thrust the monster with her spear and the beast swatted it away and bit the womans head clean off. Gosha dropped the bow and quiver to pick up the makeshift spear. Then he charged the savage brute.
I made it to the top of the ridge just as I saw the villagers head come off her shoulders. No time to catch my breath. No time for a strategic plan. Only time for execution. Using what energy I had left I charge…
Gosha didn’t wait for the beast to come to him. He knew what he had to do. He had heard of the elders stories of hunting since he was a young lad. He “knew” how to bring down the bear. Would it be the same for a monster like this? He would find out. He was not afraid. Nor was he scared. Children were scared and he was not a child. He was a man.
The Silvermane took the few steps to close the width between he and his prey. The beast swiped a fierce claw attack that would have easily decapitated Gosha if he had not used his shorter stature to duck low and sidestep out of the way. The beast tried for another wild claw attack that missed its mark again due to another low duck and sidestep. This seemed to only infuriate the monster that much more. Gosha always keeping the tip of his spear forward and angled.
He was ready to strike when the chance came.
It looked like a dance. Attack after attack the monster tried to subdue his prey and ever still Gosha eluded his advances. I took this element of surprise to spring up from behind my enemy and thrust my sword between his shoulder blades. Deeper and deeper I pushed as I rode this behemoth, attempting to grab ahold of one of my knives protruding from his hide. I needed to do more damage. The Silvermane’s arm’s rose up in sudden anguish, Gosha took this moment to be his victory.
Gosha lunged forward with all his might piercing the abdomen of this beast. Then pulled out the spear and lunged again. This time the spear was lodged between two ribs and wouldn’t break free. Gosha held fast to his spear trying to free it not wanting to give it up what he had taken. This was to be his victory. His prize.
A sudden, jarring shake from the beast sent me flying to the gound. I land with a breathless thud. The pain in my side reminds me that I’m still alive. The sword still in my hand means I wasn’t left empty handed. How much more of this can we take? At least I’m not in this alone. I got back up and join the fight. My sense of purpose restored.
With focus gained, the Silvermane grabbed the spear that was lodged in his chest and broke it off in one solid strike. The determined young man who had fought for the edge he was given, had just lost it. He must keep fighting! Never one to give up, Gosha searched the ground and found another weapon. As he reached out for a spear laying close by, he is seized up by two gnarly claws and brought in close. It all happened so fast. Dagger sized teeth enter the young mans neck and torso, burning agony spread across his entire body. The unimaginable pain felt like it’d never end though it lasted only a fraction of a moment, then darkness came and his pain stopped.
I couldn’t see what the beast was doing and his focus wasn’t on me. I was fully behind him and free to attack without worry of retribution. Now was the time to strike! A renewed vigor washed over me. The idea that this could be over in a few seconds gave me hope. Hope and purpose. Sometimes thats all one needs. After this I will see if Gosha is interested in going back with me. He could join the service, become more. He’d make a fine soldier. He’s got what it takes for sure. At this time I realize that I’ve cracked a smile as the finality of this adventure is about to come to a close.
My sword cuts deep cleaving tendon, flesh and bone. The Silvermane’s leg now barely hanging on, he teters to the side. He’s caught off guard. I keep going with my attacks high on the notion it’s coming to a close. I bury my sword into his other knee from behind. Now I have his attention. The Silvermane tries to turn around while I’m searching for his kidney with the tip of my sword. One of my knives fall out of his back onto the ground. The sight of it falling out caught my attention to something else entirely.
Gosha’s mangled remains lay strung about only a few feet in front of us. I became intoxicated by rage. Blood drunk on the idea of my new found loss, the only person to stand along with me against this vile beast and go toe to toe. A warrior among the few who stayed to fight. I remember little of what happened next. I was told afterwards by onlookers that It didn’t last long. Apparently I had grabbed the fallen knife and began to attack wildly. In the process I was slightly disemboweled and lost a leg yet managed to “saw off” the Silvermane’s head with my sword. 4 days later I woke up to a short, elderly woman standing over me with her hands above me, chanting. The scent of sage and wood smoke heavy in the air.
Sorin sat just a few feet away. He didn’t look as sore as he did a week ago. Fatigued maybe. He startled when I began to sit up. The look on his face was of hope that had finally paid off. “You’ve survived!” The elder woman shushed him and urged him to the door. When she came back I was asked a series of questions. I can only guess as to see if I was who I thought I was. I had some questions of my own.
I check my wounds, not as bad as I thought. I remember them being worse. I got up and the woman tried to get me to lay back down. I let her know that I couldn’t stay. What’s left of my armor was there in a crumpled heap in the corner. I put on what was still functional and walk out while the elder chanted in my general direction. Sorin was outside with another I hadn’t met before. He held the raines to a horse.
I told Sorin I had to go. He thanked me for what I did. I let him know it was only achieved because of Gosha’s resilience and unwavering bravery. He tried to hand me a pouch of coin. I turned it down and asked where the beast was put to rest. We walked for a bit and he pointed to a ridgeline 2 miles away. I began walking.
The site was surrounded by standing stones with runes abound them. I don’t know what they said. I crossed the threshold to lay resentful eyes on my fallen foe, the severed head lay next to the rancid lump. Normally I’m not one for trophies but I wanted something to remind me. I took what I needed and left.
It was days later when I reached my cabin. Kieran was finishing a pint by the fire. “Erd you com’n.” I grinned as he handed me a pint. “I’m sure you did.”
