_Outside the tavern, silence was there. The screaming had stopped, peoples houses were dark now, the lanterns and fires inside likely being put out as the commotion started. The moon was full in the sky, it's light enough for Aelthas to see flickering shadows moving through the dark alleys around the tavern. To his left, Sy'wyn stood there quietly, his nose twitching as if sniffing at the air to catch the scent of anything lurking in the darkness. Lissa behind them, her hand slowly trailing over the hilt of a dagger at her waist. She wasn't afraid, which made Aelthas crack a small smile as he looked back to the streets.
The moment he took to glance at his friends was enough, Aelthas muttering to himself that he should have known better as the first set of yellow eyes appeared along the side of the tavern, rounding the corner to close with the three. Before he could even think to get his sword out, Sy'wyn was upon the beast, his blade flashing in the moonlight, like a star shooting across the night sky as it sunk into the creatures hide, a painful howl erupting through the silent streets.
"What are the chances?" Aelthas thought to himself just before four more shapes rounded the corner, the same yellow eyes closing quickly on Lissa and within moments, he was changing, a deep growl coming from Aelthas as he lunged at the wolf closest to her. The wolf seemed startled as this once human tore into it with claws and teeth, the sweet smell of it's blood filling Aelthas' nostrils, the thrill of the kill filling him as the wolf struggled to keep Aelthas' teeth from it's neck. Finally his teeth sinking in, the taste of blood in his mouth, the wolfs life leaving it under the crushing jaws. "Don't lose yourself.." Aelthas thought in the back of his mind, but the wolf took over instead and Aelthas let it.
One wolf lay dead at Aelthas' feet, he turned to face the others and to his surprise, he saw Sy'wyn changed as well, his teeth sinking in for a killing bite on another wolf. Lissa was nowhere to be seen, then all went black as his instincts took over, the remaining two wolves jumping Aelthas from behind and knocking him to the ground, jaws snapping close to his face as they tried to get the kill. One sunk it's teeth into his shoulder, pain flared up in him at the bite, then the wolf let out a gurgled yelp, blood trickling out of it's mouth as the flash of steel appeared through it's throat. The second wolf turned to face this new attacker, only to get the blade across it's eyes, causing it to stumble back and yelping as it tried to get away. It made it no more then a few feet before the other werewolf was on it, ripping it's throat out and showering Aelthas with blood.
As Aelthas launched back up to his feet, looking down at his blood soaked fur, Lissa was beside him, grinning from ear to ear. Sy'wyn slowly moving off to his right, as if pacing the fresh kills, his eyes burning bright yellow. He kept his distance from his two companions, even Aelthas began backing away from Lissa, but her words caught his attention instead, rooting him to the spot._. "You two sure are some interestin' folks, ain't ya? But seems we got some bigger problems." _As she slowly pointed with her blood covered dagger down the street. A dozen eyes, maybe more caught the moonlight, moving in slowly, circling the three. "You.. are not a wolf" Echoed Sy'wyn's words in his head, as if trying to force him to change back. "Tonight we are.. and tonight we hunt together, brother." Aelthas answered back to the voice in his head, knowing he was about to cross a line he hasn't since first being infected.
Just as the howls filled the darkness, the red eyes appeared as the hulking shape of a beast burst into the street, snarling at the other wolves as if giving them orders. Sy'wyn was the first to move, the slender and shorter werewolf moving with lightning speed to meet the red eyed werewolf, Aelthas turning to Lissa and growling out a single word quickly.._ "Inside". _The sly grin that appeared on her face told him she wasn't going to go, but he had to try.
The rest of the night was a blur to Aelthas, wolves led by werewolves. The flash of steel, the howls of pain, the red eyes retreating into the darkness, blood covered fur and clothes, his eyes glazed over with red as he enjoyed the slaughter. Aelthas woke, the sun just peaking over the buildings, blinding him for a time as his eyes adjusted. Rubbing a hand over his face, it felt wet and smelled good. The taste in his mouth was wonderful, the taste of blood. The smell of meat cooking made his stomach rumble.
As his sight slowly focused, he could see Sy'wyn sitting across from him in the street, a small fire crackling, what smelled like duck roasting over it. Sy'wyn's face was clean, his armor seeming polished, as if all evidence of the night was gone or it didn't happen. His eyes, such a light green, peered at Aelthas across the fire, they had such intensity even when he was just an elf. He said nothing, just stared at Aelthas._
"They are.." Aelthas could barely get the words out before Lissa walked up, lightly humming a tune. "Gone.. for now." Sy'wyn added in as Lissa dropped down beside the fire. Her clothes were clean as well, a happy look on her face as she winked over at Aelthas.
"You could have woken me.." Aelthas paused for a moment as people began to come out into the streets now that the sun was fully up. The looks on the villagers faces one of fright as they looked at the sight around. Dead wolves littered the ground, massive wolves. Three human men lie dead amongst them, naked and bodies torn by claws and teeth marks. "..before everyone woke up.. I'll look like some monster covered in this blood.." Aelthas got a rag from his pack, beginning to wipe blood from his mouth and face at least before anyone noticed him.
"You look.. how you act.." Sy'wyn said quietly, his stare seeming to try and pierce into Aelthas' soul still. Before he added in a more casual way. "The Alpha.. got away. We should find him. Now eat." _With that, Sy'wyn got up and headed off to some of the dead wolves, began looking at people as if telling them to help him and the bodies started getting cleared from the street. Aelthas couldn't help but smile as that elf's look could say more then he could ever form into words. Lissa sat there, quiet and staring at Aelthas. They both ate, not a word said, the villagers going by once in a while and gave frightened looks at Aelthas and the blood covering him, though they said nothing.
After the meal was done and the bodies were cleared away, life seemed to go back to normal, or somewhat normal. People gave wary glances at the three strangers, though the occasional smile led Aelthas to believe they were grateful and none had seen what happened out here. Lissa seemed cheerful enough, talking with the villagers. Full of youthful energy as she joked with them or haggled for some mundane supplies. A laughter coming from her as she spoke to some. It all made Aelthas feel better. Lissa sort of reminded him of Lycka, excited by trouble, trying to always laugh.
Aelthas' mind drifted off to the south once again, to his family. He could see them all just stirring for breakfast. Lycka attempting to make something edible for the kids and giving up and heading off to get pancakes from the Mermaid. His worry about what happened the night before leaving him for some time, but it was only gone for so long. "What did I do.." He'd ask himself at times. "Why is Sy'wyn staring at me like that?" He tried to push it all away, it was nice to have someone not be totally afraid of him. He smiled off at Lissa as she looked back at him while trying to get a better deal on some simply cloth from one of the merchants, her returning the smile._
"Go.. get some.. milk." He heard Sy'wyn's voice as he got a swat across the back of the head. Aelthas could only chuckle and do as he was told, knowing there will be hunt again soon enough for the three.
