Blackgrave

Haldor led the Witch Hunters towards the Greymane camp. As they walked deeper, the bark of the trees changed from golden brown to a dark, nearly black coloring.

"Are we almost there?" Naja asked.

"Yes," Haldor answered. "Look, you can see the camp from here." He pointed out a few large tents that peaked through the thick brush. They were nestled in between two large, sturdy oaks and made from a combination of fur, animal pelts, and surrounding vegetation.

Before they reached the camp, several Greymane warriors stepped out from the brush. Their faces were a mix of caution and exhaustion and most were wrapped in at least one blood stained bandage. Each of them carried a bone weapon—some daggers, some clubs—and one of them had a small wooden shield wrapped in fur. A man with long, gray hair and a wolf skin draped stepped forward.

"Haldor?” The man gave him an uneasy look. His dark eyes scanned the Witch Hunters and Torskal. “What is the meaning of bringing these strangers here?"

"It's okay, Aldo,” Haldor replied. “They are not our enemies. These people have cured me of that terrible curse."

Aldo’s foreboding gaze broke. He smiled and looked at them closely before giving a nod. Beneath a tent were many women, children, and elderly huddled together around their camp supplies. All of them were scared and tried not to look Naja in the eyes.

She noticed some of their weapons were red tipped with blood and behind her, she heard the faint murmurs of something slowly crawling up on them in the bushes.

“I take it you and your men have been dealing with the bandits?” Naja asked plainly.

Aldo nodded. “Yes,” he replied in a gruff tone. “Oliver’s men attacked us only a few hours prior. We survived and were able to drive them back”—he scanned around them—”but they will return.”

“And is that your wolf in the bushes behind us?” Naja motioned to the shrub and Aldo nodded again before whistling. A large, gray wolf stepped out from the brush and sat next to him. It was old, but had a fierce look in its dull yellow eyes. “What can you tell us about Oliver? From what Haldor has said, he plans on making an attack on Waldenhauf tomorrow night.”

Aldo sighed deeply. “Oliver is my brother,” he said regretfully. “He and I have never seen things in the same light. Where I saw a faint tinge of Providence, he only saw Doubt. Oliver always believed Waldenhauf was a blight to the forest, and has long thought these woods should belong to our people. The Aredesans make their coin on what they trim from the trees’, and Oliver was never keen on clearing the forest.”

Aldo clenched his fist and gave a brief but loving look at his kin beneath the tent. “I believed we could live in unison with the Aredesans, but if Oliver is planning an assault on Waldenhauf, then I must lead my people away before we suffer the same consequences as him.”

“Where will you go?” Naja asked.

“I’ll take them to the Wounded Peaks and follow it east. There are Crow Clan settlements out that way. The Crow and Wolf Clans may have differences, but we have more in common with them than with any Aredesan.”

“Couldn’t you stay in Waldenhauf? Some of your people are already there,” Carbrey suggested.

“The thought has crossed my mind. But Elder Cashtar and many of the Aredesans that live there are unwelcoming to our kind. They believe us all to be beasts ready to howl at the moon and lose ourselves to bloodlust. Even with a few of our pack living beside them, they see us in the woods and begin to Doubt their safety.”

“I understand my father and Captain Hellek are not without their Prejudice!” Juniper stepped in. “But, there are many of us in town who have never shown anything but compassion to your people. Benwall the Brave would never let anything happen to someone seeking sanctuary, no matter what my father had to say.”

“That may be true, but few of my people are willing to trade our life beneath the stars or among the trees,” Aldo replied.

“What if we were able to get rid of Oliver?” Naja asked. “If they are planning on raiding the town tomorrow night, I say we strike in the morning.”

“And for the night? They will surely attack again come nightfall. I must lead them to safety before it is too late.”

“Just come to Waldenhauf!” Juniper urged. “Even if it's only for the night, the safety of town will keep OIiver and his men away.”

“You can trust these Witch Hunters, Aldo,” Haldor added. “If not for them, I would still be a beast or more likely, dead.”

Aldo stared on for a moment, considering his options. The hopeful look in Haldor’s eye caught his gaze and it was decided. “Fine, but we will be needing some kind of escort. Though we five are capable warriors, they have more than twice our numbers. An attack while traveling would be disastrous.”

Naja smiled. “We're heading to town anyway. Get your people and gather your belongings. We’ll ensure no harm will come.”

“What about Elder Cashtar or the militia?” Aldo asked.

“Leave that to me,” Naja replied. “If he has a problem with it, I’ll be sure to show him the King’s seal.”

Aldo ordered his people to only bring food and what little belongings they cherished. Some grabbed blankets, others a trophy from hunting. The warriors all gathered some spears, but much of the camp was left behind.

Knowing they would return once Oliver was taken care of put the clanfolk at ease, and having Haldor there seemed to lift everyone’s spirits. Once they were ready, they stepped off south towards Waldenhauf.

The walk took a few hours and was uneventful. While they made the trek, Naja grappled with her own Doubts.

Fighting eight to ten werewolves is going to be a challenge even if Akecheta’s group joins us. Carbrey must realize it as well. We are not far from home—we could send for aid, but if it arrives too late… No. It won’t come to that. If we strike in the morning we will have the element of surprise.

Werewolves need time to change, if we rush them, we could kill half before they even get the chance to howl. It will be dicey, but if the others grant us aid, we should manage. Ashenmancer, werewolves—all we're missing is a witch and we'll have tackled all three of the Cardinal Curses. Not bad for my first time, eh Bernard?

As they arrived, darkness was descending upon the town. The sun faintly shone from beyond the trees and the militia already carried torches. When they passed the graveyard some of the townsfolk took notice and called for the militia who all ran to get their spears. Captain Hellek and Elder Cashtar soon appeared from the crowd and intercepted them.

“What is the meaning of this?” Elder Cashtar was wild eyed and red, though his eyes flooded with relief the second Juniper stepped from the group. She lovingly embraced her father for a moment before pulling away.

“None of them are to blame for this, father,” she told him tenderly. His gaze fell on Haldor and a rage furrowed up on his brow.

“What is that beast doing here!” he spat.

“This man bears no curse,” Naja spoke with an authoritative tone. “We have offered the Greymane tribe sanctuary in town for the night.”

“You better have a damn good explanation for this, girl!” Cashtar yelled. Naja stepped close to him, until they were nearly nose to nose.

“There are three people in this town who bear the curse. Haldor isn’t one of them. Now you can point your finger and scream all you want, but that won’t change the fact that not only did Juniper go to him of her own free will, but it is painfully clear you lied to The Order just to get your daughter back.”

She placed her hand firmly on his shoulder. Her green eyes flashed in the passing torch light like two emeralds cast into a flame.

“I know both you and Captain Hellek were hiding something when we first arrived, and we are out of time for your lies.” She clamped down, digging her fingers into his tunic. “So, all of your people are to line up and get examined for signs of Shabetsu’s curse.” She released him and he shrunk back, looking down in utter defeat.

“Fine,” he said quietly. “Hellek, do as she asks. Get everyone in town together, we will use the gathering hall for the examining room.”

“You and Hellek will go first. It’s time to reveal your deceptions. Strip.” Naja looked the two of them over.

“Here!?” Cashtar couldn't believe his ears. He stared in complete confusion.

“Shall I produce the King’s seal?” She folded her arms.

Both men were distraught for a moment longer, but acquiesced to the request.

Other than old wounds and wrinkles, they found nothing on the Elder’s body. They searched him from foot to head, but no wolf bites of any kind were seen. Once Carbrey finished his examination, Naja confronted the Elder. “You killed the horse, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I ordered Captain Hellek to slay the beast,” Elder Cashtar told them. “Not like any of it matters now.”

Orthos stepped towards the Elder, and stared into his eyes. “If another lie falls from your lips, it will be the last thing you ever utter.” He held his cold gaze on Cashtar until the man dropped his head in shame.

“You’re real lucky Naja is in charge” Beef stepped up and thrust his finger into the old man's face.

“Well, fortunately for me, you say three werewolves are in town. Had you not come, we would surely be in trouble,” Elder Cashtar snapped.

“You would all be dead come tomorrow night if we hadn’t,” Naja said. “The leader of the bandit tribe is planning on raiding the town tomorrow beneath the full moon. The only reason I have been so lenient about all of this is because despite your intentions, Fate has made an honest man out of you.”

“Don’t make lying to Witch Hunters a habit. Some in the Order might not be so kind as to let such a transgression go unchecked.” She moved her gaze from Elder Cashtar to Captain Hellek.

“Now get on with it. Strip,” she commanded. Hellek was slow at first, but before he even removed his shirt, he showed them a wound on his leg.

“Early yesterday morning, when I first started my rounds, I was attacked,” he explained. The wound was done by teeth and looked to belong to a wolf. “I didn’t see what got me, only that it was wicked fast, and before I knew what had happened, it was gone.”

“Why didn’t you tell us yesterday?” Naja knitted her brows in frustration.

“I wasn’t sure you wouldn’t simply kill me just because I carried the curse,” Hellek told them.

“You fool!” Carbrey shook his head with disdain. “Had you laid eyes on the moon, you could have hurt someone. Once the moon is full, you won't be able to hide from it. You'd change even if you were deep in a cave. You cannot escape Shabetsu’s curse!”

“I had planned on speaking to Benwall in private, but with you and the other Witch Hunters here I feared you'd have my head either way.” Hellek lowered his eyes in shame.

“Go to Benwall,” Naja replied. “You're lucky we didn’t come a day too late. Come tomorrow night there would have been no mercy.” A harrowing look fell over the captain's face.

“A blessing of Providence I soon won’t forget. I am sorry for misleading you earlier. But you must understand, Witch Hunters aren't known for their compassion.” Hellek took off to the church while the Witch Hunters continued their examinations.

“I take it we sea dwarves get the pass right away?” Torskaal asked, and Carbrey nodded.

“You and the elven wood merchant. Shabetsu's curse is one man must bear alone,” Carbrey replied.

Once Carbrey began checking the Wolf Clan who lived in Waldenhauf, they discovered that two of the men were missing. The other Greymane said they hadn’t seen them, and that they disappeared the night prior.

“Hellek is the only one in town as far as I can tell,” Carbrey told Naja. “The two Greymane who are absent are both able bodied men. It’s likely Oliver was spreading the curse around to anyone who he thought might be a problem. It would explain why he attacked Hellek.”

“How large of a pack do you think it is?” Naja asked him.

Carbrey shrugged. “I think if he had as many werewolves as he did men, then Aldo’s people probably wouldn’t have been able to defend themselves with only five.”

“True. The Wolf Clan can control their transformations. If they were werewolves they would have just changed and killed them,” Naja replied. “But they wanted to recruit them.”

“Another clue is the two men he sent after Haldor,” Carbrey said. “Why send two of his own men without the ability themselves.”

“Maybe he hasn’t changed all of his men yet,” Orthos suggested. “If he is the only werewolf among them, they are more inclined to follow him. But if all of them are equal in strength, then he could be usurped at any moment.”

“All good points, Orthos,” Naja replied. She folded her arms and lost herself in thought.

What was the breaking point for these men? Why choose this full moon? Surely they could have done this at any time. Perhaps I am overthinking this.

“The curse will spread quickly beneath the full moon. Those that survived the initial carnage would eventually go primal themselves.” Carbrey shook his head. “It would be Chaos.”

The four of them stood in uneasy silence; An overwhelming feeling of Doubt clung to them like their shadows.

“Have the others arrived yet?” Naja asked.

“Yes, they are over at the tavern,” Orthos told her. “Shall I go get them?”

“Please,” she replied. “We should have everyone stay in the church tonight. The eight of us will stand watch, two of us at a time like last night.”

Once the others had made their way from the tavern and all of the townsfolk were gathered in the church for the night, the Witch Hunters explained the situation.

They all stood together with their hoods up besides Naja, who removed hers and stood in front. She took a deep breath to calm the nerve.

“I know there is a lot of confusion, but please bear with us. We are doing this for your protection,” she said. “We have learned that a werewolf pack plans on attacking tomorrow night.”

All of the Aredesans in the church erupted into a panic.

“What are you doing here!?” cried someone.

“Go kill em!” shouted another.

Instantly, the room fell to fear induced murmurs.

“Listen!” Naja shouted and the whole church stood still. “There are eight of us here now. Even if they have ten werewolves, we would drive them off.” Everyone settled. “However,” she began, “my companions here are also on a hunt of their own.” The church remained silent as Akecheta stepped forward and removed his hood.

“There is an Ashenmancer somewhere out in the woods,” he said plainly. “He controls an undead army of unknown size. I do not know if he will threaten the town, but we must be cautious.”

The fear inside the church had slowly turned to anger. The Aredesans were unhappy, especially with all of the new unfamiliar faces. Whispers could be heard all around as the two groups looked uneasily at one another. Just as the townsfolk were reaching the height of their panic, Benwall the Brave spoke up to calm them.

“It will be okay,” he told them. “A werewolf has not stepped foot in Waldehauf since my return from the war. And if there is an Ashenmancer out in those woods, let him come.” He held up his silver and gold shield, proudly displacing it to the crowd. “By Providence we will survive this night. Do not let yourselves fall victim to Prejudice, it is the easiest avenue to being led by Influence.”

The Aredesans all breathed easy, each finding a section of the church to huddle up with and settle themselves for the night.

Aldo and Haldor thanked Naja and the others for their help before leading their people to a corner as far away from the Aredesans as possible. The Greymane that lived in town joined them, but occasionally one or two of them would head over to the Aredesan side of the church and pray for safety alongside them.

As darkness completely swept over Waldenhauf and the surrounding wood, Naja, Carbrey, Orthos, and Beef decided to head to the graveyard in search of witchbane.

“The store only had a small supply,” Naja told Akecheta. “So, we are going to look around for some. If we are going to raid the werewolf camp tomorrow, we will be needing plenty to make sure none of us end up falling victim to the curse.”

“With ten werewolves, you’ll have your work cut out for you. I suppose you’ll be needing our help tomorrow then?” Akecheta asked and Naja nodded.

“Any help would be appreciated. I don’t think I have to remind you how deadly a werewolf can be,” Naja replied.

“Are you not taking Benwall the Brave with you?” Akecheta asked.

Naja shook her head. “I don’t think it’s wise to have Benwall leave the town. The people are at ease by his presence, and I have a feeling the only reason evil hasn’t come to this place is because he is here to ward it away.”

“He does have a certain spiritual power that radiates from him.” Akecheta petted his crow which sat perched on his shoulder. “Everdeen is happy to be here, I can tell. She senses that all is well and everything is at peace.”

“Keep a lookout. Once we return from the graveyard, we will establish a watch. Carbrey and Orthos will take first, then two of yours, then myself and Beef, then the remainder of your two.” Naja waved as she left Akecheta to join the others.