39. Elsewhere in the valley

The snows were coming down in thick blankets. It was impossible to see over three feet ahead, which almost made it impossible to hear or smell anything but that crystal clean, ice-cold, wet snow. While his senses were nowhere near as good as the supernatural beasts he hunted, Marcus Killian was no dull human. He learned from his father, the famous Reubeus Killian, long before he even began training with the Guard. He was more alert, faster, and stronger than most humans. To every furry monster or blood-sucking creature, they feared his name.

With that power, he went where he was needed. This shipment of supplies sorely needed in Abenwae needed to be guarded. If these goods didn’t make it to the City then the Gods only knew how many would starve or freeze to death. Marcus rode at the back of the group, twelve other guardsmen flanking the caravan and one upfront leading. The lot of them looked like snowmen from the large flakes clumped against their clothing.

Kinn had been tracking the few stray wolves for a while now. There had been some attacks on outlying vampire encampments. They sent her to find out what was happening and put a stop to it. She left behind no footprints as she made her way slowly through the woods, only to stop now and then to inhale and try to catch a scent of her prey.

There was a scent that was getting progressively stronger in the wind. Her senses were nowhere near what the wolves had, but it was much sharper than humans by far. From what she could hear, there was a caravan of sorts, perhaps a few wagons by the sound of it, ahead. It was possible that the beasts would ambush them for supplies. There would be only one way to find out.

Someone up ahead, perhaps the leader, called out, but the sudden howl of wind cut off what the man said. Marcus’ horse snorted and sidestepped once. In an instant, he was more alert, sitting up straighter with his sword already drawn. He shifted in the saddle and strained his eyes against the icy wind that cut into his hood and the driving snow which blurred everything. More horses whined, something ahead snapped, and the entire progression slammed to a halt.

A wheel had snapped off the lead wagon, its contents spilled into the roadway and tumbled down the slight hill along with several of its passengers. All at once, that one fault was a window opening to a nightmare. Wolves were upon everyone. Guards and the innocents scattered in all directions while they either tried to flee or tried to protect those fleeing.

Blood splattered, screams and roars carried upon the wind and driven away again. Marcus turned his head and abruptly rolled to slide off his horse and hit the ditch to his right, just as a young wolf slaughtered his horse. It came after him, but Marcus was prepared. One clean swipe removed the beast’s head.

As he staggered up, he noted his own injuries. His leg was on fire. Perhaps pulled muscles around his knee or dislocated something. It severely limited his mobility, but he limped along the roadside. He fired his crossbow and killed the wolves that came at him. He tried to get to the front of the group to find the leader. To find direction in all the madness. With three wolves in front of him and one at his side, he didn’t have time to notice the fifth rushing at his back.

Perhaps he didn’t notice, but she had. Kinn watched the ambush before it happened and as it progressed. She had no reason to stop it. Perhaps after they had slaughtered the humans, the wolves would be a bit more sated and therefore easier to kill. The one human caught her eye. He moved quickly, trained against these adversaries. She had to admit that she was a bit impressed when he even killed a few that came at him. But, as with most humans, he wasn’t too aware of his surroundings.

Kinn watched from a vantage point in a tree, her black hooded cloak flowing around her, making her a shadow in the barren landscape of winter. With her supernatural speed, she was behind him in an instant, killing the wolf that made his way to the human’s rear. When something pressed to his back. Something warm and pliant. Not furry. His free arm reached back, touching the slide of the woman that was propelled along with him. She was helping him. A fact made clear by the splatter of blood that hit his face as she dispatched one of the wolves.

He squeezed her hip, a silent gesture that he understood her purpose before his hand fell away. Later, there would be time for questions. Kinn’s motions were fluid and graceful as she moved with him as he pushed back and fought against the beasts. Under her black veil, her lips curved in a slight smile. It was a sweet gesture, really. But, it was completely unnecessary. Leather or heavy material covered her skin completely, all that was visible was her dark, mossy green eyes. In her hand was a long, wickedly curved blade that dripped blood.

Her back pressed to Marcus’ as she helped to move him out of the trap they were laid for him. The wolf at his side leaped at her, only to be severed in twain in mid-air by the sharp blade. Her eyes then moved to the three remaining in front of them.

As the wolves leaped at him, far faster than him but vastly more ignorant, he pushed his body back into hers to shield her as he fought them back. His sword cut upwards, jagged dagger ramming into the throat of another. The third came towards them and, regardless of his pain, he shoved backward to push the girl over as he rolled and covered her body with his own. The two dead wolves hit the ground beside them and the third flew right past to collide with a tree.

Lifting his head and staggering to his feet, he gripped the girl’s arm, helping her stand again. She stood as he grabbed her arm and looked around as he did. One sweep of his surroundings was enough... there was no one alive save them and the last wolf. The guard had given their lives in vain.

“Stay near me.”

Her eyes fell on the one remaining wolf. She moved away from him, out of his grasp, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to keep up with her when she moved. She was careful, though, not to move too fast and spook the human as well.

The wolf looked between the two of them once he regained his senses and snarled loudly before letting out an ear-piercing howl. He quickly decided the mortal enemy would be the best target and charged at Kinn. She moved out of the wolf’s way and he was out of hers as she swung the deadly blade. She turned and followed his motions as he circled her. The wolf jumped high, perhaps aiming for her head. She let her body drop to the ground, rolling as she landed. She thrust her blade up; the wolf gutted himself on the sharp edge as his momentum carried him by.

Kinn stood and dusted the snow off her and ignored the whimpering mutt as his inside lay on the outside. She walked over to the human, grabbed him by his arm, and pulled him along as she sheathed her blade. Marcus had tried to hold on to the woman, but even his firm grip wouldn’t hold her at bay. He stood helplessly watching the display. Even as she was slowing herself, he saw the way she moved, and it was enough to chill his blood. Even more so when she turned to face him after the wolf was dispatched. She was pale, though there was a faint blush to her skin. It only meant she had fed recently.

Kinn whistled for one of the horses, and though it really did not want to move near her, it obeyed. She looked at him and tilted her head towards the saddle.

His deep brown eyes watched her warily. Since the start of the battle, his hood had dropped, and he looked like he had survived a massacre. Blood soaked most of his hair and one side of his face. There were gashes both shallow and deep along his arms, face, and legs. With his adrenaline fading, the burn in his knee had turned into an all-out blaze, and it forced him to put all of his weight on his good leg.

Marcus peered uncertainly at the horse and the woman. “Where will you take me?”