Chapter 160: The War: Foot Soldiers
Summary:
References to sex, violence and animal death in this chapter.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
I count the corpses on my left,
I find I'm not so tidy.
So I'd better get away, better make it today
I've cut twenty-three down since friday.
But I can't control it.
My face is drawn, my instinct still emotes it.
The hot swell of power in Remus's body did not dissipate as quickly as it had before - perhaps simply because it was always there - only now he knew how to tune into it. Or maybe it was a defence mechanism, because instinct told him what was coming next.
Everyone in the crypt could feel it. A few of them stood up anxiously. Livia closed her eyes and sighed with pleasure.
The heavy, swift footsteps echoed through from the church above. Adrenaline flooded Remus's body as the concrete slab covering the entrance of the crypt was pushed aside.
Greyback descended. He looked different from before. He was not on the defensive now. He was smiling, his posture and scent welcoming. Amiable.
Remus's heart skipped a beat.
Greyback smiled, his eyes dark and secretive as the forest.
"Remus Lupin," he said. "I think it's time for a chat."
Remus nodded, awestruck.
Greyback nodded too, still smiling, then turned and began to climb the stairs again. Remus followed without even glancing back. Finally, finally, this was his chance. To do what, he didn't know yet. All Remus knew in that moment was that his father had come for him, and he was elated.
The air grew fresher and cleaner as they surfaced in the ruined church, and Remus breathed in deeply, closing his eyes. It was close to evening; cool and quiet. Under the dimly lit clouds the forest around them was transforming from day to night, the nocturnal creatures yawning and stretching and creeping out of their holes and tunnels.
Greyback led Remus up the aisle of the church, through to the arched exit, and they walked - not very far - through the slender beech saplings, past sturdy English oaks, down a narrow hidden pathway which led to a kind of cave at the base of a hill. A den.
Without looking back, Greyback entered, stooping only slightly at the entrance before straightening up as the mouth of the den opened up wider and higher than Remus could have anticipated from the outside. He followed, because there was nothing else to do.
Inside it smelled like home. Earth and forest and meat and wolf.
Though there was no natural light source, as soon as Greyback entered a series of torches along the walls of the den lit themselves, creating a cosy, welcoming space. There was even a fire with a pewter cauldron hung over it brimming with something that smelled thick and savoury. A wooden table beside the fireplace was laden with food of all kinds - freshly killed and skinned game, bowls of nuts and berries, mushrooms, nettles and bread.
The sides of the cave had been carved out into shelves and hollows full of books and scrolls. There were a few wooden stools scattered about, and Greyback gestured that Remus be seated.
Remus sat, staring about. Further back, hidden in shadows, he could smell a bed - or at least the place Greyback slept.
More distracting, though, was the smell of the stew. Remus had taken most of his meals cold over the past week and a half in the dark. The delicious smell of a hot meal threatened to overwhelm him.
