What Goes Bump In The Night

IX: Wolf's Den

Dripping water repeats at a nearly silent tone. You can see the drops better than you can hear them as they plummet from the ceiling down to the cave floor. Remus led us to his den, which I assume he calls home. After saying he wanted to warn us, the sentry lycan just turned a heel and began walking away. Confused, we asked for more information.

"Here isn't the best place, follow me."

He had said while slowly blinking tired eyes. Now, we're in an abyssal cave, following a pack of wolves and their humanoid leader. I'm shocked we haven't died yet, but we remain vigilant. My ring of spells is firmly in hand and Sorina still has her sword drawn. None of them seem worried about it though, entirely ignoring us as even a threat. That's the sole reason we keep following them instead of trying to slice them down where they stand. The cave developed further until a massive cavity appeared, lit by an assortment of ancient lamps that all look to be from different foreign locations. The five wolves spread out, heading to random areas and lounging about lazily. Remus heads toward a pile of random bags and junk that's been converted into a makeshift mattress. The sentry sits down on the bed, yawns for the hundredth time, then looks at us.

"Can I get you anything?"

On edge, we shake our heads.

"You sure? We got water and fresh deer."

I look over to see a deer carcass on the ground, somewhat mint but probably a few hours old. Lateral to the corpse is a well of spring water that appears to be run off from an internal river system.

"Sorina-"

I whisper to her.

"-I'm going to grab a bite, but we should remember to stay at the ready."

"A bite? Of raw deer? You'll be sick."

"I've got an iron stomach, just keep an eye on them."

The Ice Witch nods and keeps her sword trained on Remus. I slowly approach the deer, it's just a few meters beside the mattress but there are two wolves both hovering by it. Instinct tells me the mongrels are going to snarl and protest when I approach, but neither even bat an eye. Carefully, I select an internal organ and carry it back with me to Sorina. Unfortunately, it's not hot, just warm at best. That doesn't stop me from digging in, a show that catches Remus's eyes.

"You eat like us?"

His semi-deep and gravelly voice bounces off the cave walls as he speaks.

"Only her."

Sorina cuts in, blade still at the ready.

"I see, well that checks out. The wicked one was supposed to be a feral woman in the disguise of a Witch."

"She's not feral you mongrel."

My friend retorts with her blade-like tone as I rip apart the gamey flesh with savage grunts.

"Uh-huh, that's not important. The warning is our priority."

Remus stands up and his burlap pants begin to sag from his sudden motion. Sorina scrunches her eyebrows in an icy glare, I just look up at him with a head tilt.

"Why do you lycans wear pants? Your Despot was wearing something similar."

He looks down and tugs the loose-fitting outerwear upwards.

"Courtesy. Normal humans don't like it when we transform out of wolf form in the nude."

"How does that work exactly? Do your pants hold magical properties?"

Remus shakes his head lazily.

"No, since it's loose they mold with my shape and can be worn in either form, a pain in the ass though."