Faerie Faerie

3-Cabin in the Woods

Maybe he should have been a little bit more.... tender... with the girl. At least now he knew her arm was broken. "Bullocks." the wolf beast turned his attention to the dog and the horse. He let out a groan, and set her down on the ground. The moon was still high and the rest of his hunt would be put off. Horse meat was always delicious... The thought was drowned out of his mind when he heard the girl groan.

He forced the shift, which was as painful as death itself. His bones broke and reshaped, fur felt from his skin and his claws split to reveal soft pink nails. He stretched as his body retracted to his smaller, human form. "Sorry Miss." he said, his voice twinged with a slight accent. "Didn't mean to scare you." He crouched to brush her hair from her face. She was out like a lantern, no chance of waking up any time soon. He wolf whistled. "Why any man would let you out of his sight is a mystery."

He turned his head slightly, getting looks from the girl's horse and dog. "....I'm going to need your help. I can't carry her in this state." he grinned. The horse snorted at him, not fully trusting him. He clicked his tongue softly, cooing at them. The horse was coaxed easily into his command. He picked up the unconscious girl and loaded her onto the horse. He picked up the hound with one arm, then slid behind her on the saddle. The dog lay across his lap and was happily sandwiched between the stranger and his new Master. The horse tread into the forest.

*~*~*~*~*

"Birds are such dreadful creatures.... layaway... to the South with you..." she mumbled, sitting up some. Where had she camped the night before? These sheets felt softer than anything she bought. Did she buy her room at an Inn? Her eyes drifted around, and noted the smell of food. She turned her head and saw folded clothing on a stool beside the bed. A white shirt, bloomers, and shoes. They all looked much too big for her. "...those can't be mine..." She gripped the blankets and felt bareskin against the sheets.

"Ah! So you're awake!" greeted a voice. Some man stood in the doorway, a clear mug of something."I found you half drowned on the river bank... You had a fever the past two days. Was afraid you wouldn't wake up." He smiled at her. "How's your arm?"

"My ar-- Ach!" She gripped her arm, and found it bandaged and put in a splint. "Who are you!"

He looked at her, chuckling. "Perhaps you should eat something, and get dressed. It's a beautiful day." He set the drink on the night stand and left. She sat there, contemplating. She stood up, stumbling as her legs became entangled in the bedsheets. "Lecher!" she shouted from her sprawled position on the floor.

She grabbed the shirt and with a bit of a struggle, pulled it on. The bloomers were over her naked rear and fit nicely. She skipped the shoes and just walked out into the yard. Her host looked at her, a bale of hay over his shoulder. "You did not answer me! What is your name!" she demanded, gripping the front of the shirt he gave her. Without proper care, her arm was in agony.

"Wolfe." he said, putting the bale on two hooks on a fence. "And yours Miss?"

Wolfe turned to smile at her, she was greatly unnerved. "What of your surname. You family." He grinned and chuckled. "

"Are you hungry? The cheese and sausage just came in the market this morning. Had to outbid some old crone who looked like she could gouge my eyes out with a fork." He rubbed his palms on his pants.

She wanted to give him the sharpest retort she could give him, but at the mention of sausage and cheese her stomach gurgled loudly. She grit her teeth as she turned to go back into the house. He caught her by the end of her hair.

"Woah woah woah." He turned her around and pulled off his belt. Wolfe fashioned a sling, and nodded. "That's better. Now. Breakfast." He paused and whistled. "Easterday! Byron! Come on!"

A dog came bounding up to him from across the way. And behind that dog, another dog came, dark and shorter in stature. The large dog ran around his master and ran straight for her. "Ohnononono!!" she was pinned and was licked thoroughly by the two animals named Easterday and Byron.

Wolfe whistled a quaint tune and disappeared into the house. She growled, trying fiercely to fight off the dogs with their loveable greeting. The smaller dog, the elk hound, sprawled across her belly. He also had splint on one of his forelegs. "Chow time!" He hit some pans together and the massive animal climbed over her and walked inside. The smaller dog walked all over her to get inside.

She dusted herself off and wiped her face on her sleeves. As she tried to approach, he pointed a wooden spoon at her. "Name?" he smiled.

She grit her teeth. "....Phin." she grumbled.

"Aweful short name for one of the Blue Lands." he jabbed her gently in the chest, below the collar bone, but above her breast bone. "Try again, Miss."

She used her good hand to smack to spoon away, so he smacked her wrist. "Ow! Draknakul!" she cursed at him. A triumphant smile crossed his face. She just verified her origin. She slapped her forehead, teeth grit. "....Phoenix Rider.... Everyone calls me... Red Rider."