Hunting Pack

Chapter 18

Hunting Pack

Translated in Vampyric.

Anabel: Shit... fuck.... FUCK! (saying as she paces back and forward in the main hall)

Sadie: I know.

Anabel: We plot... scheme and plot more... and now it looks like it's all about to fall into a pile of shit!

Sadie: Are you done?

Anabel: How can you be so calm?!

Sadie: Well you seem to be handling it well enough for the both of us; figured I would sit back and let you do that until your head exploded or you calm down long enough for me to have a word.

Anabel slows down and looks at her sister calmly.

Sadie: Walk with me. (the two begin to walk further into the house) Now as you were in your frantic state of mind I had a thought. What if this letter is simply news mother wishes to convey from the council.

Anabel: Possible... It would not be the first time she's come home to pass word of what's going on from them. Whatever it is...it could be dire and for our safety...

Sadie: Right...I mean for all we know she could be checking up on us to see what we have planned for the big council later this year... you know without problem... which we have none. In fact it's better than it was when we started so if it is that, we have good news to share.

Anabel: You may be right... but what about father?

Sadie: He could...he could... possibly just becoming because mother is coming. You know the two of them hardly see each other these days since the war started with the wolves.

Anabel: But the letter...it clearly states he wishes to discuss something that just came up... these new abilities would and could be that something.

Sadie: And what if they are? We have forced a witch to come up with an original spell to benefit vampires... not something like the siren charm or the compelling push... it's the first...original. If anything it would help benefit us...not tear us down.

Anabel: But you know it's forbidden to consort with magic...father wouldn't have it.

Sadie: He was hear only a few nights ago and seemed ok with it. Perhaps it's growing on him like the other spells did.

Anabel: But those spells weren’t our doing.... they were taken from witch’s book of spells decades ago... so I highly doubt it.

Sadie: If so then we will deal with it when it comes... maybe persuade him.

Anabel: So you'll actually be behind me on this.

Sadie: We are sisters... besides...it's my ass on the line too now.

Anabel: Haven’t been able to do such things with father since we were kids.... He said two days...So I am sure it is safe to assume that means he's flying in with mother...

Sadie: But we will have mother on our side... persuade her and she will bring him around.

Anabel: Your mind is quite in genius.

Sadie: I have my moments... you aren't the only one who has persuasive talents....however...this Inkil thing is another story.

Anabel: Don't worry about that... I am sure he can survive a week out without supervision.

Sadie: And if he doesn’t...

Anabel: We blame the dhampir... (saying as she walks off to her bed room)

Saying to herself.

Sadie: We are our father’s children.

Back in weapons armory Inkil is in disbelief but soon comes with over joyment of the news passed from Celeste.

Translated in French

Inkil: Are you kidding?! (saying with a smile) what...what does that mean exactly?

Celeste: It means for a few nights you get out of here...but under my watch.

Inkil: You mean like a master or babysitter? (losing enthusiasm)

Celeste: No, more like a guide or guardian... you've been cooped up here since... listen just can't have you getting lost or hurt...

Inkil:(growing up set) Because I'm too important... valuable to them.

Celeste: Well yes... I mean think of all that's happened since I've come or could happen with your inexperience out there. Which I promise, werewolves’ aside, we will have time to celebrate your achievements as a human before the ceremony.

Inkil: (continuing to work) Listen. I really like what you tried to do and I thank you..but no thank you...will just stay here...and at least enjoy my last few days.

Celeste: Can you wait over there for a moment...I will be with you soon (gesturing to Renee- Confused look) Inkil...this was the best I could do...I promised I would help... maybe if you even show them you can take care of yourself they will extend the time or at best... post pone or cancel the ceremony.

Inkil: It's highly unlikely. I've worked for...I mean with them for a long time.. I know what goes on... the ceremony will happen...regardless of what you do. (saying as he sits down in a chair)

Celeste: Come with me... we can prolong it... I'll talk to Anabel and Sadie see if we can stop it... just come with me at least for now... we can work out everything else later.

Inkil: (looks down and sits sadly)

Celeste: Someone once told me the best thing you can do is be true to yourself... that means do what's best for you even if it's for a short while. (saying as she sits with him)

Inkil: And you think this is best.

Celeste: I think so.

Inkils nods in agreement.

Celeste: Then armor us up...

Moments pass and Celeste arrives at the front gate with Renee and Inkil, both armored up and with a variety of weaponry. Sadie and Anbel stand outside with several servants around them.

Translated in English

Sadie: Looks like you all cleaned out the armory completely.

Celeste: Barely... we just took what we would need for a week’s worth of travel and hunting.

Sadie: This is a week’s worth?

Inkil looks at Celeste confused as to what Sadie is saying.

Translating in French.

Celeste: She is curious to why we have so many weapons.

Inkil: If lucky we will have more than our fair share of beast slain my lady.

Sadie walks over to Inkil.

Sadie: Excited for your first time out Inkil?

Inkil: Yes my lady.

Sadie: (talking softly to Inkil) Call it a gift for the day of your 21st year.

Anabel: We know it's been a while since you were out in the world is what my sister is trying to say.

Sadie: A gift that should last...forever... (saying as she pets Inkil)

Anabel: (Addressing to all three) You've been given  week to do as you claim..I expect results... so a show of good faith I ask that for every beast you kill...you bring me back one ear from each.

Celeste: Ear?

Anabel: Yes... is that a problem?

Celeste: Well I understand killing these things but to mutilate them as well?

Anabel: You had no problem severing the head of the rakshasa... what's so different about these?

Celeste: That was in defense, completely diff...

Anabel: Not to me... I need proof that you are going to do as you say you will do while keeping my families treasure safe (saying as she looks to Inkil).

Celeste Nods.

Anabel: Good. your ride awakes.

Celeste: A wagon?

Anabel: Is there a problem?

Celeste... No..It's just I ride fast... I figured all three....

Anabel: Of you will be taking this... I don’t want you separate from anyone in the party. Stay together...It's the only way you’ll survive this. Understand?

Celeste: Yes I do My lady.

Renee and Celeste enters the wagon, Inkil is stopped by Sadie before he is let on. Sadie whispers to him in Egyptian. Inkil then climbs into the carriage, but just before Celeste is able to drive off, she is stopped by Anabel:

Anabel: Release your owl tomorrow night with a message of your status... I want this daily...

Celeste: But it could be a day or two before we have even caught a wolf... the trails gone cold by now.

Anabel: Then I suggest you get riding and ride fast as you say you do.

Celeste: Will do, my lady. (saying as she rides off and the gates open)

Translated in Vampyric.

Sadie: Have a strange feeling that one will become a problem in the future... her need to question everything...manipulating her will on to the other slaves.. it's becoming unnerving.

Anabel: She does so only because she believes our slaves are servants here to pay off debts... however...I do not believe you are wrong sister. I would also be more concerned of what Inkil might say to give us or anything we have done away.

Sadie: He knows his place... I trust he will not do so...

Anabel: Hopefully that will be good enough for what it is.

Night hours begin to pass as the three ride into the night. Inkil is soon joined by Celeste, driving the wagon.

Translated into French.

Celeste: Come to help drive have you?

Inkil: No...just to draw eyes away from the commoners my lady.

Celeste: You can call me Celeste out here Inkil...we are far from the sisters.

Inkil: Very well... I just wanted to thank you for this again... I haven’t been out in...well years.

Celeste: You're welcome... but the pleasure is mine. I am happy to help you.

Inkil smiles.

Celeste: Is Renee alright back there?

Inkil: Asleep actually.

Celeste: Then we can talk freely...

Inkil: We couldn’t before?

Celeste: Well he is a new face and...he doesn't have my trust as you do my friend.

Inkil: Friend? Is that what I am to you?

Celeste: I've helped you, you have helped me...in my book that makes us allies...friends.

Inkil: Then yes... I believe you are right.

Celeste: What's the matter?

Inkil: It's just that...I've never had any friends my Lady... I mean Celeste.

Celeste: But what of the sisters?

Inkil: They are more... my... keepers I believe the word is.

Celeste: Oh yes..because you procured from a slave auction at the age of two.

Inkil: Yes... Mistress Sadie freed me... raised me as part of the family.

Celeste: Then why are you reluctant to be sired? It's a chance to be part of the family in full... immortality... far better luxuries than the typical black smith role you have now.

Inkil: Perhaps so...I mean I like being a black smith... it's easy...but before I lose my humanity... I have always thought it to be good to see how things truly are outside my armory... compared to other things.

Celeste: You speak as if you never have been out of the castle... as a source of punishment or something else...

Inkil says nothing.

Celeste: I swear to you... no matter what we disclose will stay between us...it will not get you into any trouble nor I.

Inkil: (hesitates) When I was 16 years of age. Mistress Sadie had me join her in adding to her collective art while in Egypt.

Celeste: That's where you're from right?

Inkil: Yes... I thought it to be a reward for my service seeing as how I was just a lone black smith at the time... While there she visited a gambling ring...betting on scorpions... In uh...a bit of curiosity I walked over to a market... found an old woman talking to herself at first I thought... then she told me how it was my destiny to do something great...as long as I remembered where I came from. I thought it to be a joke. She gave me this collar... told me when I feel lost in my long life to touch it...and remember who I am...and where I came from on in the future... she said it will bring me home.

Celeste: Sounds like a wise woman.

Inkil: She was... Lady Sadie found me and was furious of my wandering off, my safety... haven’t been outside the castle walls since.

Celeste: I'm sorry to hear that....

Inkil looks off into the woods.

Celeste: I guess it was that fortune that scared you into knowing the outside world before you are sired... wanted to achieve your destiny..

Inkil: More than anything. As punishment for wandering off... the mistress had it where I could never leave the castle walls...said I was too important to lose.

Celeste: Punishment? But you're serving them of your own free will are you not?

Inkil: ....

Celeste: Is there something I do not know Inkil?

Inkil: Stop...

Celeste: I won’t stop 'til you answer me...

Inkil: No stop... I just saw something.

Celeste stops the wagon and looks around. She hears rustling in the shadows and grabs one of her swords.

Inkil: Wake Renee up (Inkil does soon as Celeste looks around- the horse begin to stir).

Inkil: What is it?

Celeste: Better arm yourself... to be safe. (Inkil grabs a cross bow)

Inkil: Celeste... (Celeste continues to looking the shadows as five wolves come out)

Celeste: No sudden moves... You're both inexperienced let me handle this...

Renee grows frighten as he stumbles to grabs a lance leading to one of the wolves to attack. The horses begin to stir up more. Celeste manages to take out the first wolf that lunges with a swift sword attack. Inkil shoots a wolf and it keeps coming for them leaving the horses to stomper off with he and Renee on the wagon sending three wolves after it. Celeste kills another wolf before it can proceed in the pursuit, and then begins chasing the wagon as fast as she can, hopping, jumping and flipping through trees. Celeste manages to catch up to see Renee jabbing at the wolves with lance as they attempt to run and jump on to it and Inkil attempting to slow down and stop the wagon. She continues to swing through the trees and eventually catches up to the wagon fast enough to jump in it. As it continues to fast track through the unleveled woods she grabs a bow and arrow shooting another wolf hitting it. She quickly takes the lance from Renee and throws it at another, killing it. The last wolf jumps on to the wagon. Renee wrestles with it enough allowing Celeste to grab and stab it. She then jumps in the driver seat with Inkil to slow the wagon down.

Celeste: Hold the Reins! (Saying as she starts inching toward the two horses driving)

Inkil: What are you going to do?!

Celeste inches her way to the horses and communicates with them through touch that the danger is gone and to slow down, which they do.

Inkil grows puzzled as he and Renee get off the wagon.

Inkil: What did you do?

Celeste I have my secrets... you have yours.

Renee and Inkil take a sigh in relief.

Inkil: Were those the beast the sisters talk about?

Celeste: No...these were just a regular wolf pack, hungry. The ones we are hunting...are much bigger and stronger... and way more deadly.

Inkil: More deadly?

Celeste: Follow what I say to the detail...and you'll survive this week... I promise. For now... Inkil... gather the weapons. put them all back on the wagon. Renee... do you know how to start a fire?

Renee nods yes.

Celeste: Does he talk at all?

Inkil: Mistress said his tongue was cut out in his previous servitude... but she wouldn’t mention why.

Celeste: Did they do it?

Inkil: No he... it happened to him before his debt was called in.. Young mistress figured she could still use him for his strength.

Celeste: Well...at least he can understand speech. Help him when you're done... I'm going to go collect dinner?

Inkil: Dinner?

Celeste: The wolves...

Celeste walks into the woods to find all the wolves. As she grabs the wolves one by one, propping them up in her arms effortlessly. She hears howls in the distant back ground.

Celeste: Victor? (saying as she looks off into the shadows)

"For a second I was compelled to leave Inkil and Renee in the woods to go check on Victor... but it would have been at great risk with their lack of knowledge of how to survive. Victor was better off for now."

An hour passes Celeste makes her way back to the camp with four of the wolves draped over her back. The fifth one has already been skinned and cut up to cook, Inkil and Renee attempt to converse using hand motions.

Celeste: Leave for a few minutes and not only have you two started a fire... you've skinned the wolf, gut it and now roasting it.... impressive.

Inkil: Thanks. Renee here... from what I gather was a warrior of some kind...

Renee hand gestures.

Inkil: Or cook I might be misinterpreting.

Renee gestures.

Inkil: He says he admires your great strength (Renee nods) I agree... for your size you are quite strong for a lady.

Saying as she sits down.

Celeste: Um Inkil... does he know...

Inkil: About you and the sisters? No... I've just told him you're all special people blessed by the lord.

Celeste: Oh... (saying as looks at the pelt that were skinned)

Inkil: Something wrong?

Celeste: I didn’t take you as a Christian type Inkil.

Inkil: Do you have a problem with Christians?

Celeste: Let’s just say I haven’t had luck with them in my life time...no offense.

Inkil: Well... I'm not... I have a hard time to believe in any god that would allow such strife in this world. To happen to good people.

Celeste: Oh... (saying as Inkil looks to Renee gesturing) What'd he just say?

Inkil: I think he asked if we were devil worshippers. (Inkil gestures to Renee)

Celeste: What did you say?

Inkil: I told him we are not...just free thinkers... and we are ok if he is or not.

Celeste: How do you know how to do that...with him?

Inkil: When I was 14 there was a servant girl who couldn’t talk...she was um...raped by bandits and they cut out her tongue so she couldn’t tell who did it....she taught me...but it's been years since I could use it.

Renee eventually falls asleep leaving Inkil and Celeste to talk among themselves for a while.

Inkil: Water? (offering with a cup)

Celeste: No thank you. Tell me... what else can you do?

Inkil: What do you mean my lady?

Celeste: The sisters say you're valuable to the family... I just want to know why and how.

Inkil: I am still unsure as to what you mean?

Celeste: Well you're a hell of a black smith... I mean in all my years I have never seen anyone so young who can do what you do.

Inkil: Thank you.

Celeste: You can talk to people who are mute... and from I gather...you are able to speak more than just French.

Inkil: I'm not sure what you mean?

Celeste: Before we left...Mistress Sadie said something to you...in Egyptian I believe... your home language... how do you know such a language if you were procured at the age of two?

Inkil: Mistress Sadie taught me... she said it was important that I had some connection to my homeland. She said it would be important in the years to come.

Celeste: So would you mind me asking you what did she say? I couldn’t quite hear it over all the commotion at the gate.

Inkil: I'm sorry.. I don’t remember that.

Celeste: Are you sure? Because it just happened a few hours ago.

Inkil: I'm sorry I really don’t remember...

Celeste: Did she do...or something

Inkil sits silent.

Celeste: If we are to be successful in this week... you have to learn to trust me my friend.

Inkil: Well how do you trust someone you barely know.

Celeste: Excuse me?

Inkil: You show up as a friend of the sisters...take and use my weapons... disappear...my friend Sasha dies...now you're back.

Celeste: I had nothing to do with Sasha's death, you have to believe me.

Inkil: Can you honestly say you weren't at the castle that night?

Celeste: I was...but I didn’t kill her... I'm not entirely sure what happen... but it did.

Inkil: What do you mean?

Celeste: Sasha transformed into a werewolf...right before my eyes.... had she left the castle or gotten bitten or injured at all since I was there or even before?

Inkil: No...not at all... she rarely left the house except to accompany the young mistress to the city from time to time... but never returned injured.

Celeste: Something’s going on there.. I can’t put my fingers on it just yet but there is....I think you might be the key to helping me figure it out.

Inkil: Great another importance (saying as he gets up from the fire)

Celeste follows him to behind a tree where he continues to drink water.

Celeste: I didn’t mean anything by it. It's just... you've seen allot... you been around the sisters since you were a kid... there has to be something you know.

Inkil: I told you I don't know anything.... so please just leave it alone. (saying as he walks off)

Inkil settles in to sleep for the night, Celeste stays up for a little while long waiting for Inkil to fall asleep. She then walks around in the forest collecting various herbs.

"There was a potion my mother taught me that could expose the use of magic. A simple enough potion where you can find the ingredients in a forest like this one. All the person has to do is drink it. If the person has had magic used on them...you'll know. I had never done this potion but my mother did many times to filter out people who would possibly be bewitched in the local town when I was a kid. Come morning I figured I would know if Inkil was prone to having magic turned on him or not."

The next morning Celeste wakes the others up cooking of the fire.

Inkil: What's this? You cook?

Celeste: Well I may be a warrior...but I can still cook like a lady... I've had years to get it right.



Renee Gestures thanks you.

Celeste: If that was a thank you tell him you’re welcome...Figured since we had wolf last night...you boys wouldn’t want it for dinner. Should be enough to survive on for a couple days though, between us three.

Inkil and Renee sit to eat with Celeste. Celeste waits for the potion to take effect that she put in Inkils water cup. At first it doesn’t work but as they sit and eat Celeste starts to see a blue aura around Inkils head that comes and fades quickly.

Inkil: So what is our next step?

Celeste: I um... I have to stop and see a friend first, figured I could give him the pelts for some cash for supplies in town. Then we could venture to where I last encountered the wolves.

Inkil: Would that be wise? I mean we barely handled our first encounter with just regular wolves.

Celeste: Um Yea...you'll both need some training. Enough to where you’ll be effective in battle but also not get hurt. Eat... and wash up. I will be back in a couple hours (saying as she finishes her food, gets up and lets her owl go free after attaching a note to the feet)

Inkil: Wait where are you going?

Celeste: Just figured I would venture to my friend and come back.

Inkil: We can't come with?

Celeste: I can get this done fast if I go alone.

Inkil: But the sisters said to make sure nothing happened to us... what if something does?

Celeste: It wont... It's broad daylight out here. Wolves are nocturnal.

Inkil: Well there are bandits...thieves... so there is a possibility.

Celeste: Fine... be ready in fifteen minutes. I'm going to scout ahead...check for things.

Celeste leaves for a few minutes then returns to find the wagon packed with all supplies, weapons, and pelts. The three then venture off to Victors cabin. Hours pass as they sit and the wagon in awkward silence. Celeste attempts to get Inkil to converse with her about the previous night and he doesn’t say anything. Eventually the owl shows back up with a message.

Inkil: What's it say?

Celeste: It's nothing. I sent the sisters a letter informing them of the wolf attack and that we are all alive. I'll send them a message come morning again.

Eventually the three arrive at the cabin.

Celeste: Hold on here for a minute. Let me see if he's home.

Celeste gets off the wagon and enters the cabin.

Celeste: Victor! (looking around) Victor it's Celeste! (continues to look around) Victor are you home?! (looks around more and no answer- Celeste then ventures back to the wagon) he must be at work so he probably won’t be back for a few hours. Let’s get to work.

Inkil: Work?

Celeste: Training... you both have to be ready.

Hours soon turn into night as Celeste has finished the first day of training with Renee and Inkil, both who are covered in mud and bruises while aching in soreness. Celeste begins to run a perimeter check on the surrounding cabin. She is soon met by Inkil who walks over holding his shoulder. Renee has passed out on the wagon.

Inkil: Is everything ok?

Celeste: I do not know, How about you tell me?

Inkil: What's that suppose to me? Figured  you were going hard on us because of last night.

Celeste: I was going hard on you because this isn’t some sort of fantasy... this is the real thing and you have to be ready for surprises..especially with these things.

Inkil: I understand...

Celeste: The more you know the more unlikely you are to get killed.

Inkil nods in agreement.

Celeste: How's Renee?

Inkil: Passed out in the wagon again

Celeste: Then I guess it's two for dinner...Poor guy...he's welcome inside the cabin I'm sure my friend won’t mind if he takes a spot anywhere...he should be home any minute now.

Inkil: Hey what's that? (gesturing to the magical perimeter she is placing around the cabin)

Celeste: Um..it's kind of like a trap...will make sure that nothing in the woods comes past it and alert us if it does.

Inkil: Staying here tonight?

Celeste: Yes, like I said my friend won’t mind. Get something to eat... and grab some sleep too... tomorrow we have a long hunt.

After dinner Celeste once again waits until Inkil is asleep. Once he is asleep she tries a very hard technique that every few witches can do.

"Dream walking is hard because to enter a person’s mind you lost control of your own body. I had only managed to do so once before with Gin in my years of practicing and perfecting my magic with her, it was the only thing left unfinished to learn. When you do so... you can see the persons past memories as well as their fantasies... an invasion of privacy but my curiosity of what was said to Inkil had gotten the best of me."

Celeste places her hands on a sleeping Inkil's head and enters his mind. She manages to see what Sadie said to him but not make it out.

"It was if someone had erased his memory and forced him to remember what they chose. Many blank spots. I had seen spells like this and they were easiest to come in any new witches spell book. It was called compulsion... it allowed the person push memories in and out at will and make them do what they want at a faint whisper. Witches used it to take away small memories... made it easier to hide out magic. I had only seen the sisters use the siren call charm... but never this. I manage to read Sadie's lips that muttered 'watch her every step report to me what you do find.' Inkil was spying on me and wasn’t even aware of it. Breaking a compulsion spell is easy...the hard part is getting the person to go against what was told to them to do."

As Celeste roams through Inkils mind she is forced out by near howling from the woods forcing her to come out his abruptly. She pulls her sword out and wakes up Inkil.

Celeste: Inkil... Go wake up Renee...

Inkil wakes up suddenly.

Inkil: Is everything ok?

Celeste: Get in the house.... now.

Inkil grabs Renee and weapons from the wagon and head into the house with Celeste close behind.

Inkil: Why are we hiding? This is what the training was for.

Celeste: In your tired condition you both wouldn’t last five minutes.

Celeste locks the door then walks through the house and puts mystical barrier up in each window.

Inkil: What... what is that.. what are you doing?

Celeste: Protecting us... (saying as she noticed it getting quiet outside the cabin)

Celeste then travels outside the cabin with her sword drawn to be sure the area is safe. She follows sounds that lead her several feet from the cabin. Seconds later she find herself surrounded by wolves in the shadows of the woods. Eventually they come out surrounding her. Inkil sees this and fears for her life, comes outside with Renee, to help with a cross bow and lance.

Celeste yells at both.

Celeste:  GET BACK INSIDE!

A few wolves soon run to toward Inkil and Renee, startling the horse to run off with the owl and supplies. Inkil fires an arrow missing the wolf, Renee kills a wolf with the lance but is mauled by others after. Inkil makes his way back into the cabin after being clawed by another on his upper thigh, but Celeste is still surrounded. Slowly the wolves begin breaching the house as they tear at it piece by piece. Using a temporal spell freezing the wolves in space for a few second allowing Celeste to get to Inkil, killing three wolves herself in the process. With her inside, Celeste is able to reinforce the barrier spell. Bleeding from his wound fast Celeste, Inkil is panicking.

"I wasn’t sure it would work but...Anabel had done it on me..it had to work for him as well."

Celeste then cuts her wrist and tells Inkil to drink from the wound before it closes.

Inkil: No! I've seen how it works... I don’t want to be a vampire!

Celeste: You won’t be! Just drink... please!

Still reluctant Inkil drinks as Celeste holds him close and the wolves continue to snarl and bite wildly outside.

Inkil: What are we going to do?!

Celeste: I don’t know... I don’t know!

Seconds later the sound of a bull horn comes by with horse galloping with it sending the wolves in its direction. Celeste looks outside to see Victor rounding the wolves up to follow him on a fast horse.

Translated in English

Victor: COME ON! COME ON YOU BLOODY CLODS!!

Celeste: Victor?! (saying with pride)

Victor: HERE I AM MAIN COURSE! BITE MY ARSEHOLE!

Celeste sees Victor, smiles and runs out to help.

Translated in French.

Inkil: Wait where are you going?!

Celeste: To help! Stay here, you'll be safe!

Celeste then starts running and flipping through the trees to the catch up. She loses track after so many miles and can only hear the distant howl again. Soon she is met by Victor.

Translated in English

Victor: Hey!

Celeste: Oh my God! (Hug him) What was that?!

Victor: I grabbed the tree branch hanging...they’ll be chasing that horse for hours...I know I was, hence the late arrival home. (saying as he tries to catch his breath) Just a shame... I just bought that horse.

Celeste: I'll help you find it first light (chuckles) don’t worry.

The two head back to the cabin to find the a dead Renee.

Victor: Friend of yours?

Celeste: I wish we were...

"I had to be sure he wouldn’t rise a werewolf or wendigo... to my luck he would not because the heart was gone."

Celeste then goes inside to find Inkil passed out on the floor, Victor stands behind her curious.

Victor: Is he um...going to be ok?

"A temperature would mean he was well into the change of become a werewolf, and the sisters would kill me."

Celeste feels for a temperature and there is none.

Celeste: (sigh of relief) Yes... yes he is ok. Just need to sleep it off. (Celeste picks him up into her arms)

Victor: Whoa... do you need help?

Celeste: No...just need to get him to bed... He should be fine by morning. (saying as she takes him upstairs to the bed and lays him down)

Victor: Alright I'm going to head down and clean up.

Celeste: No... I will join you. (saying as she put Inkil down)

Celeste and Victor go down stairs and look at the wreckage that's been caused.

Celeste: I'm sorry... I'll...I will pay you back for the damages.

Victor: Nothing a little work won’t fix...plus you've already helped me enough...only fair I do the same for you right?

Celeste: I guess so... I'm going to...um... I'm going to head outside...take care of Renee...you ok here?

Victor: Yes. I should be ok.

Celeste heads outside and preps Renee's body for a pyre. After a couple hours she sets him on fire letting the ashes scatter in nature.

Victor: You burn you dead?

Celeste: He was a warrior died in battle, he deserves a warrior burial.... (saying a she starts the fire) Excuse me.. I have more matters to continue. (saying ash she walks over to the dead werewolves to collect their ears)

Victor: Wait what are you doing?

Celeste: What do you mean?

Victor: You're mutilating the corpses?

Celeste: Look...it's not something I want to do it's something my boss ordered... as proof of the kill.

Victor: I see.... kind of bizarre... your work?

Celeste: It's living...

Victor: So this is what you do...hunt and kill monsters?

Celeste: Yes... Hey...how'd you know about these things?

Victor: You don’t live as a slave as long as I did without seeing stuff that goes on. Saw these things other night after you left... woke up for some water and just...saw them creeping around the house... It was weird. I thought I was seeing things... but the next morning I looked around... there it was

Celeste: The large foot prints.

Victor: Yes... well when I saw you in trouble...figured best I could do was get their attention and follow me.

Celeste: That was very brave of you... foolish but brave.... (saying as she cuts off the ears)

Victor: Yes I suppose so but... it was kind of fun at the same time.

Celeste then starts putting the bodies of the wolves into a pile, then sets them on fire with a log from the pyre.

Victor: Now... why do that?

Celeste: They may be monsters...but they are part of nature.... I respect all things in nature...

Victor: Interesting....

Celeste: Look... I'm going to go find my horse and wagon.... if I come across yours I will bring it back...

Victor: Want me to go with you?

Celeste: No...please...just do me a favor and stay here...watch Inkil.

Victor: No problem.

Celeste leaves and heads into the woods to find her horse. She returns after dawn with both the horses and the wagon, greeted by Victor who has just woken up.

Victor: Hey.... You found them...

Celeste: That I did...unfortunately most of our supplies are gone. But I got the horses, wagon... owl cage was broken but found her in the trees (saying as she attaches message the owls foot and lets it fly off). Even lost the meat and wolf pelts I had for you...sorry.

Victor: Well thank you for that anyway but.... What was that?

Celeste: Message to my employer letting her know what happened here last night... asked for another week extension.

Victor: You work for a woman?

Celeste: Something wrong with that?

Victor: No I just figured... do you think that was wise to do?

Celeste: No... but again for her orders...she asked for daily updates... have to tell her we lost one man last night.

Celeste then ties the horses up and feeds them.

Celeste: How's Inkil?

Victor: Resting still. Seems pretty exhausted.

Celeste ventures inside to check on Inkil. She feels his forehead for temperature change.

Celeste: Has he sprung fever since I have been gone?

Victor: No actually...he's just been sleeping like he hasn’t slept in years...

Celeste: Because he probably hasn’t... can you help me with the wagon?

Victor: Sure... you going somewhere already?

Celeste: I want to head into town... keep my promise I made to him....

Victor helps Celeste put Inkil in the wagon and the three head to the nearest town market. They reach it just before night time and Inkil wakes up.

Translated in French

Inkil: Where are we?

Celeste: Small little market just out side of town.

Inkil: How long was I out?

Celeste: Just the day... how are you feeling?

Inkil: Well actually good...felt like I had not slept in days... I am hungry though.

Celeste: This is my friend Victor, told you about him.

Victor: How are you mate? (In English)

Celeste: He asked how are you?

Inkil: Oh Tell him I am okay...and thank you.

Celeste: He's fine Victor, and says thank you (In English).

Victor: I'm going to go get us some drinks and table... leave you two to talk (saying as he leaves- In English)

The two stroll toward the tavern Victor ran to slowly.

Inkil: Nice guy... How do you know him?

Celeste: Met him last time I was in town... Helped him get on his feet.

Inkil: That was nice of you...uh...where's Renee...

Celeste: Um... he...um not sure how to tell you this... Renee.... Renee was killed last night.

Inkil: What?

Celeste: Last night with the wolves... Renee was killed.

Inkil: What...what happened?

Celeste: Nothing...it wasn’t his fault...or yours or mine... he did what he wanted to do..to help in the hunt.... and he paid for it... I'm sorry.

Inkil knods in understanding but with a sad face.

Celeste: Um...do you remember anything else Inkil?

Inkil: I remember the wolves...then...everything after that is a blank... kind of a fog... it's coming back slowly but I just can’t remember right now... I'm sorry...is there something I'm suppose to remember?

Celeste: No... we will talk about it later.

Saying as they walk into the tavern filled with people after tying off their horses.

Inkil: What are we doing here?

Celeste: I made a promise to you we would enjoy this time...and I'm keeping it (saying as she spot Victor with a table and lots of wine)

Hours pass well off into the night and the three have consumed much wine and shared many laughs. Eventually Victor leaves the table to go outside to use the bathroom.

Translated in French.

Inkil: Your Friend is very funny I must say.

Celeste: Thank you.. I do enjoy his company.

Inkil: Are you to...you know?

Celeste: That's kind of personal, but if you must know, we arent (chuckling).

Inkil: Well I can tell he likes you.

Celeste: How so?

Inkil: What's not to like... I mean look at you? (saying with a smile)

Celeste: Thank you, but I think he knows we are just friends. (saying as she looks outside to see the owl land on her horse) Excuse me.

Celeste leaves to get the message from Anabel on the owl's foot. While outside a fight breaks out inside. When she runs back in she sees it's between many people against Victor and Inkil. She runs in to help her friends, fighting off drunks herself, while trying to protect Inkil. One drunk in particular is a man twice her size. Victor is too drunk and busy fighting clumsingly to help her so she does it herself. When the drunk friends intervene she appears outnumbered until a familiar face pops up.

Translated In French.

Famliar: Now that's no way to talk to a lady I would say...would you Frances?

Celeste: Oh my god.. Fernand?!