The attack upon farm and farmer satisfied them for a short while.
The Wargs had waited in the snow by the gate for the wolves to join them and now they ran together across the farmland in search of a new kill.
Ragnarok felt invigorated. The fresh meat had given him new energy but it was more than that. The four wolves they brought with them gave him the feeling of once more being a leader. He ruled a pack. He was Ragnarok once more.
They holed up during the day and hoped to kill at night but the sound of their howls and the news of the slaughter at the farm travelled fast amongst outlying communities. They came upon farms they could not penetrate, guarded by barbed fence, fire and watchmen. More than once an arrow was sent skimming by their ears. Ragnarok may have overcome his fear of men but he still would take no irrational chances.
It was Roth who picked up the scent. It was that moment in the evening when sun had gone but the world was still visible in shades of darkest blue. The pups were failing again and lay exhausted at Nimue's side, unwilling to rise for the night's activity. The group were beginning to stir in the woodland hollow on a silent hillside they had chosen for their day's rest. Roth took in another breath of it. She stared straight into Ragnarok's eyes: challenging. Did he smell it too?
He did and stepped silently through the shallow snow to her side. They each breathed in the night air. Yes, there was a new scent. It was a living scent. It was not the scent of men but it was fresh.
The others shook snow from their fur and wandered aimlessly, stretching out their forelegs and yawning. They had not sensed the meal that Roth and Ragnarok had.
It was still an unusual odour to the Warg's nostrils. Ragnarok was hungry but he would take no risk. Since the incident with the sheep Roth had remained in line. Ragnarok decided to take a chance. Besides, if there was danger, it was better to lose her, than his own life. He would send her to investigate.
He walked her a little away from the pack, following the scent until it grew strong indeed. It seemed to come wafting up from the base of the hill where a road wound. Such things as roads did not concern them. The chance of a meal did. From their vanatage point at the bank top they could see nothing but a single curl of dark smoke issuing from the edge of the trees.
Ragnarok allowed himself a dark smile. He tapped Roth in the side with his muzzle and nodded in the direction of the smoke. Roth nodded in return. She new what was required of her. Silently she progressed down the hillside as the final shards of daylight vanished.
Ragnarok returned to the others, it would not be long.
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Auriel
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