[Child of the 7th Age]

Branda was the first to detect the bone chilling howls that rent the quiet of the night. He leapt up from the campfire, his face a mask of fear, clutching his bow tightly in his hand. It sounded like a great number of beasts, both wargs and wolves, congregating in a frenzy of feeding.

Bullroarer recovered his wits almost instantaneously and glanced swiftly about the circle, counting numbers and faces to make certain everyone was there. As realization slowly dawned, he gasped with horror, "Celendine, Celendine, where is the girl?" There was no response to his question.

Then strict discipline and hard routine took over, despite the terror of the moment. "Get your weapons. Form in groups. Once they've had blood frenzy, they'll not stop. Our scent is like a beacon drawing them forward."

Hobbits scrambled to take up swords and shields and flaming torches as the incessent howls of wargs and wolves abated for a single instant. The pack pulled back from the mangled remains of the corpse, and stood like frozen statues, searching for the scent that would draw them onward in their relentless quest for food. Then, with feet swift and sure, they spun about and charged with ferocity towards the small campfire, sensing the nearness of more fresh meat that might put an end to their agony of hunger.

[ January 20, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]