[Valier]

Wulfham

Vaenosa sat gazing at the fire waiting for the water to boil. She picked up her pack and rummaged through it, she had brought no first aid supplies. She was sure one of the others had brought some, but she did not want to rummage through their packs, they distrusted her enough already. She instead pulled a wad of fabric that had once been her childhood blanket. When she left, she had to take it....to remind her of her mother.But now it was all she could find that was clean. She took the now boiling water from the fire with two sticks she had fashioned as tongs and placed it aside to cool.

Incana was still unconcious and it had been at least an hour since the attack. Vaenosa lifted the bedroll and sat deciding how to get the woman's pants off. After a second look she saw the horses hoof had ripped them substantially. She pulled out her dagger and slit the woman's trousers from the hem to above the wound. Dipping the blanket in the water and ringing it out Vaenosa began to sponge the wound for a better look.The cut was not too deep but, there would be a painful bruise. She cleaned it as best she could, then trimmed a strip off the hem of the woman's trousers and wound her leg tightly through Incana's moans.Hopefully she would awaken soon.

Vaenosa stood and looked around the camp. It was still fairly dark but, the fire lit a large part of it.She was beginning to wonder what had happened to the men. They had only left Wulfham not one day ago and they were already in trouble. Vaenosa was afraid they would never return and if they did what condition would they be in?

She paced back and forth infront of the fire awhile, until she felt a wet nose on her neck, it was Nay and he needed her to comfort him. Starlight was not far behind. "I am sorry my boy! I forgot this must have terrified you two!" She placed her forhead on his neck, with his neck stretch over her shoulder. Starlight approached and leaned against Vaenosa for comfort. She stood holding them for a long time it seemed. Then tired she sat down again and added more logs to the fire. She leaned back against a log. The exhausted maiden fell asleep.

The figure that bent over her Father stood and faced her...she screamed. The man rushed towards her with a manic smile and picked her up like a rag doll, throwing her over his shoulder. He headed towards the cellar where it was cold and damp. He stumbled down the rickety steps and threw her into a corner.The friendly man who came calling asking for a bed and a warm meal in exchange for some handiwork was gone. All that stood before her was a manic, demon man who had planned this along. He stood panting and gasping before her , his eyes like deep dark black pools. He ripped from her small body the dress she wore and advanced with intent...Then he began to change...He was now becoming the cougar with teeth bared. He sprang for her neck.....

She half- awoke from her nightmare with a strangled scream, clawing the air at an unseen assailant.