[Groin Redbeard]

Gorin moved through the darkness with a rapid pace. They had been moving for around an hour in pursuit of the warg. Erling's question at the beginning of their chase was one that he had already considered, and it was all too possible that Erling was right, but no sense in stirring up unnecessary fear; the company was scared enough as it is.

Gorin and the rest suddenly came into a small clearing of grass in the forest. Gorin was panting hard, and the others looked tired as well, even Kuric looked winded.

"Let us stop here for a moment," Gorin said between breaths, "The creature couldn't have gotten far with the wound that he has and we have gained on him since our departure." Gorin felt his knees beginning to give way, but he made an effort not to sit or slouch. His dwarfish pride would not permit it.

Gorin looked around at the others and could see that they were less scared now, even the young lass looked very resilient now, but the lad Orin was shaking. The dwarf tried to ignore the lad but soon it began to get on his nerves. He walked over to the lad, who was sitting between Ash and Lea, and unfastened the cloak that he had been wearing. Gorin tossed it at the boy with just a simple, "Here ya go."

His chainmail rattled as the wind picked up, and the clouds cleared offering some moonlight to shine its rays down upon them. Suddenly, a chill shot up the dwarf's spine, not because of the wind, but what was carried on the wind. A low howl that turned into a high pitched moan was heard close at hand, and in an instant everyone was on their feet.

"It is close at hand," Gorin said glancing at Kuric, "Come let us go on cautiously, the beast is tired and should have no energy left for flight.”

Gorin took one step forward towards the sound before he stopped dead in his tracks; more howling was heard from the north. Everyone stood dazed and confused for a moment, wondering if their minds were playing tricks with them. Gorin forced a smile at the Orin, who was trying to look brave.

“Nothing to fear, you hear the strangest things at night. Best not let your mind run away with you.” They began to move on now, this time with all their weapons unsheathed, but Gorin grabbed Erling’s arm and whispered for him to linger behind with him.

“I’ve heard that kind of howling before while I was in the wild,” Gorin said staring at Erling, both looking dead serious. “More of them are coming, and they sound hungry. They will be draw to the voice of their comrade, and that puts all of us at great risk. If the others have an ounce of brains in their head they will not believe what I told the Orin, but hopefully the boy will believe it.” Gorin looked around hesitantly, “Keep a sharp eye, lad, let’s not have any more deaths on our hand.” They slowly marched forward together and rejoined the group.

Gorin took his side by Kuric, and began speaking, in low voices; about he had just told Erling. There was no fear of anyone knowing what they were saying; they spoke in a tongue that only their kind knew.