The men fled before me, but I gave chase, what made them think that they could escape? They were foolish mortals of course, it made no difference to me whether they lived or died, but as long as they wished to allow me to give chase, I would not let a good meal go unnoticed…how they had reached my humble abode I did not care to wander too much about. After all, what was the use of that? Several Nords who had gone treasure hunting in the wrong cave…who would know that they would be my feast to savor this ancient bloodlust that had not pined me after them.
Through the snow, through the woods, I hid behind the trees, the darkness was my immortal apprentice and my tool to quench my hunger, but it would be these fools' utter demise. I gave them fair symbols of hope. They looked back, heavy with breath, and I waited, their axes glowed with silver, I snorted at them in discontent. However, there fear was still clinging to them, and they still laid hold to their weapons.
Am I dreaming…?I looked at my hands and saw the fur that had encompassed all nights before this. I was so tired, so tired of fighting it. It was so easy to go with Hircine, to listen to call of the wolves that echoed through the night, and as if on cue, I heard a howl ring through the night, and without hesitation I moved with the speed I had never known I had. The direction of the howls had disconcerted the circle of protection the Nords had made themselves into. Each would face a direction, each bearing weapons with cold, but determined hands.
No…please…I don't want this.
Yes, yes, I did indeed want it, it was a tough fight as I knew it would be. Though they had brought their weapons down for but a moment in their surprise it would take half that time to bring it up again for a Nord of somewhat redeemable strength. My frenzy however was otherworldly, and I found myself staring in awe for but a second at my work afterwards. For the moment however, I found my claws digging into the neck of one of the older Nords, one of the stronger ones I could tell. The Alpha.
I…I don't understand, this must be a mirage, a nightmare.
Blood spurted and splattered on my fur and onto the unforgiving snow and as some bellowing instinct within me knew, the other two Nords were taken aback at the vicious sight of their lead companion falling onto the ground motionless, I howled and leapt onto the youngest of them and his cry was short-lived as my teeth gladly sinked into his flesh and my claws dug into his back. Ah, the taste of it! By the Daedra what had I missed, it was a taste I had never known!
God…help me…I can bear no more of this massacre.
Ah, but you must.
It hummed through the air as I moved swiftly from my prey. I had known the fury of seeing his Alpha (his companion you murderer) would drive him mad and I had sensed him…ah, I had sensed him! How empowered I was! (You must feel it…) I moved with ease and ducked under the his second swing before I plunged both of my hands into his chest, his armor cracked as I tore through it with my claws (hands) and ripped the man open with hands before chewing into his flesh. As I felt it rush within me, and I felt the inevitable come over me, and the others close in, the others like me. I wondered what I had lost…for I knew there was something, but I felt nothing but gladness and wonder, and I howled to the moon, and that was all.
You must feel that which has always been there.
I woke up. It was a cave. That was all I could tell. Little else could describe my surroundings. My head swam, and my body ached, all I could move was my eyes, and even those were hard to keep open. A fire was lit…and it was still dark I could see from the opening of this maw that I had been left in. I tried to turn my head towards the fire, but I was unable to do so. I could not even grunt in displeasure. Then again, I was comfortable enough, next to fire, under a blanket, if it was not for my dire situation, I would have taken into account how well taken I was with it. Mainly, because I had slept in much nastier places before, I would irk one to realize that the basement of a bar was worse than a cave near Gnisis any day.
"He is awake." A voice spoke deeper in the cave.
"He would be, although it took him longer than the others."
"Who should speak to him?"
"Let me do it." A different voice, and a hushed reply…it was a deeper voice.
"I do not think that would bode well with the others."
"Fine, choose one to be with me while I speak with him." Another silence.
"Thunderveil shall be the one then to accompany you." A snort gave the reply following this better than the answer.
"As you wish."
Then, the darkness conquered me once more.
