Claw and bite marked the body. Elliott recognized the deep tearing bites of sharp canine teeth, too large for a common wolf or dog. A dire wolf perhaps but with Alana on the hunt she would easily catch such a pedestrian creature. No, more likely to be a werewolf. Often hard to detect with their ability to shift forms and only rarely striking. The question Elliott now had was if this beast were a true born or an infected one. Both came with pros and cons. A true born came with the ability to regulate their changes but often belonged to families that might be difficult to control. An infected would be easier to manage but they could be a goodly person in human form. The bestial urges got the better of them most of the time.
It didn’t matter either way he would bend this creature to his will. He stood up and began to track the werewolf with his enhanced senses. It would still be close by from the freshness of the kill. He left the body exposed hoping that Alana might come along following the trail. Elliott wanted a clear sign for her to follow. He ran silently as a gentle breeze through the shadowy forest. The trail led to a stone cave with a fetid smell to it.
Elliott soon caught sight of a grey warhorse loosely tied to a tree. He silently cursed his luck the paladin beat him to the werewolf inside. He crept to the entrance for sounds of battle. The trudge of armored footsteps approaching the entrance announced Alana as the victor.
Her preparation failed to take Elliot into account. He climbed the mouth of the cave that he might strike upon her exit. His fangs grew in anticipation of the coming fight. Alana walked out in damaged armor but no physical wounds. She longed for the open fresh air away for the foul odor. She left the werewolf inside caring little for accolades the town might heap on her. The villagers renewed safety the only one that she sought. A heavy weight fell upon her crashing her into the hard earth. A hand reach in ripping off her helm.
An intelligent foe got the drop on her but they would not best her. She pulled a blessed dagger out stabbing into the cold hand of the enemy now pulling at her chain cowl. The flesh seared at the penetration. Alana now knew she faced a creature of evil. The creature pulled the dagger from itself tossing it aside. She use its distraction to right herself sending her assailant to the ground. Swinging around as she unsheathed her sword. The light of the moon revealing a vampire its fangs bared. She summoned her divine strength in an attempt to turn the creature. Turning could destroy or keep at bay undead.
Elliott felt the turning attempt but sloughed it off. It would take someone of significantly greater divine might to succeed against him. He tread the ground around her in a circling in attempt to spot a flaw in her stance. His regenerated the lost flesh from her desperate strike. She matched his movement assessing him as well. Elliott pulled his sword lunging in a brutal strike. She parried his blade sidestepping him realizing his strength outmatched her own. Alana trusted in her skill and divine protection to see her through this fight. Elliott trusted in his own skill and powers to win the fight.
