Wounded beast

The ragged snow clouds part as you walk, revealing the pale light of the full moon high over head. You begin to notice the tracks in the snow then, the largest Wolf paw prints that you have ever seen. They are running all over the place, obviously these are older tracks from the days and weeks past. As you look at them you notice how oddly spaced they are, it was as if the Wolf was running on his hind legs. You have never seen anything like this, at last you are following the tracks out of town. Your goal was Old Ditmar's Gorge, after a couple of hours you reach this place. Off to the side high on a hill was a old stone watch tower, no one spoke of this place.

The tracks run off down into the twisting paths of Ditmar's Gorge, but also seem to be leading up around the tower. There are boot prints in the snow going up there as well, just then you hear the loud howl... it makes the hair of the back of your neck stand up in away no Wolf howl ever has. Quickly you pull your heavy war bow off your shoulder, knocking a steel board headed arrow as you glance around. Off to your left something is moving among the tree's, turning to face it you see a great dark figure. Eye's glittering in the moonlight, the beasts stands there on two legs towering over you. This was no normal Wolf, drawing back your powerful bow you take aim. As the creature howls loudly again, suddenly charging out of the forest towards you at incredible speed.

The great bow _'Thrums' _as you release the arrow, the cloth yard shaft flying true to strike the beast in its wide chest. Pausing for a moment in its charge, the Wolf lets out a scream of pain that seems strangely human in it's nature. Reaching up with one huge paw like hand, it grasp the arrow, ripping it from its chest as a second scream of pain escapes it. Quickly you knock a second arrow, as the beast casts the first one aside and lunges at you again. The arrow barely has time to leave your bow, burying it's self into the huge black furred creature. Even as one of those massive paws knocks the bow out of your hand, sending you staggering backwards in shock as the beast claws at the arrow in its throat.

"Oho Gods... Ohoo Gods!" You stammer in horror, this really was something you had never dreamed was real. Quickly you draw your sword, getting ready for the attack you knew was coming. You watch as the... well it could only be a Were-Wolf breaks the shaft of that arrow, ripping the two halves out of it's neck. The monster is on-top of you in a flash, ignoring the sword blade you thrust through its guts. That huge paw hitting you like a hammer, blasting all of the air out of your lungs as you are thrown like a rag doll across the snow covered ground. Laying there gulping for breath, you stare up in horror as the great beast pounces on top of your prone body.

"IEIEIEIEEE!" You scream out in terror, as that huge furry body crushed you into the snow. Massive claw tipped fingers ripping and tearing at your armor and heavy woolen clothing, even as you grab for the only weapons you have left. The hand ax on your belt, and the silly silver ornamental dagger you worn around your neck. Scream you smash the steel ax head against the beasts head, while drawing the dagger with your other hand. The ax head digging in to the Were-Wolfs flesh, but the wounds seal up almost as soon as the steel leave the flesh. Without thinking you slash your dagger against the monsters wrist, the beast recoils looking down at you in shock. Screaming the big furry beast leaps away, its hot blood splattering all over your face. Standing there the bleeding monster looks at you, hatred burning in its eyes as you scramble to your feet looking at it in horror. Letting out another ear splitting howl, it turn and sprints off into the dark forest. Leaving you standing there, trembling wildly as you realize just how close you came to being killed just like those other hunters.

"Oho Gods... Ohoo Gods..." You pant struggling for breath, as you wipe the blood off your face. Staggering around in the snow to gather up your weapons, before limping weakly back to the Inn. Seeing the look of shock on the towns peoples faces, everyone in the room freezes in shock and surprise. As you stagger into the taproom, closing and locking the door behind you. A couple of the local men race over to you, helping you to a suddenly empty table just inside the room.

"My god... your alive! Did you? Could you have... killed the beast?" One rambles as a tankard of ales is rushed forwards, grabbing it you take a long drink before looking at him.

"Its a WereWolf... it almost killed me... I wounded it... the blood on my face is from the beast." Now you are the one rambling, as everyone in the room draws back away from you. Drawing your silver dagger, you hold it up to display the blood still on its blade. "I cut its paw off with this, wounds from steel heal right over. But silver... silver wounds the beasts silver with kill it... I will kill it!" You unroll the cloth you had it wrapped in, dumping the massive paw out onto the table. Suddenly the room falls silent the villagers stare in horror, as the paw slowly shifts back into a normal human hand. The hand has a very noticeable birth mark upon it... and everyone there know exactly who it belongs to...