The Thief | Page 4

Hanno Futaba · Jun 2, 2018

1 HP

MAX 168 HP

43 EN

MAX 103 EN

-130 HP from Beast Attacks and Chomp
-10 EN for Careful Attack
-5 EN for holy light for illumination!

The hit from @Rook the Quick was massive- And the anchor guard aura protecting the swordman would not only block most of the wounds that he would receive, but they were also going to stealth him from the creature's predatory instincts. After the hit connected, Hanno would roll over the Thief's back.

As he hopped out of the creature's body, aiming his loyal shield toward the monster. Ghast stared at it with a grim expression in it's eyes, his tentacles wiggled in a vicious way-

But the beast? It's eyes were also brimming with anger, rage, the creature was filled with a hatred that seeked for a revenge. That was when Hanno was in the worst, yet best place and time he could be... He was right in front of the monster- Swinging it's wings, the Thief charged an attack that could almost erase the raid party.

HEROIC DESIRE

"NO, YOU WON'T!" Burning with determination blazes, the Faerin wielded Ghast toward the monster, partially blocking it's attack, protecting the few Monster Hunter comrades that were behind him- After the wing attack finished, Hanno looked up at the monster once again- The creature was still furious, of course it would be, and in a fit of anger it decided to chomp the Faerin, that barely had time to react.

The only reaction Hanno had was to hold himself to not get instantly swallowed, the Faerin stretched his legs and shoved his feet on the monster's throat to support himself.

Hanno tried to ignore the horrible smell, and it wasn't hard to do it considering the situation he was in. Ghast's eyes widened, they were in a dire moment now. "YEAH RIGHT, OF COURSE- FOR THE FOURTH TIME MY LIFE IS IN DANGER FROM BEING EATEN BY SOMETHING. I ALREADY UNDERSTOOD KARMA, I NEED TO STOP BEING A GLUTTON!" The Faerin cursed whoever that was responsible for him always getting into those life threatening situations of being eaten alive.

His feet slipped a bit, and he got even closer from being engulfed. Hanno frowned. "SCREW THIS, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY THIS GAME, LET'S DO IT!" The Faerin's heroic flames became even brighter as he raised Ghast, illuminating the creature's mouth. He began slamming the bottom of his Shield as hard as he could on the creature's snout, smashing it with blood spilling on Hanno's face and on his Shield.

He didn't care, he wasn't going to die there- "I'M GONNA NEED SOME HELP OVER HERE!" Hanno yelled at the top of his lungs, asking for assistance.

Careful Attack on the Thief.
35 + 10 (Alric's Buff™) + 25 + 25 = 95
Tracker / Roll
Target: 1511/ ??? HP

Ueno Mizuki · Jun 2, 2018

61 HP

MAX 139 HP

76 EN

MAX 126 EN

-10 EN for Careful Attack
-40 HP from Wing Attacks
+Awesome from King of the Pack

It was a good thing that Mizuki had turned around so when the beast enraged and began to attack indiscriminately she wasn't struck in the back. However the force of its wings was still enough to knock her backwards, the wolfwoman growling as she dug her claws into the stone floor of the cavern to keep her grip.

However it quickly became clear that she still got off lucky, as @Hanno Futaba was on the verge of being eaten. The faerin had bravely defended his allies, but it looked like he was now paying the price, wounded and battered with the beast about to chomp down on him.

Mizuki wasn't about to let that happen.

They had entered the beast's lair and were trying to kill it while it had been in the middle of its meal. It had every right to be enraged. But if Mizuki was going to be intimidated by something like an angry shadow bat she wouldn't have become a Monster Hunter in the first place.

Her eyes narrowed as both began to glow, one an icy blue and the other a bloody red. Already standing on all fours the lupis quickly turned into a dire wolf, large and snarling with black and white fur. Throwing her head back in her neck she howled, and the howl resonated throughout the entire cavern, the bones of every person present vibrating in response as suddenly Mizuki's presence appeared larger than life, represented by the spirit wolf even larger than Mizuki herself, imitating her howl and adding an ethereal layer to it. Impossible to ignore, impossible to dominate, Mizuki's rage and bloodlust manifesting themselves in the aura of an alpha.

As the howl filled the battlefield several of the other Monster Hunters present followed suit, the fire of Mizuki's spirit filling their veins as their bodies reshaped themselves into those of wolves. Their howls added to the original's even as Mizuki's remained the prominent one.

With her pack formed and her dominance secured the black and white dire wolf didn't waste any more time and charged forward, large fangs bared and claws scraping the stone beneath her paws. The spirit wolf followed every one of her movements, leaving behind a purple-blue haze. Once she was close enough Mizuki dashed to the side before pouncing, leaping straight on top of the bat-like monster. Digging her claws into the beast's skin she opened her jaws wide before digging into her prey's neck, trying to tear it open. Her claws kept her from falling off, her weight would throw the beast off balance, unless it shook her off it couldn't fight back.

If the beast ignored her it would pay the price.

Careful Attack on the Thief
King of the Pack activated
38 + 35 = 73
Tracker / Roll
Target: 1584 / ??? HP

Rook the Quick · Jun 2, 2018

89 HP

MAX 112 HP

48 EN

MAX 118 EN

+27 HP from Alric <3
-20 HP from Wing Attacks (Protected <3)
-20 EN for Reckless

Who joined him in his downward spiral, dove towards the blackness-bleeding monster at his side? (It was Hanno!)

Who fell with him like a shooting star that broke apart on impact, a pair of little men who scissored at the shadow’s spine? (It was Hanno!)

Who paid the price of Rook’s recklessness, of retaliation? Who paid the price?

...

What was it like to be swallowed? The belly of Titanius had not been so narrow, so confining, so lined with row on row of razor-teeth. How apropos for hunger to consume the one who stood against the rain of striking wingflaps, how fitting for the starving thief to gorge upon Rook’s guardian!

The fighter with bare feet and shins and knees had no time to thank Alric for his blessing or to notice that his left hand passed the jian (discreetly, like a classroom note) back to his right. He had no time to think (as if he would) of howls or wolves with their wildness transforming on the battlefield before he too jumped upon their winged foe.

A messy sight! Undignified and sprawled, his sandaled toes and heels kicking at its brows and eyes, its snout in his embrace as Rook the Quick jammed Respiro between its moving jaws, a bridle for the bat with the bottomless belly. He felt the impact of the alpha strike below him as her furred form met the buckling beast's throat, felt its body's shudders.

His blade was warm as fresh saliva, as sharp as surgery.

While it was distracted, Rook thrust his other hand towards the shield-bearer, feeling past tentacles and throatflesh. Plunging. Grasping. Within the rippling cavern, his fingers found the Faerin's. He sought and grasped the small man's hand like the hilt of a blade, held onto him with blind beginnings even as he wedged Respiro more tightly in its maw.

He would not let go!
...

(Who paid the price?)

Reckless Attack on The Thief
(67+4)+(20+20) = 111
Tracker / Roll
Target: 1695 / ??? HP

Noah Krane · Jun 2, 2018

90 HP

MAX 136 HP

88 EN

MAX 133 EN

-10 EN for Stable Attack

-05 EN for Illuminate
-15 HP from source

“Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit…” Noah watched with horror as Futaba was currently stuck inside the beast’s maw. Noah was in a panic. Should he fire at the creature? What if his arrows missed their target again? He could end up killing Futaba rather than saving him. Noah knew that he had to shake off whatever fear was trying to overcome him.

“Alright...one more time. Illuminate!”

Lightning once more raced around him as he aimed his bow at The Thief. “Choke on this.” He let his arrow go while loading up yet another one to fire in a consecutive manner as he had done before. The first arrow grazed the creature, the second though was able to find itself in a non vital location, still it at least found something. “Damn it, we’ve got to kill this guy before he eats us all…”

Noah went ahead and loaded another arrow in his bow. He had used a chunk of his energy as of late but he was still ready to go. This son of a bitch was going down one way or another. Noah took a few steps back, trying to get further away from this creature but still he wanted to be close enough that he can continue to provide range support.

Stable Attacking the Thief & Illuminate

3+28+10(Stable)+20(Weapon)+ 20(Range)= 81

Tracker / Roll

Target: 1776 / ??? HP

Celestine · Jun 2, 2018

69 HP

MAX 154 HP

92 EN

MAX 157 EN

-40 HP from Double-wing-attack
-15 EN for Heal
-5 EN for Illuminate

The dark oppression slowly eased, allowing Celestine's melancholy mood to fade. Of course, the giant beast of darkness wouldn't stand for such a void and replaced that supernatural depression with something even worse: panic; the panic of potentially swallowing the little person. Because at least you can still vaguely focus against a mild depression. When it came to panic, YOU HAD TO DO 'WHATEVER' AND QUICKLY.

It was generally accepted that struggling to escape an animals jaws was a bad move. Most animals will continue to bite harder, and the only successful method of escape is not to try and yank your way out, but to bash the thing until it let up. Sadly, not only was Cel totally clueless about such advanced animal handling but also PAAAANIIIIIC!

Starting to run off in one direction, then another, Celly shuffled about in roughly the same spot for a few seconds. How did she save the little person?! Would healing help if he was about to be a snack? But support wouldn't help much either. And then suddenly there was a pack of wolves, and the beastie was going after someone new! Okay, okay, PRIORITIES!

"Do a wait, I will be right there," she called to the shield snack, rushing over! At this point, he resembled more of a crumpled pile of torn flesh, though surprisingly still conscious and kicking. What tenacity.

"Um um um... right!" Whisking her finger through the air, mere moments passed before another small portal opened, unleashing a hoard of little, glowing, ghost fairies. They didn't spare even a moment before rushing to the fallen faerin, poking and prodding him with both magic touch and healing water.

Illuminate + Heal @Hanno Futaba for 42
7 + 35 = 42
Tracker / Roll

Lexiichuu · Jun 2, 2018

Fighting The Thief

Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Time of Day: Seven Forty PM.
Location: Mining Cave North of Aramoor Village.

Mizuki’s howl was more than enough to shift the Creature’s attention, his luminous yellow eyes darting down to her form as she shapeshifted. Hanno was forgotten, the strong muscle of the Bat’s tongue forcing the Faerin out and onto the ground. He turned, squared off with the dire wolf, and screamed out his challenge only for her howl to answer him note for note.

The party continued to pelt him, their weapons digging into his skin, drawing deeper and deeper wounds that bled more and much faster. The ground was a mix of blood, bones, rotten meat, and bat guano. And though the massive creature seemed winded, he turned to Mizuki and took her challenge head-on. He was a predator! This was his home! How dare she –

Her sharp jaws clamped down around his throat, the teeth an iron-grip around his trachea and windpipe. He gasped, surprised, and lost his balance. He fell backward even as the other Monster Hunters piled onto him, stabbing, clubbing, slashing to make sure he stayed down. Mizuki’s wolves tore into him, gore and blood splattering the ground.

He gave a roar of defiance that shook the cavern, but it didn’t matter. This was the end…

Suddenly, the cavern erupted with the sound, sight, and feeling of millions upon millions of bats. Where they came from could be anyone’s guess, but they immediately turned on the party and began to attack. They squeaked and squealed into your ears, nipped at your exposed flesh and pushed at you with their tiny bodies. Did they seem to be…ushering you out? But, these were bats. Why would they be making you leave this area?

You can taste the blood in your mouth. It’s…different than you would have expected. Thick, sludge-like, and too dark even in this low light.

You can feel the life slipping from the creature beneath you.

You watch as his eyes begin to roll back in his head, the eyelids fluttering in the effort to stay open. The color shifts, the luminous yellow losing its brilliance and gleam and retreating to a dull, mud brown.

The iris shifts, becomes round. Becomes…human?

You glance up. The other Monster Hunters are being harried by the millions upon millions of bats in the area. They choke the cavern, filling the air and making it hard to breathe. You ignore them.

You look down and notice the body, the deflation of the chest, the subtle pop of reforming bones. The body was…shifting?!

A bat flies into your face, squeaking and nipping and pushing. Another hits you from the side. Another falls onto your back, tangling with your fur with its sharp claws, sinking its tiny fangs into you. More converge on you as the body continue to lose mass, continues to shift, deflate, reform.

“We must retreat!” Samson’s voice cuts through the din of noise from the bats while they continue to harry him as well. Blood drips from tiny wounds that crisscross his chest, arms, legs, and face. He clutches his rib-cage with one arm, the other hand sporting at least one broken finger.

As a unit, you turn toward the cave entrance, the bats continuing with their harassment as you attempt to leave the cavern.

Instructions

This challenge has come to a close! Congrats guys!

You can do a post leaving the cavern with the monster hunters if you’d like, but it’s not required. There’s no word post limit/maximum this time.

We're kinda in freeform territory if your character wants to try stuff. Please ask/converse with me in Discord/via PM.

I’ll be posting loot as soon as I get the okay from Asch.

Questions? Hit me up in DM or Discord.
Post Templates

Attacking the enemy
Code:
[bg] [HP=MAX]Current[/HP] [EN=MAX]Current[/EN] [/bg]
-XX EN for action
-XX HP from source
[hr]x[/hr]
Post here. Blah blah blah.
[tracker][d]Action here and target[/d]
[score]Your roll + Modifiers = Total[/score]
Tracker / Roll
Target: 000 / 000 HP
[/tracker]
Supporting the party
Code:
[bg] [HP=MAX]Current[/HP] [EN=MAX]Current[/EN] [/bg]
-XX EN for action
-XX HP from source
[hr]x[/hr]
Post here. Blah blah blah.
[tracker][b2]Support action[/b2] @ALLY'S NAME for XX
[score][b2] Your roll + Modifiers = Total [/b2][/score]
Tracker / Roll
[/tracker]
Combat Log

The Beast has been defeated!

The Party takes 20 damage from the Bat Swarm.
If you protected someone or attacked recklessly, take 40 damage instead.
If you were protected or attacked carefully, take 10 damage instead.

Mizuki takes 25 damage from the Creature's Bite Attack.

Players!

@Alric Stalwart @Rook the Quick @Ueno Mizuki @Noah Krane @Celestine @Milah @Hanno Futaba

Hanno Futaba · Jun 2, 2018

33 HP

MAX 168 HP

63 EN

MAX 103 EN

+20 EN from Recovery Energy
+42 HP from Celestine <3
+Ass saved thanks to everyone's effort <3
-10 HP Because The Thief's cousins attack.

Hanno slammed the beast's snout as hard as he could... He tried again and again, but it didn't seem like it was working out. "Fuck!" He cursed the beast and himself, trying his best to get out of the creature's maw, but everything in vain... His legs felt tired, they weren't going to endure long enough.

And suddenly, a howl echoed through the cave, followed by a powerful impact on the beast that shaked it's maw. With the shake, Hanno's legs slipped and he fell, while Ghast helplessly tried to hold something to save his master, but not being able to do so- It was the end.

The Faerin closed his eyes waiting for the painful death, but someone grabbed his hand, halting his fall. He looked up, seeing @Rook the Quick. His expressions that were filled with fear, turned into a hopeful and weak smile... Having someone risking themselves and trying to save him, it was very assuring. Sometimes even a hero needs heroes to save him.

With his hopes restored, Hanno grasped the swordman's hand with everything he had. Trying to get out of the monster's mouth. The effort was big, and the progress was despicable- But he wasn't going to give up, and soon his hopes would pay up as he would be thrown at the ground along with Rook. He shook his head, weakly trying to stand up from the ground... And that was when @Celestine's healing spell touched the Faerin's wounds, closing them and filling him with vitality and strength once again.

"Th-Thanks you guys." He coughed.

Supporting himself on his shield, Hanno stood up to see the ferocious sight: @Ueno Mizuki and her pack were brutally destroying the beast, reaping the creature's life as it gasped and roared in pain, falling down and finally ending the battle. "Holy crap, Boss..." His eyes widened a bit, and suddenly a swarm of bats flew toward them.

"Whoop! Time to run- Let's go!" The Faerin yelped, turning away to start running away from the creatures. He would look to see if Rook or Celestine would need help to run, but it seemed that they were fast and healthy enough to keep up a fast pace on their runs. After checking the rest of the adventurers group, he looked back at the Monster Hunter warriors.

Everyone was pretty hurt, but still managing to give it a run- Until he spotted a quite injuried Druid on the ground (The one that was spat on the ground. @Lexiichuu). Hanno blasted off toward the Shape-shifter, wrapping his arms around them and running as fast he could while raising his Shield to protect the injuried Druid.

When he finally managed to leave the cave and get far enough from it's entrance, the Faerin would fall on his knees, gently resting the Druid on the ground and taking his time to catch his breath as he turned his face to see the rest of the group, giving a grateful smile. "You guys saved me back there... I'm really grateful, thank you a lot." Hanno nodded, scratching his head with a slight embarrassment. After all, his situation was quite dire back there, but now it seems everything was fine...

@Milah @Noah Krane @Alric Stalwart

Recovering Energy
No roll
Tracker

Milah · Jun 3, 2018

45 HP

MAX 133 HP

85 EN

MAX 145 EN

-20 HP from Bat Swarm

Finally… after so much effort and attacks from everyone inside the mines the batlike creature had slumped to the ground with a solid thuuud that shook the cavern system. The wolf like form of Mizuki remained atop the beast, like a well behaved hunting dog after catching its prey as instructed, before the swarm of bats that followed from deeper into the mines blocked Milah’s sight. The Felis hissed in frustration, even attempting to slash at a few bats when they tiny teeth punctured her skin and drew blood. Others seemed to tangle in her hair, almost on purpose really, as their little feet grabbed on and attempted to pull the ranger in the direction of the mine’s exit.

What the… heeey!

Milah’s rebuttals fell on deaf ears as the bat swarm continued buffeting her and the others still present, the Felis struggling to move past them and towards the crevice where her backpack and the corrupted grove minipet awaited. He whimpered, confused as he’d huddled against her belongings, and Milah was thankful for the small respite as she slumped against the stone to catch her breath. It was a tiny pocket of sort, flanked by a stone wall on one side and a swarm of bats on the other, and the brunette was thankful for the small moment of peace amidst all the chaos as she felt her breathing and heartbeat returning to normal levels.

Well, that sure was fun, huh little guy?

A hand rested atop the moss and thorns covered head of the wolf pup, the creature growling in mock complain even as the bushy tail wagged ever so steadily behind his rump. Getting back onto her feet the Felis secured her backpack, tightening the straps, before picking up the minipet and steeled her resolve. One… Two… THREE! Closing her eyes and grasping the canine tightly in her arms, Milah found herself diving back into the almost never ending like swarm of bats--allowing their bufetting and insistent tugging and pushing to lead her in the direction of the exit for the mine.

The Felis could hear, even if she couldn’t see at the moment, the other Monster Hunter faction members and her own party members making their way out of the tunnels. Finally, after what felt forever, Milah managed to stumble outside and into the moonlit night that awaited them--the cool atmosphere welcomed after the grueling battle moments they had been exposed to inside the mine thanks to the beast and the adrenaline currently pumping through their veins.

We did it… We actually did it...

Part of the Felis was still somewhat surprised, though a faint smile lined her lips as Milah allowed the feeling of victory to washed over her. After a few moments, and thanks to the squirming bundle in her arms, the Felis finally focused again--placing the pup on the ground before looking around for familiar faces such as Samson, Lanoi (@Lexiichuu) and @Noah Krane.

Is everyone else alright?

Escaping the Mines
Tracker

Lexiichuu · Jun 3, 2018

Event Questionaire!
Everyone

Loot

Monster Hunter Repuation +1
The Monster Hunters Guild thanks you for your help!

One Per Person

Loot

150g
Instead of an item below or MP, you can take your payment by way of coin.

Loot

100 MP
Instead of an item below or gold, you can take your payment by way of MP.

Loot

Obsidian Shield
(1h Shield)
The front of this shield was made from the obsidian mined near Aramoor Village. It seems to absorb all light when deflecting attacks.

Loot

Illumination
(2h Grimoire)
A massive leather-bound tome with an embossed setting sun on the cover. The spine is warm to the touch.

Loot

Obsidian Longsword
(1h Slash)
The blade of this sword was made from the obsidian mined near Aramoor Village. It seems to absorb all light when not in its scabbard.

Loot

Obsidian Ore
(1h Projectile)
A brown sack containing hunks of obsidian ore. They vary in size, but the weight, when thrown, is about as heavy as a baseball.

Loot

Bat Swarm
(Minipet - Challenge)
These tiny brown and black bats will stay grouped in a small swarm and hover behind you when summoned. If you stand close enough to them, you can hear them squeaking back and forth to each other.

Loot

Obsidian Greaves
(Heavy Armor - Feet)
This armor was fashioned from the obsidian mined near Aramoor Village. It seems to absorb all light.

Loot

Obsidian Knuckles
(2h Gauntlets)
These fist weapons were fashioned from the obsidian mined near Aramoor Village. They seem to absorb all light when worn.

Loot

Knit Scarf
(Light Armor - Head)
Knit from a complex stitch pattern known only in Aramoor Village. It will keep you warm in the most severe weather.

Ueno Mizuki · Jun 3, 2018

61 HP

MAX 139 HP

76 EN

MAX 126 EN

She felt the life fade away between her jaws as sharp fangs and strong muscles bit straight through skin and flesh, crushing bone between and choking her prey even as blood filled her mouth. Holding on as the beast fell down and clamping down harder with her jaws she kept it from moving even as the rest of her pack began to tear it apart, finishing a messy fight once and for all.

The odd taste and feeling of the blood confused her, but she wouldn't let up until she was sure that the prey was dead. However she wasn't going to try and drink it until she had some idea of what it was, so it leaked out from between her fangs to drip down onto the creature's dark body and the stone ground below. Focused on the target as she was she didn't have much time to react to the bats which suddenly appeared everywhere, a muffled growl escaping her mouth as she felt the tiny critters pushing, clawing and biting against her thick fur, trying to draw her blood. While not an immediate threat it was a disturbance, and if she wasted too much time the pinpricks could mount up into a serious injury.

The bigger shock was when the body below her began to shrink and reshape itself, Mizuki's bloodlust waning now that her prey had died and confused by curiosity as the form it began to take on was distinctly... human. She'd have liked to study it slowly and with care, but the others were already beginning to leave and she didn't fancy being stuck in a cave where she'd be swarmed by numerous unusually aggressive bats. Grabbing the corpse with her jaws she began to make her way out, tracking the sound of the others as they moved out ahead of her and following them. Everyone who was going to get out was already moving, so she could focus on getting back out in the open.

Bursting out from the mines the dire wolf looked up at the cloudy sky, the light already dying as the sun began to sink towards the horizon. They still had some time left before night fell: as eventful as the hunt had been it hadn't been a very long one. Looking back towards the others it was a relief to see that most of them were still there, and that the ones who had turned into her pack for the duration of the hunt had also managed to escape. Covered in tiny wounds, but that could easily be fixed with some healing magic.

Dropping the corpse onto the ground she sniffed it carefully, ascertaining that yes, it was indeed a human. However for the duration of the fight it hadn't made any indication of being truly intelligent: it had fought and struggled like any large animal would have done when attacked. Was it a curse which robbed the creature of its intelligence as long as it was in its bestial shape? Something like lycanthropy, but instead of a wolf you got a bat.

...Well, whatever. She'd warn everyone to make sure they cured any possible diseases (since they'd been assaulted by bats that was a good idea anyway), but the creature itself was dead and she was pretty sure curses like that couldn't be carried over through consumption. Lowering her head she used one paw to hold the werebat's corpse in place while with her teeth she ripped off a piece, laying down next to her prey as she began to gnaw on it, biting off chunks and swallowing them.

Not the best taste, but at least it was fresh.

Escaping the underground, digging in first
Tracker

Rook the Quick · Jun 4, 2018

49 HP

MAX 112 HP

48 EN

MAX 118 EN

-40 HP from Bat Swarm

A little smile, a grasping hand, a cruel twist of fate averted! Rook and @Hanno Futaba fell onto the cavern floor as blood spattered around them, their enemy’s last mark upon the world. It had fed well on the livestock of Aramoor, had feasted nightly on its bounty. Always it had hungered. Never was it satisfied. And now, at last, the hunter had been hunted.

The cries of bats like crickets out-of-time preceded their arrival. The roar of Samson, strongest of the hunter-men, lay down a baritone foundation. A bass line for the music, for the crescendo, for the closing notes. The words were clear. THE THIEF was dead. The pack dispersed, the swarm in flight, the quest completed.

Rook left exclamation marks scattered on the ground like breadcrumbs, and fled from the finale.

…

When they stood beneath the sky again, the little swordsman took a deep breath of fresh air. He found a bat hiding in his hood and handed it to @Celestine , as normally as one might chip in change for takeout. On hearing Hanno’s words Rook shook his head and pointed at the shield-bearer, then clapped his hand on his own chest. He pointed again, insistently, then held up Respiro. They had saved each other! Quick-quick-quick, the way he fought, the way he liked, the way he wanted. He held his arms up in victory to mark their large-group triumph, to beckon in boar-barbecues and future celebration!

Hanno’s hug embarrassed him and he ducked his head, side-stepping and tap-tap-tapping. He was—he was not so ready for a close embrace, so filled with gratitude and nearly-dying. Rook was more grateful for the wolf-distraction, teeth and chewing, devouring the devourer. Taking back the meat the Thief had stolen. So messy! (But more was mercy.)

He handed another bat to Celestine. It squeaked.
The squeak said, "See me."

Escape The Thief's Lair
Tracker