Chapter Thirteen: Feral

Chrys fell backward on her duff, mouth open. Her hand went to stiffle her murmurs of shock. I stepped back and let them cough and sputter. He should have died from the arrow. I drew my blade to quicken his death. He did not deserve to suffer.

His hand flashed forward twisting my wrist, causing me to release my blood.

My mind raced. This was not possible. He was mortally wounded. His eyes seemed to change before me and he yanked me down to the ground. He pushed off of me and dashed off.

Chrysanthemum sat there amazed.

"Kinningson...he lives? End it please." She was a kindly enough soul. She had seen enough of the hurting. One more arrow should do the trick. I admitted I may have missed his heart, but even still...he shouldn't have been able to run off as he did.

"Go back to the old man." I tossed my boot dagger at hher feet."Stay safe."

I turned and ran after him. I didn't know if she bothered with it or if she even heeded my advice. I had one thought. This nonsense must end.

He had gotten a decent head start;my only lead was the trail of blood. So much like before.

I could tell where he ran. He cared little of personal injury. Many bushes bore the broken limbs and tell tale signs of his escape.

I caught a glimpse of him. I was closing in. He was heading toward the edge of the mountain where the river ran. To enter the river, would mean his death. It ran off the edge to a drop hundreds of feet high.

Sure enough he was making for it. He was limping severely. I pulled back my bowstring.

My eyes narrowed. He was running straight. My bow quivered.

I longed to see him fall. I shook my head. My sens of justice must have been blurred. I longed to see no one fall.

But secretly did I truly wish his demise? He was an afflicted man.

My bow quivered again. I had lost ground.

Thinking had stayed my hand and lost me valuable time.

I dashed again.

He had reached the river's edge when I came in shooting distance again.

"Sir, don't jump in. You'll die either way!"

He looked back, hazardy a glance that again caused me to stay my arrow.

There was pain and hunger and fear. There as something else. It was late. I had kept this chae on for too long.

He dove in.

I cursed and threw down my bow. I could fetch it later, same with my cloak. In I dove after him. The water was cold, frigid from the tops of the mountain.

He was swimming fast. The current must have been aiding him. My clothes drank up the water, pulling down, weighing down upon me. I pushed my hands forward and kicked, surfacing for a breath.

I lost sight of him amongst the cascading waves and rocks. The plummet would be here soon. Then it would be death for us both. But I had to make sure he was dead. With the way he had taken an arrow in the chest, he might just have enough luck to survive the fall.

I dove back under, propelling myself of a rock. If we both fell, I'd be sure to be there to hand him over to death. This way when our bodies would be found, all could say I had done my duity up until the end.

At long last I surfaced, barely able to hold my breath any longer. He was near the edge. He grasped a rock with tenacity, but his grip was slipping. His strength was sapped. I let the river pull me closer, surging forward to reach the same rock.

I lunged for him. As I neared his fear overtook him and his grip faded. My hand grappled his own and we both toppled over the edge.

Together we fell as the water coursed over us, ushering our freefall to the rocks below. It was then in the light of the moon that we both met eye to eye.

His eyes had gone yellow and he began tearing at his skin.

he was transforming again. He yanked the arrow from his chest and breathed. I grabbed for his throat, but his unnatural strength won out and I was batted aside. Only a few more seconds. I drew my axe out,but he had already fully changed and pulled himself tight, speeding his descent. I yelled out and followed suit. Just maybe I'd survive too.

I woke on the shore to the sunlight. I was sore, yet no wounds could be shown. My clothes were tattered. I was lucky.

Somewhat. The wolfman had escaped again.

I looked up to a familiar face. This time I was more pleased to see her.

She however didn't seem to pleased.

She didn't speak as she lent me a cloak to cover myself. She had retrieved my axe from the waters.

"There were several murders last night. all along the countryside. In many directions.The wolf must have been fast..."

I glanced sidelong at her.

"Forgive me for failing again. I must away. Many thanks. I go."

I rose to leave. She bit her lip and turned her head.

I noticed the quick look into the woods.

She was being watched, as was I.

Guilden. She had contacted him she said.

Perhaps he was here and had caught wind of my mishaps. As annoying as that was, he would at least provide a better shot.