Post by dirgecallers on Oct 21, 2008 16:25:47 GMT -5
It was just after nightfall in the forest glade. Outwardly, the forest clearing looked peaceful and idylic. To be decieved by appearances, however is always fatal. The lush green glade was no more solid than quicksand, for a one step wrong could send the unfortunate to his grave. The brave would know that danger is never alone, and this case was no exception.
Vajjan had been watching the rats for a quarter of an hour now, yet made no move. Since his migration to Mossflower, he had never wanted for prey it being so plentiful. But, as of late prey had been scarce. Of course he hadnt let anyone but his victims see him but his prescence was at least partly known and creatures were more wary when they went about in this forest. Rumors abounded of a horrific shadow in the dark, that came and went as it pleased and feared nothing.
Some superstitious vermin even claimed it came from hellgates.
There were three of them there, sitting near a fire on the edge of the swamp(not knowing that it WAS a swamp). Three rats. That was a bad count for attacking. There was nothing to do but sit and wait for the right time.
One of the rats spoke up. " Stoopid idjits! I tol' yer thar was nothing to be 'fraid off!" He went on, addressing the other rats, "Ever since Ol' Spinetooth tol' that searatter story las' nite, you all hav' been shiverin' jus' like yew was babes again!"
The rate called Spinetooth whined, "It were norra joke, 'onest, Weghul, I really did 'ear it off me oun ears off a searatter just 'efore 'e died." The third rat stood up and pushed Spinetooth to the ground. He said, " 'isten 'ere yew 'haint never bin near no ships yew great fibba'. 'H'me ' n Weghul are sick of yous lies", he drew a long dagger, " Tell yous lies to 'oever meets yer at 'ellgates!" Ignoring his prone crewmates pleas, he kicked Spinetooth over, intending to gut him on his back. Unfortulantly, for spinetooth, there would not be a quick death. He landed straight into the swamp with a 'clunk!' and was lost to view.
For a precious few seconds the two rats lingered, horrified at how close they too, had come to death. This was all the time Vajjan needed. Two rats, even out, not bad number.... go! Vajjan broke out of tree cover into the camp, and bowled the rats over. His two stingers shot down like lighning into the unfortunate rat. Whilst he was doing that Weghul had managed to get up and see a veritable monster clutching the last of his gang in his claws. There was no time to think. Wegul grabbed a branch from the fire and charged Vajjan with it. Vajjan hissed in anguish, a truly unearthly sound. His claw had been singed by the heat of the fire. Vajjan turned around, bowling Wegul over again, and fled the way he had come.
At least there would be dinner that night. Once Vajjan had eaten he would not need to feed again for a couple of days.
It did not concern him unduly that he had been seen, it was probably too dark for the rat to have distingushed anything anyhow. Even if he Had been seen, nobeast knew where the den of Vajjan lay. Except Vajjan.
The glade was soon quiet again, with the exception of one battered rat. Weghul held the burning branch, eyes still fearful and distrusting of his surroundings. That... , ...that THING....It could be slain...But how.........?
Vajjan had been watching the rats for a quarter of an hour now, yet made no move. Since his migration to Mossflower, he had never wanted for prey it being so plentiful. But, as of late prey had been scarce. Of course he hadnt let anyone but his victims see him but his prescence was at least partly known and creatures were more wary when they went about in this forest. Rumors abounded of a horrific shadow in the dark, that came and went as it pleased and feared nothing.
Some superstitious vermin even claimed it came from hellgates.
There were three of them there, sitting near a fire on the edge of the swamp(not knowing that it WAS a swamp). Three rats. That was a bad count for attacking. There was nothing to do but sit and wait for the right time.
One of the rats spoke up. " Stoopid idjits! I tol' yer thar was nothing to be 'fraid off!" He went on, addressing the other rats, "Ever since Ol' Spinetooth tol' that searatter story las' nite, you all hav' been shiverin' jus' like yew was babes again!"
The rate called Spinetooth whined, "It were norra joke, 'onest, Weghul, I really did 'ear it off me oun ears off a searatter just 'efore 'e died." The third rat stood up and pushed Spinetooth to the ground. He said, " 'isten 'ere yew 'haint never bin near no ships yew great fibba'. 'H'me ' n Weghul are sick of yous lies", he drew a long dagger, " Tell yous lies to 'oever meets yer at 'ellgates!" Ignoring his prone crewmates pleas, he kicked Spinetooth over, intending to gut him on his back. Unfortulantly, for spinetooth, there would not be a quick death. He landed straight into the swamp with a 'clunk!' and was lost to view.
For a precious few seconds the two rats lingered, horrified at how close they too, had come to death. This was all the time Vajjan needed. Two rats, even out, not bad number.... go! Vajjan broke out of tree cover into the camp, and bowled the rats over. His two stingers shot down like lighning into the unfortunate rat. Whilst he was doing that Weghul had managed to get up and see a veritable monster clutching the last of his gang in his claws. There was no time to think. Wegul grabbed a branch from the fire and charged Vajjan with it. Vajjan hissed in anguish, a truly unearthly sound. His claw had been singed by the heat of the fire. Vajjan turned around, bowling Wegul over again, and fled the way he had come.
At least there would be dinner that night. Once Vajjan had eaten he would not need to feed again for a couple of days.
It did not concern him unduly that he had been seen, it was probably too dark for the rat to have distingushed anything anyhow. Even if he Had been seen, nobeast knew where the den of Vajjan lay. Except Vajjan.
The glade was soon quiet again, with the exception of one battered rat. Weghul held the burning branch, eyes still fearful and distrusting of his surroundings. That... , ...that THING....It could be slain...But how.........?