7 Horns in the dark

We rose early the next morning, before the rest of the tribe was awake.

Ausu told us we had a long journey ahead of us, I needed to get going right away. He also told us not to worry come out because of Haruna would be temporarily leading and protecting at the tribe until we got back.

Honestly, the thought of Haruna leading the tribe made me feel sick inside, not reassuring me one bit, but worrying me instead. Except opposite Ausu I've been hoping for.

Ausu had caught a rabbit, and was now stocking it over the fire, saying we could have some now, but we had to save the rest for later.

When we had finished eating, Ausu wrapped it in newspapers (I didn't bother to ask where he had gotten them), and put it into a potato sack which he carried slung over his shoulder.

When everything was ready, and we were ready to leave, Ausu told us: "Follow close behind me, and don't wander off. You could easily get lost."

"What if we transform?," I asked him. "We could get there much quicker."

"Good idea Merribelle! And get our identities revealed? I I think that would be making our mission a suicidal one." Unah announced, punching me playfully in the shoulder.

"Actually... that might be a better alternative..." Ausu considered.

"Really?!?" I asked, hopefully, my eyes shining.

"Yeah... if we took the more scenic route...," Ausu thought aloud, then he transformed into his large black werewolf self at a remarkable speed. "Well, what are you waiting for?" He asked, but it was more of a voice in my head then when he spoke aloud.

Then, with great difficulty, I transformed as well, remembering to let my hate, worries and regrets flow through me like Ausu had taught me.

The others had already transformed, but I wasn't far behind them.

"Ready?" Ausu asked, turning back to look at us.

"Yup. Let's go!" I anounced, and Ausu shot off like a missile, reatching an incredible speed. The others kept up easily, but it was all I could do to keep up.

But I focused, remembering how the strength had flowed through my veins, and then I had captured it, I felt like I too was a missile, heading straight and true to some unknown destination.

The wind whisked through my fur, and I felt as if my feet were mirly skimming the ground. As if if I jumped, I would be ridding the wind, and it would take me henceforth to my destination.

We raced over hills, and down valleys, into Rocky revines, and scaled expansive gorges. The forest seemed to go on forever, and still we ran, swift as wild mustangs, and as silent and stealthy as a panther.

We saw no people as we traveled, let alone cities, and their wasn't even the hut of an old hermit.

* * * * * * * *

That night Ausu built a fire, and we ate the remains of the rabbit.

"We should be getting close now," Ausu anounced. "We should be there in an hour after we've traveled in the morning. But for now we'd better get our rest. We have a long day ahead of us."

I lay stiffly on the pine-needle strewn ground, worried that since we were close now, the werewolf might come. I looked up at the moon. It wasn't full, but it was getting their. It should be full by tomorrow night.

Wow. Perfect timing. Ausu must have really thought this through well.

And with that I was sound asleep in moments.

I dreamed only sensations; snipits of dreams. Dark shadows. A mysterious mansion. A werewolf lerking in the darkness. The creek of a floorboard. And horns. Large black horns that shimmered red in the moonlight. Devil horns.

I woke up suddenly in a break of sweat, and was releved to see that it was light out, the crack of dawn, and Ausu was roasting a deer over the fire.

I noticed that no one else was awake, so I, reluctantly, got up and joined Ausu by the fire. "Do you think Lord Haundrake is the werewolf?" I asked him. (This thought had been nagging on me for awhile).

"Ummm...," Ausu paused for a moment, spinning the deer thoughtfully over the fire. "I hiley doubt it. It's more likely it's his brother Hanu Haundrake."

"You-you planed it all out so their would be a full moon tommorow night, didn't you?" I asked him.

"Of course. A good leader has to always be prepared."

"I don't think your prepared at all for what's coming." I told him, picturing the devil horns from my dream, sitting atop the head of a shadowy figure.

"Comon, Merribelle. It's nothing to worry about. It's just another werewolf we need to save." Ausu tried to reassure me.

"No. We need to be ready. I know it's coming, and it's going to be big."