*Garth POV

Skipping out of the inn, I decide to go take a peek at what Rorik's doing. Maybe I'll be able to get a rise out of him again. Walking along the streets, I see so many friends and a feeling of pride wells up within me as I watch them living their lives.

As I walk up to the hall, I see so many children I've brought up. They're all turning out fine as it is, I even see some getting married, having kids. It makes me think of my new kind of 'ward' Bai. He seems to be on the right track, but I see a hidden darkness there. I hope I can keep him on the right path, like a have with the others. But i'll worry about that another time.

Walking into the courtyard I'm greeted by the sight of Rorik training his recruit again. I feel like he pushes the poor boy too hard, but I suppose he still cares in his own way. I wait for them to finish their little sparring session to approach them.

"Now now, you don't want to run him to the ground do you?" Rorik looks over, the mild frown he always had plastered on his face.

"Don't tell me how to teach my students, I can get along just fine without your nagging." Rorik throws a hard punch at me, which I expected and sidestepped. This causes Roriks frown to deepen as he looks like he'll attack more.

"What do you think of Bai?" My sudden question catches him off guard as his stance falters. He looks to ponder for a moment before giving his answer.

"Well, he's definitely a unique one, even compared to the rest of your bunch. Needless to say, he's got some willpower though his swordsmanship could use some work. Altogether he's not a bad catch, just a bit too eager to jump into things. That and he seems a little too ready to kill, it's like he always goes for it. He has this calm look on his face, even if his action betray that."

"That's what I thought." I scratch the back of my head, realizing that he pays a lot more attention to detail than I do. I realize again why I kept him around as long as I did.

"Either way, I sent him out with Mark and the others to subjugate that wolf pack down south. Hopefully some socializing will be good for him, and the combat experience could help too."

Rorik freezes and gives me the look that makes me feel like an idiot that he's given me so many times before.

"You did what?"

"I sent them to subjugate some wolves, why?"

"Where?"

"The Southern Forest." Rorik plants his face in his palms and sighs deeply. I start to feel some concern, I have no clue why he's acting like this, but he's probably exaggerating as usual. Finally he raises his head and looks at me.

"You need to go find those kids. I heard some rumors of a Werewolf escaping captivity near the wasteland. If those kids find it... they won't stand a chance."

Seeing the grim look on Roriks ever grim face, I still feel like nothings wrong. The wasteland was pretty far from here, and as fast as Werewolves are, I don't think it could cover that distance.

"Well, how long ago was it? A day or two?"

"Two days ago."

"Then I'm sure it'll be fine. Those kids can handle themselves either way. Just one werewolf might be rough but they can get through it." I walk away and wave my hand,

"I'll check with Ed just in case, either way, thanks for the scoop Rory!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" I hear him call out as I run from the building.

Making my way back to the Inn, I think over what Rorik said. I'm sure that a Werewolf wouldn't be able to make it this far, even a strong one would struggle to make it in a short time. That is if they made it past the other stronger beasts from here to the wasteland. Reaching the inn, I shout

"HEY OLD MAN!" And kick open the door. I look around and don't see him and head to the back where I see him cooking what I assume is lunch for himself.

"Yes Garth, maybe you could enter normally for once. I may have a heart attack if you keep it up with these stunts of yours."

"Well I had a question. What do you know about a werewolf being in the southern forest?" Ed frowns, and a knowing smile forms on his lips.

"Garth, you should know that their homeland is far from here."

"Yeah, but Rorik said one escaped from a caravan near the wasteland." A scowl appears on Eds face and his eyes light up, as if remembering something.

"Bai said something about starving wolves being pretty common in the surrounding forests. That they seemed really aggressive for some reason."

My stomach drops, sweat starts to pour from my face as I look towards Ed.

"Lend me your sword." Ed nodded and gave me his old broadsword, as sharp as it was 20 years ago, when it was first forged. I look at Ed one last time and make my way out.

"Garth... Be careful." I break into a sprint out of the town, heading to the southern forest. I hear a howl sound out from beyond the treeline and keep running, faster than before. My heart thumping in my chest as a fog starts to cover the area. I stretch my senses to their limits, trying to find where they are, any kind of fighting.

I hear a band from the east and head that way, making sure not to get lost. A howl sounds out from in front of me as my vision clears. I'm greeted by a sight that makes my blood run cold. I see Bai fighting... something. It looked like a werewolf, but it wasn't. The pitch black fur, matted with blood, the teeth. sharpened to points and its claws glowing in the dim light.

I see Bai get thrown back into a tree, I hear the cracking of his ribs, audible even at my distance. I feel something I haven't felt in a long time. A calm overtook my body as I rushed forward to Bai, staggering to his feet. I enter the view of the monster and step in front of Bai, muscles tensed, ready for a fight I wasn't sure I could win.

I see Bai look up in shock, an expression I haven't seen on him before. Seeing his bloody face, I assure him,

"Well fought, but its my turn. I'll take care of everything."

It looks like relief flooded over his body as he collapsed to the ground and I revert my attention back to the enemy in front of me. In the corner of my eye I see the body of Mark, headless. I bite my tongue, the pain sharpening my senses as I ready myself to breathe in one last time. It howls and rushes towards me, black fog covering my vision as I stand my ground and whisper,

"Everyone, I'll avenge you... I promise."