We returned from the witch’s cabin with an hour still to go before nightfall. Thanks to the Captain’s influence, the sole inn in town did not charge us for our stay, especially since we were using our own food and drink. Frankly, after the road it was good to just have a roof over our heads and a bed to sleep on.

Before we turned in, however, we met in the common room to consider our plans for the next day. As hoped, the townsfolk had copied one of their maps of the forest for us, and Bessie had marked the points of interest that the witch had mentioned. Spreading the map over the table in the otherwise deserted common room, we began plotting how best to use this information.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Frostmane eyed the map, and said, “The witch said we would probably find the answers if we went to the Temple, yes? Why shouldn’t we just go straight there? It would save us all some time.”

Vestele shook her head. “The seal upon the Temple may be weakened, and on the verge of breaking, but we don’t know what it would take to actually break it. We don’t even know if it is possible for mortals to break it. We’d waste time sitting and studying the barrier, and just waiting for it to fall. Not to mention, if it is truly the center of the trouble, then that is where the most powerful enemies would be gathered. And they’ll be able to call for aid unless we deal with their other forces first.”

Siora took a drink from her enchanted waterskin, and nodded. “Normally, I’d be all too willing to just cut to the end, and skip the hard work, but I think Ves is right. The barrier may be on its way out, and if Magdalin was correct in saying that it is holds the key to the mystery, then no doubt we will end up going there. But simply waiting for the barrier to fail is a losing game, especially without knowing what awaits us.”

I nodded slowly. “In that case, why don’t we delegate some of the responsibility?” Seeing the others turn to look at me, I simple shrugged, and said, “Even without Magdalin’s warning, I already thought that the temple had something to do with this, because of the timing of the barrier weakening and the death of the priestess being the start of this affair. However, the twins are correct that we can’t simply sit idle until we find a way through. Apart from the fact that it wouldn’t actually be helping us to complete our mission, there’s also the fact that we’d be making a poor showing for the locals, who might attempt to take their frustrations out on us if we aren’t seen to be doing our job.”

“That being the case, I suggest we approach either Magdalin, or Celaena, or both, and see if they can spare the magic for diviniations or scryings each day upon the temple, so that we can have some warning if the barrier is about to suddenly go down, or there are forces gathering outside it. Not only are they powerful spellcasters, who likely would be able to get results we cannot, but doing this would allow us to focus on other things. The temple may be the key, but that doesn’t mean we should rush straight to the goal in a dungeon without searching for traps first.”

The others considered, and then nodded. Finally, Frostmane said, “Fine. In that case, we should go to the wolf dens, first. The werewolves might not be based there, but we ought to check them, at least. But that brings up another question. How are we going to get around the forest? I’ll still be able to move quickly enough, and Little Bird is quick on her feet, but you two? Without the horses, you are no faster than regular elves. And flying above the trees will just make two separate groups, both of whom can be targeted while they are unable to support each other.”

Siora grimaced. “And while horses can manage through the forest, it would not be best for them, and may do more harm than good if we’re relying on them. Especially since wolves, even normal wolves, would still be a threat to them. If the werewolves killed the horses, then we’d be in deep trouble. It will take us longer, but I think we’ll have to go on foot.”

Vestele nodded. “Which gives us another problem. If we’re going to do this on foot, then we’ll likely have to spend some time sleeping outside, in a forest with werewolves hunting people. There is magic that would protect us while we slept, but it is not the kind of spell either of us can cast.”

Frostmane chuffed. “Nothing we can do about that, except look for places that are easy to defend, before we bed down for the night, and have watches posted, just in case. If we could set up some kind of traps or defenses before-hand, that would be best, but I doubt we’ll be able to do that on the move.”

Siora looked thoughtful. “There’s at least druids and rangers in this town. Maybe there is a mage or two as well. I doubt we’d be so lucky as to find a wand or other item carrying the protective spell I know of, but finding one, even a partially discharged one, that contains the Alarm spell would make it so that we could at least sleep easy if we found a cave. Any creature that came too close to the cave’s entrance would set off the alarm, waking us.”

I took a breath. “We’ll ask in the morning. Same goes for the other spell. It would be great if it could find it, but we should plan on not having them. So, we set watches, and find someplace to sleep that we can defend easily. In fact, even if we find the spells, we should still do that. The werewolf that killed the priestess managed to take her down despite her magic, after all. We can’t assume that magic can’t be countered, or dispelled.”

AaaROOOOOOOO!

Our quiet contemplation was shattered by the howling of wolves. Not just one or two, but many, and they seemed to come from the south and east sides of the town, opposite the lake, where there was cover enough for wolves to approach to the edge of bowshot without risking themselves. There had to be at least two dozen voices in that bestial chorus.

Suddenly, I had an idea. It was rash, maybe stupid. Ok, probably stupid. But it was an idea. Looking to the rest of the group, I smiled, and said, “Since we’re here, why don’t we go and introduce ourselves to the neighbors. We can all see in the dark, and aren’t obligated to protect the civilians huddling behind the wall, so why don’t we go and play with the naughty pups outside who are making such a racket? I think everyone would be very happy if we did that, no?”

Vestele smirked. “Oh, I think they’d just love us forever if we did. But, more importantly, I was just thinking about bed, and there is no way I’ll be able to sleep with this racket. I believe that we should complain, and convince them to keep it down, don’t you?”

Frostmane chuffed, and rose from the floor where he had been sitting, at the end of the table. “I haven’t been able to educate young pups in quite a while. It would be good to show the little ones what a true wolf is like.”

Siora just shook her head as she rose from the table. “All right, then. Let’s finish this up quickly, so we have enough time to sleep properly before we go checking on the wolf den tomorrow.”

I grinned, and said, “Then, let’s go and introduce ourselves.” With that in mind, we all rose, and left the inn. Those of us that wore armor all wore pieces that were light enough due to the materials it was made of that they could be worn while sleeping without issue, and so they had taken to sleeping in their armor while on the move, precisely for times like this, when action called them unprepared.

The town was bathed in an unnatural reddish glow, the tainted light of the unnatural blood red moon locked in its fullest state shining down upon it. I looked up at that moon with a frown. Science was never my thing in my old world, but I knew that there were several patent impossibilities going on, if you took that sight at face value.

The moon still went through phases outside the Moonwood, which meant it was still circling the world. But here, it had not only been full for months, but dyed a bloody color not seen elsewhere, and it was bright enough that it cast a red glow on the town, as opposed to the softer silver of normal moonlight. Even when the moon appeared to change color on Earth, the effect was never so pronounced as to actually change the light upon the ground.

Clearly, magic was at play. But this was beyond a normal wizard’s abilities. This had to be the work of an artifact or ritual of some kind. No doubt it somehow strengthened the werewolves who roamed under it, but just how it did so, I couldn’t say. Another mystery that we had to unravel, if we were to figure out what was going on here.

Moving towards the main gate into town, I spotted Captain Sweetling calling out orders to the militia. “Jackson, Thaddeus, keep watch on the gate to the docks! These aren’t dumb beasts! Werewolves can swim, damnit, and if they get inside the gates, the civilians are going to be slaughtered!”

The Captain nodded to us as we approached, but didn’t stop belting out orders to her troops. “Jakke, make sure the archers know not to go wasting arrows unless they’re sure of their shots. We don’t have the time to go out getting materials for an endless supply of ammunition!”

I waited until she was finished with her orders, and said, “Captain, you and yours have defense of the walls well in hand, I see. But we were wondering if you would mind us going and having a polite conversation with those noisy neighbors who won’t let us get our well-deserved rest? We can at least cut down their numbers, and give them something other to think about than your men.”

Sweetling laughed. “Ah, I remember how it was to be young! Always concerned with my beauty sleep, I was! Well, lass, if you’re wanting to go and chat with the neighbors, I don’t see why me or mine would object. I’ll pass word for the archers to be a bit more careful with their shots. Wouldn’t want them hitting the wrong wolf by accident,” she said, with a nod to Frostmane.

Then, her tone turned serious. “We can’t open the gates for you, not even the ones down by the fishing docks. We tried sending hunters out that way, when the wolves first started attacking, but they were attacked by bowmen from the trees as soon as they came in range. And twice we found wolves trying to sneak up on the gate.”

“But there are stairs up to the ramparts for your furry companion, and he could jump to the ground from there. You winged ladies can fly over easy enough, I reckon. But understand that once you’re over the wall, I can’t go opening the gates to let you in until the wolves are gone. I got a duty to the people behind these walls to keep them safe, after all.”

I looked to the others, and saw confirmation in their eyes. Turning back to the Captain, I grinned. “No worries about that, Captain. If we can’t take on these wolves at the gates, then it wouldn’t exactly bode well for us getting to the bottom of these attacks. Best we know that now, rather than when we’re neck deep in it, no?”

“Hah! I like your style, kid. Go on and give these beasts what’s coming to them!”