For hours they road slow and steady through the Telimar forest. The leaves above them rustled loudly as the wind blew, twigs even breaking off and falling to the leafy ground with a soft plunk. Soft droplets of rain feel through the openings of the branches and spaces above, lightly sprinkling down upon their hooded heads. Deimos hadn’t been seen since that morning when they left the tavern. Both thought that perhaps he had changed his mind about joining them on their journey.

"I hope this storm holds," Jerec commented, shielding his eyes with a large tanned hand as he tilted his head back slightly, squinting his eyes as he tried looking through the trees. He hated storms. Never had he liked them. And with a storm like this upon them, it wouldn’t do them any good to travel. They’d catch pneumonia before they even reached the end of the forest.

"As do I," Mordock replied focusing straight ahead. His fingers remained curled around the reins, holding them tightly. Being a ranger, he was always on alert when out in the wilderness. You never did know what kind of suprises you might get.

"I know," Mordock mumbled under his breath.

Just then, something fell from the branches above, crouching down before him. Nightstalker reared back, stomping his hooves upon the soft ground, kicking up dried leaves and clumps of dirt. Mordock, keeping hold on the reins, tried to take control over the horse, calming him and bringing him to a halt before flicking his gaze toward the figure, emeralds gleaming with anger. The figure stood and flashed Mordock a large grin, his white teeth gleaming in comparison to his dark complexion.

Jerec pulled up beside Mordock and hooted with laughter. "And again, the wonderful Mordock gets caught off guard!"

Mordock grumbled and moved his horse forward, almost knocking over the necromancer but missing him by mere inches.

Jerec’s laughter settled down into chuckles as he looked at the dark elf, "So where’s that horse of yours?"

"I don’t have one. I have other means of travel."

Raising a brow, Jerec smiled then lifted his shoulders in a shrug, "All right then. We had best get moving before we lose sight of the Prided One."

Deimos inclined his head in agreement. His feet then begin to lift from the ground, his body floating in mid-air as if it weighed nothing. Jerec watched with amazement. He had never seen a mage at work, but they always interested him with their spells. With a smirk, Jerec kicked his horse into motion, Deimos following right along side him.

Ahead of them, Mordock continued to brood, back stiff and shoulders back. He glares ahead of him, staring fixedly at anything in sight be it a boulder or a tree as if it would combust into little fragments.

You know, you really shouldn’t let him get to you, the voice announced.

Mordock grunted in response

"Enough!" Mordock barked, eyes flashing. The voice quieted down for a few moments before it again spoke.

Mordock hadn’t noticed, so caught up in his own thoughts. He glanced around him silently for a moment, studying his surroundings. He could hear Jerec and Deimos chatter behind him endlessly, but he couldn’t sense another being anywhere near for miles.

"What do you think it is?" he asked quietly.

He nodded stiffly, his eyes darting every which way as he pulled his hood back, his silver hair flowing freely down his back, the wind lifting tresses into the air and causing them to twist and turn about each other. He jerked his head to the side hearing a branch crack loudly, hair whipping around in front of his eyes. Glowing red eyes peered out from between the wide tree trunks. Slowly, they padded out into the open, their mussels dripping saliva as they drew their lips back, baring their sharp teeth. More wolves followed, surrounding him. Nightstalker huffed and stomped his foot, backing up slowly.

Leaning forward, Mordock softly spoke in drow into his ear, his eyes locked on the wolves. "Zexen’uma honglath ussta abbil." Stay calm, my friend.

"Silence," Mordock commanded, trying to think.

The black fur on the wolves stood on end as she surrounded him, some crouched down as if ready to pounce their prey, others licking their chomps. Behind him, he could hear Jerec and Deimos drawing near, he turned his head to see how far back they were the snapped his head forward again hearing a low growl as the largest of the wolves stepped closer. Nightstalker reared slightly, wanting to escape the attackers, neighing.

The sound brought Jerec and Deimos to attention. Looking ahead of them, they watched the horse rear back a bit, the wolves circling around Mordock. Before they could call out, a growl was head to their right. Jerec brought Thunder to a sudden halt turning in the direction of the sound and scowled. Icy gray eyes locked with his own before the wolf padded out onto the path before them. It stared at him for long moments before sprinting ahead toward the wolf pack. Instantly, the white wolf tackled a black one, its teeth digging into its flesh causing the beast to yelp. Jerec and Deimos took off after the wolf to help, Jerec drawing his dagger and Deimos snapping his fingers causing flames to ignite.

Mordock, turning his head at the sound of the yelp caught sight of the white wolf attacking the darker one but quickly snapped to attention, jumping off Nightstalker and drawing his short sword from it’s sheath in the saddle. He turned to face the wolves just as one jumped at him, taking him to the ground. Just as if had done so, a large ball of flames shot it off. Mordock blinked in surprise, watching the wolf as it twitched and kicked at the ground, its fur sizzled and scorched. Turning his head, he saw Deimos grinning widely.

"I guess I owe you for that," Mordock said reluctantly.

"Later," was all the drow said before turning to another wolf that was closing in on them from the left.

Jumping to his feet, Mordock began to slash out at the wolves as they drew near, every now and then the blade slicing open their flesh and causing them to cry in pain, backing away. Three of the wolves surrounded the white one who crouched down, growing low as it bared it’s teeth to the others, the gray eyes deadly. The three attacked at once, one biting into its neck, crimson staining the perfection of the white fur. It howled but returned the bite, kicking its hind legs and connecting a blow into the jaw of the wolf behind it.

For a long time, the three men attacked the vicious wolves until finally, a little less than half that had surrounded them, ran off in fright. Wiping the blood clean from his blade on the black fur of a dead wolf, Mordock lifted his gaze to Jerec and Deimos. Deimos was unscratched but Jerec’s clothing was just as torn and skin just as scratched as his own was.

Jerec broke into a grin, "A job well done if I do say so for myself." He wiped clean his own dagger blade and sheathed it into his belt.

Rolling his eyes, Mordock was brought up short by a soft, pained moan behind him. Turning around, he slowly stepped in the direction of the sound and came to a halt, his eyes wide. Beside one of the limp, dead wolf which leaked blood from many puncture wounds, was a woman, and not just any woman, but Aislinn.

With quick strides, he was kneeling at her side, checking her for wounds and scowled darkly seeing the pool of blood beneath her, the red flow streaming from bite marks on the top of her shoulder. Turning his head, his gaze bore into Jerec’s, "Get some bandages and a canteen of water. Quick!"

The smile disappeared from Jerec face and he did as he was told, running to his horse. Deimos stood silently, watching. With the gentlest of touches, Mordock brushed the dark hair from the pale face of the woman, watching her eyebrows furrow in pain. His gaze roamed over the rest of her bare body. Like his own, scratches covered her pale skin, blood seeping through a gaping wound, others already beginning to dry being only minor scratches.

Jerec appeared at his side, dropping to his knees and studying the woman, holding out the supplies. "Where did she come from?"

With a frown, Mordock took the canteen and bandage from his brother. Ripping a strip of loose cloth from his shirt, he opened the canteen and poured water onto the dark material. Gently, he began to cleanse her wounds, wiping away the crimson blood.