By Volk-Oboroten'
A quiet rustle came from the underbrush, hidden by the mists of the forest. Kazrakh straightened up and put a hand to the scimitar at his belt, an uneasy feeling gnawing at his gut. His feline ears twisted this way and that, trying to focus in on the source of the noise, as his keen night-vision scanned for any sign of what might have caused the noise.
"Rarksha," he whispered, glancing over at the other guard standing a few paces away. "What was that?"
Rarksha sniffed the breeze, no doubt hoping to gain more insight into what had made the sound. "I ain't sure," he said. He paused, ears twitching, as the rustling continued. "But it's gettin' closer."
Somewhere in the distance a wolf howled, an eerie, mournful sound that caused the fur to stand up on the back of Kazrakh's neck. As a Karuvati, a hybrid of cat and lutin forged through the magic of the Black Claw, Kazrakh had no love for canines of any sort; but the wolves of the dark forest filled him with absolute dread. They were massive beasts, dark and terrible, and some of them were said to be shapeshifters. If they were here, now, on a hunt . . .
Kazrakh's train of thought was interrupted by more rustling and the sight of a shadow moving through the midst. Something was moving along the far side of the brook, nimbly climbing through the branches down to the water. Rarksha moved closer to the trees, seeming almost eager to spot the intruder. Kazrakh followed more tentatively, a few paces behind him.
"Look!" exclaimed Kazrakh, seeing a flash of black and orange. "Down by the water . . ."
Rarksha ignored the statement of his fellow guard, for he was entranced by what he saw standing on a mossy log, stretched just above the water. A naked woman? But humans weren't supposed to have stripes. Perhaps it was a trick of the light, a shadow cast by the setting sun. He pressed forward through the thorny gorse, eager to eye the mysterious stranger.
"By Karu!" swore Rarksha. "I'm sure she's got a tail."
By this time, Kazrakh had also spotted the mysterious female. Her tail, tipped with black fur, swished back and forth, as she gazed up at a red light on a nearby hill. Then, she slowly knelt down from her branch and began to lap water from the stream.
"Is that fur?" asked Kazrakh, looking at the orange and black stripes that were becoming more and more prominent on the woman's body. Spreading. Fanning out across her pale skin. He also noticed claws extending from her feet, allowing her to balance better on the slippery log while she drank from the stream. "Does the Master use humans in his experiments now?"
"Get down!" said Rarksha, as a beam of red light shot down from above. "He's watchin' right now!" As the Karuvati guards dropped to the ground, the enigmatic tiger woman returned to her perch, standing upright on the log. She looked up at the hill, seductively smiling into the red light, which lingered on her striped body for a few moments before fading into the mist.
A minute later, the guards got up, badly shaken by their experience. What had happened? Had the woman deliberately gone there so she could be spotted?
"She's gone," muttered Kazrakh, hearing movement in the trees again. "Must have run off once she knew His eye was on her. . ."
"They can't say we let her through, not even Captain Ulthar" said Rarksha, "Though I wouldn't mind seein' some more of her. Do you think she'll be back?"
"I dunno," replied Kazrakh, "But we gotta be careful tonight. Some special folks are comin' up the hill to see the Master, so we have to watch the road. Can't let anyone in who wasn't invited."
The guards resumed their watch reluctantly, peering into the dark trees for any sign of the tigress-like woman. But they couldn't see anything, even with their keen eyesight, for she was far away. Placing a black and gold-edged tabard carefully over her orange gown, the woman rested in a large oak tree, not far from a path leading into the mining town.
Below the tree, Bertolf prepared to return to the mines. He'd intended to watch the road, for it was rumored that strange cultists would soon be going up to the hidden valley for some arcane midnight ritual. But now it was getting too dark, too dark to see anyone.
As he turned to walk back, Bertolf felt a rush of air behind him. Surprised not to hear much sound, he soon found himself face-to-face with an odd woman. Her piercing yellow-brown eyes looked directly at him, while her orange-red hair shone the same color as the sunset.
"Who are you?" he asked. "Are you one of the . . ."
"I'm here to see the Black Claw," the woman stated forcefully. "I've traveled many miles, all the way from the lands east of the Forest of Darkness. Take me to him!"
Looking at the woman's feet, Bertolf wondered how she could have journeyed such a great distance. Instead of normal boots, she wore oddly toeless shoes, made of a shiny black material. She had similar apparel on her hands, black gloves ending at the palm, having no fingers. "I'm sorry I can't help you, but I don't know much about things up in that valley. The Black Claw's real secretive . . . You'll have to talk to one of his cat lutins."
"So, you're not one of the Malachites," she said, looking at his rough clothing. "Not surprising, as I doubt if they employ many human miners. But perhaps you could help me complete my mission . . . Something was taken from a temple by the Black Claw's minions, a precious jewel that must be restored."
Bertolf considered her request for a moment, wondering what she really wanted. Then, a brief gust lifted her long hair revealing large, cup-shaped ears, covered with light fur. She must be a supernatural being! Hadn't the burgomaster met a woman like this once, back when he was merely a simple miner?
"I'd sure like to help you," Bertolf said hastily. "But I'm not sure what I can do alone. Even a pack of dire wolves would be stopped by the guards before they reached the Black Claw's valley. They won't let you just walk in. Especially not tonight, when they've got some weird festival going on. You see, the shortest night of the year . . ."
"That's why I'm here," said the woman. "They stole the Tiger's Eye from us, and want to use the jewel's magic for a sinister scheme. We must recover it when the Black Claw's power is weakest, before darkness begins to return to the land. Every human in your town will be in danger if he's able to tap the mystical energy found in the Tiger's Eye."
"But I'm no mage," protested Bertolf. "I'm just Bertolf the miner. How can I help you get this jewel back? Even Valaric couldn't face the Black Claw in his own fortress."
"So, this is the town guarded by the dire wolf lord," said the woman, looking closely at Bertolf. "Hasn't he had trouble with the Malachites before? I've heard stories."
"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Bertolf, "Lots of trouble! I've heard that they tried to bribe him, hoping he'd desert our Queen to serve the Black Claw. But none of their ploys worked, so they tried to go after his pack. But Valaric made sure that none of the Karuvati entered the forest."
"So he wants wolves now," said the woman, after glancing up at the red light shining through the shadows on the mountain above. "It may be easier for me to bring you up there than I'd planned. Has Valaric told you anything about shapeshifting?"
"Shapeshifting?" the miner's brow furrowed. "Well, Valaric is able to change shape whenever he feels like it. Or at least _I_ think so; not everyone agrees. No one is really sure."
"In the east, we know a great deal about shapeshifting," interrupted the woman. "I am an enchantress, one who has studied such magic for many years. But my power is somewhat limited . . . certainly not enough to subdue the Malachites by myself. I'll need your help, Bertolf."
"What do you want me to do?" asked the miner, hearing people approach on the road. He couldn't see them in the twilight, but could hear horses whinny in the distance.
"Quick! Follow me into the trees!" ordered the enchantress, as she hastily darted away from the path. Bertolf reluctantly stumbled after her, worried that he might trip over a root in the dense forest, for it was getting quite dark. He also wondered why she was so alarmed about the group of strangers coming from the north.
"I'm sure the Black Claw will let me into his fortress," said the woman, after they had moved a safe distance away from the road. They could barely hear the muffled sound of the horses' hooves plodding down the path. "But I need to have someone with me, one who can recover the Tiger's Eye after I distract the Malachites. If they want werewolves, I'll give them one. Let them think that Valaric's pack is ready to serve the Nameless One."
"I'm afraid Valaric is out of town tonight," said Bertolf. "He's guarding one of the caravans through the Tauremorna, but should get back by dawn. Perhaps you should wait until then. He's been suspicious of the Malachites for weeks, so he'd be happy to help you."
"I can't wait," murmured the woman, anxiously listening to the traffic on the road. "If the Black Claw is able to amass enough power, he could become as strong as the daedra. His evil will consume your entire town if it's allowed to grow. I must get the Tiger's Eye back now!"
"Destroy Lik? I knew he was bad . . . but that bad! What can I do? You want me to snare one of Valaric's wolves? I've done a little hunting in the past, but I wouldn't dare consider that," observed Bertolf. "Besides, it would anger the Queen! She's been good to us, bringing peace and plenty. We even found some mithril this spring! I couldn't . . ."
"I don't need you to hunt anything. I just need you to come with me, up to Cirith Morgul," insisted the woman, carefully pacing her words. "Voluntarily, of course. And it's not permanent, as I only have limited power. I'm not sure the spell would even last until dawn."
"What's not permanent?" asked Bertolf, feeling somewhat nervous. "I've heard of men in the village who went out into the Black Forest and never returned. At least not in the same form. They accepted the Queen's embrace, and after they were kissed . . ."
"I wouldn't want you to make that sort of sacrifice."
"I didn't think you would, even though I don't know your name. But you're so beautiful, just like the vampiress . . . Ummm, I didn't mean that. It's just that people are uneasy about the folks who joined Eternal Brotherhood. You see, they're not exactly human any more. Even though they look alive after the kiss . . ."
"You want a kiss?" asked the woman, as she slowly leaned forward. "You'll know much more about shapeshifting after tonight. Perhaps you'll even understand Valaric better. Just say that you're willing to help me, and I'll be ready to start."
"Start what? You think I'm a shapeshifter? Just because I've worked for Valaric, doesn't mean I know how to change . . . even though I'd like to be able . . ."
"Just say yes."
"To helping you. I don't know if I can help, but I'm willing to try. Yes, I'd be . . ."
The woman abruptly kissed Bertolf, while she held a glowing purple crystal in her left hand above his head. Surprised by her action, he pulled back, only to feel that his face was changing. Stretching out. Elongating into a muzzle!
"Rrrrrrmmmmmffff!" he mumbled, noticing black claws erupting from his heavy boots. Looking down, he saw dark pads forming on his hands, which were starting to contort, shifting into the shape of wolf paws. But then, watching more closely, he realized that he still had thumbs, so his hands only looked partially lupine. They were still basically human, but for their black pads and claws.
"Don't try to talk," said the woman. "It would take far too much magic to allow you to speak with a canine muzzle. Besides, I can let you understand my thoughts."
Rubbing his hands, or rather, paws, against his head, Bertolf felt pointed, furry ears. She was turning him into a werewolf! How far would this go? Would she make him drop to all fours. He abruptly became aware of the scent of people on the road, sensing a feline odor somewhere in the distance. But the woman's smell was far stronger, making him think of a tigress from the snowy woods.
As Bertolf began to move his arms forward, nervously watching at the fur thicken on his fingers, he realized the woman was speaking directly to his mind, "Don't worry," she assured him. "It's only for tonight. All you have to do is move when I'm ready. And don't worry about becoming an actual wolf. I think the Black Claw's more into half-human creatures, so he'd be more likely to let you in like this. Besides, you can't help me very well if you don't have hands. Then, once I rescue the Tiger's Eye you'll be free to return to your normal life."
"Rrrrroooohh . . . mmm . . rrrr" Bertolf barked, forgetting that he couldn't speak.
"You'll know something that none of your friends share. Something no miner in Lik has experienced before. Something that you'll have in common with Valaric."
Relieved that the changes had stopped, Bertolf moved forward, uneasily balanced on the sharp claws portruding from his feet. He was surprised to find that it was relatively easy to walk in a dog-like manner. Perhaps it was part of the spell cast by the enchantress? Also, he had no trouble seeing objects in the dark woods, although he couldn't make out any colors. He began to wonder if he would actually find this enjoyable, especially if it was only for one night. Maybe there was a reason why Valaric liked to be partly lupine instead of fully human . . .
"We've got work to do," said the woman. "Just follow behind me, and try to be convincing. They'll think that you're a wolf from Valaric's pack, recruited by me to become a servant of the Black Claw. Act like one of them. It shouldn't be too hard to be convincing."
A few minutes later, the woman arrived at the edge of the road, near a motley group of Malachites heading up the mountain path to the Black Claw's valley. Draconian reptile-men, feline Karuvati, humans wearing dark robes, and other guests milled about at the gate, waiting to be admitted inside. The enchantress moved into the crowd, beckoning Bertolf to follow her.
Striding forth from the forest onto the road, Bertolf bared his fangs. That's what a werewolf should do, he thought, for the Malachites would surely want only a terrifying monster to join them. The Karuvati moved to either side, staring at the bipedal canine who'd unexpectedly appeared into their midst. Others studied him intently, surprised to find a lycanthrope at Cirith Morgul.
Although he couldn't see the enchantress, Bertolf found it easy to move through the throng, for he could sense her feline smell. It wasn't like the Karuvati at all, for he could sense her magical power on the air. But there was something else, something which reeked of evil.
Nearing the gate, guarded by three Karuvati armed with sharp swords, he saw a woman with furry, catlike ears. She made him think of a lioness, full of feline fury. He edged back, as a cat-lutin guard moved forward to greet the leonine woman.
"We've been expecting you," said the Karuvati leader at the gate. "Have you brought the manticore along as you promised, Beruthiel? The Black Claw was looking forward to . . ."
"Didn't you get my message, Captain Ulthar?" she complained. "I was sure he'd join us, but . . ." She suddenly stopped speaking when she saw Bertolf, glancing at his odd clothers. "A werewolf dressed as a miner? What's this supposed . . ."
Bertolf growled at Beruthiel, attempting to look menacing. She hissed back at him, but then stared at another new arrival. "Who is that? Why wasn't I told that another feline sorceress had been invited?" Beruthiel snarled. "I'm supposed to know everyone . . ."
The enchantress ignored Beruthiel's questions and walked up to the gate, looking straight at the Karuvati guards. "I don't have an invitation, but I'm sure the Black Claw will want to me join your little party. I'm very entertaining. Also, I've brought my wolf friend as my guest . . . He's a new recruit for the Malachite Order."
"Who are you?" said Captain Ulthar, rubbing the spotted fur on his greenish arms. "I can't even consider letting you in without knowing your name."
"Call me Ulthenia," said the enchantress, flashing her long eyelashes at Ulthar. "The Black Claw has seen me before, so I'm sure he'll let me in."
[End of Part One]