A Venture into the Dark

[Niphi]

Thaese motions him forward to walk with Angder as he follows at the rear, keeping an eye on their flank. His ears flick slightly at her question, "Us? Are there more survivors?"

[Sarrus]

Karthus can see that there are a few porcelain pots around the house, despite the wealthy nature of the house, the plants look like they have been dead for years, shrivelled and lifeless. At the top of the stairs there is a landing which overlooks the entrance hall, all of the doors on the landing are closed except for one at the far end. A pair of double doors leading into the master bedroom. Despite the cold climate, high in the mountains, another set of doors leading onto a balcony overlooking the street can be seen, they have been left wide open, making the house feel as cold as the outside.

Saul continues to walk as close to the wolves as he can without being too invasive, hesitantly looking round every corner. "I.. I hope so.." he whimpers. Just before they return to the street running next to the city wall, all three become aware of the sound of footsteps, slowly walking along the circular path.

[Angder]

Angder ducks to the side (or, perhaps more accurately, presses himself into the wall), and raises his crossbow gesturing at Thaese and Saul to move back.

[Niphi]

Thaese grips Saul's arm firmly and brings a finger up to his mouth, indicating for him to stay silent before pulling him back, giving Angder a clear shot of the path ahead.

[Sarrus]

The figure of a Doberman with glowing green eyes steps round in front of them. She is wearing a long brown leather apron and holding a hammer in one hand. For a moment she simply stands there, head cocked on one side before suddenly letting out a piercing screech and lunging forwards, hammer raised.

[Angder]

 Angder forces his aim up, his instinct is to go for the legs, but here a disabling shot is not enough. Angder fires the crossbow at the Dobermans chest, where his heart should be.

[Sarrus]

She clutches the wound with a howl of pain and tries to lunge again, her free hand grasping the bolt embedded in her chest. She doesn't quite make it to her targets though and topples forward onto the ground.

Saul stands stock still before kneeling down next to her with a quiet sob. "I knew her... she was the blacksmith... " He turns to Thaese. "Please get me out of here... I cant bare to see any more of the horror he has created..."

[Angder]

Angder shudders, he just killed someone. that was HIS bolt in her.

"I... I think we should make our way back right now..." he said, with a slightly distant look on his face.

[Niphi]

Thaese lowers his weapon seeing Angder make quick work of the... thing. He grabs Saul and pulls him back from the body, not wanting to take any risks with these creatures, before kneeling down and trying to calm him, "We'll get you out of here, don't worry."
He looks at Angder, "I agree, I'm sure Saul has some useful information the rest might like to hear," he looks back down at the cat with a comforting smile, "We'll be meeting up with the rest of our group soon and then we'll discuss getting you to safety,."
Thaese stands up and turns back the way they came, "I suppose waiting at the city entrance for the rest would be the best plan," he glances back at Angder and the look on his face, "Whats the matter?"

[Angder]

Angder appears to snap out of it. he looks at Thaese, and tries to smile

"Nothing... Nothing at all, lets get the hell out of here"

[Niphi]

Thay looks over Angder's shoulder at the body then back at him uncertainly but nods, "Okay. Let's get moving."

[Sarrus]

The three now walk back around the city wall, returning to the entrance, suddenly, stepping out of an alleyway a tall tabby cat with the same green eyes blocks their way and stares at them for a moment.

"Dan!" Saul yells. "No! Th... that's my brother!" As he says this the tabby screams and charges at them with that same ferocity.

[Oedipus Rex]

Karthus looks at the dead plants and general disarray and misery of the house. "If walls could talk" he mumbles to himself before moving down the hallway and entering the bedroom through the open door.

[Angder]

Angder raises the crossbow, he appears to be shaking, he fires anyway, but the shot goes wide...

"I... I can't..." He stammers quietly. he then just stands there, as the thing charges at him.

[Sarrus]

The room Karthus enters is in just as much disarray as the rest of the house. Suddenly, a thud can be heard below the balcony and the sound of someone whimpering.