Grayell grinned but it wasn't entirely pleasant... in fact it smacked of disrespect then.
I'm sorry, but you're quite obviously not having a grip on sanity. I take issue with that werewolf, I take issue with all who aren't on the path of Garou. I'm not going to let you loose to see you murder and slaughter.
But I am going to deal with your poachers. If you had anything resembling honor left, then you may hear me out.
Grayell sneered then, those words upset him a great deal. But he investigated the cage quickly, to see if there was a release. He would let the beast have it's fight... but he wouldn't be letting it roam free afterwards.
There was a release to the cage. It was a pretty simple latch. Why the werewolf had not used it made little sense, or maybe he had. There was a whole series of speckled bits of blood around it. Nothing lethal in one stroke, but take all of them together...
If he was going to let him out, he'd probably better do it now, too. The poachers were on the move. Kiko's growl sounded behind him and then the faster footfalls.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell became the man in an instant, his hand outstretched and eyes focused on the lock. He wasn't about to touch it, it looked every part as suspect as the trap from earlier. Instead, the blood about it obeyed his call and he demanded it take shape like steeled wire and shatter the lock through. He had but seconds to complete this task and his voice was gruff, unkind.
I won't abide by anything being trapped like this. But you and I will settle our score when they're through mongrel. Should you kill me, then you'll have no one to stop your roaming.
Grayell stepped from the dark now and faced the oncoming poachers.
I'd ask one thing before he tears you apart. Who are you working for?
He wasn't entirely convinced he'd get an answer. The were could be on the hapless bastards in seconds.
The poaches had stopped dead in their tracks. The nominal leader of the group shoved through the two men in front of him to see who had spoken.
I don't believe it is any bus...
That was about as far as he got before the werewolf exploded from out of the cage and into the middle of them. He was a blur, the motion so fast Kiko only registered it with her sense of smell instead of her eyes.
Like the Wolf she had no desire to help the poachers in any way, but to just stand here and see them torn to shreds by a creature like the one who had attacked her... well, her hackles were standing up and she was crouched on her back paws waiting for an opening.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell dragged his sword from his sheath now, slowly. He paced along the skirts of the swamp here and moved closer to the clearing.
Come mongrel, have an honorable death.
He spat those words, yes he would give the werewolf that honor... but would grant it no quarter. This had not been his quarrel. He didn't care for their disregard for any living being and well, they grabbed the tiger by the tail.
The one that had spoke went down under the attack of the werewolf. His back hit the earth while his hands were still fumbling for something, anything to defend himself. The other four broke apart, but quickly formed a group to attack the creature.
It was well coordinated, smooth, and almost perfect. The four weapons that beat on the beast were a collection of mauls and maces, things to crush instead of tear. They'd subdued him three other times on this trip, they thought to do it again.
But, the werewolf was no longer battling the pain of metal magic, or the grogginess that had come afterwards. The leader's throat was torn out in seconds and the rest had fallen back in a circle around him.
Grayell could hear his gravely voice, too.
Do not worry, pup. I'll have enough fight left for you and the bitch with you.
Grayell's cheeks twitched then, the corners of his mouth yanking for a brief second. His lip quivered and his eyes grew large, then narrowed with a sudden, cold intensity.
His teeth gnashed as his feet found purpose in walking toward the unfolding battle. He had no thought for anything else other than the bastard that had uttered those words.
He hadn't utilized anything of his true potential as yet. His blood use was intuitive, sometimes creative, sometimes experimental - but not once had he used it in a manner that would indicate his mastery of it. He didn't give this any thought of course. He didn't give a damn about his ability.
But that flea ridden, arrogant, overgrown, mangy, yellow toothed, slack-jawed, ingrate of a watered down blood source mongrel bastard feral rabid complete f**king asshole of a goat f**king bitch from hell inspired something terrible. Grayell could smell the blood long ago. He could see it as clear as day. And now it sung to him.
His free hand only snapped out and the blood that washed down the were's skin, matted in his fur and pushed from his wounds now bubbled and rose up from the beast. It took all of a moment, but it writhed with insatiable speed and purpose, wound itself tight about itself and formed like so much cruel razor wire - before his hand snapped shut and willed it to crush the beast, cut through it and reduce it to ragged, glorious pieces.
The sound that came from the animal was not human or wolven, but a terrible amalgamation of both. The agony in it chilled Kiko straight to the bone. It froze her in place and flattened her ears to her head. She never wanted to hear it again. But, that wish was denied her. It was repeated while the werewolf was caged from the inside.
The blood formed a barrier more horrible than the metal one had created it. He had no chance to escape from it, he had no chance to deal with it, it took control of every vessel inside until the internal bleeding collapsed him to the earth. He fell like a great tree, smacking into ground with a thud.
The four remaining poachers turned as one entity toward Grayell.
Grayell only sneered and waved a finger in the air, blood waving from the were's body in a slender tendril like so much kelp in the tide. He had no compassion at that moment, no remorse.... but had not lost his capacity for threatening his foes.
If you're just that stupid, then go right ahead.
But none of you are leaving. I still want that name.
One of them glanced at the werewolf and the other body on the ground. His lip curled up. He was better armored than his fellows, the mace he carried of better quality.The other three hadn't moved, but their eyes were centered on the same man.
I told him he was foolish for not killing the thing outright. He was insistent we keep him alive for the mage. I'll give you the name. For a price.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell's eyes only grew wider, flared with a fury that was being tested. His words were uttered through his teeth, him turning to face the voice. The blood on the body still roiled, weaved and wound in the air as his hand toyed with it.