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Adventures of Dusty Yote

Chapter 6 - The Beast Within the Woods

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"It is not far to Bernard's house," Kuroga said as they left the woodsmen behind. "We'll travel north until we hit a stream and follow it up. It's not very far off the stream on the northern side, and we'll only be traveling a few miles at most."

Dusty thought to himself that the definitions of "a few miles" were wide and varying, but said nothing. He was content to follow the lion and his odd tail - sleek like a cougar's but with a wild flourish similar to the 'mane' at the top - and watch a semi-experienced Hunter do what he did best. But the coyote was not idle; his ears were on a swivel for any strange noises that intruded on their footsteps or the sounds of nature.

Birds sang in the trees, insects chirped and hummed, and sometimes he could hear the chattering of smaller feral animals; once or twice a feral squirrel crossed his path. If they weren't looking for someone gone missing or knew of a predator about, it would almost be nice out here.

"So," Dusty said by way of conversation, "how long have you been a Hunter?"

"A few years now," Kuroga said. They had crossed the stream and were making their way vaguely northeast. "I am not from here; I come from a kingdom far away. I had some skill with spears and wished to make a name for myself. I heard of the Beast Hunters' Guild being formed in Irilian, and made my way to the capital to become accredited. I chose Riverwood because it offered varying roads to lands beyond."

"How many hunts have you gone on?" Dusty asked.

"Only about a dozen," Kuroga said. He smiled at Dusty. "If this is only about two months' for you, then you've ascended the ranks quite fast. I think I didn't get my third until about six months' in. But I'm very much like you. I've gone on a few special assignments that they wouldn't give to ordinary Hunters. But I'm not quite at liberty to tell you about those right now."

Dusty sighed. "You're not the first person to say something along those lines."

"Not that I mean to hide it from you," Kuroga said. "Only that I think it's better if we don't talk about it now. At great need I might explain it, but that's for later to decide."

"How am I to know when that great need is?"

"If there are no other roads you can turn to, then information like that can come clean."

Dusty scoffed.

"And what about you?" Kuroga asked. "Where do you come from? Are you a Riverwood native or are you from elsewhere?"

"I have lived my whole life in Riverwood," Dusty said. "My father is an artisan who works as a woodcarver. My mother is a clerk for the local mayoral office. It is through her that I was able to gain access to the Order. But we are by no means wealthy; I was given my house through the Order, and my pay is small."

"Still, a set of noble professions," Kuroga said. "My mother does something similar to your father, while my father himself was a warrior of some renown. Not enough to get him very much in our city, hence why I left, so as not to be a burden or get stuck."

"You are a warrior now, are you not?"

"Two members of a generation cannot enter the same profession," Kuroga said. "My brother had little else to his name besides our training from our father. So I left to give him the better life. Technically speaking, I'm now a freelancer. Doesn't pay good, but it gives me something and him something where one of us would have had nothing if I stayed." Again, the warm smile. "You have no idea how lucky you are sometimes."

"By being in Riverwood? Or in Irilian?"

"No. By virtue of who your parents are, and what the system says you can be from that. Either profession is noble, but at least you have a choice. But don't take that as me being angry or jealous of you specifically. You have a light in your eyes and a sound to your voice that makes me think your heart actually believes the things you're saying instead of mere platitudes."

"You are not the first to say that," Dusty said.

"It is rare," Kuroga said. "Take pride in it."

Dusty sighed. It was probably better not to press the topic. "What of the lands beyond? Where have you gone?"

"There are kingdoms to your north, south, east, and west," Kuroga replied. "I came from the south, and I have been to the north and east. Not for very long, and some portions require specific business to remain there for long. But there are places I go back to frequently."

"What are they like?"

Kuroga suddenly slowed to a halt. He seemed like he had been about to tell Dusty something, but suddenly his ears perked up and swiveled about. Dusty waited, but he was concentrated on something and now looked very grim. He followed the lion's eyes and looked to see what they saw.

It took him a moment to notice the rather large divot ahead of them. A smooth trail, winding this way and that, had worn a mark in the grass, almost undoubtedly serpentine in nature. It seemed to be almost as thick as Dusty, from crest to crest almost the length of the coyote's lower leg. It traveled vaguely from south to north-east, and once Dusty had noticed it could be seen stretching far into the distance.

He also noticed how quiet it was. No birdsong was heard. The chattering of ferals had disappeared almost entirely, and even the insects seemed afraid to hum. A light wind rustled in the trees. Dusty drew his sword and heard nothing but the slight shiver of metal-on-metal as the sword gently released from the scabbard.

Every step you take brings you closer to me. The voice seemed just on the edge of Dusty's hearing, and he looked around trying to see who might have said it. I am watching. I am waiting. But not now, not yet. First let the fear play in your mind's eye... And then it faded away, almost like a dream, and Dusty was even less sure about where it could have come from.

"It may be better to keep on-guard for now," Kuroga said, pulling out his shield and spear. "Keep your ear on a swivel, and let me know if you hear anything strange. We should also make haste and make sure Bernard is not in any danger."

Dusty reasoned that if Bernard was in danger, then so were they. But if they were at least able to catch up to Bernard, three fairly-capable fighters would be better than two should the skunk be able to wield his ax as he had. He also readied his blessings in case he needed to fire something off, even as a warning shot.

It was only later that Bron's warnings about the voice caught up to him. When they did, the coyote had already forgotten what it had said.

---

It was not long afterwards that Kuroga suddenly turned northwards and went up a small hill. Dusty followed close behind, though he doubted he would have been able to see the very small trail between the bushes unless the lion had pointed it out to him. They waded through the bushes for a bit before they emerged from the thicket to a small clearing, at which point Kuroga stopped again.

It was not a natural clearing but a man-made one, and likely the thicker bushes had been somewhat deliberately done, as well. There were a few garden patches between their opening and a cabin on the opposite side. A door and two windows were on the side facing them, a small extension nestled further back with another window, and a small chimney made of stone graced the opposite wall. Around every edge was covered in flowers in shades of purple, pink, and red.

It might have been homey, Dusty thought, if not for the odd atmosphere around it. There were no lights on and no smoke came from the chimney. The interior looked dark despite the late-morning sun. The door was flung open against the wall, and one of the front windows appeared broken, the glass scattered around on the ground outside. It looked like a place recently abandoned.

Kuroga inched his way up towards the door, Dusty with sword and shield following behind. The two carefully entered the house. Furniture was either broken or torn aside. Knives appeared to be everywhere as though they had been used as weapons, but many were chipped or bent. There was no sign of armor or weaponry, though there were holders for both. Nothing skittered about, and inside the stench of the flowers seemed muted despite the open window and door.

"Nothing is right here," Kuroga said quietly. "I fear Bernard might have made one aggressive push too many. The monster he had been trying to drive off has made a return stroke."

"By his fear, he has warned us and we may be alright," Dusty said. "Look; the shards where the furniture scraped across the floor are new, and these knives have no dust laying on them." Gingerly, the coyote sniffed the air. "I also remember this scent, and though it is muted, it is not stale. This has all happened rather recently, no more than perhaps early this morning or late last night."

"Very good. Now, we need to find where the devil entered from. Let me follow a line of destruction in here to see if I can recreate the scene. You go outside and see if you can find any more of those serpent tracks."

Dusty headed outside and began to wander around the cabin. It did not take very long to find the aggressor's entrance at the little extension; the flower beds along one side were crushed and splintered and another window was open. It was also broken slightly differently; it was all pushed inwards and splintered the wooden frame it was attached to. As though someone had tried to close the window but something heavy had plowed through like a battering ram.

All trails lead you to me. Soon you will face me. What will you do then? Will you be afraid? Or will you sssstand there in awe as you gaze upon me?

The lion's large head and furry mane suddenly appeared in the window. He smiled apologetically at Dusty leaping back with a start. "We have come to the same place," Kuroga observed. "Good; I think I know what happened in here. Come around and we can draw a picture of what happened."

The two met in the main cabin room again. Dusty explained his theory.

"Yes, that does explain what I thought," Kuroga said. "Bernard may have been sitting in this chair here. He could have seen the window in that room and went to close it. But they were strong enough or wielded some weapon that broke the window apart."

"It must have been quick," Dusty said. "The scratches here in the wood are not so large as the others, as though it was a sprint to the window."

"That seems the most likely," Kuroga agreed. "His armor would have already been on if he was planning to go out, so he may have had some protection. But he didn't stay long. He ran to the cooking area over here and used the knives as a surprise attack hoping his enemy couldn't turn. He got some hits but no successes, given how the knives are chipped or bent."

"Would size have deterred either the enemy or Bernard?"

"Based on the tracks outside, mostly likely Bernard wouldn't have wanted to deal with it head-on. They're stout and smart, but without the ability to use magic - he relies on changing dirt to various effects - it would have been a rough go in here. So when the knives are through, he has no choice but to take the ax along the wall here and run."

"But how does that explain the broken window or the chair violently thrown aside?" Dusty asked.

"Dodging a strike, most likely. Careened slightly out of the way given the angle his pursuer was coming from, using the chair as a lever and a cushion so that the fall wasn't as punishing. Then dashing out the front door and off into the woods."

"So now we need to follow the trail outside from the front door, and we might find Bernard."

"That is our best assumption," Kuroga said, already leaving the house and looking around. "Bernard was taken by surprise, but still had enough wit to go where he might have more opportunity to attack, at least. He wouldn't have to go far; his best bet would be to go crashing forward and get distance."

"He is not slow," Dusty said, hopping behind. "But depending on the tracks, that thing could have power and speed over him."

"Bernard is no beginner at sorcery, that much I know." Kuroga stopped looking around and turned to Dusty. "Think back, if you fought him, and tell me what you thought of his attacking style."

"A bit of a berserker," Dusty said. "Relentless, and surprisingly fast for his size."

Kuroga nodded. "Some of that is transference of magical power into energy. Many who delve into the sorceries can do that without learning any direct spell. Altered movement that either enhances innate powers or helps cover deficiencies. Bernard swings strong but uses magic to enhance speed instead of putting more force. It would be a simple matter to blow aside bits of strong debris and simply keep charging forward."

"You hope he has survived, then," Dusty said.

"Yes, but we waste time merely assuming things." Kuroga went back to searching and soon found a trail that boasted both torn bushes and a continued divot - two large beings crashing through. "Come, Dusty! The enemy will still be in pursuit of Bernard if they were so devious as to try and surprise him in his own home. We must catch up!"

Kuroga ran off into the woods and Dusty ran off after him, assured that he and the lion would be a match enough for whatever they found. Even better if they ran into a still active Bernard. But a shiver went up his spine, and he could have sworn he heard a hissing laugh as they ran off deeper into the dark woods.

---

Kuroga ran ahead quite fast and nimble for the rough terrain. Dusty kept up as much as he could, managing to follow the lion almost pace for pace. Obviously speed seemed to be required, but the lion was making so much of a ruckus Dusty wondered whether or not stealth was a concern anymore. There was nothing to be done, as Dusty was already out-of-breath as they went up and down the hills.

They had been running for a few minutes when, suddenly finding himself exhausted, Dusty stumbled and tripped over a tree root. Even as he flung forwards and landed face-first into the dirt, he could already hear the lion charging off ahead, perhaps not even having realized that he was leaving the coyote behind. He spat out some earth that had gotten into his mouth, but was too dizzy to continue right away, and had to spend some time bringing himself to his knees. He assumed he would be alright apart from some dirt spots, but was otherwise more winded than anything.

"Sssso the pursuer meets the pursued. Or was it the other way around now?"

Dusty flung himself around. The large thing he had assumed was a tree root now moved, revealing itself to be the tail of an enormous serpent. Unlike feral snakes, this one had something of a torso and arms that flowed into a long tail; though Dusty had heard of the existence of snake-people, he had hardly ever seen one before.

The body of the snake was a sandy color with black-rimmed brown spots all down the back. The long belly was cream from neck to tail-tip, and the eyes in the wide flat head were a dull orange; a bullsnake, Dusty had heard it called. But those eyes now stood six or seven feet off the ground, while the tail managed to coil in a circle behind the coyote's head; this thing was three or four times as long as he'd heard of them getting, and the coils were thicker than his leg.

"Do not be afraid, little coyote," the giant snake hissed in a low, whispering, masculine tone. "You are not the target of Zemeya today. I will have my fun with you and let you go. All you must do is listen and sssstay calm."

Dusty very decidedly did not want to stay calm. His grip on the sword had thankfully stayed during impact and he tightened his paw around it. "You... you're the one after the skunk, aren't you," he said. "The one who's been luring away the woodsmen."

"Yessss, little coyote," the snake said proudly as it slowly leaned closer to Dusty, a black and gold aura becoming visible around him. "Zemeya requires nourishment to maintain his powers and they are an excellent source. I can sense a large store of magic within you, little coyote, but I will not use you yet. Today, you must be taught a lesson for interfering with my current prey."

Dusty waited until the snake was within range, waited just a second longer, then lit up his sword and flung it upwards. He smacked the large flat head right across the nose, knocking it to the side and dazing it with the extra power in the strike. It reeled and recoiled and swayed almost deliriously, and Dusty seized his chance to scramble over the thinner coils behind him. He prepped his sword and shield and faced the serpent head-on; half of him had a mind to chase after Kuroga again, but there was a chance that Kuroga might be able to find Bernard and get him to safety if he stayed behind.

The large bullsnake recovered and slowly stared at Dusty. "What did you do," he said.

"I heard your voice earlier," Dusty said. "I am here not because you led me here but because I have followed the path of another. If you thought that I would be pacified by your presence alone, then I am afraid you will need far more than that."

"Quite certainly," the snake said. "At the mere ssssound of my voice, I have lured men away and guided them to my embrace. It is often only at the last second that they realize where they are, right before they fall deep in the power of my sorcery. The call of Zemeya is difficult to resist."

"Well, I have thus far," Dusty said. "And now I want you to answer me: what have you done with the skunk Bernard?"

Zemeya - for that is what Dusty guessed its name was - did not respond. He lunged at Dusty with his wide-flat head. But the coyote was nimble and jumped backwards. He charged up his sword once again and struck twice at the head of the giant serpent, sending it this way and that. But both times he noticed that he had to keep his arm steady and taut, for the blade seemed to bounce off the scaled hide. Not a single chip, cut, or scar showed, no red among the brown and tan. Whether the scales were thick or there was some sort of magic at work, Dusty could not figure out.

Once again Zemeya had to take a moment to recover and Dusty called out. "I ask you again, what have you done with the skunk Bernard?"

"I have done nothing," the serpent growled. "I have wanted to take his magic for a while now. But he is persistent. Vigilant, watchful, always sssseeking for me. Not to come to me, but to wrench me away from those workers. I meant to surprise him, but he heard me and tried to sssstrike me."

"He failed," Dusty said. "I saw the clamor in his house. You broke quite a bit of his things."

"My hide and powers are great," Zemeya said, mollified and proud again. "He could not and cannot dent me, no matter how sharp his ax could be. But his insolence has irritated me even more, and now I only wish to drain him dry for what he's done."

"You have brought many to death's doorstep with that draining," Dusty said. "A number that is far lower than what it could have been if Bernard had not been there keeping you away from them. Perhaps some of that 'insolence' is warranted."

"What would they do with that magic?" Zemeya said almost indifferently. "It is useless to them. It sits without cause, wasted, when it could go to me. I can put it to far greater measure than any of them could, and all they have to do is look at me and ssssleep."

"I assume you want the same for me," Dusty said. "But now is time to face the consequences of your actions. You treat them like prey, and yet that has brought your actions to our attention. Now we mobilize our forces to come against you. Bernard was but the harbinger. I am the start of your reckoning."

As he spoke, Dusty quietly gathered his magic together. As soon as he said the last line, he pointed his sword at the cobra and launched a beam of holy magic. Unfortunately, Zemeya had recovered from his daze and swiftly turned aside, diving underneath it to go for the coyote. Dusty saw his feint and leaped over him again, but now noticed that some of the scales on his back had been worn away. The bullsnake might have had a tough hide, but it seemed that his magic might be able to flake away some of the scales. Now he just needed to get that information back to Kuroga...

Zemeya thrashed about. His coils whipped and writhed as he throw both his head and body at Dusty. The coyote had to scramble a few times to avoid a new coil coming at him, but he soon jumped aside and managed to get out a shock-wave as the serpent tried to slam into him again. Dusty was pushed back by the force of the blow, but the snake ended up getting a face-first assault and was knocked heavily backwards. Dusty thought about running, but realized the snake would likely beat him in a speed chase and it was his only hope he could wear him down. But the coyote was feeling the pressure, and noticed he was starting to pant.

Zemeya smiled coldly at Dusty as the bullsnake stumbled back up. "Yes... yes, little coyote, you are one who uses their powers quite well. I respect your strength and prowess. I doubt I could tempt you to sssstay with me, but perhaps I could make it where you will have trouble resisting me in the future. We could play like this again, perhaps."

"I am not here to play games," Dusty said. "I am here as a member of the Order, on behalf of the townspeople of Riverwood and abroad. And it is my job right now to take you down. One life for a couple dozen, not to play around with a psychotic, corrupted serpent."

"You say that now," the snake hissed teasingly. "But I shall show you what your magic powers can really do in the sssscales of someone competent enough. Look upon me, little coyote! Gaze into my eyes and let me show you the kinds of pleasures you could submit yourself to!"

"I shall find my rest when either my or my companions' blades cleave you in two."

"Fine talk for one so small. But let us see where your resistance lies once I've cast my sorcery upon you."

Dusty was beginning to fully loathe the snake. He launched himself at Zemeya, holding his sword over his head, fully intending to smack it straight into the head of the beast. He prepared himself to bring it down, hoping the head would be soft enough to at least feel the tension and pressure of the blow.

But the snake had been moving. While it had been taunting Dusty, it had also prepared itself for his charge. And so, when the coyote leaped into the air, a wave of coils suddenly came at the coyote's midsection and slammed into his side. His sword and shield in the air, the bullsnake had a clean and unprotected target, and the coyote, not paying attention and unable to change course, felt the full hit of the snake's strike.

---

Dusty suddenly felt his breath leave him and his grip on his sword and shield loosen as he careened sideways. The surprise attack shocked him and he couldn't recover in time, and soon the snake's head was weaving away and the brown and tan scales were passing underneath him. He tumbled head-over-heels in the air before landing on his back and sliding into a mound of soft earth, dazed and disoriented but thankful for the mercy of the ground below him that he wasn't immediately knocked out.

He panted and wheezed and was sore all over, and he tested himself trying to make sure nothing was broken. Nothing felt like it, but it there was a dull throbbing on his side where the coils had slammed him and he was loathe to move it so quickly. He couldn't even shout for help as he was still laying down and gasping. He lay there defenseless, injured, and fully exhausted. Only sheer willpower kept him from passing out and he mercifully was able to take in a few breaths of clean, fresh air. Not enough to yell, but enough to at least stabilize him and keep him awake.

"A valiant effort." He heard Zameya's voice nearby, but could hardly lift himself up to see where the snake was at. "More fight than many have given me recently. I commend you on that, little coyote, for few have shown your sssskill. But now I will make good on my promise, and you will have a glimpse into eternity."

Dusty flinched and closed his eyes, expecting the snake to finally lash out and bite him or thrash him even more. Even worse, the snake talked of sorcery, and if that was what Bernard and Reeve were doing to him he could land in far worse trouble.

Nothing of the sort came. He was aware of a rustling in the nearby area that he assumed was the bullsnake getting ready or perhaps listening. It was only then he noticed the small, quiet, almost undercurrent of a hiss coming from nearby. Deep, long, reverberating from somewhere in front of him. It seemed to trail on and on and on until it began to shake Dusty's mind from how long it was going. It was difficult to tell if the snake was breathing or just managing to draw it out that long.

"Open your eyes, little coyote," Zemeya finally said. "I want you to ssssee me. I want you to gaze upon me. I want to see the little traces of emotion across your face as you experience true magic: fear, wonder, terror, awe... desire... Look at me!"

The last command seemed to echo around in Dusty's head over and over again until the coyote thought he would go crazy. The coyote clenched his eyes tighter even as he felt a wave of magic creep over him and urging him to open. The hissing kept going, now coaxing, now commanding him to open his eyes and gaze at the serpent. For the first time in a while, Dusty felt a legitimate shiver run down his spine as his eye slowly pried open.

First a little, then more and the other eye finally opened as Dusty took in the serpent in front of him. The bullsnake seemed to tower over him, scales sparkling in the dappled sunlight, the underbelly of cream like an arrow to the wide flat head. The orange eyes now had flecks of black and gold spinning around like whirlpools and glowed like strange beacons. An aura half of command and half of menace radiated from the snake and Dusty felt compelled to listen.

The large, flat head made its way closer to Dusty. "Let yourself stare, let yourself listen. Feel the way my voice tingles in your mind. Look at you, how worn out you are, how you have exhausted yourself. Gaze into my eyes, drink in their hue and their features, and feel yourself ssssink."

Dusty felt his mouth drop open at the word "sink". He could feel a persistent pull towards Zemeya like a magic magnet, hardly able to twitch away. What little he could move of his body either didn't want to for pain or wasn't enough to wrench him away from the bullsnake's eyes shining down on him like a spotlight. They pierced him and drew him in, the snake's words constantly echoed in his mind. He wasn't gone, but he was completely and utterly mesmerized... and it scared him.

Zemeya chuckled darkly and his hands began to shift and sway almost like he was cradling an invisible crystal ball. "I see your eyes widening in fear. You realize what's happening here, don't you? You cannot help but gaze into my eyes. Calming, ssssinking, swaying. Your mind slowing, your body relaxing and giving up control. Powerful magic has mixed with serpentine fascination, and you, little coyote, have no choice but to ssssurrender."

The wide, fat head began to sway back and forth in front of Dusty. Not rhythmically like a pendulum, but slow, languid, lazy rocking that forced Dusty's head back and forth in an almost lulling motion. He wanted to cry but hardly a whimper came from his mouth even as he felt more and more of the serpent's magic wash over him, flowing from those hands that conducted sorcery like a strange symphony. Intrigue began to take over tension, fascination slowly crept over fear, and the coyote was all the more terrified at the blurred line between whether he couldn't cry for help versus whether he did not want to.

"Sink deeper into my eyes, deeper into my voice, deeper into my sway." Zemeya's head rose up, forcing the coyote to raise his head and neck to follow. "It feels good to sway and to melt into harmonious ssssynchronicity. You are becoming lost in the serpent's eyes, your mind sinking even deeper and growing still as you listen and relax in the sway."

Dusty did not get up off the ground, but he could feel himself sitting straighter. At least, it felt like it; it was getting difficult to figure out which was him and which was being dragged along by the snake like a puppet string. The more Zemeya danced around in front of him, the more he fell into a sort of tunnel-vision where it became hard to distinguish anything outside of the serpent. He sat in the midst of a drunken haze, half forgetting why he was even there in the first place.

"Good little coyote," Zemeya said. Your mind sways along with the rhythm of the coils, your eyes keep ssssinking deeper into mine. You like staring into the serpent's eyes. Soon, I am going to wrap my coils around you, and you will feel yourself growing drowsy the more they hold you."

The cool, smooth coils shocked Dusty out of his calm complacency. Not enough to leave, but enough to remind him that none of this was supposed to be a good thing. Particularly when it felt as though this strange, invisible lock settled in place; Dusty was sure that unless Zemeya released him, there was no getting out now. He felt all the more sure of it as his eyes began to droop, even if all the magic in the word was at his disposal.

"So easily charmed and mesmerized, little coyote. So easy to stare, so easy to relax; it is only natural you should fall deeper into that drowsy ssssway. Pulling you towards rest, pulling you towards my eyes. Losing yourself within the serpent's gaze. Falling deeper and deeper as your mind clouds and grows sleepy."

The coils flexed and began lifting up Dusty so that more could wrap around him. Terror at the size and power became drowned by an increasing lethargy even as his eyes refused to close to keep staring at that sinking whirlpool of orange, black, and gold. It pushed him down almost ruthlessly, despite the undercurrent of almost sensual enchantment, and the only reason Dusty remained awake at all was the vague feeling of corruption keeping all his senses as high alert as they could get.

"Yes, little coyote, your mind is nearly asleep, lost in my coils and my eyes. And so now, while you are still somewhat aware, is when I will put my mark on you. Not to poison, but to drain just a little, just enough to ssssatisfy me, and leave what power of yours remains deeply entranced. Sleepy, swaying, lost in my eyes."

Aside from that lazy swaying, the bullsnake's head had not moved very far from Dusty's own even as the coyote's body was lifted almost to standing position. But as soon as the wide head reeled backwards, Dusty could sense the assault was about to get physical. For a moment he could feel his heartbeat rise, but the glimmering eyes and the soothing words and the smoothly swaying coils almost immediately brought him back down, and he was too tired to do anything but let it happen.

Zemeya's hands finally dropped their swaying and went to cradle Dusty's head, pulling it to one side and exposing the coyote's neck while the other rested gently on the shoulder. Then, with a swift movement, Zemeya lurched and bit into the base of Dusty's neck. The coyote felt two pinpricks, and then an almost violent sucking of something deep within him. A reverse poison, drawing out instead of injecting, and he felt something akin to his own life begin to seep out of him. He couldn't tell which he felt more: drunk off magic drain, drunk off of drowsy swaying, or drunk off the serpent's eyes. Which he felt like he could still see in front of him even though he could feel the wide head off to his right. The damn thing's anatomy didn't make sense otherwise.

...god, just how much was this thing gonna take from him!? Time had stopped mattering, but even still it felt like the snake was taking his sweet time finishing up. He could; Dusty felt too good in the swaying coils and was too near to sleep to even bother to complain. And even as the serpent drank from him, Dusty could hear him hissing, continuing to gently soothe his brain, and the image of the eyes whirling around in front of him. The power and meaning of the word "beast" suddenly clicked in his brain and he realized: Bernard and Reeve were no beasts, but this thing - tremendous, astounding, terrifying, awe-inspiring - was.

At last the serpent's head moved away from his neck and went back to staring into Dusty's eyes, drawing the coyote up until his nose almost touched the snake's snout. "You will remember this little experience, little coyote. And the next time we meet, it will be harder for you to escape now that you've felt how good it can be. But for now, drink deep of my gaze, and ssssleep..."

There was a split second where Dusty's mind was clear. "Kuroga..." Zemeya's eyes pulsed and glowed, everything else went dark, and Dusty found himself floating in a void where nothing existed except for the whirlpools of color bearing down on him.

---

"Master Yote! There you are. I've been looking for you for hours. ...come on, wake up!"

Dusty groaned. It was the first new voice he'd heard in a while, still half hearing the snake somewhere in the back of his mind commanding him to sleep. He squirmed hoping to recapture the dream he'd been having when he noticed his face was in the dirt. He also felt surprisingly cold and exposed to the elements.

The shaking became more and more vigorous and eventually Dusty was able to open his eyes again. It was dark but it was clear that Zemeya was gone. A bright and tawny figure was leaning over him, and he looked up to see Kuroga trying to gently shake him awake. Strange as his face still looked, the lion and his huge mane were a relief compared to before, and already the lethargy was leaving his body now that his eyes were open.

"Oh my god, you're okay! Come on, let's get you sitting up. What happened? How come you fell behind?"

Kuroga helped turn Dusty over and sat him up beside one of the trees. It was just after nightfall; Dusty could see the last faint vestiges of sunlight over the horizon but the sky overhead was deep blue and stars were out. He panted and put his paws all over his body double-checking for any injuries as Kuroga now held out a shining ball of light. The worst of the soreness had dissipated, at least, and he felt no stiffness or pain when he moved around.

"What happened?" Kuroga asked again.

"I... I tripped over the serpent," Dusty said. "Zemeya, he called himself. I tried to attack him but it's like his scales were too hard; my sword didn't even dent him. I was only able to knock him around a bit but it didn't feel like I was doing anything to him. He knocked the wind out of me with his tail and then he..." Dusty trailed off.

Kuroga gently put a paw up to Dusty's cheek; the coyote was thankful because he was starting to zone out. "Keep focused, Master Yote, it looks like he used some pretty heavy Enchantment sorcery on you. Are you okay? Did he do anything to you?"

Dusty suddenly felt like he had a massive migraine. "I... I don't know. I know I got smacked around a bit after the fight but I don't know what happened. I don't know what put me to sleep, either, except that it was some kind of magic. How... how long have I been out?"

"It's been a few hours now," Kuroga said. The lion knelt down next to him. "I was able to find Bernard not too far off. He wasn't enchanted or drained but he did look beaten up a little bit. I've taken him back to the logger's camp and he's resting now. That's when I realized you weren't around and came back to find you. Your sword was lodged in a tree not too far from here, and your shield was scattered in another direction. We should get you the apothecary as well and get you some actual rest. Do you think you can stand?"

The coyote was still a little dizzy, but Dusty was able to stand. Kuroga gave him his sword and shield and he tested his magic for a moment. It came back easily and he could feel the power flow through his blade as it ever had. Zemeya had failed to do anything significant to him, at least. He took a few steps and felt the lion's paw around his arm.

"I'm fine," Dusty said. Kuroga let go. "It's appreciated but it won't be necessary. It's mostly just shaking off the sleep."

"I can imagine," the lion said. "I was trying to wake you for a few minutes. I'm surprised you're able to stand so quickly. Zemeya's power runs deep for his kind and it's difficult to shake off enchantment magic so easily. The quicker we can get you to the apothecary, the better."

"Give me time," Dusty said. "I'm not drained, just mentally fogged. I can walk."

With Kuroga's direction, they found their way back to the stream and headed south back to where the woodsmen had been earlier. They stopped for a moment to let Dusty drink some water, then continued south back to the base camp. A bell sounded as the two approached and Bron came out with a lantern to meet them and Kuroga made the ball of light disappear by slowly crumpling it in his fist.

"Good, you were able to find him," Bron said. "We have saved some stew and bread for you two. Let us get you to the room. You'll be with Bernard. The apothecary is mixing up his supplies and will be with you shortly."

The grizzled gray dog led them to one of the rooms. Kuroga showed Dusty over to one of the open beds and the coyote set aside his sword and shield. Bernard lay on the farthest bed, apparently asleep. Bron set the lantern down on one of the tables and left promising to get them some food, while Kuroga closed the shutters on the windows before going over to sit next to Dusty.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Less fogged than earlier, but more worn out than I expected, even after sleeping for a few hours."

The lion nodded. "Enchanted sleep isn't true sleep. If you are commanded to sleep, you may. But if you are commanded to think about something, then the sleep is just the exclusion of anything but what the enchanter wanted you to think about. It's a mental workout instead of a rest. Perhaps Zemeya gave you a command. Can you remember it?"

Dusty tried to think of it. He could see flashes of orange and gold and black, but nothing concrete. "I don't know. I remember falling into his eyes and being wrapped up in coils. My side and back were sore so I couldn't move to get away. He kept repeating things and it made me feel dizzy, but... I think he's corrupted."

"Yeah, that would make it more powerful." Kuroga started sorting through his pack. "Here, I've got a whetstone for your sword, as well as something the apothecary won't give you." He pulled out the whetstone and picked up Dusty's sword to start sharpening it, but gave Dusty a small green vial. "Drink this, before the apothecary comes."

"What is it?" Dusty asked.

"I'll explain later. But with the food, it should help clear up some of the fog."

Dusty drank it. It tasted nasty and mildly sour, but he swallowed the entire vial even if he had to pound the table a few times with his fist from how bad it tasted. He gave the empty vial back to Kuroga and the lion put it back in his own pack.

The apothecary was the badger Eleanor Barton, church-trained and one whom Dusty knew frequently from the Order. She had Dusty take off his armor and shirt as Bron entered with two bowls of stew and half a loaf of bread. There was a small bruise to one side and Eleanor quickly took out a mortar and pestle and prepared an ointment to rub on it to help soothe the irritation and soreness. Then she noticed a weird spot on the coyote's neck.

"There's a bite mark here," Miss Barton said, "and what's more, there's a small patch of black and gold that looks like signs of corruption. You look like you got caught in a magic-draining, Master Yote; I'm surprised you're still awake."

At this Kuroga gave a start and went over to look at the spot. "No wonder you were fogged up for so long. That's exactly a sign of magic draining." He turned to the badger. "Forgive me. We are both Hunters of the Guild, and are well aware of the danger we are in with these beasts. He likely needs some food and rest now, as he has gone all day without either, and I have already given him something for the fog."

Miss Barton huffed. "It would be remiss of me to not take care of a patient who obviously has come into contact with magic draining."

"I am fine," Dusty said. "Kuroga found me asleep, but woke me up and I walked here without support. I may be a Hunter, but I still carry the tenants of our Order, and by the Creator's grace I stand here now feeling none the worse for wear."

Miss Barton bowed. "My apologies," she said. "The Order does not choose their candidates lightly. Others have not been so lucky, but if it is Master Asteran's job to hunt these beasts and he has medicine related to it, then I trust you to his paws. But keep an eye that it doesn't spread!"

Miss Barton left and Bron quietly excused himself to let them eat in peace. Kuroga broke the loaf in half and gave what appeared to be the larger half of the bread to Dusty. They dipped their bread into the stew and ate with spoons they were given. Neither spoke while they ate, and the only difference between them was Kuroga's focus on sharpening Dusty's sword while Dusty kept his focus on the lion himself.

---

After they had finished and their bowls were stacked up on the table, Kuroga finished up the sword and placed it gently with Dusty's shield. It looked in much better condition now though Dusty wondered whether or not it would be enough to stab through Zemeya's scales.

His focus returned to the lion as he stood up and leaned against the wall, arms folded. "You are hiding something from me, Master Yote," Kuroga said gently. "Something that, quite honestly, may have put me at ease earlier about leaving you behind."

"And you are hiding something from me, Master Asteran," Dusty said, less gently. "Something that makes me question whether you're really a Riverwood Hunter or merely an affiliate."

"Unfortunately, I have sworn a mild oath of secrecy as to part of that," Kuroga said. "At least, something that makes it difficult to explain here in the presence of others. Were it just you and Bernard here, I would explain outright. But as there is the possibility of an outsider intruding, I cannot."

"Then at least ease my fears."

"I am a Hunter from the Guild and the Guildmaster I report to is Radan much like yourself," Kuroga said. "Also like yourself, I've been designated to handle tasks of a more delicate nature. But I have spent time elsewhere in my background that makes me vital in a different way. Against beasts like Zemeya, my alliance with you is quite clear. I want to take him down as much as you do, not just for the Guild but those with whom I'm allied outside of it."

"You know more about these beasts than I do," Dusty said. "More than any of the Order or the Guild do. I am at least pleased to hear we are both on the same side, but I do not like knowing that there is yet another affiliation going after these beasts that wishes to keep itself hidden."

"Suffice it to say I use the Guild resources to know which beasts are causing a legitimate problem and which are merely suffering from a misunderstanding of their powers. Perhaps in much the same way you are, though I am more inclined to leave those misunderstandings alone and pursue those who are legitimately destructive."

"Then I presume that is how you know Bernard," Dusty said. "A misunderstanding of power."

"Sort of. Bernard's status as something of a hermit is well-known besides his powers. Moreso, he has been a good informant for me in this section and a good friend upon getting to know him. I believe he's using his powers the best he can, particularly against true monsters like Zemeya."

Dusty nodded. "I suppose I can tell you something of what happened to me, then. I was placed up against Bernard and another Guild-labeled beast. This is the third time coming up against magic that I am unfamiliar with, and yet I have been able to counter and spring back from it and a day later have been restored back to my original capacity."

"Because you had not been drained before," Kuroga said. "This magic is merely magic, though some would call it 'sorcery'. There are different types, and there are types even those learned in those types would refrain from using. Particularly the one Zemeya decided to use on your neck. That being said, while I sensed your magic capacity earlier, it seems from your quick recovery this time I underestimated the depths to which it gives you."

"To which I am admittedly less unnerved by the fact that Zemeya tried to drain me at all than this is the third time now I have encountered this sorcery," Dusty said, bringing a hand up to gently rub at his neck. "Should the Guild continue to conflate the two, I should fear worse the sorcery if we have no ways to stand against it."

"A fair point," Kuroga said. "Your magic levels seem to give you something that many others do not: the ability to resist the worst effects of sorcery and corruption. Many of these beasts have great power themselves, making it where a common civilian is weak to it by pure aura alone. You have encountered three kinds now and have managed to get ahead of all of them by having enough magic to keep you sustained."

"Not that I've necessarily been able to," Dusty said. "I would likely still be asleep from Zemeya's spell if you had not come by. And yet it feels like there is something important still you are hiding from me."

"If I were given the discretion, I would in a heartbeat." Kuroga came over and sat down next to Dusty. "You seem to be special for reasons I cannot tell why, and I wish to give you as much information as you want. But there are certain oaths that bind me so that I cannot give it out so easily."

"You speak cryptically," Dusty said. "As much as I like and appreciate you and your help, I do not like that."

"I am giving as much as I can given the circumstances," Kuroga said carefully. "I apologize for keeping you in the dark, but you must understand. Guildmaster Radan knows but even he has told me to keep it well under wraps. There are others who would not like what information I know even if it is used to their defense, so I must be careful for more than my employer's sake."

Dusty sighed. "I suppose there is nothing to be done about it. You have your oaths and I respect them, much as you have respected my oaths to my Order. Though much as you do not like my Order, I do not like you keeping it hidden from me."

"I'm not saying I won't tell you anything, only that things restrict me from doing so. In better or even less scrupulous company, I might." Kuroga placed a hand around Dusty's shoulders. "But should we ever meet in facing against one of these Beasts, I will help you once again."

The paw on his shoulder was quite large but warm and comforting. "Are we to part?" Dusty asked.

"Not yet," Kuroga said. He stood up and walked towards the other bed in the room. "I should like to see if you remember more of Zemeya's magic tomorrow, and perhaps we may be able to take him down together. But for now, we should rest. You should merely to recover from the effects of the spell, and I because I have been running for miles today."

Kuroga went over and blew out the lantern. The room was darkened and it wasn't long before Dusty could hear nothing but the sound of Bernard and Kuroga sleeping on either side of him. The night was quiet and peaceful and eventually he pulled himself under the covers and shut his eyes. Very faintly, he thought he could imagine a third sound, a faint hissing underneath the wind. But he paid little attention to it, and hoped that sleep would come soon.

My eyes will find you. You will become lost in them once again. And this time, I will not let you go.