EEEEAAAIIIII!!!!
A piercing howl tore through the darkness. A howl the Kanthrop were quite familiar with. It's sound was not like any animal they were familiar with, no wolf nor bear nor eagle could produce such an agonising wail. It sounded most like a man's call upon death. Final breath released in painfull agony. Soon after the first cry, a second and a third could be heard, deep within the Howling Forest.
The Cryers had awoken.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Elsewhere
Scarlet shifted her weight onto her other foot and picked idly at a loose thread on her Kanthar, heedless of the dark night that stretched about her. She hated first watch.
She gripped her shoulder and massaged it, wincing as she felt the bruise. Her muscles were still sore after a long day's 'tuition.' Wrestling Tab had certainly been an education, the lad was more bear than boy. Petran had matched his opponents well in theory, her speed off-setting his strength. Somehow a careless opening had ended the fight and she had the marks to prove it. Next time he wouldn't be so lucky... She narrowed her eyes at the thought of it, felt the eager surge of her inner animal. She felt her free hand tighten around her bowstave, heard the leather creak as her skin whitened with the pressure. She was going to take that ox down.
Slowly, she relaxed, letting the tension ebb away. She stretched her arms, feeling the muscles tighten and relax in turn before she lent against the hut, staring out over the southern roads. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and considered the lectures she had endured.
Rauwolfia and Lemon grass in a honey tea for a weak heart. The essence of the first must not exceed 1 part of the fifth? Or was it ten... Ursa damn it all.