There was blood on the ground. Eglerath bent down and ran his finger on the blood stained leaves. It was still moist. The unicorn must had been here just a few hours ago. The creature had rested here. Even in the dark night of Athel Loren Eglerath could notice the signs. After all he was a wood elf.
Wasting no time he started following the tracks again. He knew that the unicorn was bleeding badly. It was possible that the arcane creature could not last the night. He had to catch it. He ran through the forest without a sound and faster than the wind. Still the speed wasn't enough for the elf. Eglerath shut his eyes and concentrated, still running with astonishing speed, avoiding the branches of the trees with almost no effort. Eglerath felt the power course through his veins as he tapped into the wild power of Athel Loren. In the pale moonlight the elves legs transformed, into those of a stag. The elf became fifteen inches taller, and his speed was unimaginable. Eglerath was a member of the alter kindred, the leader of Latih-Kourn. He was a shapeshifter.

The elf observed the forest opening. He was hidden amidst the branches of a gnarled oak. The unicorn lay in front an old burial crain. Even though it was very dark the elf could see that the creature was dead. He had failed, but at least he could kill the predator who had brought death upon the unicorn. He could see the punctured ribs of the unicorn. There were wounds on the flanks of the creature, probably caused by wicked talons. On of the legs had been ripped of. The bone marrow had been sucked out.

There was nothing to be hear ed. An absolute silence lay over the forest opening. The moon had reached its peak. In the tomb a stone slab blocking the entrance to the crypt fell on the floor. Eglerath drew the spirit sword from its scabbard with a hiss. The runeblade glowed with a ghostly green light. The elf hid the blade in his cloak. His eyes were fixed on the tomb entrance. He spotted two red eyes in the dark. For a moment they observed the area, then the creature came out of the crain.

The creature was big. Its body was monstrously swollen, its muscles unnaturally large. The monsters arms had broad wing-flaps attached into them and its claws were even sharper than a griffins, but less curved. The skull on the other hand was surprisingly small, but the mouth was filled with host of dagger-like fangs. The creatures body was covered with black hair. Eglerath could spot a wound in the monsters chest. The unicorn had offered resistance, despite its wounds. The monster must have been tending to its wounds in the crain, but know it had came out again to feast on its prey. The monster was a varghulf.

The varghulf bent over the unicorn and started to eat. The sight was disgusting. The varghulf was devouring the liver. Eglerath new that the creature would continue to eat the heath, and then probably the brains.

Eglerath dropped himself on the ground emitting no sound. He walked soundlessly towards the creature. He adjusted the grip on his sword, and uncovered it. The runes were glowing with a brighter light as he advanced. The blade could sense that it was about to capture another soul, either Egleraths or the varghulfs, for the blade it didn't matter.

The elf stopped. He was still ten feet away from his prey. The varghulf raised its head from the carcass. Its fangs were tippling with blood, and in the wicked talons it had the unicorns hearth. The varghulf liked its fangs and dropped the hearth on the ground.

Without a warning the creature jumped into the air in an amazing 10 feet leap. It descended on Eglerath faster than lightning, but Eglerath pirouetted behind the creature as it reached the ground and swung his blade in a deadly arc aiming at the neck of the predator. The varghulf dodged, and slashed at the elf's chest, but the claws met only air as Eglerath evaded the attack.

Again the varghulf jumped into the air, this time trying to get behind Eglerath. From the corner of his eye the elf saw two sets of claws slashing at him simultaneously from both sides. One set cut down at his head while the other arm was aimed at his groin. It was impossible to parry both of them, and there was no time to dodge. The elf slashed at the claws that were about to cut his head of and kicked hard with his hooves at the other arm. The varghulf screamed in pain. The right hand had been cut off from the wrist.

Eglerath backed a bit from the creature. He wanted to keep a safe distance. He knew that the creature could twist his neck in an eyeblink. Now that the varghulf was wounded it behaved more cautiously. The elf was moving all the time, carefully placing his feet, tracing a semicircle. The spirit sword was pointing directly between the varghulfs eyes. Those red eyes were fixed on him and they were filled with hatered. "I will kill you! I will suck your blood and have my way with your body till it is an empty husk, and then I will throw your carcass to my Ghouls!" The vampire didn't speak but he could hear its voice inside his head. Again the vampire jumped at him, but this time he was totally prepared. The spirit sword in his both hands he cut through the air at the creatures stomach. He evaded the monsters claws, the snapping jaw, and he could feel the blood on his face as his blade slashed into its target. The varghulf screamed, but it was blocked by the wailing of the spirit sword. The varghulf fell to its knees.

"Kill it, grant me its life, or I will take yours in exchange." He could only hear the song which the spirit sword was singing. The beast would die. There was nothing that would stop him. His sword was slicing the air with deadly speed. Every movement he made was in his veins. The spirit sword would be satisfied. His blade hit its target. The varghulfs head was flying in a bloody arc through the air. The spirit sword flashed with a bright light, revealing the sight of the duel for anyone who was near. But none saw it. Eglerath always worked alone, in the dark, killing the creatures who threatened his forest.


Couldn't get sleep last night, so I came up with this story, hopefully there are not too many spelling mistakes. Thanks if you had the patience to read it.

Very good. A dark mood that really captured the hard world of the olde world and warhammer. Hope you write more

Nice work mate very enjoyable read.

Cheers Jayz

Thanks for the comments guys. It's nice to write something when you have spare time..