The Big Bad Wolf

The voice alone had almost brought Tommy to tears. For a split second, there was a moment of doubt, but seeing Theo instantly washed it away and the Breton was overjoyed. He returned the embrace tightly, not wanting to let go of the fellow werewolf in fear that if he did, Theo would just disappear.

“It’s good to see ya too,” he said, his eyes slightly wet with joyful tears. There was a broad smile on his face that he couldn’t wipe away even if he wanted too, and he nearly pulled Theo into another hug.

“How have ya’ll been?“ Tommy asked, motioning for Theo to sit alongside him at the river’s edge. The Breton plopped down next to his friend, their arms and legs nearly touching, clearly in bright spirits. “When did ya get ta Whiterun? Why didn’t ya tell me you were comin’? I’d’ve waited at the house for ya.”

Theo sat next to his friend, his feet dangling just above the slow river, and looked over at Tommy for a moment. In that moment he couldn’t quite remember the last time they had seen each other, but it didn’t matter.

“Oh, you know,” he began, a crooked smile forming on his face, “Rhen returned and kicked Nuka’s ass, like she always did,” Theo laughed before he seemed to remember something else. “Oh, and Hel gave me some things she wanted you to have, but I left them at the inn. We can pick them up later,” he said and jerked his thumb in the general direction of the city.

“Can I keep you?”

“Don’t come near me, you spiteful spook, or I’ll knock you into the next world.”

“Don’t worry.You always look cute.”

“French fries are not a breakfast food.”

“Hmm? Guess ‘cause when you’re a ghost, life doesn’t matter that much anymore.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from you, it’s: Always kick ‘em when they’re down. And, baby, you’re six feet under.”

“I have-a quite a bit of experience. Not, you know, like, exactly doin’ it. But I’ve studied it, and I’ve talked to people who have done it.”

“I thought we almost lost each other for a minute there.”

“I told you I was a good dancer.”

“It’s my party and I’ll die if I want to.”

“Listen! Cut the crap, okay? If you don’t show yourself, I’m gonna have you arrested for trespassing!”

“Not bad for my first party, huh?”

“Not so fast, little man. The bitch is back.”

“Oh, man, how am I gonna do this? I couldn’t even get my Easy Bake oven to work.”

“Oh, that felt like the strangest dream.”

“Please. Do not think I’m as crazy as I thought you were”

“Please don’t scream! I promise I won’t hurt you!”

“Scream or sugar?”

“Sorry, sweetheart. We’re through.”

“There’s no such thing as ghosts.”

“We’re gonna booze it until we lose it.”

“What do I usually do when something stands in my way?”

“What were you like when you were alive?”

“What’s it like to die?”

“You don’t have to be scared of death anymore.”

You’re a beast hunter, aren’t you?

We are hunters, the both of us.

Well, that’s most unfortunate.

If you have a change of heart, you know where to come.

There must be oodles for us to share.

May the good blood guide your way.

Good to see you safe.

There’s something I want to tell you.

There must be some safe place to run off to?

Around here, you are the only one I can turn to.

You understand, don’t you?

I knew you’d come back for more.

Whatever happens, you may think it all a bad dream.

Didn’t you see the warning?

How did you get in here?

You have the whole night to dream. Make the best of it.

I have nothing more to offer.

This night is long, but morning always comes.

Remember yourself. You are not a beast.

Isn’t it time someone put you out of your misery?

May you find your worth in the waking world.

Do the Gods love their creations?

Would you ever think to love me?

I do love you. Isn’t that how you’ve made me?

What a mess you’ve been caught up in.

Prepare yourself for the worst.

My glory days were long ago now.

The sweet blood, oh, it sings to me.

It’s enough to make a man sick.

It will be a long hunt tonight.

You needn’t concern yourself with me.

I can wait. I won’t be afraid.

I’ve much better ways to pass the time.

Don’t you have work to do? Go slit some throats.

Do you think I owe you something?

Don’t you come near me! I know your type.

What, you think I’m a beast?

He’s not to be trusted.

Not even death offers solace.

Have mercy on the poor bastard.

Throw yourself to the wolves.

My god is lost to me, so I must find another.

On a night like this… I took you for a monster.

Thank the stars you’re fairly normal.

This whole place is falling apart.

Shad could feel his own eyes growing wet, and he cleared his throat and blinked his eyes a few times to clear the liquid that welled. At the Nord’s question, Shad’s expression grew hard.

“Dead.” The word was half-growled, half-spat, but it was clear there was no question about it. “All the ones that had Tommy are dead. If there were more involved in the attack… they’ll be found.”

A low rumble vibrated through Marduk’s chest as Shad talked, but it ebbed away as the werebear assured him the Silver Hand would be taken care of, and nodded slightly. It took Marduk a moment to gather his thoughts, but once he had, he took a step to the side and motioned deeper into the cave.

“The Silver Hand attacked the Moors,” he said, his sadness and anger at the news still bleeding through despite his effort to keep his tone even. “Ella is at the Bone-Bash Inn. Tommy is in Whiterun, at Jorrvaskr healin’ from injuries he got while bein’ held captive by the Silver Hand, which is why he sent m’here.”

He paused, allowing the news to sink in, giving them a moment to sort through it all, before he continued.

The news made an impact on all of them, but perhaps Hel more so than the rest. As Shad talked, her eyes had become blank and wet, and when he looked at her, he didn’t even have to say the words for her to know what it was about. A tear trickled down her cheek and she sought comfort in Joric’s arms as a sob escaped her.