Chapter 7
As the search group reached Founsel, the sun disappeared behind the western treetops. Workers had earlier returned from the forest and now refilled lanterns on the perimeter of town. Hantle called for others to join them in the central square. The proprietor told of the shepherd and the search for the scattered flock. “And he described the wolf as monstrous. At least six feet tall.”
A woman looked past them, down the path. “Where is he now? Coming after you with the sheep?”
The blacksmith shook her head. “He’s heading toward Bansuth. Said he does not want to make us a target tonight.”
“He’s either very smart, or very dumb.” Hantle said. “Regardless, we ought to prepare for tonight. Will anyone else join the watch this evening?”
Two more people volunteered, one for each shift. Each group now totaled five. Ten watchers over the course of the night.
A trapper joined Hantle and his group for the second watch, and set several snares in the woods. He set these near wolf tracks left over previous nights. Others in Founsel donated ammunition and black powder, and cleaned the weapons. What with the success of the lanterns in keeping the wolf away, they staked and lit even more around the town.
The heat of the day tapered off and a thundershower brought torrential rain as the town members sat down to supper with their families. Wind shook the lanterns on their posts and small streams of water ran through the cobblestones, past the meadow where the boys were taken that first night, and into Trasach Cove. The downpour let up as night settled over the town.
The first watch stepped out into the dark and drizzle. Parents sent their children, still rambunctious, to bed unwilling. The five watch folk began their patrols with muskets slung over their shoulders. The additional lanterns made a significant portion of the forest’s border visible from even a hundred feet away. Water dripped from leaf and roof to puddles on the ground.
Three hours into the night, noises from the south caught the attention of a guard. She called out to the others, who joined her. The moon had crept into the sky again, and the forest cast a shadow on part of the dirt road. The sounds grew louder, but none were certain of the cause.
White and red, small dots appeared in the distance only to disappear. Others flickered into existence and vibrated up and down before winking out. The guards stood on the cobblestone and stared confusedly down the road, with muskets slack in hand. The dots appeared, bounced, and faded. Just seconds later, the faint shapes of white sheep were visible. Their eyes glimmered, reflecting lantern and moonlight. A dozen animals ran haphazardly, bumping into one another. All bleated madly.
Beyond the sheep, another pair of dots appeared; these much higher off the ground. The outline of the wolf appeared as he sprinted after his prey. Lantern light revealed his size. The beast was larger than a bear. The guards gasped as the wolf clamped its jaws on the hind quarters of a sheep and slid to a stop on the path. The sheep’s cry died as the wolf changed its bite to the neck. A snap carried through the air. With a few more chomps and tears, the sheep was devoured.
The watch leader snapped to and called for his guards to raise their muskets to the hulking figure. Blood dripped from his fangs down matted, blood-black fur. The area’s bright lantern light enraged the creature and provoked a deep growl. All five muskets erupted flame and smoke into the night air. The nearest sheep ran past the guards, dragging eddies of smoke behind. Then the wolf was upon them.
The leader slammed into the ground as the wolf bit into his chest. He reached for a knife on his belt, but his grip and strength faltered. Another man and woman were taken by the neck, and the wolf tossed their broken bodies to the side. The last woman drew her pistol and worked to prime it as the remaining man ran for the forest. Before she could fire, the wolf lifted her from the ground by the arm. Her feet kicked but she could not reach the creature.
The wolf dropped the woman and turned his attention to the fleeing figure. Crumpled on the ground, the woman grasped for the pistol with her good arm. Just as the wolf caught the man, the woman fired again. A yelp went up as her shot hit the beast’s withers. She let up a call to rouse the second watch, anyone, everyone, if the calamity had not already woken them.
The wolf devoured the last of the coward and turned back to the only survivor. The last woman scrambled toward the watch leader and the pistol holstered on his hip. Blood pooled around him. His eyes stared, lightless, to the sky. With his pistol in hand, she rolled over and fired a final time. The fiend did not react quickly enough and the shot grazed the beast’s left forearm. From an incredible distance, the wolf leapt. The woman had single yell before the wolf silenced her.
By the time Hantle exited his front door, the smoke was nearly gone and the wolf dragged the last body into the woods. At the cove, sheep ran and split at the shoreline toward the east and west forests. Just a moment had elapsed. Pools of blood were the only remains tonight.