The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Felix led the group a short distance into the cavern. Damon continued to act nervous, or restless about being within the walls. Although reluctant to split up, the group broke into 2 groups. Felix and Smaug would follow the stream deeper into the cave, checking for side channels or small passages that branched off. Damon and Jonathan were to investigate the source of the animal sounds. Were there wolves within the caverns? If so, why and how had Damon known so precisely what the animals were? Something was amiss and the group needed to know what.



Felix and Smaug continued several yards along the side of the stream when they noticed several small openings leading off either side of the path. There was also a rope walkway suspended about 50 feet above the stream indicating tunnels in the upper reaches. They committed all they could see to memory and began heading back to the cavern opening where the two groups would meet and share what they had learned.

Jonathan was brash and untrained in stealth, his methods were attack by surprise and keeping swinging until no one was swinging back. Damon finally convinced him that alerting or startling the animals was a bad idea. Damon would lead them as close as possible to the entrance of the holding area to better assess the situation. Damon was very surprised to find a small cave off to one side that had several wolves chained within. There was a larger one closer to the entrance that was sniffing the air and growling softly. Damon and Jonathan froze, they had been scented. For all his nervousness, Damon seemed fairly calm when facing the wolves, he slowly slipped into some of the darker shadows and began making a strange sound almost like he was growling back to the large wolf. The hair on Jonathan’s arms went up as he crouched silently, listening to Damon and the wolf growl at eachother.

After several minutes, Damon returned to Jonathan’s side. “I can make sure the wolves don’t sound the alarm, but you and the others will have to trust me.” He asked Jonathan to return to the cavern opening and warn the others that the wolves would be coming their way. The group was to hug the sides of the cavern and not interfere with the wolves leaving. Jonathan didn’t like the idea, but liked the wolves even less. He reluctantly agreed and returned to the others with Damon’s message.



Damon waited a few moments before he slowly began to change. Slowly his hands and feet grew longer, his jaw lengthened and his eyes blazed a strange, bright blue. He inched forward making soft growling noises, soothing and calming the wolves that had been captured and were being held as “watch dogs” for the cruel and ignorant goblins. Damon reached the large male in front and slowly reached for the chain that was wrapped around its neck. He needed to make the leader understand that he was not there to hurt them, but to set them free from the chains. There were several tense moments when Damon wasn’t sure if the wolf would attack and sound the alarm or, just this once, back down and submit his leadership to another. With his fingers inches away from the wolf’s neck, the big male bowed his head and allowed Damon to remove the chains that bound him. He was free. He moved away quickly but did not flee, he would stay and watch the strange creature until all his pack mates were freed. With the leader free, the others quieted and Damon was able to release the chains with no danger of alarming the goblins. The wolves moved to the front of the cavern, one smaller male turning and staring at him, as if memorizing his look and smell. Damon hoped the wolves would make it to safety and would bear no lasting scars from the chains that had bit into their fur. Damon himself moved toward the cavern opening as his slightly altered features transformed back into Damon the man, not the strange creature in the cave.



Damon rejoined the others and was greeted with stares and uncertainty. He stepped back and slowly drew his sword. Kneeling before his companions, he placed his sword across his heart. “There is much to tell you, I understand your fear and uncertainty, but know this. I will never cause harm to any of you. I will defend and guard all within my care with my life if necessary. Now is not the time to speak of secrets and things hard to comprehend. Let us complete this part of our journey and we shall sit and speak of it then whilst we share a barrel of ale.” With no other choice but to continue, they moved together deep into the cavern, seeking goblins, and news of Gundren or Sildar.



Quietly they crept towards the large rock wall at the back of the cavern. Unfortunetly, they did not see the guard crouched upon the rope bridge overhead. The guard quickly sent notice that the cavern had been breached. Within minutes, a large wall of water came rushing down from the upper levels, nearly sweeping Felix and Jonathan before it. Felix, being lithe and strong, was able to catch himself on a large boulder and climb to safety. Jonathan was not so lucky. As the water hit, a rock was dislodged and smashed against his leg, knocking him into the torrent. It was his day for good fortune. A large hand caught his cloak and pulled him to safety as he was swept by. Damon had shown himself to be good and faithful companion. Both were safe and continued the climb upwards.