Thud. Thud. Irisa rolled over, instantly awake. Her fingers closed around the hilt of her dagger and she sprung up with a battle cry on her lips. Her camp was surrounded by Gavrondii, their stone skin gleaming in the sunlight.

Nvrawch ont refletcj! One of them shouted, its nasal voice sounding like stones crashing together. Immediately twenty pairs of eyes swivelled to meet her.

"Lightning, Koordd." Irisa commanded, keeping her eyes trained on the Gavrondii. A male with onyx skin started towards her, raising a club.

"Lightning!" Irisa shouted again. "Koordd!" She shot a panicked look over at her horse. Lightning snorted and pranced. They were separated by at least five Gavrondii, all of them hefting clubs or another stone instrument. Irisa cursed. She only had one shot. Pulling the knife out of her cloak she aimed and threw it with astounding accuracy. The Gavrondii let out startled cries as it buried itself in the male's chest.

"Lokrrah!" She yelled, running alongside her horse. With a mighty heave she wrapped her fingers around Lightning's mane, pulling herself onto its back. The mare reared and Irisa drew her sword, waving it over her head. The Gavrondii scattered. Light streaked over the horizon, and the stone-people shrieked. Where the light touched they froze.

The camp had dissolved into panic, the remaining Gavrondii searching for shelter. Irisa patted Lightning's neck, trying to calm her steed.
"Okay." She said finally, squeezing Lightning's sides with her legs. Why didn't they trip the shield? She wondered. Though the scene of the fight was long gone, the question remained in her mind.

Lightning trotted down the narrow, winding cobblestone path while Irisa cleaned her sword. The forest that they passed through was beautiful. The orange Throvalgar trees were in bloom, shedding scented flowers down to the forest floor. Contrarily the blue Catharan trees had just finished shedding their leaves, and the stark branches cut out jagged chunks of the sky.

The wood was carpeted with black and yellow plants which Irisa knew not to get to close to; if the scent was inhaled a person would begin to tell you their deepest, darkest desires.

Instead of allowing herself to be captivated by the veiw Irisa tended to her blade. The smooth steel had a light glimmer to it that was only visible in full sun. The pommel was capped by a large, iridescent stone that gleamed in battle. As she was using her dagger to clean the dirt from around the hilt, she heard footsteps. A lone figure appeared in the distance and approached at an inhuman pace. Irisa pulled Lightning over to the side of the road and drew her bow. But as the figure came closer she realized that she recognized it.

"Fang!" she shouted. With a leap that would've been impossible for a human, Fang landed beside her.

Fang was a Wulfen'krrd. He had green, wolf's eyes, and bright white fangs. His torso was human but a furry tail sprouted from his rear and his back legs became wolf's leg as at the knee.

"Irisa," Fang growled. "Frrahh Rrond'ra 'Fang'. Ra' crravrrarran 'Novrrack'."

Irisa laughed. "Fine, 'Novrrack'. please remember that although my Wulfish is exceptional it is not as good as your English."

Fang laughed. "How are you?" He asked.

"Better than you." She frowned, looking him over. Clumps of fur were missing from his pelt, and the human skin was slashed and scratched. Fang shrugged.

"A bit of a tussle on the western border." he said by way of explanation. "Even though the wars are done Helvatian raid parties sometimes still cross over. I was, err... hunting and didn't see them coming."

Irisa let that stay but she was amused, remembering how lazy Fang was on their travels. And image came to her mind of Fang napping while Helvatian soldiers circled the area.

"Are you with a pack?" she asked.

"No," Fang scowled. "I'm actually here to ask you something." Irisa's intrest piqued.

"Ask away."

"Lord Travan wishes to speak with you. Something about a new job. I'm supposed to bring you to him."

"It's okay, Fang, If you want to stay. I know the way to the tower."

Fang cleared his throat. "He's not living at the tower. And if you want to get there alive I suggest calling me Novrrack."

Irisa smiled and rolled her eyes. "Lead on."

***

"No!" she shouted, slamming her fist down onto the table.  "A thousand times no! I'm not an assassin, I'm a warrior! Go get someone else to do your dirty work."

Lord Travan just stared at her. He was a proud and haughty man of about forty, with dark hair and blazing eyes. Though he was not a king he insisted on wearing a circlet of gold on his brow, saying that it was granted to his ancestors from the gods.

"My advisors tell me that you would be the best one to do the job. Your proficiency with a weapon makes you ideal in a dangerous situation. And if you do it we can assure that you'll never be out of work again."

Irisa froze. That rung a bell within her. "Who exactly am I supposed to kill?" She asked, trying to order her thoughts.

"He's a Helvatian officer, by the name of Castiel." Lord Travan pushed forward a painting, and Irisa beheld the man on it. He had long, white hair that was done in an intricate series of plaits. With his war helmet on he looked quite intimidating. Irisa maintained a blank face but inside her heart hammered. She had known many men and Wulfen'krrd killed by him.
"Look, your lordship." she said sarcastically, sheathing her knife. "You've got the wrong girl. Now if you'll excuse me I've got to get going."

Irisa turned on her heel and had almost reached the door when a heavy sack landed at her feet. She froze.

"That's six hundred crowns." Travan's voice echoed from behind her. "I'll see you at the western border at dawn tomorrow."

Irisa stopped and picked the sack up. "I'll see you at dawn." she replied before exiting the room. Her footsteps echoed on the wood floor as she walked to the front. Once the adrenaline faded she was overtaken by horror.

My god, she thought to herself. What have I agreed to now?

----

Words:

Wulfish

Note: R's in Wulfish are either growled or snarled.

Frrahh Rrond'ra 'Fang'. Ra'crravrrarran 'Novrrack'.- Call me not 'Fang'. My name is Novrrack.

Novrrack- Fang, but in his native tongue

Grrrawrrd Rrrack M'krrad- I challenge you

Zlarkra

Koorrdd- Come

Lokrrah- Go

Flagrah- Leave

Gavrondii

Nvrawch ont refletcj!- It's awake!