“We've got to barricade the doors and windows” Bogdan heard from Adrian. Following his command, patrons of the tavern began to shove tables, chairs and everything with enough weight at the points of entrance. Bogdan was quick to pitch in, as he and another man lifted a wooden bench to the back door and stacked several chairs above it. 

“You know Bogdan,” the man stopped and questioned. “wasn't there another group of hunters earlier? Why are they not with you?”

“They set out earlier than me,” Bogdan recounted. He heard old Pavel and his sortie setting our earlier; a group of experienced hunters, most of whom were superior archers and trackers than himself. Originally, it was Bogdan's intent to follow along. However, Svarli was beset by an upset stomach this morning. Bogdan never went out of Adishi without Svarli...

[i]Svarli.[/i]

“Wait,” Bogdan suddenly remembered. While he and Adrian's friends busied themselves with barricading, Svarli was nowhere in sight. “Have you seen Svarli, my hound? He was under...”

The sound reached his ears at that moment. Horrifying screams, screeches of lives being extinguished from both human and animals. Without hesitation, Bogdan took off back to the main tavern room. He sprinted as fast he could, vaulting over a table and dashing between a group of surprised patrons. 

[i]Svarli.[/i]

The unmistakable shape of a husky curled in the corner, soft whimpers came from its mouth. Somehow, a deep dread underneath him told Bogdan that Svarli was another victim of the curse. He knelt beside Svarli, holding the husky's trembling head in his lap. No, this could not happen, Bogdan pleaded. He knew Svarli was growing weaker by the minute, and most terrifying of all, there was nothing he could do to stop it.

“No, no, no.” For the first time in seven years, Bogdan cried. Tears streamed from his eyes down to the floor, where his shaking hands held the lifeless body of his most loyal companion.