[h2][i][color=00a651]The old metal room between floors.[/color][/i][/h2]

Torch light flickered over the macabre scene of mutilated bodies piled up and left to rot, the light creating shadows that danced with a sadistic glee among the corpses. Several members of the expedition shivered in their fur at the sight of such brutality; One or two had quietly thrown up the contents of their stomachs, but no one felt inclined to speak of such things aloud because there was no shame in being shaken by something this... [i]sick and twisted[/i]. The group was a mixture of Rats and Smalls of different colors and ages, through it was clear that the older ones seemed to be handling the gruesome sight better then their younger counterparts. 

The team of Warrior-Monks that had come as escorts and protectors of the investigation's steel discipline was tested and proven, but  the experienced eye could tell that they were on alert with paws tightened around weapons that were at the ready. At the moment they were dealing with an unknown enemy of great skill and monstrous intent who had slaughtered an entire Clan-Pack of warmongers in the thousands, mutilated their corpses and then transported them to leave on display as a message to others... this was not a situation that they were comfortable with letting continue. As one of the tenants of their order wisely stated '[i]If you know yourself and your enemy, you need not fear the outcome of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory you earn you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither yourself or the enemy, in every battle you will succumb.[/i]'

They did not know their enemy...

That needed to change. 

"We start-start with this pile." Beef Noodle spoke aloud, through the cavernous darkness seemed to make his voice echo louder then he intended. A rat of graying fur, Beef Noodle had accepted his position on the Council happily but his knowledge as a healer was always of use to the Clan... and while it might have been unorthodox, it made him perfectly suited to discovering how someone had died. Right now, they needed answers to find out what had sealed the fate of the Warband of One-Eyed Heesh. "Take your time-time and take note of everything-everything!"

With grim resolve, the examination of the corpses began. Discovering how the Warband had been killed would answering a number of questions such as the methods used to slay them, the tools and means that would require and most important of all, the claw or fang required to make such a thing happen.