Slowly the god rays of the morning sun broke through the trees, casting illusions and shapes among the dark trunks of the trees. The swift and silent movements of the hunting pack a mere whisper of sound in the early dawn. The elfin leader upon his giant black wolf, riding silently his eyes watching the ever expanding circle of light that streamed through the canopy of trees, his thoughts on finding a Nymph, a conduit of power for his own uses.

Somewhere ahead they would find what they sought, and they would do as they had been tasked, subjugate and crush any hope of resistance that might exist. Just as dozens of other hunting packs scoured the countryside, seeking to commit such atrocities that the will and hope of the people were crushed as word would spread of the consequences of betrayal to the Overlord.

Dynoz narrowed his eyes a moment as he thought of that, betrayal of the Overlord, such a foolish thought, such a foolish action. Yet even now, Dynoz displayed that which made the Elves a feared and dangerous enemy, for they fear nothing and would always seek to twist the circumstances to their benefit. A cruel, twisted smile flashed across his lips, a smile that gave only the briefest hint of pleasure, how he would savor the moment when he would seize power from the Overlord and establish a Hegemony of Elven families that would rule the world, completely, unassailable, resolute. 

A human slave spoke haltingly to the elfin lord, hi svoice cracking under stress, "My...my lord my village lies just beyond those trees. Please my family...my wife and children. You promised they would be spared."

Without looking at the human who had addressed him, Dynoz said haughtily, “I believe they have found something worth their attention. Perhaps we have found another group of refugees…or perhaps more sport, remnants of the army that once faced the Overlord.”

"No my lord it is my village...there are no warriors there, we are simple farmers trying to survive...please."

The large wolf moved with an assurance that came from being a predator, and it also had caught the scent, dragons. Ahead somewhere were dragons. A thin stream of saliva sprayed as the wolf licked its large black lips, the thick sharp teeth glinted evilly.

Turning slowly, so that the eyes of the elf beheld the form next to him, “Remind me again what your position is among this company?” Dynoz said icily as he peered with a very visible malice into the eyes that looked back at him. Before an answer could be given, in the distance a yipping sound filled the air, followed by another and a third.

A cruel smile crossed the elf’s lips as his eyes narrowed, the angular face caught the shadows of the trees as they cascaded down upon the pair, “Come…I believe we shall find out what the scouts have discovered very shortly.” With that Dynoz nudged the large wolf into a trot. "And kill the human...we have no further need of him."