[ZenGum]

The guards, having been to the village inn many times, buckle daggers in discrete places inside their clothing, take some stout staves, and set out across the countryside, where the waxing moon peeps through the swirling mist.

Faintly through the night air they hear a long, mournful howl, too wild to be human, but too haunting to be an animal. Both guards tense as the sound chills their bowels and raises their hackles.

"Fear not" says Brutus, the elder of the guards. "'tis but the hairy beast in the valley of the Priest".

"Aye" replies Wolffe "with the moon not yet full, it shall not roam far from its den."

For all their brave words, they walk a little faster, until the inn appears before them.