Denny
*A high elven noble would meet whoever made the contract just outside the woods were he lost his dogs. He stood beside his carriage, supporting himself with a crutch. He was old, even for an elf. Likely in his last century, many would argue he shouldn't have been hunting at all. Either way, though, here he waited, just by the road that led to the woods where his hound was killed. His retainer awaited atop the driving bench of the carriage, saying nothing.*
Willie
Tythis made his way through the forest floor, shield glimmering as the occasional ray of light made it through the top of the trees, hand on the pommel of his sword at all times. His newest contract, a man who wanted a capable warrior to find the collar of his late hunting dog, should be around here somewhere. Notably, Tythis' own pup was nowhere to be found- he figured it would only pain his client to see the dog so fast after losing his own. Besides, it was a simple retrieval mission. Nothing to fancy or dangerous.

Tythis could hardly imagine his travels without his loyal pup by his side. His travels, in the beginning, were more than a little lonely, more than a little dangerous, and usually much too quiet for his liking. When he received his war dog, a supposed runt of the litter gone for cheap, he wouldn't have guessed that he would end up being one of his closest allies.

Tythis pulled himself out of his own thoughts as he spotted the carriage near the wayside, along with an aged elf standing next to it. He was supporting himself with a crutch. Another person waited on the carriage, though it didn't look as if they had been speaking.

He picked up his pace just a tad, walking up to the elf.* 

"Hello, sir. I'm here for the contract." *Tythis thought for a moment, thinking about whether or not to offer his condolences, but decided against it. Some did no like pity, and he did not know this man. There was no reason to risk angering him.*
Denny
*The High Elf nodded to Tythis, not extending a handshake or proper greeting. Instead, he withdrew a piece of parchment from his coat, offering it to Tythis. Inside would be a sketch of a collar, identified by the medallion with two serpents in an ouroborous.* "There are three or four of them in the whole den. I'm guessing the fall months haven't been good on them. The Karvoc Dogs were half starved when I encountered them, but..." *The elf noble shuddered,* "I imagine they've eaten since. If you follow this path, then go west where there's a fallen tree, you'll start to see the trail I left behind. We were close to their den, it was at most 100 yards away from our fall. The collar will be there." *The elf had a grim demeanor and didn't seem interested in further conversation. If Tythis needed it, though, he'd answer any questions.*
Willie
*Tythis took the parchment, viewing the sketch of the collar. It had a great amount of detail. He sympathized with the elven man, though he didn't show it. He wanted to remain more professional, and the man didn't look like he was in the mood for chat anyways.

He listened carefully to the man's directions. He doubted that he would be able to come back for a refresher later, or if he did, he doubted the elf would be happy.*

"I'll get that collar for you, sir." *Tythis mentally went over the directions in his head, carefully tucking the sketch in his own leather armor, and nodding to him once more.

Tythis set off, traveling down the trail as directed, eyes shifting constantly to make sure no animals could get the jump on him like they did the poor elf and his beast.*
Denny
*It'd be a few minutes before the fallen tree, and now animals rarely moved across the worn path. The tree was just where the high elf had said, and left, to the west, it seemed a long path of plants and shrubs had been flattened. This is where the elf must've dragged himself after the accident. Dried blood could still be seen in spots. Ahead, Tythis would likely find where the elf fell, and somewhere around there, the den of Karvoc Dogs. It was a still a few hours before the sun was out, so they wouldn't be active. Cowardly creatures though they are, resistance should be expected upon approaching the den.*
Willie
*Tythis found himself upon the fallen tree the elf had pointed out to him. Just a little left of it was a path of flattened shrubbery and dried blood. Tythis felt his own blood quicken just a tiny bit at seeing it, though it was because he knew he'd be in combat- however short it may be- fairly soon. He followed the path, and stayed weary, eyes still shifting to check he wasn't being followed or stalked by any early risen dogs. He kept an ear out as well, however much good that may do him.

Tythis' hand remained steady on his pommel, ready to draw at a moment's notice.*
Denny
*The path was more or less a direct one. It would lead for half a mile, a long way to crawl, before a large amount of dried blood was found. The ground still had marks from what appeared to be a vicious struggle. About thirty yards ahead, the half eaten corpse of a horse would rest in the grass, indicative of the fall the hunter had taken on a cliff about 50ft up. South, though, would be another trail, with its own dried blood and drag marks. It led into rougher, thicker vegetation, where the trees grew close and the brambles tall. It was darker here with the large canopy above, and quieter, too.*
Willie
*As Tythis drew closer, he scrunched up his nose in disgust. The dead horse let off a foul stench, and mixed with the smell of blood? It was nearly gag-inducing. A larger pool of dried blood was a little bit away from the horse, and made another trail. Noticeably, this one had crawl and drag marks, like something was resisting...

Tythis felt his heart hurt just a little bit. Sure, he wasn't exactly the greatest person in the world, but picturing an innocent, loyal dog dying in such a way...? The world worked in cruel ways. He walked towards the gathering brush, moving his hand from the pommel of his blade to the handle, quickly drawing and slicing to remove the shrubbery. The slices were quick and concise, despite the larger size of the blade. He didn't bother sheathing the blade after he was done, as he had a feeling he'd fine that den soon enough.*
Denny
*Tythis would soon find himself in a clearing in the trees, with practically just flat grass and small stones. It was nearly a perfect circle with a 140ft diameter. On one end, Tythis just cut his way through. On the other, a large tree with roots wrapped around a boulder. It seemed like this made a perfect place for a small hovel. The snout of a Karvoc Dog was poking out, but the rest could hardly be seen. Thanks to the lack of trees, sunlight shone into the area, excluding the shadowed den where the Karvoc Dogs most likely rested within. A bloody, scratched trail was clear. They must have dragged the hound into their den, bones, collar, and all. The only Dog made no move, the snout unmoving in the slowly setting sunlight.*
Willie
*Tythis stopped in his tracks as he saw the snout of the Karvoc dog. They hadn't moved an inch yet, and they hadn't appeared to have noticed Tythis. As slowly and as quietly as he could, he sheathed his sword and drew his crossbow, loading a bolt in as he did so. Slowly, he drew the bolt back, making as little noise as possible. He only aimed briefly, trying to get the damned thing in its nose before it had the chance to do anything and alert the rest of its ugly brethren.

Tythis pulled the trigger. The bolt launched from the crossbow, and Tythis wasted no time trying to reach for another bolt.*
Denny
*The bolt would fly true and garner no reaction from the Karvoc Dog, aside from the moment it made contact. The bolt would move through the soft tissue and cartilage, entering the brain directly. The snout would simply lower and disappear as the Dog died and fell backwards. Unfortunately for Tythis, though, four more heads would emerge from the shadows. It seemed as though they had sensed him long ago, and only one made the mistake of making itself seen too soon. The four remaining Korvac Dogs would begin running immediately. No barking or growling was heard from them, moving almost silently as they ran across the expanse. They'd be upon him in three turns, already crossing 40 of the 140ft between them. It appeared the High Elf's count was incorrect.*
Willie
*The beasts charging at Tythis were unnerving, their large and grotesque figures moving with the grace and silence of a trained assassin. There were no howls. No battlecries. Just him, the dogs, and the gap between them, which was quickly closing.

He loaded the second bolt, and a line of magic quickly spouted from the tip of the bolt to the one that had been fired. He didn't have to be silent this time, drawing back with ease, and shooting at a second dog. With luck, the first arrow would fly and hit another dog on the way back. That is, if the bolt hit at all. 

The moment the bolt left the crossbow, Tythis put it back on his back, drawing his sword from its sheathe and preparing himself for melee combat.*
Denny
*Tythis' bolt would sink squarely into the shoulder of the first Karvoc Dogs, and it slowed it's run considerably, moving to keep the weight off it's now injured leg. The secondary bolt would lodge itself into the flank of the dog nearest the leader, slowing it down as well. Unfortunately, though, no kill shots. The two unharmed Karvoc Dogs would be upon Tythis in two turns, while the two injured Dogs would be another four turns. The panting breath of the beasts could be heard now, as they approached within 80ft of Tythis.*
Willie
*Instead of trying to get another shot in with the crossbow, Tythis charged straight at the mongrels. If another one died, they probably would be too far away to stop from fleeing anyways. He didn't need these things attacking anyone else on the road when they couldn't defends themselves, now could he?

The sword was held at Tythis' side, ready to be swung at any moment. Likewise, his shield arm was just as ready, a small surprise waiting for whatever dog dared get too close for comfort. The distance closed ever more quickly with both parties charging at each other, and Tythis could feel his blood begin to pump harder.*
Denny
*One of the larger dogs would reach Tythis first as it launched itself upwards, attempting to hit the man directly in his chest with its paws. It was a simple knockdown strategy that many predators exercised. The second dog would run to the left side of Tythis, about ten feet away, likely aiming to get behind him. The last two would be limping behind, about two turns or 60 feet away.*
Willie
*Instead of swinging his sword, Tythis raised his shield. The rune inscribed on the middle glowed and shifted briefly, before a glass-like ward pushed out from it, and smacked into the karvoc dog. The paws instead hit the ward, and it shattered as it did so.

Tythis did notice the other dog circling to his left, and he prepared to turn quickly, as soon as this dog wasn't immediately on him, though the glass ward should have been enough to toss him away for now.*
Denny
"Arf?" *Upon shattering the Glass Ward, the Karvoc Dog would be sent flipping backwards, end over end and onto the ground, where it would roll to its feet. It appeared dazed, shaking its head as it recovered, but no lasting injury was seen on it.*

*This second Karvoc Dog would do just the same, leaping to Tythis' upper body in an effort to knock him to the ground.*

*The other two Dogs were nearing, only 30ft away, still limping from the bolt embedded in their legs.*
Willie
*Tythis felt a little bit of satisfaction, seeing the dog flip over from the ward shattering. It would be comical, if there wasn't another one trying maul him. Speaking of...

Tythis turned his head and saw the predator leap at him, and he swung his shield to smash the dog. If it did connect, then he would follow up with a broad slicing motion with his sword to try and finish it off.*
Denny
*Tythis' attacks would neatly deal with the Karvoc Dog's assault. The shield would send the dog to the ground, where it would be staggered and still enough for Tythis to bring his sword squarely across its head. The beast's head split and it fell to the ground with a shudder, dead.*

*As Tythis had his back turned to deal with the Dog attacking him from behind, he'd likely see a Karvoc Dog on either side now in his peripheral, both poised to pounce from either the left or right. A bark came from behind him, where the third remaining dog was positioned.*
Willie
*Tythis felt a bit of relief as the dog was downed, one less to deal with now. Though, he could see two more dogs in his periphery, ready to pounce on either side... His heart beat a little harder, and more adrenaline pumped through his veins. 

In a spur of the moment decision, Tythis threw his sword in the air. He didn't need to, but hopefully it would serve as a decent distraction for his next action. Quickly reaching down, he pulled the dagger sheathed on his hip, drawing and flicking it at one of the dogs. It wouldn't be as effective as a crossbow bolt, but Tythis was a fairly strong person, and the dagger looked practically brand new.

He shield arm steadied for the other inevitable pounce. He had a... Somewhat decent plan for the other dog, when it did pounce.*
Denny
*Throwing the sword in the air was a good strategy for distracting dogs, but unfortunately... Karvoc Dogs are blind. Sensing the projectile simply harmless moving, none would be very distracted. The dagger, though, would lodge itself nicely into the snout of the dog on the right, making it whimper as it stumbled backwards and began to bleed.*

*The dog to Tythis' left would begin to move directly in front of him, while the other dog pounced from behind, it's movements loud enough to act as a warning.*
Willie
*Tythis didn't seem to really care that the dogs didn't notice- he wasn't relying on that in the first place. Instead, he caught the sword, and again turned to shield bash the dog trying to pounce on him, though he doubted he would have time for a follow-up slice. Instead, he readied his sword arm to slice at a different dog should he need to.*
Denny
*Tythis' reaction was perfectly on beat with the Karvoc Dogs' attack. They are beasts, after all. However, without the Glass Ward, Tythis would have to deal with the weight and ferocity of the animal. Its paws went to the top of the shield, pulling it down slightly as its body weight slammed against it. The dog would be repelled, but would roll to its feet much faster than before. The other Karvoc Dog pounced at Tythis' immediately after, aiming its paws at his torso yet again, snapping its jaws.*
Willie
*Tythis let out a small "Whoah" As the dog pulled on his shield, unsteadying him just a bit as the mutt fell away and rolled back onto it's feet. He glanced to the side, and no sooner did the hound pounce. Fortunately, he had already prepared for that. Instead of raising his shield, Tythis opted for the more offensive option of stabbing into the beast directly. He needed to get one down so he could have some breathing room, otherwise, one of them would eventually get the jump on him. Literally.*
Denny
*The Karvoc Dog would not have the thought to dodge, instead being gored by the forward stab, with the sword going into its belly and tearing upwards as it fell to the ground. The last beast would finally understand the futility of pouncing at the man and lunge forward, biting Tythis' ankle. Tired and injured, it only got a secure grip, but would soon begin shaking and thrashing to sink its teeth further to tear muscle and break bone.*