Shepherd.

The name was more of a title than anything else; but it told her exactly what she needed to know. He was some kind of leader for the local werewolves and he was exactly the problem that she needed to fix. The underground group she had stumbled across had been part of a larger operation; she had no idea how large of an operation but judging from the cave systems it was quite extensive.

So she thought it over, looked at some maps and found that the entire cave system was actually a large set of mines that had been abandoned years ago after the metal they had been trying to mine out had dried up. Leaving an infrastructure for some banditry… or in this case a large group of werewolves that preyed on the civilians here. It made her a little cross knowing that everything that had been happening was because of them.

She did think it was a little odd that they were so well organized which wasn’t entirely normal. But it did explain their brutal methods and why they took so much rather than breaking everything like some of the earlier groups she had dealt with. It took some finagling and some explaining but eventually she was able to get a general map of the mines and the cave systems that they connected to. It was quite extensive but there was a few points in it that lead her to believe that was where they would be handling things from.

Three points.

One that was the closest, a mid one and the last ‘deep’ portion of the mine would no doubt be where he would be from. Though the deep portion of the mine would be a genuine journey she felt that she needed to tackle the two initial points first. Not immediately one after the other per say but in a staggered line.

If there were multiple packs still she’d have to fight them too; which could lead to a problem. Sighing softly as she adjusted her sword on her hip she’d step into the entrance of the mine. It had been boarded up the day prior but after a little bit of work she had managed to clear it without much fuss. The boards were old and dry which meant that they were brittle; or at least weren’t as resilient to boot or blade.

When the light was nothing but a memory the woman would strike up her torch against the wall and bring the light to her again. It felt gloomy in comparison to that of the sun but it was something that she had to deal with as she trudged down the abandoned mines.

Finding herself at the first intersection she’d glance around; noting that it was abandoned. Which was a good thing considering it was the one she had ran into in her last foray. She’d kick one of the cards aside and glance around again. She could see a light in the distance and frowned. Snuffing out her light she’d slowly creep forward; inch by inch until she was at the edges of the light.
Four men. All talking low and looking over some kind of map. She couldn’t exactly see what was on it but it wouldn’t matter in a few moments. They wore the same sort of tattered garb as the others; but theirs looked a bit more presentable. She’d bite the inside of her mouth as she figured that the alpha of this group wasn’t present given that they all seemed about the same size. Save for one that was a lot smaller and a lot younger than the rest. Likely what amounted to a ‘youngling’ of the group.

She’d have to kill the whole group and that didn’t exactly sit the best for her. So she’d exhale slowly before taking a wide stance. She’d end the first one’s life quickly; it was the least she could do for someone that had the inner beast for so little time. Not wanting to have to look them straight in the eyes.

Her magic was a quick warning to the rest as she drew herself back, that magical seal springing to life. The warning cry of the other three was not important as she punched forward. Her ice shard flew straight and true through the back of the skull of the one that wasn’t looking at her. She’d grimace as she knew that the others would change quickly.

Standing tall over their fallen comrade it was a rush of fang and claw against her blade. It was all she could do to defend herself; sure they’d gouge into her armor and sometimes nick at her flesh. But in comparison they were not as strong as the others, maybe more skilled but that mattered little when their bites bounced off of her armor or were met with blade.

The first fell to a timed swipe of her blade; crumpling as she drew her sword from hip to shoulder. He was a mess of limbs as he fell to the ground, flailing and groaning as his life wept away from his chest. Lucretia made sure to stomp out his neck as she pressed forward. Not having any time for someone stabbing her in the back.

The second was a little harsher; having stabbed through his throat and breaking off the sword into it. Much like the prior group she was left disarmed for the last two. Something she was getting a little too used to. But that was fine. She still had a good chunk of the blade and the hilt.

The third was a little more tricky, wary of her now and being a little more defensive than the others. It was a long trade off that eventually ended with Lucretia punching him in the throat and following suit with stabbing her sword through his eye into his skull. She watched him crumple without a word and looked around.

A set of eyes stared out of the dark and out of it stepped forward a monster she had to practically look straight up to just meet the eyes of. Neither of them said anything; just staring down one another for a long and anxious minute. Their bout started without a single roar or word said. Exchanging blow after blow; lucretia having to rely on her defensive magic to give her armor on her arms once that fell away.
Skilled but not strong was a good word for this alpha. He was cruel and cunning; aiming to slow her further by attacking her legs and looking to wound rather than completely maim. It was a grueling battle but what he didn’t seem to realize is that every time he made a good hit so did lucretia.

It was a long grueling test of endurance; one of which Lucretia won out. Standing over the bruised and beaten werewolf, Lucretia would kneel on their throat, watching the life drain from the werewolf’s eyes as it lost the little bit of air it had left. There was no remorse for what she had done and very little worry about the ones further in. The next checkpoint wouldn’t be for a mile or so at least. So she’d gather up the ‘trophies’ of a successful hunt and head back out. Leaving the bodies for the ‘crows’ as it were.

She’d be back again. Hopefully taking the last checkpoint and it’s leader beyond that.