Another bead of sweat trailed down her back as she continued stalking the woods with her short sword low to not draw attention, and her buckler clearing her path. Her leather armor kept her hotter than she would like, but she knew her prey could come upon her fast and she wouldn't be caught unaware.
The weight of her gear wore on her even though she stayed near the village that hired her three days ago to find the beast that had been raiding the local herds, slaughtering, and eating many of the local sheep. So far there were no reports of it attacking anyone, or even of anyone getting a good look at it.
Apparently, it was cautious enough to avoid the local patrols, but the only farm that was raided was on the same side of the village she now patrolled. At least the canopy of trees kept the sun from beating down on her, but the recent rain had washed away most of the tracks and left the dense forest thick with humidity.
It sounded like the culprit was a werewolf, which is why she brought the silver longsword strapped to her waist.
As she carefully wove herself into the clearing that she was using for her camp she noticed fresh tracks in the damp soil. Judge by the prints, she was correct that it was a werewolf, and he definitely knew where she was. Sensing that she was being watched she kept her sword arm coiled and knelt to inspect the prints.
The whisper of leaves being moved aside and the shift in air pressure let her know that he had begun his attack. Just as he was too close to flee she turned with a horizontal cut slashing across his torso.
The monster howled with pain and rage as a quick swipe of her blade sent metal carving across his torso. She saw a flash of fear and anger in his eyes as he realized that his trap was turned against him.
She dropped her pack and lunged at him, but he quickly turned and fled from her. This time it was much easier to follow him as he crashed through the undergrowth with abandon.
The thought of a quick kill followed by a cold mead at the tavern gave her a boost of speed as they both raced through the undergrowth, his wounds preventing him from getting too far away from her.
After several miles of chasing him he had pulled ahead of her. She could still hear him in the distance but the sweat soaked skin had allowed for her leather armor to rub her joints raw. She slowed herself and took a break to assess her situation.
Her body was soaked in sweat, her armor a deeper brown where it was closest in contact with her. She sheathed her short sword and took a drink from her canteen. The warm water wasn't refreshing, but it did help her get some strength back.
Her hair had come loose during the chase and now clung to her face like wet vines.
During the chase she noticed that the blood trail had gotten thinner as she went along. She reasoned this must be because she hadn't used her silver sword the first time on him. Thinking of remedying that, she drew her long sword.
Determined to kill him she started out again following his trail, apparently, he had healed well enough to no longer crash through the growth.
By now the monster had been able to outpace her for long enough that she couldn't see him, but the prints and blood would be easy enough to follow.
As she journeyed further she sensed that she was no longer the hunter, but the hunted.
After a few moments she found a clearing where she could spring his trap.
She bent down pretending to inspect a track, when she heard him crashing towards her from behind, perhaps he was more injured than she though.
This time as she turned to strike she was surprised to see a small tree hurtling through the air at her. Since she was already mid swing there wasn't much to do as it slammed into her, sending her flying backwards, slamming into the ground knocking the breath out of her.
Through blurry eyes she saw that the werewolf did not hesitate in his attack and bounded towards her.
It was then that she noticed her sword and shield had been knocked free, fortunately she still had time to pull her short sword out and slash.
At nothing.
He had learned his lesson and leaped before he got there.
She heard him land behind her and she began to thrust her sword to meet him.
And her attack met with his clawed hand wrapping around her forearm.
She spins while dropping her sword into her other hand and slashing him in the thigh.
He releases his grip and staggers back as she looks around for the only weapon that will kill him.
She notices it in the bushes to her right and starts to make a dash for it when she is slammed into from behind, sending her over her intended goal.
She comes to a halt on her stomach, lungs burning for air, when he comes crashing down on her.
His clawed fingers weave through her hair until she feels his firm grip on her head. Which he uses to slam her face into the soil.