Stonepads

When you walk into the forest, it's an immediate shock. Just moments ago, it was midsummer, bright and hot. You are absolutely certain of it, just moments ago you had been lamenting the lack of water, for a drink would be nice. But just a few pawsteps into the forest and the weather has cooled to a chill. A wind blows from the east, and when you cast your eyes up, you note that the leaves on the trees have begun to change color, as if in early autumn. 

Something in your chest pulls at you regardless of your wariness. There's something about this forest that draws you in, that has drawn you in since you crested the mountains you had been travelling over. Something strong. 

Something wicked this way comes. 

The thought rises in you, unbidden. The language is not your own, and yet you understand its meaning. Now, you want to run. You want your legs to pump until they ache and give out under you. 

You turn once, halfheartedly, and stagger in the direction you came. You take perhaps two steps before your body seizes and stops. Every hair raises on end and the air around you fills with electricity. You open your mouth as if to speak, but no words come out. To your left, the telltale rustle of something very large moving through the bushes. At once, you know your life is very much in danger. 

Run! 

Again, this is not your own language, and the voice is garbled and strange, like sound from underwater. With a savage bark, you break your own trance for only a moment. You run. Perhaps two or three leagues, you run. You are certain you came from this direction, but uncertain of which trail you have taken. Behind you, the large... thing... follows. It stays out of sight, but at times you can feel its hot breath on your neck. But you are close to safety, you think, you must be. You had not travelled that far, and at a walk no less. 

But the forest seems expansive, and your stamina is flagging. Already you feel the strange pull to stop once more. Your hair raises again, and within three more steps, you have once more fallen motionless, at the mercy of the large creature following. Your eyes squeeze shut, sure now that your life is forfeit. 

And then there is nothing. 

For a moment, anyway. 

Then there is a loud bark, quick and aggressive. The scent of an unfamiliar she-wolf passes by at an immensely fast speed. Then there is the hard, meaty sound of two bodies colliding. Growling and yelping sounds follow, noises of battle. Then the sharp crunch of bones breaking. 

And then nothing. 

You are unfrozen, and with your hackles still raised, you turn your head. Here is the she-wolf which passed you. She is a massive thing, considerably larger than yourself, almost comically so. Her coat is true black, except around the eyes, where it is ruby-red. The entirety of her front half is stained with blood, and at her feet is the thing that was chasing you. It is mangled, but you make out its sheer size and a mouth full with three rows of teeth. Your eyes lift back up to the she-wolf. She is smiling. 

"What a dreadful fright! A poor welcome to my forest, I'm sure." Her voice is deeper than you would expect, almost melodic in its delivery. "I'm sorry he came after you. They are large but mostly harmless, if you attack it is unlikely you will lose. Our pups battle them to train." She says brightly. You make some remark about how you have never seen anything like it, and she laughs. 

"Of course not, stranger! Prey in the Stonelands is a bit different than that which roams the mountains." She pads toward you and offers her nose in greeting. "I am Masquerade. I am the Alpha of these lands. If you are here, it is because these lands called to you. Come with me, stranger. Stay a while!" She is intoxicatingly sweet to scent, and you find yourself drifting towards her. 

Yes, you think. 

You will stay a while.