- A half hour later -
Matt stumbled through the brush and thick foliage, wincing as he scraped his arm several times, bleeding from many superficial wounds now, starting to get discouraged as he thought the river he had spotted earlier was this way. About to give up hope, stopping to catch his breath while leaning against what appeared to be an ancient oak, his giant ears swiveled, barely registering the gentle, burbling sound of a cool river off in the distance.
For once he was thankful for this new form and walked slower now, keeping alert and focusing on the steady, smooth sound of water, reaching the river bank after several minutes of travel. Matt splashed his face and cupped his hands and took a sip, cheeks flushing red as he just realized he was panting from overheating and had curled up his tongue like dogs do when drinking the water.
At least no one is around to see me like this he thought and kicked back against the trunk of a large elm close to the bank, pulling off his boots for a moment to rub his tender feet. Kicking them up on a rock he leaned back, using his rolled up vest for a pillow, curling and wiggling his toes idly as he crossed his legs. Well, at least his legs and feet still looked normal for the most part, save for the deep brown fur, claws and paw pads. They would look sort of cute if they weren't his.
Matt, always having been a bit lazy decided against further travel for now, resting and leaned back, closing his eyes, letting the filtered sun rays from the forest canopy warm him gently. When he opened his eyes, he was human again, lying in a field. Standing up, he was startled by the brilliant azure flash of lightning as it ripped across the sky, followed by a deep thunder. Warm summer drops of rain pattered against his face and scanned the horizon. Off in the distance was a village of stone buildings and further away, a giant tower, dominating the landscape. Another crash of blinding light and he was now before the tower, outside the wrought iron gates, looking up to a single lit balcony high near the top. He was becoming drenched but curiosity pushed him forward as he reached tentatively toward the gate. Before he could reach it one final loud blast startled and blinded him. He was inside the tower now.. Matt wasn't sure how he knew that but he did. He could hear humming from above and, feeling his way along the stairwell by touching the damp stone walls with his hand reached a door. A thin, sliver of light spilled out from underneath. Matt steadied his nerves, reached out and grasped the iron handle, slowly opening the sturdy reinforced wooden door without effect, seemingly opening on silent, well-oiled hinges.
There was an old man wearing an ante black cloak with the insignia of a blue lighting bolt on the back. He was wearing a broad rimmed cloth hat, black and battered. His eyes were assaulted, overloaded really with so much visual detail, the room being filled with furniture, bookshelves, vials and containers of all sorts with the balcony he had seen off to the side. On the balcony he make out two glowing red eyes, watching him as if he were prey. A sudden flash of lightning revealed it to appear as a granite statue, a creature of some kind with cruel claws and a beaked face and marble eyes, reflecting the fire-light from the hearth. At least Matt thought it wasn't real until the head moved eerily to face him, making him stop in his tracks. The old man turned, his face hidden mostly under the hat, only a white proud beard visible as he confronted the intruder with a surprisingly silky and curious voice. "and what can I do for you, my furred guest." Matt immediately looked down to his black furry hands in horror as he once again had become the vulpine creature from the game and screamed loudly as the crazy old man boomed laugher toward him. Blinking his eyes, he woke up abruptly, back in the forest.
The sun was lower now.. damn .. how long had he slept. With a groan he sat up, rubbing his sore back as he had slept uncomfortably, reaching forward to tug his soft leather boots back on, lacing them quickly. The sky was cloudy now and off in the distance he saw a flash of lightning, just like in the dream, counting to himself.. one.. one thousand.. two.. two thousand, hearing the crackling of thunder, putting it as a few miles off. Matt, not being the patient type and not wanting to spend another night in the cave decided to keep following the river, hoping to maybe hit a road before dark.
After embarking down the river for an eternity, he faintly heard the distinct sound of hoof-beats further down the stream. As the river gracefully curved and carved through the woods, Matt spotted a wooden bridge down stream and could hear the sound of a horse and carriage to his left, coming up to the bridge.
If he ran he'd just barely catch up with them...