A gentle lesson

Mr Badger

The lightning flash of pain worked it's way from the mans side to his brain. The only sign was a tensing of the muscles along the area and a grunt of expelled air from his lips. The blood had long since stopped flowing and now all there remained was a gaping hole where once was intact flesh. The agony of the shot remained a dull comparison to the surprise of it's arrival. As the bullet tore its way through his abdomen the man was already throwing himself to the ground, to avoid a follow on shot. The sniper had made a mistake, the target was not about to allow that mistake to be rectified anytime soon. Massaging the wound the man stopped a moment to regain his 'breath' and to plan a head. After all this time Mr Badger found it a perverse pleasure to actually be the hunted rather than the hunter for a change.

Badger had been on the out skirts of the city at the time, after the initial shock wore off he'd rolled into cover behind a vehicle and taken a toll of his injuries. The damage was severe but not fatal in itself. What could very readily be fatal was the weakness gifted by the wound. Slowed reactions, the dullness of energy needed by a body fighting to survive, to heal. Worse of all the bright hunger that would need to be fed if the body was to make good the damage. Badger had been busy that night and as such his reserves had been drawn low. It was going to be time to feed again, not that the attackers were going to allow him the luxury of time to respond. Hearing the shattering of bark behind him, Badger swept off further into the bush. His attackers were nearing once more.

A great deal of planning had gone into this attack, that much was clearly evident. They had known where, when and whom to attack. When faced with an intelligent adversary the first thing to do is derail the plan. Badger had cloaked himself as much as able in the conditions and fled towards the city limits. Vampires are urban dwellers by majority. They fear the wilderness and what dwells within. Especially the youth of the Vampiric world. They've lost the desire to see the world, the desire to be alone. They are safe in their cities and would think of moving outside. That's their loss and our advantage. From the lack if immediate response once Badger had seen that his guess was correct, the encirclement was weaker towards the wilderness. Taking hold of that fact like a lover soothing his wounds Badger had increased his pace, asking more from this reserves then he though wise in order to make the cover of the woods, once inside the pace could be slowed to something more subtle and conservative, something that could be sustained.

Slipping through the undergrowth Mr Badger paused and listened. In the distance could be heard the shattering of branches stepped on in haste, the whisper of leaves thrown aside rather than slipped through. At least one of those following was of the brute force category, someone used to the urban environment and not the countryside. They attacked the outdoors rather than worked through it. Mr Badger smiled for the first time that night. Taking out a knife from his belt Mr Badger began to work with the tools available, what was lying on the ground or within hands reach.

Not having the time nor the patience to cover his tracks, Mr Badger had left a quite easy trial to follow. Easy that is, if one was skilled in such matters. In this modern age people have forgotten the usefulness of such skills. They value the need for shadowing an opponent but not the need to track them. Shadowing infers the ability to keep them in sight, or to know points of reference to rediscover the target if sight is lost. This is not the case in the outdoors at all, there is no visual reference but what is left behind. Someone trained in the use of scent with a Vampires sense of perception would be of an advantage. Otherwise one has to know how to find and follow a trial. To those following they were struggling to maintain the distance now that their quarry had stopped making so much noise.

Mr Badger finished his surprise and slipped off on a tangent, only a fool flees in a straight line, only a fool flees towards a prominent land mark. Only a fool follows ones prey's trail exactly. Those behind seemed to be doing just that. Walking along the same path. Mr Badger knew this was the case as for a test he'd slipped through a certain fern bush rather than around it. The leaves of the fern rustle in a tone easily concerned. True enough the same rustle was heard a few moments later. They were out of their depth back there, and it showed. One of the trackers was noisy, noisy and impatient. From all the noise it was making it was obvious not used to such a chase. By fighting the woods like it was doing all that was happening was noise and anger. The wilderness is treated well, or it treats you poorly in return. Mr Badger grinned to himself, both these flaws were soon about to become apparent.

The tracker was out in front, facing down towards where the Sabbat's feet had stepped. Smothering a growl the tracker reached out and tore away a branch in his way. With such increased strength the branch was splintered by the force of the blow. What was not so easily apparent was that branch had been the counter balance to a series of taut veins. On the end of those veins were sharpened slivers of wood. Not all that heavy, but of sufficient sharpness to be workable. The tracker grunted with the blow as the slivers were driven into his body in a number of places. The pattern was wide to cover as much area as possible, Mr Badger could hope that the person would stand in exactly the right spot to be disabled. Only one sliver managed to strike the right spot, suddenly finding himself staked the tracker fell to the ground. The other slivers letting his Blood drip to the ground in rivulets of darkened rust. Those following the man at point swore violently. Kicking the immobilised Vampire they passed on, with the desire to extract vengeance end this mission before sun rise. They'd return for their comrade later in the evening once the Sabbat was killed. The remaining members of the tracking party spread out and soon one noticed a pale stain against the leaves of a tree. Tasting the liquid the woman nodded that it was Kindred Blood and so their quarry had come this way. Taking more time now to be quiet, as it was obvious the Sabbat knew they were there and how close they were, the search pattern widened.

Mr Badger lashed out his fist, striking his target with killing force. Sweeping up the body in the same manoeuvrer, with the animals death spasms rubbing against his wrist Badger moved silently into the woods. This rabbit would come in need later on. All those years of woodcraft were coming in use once more. Knowing how to move and when not to move Badger could navigate the woods in a shroud of silence the following trackers could not comprehend. From the talents shown by those following them they were young to being a Vampire. The young Vampires desire power more than ability. They study and sweat to gain more and more of what being a Vampire means to them, Powers of the Blood. They ignore useful skills and instead focus on becoming a Fiend of the Night. With only the barest of knowledge bases these idiots think they can overcome anything that stands in their way. Thinking they can hide from all eyes, survive killing blows or strike down an enemy with a single punch they ignore the fact that the Blood is useless without a mind behind it, to direct it. What use is the strength to lift a car if you can not drive one wisely? What is the point of being able to see all that is invisible to Mortal eyes if you don't know what any of it is? What is the point of being an unnoticed shadow to passers eyes if you lack the wit or intelligence to act on what you've seen? Powers of the Blood are a tool, not the hand that wields the tool. People need to realise this before their vanity of being a Vampire gets them killed. Those following him would soon learn this.

Mr Badger listened to the sounds around him, listened with an ear towards that he sought. Smiling thinly when the noise carried Badger moved towards where he judged the noise to come from. Looking up at the tree Badger was pleased to see bright yellow and black eyes looking downwards towards him in return. The feathers on the proud creature were a tawney brown with golden and green highlights. The eyes were massive globes of brightness and intelligence. The Morpork almost seemed to nod as it acknowledged Mr Badger's appreciation of it's form and beauty. Offering the still warm rabbits corpse to the base of the tree Mr Badger walked back a few steps and regarded the Morpork once again. "I hail thee winged brother. I ask of you a favour in return of what is presented to the base of your spire," whispered Mr Badger to the Owl's interested eyes.

The Morpork chittered and looked closer at the creature below himself. "And if I shall take the gift as is my reward for being who I am, what would you dare do in consequence?" Asked the Owl in return, claws extended till they started to mark the wood beneath it's feet.

"There would be no consequence. The gift is yours Brother no matter what your response to my plea demands. Someone who rules above with such wisdom should be gifted by those of us who walk below. There is no obligation but to what we owe you in return." Mr Badger bowed deeply and turned to leave.

"Wait grounded Brother. I see that you two know the ways of how things are. Ask of me a favour and I will aid you, so you may educate those who desire to end my reign here." Answered the Owl.

Mr Badger smiled and explained what he was after. Owls are very proud birds. They seem themselves as the kings and queens of the night. They see all and they judge. If respect is given to them they respond with kindness in return. The lofty speeches are a formality that speaks of the heart within the creature. A gift to such a predator can be the sign of a trap. If the gift is given freely to them, and with the eyes of an Owl they can soon pick upon a lie or a misdirection, they pride themselves on responding in the same manner. This Morpork could see that Badger meant what he said, that he would have left the gift with no ill intentions and gone on his way.

Once the Morpork understood what Mr Badger wanted it nodded once and flew off into the sky. It's flight soared above the trees and below, across branches as well as under them. In a matter of minutes its flight had carried it in an exact pattern decided by the ability of its perception. Soon the Owl landed on its branch and regarded its friend of the night. "Welcome again brother, your prey hunts foolish for you in these parts....." As the Owl told of his attackers locations Mr Badger nodded sagely and thanked the Owl reverently. The hunters were about to suffer a role reversal by before hunted.

Animalism is a Discipline of the Blood ignored by a grand majority of Vampires . They see it as weak, underpowered and useless in a modern society. It can not kill at a touch or cower enemies with a glance. It can't hide you from the rage bought about by your actions and it can't incinerate with a though all those who irritate you. Those who do use it refuse to respect the animals they wish to befriend. It is more rape than friendship as they impose their own awareness over the creatures, rather than along in partnership as was designed. They see not the advantages of friendship but the power of possessing an animal. They're wrong. Mr Badger had spent enough time to respect those around him who deserved respect. Animals are simple creatures in that they do not try to hide their motives behind flowery words. They do not lie to each other as there is no gain from falsify evidence in a means of self explanation. There are many that love a tall tale of exaggeration of achievement and of wonder but it is a game of laughter and fun. They do not fight amongst themselves out of who is right and who is wrong. When that does occur the fight is swift and final, as with the Sabbat the Leader is who becomes one. The strong and the wise rule, not those who bark loudest. People forget about animals, never notice they are there. No one seems to notice that dog watching you, or the cat playing around your feet. No one notices that pigeon sitting on the statue late at night. As friends they can tell you many things, follow you and listen to you. Animalism is just the beginning of such a friendship.

Knowing where his trackers were and in what direction they were heading allowed Mr Badger to formulate plans of his own. The night was drawing on and this event needed to be bought to a close. Slipping behind in an oversized crescent Mr Badger slipped around the edges of his trackers search envelope and into their rear area. Where they had already searched was safe, or as they would expect. The Owl's knowledge had been priceless. Moving with the skills of his woodcraft Mr Badger knew his trackers would find his trail eventually, there was no time to do a complete job, but they would be confused and delayed. Delayed enough to allow some corrective action to be taken. Mr Badger entered familiar territory and chuckled lightly on the wind. Lying where he'd left the deadfall was a massive brute of a man. Someone who seemed always pent up with anger just by looking at them. Still staked Mr Badger walked up and smiled gently into the mans eyes. Licked his lips in an exaggerated motion Badger bent down. The look of terror in the mans eyes made the meal all the more exciting. Stupidity is a steep learning curve, there is little room for those who fail. Mr Badger fed.

The trackers moved around in a curve, following where their prey had turned back. There had been a mutilated rabbit body at the base of a tree, obviously the Sabbat was so famished as to lower himself to eat what ever he could find. What little sustenance one could get from a rabbit must mean the Sabbat is still very hungry indeed. They should have left a rear guard, someone to guard against the prey looping around. That mistake wouldn't be made again.

They found the site of the ambush but where their fallen comrade had been there was just crushed undergrowth. Gathering their rage at being outmanoeuvred they spread out in a search pattern. What they found was horrifying. Wooden splinters of impressive size had been made out of fallen branches. Each of their comrades limbs had been pierced by one of this splinters and as so he was nailed against the tree in some mockery of a the fate of Jesus. Still inside the man's breast was the original wooden splinter, the one through his heart. Reaching for that piece of wood a woman tracker pulled it out to ask their comrade what had happened.

Mr Badger had known better than to drain the body dry, no matter how hungry he had been. Instead he had drained it to near fatal levels then left it to be discovered. Badger's intention had been correct as what the trackers had now was not a friend at all but a blood hunger driven machine, no other reason or though it it's head but to feed. To feed now and to sate it's rage and pain. The woman who removed the splinter was not prepared for the massive blows directed towards her as her comrade tore his limbs off the tree and attacked, spraying gore and fluid across the clearing and across her.

Mr Badger watched from nearby as the party of trackers turned to attack one of their own out of self defence. How apt really. Mr Badger chuckled as the insane Vampire was clubbed into torpor by his own team. The woman who had been the original target lay torn and bloody, next to immobilised by pain and shock herself. Mr Badger took the moment to aim then throw what he'd held in his arms.

The spear stuck the woman in the centre of her chest with a sicken thud of split bone and tissue. While not pierced through the heart as such she was pinned to the ground, her struggles quickly fading as her overly abused body quietened to repair the damage stricken upon it. She was effectively out of the fight while it remained. Spinning about the remained trackers looked up and around to see where the attack had come from. Seeing nothing they snarled and looked again for the faint glimmer of a Vampiric Aura or the haze of someone concealed by other Disciplines. "He's here! Find him! Quickly!" Screamed the foremost tracker. Mr Badger had waited till their eyes hazed slightly with effort before throwing something else into their midst, something he'd collected from a car on the way into the woods for just this sort of situation.

The road marking flare burst into life in mid air between the Trackers. They screamed and clawed at their eyes as the senses they were trying so hard to focus upon betrayed them. As we all know, having someone turn on the light after sitting in darkness is painful and disorientating. For a Vampire under the influence of Auspex, the magnitude increased by many orders of magnitude. Dropping down into their midst Badger made short work of the thrashing and screaming opponents. Each was disabled quickly and efficiently. Examining the fallen bodies Badger tried to find some reason or indication why the attack had occurred. Frowning as he noticed a tattoo along the inner arm of one of the trackers Badger quickly examined the others. All bore the same tattoo, of a paw print displayed in black ink. While the position was different to them all the design was the same. Mr Badger was pondering the relevance of this find when he heard it.

It wasn't as much hearing something as not hearing it. The wilderness is full of sound, always. The only time such background noise is absent is when there is a disturbance, something not right. What Mr Badger had heard was that disturbance, the night had gone silent behind him. Slowly turning a circle towards the aberration Mr Badger concluded that something was not right in that direction. From previous experience there suggest an Assimite has joined the nights festivities. Assimites have the ability to dull all noise in their vicinity. What the younger ones do not remember is there are times when there *should* be noise, if there isn't then something is very wrong. Just in this situation. The wilderness is not famous for having roving zones of silence within. Mr Badger smiled as his form shimmered, dulled and become nothing. Two can play the silent killer game. Especially now Badger wasn't hungry and had time to play. Maybe if this one was smart enough it could be allowed to live? At least long enough to provide a little information.

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