[the phantom]

Kath heard mormegil's victory howl and knew that the village was at an end. At last she could reveal herself. At last she could proclaim her true affiliation.

She ran out into the night, crying with a loud voice. "Werewolf! Werewolf! I wish to speak to you! I mean you no harm!"

mormegil heard and ran to meet her. He found her in the center of the village, and quickly she bowed to him. "I aim only to serve you, Master Werewolf!"

But mormegil laughed and kicked her in the stomach, driving the wind from her. "Serve me?! You must be joking. You have not helped me! Just yesterday you tried to kill me! But now that your death is at hand you try and switch sides?! Ha!"

Kath lifted her head and looked mormegil in the eye. "Please.... believe me... I did not know that you were the Werewolf..."

"Even if that is true, I owe you!" growled morm. "Your ancestors were most unkind to mine! It's payback time!"

Kath screamed as mormegil grabbed her and carried her over to a half filled rain barrel. Mormegil laughed maniacally as he forced her headfirst into the barrel and held her beneath the water. Kath's legs twisted violently and her arms thrashed, but all for naught. The strength of the Werewolf was too great.

(to be continued)