Conrede Village

9 

By the time they approached the village the sun was setting. There were people. But they were not human and creatures of all shapes and sizes were milling about. Some looked human, but Imp could tell, they were just walking shells without souls. Many politely smiled at the pack as they passed by with human faces, but it was something else on the inside. 

“Ah! What do we have here? Weary travelers mayhaps?” One of the hollow shells greeted them enthusiastically. “Hmm, hmm what a lovely brood you have ma’am. Oh! And even a baby imp! Isn’t he a precious one?” The hollow had circled round Mother even in a crowd of snarling faces to get a peek at Imp. A large plump hand reached out to pinch Imp’s cheeks, but it recoiled. Imp had released a nasty miasma of dark magic, and bared his fangs at the hollow man. Cupping its round cheeks, the hollowed man cooed at Imp. Then smiled fondly at Mother, who was the only one to remain calm. 

“What a lively family you have. Are you looking for a place to rest? I have an inn just down this lane.” 

“What’re your rates?” 

“Hmm, well considering the currency in these parts, how about a soul for a few nights? We’ve got plenty of room for all of you.” His face looked absolutely giddy with anticipation. 

Imp wanted to scream in offense but then he remembered something mother had said when they first met. Demon’s usually eat souls. Clutching his bag, and peeking around he realized no one was looking at the pack, especially the hollows. They were all following him. ‘They’re all demons, like me.’ He thought to himself. Noting the ones who weren’t taking an interest must be monsters in one form or another. 

“Thank you but we don’t need a nest, these ones are too old to be babied like that anymore. Plus they aren’t fit to be housed in civil places.” 

Cannis snapped her jaw shut and growled near the man's head and he flinched, just slightly. The other pups cackled in response and for a brief moment the hollow seems to realize he’d let himself get surrounded by a pack of monstrous wolves.  

“I-I see. Well that’s certainly a shame. These parts can be quite dangerous at night. Even I don't venture after it’s lights out. Oh-! But I’m sure your family is more than capable of handling whatever lurks in the darkness!” He added the last part quickly, “you’ve got a strong looking bunch.” He chuckled nervously. “Still, you’re welcome to stay in or near the village, though once doors close they won’t open til morning. . .” 

“So this place gets interesting at night?” Helmrot asked with a sinister grin. 

“We can do as we like, can’t we mother?” Arihar asked in a similar tone, licking her chops and surveying the hollowed citizens. Many who’d been paying enough attention averted their gaze or scurried off quickly. 

“Now, now, you’ll behave. We’re only here out of curiosity. We wouldn’t want to cause any trouble, right sir?”

The hollowed man gulped as a murderous aura from the pups and mother rolled through him. 

“No, not at all. Well then, sweet dreams to the lovely family! I’ll be taking my leave now. Oh, and I forgot to say, this is the Nameless Village! I do hope you enjoy your stay here.” 

He continued down the lane toward what must have been his inn. The doors and shutters closed, and the lights went out quickly after he entered. 

After continuing through the village the group found an abandoned square and decided that’s where they’d settle for the night. 

~~~

“What’s that guy doing with the Shewolf?” 

“Don’t you mean what’s that guy doing with a few souls in his bag? What’s he doing pickling them for flavor?” 

“Shh, shut up you two. One of them is awake.” Three pairs of eye’s all stared down at the square from a rooftop across the way. 

“Which one?” The first voice whispered. 

“The runt.” The third voice answered. 

“So what?” The second voice huffed. “We can take a mangy bitch.” A snarl startled the trio. 

“Whose a mangy bitch?” Imp glowered at them from the other side of the roof. 

“Woah-!” The three imps jumped like startled cats, and hissed at the Imp, feathers ruffled, and shadows quivering with magic. 

“You-! When’d you get up here?” The second voice, a girl with pallid skin, red eyes, and long scraggly dirty blond hair asked. Her dark gray wings ruffled and she looked tense, like she’d pounce at any moment. There were two boys beside her, one with similar hair and eyes, and the other had a darker complexion than imp with ashen red hair and green eyes. 

“Been here,” Imp replied, crouching low, readying himself for an attack. 

“Hehe,” The boy with dark hair, he’d been the first voice. “Hey wanna play a game?”

“No.” Imp replied without missing a beat and dark imp choked and convulsed to the ground, losing his footing. The two others stopped him before he could roll off the roof. 

“Idiot, why would that work on one of us?” The girl scolded him, all the while glaring at Imp. 

Coughing the boy regained his footing and sprung off the roof. Flying off, the other two followed him. Dazed and confused, the Imp scampered to the edge of the roof they’d been spying from. Mother was the only one still sleeping, while the pups in one way or another had their attention on the roof. Whether they were outright staring like Cannis, or simply had an ear perked like Bruttus. Grinning, Imp waved and hopped from the ledge, gliding back into the dogpile of mutant wolves. He was pat down, and checked by the siblings before they were satisfied and they all went back to sleep.