Ankyra Sound " Look at that deep well, look at that dark grave. "

among the soft sighs of the cave came the sound of footsteps in the tunnel above. an intruder -- a dog.

shardik's loose gums unfurled in a sharp edged smile, his black china-doll eyes focused on the lean shadow that darkened his doorstep.

he was hidden behind the lip of flowstone and tall columns of stalagmites; he came closer, peering at his houseguest with predatory hunger.

his hulking frame broke from cover when she finally noticed him, issuing a thick challenge accompanied by bared teeth.

shardik needed no second invitation. he lunged in a heavy canter, pursuing with all the dogged devotion of a beast who had not seen a meal in some time.

she was slippery, this little wolf. she kept her distance, coming just close enough to tempt him to lunge before retreating out of range. more than once she baited him into a cumbersome lunge only to seize the opening of his hocks and flanks; her teeth stung his thick hide and always, she retreated before his scything claws could cut her in two.

shardik's malevolent eyes simmered. once again he fell for her baiting taunt, but this time when she sped around to his hocks shardik was ready.

with all of his might, shardik spun on his stout hind limbs and sent his right forepaw forward in terrific force. there was a thick thud, followed by a pained yelp as his hefty claws connected with the she-wolf's head, sending her body spinning into a tall column of stalagmite with a sickening (no -- to sharidk, satisfying) crack.

the dog's body contorted around the conical tooth of stone, slumping to the ground in silence. around her, a dark pool of maroon seeped from an opening in her skull, and her eyes peered back at shardik lifeless and empty.