[Soldier]

“So we shall!” said Kevin cheerfully, holding his torch aloft as he followed the trail into the back. The Mercenaries led the way deeper into the house, Brenden pulling a stout longsword from his belt and holding it easily. Kevin pulled his crossbow from his own and loaded it as they came to a small door. The trail of blood led under the door, and from inside came wet tearing sounds. With a loud crash, Kevin kicked in the door, revealing a gruesome sight.

Two corpses were laid out akimbo on the floor, one a stout Dwarf in workman’s clothes, the other a stout Human wearing the uniform of the Fianna clan. They were shredded and mangled badly, their flesh stripped off in places to reveal bones and organs. Gathered about were three ugly creatures who were once Human. But now, they were something from nightmares. Their skin was dry and papery, a green tint making them look odd in the torchlight. Long, thick fangs parted to let long, snaky tongues flick out of overly large mouths and long, dity claws tipped their long fingers. They bit into their prey, ripping the meat off the bodies to swallow it whole. As the torchlight fell on them, they turned, their solid black eyes glittering as they hissed.

Kevin nodded as he studied the creatures, setting his crossbow and readying to fire it. “Ghouls,” he said simply, identifying the Undead creatures. “And we interrupted their meal.” He aimed and fired in one smooth motion, the bolt from his crossbow hitting one Ghoul in the face, sending the creature end over end into a heap on the ground. He tossed his bow aside and snatched a small axe from his belt as the other two creatures hissed again and started to move, charging toward the three newcomers.