The Laughing Hounds by C. R. Daems

Author:C. R. Daems [Daems, C. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Horror
Publisher: Double Dragon Publishing
Published: 2013-04-01T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

For three days after the attack, I stayed home reading, swimming, and chatting with the team. I needed time to reflect on life and those around me. One or both of the sons wanted me to produce a Werehyena before I died. The thought made me break out in cold sweats I'd rather be killed outright. Worse, my obsession could result in my father being killed. Furthermore, I had to face the reality that one or more of the team would die. To date they had been lucky; however, I couldn't expect luck to last forever. Although each thought brought bile to my throat, I couldn't or wouldn't stop hunting the Werehyenas regardless of the consequences. Too many innocent lives were a stake. It didn't matter that I'd never meet all of them.

On the fourth day, I called the team together. It was apparent that Zuri, Karl, and Tien were on the road to recovery. Everyone sat with coffee or some beverage. Cheeses, dips, and crackers lay on scattered tables. Except for the sound of eating, the room was quiet. They're waiting for their very young inexperienced general to speak pearls of wisdom. I was definitely frustrated. It wasn't fair, but I didn't want to be a monk.

"It's time we attacked," I pronounced. "The enemy is waiting for our next move, and we don't want to disappoint them." That received a few smiles. "Any suggestions?" Silence. Everyone suddenly became interested in his or her drink or snack, except Kipp, of course. He sat quietly watching me.

"Kipp?" I hoped he would have something profound to say, which would then stimulate a discussion.

"The Werehyenas will be ready for anything we've used before."

I glared at him. I couldn't help it. I needed advice on what to do, not than on what not to do.

I turned to Dorus. "What would you do in a battle where you and your enemy had been fighting for months and were at a stalemate?"

"We don't know their strength or their main base of operations. We do know their area of operation." She paused and looked to Zuri who said nothing. "Kipp, do you think they will continue to operate in the same areas?"

"I think they will stay in the same area for a short time, hoping we return."

"Hit and run. Right now it's a war of attrition. We've killed eighteen. An attack may give us an insight into their possible numbers. Kipp?" Dorus looked to the monk.

"It appears we have reduced one pack by ten and the other by eight. To judge by the number of Werehyena kills that Louis has estimated in each area, the number in each pack must have been less than thirty."

He never failed to amaze me. While we all watched the trees, he saw the forest.

"If each pack consisted of twenty hounds, we would be at parity with either pack; however, if the number were thirty they could overwhelm us. A successful hit and run would give us information about their strength, but their numbers will somewhat determine our success.

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