Hell Hounds
Chapter 48: Briefing a Little Late

lan sat with the others, listening to the various groups of people talking about their lacklustre patrols. Hal and Jaxon sat with him. They ate while making small talk. The twins' expression told him. They'd something they needed to discuss with him in private. Though there was no space for that. More people entered the conference room. Dragons, by the clothing they wore, along with serious expressions. Gregory followed them in. He stepped to the table's head. The dragon leader to his left and the Fianna hunter to his right. "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? Thank you. I know you are all tired. We have news for you. It's not great. But it's news."

"While you were out patrolling this realm. Others within the Dream Realm discovered a barguest. The last word we've received they are attempting to follow it. We've got a bunk room set up down the hall. Please try to get some proper sleep now. We don't know when or if we'll need of your services. Before anyone goes off and believes because they can't enter the Dream Realm, this precludes them, it doesn't. These creatures can exit the Dream Realm at will, anywhere. If you believe you are alone, don't. You're lying to yourself. That means. No one is alone from now on."

Faces looked about the room. Voices mingled in a low rumble. Everyone struggled to make sense of it all.

"I'm sorry. Especially to the newly mated. I have good news to report. Many factions have agreed to return. The merfolk have agreed to return to act as backup support for transporting supplies and providing medical support."

Mario leaned between Hal and lan. His words quiet as he expanded this announcement. "Think mermaids, sea going shifters. They make great scouts. All the water in the area. It acts like highways for them. Merfolk also have an affinity for making great medics. Or guards for the medics. Their faction has an aversion to attacking anyone. Though they will defend and protect." Jaxon nodded appreciatively at the explanation.

"The Vampire and Druid Factions are also returning. This means we'll have a full house again. By now we're accustomed to it. I expect everyone to be on their best behaviour. We're the hosts. Talks will also begin on building a permanent plan for future events, such as these. This means your reports must include all the issues you have with your involvement. Your ability to function. Improvements for future missions. We need your input." Gregory took a breath. "The last reported location of the barguest was the old Colton graveyard. It headed northwest. The creature is the size of three to four shifter wolves. It also has magic that allows it to send its victim into a state of terror. It's always hungry, and its favourite meal is fresh meat. Preferably human or humanoid. Iron weapons will affect it. We're waiting now on our enforcer, who is tracking the creature to find their location. Best-case scenario they can return with rough numbers, too. Questions?" Gregory looked for raised hands.

lan put his hand up. "Who's tracking the thing?"

"We have a group in there currently. Yes, before you ask, Yolanda is leading them. Ragnar, the dragon ambassador, and leader, will speak now. After, Llewellyn will update about the evidence.

lan wasn't paying attention after that. Yolanda's tracking the fae thing. He wanted to be there with her. By her side. He wanted to have her back. Ian couldn't believe this. Now, he understood how wives of terrorist teams and hostage negotiators felt. He sat here twiddling his thumbs. While Yolanda was stalked monsters.

The Dragon shifter leader stepped forward. Ragnar cleared his voice to ensure he'd have everyone's attention. Ian's mind clashed with images from the actors of the television show, Vikings. But he was listening. "We will send teams into the Dream Realm to form re-enforcements in case they are needed. Time is of the essence. The re-enforcements will include dragon enforcers. We are at war now. Whether we want it. Or not. So, when from now on. Humans will space out throughout the community once they are here."

lan now assumed he meant the Fianna. So they were considered human. Mario leaned in again and gave his commentary. "The Fae will expect only the supernatural creatures they created. When they were driven out, we avoided most humans. The Fianna were humans that hunted us. The magic they will use on the general population of shifters won't affect humans. The twins too as they are human/fae combination."

Hal and lan nodded glad to know why and not wasting others time explaining it to them. Ragnar continued to talk. Explaining known Fae attacks. Creature strengths and weaknesses. As he spoke a woman wandered between the teams handing out documents. When lan received his, it was what Ragnar was saying, along with images of the Fae detailed in the notes. Many were nightmarish in appearance. Claws teeth, fur mixed with scales. Then there were the delicately beautiful. There were warnings with every creature. The warnings were about their devious natures. Each creature appeared more dangerous then the next.

"Shifters will be expected to protect those in the physical realm. Fill in spaces in hunting parties. Mages will be our portal keepers. Remember there'll be a lot of traffic. It will be a target. The merfolk will again be our runners, protectors, and assistants to the medics. If one needs help you step in. If one of your people are charmed or enslaved. Try to contain them. Killing our people is our last resort. If you think you saw horrors on the fields with the Lich in control. He was a beginner compared to him. This is entertainment for them. Questions?"

What was going on with Yolanda? She'd been in there for hours. Ian's education on Fae didn't ease his mind. She was in a dangerous position. He just wanted to be there. Keep her back protected. This was killing him a little inside. He raised his hands. "Do we have any idea when we'll next hear from the current hunting party?"

"Right now we have people waiting and listening for the hunters news. There are Fae that can hear thought communication within the Dream Realm. Since, we don't know whether they have one in their group. We are taking things carefully. The hunters know to keep a low key. You're one of the new human mates I was informed about?"

"Yes. I'm afraid I'm mostly in the dark about these things. However, I'm trying my hardest to catch up." Jaxon leaned closer to lan. His hand on lan's wrist under the table. His fingers making signs lan knew to tell him something Jaxon learned. A finger trailing in circle. The dragon wasn't happy. Probably, being forced to interact with a dumb human.

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