What a debacle. We found the note the evening the were-panther approached the town gate. I knew immediately that it was not a natural panther, and moreover, that the intelligence behind this beast was not trying to enter the city itself. Apparently, it had accomplices, or wanted to make us believe it did. In my line of work, you always err on the side of paranoia, and so I set my trap.

I sent the guards to the inn to let slip the information. If the outsiders were looking for a message from their Black Blood allies, then they would search for the note, and attend the proposed meeting. This they did. I could not make out what they spoke, but Falahara and Jaga parted amicably. I immediately detained them, but none proved to be were-creatures. All were vulnerable to cold steel. Falahara insisted that she was setting up an ambush, and I decided to play along to see where her intentions truly were. That her father was a ranking member of the enclave didn't hurt her case either. Of course, that could all be fabrication. I had to get in contact with Taliesin and try to confirm her story in the next three days. Until that time, she and her companions would remain under observation.

That very evening, Falahara and her group were apparently attacked. That is strange for one of Raymond's guests (in fact, this is the first time it has occurred during my tour of duty here). Guards found evidence of four intruders, but no means of entry (their rooms were searched while they were traipsing in the graveyard). Their actions in the cemetery strengthened their case of not being pure evil, for they destroyed three demons there. Then again, the blood is not known for cavorting with demons.

That fight led me to believe in their skill. If they were enemies, this town would be in trouble. Furthermore, I could not in good conscious position my men too close to the meeting zone for fear that they would turn on us. Their sorcerer alone was powerful enough to bring their entire party airborne while facing the demons! This was my mistake. My men were too far back when it became apparent that they were not working with that creature of the Blood.

Four winter wolves attacked. This confirms that Jaga works with Kisenth's branch of the Blood. They are the only werewolves in the area, that we are certain of. Their party focused their attacks on Jaga, but he managed to flee. The wolves brought the Auhron and Annu down in mere moments, and Falahara seemed to be strangely fumbling. It could have something to do with the last spell Auhron cast (a cloud of glittering dust that outlined the fleeing Jaga, and coated Falahara as well). If it were not for the Hound Archon (another point in their favor), we would have come upon only corpses. As it was, the bodies of the sorcerer and cleric were wisked away as my men closed the distance to the two remaining combatants.

Before my men were close enough even to be heard, Xon unleashed a mighty fireball, and the archon returned. Apparently, there is more than one magic user in their group. The archon grabbed Xon and Falahara and then they too were gone. The two remaining winter wolves were badly injured, and I managed to run them down. Then my men and I set to tracking panthers.