An explosion of movement started the first trial as one of the creatures sprang forward at Kade. It didn’t come at him like most wolves would, straight on and intent to fight him head-on. It came at an angle, fast enough to blur across Kade’s vision, trying to pivot around Kade to hamstring him before he could strike. Kade pivoted on his heel and met the attack with his blade, the moon sword cutting through fur and flesh like butter.
Its foreleg hit the sand in a wet thump.
The monster landed badly, shrieking. It was an ugly sound, too human in its pitch, as it tried to twist away. Kade stepped in and ended it cleanly, driving the blade down between its ribs. The sand drank deeply of its favorite offering.
A second creature hit him from the side. Kade felt the impact in his shoulder,
