"Damn ignorant village-folk," the man said to himself as he ran through the trees, " 'Please save us from the big damn wolf eating our live stock'. Can't tell the difference between an over sized wolf and a Stalker. This kind of stuff is good to know ahead of time." The man continued in raised sarcastic voice. Glancing over his shoulder, the beast could be seen far behind in the trees. The gunpowder trick, as novel as it was, wouldn't work a second time. Up ahead, the edge of the forest could be seen. Digging deeper the man willed his legs to work faster, as the steady panting of the beast could be heard behind him. He could see the wheat fields now, and now strong sunlight shown through the depleted storm clouds.