• Preparations for battle were almost complete, and Sam was overseeing the final stages in the construction of a wooden palisade meant to hinder Isaac's advancing forces. She felt a small pang of hope as the werewolves worked tirelessly and without complaint to defend their homes, and her group. Thoughts straying to her cousin, who was now probably across Solesthiem with Robyn. That plan was crazy, and they knew it, but Tony would defend the witch with his life, and she knew it. Sighing, Sam helped a group with a particularly large piece of the palisade. They heaved it onto the top of the wall, and forced it together with some kind of mud. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Sam whirled around, half expecting to see her cousin. Even better, it was Rajid, and she blushed slightly just by looking him in the eye. His gruff smile and feral features made him terrifying in the moonlight. "Hey, Sam." he said, his tone casual. "Could I speak with you for a few minutes, over there?" He pointed at a group of trees that parted to reveal a large clearing. Shrugging, Sam followed him until they were out of hearing distance to the other werewolves, who continued busily working on any weakness in the defence. Rajid strode into the middle of the clearing with Sam on his heels. When he turned to face her he nearly hit her with his broad shoulders. She was faster, and was out of the way before anything could happen. "Sam, there's....something I need to tell you." said Rajid, stuttering a little over the words, making her tilt her head, puzzled by this new side of him. "What is it? Spit it out." she said quickly, staring at him intensely. Something told her that she knew the answer, and she mouthed the words even as he spoke them: "I-I love you, Sam." He began, "I-it's just that we, I mean, us, it's like we were meant to be together and meet in that inn with a human boy cowering in the corner." The corners of his mouth moved back in a small smile. Sam blushed again, this time a deeper red. "I-I don't know what to say," She said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. He grabbed her wrists, holding them in a grip that was firm, but gentle. "Then don't say anything." he whispered to her, and began to lean forward. She pulled away, breaking his grip easily, and began to circle the werewolf, apprehension covering her eyes so her emotions were unreadable. Searching her fortitude for any signs of weakness, Rajid scanned her up and down, gauging her reactions to every word, "I've loved you ever since I first saw you, your beautiful face, your pretty smile." He reached forward and lightly stroked her cheek, brushing some of her hair back into place. Again she pulled away, with a slight shiver that sparked Rajid's sense that he was winning, his prey was giving in. Advancing blindly, he pulled her into a tight hug, which she did not return, and sat still, allowing his big arms to wind around her back. She fit right into his large embrace perfectly, and she didn't struggle. When his grip contracted, she felt her body press against his for an instant, then she was released. Looking up at Rajid blindly, she took a step forward, "I-I've loved you too, Rajid." she said, slowly advancing toward him. With a spring, she knocked him to the ground. Reacting on instinct, Rajid rolled her over so he was above her, his teeth flashed. Sam bared hers too, but in a playful way. Rajid took his chance and kissed her, right on the lips. She returned it with a small giggle, then shoved him off and sat up. First on her feet, Sam smiled as the werewolf got to his feet. They stood staring at each other for three long minutes, then a horn sounded in the distance, Infected Ones, Isaac. Both sprinted back to the village just in time to see the front line of Infected Ones capping the horizon, with the setting sun at their backs, it revealed a force that was almost a mile long, and filled with a rabble of creatures that clawed, and bit their way past their comrades. As they scanned the mob, they saw Isaac at the head, riding a swift, terrible horse that had glowing red eyes and a mane of fire. Both barely managed to clamber to their positions before Isaac's forces were upon them.