Anubis Part 2

The night was long. Each of the three men took shifts watching the sands for the Gorgon. But there was no sign of her. Anubis woke with the rising sun. For the first time he had a chance to see his his two soldiers in the light. Both were extremely pale now, almost white. And neither man had a single hair on them. The imaged unsettled Anubis but this was a means to an end.

They began their march south, still vigilant of the monster they unleashed into the world. In a days time they neared a small camp. In the darkness they could see campfires illuminating the night. Several tents were scattered about the desert. The three men made their way down the sand dunes towards the camp. They were hungry and thirsty. Their water had run dry that day and there was little to hunt.

When they reached the camp They were greeted with suspicion. Women and children hid inside tents as big men set out to discern their intentions. Anubis had never seen men like these. They were paler then the dark skinned Egyptians he was accustomed to.  They were also covered in hair. Long beards and hair adorned them and what wasn't grown naturally was cut from animals to make fur vests and leggings.

Anubis pleaded their case, the long travel, the need for water, but left out the Gorgon. These men might look favorably on them for releasing such a monster. Soon trust was exchanged. The tribesmen provided Anubis and his men with water and food for the night. Anubis explained he was heading south, looking for a village. The tribesmen knew of now villages to the south, but they were on a pilgrimage of their own.

As the evening grew later the men slowly faded into sleep. The sounds of screams awoke Anubis. He sprang to his feet and drew his sword. Tents where being thrashed around him. Women and children ran into the night. Anubis stood with his back to his men's who had arrows drawn. Then they saw it, a beast. The biggest wolf  Anubis ever laid eyes on. It stood waist high as it walked out of the destroyed tent. Anubis fixed his eyes and raised his sword.

One of the men screamed and let loose his arrow. But not at the wolf. Anubis' attention turned toward his men. There in the darkness was the Gorgon. She pulled herself up to her full height, towering over the men. She dropped a child to the ground, lifeless. Before she could pounce on the trio the wolf was on her. From the darkness came more beasts. Anubis watched as the Gorgon was ripped limb from limb by the animals.

When the night fell silent and the Gorgon's screams and gurgles ended the beasts surrounded the child. One of the wolves let out a howl. It was answered by another, then another. Anubis stood awestruck as the wolves slowly stood up on their hind legs. With what seemed like an illusion the wolves were gone, replaced by men. A woman came out of the dark and collected the child. Others consoled her as she held onto it and cried.

Anubis knew then; he had found the shapeshifters.