Kat kept to the shadows as she followed the Gorgastor, staying close enough to keep it in sight. Gabrielle, who had been caught unaware by the sneak attack, was now hanging limply from the monsters shoulder, held tightly by one claw-like arm.
Kat knew that this had been the first opportunity to follow the creature to it's lair, and once sure of the location, would either get Gabrielle out or go back for Xena & Mitch, depending on the situation.
They traveled for several minutes, until Kat stopped at the edge of a murky pond. In the middle of it was a small island covered wih trees.
The Gorgastor waded thru the waters and arose on the slip of land, proceeding to tie Gabrielle to one of the larger trees.
It was upon closer examination that Kat became truly horrified with the scene. Hidden in the shadows of each tree was an indistinct form, not truly recognizable unless one looked closely.
That's when the true terror became apparent. The shape of mutilated bodies became clear, their expressions of pain frozen permanently as their lifeblood drained onto the ground. Arms and legs had been torn away, and many had great gaping holes where thier chests should have been. The odor of decay carried on the air currents, and Kat struggled from gagging.
What she witnessed was worse than any battle scene she had ever encountered. I've got to get help, she thought.
From the pools of blood spreading across the ground, Kat guessed that the monster liked his meals bloodless, and was proven correct when the creature left Gabrielle hanging and went to one of the corpses to feast.
It's grouns of pleasure traveled to where she stood, and it's enjoyment was revolting to hear. Now! she thought. While that thing is preoccupied.
So with a last lingering glance at Gabrielle, she turned and loped back the way she had come, hoping to find her friends on her trail.
