A crisp wind whipped through the village as Ivor, with tear-streaked cheeks, wrestled straps onto a trailer. Beside it stood May and another woolly , their massive forms patient and still.

  Erik, heaved a pack onto the trailer. He glanced at Ivor, who sniffled and turned away, wiping his face with a giant hand.

  "Thanks for the help, big guy," Erik said with a sheepish smile.

  Ivor mumbled a reply. "Yeah, no problem. Um, little man... Thank you for taking care of Elli and Lucy. Where... where are you going to go?"

  Erik hesitated, taking a deep breath. "Oh, um, Border City. Then maybe Guild City."

  Ivor tightened the straps with a grunt. "Ogres ain't welcome in Border City. And I'm guessin' Guild City won't be much different."

  Erik, loading more packs, offered a solution. "Well, I have some friends on the far side of the Island Nation. They might be able to help or maybe the convent or three river city is where the outpost is."

  Ivor reached out and gently stroked May's head, adjusting the yoke. "Elli would like that," he said. "Doesn't like the snow and cold, she doesn't. Always wanted to go there, and she's good with ale, one of the best ale maidens."

  Erik paused, then looked hesitantly at the dejected ogre. "Oh, um, next time you visit the hunters' temple," he offered, "go to the south side of the Island. There's a small fishing village with a friendly tavern. Ask for Ricky, she runs the place. Tell her Erik sent you. Their honey mead is somethin' else - beats the ale you're used to."

  Ivor finally looked at Erik, his eyes glistening with tears he'd been holding back. A choked "Thank you" escaped his lips.

  Erik bumped fists with him in a quick goodbye, then led the woollys past the huts. There, Elli and Lucy waited, Elli whimpering and wiping tears. Lucy lay motionless, staring blankly ahead.

  Erik threw down a pile of straw bedding for the trailer, then helped the two girls settle in. Finally, with a heavy heart, he led the caravan out of the village.

  The journey ahead proved arduous. Biting cold and heavy silence filled the following days. Progress was slow as Erik helped pull the trailer downhill and clear the snow-blocked path. Elli occasionally offered a weak thanks after his stretch of trudging through the freezing snow, but Lucy remained a silent presence. Only the occasional groan or growl betrayed her existence as the trailer bumped along the rough road.

  As Border City neared, Elli became noticeably more active. She helped Erik change Lucy's bandages and prepare meager meals for their journey. Finally, after half a moon's travel, the snow-drenched city with its imposing walls and ballista pointed menacingly towards the mountains came into view. Familiar blue and white checkered flags identified the Enforcers guarding the entrance.

  "Halt! What business do you have here, traveler?" barked one of the guards.

  Erik, knocking the frost and snow off his cloak, responded, "I'm a guild hunter. We just need a warm bed and meal for the night before moving on."

  "We? Who do you have in the trailer?" the guard questioned.

  Erik hesitated. "Friends," he finally said. "They're injured, and the cold travel hasn't been kind. Now move aside!" His voice hardened with forced authority.

  "Hold on a moment," the other guard interjected as they approached the gate. "You can't bring them in here. Go back!" His spear jutted menacingly towards the trailer, aimed directly at Lucy.

  Before Erik could react, a female guard stepped forward, her voice laced with fear, "Hey! Wait! You can't just point that at them. They're no threat."

  "They aren't welcome," the male guard countered, his own eyes betraying apprehension.

  Erik met the woman's gaze, his voice calm and firm. "They are no threat. But if you don't put that spear down, I will be."

  A tense silence descended as the wind howled, swirling snow around them. Finally, a voice boomed from the top of the wall. "Hunter, here's the deal. Leave those damn ogres outside, and we have no problems. That's the only way you pass through."

  Erik brushed the snow off his frozen face. "Captain," he addressed the unseen figure, "the ogre clan is part of the alliance now. They're not your enemy. We just need a warm meal and shelter for the night."

  The captain's voice carried back, punctuated by laughter from the guards. Erik couldn't make out the details of their conversation.

  "Oh, they're in the alliance, are they? Well, screw me sideways! Then explain what the hell happened to Gate Settlement! We haven't heard a peep since the snow came in. We checked on them a few days ago. Found burnt bodies and dead ogres."

  "I know about Gate Settlement," Erik replied. "There was a goblin nest nearby. Those ogres were giving the people a proper burial. They stayed behind to secure the area until you could send reinforcements, but they were killed."

  "Bullshit! You lying sack of shit" the captain roared. "No way goblins take out a whole settlement and then overpower ogres!"

  "They had help from a much larger goblin," Erik pressed on. "Look, believe me or don't, but this gate opens by your will or mine. And mine involves a lot more destruction." He reached inside his cloak, pulling out a gun.

  Silence descended once more. The captain and the guards conferred in hushed tones.

  Finally, a voice called down, "Captain! I'm freezing, and so are my companions! Open the damn gate, or I'll burn it down!" Erik aimed the gun at the center of the heavy wooden barrier.

  "Hold on! Hold! We're opening it!" came the panicked response. The gate groaned open, and Erik, with a resolute pull on the reins, led the caravan into the city.

  A swarm of enforcers materialized before Erik, followed by the captain himself. He was about Erik's height but considerably wider. At first glance, Erik mistook him for a formidable fighter, but upon closer inspection, the picture became clear: just a very fat man.

  "You can stay at the stables at the far end of the city," the captain wheezed, clearly winded from his descent from the wall.

  Erik bristled. "I said a warm bed and food, not a damn stable! We've been sleeping outside in this damn cold for half a moon!"

  The captain straightened himself, sweat beading on his forehead. Erik could practically smell the wine on his breath. "They ain't welcome here," the captain muttered. "There'd be a riot if I offered them a proper room and food."

  Erik's patience snapped. He grabbed the captain by his coat and slammed him against the trailer. "I said warm bed and food, I don't care where! Make it happen or I'll make a real problem for you."

  The enforcers instinctively raised their spears to protect their captain, but their resolve wavered. "Hold, men!" the captain sputtered nervously. "Alright, alright, I might be able to find a small place at the city's edge. But only for one night."

  Erik finally released his hold, straightening his own coat. "Lead the way," he said curtly. "I'm freezing."

  The captain dusted himself off. "Men, secure the wall and gate!" He then turned to a specific enforcer, his voice laced with a newfound urgency. "There's an abandoned house across from Jo's. Find it, and get them some stew from the barracks."

  The enforcers exchanged confused glances, unsure how to proceed. The captain's voice bellowed, "Come on, boy! Hurry up!"

  The enforcer sheepishly gestured for Erik to follow. As they walked, the captain spoke placatingly, "Mr. Hunter, no problems, yeah? Hear me?"

  Erik ignored him, pushing past their pathetically arranged defensive line.

  The abandoned house was small, a single room with a central fireplace. Erik and Elli helped Lucy inside and began setting up makeshift beds. Erik piled logs onto the fire, generating enough heat to finally force him out of his coat.

  An Enforcer returned with a pot of lukewarm stew and bread. Though cold, Elli managed to warm it by the fire.

  Just after dark, the warmth of the small house lulled them to sleep. Elli and Lucy nestled together on the single bed, while Erik chose the floor beside the fire. As long as it meant warmth, he didn't care where he slept.

  Erik awoke to the quiet sound of Lucy's sobs. Elli knelt by the dying fire, poking at the embers to coax them back to life.

  "Elli, how are you holding up? Do your bandages need changing?" he asked softly.

  "I'm alright," she replied in a hushed voice. "The bed and fire were nice. And no, I changed them myself."

  Erik stretched, cracking his neck and back. "Good. I needed that warm bed too. Why don't you start loading the trailer? Um, take your time.."

  As Erik approached Lucy, she turned away, burying her face in the furs. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her body wracked with silent sobs. He gently pulled back the furs, his voice low and concerned.

  "Does your stomach hurt? Your leg?"

  Lucy resisted, clinging to the furs. "Leave me alone!" she choked out.

  "Lucy," Erik said firmly, "for the past half moon, we've been barely surviving the cold. Elli, who's still recovering herself, had to take care of you because you wouldn't let me. You barely eat or speak. I understand you feel like everything is lost, but you have to move forward. It's like swimming – you can tread water for only so long before you sink. You need to pick a direction and start fighting back."

  Lucy kept her face hidden. "What do you know? I lost my mother, then my clan and father. I'm scared, and I can never have children." Her voice broke with despair.

  Erik lowered himself beside her on the bed. "Goblins took my mother too," he revealed. "Hunters rescued her, but her mind and spirit were shattered. They took her to a covenant run by the Church of the Old Ones, on the northern plains by the dead sea. My father died that day, even though it took him many winters to finally succumb." He took a deep breath, holding back his own pain.

  "If you want," he continued, "I can take you to the covenant, where you can find solace with other women who've suffered trauma. Or, you can choose to fight back."

  Lucy peeked out from under the furs, a glimmer of curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Fight back? How?"

  "I spoke with Elli before we left," Erik explained. "I offered her similar options. She's going to the Island Nation, where I trained. But you're different from her. Elli is used to working at the ale house. You know how to hunt, fight, and protect others."

  A guttural cry escaped Lucy's lips. "I used to hunt and fight! I protected my brothers and sisters!" she cried out.

  Erik saw a spark of defiance ignite in her amber eyes. "Then find new brothers and sisters to fight beside you," he said, his voice filled with conviction.

  "What do you mean?" Lucy asked, a flicker of hope replacing the despair.

  "Hunt with me, with others, or become a defender at Bridge Crossing. Merchant or enforcer wouldn't suit you – they're a bunch of self-serving jackasses," he added with a wry smile.

  Lucy let out a short, pained laugh. "That captain almost wet himself when you shoved him against the trailer."

  Erik chuckled. "Well, I was cold and tired. Listen, you don't have to decide today. But we'll be heading to Guild City soon, another half moon on the road. Take some time to think about it."

  Lucy gazed at him, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "Okay," she whispered.

  Erik extended his hand. "Take it. It's here to help you stand, not do it for you."

  Tears streamed down Lucy's face as she grasped his hand and pulled herself up, wincing in pain.

  Just then, Elli walked back in. "The guys from yesterday are coming down the street," she announced.

  "Right, load up. We have to move, or I might just make that captain piss himself again," Erik said with a determined glint in his eyes.

  He scooped Lucy into his arms and carried her to the trailer. As they loaded their supplies, the enforcers trailed them, ensuring their departure from the city.

  Erik, cracking the reins and urging the woollys on, offered a wry smile. The frost-dusted hills stretching before them were a stark contrast to the snow-laden pines of the mountains. "Just putting some distance between us and Border City," he explained.

  "How long to Guild City?" Lucy called back, her voice barely audible over the wind whipping through the hills.

  "Another 4 or 5 days, maybe longer with this snow," Erik answered. "But hey, at least it's a little less frigid."

  Elli pulled her furs tighter. "Less cold? You call this, less cold?"

  The next few days were indeed cold. Gusting winds whipped across the open plains, slowing their progress. Gone were the herds of deer and clucks from his previous journey, replaced by a desolate landscape cloaked in white. Nights were filled with the eerie howl of wolves.

  "We should keep the fire going all night," Elli suggested, snuggling closer to Elli under the furs.

  Erik nodded. "Just a small fire, enough to keep the critters at bay without attracting attention on the road." He tossed a few more logs onto the dying embers.

  Elli frowned. "Why not a big fire?"

  Before Erik could reply, Lucy spoke up, her voice laced with apprehension. "Not everyone on the road is friendly, right Hunter?"

  Erik considered this. "I've met plenty of decent folks on the road, helpful people. Had one run-in with slavers, though. Got themselves thoroughly thumped."

  He paused, staring intently into the flames. "There were others, desperate folks looking to take what I had." He hesitated, then added gruffly, "They, uh, forced their—"

  "You killed them, didn't you?" Lucy finished the sentence.

  Erik remained silent, his gaze unwavering from the fire.

  "That's how you got that shoulder wound, isn't it?" she pressed.

  Erik gave a small nod.

  "So, no big fires," Elli mumbled, rolling over and pulling the furs tighter. "First thing I'm doing when we reach a tavern is getting blasted."

  Erik kept watch through the night, his senses alert to any sound. A rustle in the snow, a flash of eyes reflecting the firelight. He rose silently, crouching low and drawing his knives. There were a few yips and growls as his eyes scanned the darkness. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled a burning stick into the night. A startled yelp followed, and a dark shape vanished into the distance. Satisfied, Erik added more wood to the fire, then settled back, eventually succumbing to sleep until the first rays of dawn painted the sky.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Examining the tracks the next morning, Erik saw that only a single wolf had dared to approach the fire. "No pack," he informed Lucy as he helped her onto the trailer. "Adon told me they hunt in packs, never alone."

  Elli, climbing in after her, added a question. "Should we check it out?"

  Erik shook his head. "Nah. Small tracks. It'll find a pack or become someone else's dinner." With that, they loaded up and continued their trek across the desolate landscape.

  As night fell, the familiar sounds returned - yips, growls, and flashes of eyes reflecting the firelight. Erik, fueled by fatigue, flung another burning branch into the darkness. This time, there was no startled yelp, only an unsettling silence. Sleep eluded him for most of the night. He lay awake, waiting for an attack or some other sound, but there was nothing.

  Come morning, an inspection of the campsite revealed a single set of tracks – a small wolf that had dared to approach their camp, likely scouting the area, particularly the woollys and the trailer.

  "This damn thing is stalking us," Erik muttered, exhaustion etched on his face from two nights of fitful sleep.

  "What do we do?" Elli asked, a tremor of fear in her voice.

  "Trap it and kill it," Erik said flatly. "Then maybe we can finally get some sleep."

  The journey that day was long, and Erik dragged himself along, weary but grateful for the respite from the biting wind. As they set up camp for the night, Erik set a perimeter of snare traps around the woollys, the trailer, and their bedding. He placed his new helmet, enchanted to grant night vision, beside him, hoping for a clear view of the persistent pest.

  Sleep, when it finally came, was deep and dreamless. But Erik was soon jolted awake by a racket of growls, snarls, and yelps erupting from behind the trailer. He scrambled to his feet, slamming the helmet on his head and activating its night vision with a tap. The campsite was bathed in an unnatural, emerald glow. Lucy and Elli, awakened by the commotion, huddled together in fear.

  "Stay there!" Erik barked, rounding the corner, knife in hand, ready to face the creature.

  A sight met his eyes that wasn't quite what he expected. A small wolf, much smaller than any he'd encountered in the East, was caught in one of the traps, its leg caught in the cruel wire. With every desperate pull and twist of its body, the wire tightened, inflicting more pain.

  Lucy and Elli jumped in fright at the sounds of the creature's struggle.

  "Stay back!" Erik commanded again.

  He grabbed a blanket from the trailer and spread it wide, approaching the trapped animal cautiously. With a swift movement, he threw the blanket over the wolf, then jumped on top of it, pinning it down. The wolf thrashed wildly, snapping its jaws and lashing out in a frenzy of fear. Erik used his body weight to keep its head firmly pressed against the cold ground.

  "Easy, little guy, calm down," Erik soothed the creature, his voice firm but gentle. "I'm not going to hurt you."

  He subdued the wolf and cautiously peeled back the blanket. The small creature, far smaller than its Eastern counterparts, whimpered and let out occasional low growls as Erik examined it for injuries. He found none. Reaching down, he gently removed the wire from the wolf's leg. There was no blood or broken bone; the wolf would be alright.

  "Okay, buddy," Erik murmured, "hold still for a second."

  He fashioned a loop from a spare rope and carefully slipped it over the wolf's head. As soon as he tightened it, the wolf bolted, yanking the rope from Erik's grasp. It landed right between Lucy and Elli, cowering in a ball.

  "Ah!" they shrieked in unison.

  "Easy, it's scared," Erik said calmly, taking off his helmet.

  "What are we supposed to do with it?" Lucy demanded.

  "Leave it be," Erik replied. "It should run off soon. I thought it would be bigger, something more dangerous."

  "So, we're just going to let it stay here?" Lucy pressed.

  Erik stifled a yawn. "It ran to a place where it feels safe. It won't bite you. Just get some sleep. We have a long day of travel ahead tomorrow."

  As dawn approached, painting the rolling white hills with the first brushstrokes of light, Erik stirred from his sleep. A glance at the makeshift bed revealed a sight that made him mutter, "Well, shit. Didn't see that coming." Curled up between Lucy and Elli, nestled in the warmth of the furs, was the small wolf.

  The sounds of Erik breaking camp woke Lucy. "Hey," she whispered, "it's still here."

  "Yep," Erik replied, avoiding eye contact as he hitched the woollys to the trailer. "We just... leave it, I guess. It'll find its way." His voice lacked conviction. "Hell, I don't know. Come on, we need to get going. Wake up, Elli. I'll finish setting up the trailer."

  Lucy nudged Elli awake, who, in turn, discovered the unexpected bedfellow. The wolf stirred, yawning but refusing to budge from the furs. Elli had to roll herself out, the wolf stubbornly staying put. Erik helped Lucy onto the trailer, then pulled the furs off. The wolf remained sprawled on the ground, watching them with wide, unblinking eyes.

  Elli, taking pity, tossed it a piece of dried meat. The wolf devoured it in an instant, barely stopping to chew. As Erik jumped up to guide the woollys on the road, a flash of movement startled him. The wolf had bounded onto the trailer, settling at Lucy's feet.

  "Whoa, no! Come on, get down!" Erik jumped down and tried to shoo it away, but the wolf simply darted back to Lucy, laying its head on her hip.

  "I guess it's coming with us," Lucy said, gently stroking its white and spotted brown fur head.

  Erik ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know how, but this is going to be a problem. It can't come with us. The guards at Guild City won't let it in."

  Lucy chuckled, stroking the small wolf. "Just talk to them like you did that captain," she suggested, her voice light.

  Erik could only shake his head, already anticipating the complications this unexpected passenger would bring on their journey.

  Their journey to Guild City continued in a predictable rhythm: travel by day, camp by the trailer at night. Light conversation served as a nightly distraction from the biting wind whistling down from the mountains. As they pushed further south, leaving the hills behind, the icy winds and clinging snow morphed into a relentless cold rain and mud. This change dampened the group's spirits considerably as they struggled to keep themselves and their belongings dry.

  "I hate this wet cold!" Erik grumbled, tossing a damp log onto a pile of sputtering kindling. Fire just wouldn't take hold.

  "My grandfather always said a good soak in a freezing lake was the key to good health," Elli offered with a wry smile, busy constructing a makeshift tent out of her furs to shield them from the downpour.

  Erik snorted. "Yeah, well, your grandfather was a tougher man than me. Bathing in an ice hole? No thanks."

  A thoughtful silence fell between them. Finally, Lucy, stroking the small wolf curled up at her feet, broke it. "What should we call this little guy, anyway?"

  Erik shot her a look of mock exasperation. "Nope. That's your problem to deal with. You saddled us with a pet, you get to name it."

  Lucy grinned. "Alright, alright. How about Vargr?" she suggested, her gaze drawn to the wolf's piercing blue eyes.

  "Var… gar-er?" Erik repeated, confused.

  "No, Var-ger," she corrected with a laugh. "Vargr."

  "Great!" Erik groaned, running a hand through his damp hair. "You know, you can't just name something and then expect to get rid of it, right? Vargr, huh? That's your responsibility now. His problems become your problems."

  Vargr, as if sensing the shift in attention, let out a playful growl and shook himself off, sending a spray of icy water onto Elli and Lucy.

  "Ah, come on, Vargr!" Elli cried, wiping the water from her face.

  The disgruntled wolf, unfazed, trotted over to Erik and settled down beside him, content to sit in the drizzle. Thankfully, their damp journey was short-lived. Soon, the impressive walls of Guild City rose before them, a promise of warmth and respite.

  Rain finally gave way to the first rays of sunlight in days. Relief washed over the group as they joined the queue entering Guild City. While the line was short, it moved slowly.

  "Listen up," Erik murmured to Lucy and Elli. "Let's keep a low profile and avoid any trouble. Try your best to keep Vargr quiet as well."

  As they neared the gate, two Enforcers, clad in their distinctive blue and white checkered armor, approached Erik. "State your business in Guild City," one of them barked, holding his spear in a defensive stance.

  "I'm with the Red Wolves hunters guild, returning from a mission," Erik replied calmly.

  "Red Wolves? Then why in the blazes do you have two ogres on your trailer?" the Enforcer countered, advancing into a more aggressive posture.

  "They were part of the mission," Erik explained firmly, though his voice betrayed a hint of weariness. "We've been traveling for over a full moon cycle. We're tired, cold, hungry, and soaked to the bone. If you would please, move aside."

  The Enforcer was about to retort when a booming voice cut through the tension. "Erik! Where the hell have you been?!" It was Leif, her fiery red hair a stark contrast to the drab city gate, astride Momo.

  The Enforcer pivoted, his eyes widening at the sight of Leif. "Well, haven't you filled out," she remarked, taking in Erik's disheveled appearance and his companions. "Damn, you look rough. But at least you have company."

  "Hey Leif," Erik greeted, offering a tired smile. "Still haven't broken Momo of her bad habits, I see."

  Leif flashed a grin, then caught sight of Lucy and Elli in the back. Momo, as if sensing the tension, let out a screech and stamped her clawed feet impatiently in the mud. Just then, a low growl emanated from beneath Lucy's furs, startling both parties.

  Ignoring Momo's tantrum, Leif used her imposing mount to forcefully push the Enforcer back from the trailer. "Hey, guard dog," she barked. "Move out of the way and let them pass."

  The Enforcer stumbled back, nearly tripping over his spear. "I can't allow anything potentially dangerous into the city. I have to inspect the trailer," he stammered, regaining his composure.

  Leif scoffed. "Oh, spare me the rules, virgin boy. You wouldn't know an exception if it bit you. Now move, or I'll tell your captain about interfering with official guild business." She leaned in further, her voice low and dangerous.

  The second guard approached them and whispered urgently to his companion. A moment later, the first Enforcer sighed in defeat. "You're good to go," he mumbled, stepping aside.

  As they entered the city, Erik finally had a chance to address Leif's sudden appearance. "What brings you to the gate, Leif? And I wasn't aware hunters were exempt from inspections."

  Leif gritted her teeth. "Let's just say I was checking in on a friend with a fine selection of wine. And yeah, you're right about the inspections. But," she lowered her voice, "that wolf you've got hidden under the furs wouldn't have flown with the guards."

  Panic flickered across Erik and Lucy's faces, while Elli averted her gaze. "How the hell did you know about that?" Lucy blurted out.

  "Momo told me, ogre girl," Leif chuckled. "You better be careful. If the Enforcers find it, they'll put it down. And if they find the owner, things could get ugly. Banishment from the city at best, or worse, a one-way trip to the church."

  Erik's stomach lurched. "That won't happen, will it?" His voice betrayed a sliver of hope. "Leif, this is Lucy and Elli," he added quickly, attempting to change the subject.

  Leif offered a brief greeting to the two women. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Spill the beans, Erik. What kind of trouble did you manage to find this time?" she asked, guiding Momo towards the stables.

  Erik sighed, the exhaustion of their journey catching up to him. "Road agents, goblins, a chaos bear, more goblins," he began, listing the trials they'd faced. "And... well, some old traditions came up." He winced as he pointed to Lucy's bandages, a silent acknowledgment of the ordeal.

  "Sounds like just another day in the wild," Leif remarked, her voice devoid of surprise. They parted ways after Erik informed Elli he would be back in a few hours to escort her

  The biting chill of the cold season had transformed Guild City. Gone were the bustling streets teeming with vendors and merchants. In their place stood a smattering of stalls, overwhelmed by a gang of zealous apostles. Clad in their white robes, they brandished posters and harangued the vendors, demanding a tribute for the Church. Witnessing the escalating conflict, Erik crossed the street, a frown etched on his face.

  Back at the dorms, Lucy slumbered soundly on the bed, Vargr curled up beside her. Elli, however, sat in a chair, her gaze filled with trepidation. Erik entered, carrying a bundle of clothes.

  "Here," he said, setting it down beside her. "Clean clothes for your trip and some spares. The washing area is at the back of the building. Not much, but enough to get you cleaned up. I'll take you to the docks tomorrow morning. Until then, stay in the dorms and get some rest. The journey can be rough on first-timers."

  Elli shifted in her chair. "Erik," she began, her voice barely a whisper, "thank you."

  Erik nodded curtly, his face a mask of weariness. With a tired sigh, he retreated to a separate room and promptly fell asleep.

  The next morning, Erik escorted Elli to the docks. The brisk air stirred, carrying the salty tang of the sea. "Be careful," he cautioned. "Keep to yourself. The fishing village is on the south side of the Island. Adon is a night elf, you can't miss him - long black hair, even taller than Ivor. And," he added hesitantly, "watch yourself around him. Ricky's a forest elf, she runs the tavern."

  Elli, her head and face covered in a loose, dark linen wrap, nodded in understanding. "Thank you again," she whispered, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "And I'll have that honey mead ready for you."

  With a final farewell, Elli boarded the vessel, her figure receding as the boat pulled away from the docks. Erik watched her go, a knot of worry tightening in his stomach. The journey ahead was fraught with uncertainty, and all he could do was trust she would find her way.

  A fresh change of clothes and a small bag of provisions materialized in Lucy's lap as Erik returned to their room. Exhaustion etched lines on his face. "Take a few days to rest," he instructed. "I need to check in with the guild and debrief them on what happened in the tribelands."

  Lucy paused, sifting through the soft fabric. "Erik," she began, "I know what I want to do. I want to become a hunter."

  He stopped at the doorway, a brow raised in question. "You do realize becoming a hunter entails a life of service to the alliance," he cautioned.

  "Yes, I know," she replied, meeting his gaze. "But maybe with the structure and guidance of the guild, I can find my own direction within that service."

  Erik considered this for a moment, then nodded in reluctant acceptance. Leaving the room, he headed for the bustling headquarters of the Guild.

  The air crackled with activity as Erik navigated the mob of guild members conversing with administrators, exchanging mission details, and placing orders. Finally, he reached the counter, where Kat stood. Even beneath her uniform, Erik could see her thin frame. Her wide brown eyes widened further as she took in the massive core he placed on the counter.

  "Whoa, um, how and where did you get that?" she blurted out, her voice laced with awe.

  Erik stifled a yawn, the long journey still clinging to his body. "Northwest tribelands, about a full moon cycle back. On a mount."

  Exhaustion notwithstanding, his mission supplies required replenishment. "I need a refill on caster rounds," he informed her, his voice hoarse. "Used a lot during the mission."

  The young woman efficiently retrieved the requested ammunition, and Erik continued to the Red Wolves old office in the back. As he entered, he slipped his last caster round into his belt.

  He could hear an angry conversation coming from the back of the office. A man emerged from the General's office like a haughty specter. Short and thin, his clean-shaven face and long blonde hair pulled back spoke of a practiced arrogance. His narrow blue eyes flickered dismissively over Erik's travel-worn attire before darting away. A cloying perfume wafted past as the man brushed past Erik without a word, disappearing out the door.

  Erik entered the General's office, his body still stiff from the journey. The General stood in front of his old desk, face laced with an angry scowl. “Erik? What are you doing here?”

  He launched into a concise version of his trip to the tribelands, the General listening intently without interruption.

  "Damn, Erik, that's a gauntlet you ran," the General finally remarked once Erik finished. "Road agents, ogres, goblins, a chaos bear, and a hobgoblin? You said this hobgoblin wore a helmet like the ones Athel and his angels wear? And someone was speaking through it?"

  "He mentioned a master wanting me alive," Erik confirmed.

  "Fascinating. How did you understand the hobgoblin? We've never heard of anyone comprehending their language."

  Reaching into his bag, Erik produced the helmet recovered from the hobgoblin's nest and presented it to the General. "This thing. I don't know how, but it translates foreign languages. And that's not all. It grants night vision better than a summer sun at noon in the darkness, and there seems to be a whole suite of other functions, some active, some not."

  The General's eyes narrowed as he examined the helmet. "How widespread is knowledge of this?"

  Erik hesitated. "Just me, Lucy, and maybe Elli. Why?"

  He received the helmet back as the General pulled another from a hidden compartment behind his desk. "These are ancient artifacts, similar to our firearms. You possess the twelfth one I'm aware of."

  "Eleven, actually," Erik corrected. "The hobgoblin's helmet was destroyed."

  "Good. Enemy possession of these artifacts could be disastrous, but they offer undeniable advantages in hunting chaos." The General studied Erik intently. "Your weapon - the helmet altered it, increased its precision and power? But some functions remain offline. Any insights on that?"

  Erik shook his head. "The weapon change was new, but yeah, some of mine are offline too."

  The General stowed away his helmet and gestured for Erik to do the same. Leaning back in his chair, he took a deep breath. “Because of the helmet I possess, I was able to intercept communications from the Church. That is why I was able to find you at their Cathedral. Be careful how you use that helmet.”

  With a stern voice, he responds, “I will, sir.”

  He nodded with acceptance, "What about Sigurd's disposition when you left with Lucy and Elli? Are we still considered allies in the tribelands, or have we been banished?"

  Erik pondered before replying. "I believe I earned their trust through my actions, but I wouldn't expect them to welcome random hunters. Their culture, traditions, and rules were a steep learning curve. Still, Sigurd seemed deeply conflicted by his actions. As for Lucy…" his voice trailed off.

  "Nightmares plague her," Erik continued. "She cries out in her sleep. Vargr's presence seems to comfort her, but there are wounds no amount of time or medicine can heal."

  The General's expression morphed into one of surprise. "Vargr? What in the world is a Vargr?"

  "Var-ger, Vargr," Erik clarified with a smile, a stark contrast to the General's rising tension. "A lone hill wolf that befriended Lucy all the way from Border City."

  The General's facade crumbled. "There's a damned wolf in the dormitories right now? With a vulnerable Lucy? What about the administrators? They'd lose their minds if it got loose!"

  Erik's smile faltered. "Well, shit. I wouldn't worry about her safety, though. Vargr wouldn't hurt her. If someone else tried… well, let's just say they'd regret it."

  The General shook his head, exasperation etched on his face. "Keep that beast under control, Erik. Otherwise, it'll create a problem I won't have time to solve. Tell me about the women's futures."

  Erik outlined the choices he'd presented to Elli. "She chose the Island nation and intends to find Ricky. Ale maiden experience in her village - seemed like a good fit."

  The General grunted in approval. "What about Lucy? A different story, I take it?"

  "Indeed," Erik confirmed. "Her answer was simple. She wants to become a hunter."

  The General stroked his short, gray beard, a thoughtful frown etched on his face. "That's not going to fly," he said finally. "The Ogre clan is only nominally part of the alliance. Grom was a gift, and we sent him to the Garrison by the Bridge of Travel. If Lucy became a Red Wolf hunter, the other guild masters would raise hell. With the Church’s influence they have enough power to take all of us out."

  He rubbed his smooth head, a gesture that spoke volumes about the stress Erik's request was causing.

  "What if she wasn't a full-fledged hunter, but an apprentice?" Erik suggested. "Never formally granted the title."

  The General paused, considering the ramifications. He weighed the potential backlash against the benefits of keeping Lucy safe and potentially useful. Finally, he sighed.

  "That might work. I'll take some flak for it, but it wouldn't be a complete shutdown. Sigurd would likely be appeased by us taking care of his daughter."

  He leaned back in his chair. "How long before you're both mission-ready?"

  "I'm good to go now," Erik replied. "But Lucy's leg and stomach will need until the thaw."

  The General snorted. "If I punched you in the side would you still be able to stand?"

  Erik winced, a wry smile twisting his lips. "no, definitely not."

  "Right," the General continued, pushing himself to his feet. "You both need to recover, but the dorms are out of the question. I don't trust that wolf. There's a small farm about a day's travel north. Tell Sara I sent you - she has a guest cottage. I want that wolf out of the dorms by the end of the day."