------- Mc’s POV ----------

Everything was happening just like yesterday, we were being surrounded by the wolves. They are back even after the head of the pack was killed by me. They are thinking of overpowering us with numbers. I know I could hold my own and scare them away, if not kill each and every one of them; but I cannot possibly hope to achieve that while protecting Elena. After yesterday’s demonstration they know very well that Elena is the weakest and according to my prediction, then they will try to distract me while aiming for Elena.

I stood besides Elena holding the bow; I decided to use bow first and attack over long range and switch to the sword as they neared. I pulled an arrow and aimed at a wolf in a distance. When the arrow left my grip, it made way in the direction of the wolf and missed it by four feet. Elena looked at me in a playful mocking expression. I loaded another arrow and shot it towards another wolf, this time I didn’t just missed the target but the arrow impaled itself on a branch of a tree quite a distance away. A small laugh escaped her mouth.

“Damm! Something must be wrong with this bow” I said in a small tone.

Elena burst out in laughter.

We were in middle of a battle for survival with the beast and here she was laughing, thinking it as hilarious. We’ll see what so comical when she comes to me crying again. Sigh… this totally dampens my seriousness. Elena stopped her laugh and stiffened when the wolves started closing in on us. I put on the bow in my shoulder and took the sword out.

The wolves growled as they neared us. There were almost forty five wolves in my sight. There growls were overshadowed by the howling and whimpers of the wolves caught in my traps.

Just then I heard a women’s voice coming from a distance “Who disturbs me at this hour, I can’t even sleep peacefully”. She said in an irritated tone. I grabbed Elena’s hand and ran in the direction of the voice. I Passed by the wolves, they were confused by the voice from the different direction. By the time they noticed I was a little ahead of them and they started chasing us.

I saw a shadow and neared it, A women who looked to be about thirty came into view; you can’t call her young and you can’t call her old, she was somewhere in the middle; but what stood out in her appearance was her ample breasts which was further accentuated by the tight revealing outfit she wore. I looked behind her and saw no one else, I thought that she was an adventurer and was hoping that others would be there to help us. After looking around I concluded that she was alone. What a tough luck, now I have to protect another woman.

She was surprised when she saw us running towards her, but calmed down in a moment. I quickly ran up to her and turned around to confront the wolves. The wolves stopped a distance away evaluation the new addition to our group.

The women pated on my shoulder and took the bow from my shoulder, I didn’t know what she was going to do with it, but gave it to her as I had no use for it anyway. She drew an arrow without a pause and shot it at a nearby wolf. The wolf tried to jump but it was too late and was killed by the arrow. The wolf dropped dead and both Elena and I were plastered with disbelief on our face. I looked at the women; she simply smiled at me and gave back the bow. Wait if you are so good at using the bow why are you giving it back to me and not killing the wolves.

As I was looking at her in confusion, she lifted her right hand which was clad with a silver glove having strange markings all over it. The glove extended all the way to her shoulder. She muttered something and I saw it clearly, a big lightning bolt materialized aimed at the direction of the wolves. It stuck the tress in its path and a two of the trees burst into flames. The wolves started running away in fear. I was dumbfounded again. If she you capable of using magic then use is earlier, why show off your archery skills to the envy of others; now my reasoning of bow being not good became totally invalid.

“Who are you, why are you running around the forest half naked? This is not a place for making out” She said in a reprimanding tone.

Elena became embarrassed and replied quickly “I am Elena and this is Cleon, we are passing thought the forest to reach Hishao village. We are not doing anything indecent”

“Have you two secretly run away from home? How romantic, Ah.. It’s good to be young, love makes you do stupid things” She said without assessing our situation. I was starting to wonder if this woman was right in the head. Is it safe to be near her?

“We… we are not like that” Elena stammered, now beat read from the suggestion.

“Then are you two stupid, who in their right mind chooses to go through the forest when it’s safe to go around it to reach their destination” the women said in a serious tone.

“We have our circumstance. Thanks for your help, we’ll be on our way now” I said to her thinking of getting away from her as soon as possible. I felt a little uneasiness by her stares and wanted to stay away from her.

“Look at you kids, are you sure you are alright. Torn cloths, on top of that wearing a deer skin that’s going stink like anything and being chased by beasts. Guess I have no choice but take care of you” the women said to herself with a fake sigh.

“Are you even listening to me? I said thank you for your help and we’ll be off on our way” I said to her in a loud voice.

“Now now, Don’t scream in middle of the night, you’ll wake up all the sleeping beasts. Follow me, I live nearby” She said in a calm tone.

I hesitated to follow the woman but looking at the state of Elena I went after the women without saying anything. Elena needs rest and if the wolves attack again then I don’t know if we can defend ourselves. I followed the women reluctantly.

The women took few steps forward and then said “Ah, where are my manners. I am Lisa by the way, could you be kind enough to carry the wolf I shot earlier”

I reluctantly carried the wolf and started following her. In a few minutes we neared a clearing and I saw a cottage which looked odd in middle of the forest. I deposited the wolf near then cottage and went inside with Elena. The cottage was small with things all over the place. I am sure the place had been neglected by a lazy owner.

Lisa told us to make ourselves at home and jumped in on a bed to sleep. Seriously, you invite two strangers in your house and the first thing you do is go to sleep?

I don’t understand this woman at all. She could have killed us anytime she wanted, so I guess it’s safe to assume that she would not sneak attack us while we were asleep.

I took a thick cloth lying on the floor and spread it in a corner and told Elena to sleep on it. She was baffled by our actions.

“I don’t think taking other’s stuff without permission is a good behavior. I can sleep on the floor. Is it even alright to sleep in her house without permission” Elena was clearly confused as I was.

“I am just borrowing it. She herself told us to make ourselves at home. Don’t worry about it, sleep peacefully; you are tired and very much in need of proper rest” I reassured her.

I don’t know what’s going on but this is a rare opportunity to take a peaceful nap in the forest, so we might as well get one. We’ll be on our way tomorrow. I choose another corner with these thoughts went to sleep.

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First of all my thanks for the fellow reader who took upon himself to enlighten me with the process of tanning. Even if criticism was the first comment I received I am still happy about it.

My boss worked me to the bones yesterday as it was the end of the week. I came home late tired like hell and didn't write anything so here I am posting a chapter earlier in the morning on my holiday (Weekday). See you on Monday.