The days passed as they trekked through the land. Plains, plains, and more plains. There was a forest in the distance, but the pair were following the trail that was beaten from years of caravans… after Tiger led them the wrong way the first day.

Finally they arrived at Sult. Sult was a small town along the way towards the centre of the state. It was home to 5000 people, with heavily armoured guards as well as a small retinue of soldiers.

Wolf led the way ahead of Tiger as they approached the town gates.

The guards at the walls, wearing full chain mail, held up their hands as the pair approached. Upon their backs were long cloaks of black, and upon their breast was the sigil of Sult, which was a portrait of the Selt Bear on its hind legs. It was tradition within the town for a group of guards to kill a Selt Bear at least once a year.

“Halt strangers…” The guards eyed up the two who were unarmoured and unarmed, but with one adorned in the Selt Bear fur. “What brings you to Sult?” The other guard continued.

“Ho!” Tiger raised his hand in greeting, a large smile on his face as always. “We’re just passing through. We killed a Selt Bear and want to get rid of it’s parts.” Tiger offered in response.

“A Selt Bear…” One guard replied with narrowed eyes. Suspicion dripped from his lips like poison. “How did you manage that? You had no weapons, no armour, and I see no injuries upon you.” They clasped their spears tight, wary now.

“We are martial artists.” Wolf replied, bowing his head.

“I was the one to beat it.” Tiger smirked, crossing his arms and flexing.

“A Selt Bear is a powerful creature… It takes at least ten to bring even a single one down…” The guard swallowed. “Even then, ten wouldn’t return…”

“Eh? Is that so…” Tiger rubbed his chin, which was growing a small stubble. “Well, that’s that.” He shrugged, still grinning wide.

The guards exchanged glances with one another. “I’m not sure we should allow such dangerous people in…” One whispered to the other.

“Ah, is that so?” Tiger sighed and crossed his arms again. “Well, can you tell us if you saw an injured guy come through? He’s dark and broody.”

The guards were shocked that they were found out. Tiger’s senses were pretty good. He continued to smile, though the smile didn’t seem so sweet.

“What? We… didn’t see anyone like that come through…”

“Weird…” Tiger exchanged a glance with Wolf. “Are you sure? He calls himself Dragon. He’s about this tall, normally looks like he’s been stabbed in the gut and he’s having a bad day.” Tiger motioned with his hands.

“Dragon?” The guards shook their head. “We can ask the others, if you’re willing to wait…”

“Sure.” Tiger then stepped off the road and then lay down. He welcomed the feeling of grass under his back. Wolf remained standing.

The guards thanked them for their understanding and then left them, though several others appeared atop the walls and stared down. Tiger could hear them muttering newly formed rumours about he and Wolf, but didn’t pay them any mind. Rumours were just that, fun little phrases that may or may not be true. He’s appreciate it if they focused on his devilish good looks, but they didn’t seem to mention it even once. Strange.

‘Weird… Dragon should have come by this way… Could he be going around instead, avoiding the towns? He doesn’t need to… Unless he’s being chased…’

Tiger’s gut instinct was negative. He sat up, arms crossed as he thought. He met Wolf’s eyes and the pair nodded.

‘This isn’t good…’ He thought. Still, Dragon wasn’t one to get into sticky situations, even if he did have a knack for getting into trouble, as well as getting lost. Regardless… It’s not as though he would die, he’s too tough for that.