Roy kicked the wolf's corpse aside and Linda kneeled right next to the severely injured Percy.

His body was covered in blood, both his and the wolves’, some cuts on his forearm were still gushing with blood as well as a deep cut on his ankle.

“What the hell were you thinking?? Did you think rushing in without a plan was going to help? You could have gotten yourself killed.” Linda was speaking with obvious worry but also some contempt for Percy's stupidity.

With a tired smile Percy looked straight into Linda’s worried and contemptuous eyes.” How could I die knowing I haven't made you mine? When I give you a few kids you can start worrying about me…”

*CLAP*

A resounding high pitched slap was heard around the village, even the wolves’ growls stopped.

With a scarlet face from anger and a tinge of embarrassment Linda stood back up and turned her back towards the injured Percy. “It seems you are fine seeing as you can still spout so much nonsense.” And with those words Linda no longer looked at Percy, focusing instead on defending them against other wolves.

The man in question was left with a deep red slap mark on his cheek.

Roy kneeled and set his backpack next to Percy.

He started rummaging through it and from it he brought out a bottle of brandy.

“This is going to burn a bit.”

And without hesitation he poured it over Percy's open wounds.

Percy’s eyes bulged as his face cringed in pain but he made no sound, however as more and more of his wounds were covered in alcohol he was unable to hold it in.

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHH”

His pain-filled scream seemed to motivate the remaining wolves to make their move, 28 shadows rushed towards the various members of the group.

Aegon was still near the bow wielding Bella, a group of 10 wolves going towards both of them, his mind was racing.

[We are surrounded.]

[Why did I come here?]

A voice broke Aegon’s thoughts.

“Aegon you have to cover for Bella, just make sure no wolf can come near her for a bit, she will do the rest...” Travis, who was also surrounded by ten other wolves, shouted from the side.

“...Tank…protect…Percy and …” Travis said a few more words directed at his partner but Aegon didn't hear them properly and the ruckus from the rhino running around didn't help either.

With shaking hands, Aegon took his stance in front of Bella.

[Travis is strong , and Bella is good with her bow. If I can make enough time for both of them we might make it out alive.]

“Kuro, defend Bella and avoid getting into brawls, just bait them away if needed.”

Kuro looked at his owner in a disappointed manner but still did as he was told.

Moments later, 4 wolves reached Aegon and jumped towards their target.

Aegon firmly planted his feet on the ground, extended his arms and with both swords drawn started spinning.

The first wolf who was hit got one of his paws severed and fell forwards wringin in pain, but because of that the sword lost momentum and the next wolf was only cut halfway across his snout before the sword lost its strength.

The other two wolves jumped to the side, expecting his sword to keep going, noticing it didn't they resumed their attack, one from the back and the other from the front.

Aegon's body was completely vulnerable, he had neutralised two of the wolves but the other two were unscaved and after landing next to him they once again charged towards him..

In a last ditch effort to protect himself he stabbed towards his front with both weapons.

*SWOOSH*

An arrow flew through the air and hit the target’s eye right behind Aegon’s back while at the same time the other wolf was stabbed through the neck.

*Drop*

*Drop*Drop*

*Drop*Drop*Drop*

Aegon could only hear the blood sliding across his swords dropping into the ground.

[I'm alive!]

“AWOOO”

A pain filled howl woke Aegon from his inner realisation

[That sounds like Kuro.]

Turning towards the sound, Aegon saw Kuro being bitten on his hind legs by two wolves and being dragged across the floor, they twisted and turned and even from this distance Aegon could hear Kuros legs breaking.

“AWOOOOO” Kuros howls increased and to Aegon's ears they were the most grating of sounds.

Without hesitation he retrieved his swords from the wolf's neck and rushed towards his companion.

“KURRROOOO”

His scream made the wolves notice Aegon rushing in their direction and they ,in response, also ran towards the maddened Aegon.

“BELLA” Aegon who was just about to make contact with the beast screamed towards the bow wielding Bella.

He received an answer.

*SWOOSH*

An arrow flew through the air and hit the beast who was a bit behind across the head, leaving Aegon in a one on one scenario.

With his right hand sword Aegon slashed in a downwards cut, but the wolf was prepared and dodged to his right, unfortunately for him a stab from Aegon’s left hand sword was awaiting him and his skull was pierced through, his head nailed to the ground.

Leaving his sword stuck on the beast’s skull Aegon ran towards his injured companion who was still writhing in pain.

Kuros' legs were broken and displaced, he howled in pain from time to time.

Looking around Aegon noticed 4 wolf corpses with arrows on their heads spread around him.

Tears formed in his eyes.

“You did a good job.” With his most caring voice Aegon caressed Kuro’s fur while he silently took a bottle of brandy from his backpack side pocket, as he uncorked the bottle and prepared to disinfect the wounds, his hand who was caressing Kuro stopped and instead applied pressure on his upper body.

When the first drops of alcohol touched Kuro’s wounds he once again howled in pain and tried to get back up but Aegon’s hand prevented him from moving.

“You can't move, stay still, it's all going to be okay…”

Meanwhile, Travis slammed his greatsword sideways into a fleeing wolf's back.

The scene was similar to killing insects with a palm, the beast was squashed under the sword's weight.

Looking around, Travis scanned the battlefield.

The street was bathed in blood, wolf corpses everywhere.

[Luckily it's just wolf corpses.]

This thought brought tranquillity to Travis, his inspired speech from earlier was as much of a pep talk to the others as it was for him.

[This could have gone badly.] With a heavy face Travis took a closer look at his immediate surroundings; only half of the beasts had injuries caused by his sword, the other half had arrows screwed to their faces.

With a proud smile he turned towards Bella a few metres down the road.

She was standing in the dead centre of the street, she hadn't moved a step from the beginning of the fight until now, with her back ramrod straight she constantly looked around, her golden hair swinging along with the night wind.

“Bella.”

The golden haired beauty turned her head to face a proudly smiling Travis.

“You did great”

Bella blushed a bit and turned her head down with some embarrassment.”Thanks...”

Listening to Travis, the others also took to complimenting her.

“You were our saviour this time!”

“Thanks for the support there, I might have died if it weren't for you.”

“Nice shooting.”

“It's okay, you did a good job.” With a very soothing tone, this last compliment seemed a bit out of place.

Turning towards Aegon, Bella saw him pet Kuro's fur as he finished bandaging the pup's wounds.

Aegon was completely focused on Kuro, worried for his partner's well being, picking him up he headed towards the governor's house when he noticed the strange atmosphere around him.

Turning to look at the group with a confused expression he was confronted with 5 suggestively nodding heads towards Bella.

He squinted his eyes in thought trying to understand their meaning and only after a few seconds of profound expression reading did Aegon show an enlightened expression.

“Oh, yeah good job Bella, we couldn't have done it without you.” And wasting no time he resumed walking towards the governor's house.

The group was left wryly smiling by Aegon's response but being used to his antics they recovered rather quickly and after Roy and Travis picked up Percy they followed him into the governor's house.