The silhouettes of no less than fifteen mountain wolves appeared as Ryan cursed his foolishness and shouted out. The fact that he hadn’t wanted to disturb their rest turned for the worse. Their brown fur served as camouflage, evading Ryan’s eyes until they were mere meters away from the caravans.

The startled fighters scrambled to their feet, awakened from their rest. A wolf jumped up at Ryan, its giant body easily reaching the roof with a single leap, a paw travelling towards his face. Dodging to the side, Ryan swung his falchion at the beast, knocking it off. Its durable fur made piercing harder, turning sharp weapons into nothing more than lighter hammers.

The enraged beast, jumped back up at Ryan, followed by another from the other side. In a pitch, he jumped down the roof and into the resting place. Most of their eyes had adjusted to the darkness, cautiously staring at the wolves slowly surrounding them.

When Vade took a step, so did two wolves. When Marcus raised his hand, three wolves growled at him. The deadlock ended with the howl of a larger wolf, the beasts started pouncing at them.

Ryan hurriedly ducked under the leap of one and appeared behind, hitting an incoming wolf with a spinning slash. The first blood went to Valerie, as her rapier thrust through the skull of one, ending its life. The first casualty was on the aggressive side, encouraging the others to try to take them down.

Ryan had no time to experience the fight as the wolf he had hit earlier slowly neared him, followed by two others who would launch pincer attacks in mere seconds. He raised his sword, holding it with both hands, the tip tilted downwards.

As expected, the pincer attack came. Ryan smirked. The front wolf attacked with a bite. He thrust his sword into its mouth, piercing its tongue and so much more in the process.

Then he left his sword in the mouth of the beast, barely evading the attacks at his sides with a scratch on his ribs, giving his shirt a second tear.

Putting his hand on the wound and examining it, the injury looked shallow. Without the falchion hindering his movement, he could now move safely. Rather throw away his weapon than go together with it. He could just take it out later.

The one with the sword in mouth whimpered as it fell on its knees, blood oozing out from the wound. A vengeful packmate launched an attack from his back. However, Ryan only felt a drop of blood reach his neck, realizing how close he was to death.

A hole had been pierced through the wolf’s hide, a hole in its stomach. With hateful eyes, it threw a glare at its opponent before turning away. Valerie sighed exasperatedly as she said calmly. “Do you even have any battle experience?”

“Only against boars.” Ryan said as he pulled his blade back.

The wolves seemed to be withdrawing, the larger wolf barely able to run, staggering with three feet. Ryan looked at George shouting happily and the large adventurer… mourning?

He also looked to be worse for wear, several scratches across spanning across his body. Following his line of sight, Ryan’s eyes fell on the horribly mangled body of none other than the spearman.

The large man dropped to his knee, grabbing a handful of dirt and releasing it upon the face of his fallen comrade.

“You were a good man, Elliot.” He said with a shaking voice, not letting his tears stream out of his eyes. The man looked at Vade, who nodded in response before walking into one of the caravans.

“What just happened?” Ryan asked with a curious glance at Valerie.

“Vade or George just injured the Alpha. They won’t be coming back anytime soon, or until another Alpha is chosen.” She explained. “Aren’t you supposed to know something as simple as this?”

“I live in the plains, okay? The wolves there don’t come out to attack travelers and stick to the cattle.” Ryan complained as he climbed up a cart, followed by Valerie.

“I mean… Sorry.” Valerie said as she walked away.

***

The steel gates of Ironhall are the only places permitting entry to the military base protected by a forty meter wall. The location of the nation’s barracks and the city closest to the Eastern border. The peace after the last great threat lasted for a long time, the houses and the streets in better condition than ever.

Heavy dark clouds covered the sky, giving the city the impression of a battlefield, much like it was a decade ago. Ryan looked around, met by children playing in the streets without worry and the streets bustling with people.

“There are several military academies here, the families would move in to live with their children in some cases.” Valerie explained to Ryan.

“Isn’t the army supposed to train soldiers?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

“That’s right. But the generals and tacticians study in the academies.” She clarified as she looked at the streets.

“I’ve heard Amberpeak is a hard place to live without a large amount of money or the backing of an academy. The distance is only a few hours on horseback, so why not stay in Ironhall for a while?” Valerie asked as she stood up, the caravan moving at a snail’s pace, supporting her footing.

“What? Then you really saved me there.” Ryan said as he too stood up, jumping off his seat.

Ryan walked up to the first caravan and knocked on the door, answered by the “Come in” of Elisa inside, followed by Valerie.

“You want to drop off?” Elisa asked with a sigh.

“Yes, both of us actually.” Valerie said with a bow of her head.

“Don’t worry, we were going to recruit for Elliot either way.” Elisa answered as she brought out two pouches. She calmly counted the coins inside and fastened it before giving them to the two.

Ryan counted it after getting off, as per his custom: one gold and five silver. With his own savings, it was a gold and ten silver, equal to two gold.

A smile appeared on Ryan’s face as he put it into his pouch, more than enough to fit it. With no means to navigate other than asking others or following Valerie, he chose the latter.

They took a left, right and another left before walking in a straight line. Ryan noticed the condition of the buildings worsening by each step as they walked into what appeared to be ruins of a war.

The streets grew desolate as Ryan contemplated his choice of following the girl before him. She turned around and stared right at his eyes. “You take the lead.”

What did he even expect? Nobles are said to be only social within their rings of influence, not even bothering to talk with the commoners. It was outrageous to think that a noble girl who was never in the city would know it, and ask others for directions to boot.

Ryan gestured her to follow with his hand and took the lead, walking back to the bustling street. As much as he hated to admit it, Ryan wasn’t the most social person in the world, but living alone would be impossible without connections. So he had adapted to talking with strangers and getting on their good side.

After asking a hearty old lady about the closest place to spend a few days, he found out there were two inns around the central part of the city called ‘Dragon’s Tooth’ and ‘Lively Beaver’.

“Let’s go to the first.” Offered Valerie. Ryan only chuckled in response and found the latter tavern, the other one across the street. Valerie helplessly followed her more street smart companion.

The inside was shabby, small, and the opposite of where she wanted to spend the night. It reeked of alcohol and tobacco, overtaking the smell of food. The biggest problem was it was too crowded.

“Wow, what a nice place.” Ryan exclaimed as Valerie tried to counter, stopped by a quick glare by him.

“Is that Backlemore Dew I see? This was the right choice after all.” Ryan said pointing to a bottle of beer, looking at Valerie. She could only nod in response. Surely he knew what he was doing.

“How much for a night with a meal?” Walking up to the counter he asked with a smile.

“That’d be 3 copper, with a discount on the meal.” The fattish barwoman said with a smile of her own. “It’d be 2 if you two want to share a room.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’d feel guilty if I did.” Ryan answered.

“Oh, don’t you worry. It’s cramped and we make profit enough.” She said.

“Then I’ll have to take up the offer.” Ryan said as he placed three silver on the table. “It’s for two weeks.”

The woman nodded her head happily and placed a key on the table. The rooms were on the second floor, so they took the stairs.

“Why didn’t you demand change?” Valerie asked with a surprised expression.

“You’ll see soon.” Ryan said as he opened the door.

“That’s just plain stupid. You wasted precious money!” She shouted as she entered the room. Two beds were placed at two sides of the tiny room, a small table between them and an indoor toilet.

“As I said, you’ll see.”