After the battle, we had no choice but to rest and recoup. Those too young or old to fight had stayed within the forest we’d used as part of the ambush. Those from the fort in particular, still not recovered from their prolonged starvation were dead on their feet as we walked back.

I walked with Wind of the wild and Olata, thanking them for their assistance.

“This is all part of the same battle,” Wind of the Wild said. “A major opening move. The question is: how do we approach the fight tomorrow.”

“We can reach the foothills tomorrow, right?”

“With a day-long march for your slowest members,” Olata said. They may not be in the best condition to fight at the end of it.”

“We will also be on the Northern side of the range,” Danivra pointed out. “Meaning we would have to fight the entire way around the mountain, before we could make our way south. It makes little sense to head directly into a battle.”

“There is wisdom in both of your words, and while I crave to clear them from our home, I accept that we must get you to the south. However, the passes nearby are filled with their troops.”

“If we can gain a pass, then surely we can defend it?” Grigor suggested.

“If we can get you all in quickly before you are overwhelmed. The if is the issue.”

“Can we make it look as though we’re going to attack them from both sides? You bring your forward as if you’re going to attack at the same time as we approach. Then, While they try to prepare for both eventualities, we take advantage and have our people make a run for the pass?”

“That may work,” Wind replied, “Providing they are distracted by us.”

“Well, they should if you’re convincing with your part to play,” I answered. “You wanted a fight didn’t you?”

“We did,” he nodded solemnly.

“We should rest for the rest of tonight and most of the morning to recover. Perhaps travel for half a day, then rest again in the early evening and eat. Then set off at nightfall, to push for the pass,” Danivra said.

“I’ll coordinate with you tomorrow evening, then,” Wind of the Wild replied. “Until then, Olata and I will take our leave.”

As he disappeared, I turned to the others. “Is he being weird to you guys? I feel like he’s had a personality transplant sometimes.”

Sania shook her head. “Seems normal to me.”

That didn’t surprise me to be honest. She had a blind spot for the old Wolf. Unsurprisingly, Grigor agreed with Sania’s assessment.

“Many things are changing, so I would not like to judge too harshly. One thing I am certain of, is that while Wind of the Wild is our friend and ally, he is wily and will no doubt have plans and ideas he is not sharing. The truth, however, is that our goals align right now and that is all you can ask for. I feel Olata is fully behind you.”

“Yeah, she’s great,” I agreed. “Anyway, let’s get some rest ready for tomorrow. Fighting our way through a mountain pass sounds like it's going to be exactly zero amount of fun.”

The next day we slept until well after sunrise, setting off walking again a couple of hours before noon. We made good time heading to the east of the Palathi peaks, where our pass of choice should lie, using the terrain as best we could for cover. Though there was no doubt in my mind that Justice knew we were coming.

Stopping early in the evening, we ate what remained of the food in the master box of storage. I looked at it forlornly. We can't really carry that thing about, with what we’re about to face tomorrow can we?” I said to Sania.

“Not really, no. If it had food in it then I’d carry it myself. But it doesn’t.”

“I promised I’d take it back and I don’t think I’ll have any other use for teleportation today.”

“As the goods inside are stored in a different dimension,” Danivra said, butting into the conversation. “It acts more as a gateway to that storage dimension. Have you considered that you could take it back and fill it up, then return immediately, as you took the box to Far Reach in the first instance? There is a good chance you will still be able to access its contents.”

“Hot diggedy fucking dog Danivra. That’s an awesome idea!”

“The best idea I’ve heard today,” Sania offered.

“Well, there’s only one way to find out and my transport skill reset about twenty minutes ago. Is there anything else we need?”

“Arrows,” Rella said from nearby. “I am sure my father will have made more for a possible return visit.”

“On it,” I said excitedly. “Anything else?”

“More knives!” Freeler shouted over.

“Fuck off, Freeler. I just gave you seven hundred knives to share between six hundred people!”

“Many lost in battle,” he replied, clearly offended.

“What are you doing losing your bloody knives?”

“It’s a battle. These things happen.” Freeler protested.

I shook my head. “Those were expensive bloody knives. We don’t have an unlimited supply. That was it!”

“Freeler got up in a huff and stormed off into the trees. “

“We didn’t lose any knives,” Glaunk loudly whispered over to us. “He just likes them. I think he wants to try and attach them to a new club. The durability on that one is almost done.”

“Ah, right, I get you. Makes sense I suppose.”

“Speak to Hek, and perhaps he can come up with something for our favourite bugbear,” Danivra said. “We definitely wouldn’t want him weaponless.”

I nodded in agreement. “Okay, I’ll have a quick word with Hek, then. Won't be any good for the next battle. Hell, I might not even be able to bring anything back yet.

“Indeed. We live in hope. That is all we can do.”

I nodded, then scooped up the box. As I stood there among the trees, I reflected that it was a hell of a lot smaller than when I came with it. The guys were going to freak out when they saw the size of me.

I focused on Far Reach and appeared just outside of the castle. A kid, Wultr, playing in the street, screamed their head off at the sight of me, and people came running. Guards from the castle roof were looking over the parapet shouting down. I waved up at them and everyone else.

Thankfully, it only took a moment to realise it was me. Though almost twice as big as last time I’d come back, and four times bigger than when I had first entered Falritas.

“Johan was the first to meet me, swiftly followed by Mal, Boris, and Elsbeth.

“Clive, you look like that Beelzebub fella we met when we came through the portal.”

I laughed. “I know. Sorry to scare anyone. And I can’t stay long, people. You guessed it, I've got another bloody battle to get back for. Thanks to those who prayed last night, If it’s not too cheeky, I’ll take another few of those prayers tonight as well.”

There was a cheer of agreement from my followers to that which baffled me, but I took their positivity in my stride and continued.

“So the main reason I’m here,” I said, holding up the box of haulage. “Trick or Treat?”

“Trick or treat’s about right?” Mal muttered. Elsbeth nudged him for being a prick.

Joel was finally arriving, from further into the town. Big grin on his face. “You've been sleeping on fertilizer!” he shouted as he came close. The people of the town, moving to let him through.

“Hardy, ha, ha,” I replied. “Flying visit I’m afraid, so I only have time for one shit joke off each of you. And as much food as you can spare. Arrows too, if Zeine is about.”

“We stored arrows in the castle for you!” A Fensalfar guard shouted over helpfully.

“Awesome. Is Hek about? I need a new weapon, too.”

“What do you need?” Grimstrom asked

“I need Hek to make me a club,” I replied.

“Dokalfar are great with fine weapons. But if you want something to bash a skull in, then you're better asking a dwarf!”

“Still…” I replied and looked around for Hek. Spotting him moving up the street toward the back of the crowd. Grimstrom fell silent at the snub as I moved forward to greet the Dokalfar first warrior turned blacksmith.

“Hey Hek! Queens fine, by the way,” I grinned.

He offered a wry smile. “Thank you. Though we laugh, it is always the first thing I want to hear on your return.”

“I know, pal hopefully not much longer now. She actually asked me to ask you this anyway, so we have a Bugbear with us, and he needs a new club. He’s about eight to nine feet tall, and his current club is basically a massive tree branch with metal rods hammered in for strength and random metal spikes. Its durability is about gone, so… you think you can rustle him something up for next time I come?”

“Of course,” he replied, looking bemused. “And Queen Danivra asked you this?”

I laughed. “Yeah man, she’s taken a shine to him. Picks all the rough arsed waifs and strays up, doesn’t she?” I grinned, meaning myself.

“I didn’t know this about her in her time on the throne, but it certainly appears so. Yet, I can't deny she is an excellent judge of character, so he must be a very special Bugbear.”

“Well, I haven’t met another, so I can’t really compare, but… special fits,” I laughed. “Tough bastard as well, to give him his due.”

Hek nodded. “He will have the finest club he has ever owned, to smite our enemies. Of that I can guarantee.”

“Thanks man. I appreciate that.” I moved back to Joel. Grimstrom was standing next to him.

“So mate, this might not work, but I’m hoping I can fill this box with gear and go straight back.”

“It’s a good idea. I hope it works.”

“Yeah, the people I'm with still need a lot of food to build up their strength.”

“Oh, that’s not why. I just don’t want to pick it all up off the floor if it doesn’t work again. I was ready for bed.”

We both laughed at that. “Must be nice. We’re doing a fifteen-mile, night hike, followed by a battle to try and get into a pass. Which we then have to fight our way through while defending our rear. Then we have to fight an army on the other side as well. Probably be a couple of days before I sleep again at the earliest.

“Rather you than me,” Joel replied as Grimstrom disappeared without a word.

I watched him go from the corner of my eye, but said nothing. “He’s supposed to be the Head Guardian of Nuinaer. Why’s he here?”

“He’s stuck here until you get back, or he at least makes peace with you.”

“We’ve made peace. Tell him he can toddle back off to Nuinaer next time you see him.”

“He won’t listen to me. He’s got his own orders to follow. He’s no bother, though. Maybe you could ease up on him?” Joel suggested, then held his hands out when he saw my expression change. “Or not, I don’t know what you’ve been through, though I do know it wasn’t Grimstrom. We had MacDonalds with him. He’s a good dude.”

“You do know bad people eat MacDonalds too, don’t you?”

Joel shook his head with a sad smile. “You know what I mean.”

“I do. I’ll try now. come on load me up and send me on my way. Where do you want me to stand to make it easier to pick the food up if it stays behind?”

“Ha, well, now you mention it you can come down to the castle cellar where everything is stored. That’s making it easier. If you can fit.”

“Well, it’s gonna be tight isn’t it? Bastard.”

He just smirked and led me in. Turning to watch me squeeze through the doorway. Luckily, the first floor of the basement was only half underground.

Joel had to carry stuff up from downstairs as I couldn’t go any further.

No fresh bread this time, but he had stored a ton of other food aside for us.”

“You guys are not going short here are you?” I asked as I took a parcel of dried meat from him and tossed it in the box.

“There’s certainly no abundance,” he replied. “But we still get more food than you guys are getting, so let’s say no more about it.”

I nodded understanding, and I felt bad. I wanted to say more about it, but Joel was right. We still needed the food, and I would still come back for more unless hunting improved dramatically as we moved south. That was unlikely with the amount of armies roaming around.

As we finished packing the last of the arrows, Grimstrom returned, entering the store house with a case in his hands. He came over and put it in the box.

“Ten thousand Multi-Fit potions in there. They give plus five to stamina and Constitution for six hours and they have the calories and vitamins of a hearty meal. They’re from our army stores and they cost a fortune. I’ll get in trouble for giving you them. No one but Stilbraker knows, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Why?” I asked, unable to refuse the offer despite wanting to. I was ashamed at how easily I was bought on this occasion.

“They’ll help those with you who need it.”

“Yeah, I get that, but why are you helping me?”

“Because I consider you a friend. I’m here to win your trust back for Darkness, even though I'm not convinced we can. But I… me personally. I consider myself your friend.”

“Okay,” I said watching him. “I can believe that, I suppose. So, in the spirit of giving, what do you need from me, so you can go home?”

He let a slight smile lift his face. “Aye, well, you coulda let me make that weapon.”

I nodded. “You think you could help Hek make something extra special? If he’ll have your help?”

“Oh, I think the craftsmanship of a master Dwarf and master Dokalfar will produce something magnificent.”

“Then you have my blessing to ask him to get in on it. And Thanks.” I said, indicating the crate. They’ll seriously help.”

“Aye. They’re good shit. And I know I say this every time, but hurry the fuck up Clive. You’re taking too damn long.”

“We’re trying, I guarantee it.”

I shook hands with both men. “Once we’re safe on the south side of the peaks and making our way down it shouldn’t take long hopefully. So, see you both soon.”

With that done, I lifted the box and returned to my friends.”