Chapter 34 – Future Plans

Night came early in the northern lands, and even earlier in the mountains. By the time we returned to the caravan’s site, the sun had already been hidden past the peaks to the west, and the sky was rapidly growing darker. From afar, I could see that the pass, which had been blocked by the rocks from goblin traps was now partially cleared, with enough space for the wagons to pass through in single file. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough to allow the caravan to get out of the mountains tomorrow.

Our return to the camp was met with mixed celebration and annoyance, as well as a small measure of fear. Such things were only to be expected, of course. Frostmane and I had helped defeat the goblins, for which the merchants, especially, were thankful, and accounted for the celebration at our return. That was also the source of the fear, since we had proven ourselves to be powerful, and winter wolves were not exactly known for their charitable dispositions. And here Frostmane was, now clad in armor and magic items, making him more imposing than he was before. The annoyance, of course, came from the fact that we had missed all the work clearing the road.

Tandred was up on a makeshift crutch, as there was nothing more the healers present could do for him here. There were spells that would be able to heal his leg, but they required a cleric or druid of a higher level than they had with them now. He’d be relying on the crutch until they got to a temple where he could be properly healed.

As they approached the camp, he hobbled towards them, a grim smile on his face. “Well, glad to see you made it back before nightfall, both of you. We’ve got dinner cooking, and I even think that we’ll be able to rustle up something suitable for your friend.” He looked at Frostmane directly, and said, “Sorry, if I’m making mistakes, but I figured your diet would be like that of normal wolves, if in greater quantities. We don’t have much in the way of fresh meat, normally, since it doesn’t last too well on the road, but we lost a couple of the horses during the attack.”

Frostmane chuffed, and said, “Yes, I can smell the blood. Two dead horses. I’ll take one, if you’re offering.”

Tandred nodded. “You’re much more polite than a normal wolf, I’ll give you that. I’m not going to pretend that you helped us or decided to come with us out of the goodness of your heart. I know that isn’t the way creatures like yourself work. The bodies of the fallen will be tended as is proper, but the horse meat is yours, while it lasts.”

I reached up to scratch Frostmane behind the ear. “Don’t worry, Tandred. Part of what we were doing while we were gone was securing provisions. We have business to the south, and Frostmane knows that there is a difference between claiming the meat from a kill in battle, and being a carrion bird. He won’t be any trouble to the caravan, provided no one gets ideas about causing trouble for us.”

Tandred smiled, and said, “That is good. Frostmane, was it? Do you know anything about the goblins in these parts? It isn’t normal for them to gather in so large numbers for waylaying caravans, especially not this low in the mountains.”

Frostmane nodded. “Yes. A larger tribe conquered the White Skull tribe, which paid me tribute in return for not becoming my food. Their numbers were too many for me to take on directly, so I was looking for a way to cut down the numbers, and convince them to provide me tribute in turn. However, I expect that this pass won’t be safe for some time, until adventurers go and root out the Stone Claw tribe from their holes.”

Tandred sighed. “That is bad news. Well, with luck we’ll be able to warn future caravans about the dangers of this pass, and they’ll take one of the other ones in the future, or perhaps put out a call for adventurers to deal with the problem.” He looked like he was going to say more, but a call came from over by the cooking fire, letting everyone know that dinner was ready.

After dinner, the women all came to admire Frostmane, once they were sure he wasn’t going to try and eat them. Winter wolves were known for being prideful creatures, that didn’t care much for what ‘prey’ thought of them, but I could see the big ball of floof preening as the women fawned over him. And, when he spoke, there was more than one squeal of delight at how wonderful he was. I was afraid that his head might swell to the size of a dragon’s.

But eventually night drew on, and people began to think of their bedrolls with longing. That night, all the women who had been keeping me company resolved to sleep soundly, without worrying about whether Tyrell might try to cause problems. After all, we had the best guardian we could ask for sleeping just outside our tent. No way that creep would try to get past Frostmane!

One of them, a merchant woman who owned the wagon I was riding in, asked, “Well, Melinda, what will you do when you get to Northport? I know you said it was mostly a need to leave Frostwind Dale that was driving you, but you must have had some thoughts about where to go from here, yes?”

I smiled at her, and said, “Well, I would be lying if I said that I had everything planned out. In fact, I only have the most general of ideas. Both Frostmane and I want to see more of the world, but neither of us are so foolish as to think we can make it on our own.”

She gave me a look that said she thought I was being modest. Perhaps understandable, after what they saw us do against the goblins. I shook my head, however, and said, “Oh, I won’t deny that we have some skill, but those goblins were an easy match for Frostmane and me. Even so, it took us quite a while to take them all down. A wizard would have been able to throw a single fireball and take half of them down in an instant. And that’s just one example.”

“However, if you’re going into dungeons or taking on jobs going out into far-flung places, then you’re going to need to have certain skill sets covered. Neither of us are any good at detecting traps, for instance, and having someone along who can use proper healing magic would be a great boon. If we’re going to go adventuring, as we wish, we’re going to need more people, with different skill sets.”

“That is what I’m hoping to find in Northport. But finding party members that are fine with adventuring into the wilds with an Aurelite and a Winter Wolf isn’t going to be easy. Even I understand that.”

One of the younger women, a young sorceress who was traveling with her father in the first wagon, nodded. “Yes, Frostmane is a wonderful and cuddly creature, but I remember many stories about how terrifying his kind can be when they are angry, or on the hunt. Even normal wolves are frightening, when they aren’t bound as a companion to some ranger or druid.” Ah, that’s right, she may have been a sorceress, but she was low-level, and only knew a couple spells, most of which were protective or divining in nature. She was not a fighter, by any stretch of the imagination.

I smiled at her. “Oh, and he definitely deserves the reputation, as do his kin. They are fierce fighters, and you would make a lovely snack for him. However, he is also more intelligent than lesser wolves, and understands the need for… well, not tact, but perhaps discretion? He’s promised to not cause problems for the caravan, because he sees the value in traveling with us to Northport, and one of the items he had in his cave will help provide food for him along the road. That does not mean that he no longer sees you as a delicious potential meal, however. It simply means that the benefits of the caravan outweigh those of a quick meal.”

The sorceress shuddered, and I had to laugh. “Oh, don’t worry, he won’t really eat you unless you cause trouble for him. We talked about it, and he understands that what is acceptable in the mountains can often draw unwanted attention in more populous lands, and that the attention typically comes with people who are doing their best to end your life, or worse.”

Looking around at the women’s shocked reactions, I chuckled again. “I know that I look like a girl of only thirteen winters, but do remember that I am Twice-Souled. This life is not the first I’ve lived, and while the world I came from is one vastly different from this one, when you get down to it, people are people, wherever you go. I may not know much about the lands outside Frostwind Dale, but I’ve more experience with people than my young age in this life implies.”

One of the merchants laughed suddenly, and said, “Oh, sorry, dearie. You’re right, of course. Even with what you did earlier today it is hard to think of you as anything but a young woman, barely more than a girl. I guess we all have to be reminded of that, from time to time.”

She paused, and then said, “But, if you’re going to make your way in the world as an adventurer, then you will definitely need to find more people for your party. And, given your religion and your friend’s nature, you’ll need to find those who are willing to at least look past such things, even if they won’t embrace them, which is going to be difficult amongst any of the ‘nicer’ adventuring folk.”

That forced me to sigh. “Yes, I know that much. Certain groups are bound by different codes to, at least, stay away from those who do not fit their criteria. That is something I’ve had to come to terms with, in this new world. But I’m sure I’ll be able to find a couple people to round out my group in a big city. There’s always people who are looking to get out and change their fortunes, right?”

The merchant smiled at me. “Right you are, dearie. But finding that sort is tricky business. Still, if you’re looking for a group that is willing to look past certain aspects, while not being the type that is just as likely to slit your throat for a few coins or selling you off to slavers first chance they get, then, once we get to Northport, you might be wanting to check out the Plain Sail Tavern, down by the docks. The area isn’t the nicest, and the city watch will be keeping eyes on you and your companion (well, mostly your companion) the entire time you’re in the city, but you can find all manner of people there, who might be looking for a change of scene.”

The sorceress recovered from the shock I gave her, and said, “Oh, and most of the inns and taverns adventurers would go to have some kind of notice board. There may be jobs on it, though I can’t promise what quality they’d be. Sometimes they’re done by private folk, and sometimes they come from one of the temples, or even the city itself. Could be anything, really. Now, if you go to the Crimson Tower, you’ll find that the wizards and mages running the school there are usually looking for people to go out into the wilds, and do jobs. Mostly gathering reagents, though there’s the odd request for someone to escort someone into the wild as they track down a piece of forgotten lore.”

Eventually, the conversation wound down, as the night continued on. Before the fatigue of the day gave way to sleep, I whispered to Frostmane, knowing his sharp ears could hear me, “I think this will work out fine.” A laughing chuff was his only reply.