On the way to the village, I explained everything that happened when they were asleep to Astvar. He looked concerned when I told him about believers of some kind of moon. I don’t know what he is hiding from me but whatever it is, he doesn’t like thinking about it.

[ Astvar ]

“And how did we… all sleep and you were the only one awake?”

[ Eric ]

“I’m not a hundred percent sure but I think they put something in food or drinks so that’s how everyone was affected and it didn’t work on me because I’m resistant to poison.”

[ Astvar ]

“How are you resistant to poison?” Asked Astvar and to his question, I responded by showing my tattoo to him. “Ah… That explains it.”

[ Eric ]

“It doesn’t look like they stole something from us. Whatever they wanted, they found it in the underwater temple.”

[ Astvar ]

“And about stolen things… Can you show me that sword?”

[ Eric ]

“I didn’t steal it… I found it!” I said as I gave the sword to Astvar.

[ Astvar ]

“Hmm… It looks like it’s not only a very well-made sword but an artifact of god…”

[ Eric ]

“It explains this sudden burst of power. Looks like I made a good decision by taking it.”

After all this time I finally saw the mountain. This characteristic mountain of my island. When we were close to the village I could see the fortification on the shore. Spikes, holes, walls with small windows to shoot from. The sand wasn’t just yellow. It was also green and red. In one hole there were so many bodies of monsters that they were protruding from the hole.

On the dock, there was Hakon with two guards waiting for us. All of them had their weapons ready. Guards had spears and Hakon had a bag of javelins and one of them in his hand ready to throw. It didn’t look like a warm welcome but it’s safer that way.

[ Hakon ]

“Earlier than we expected… But I think it’s better that way!” Shouted Hakon as we were docking.

[ Astvar ]

“We just came to an agreement faster than usual!” Shouted Astvar from the ship.

When we docked the ship Astvar wanted to greet his son with a hug but he didn’t move an inch and just signaled to follow him to the shore.

[ Hakon ]

“We can say our greetings later. It’s not safe by the water.”

I didn’t see anything but in a second he turned to his left and threw the javelin into the water. After that, he just walked straight forward and so did everyone else. I looked behind in the place where he shoot and saw something going toward the surface. It was one of those fish-looking monsters hit right in the head.

[ Hakon ]

“Now! Sorry for the cold welcome… but a few days after you left at least two monsters appear here every day. No one died… Only one man lost his hand.”

[ Astvar ]

“Thanks gods…” Said Astvar with relief after hearing about no one dying from the attacks of those monsters.

[ Eric ]

“There is going to be more… But I don’t know the source yet…”

[ Hakon ]

“There will be more… This winter might be the hardest ever that this village went through…” Said worried Hakon.

[ Eric ]

“Whatever might be the reason… I’ll help however I can!”

[ Hakon ]

“Thank you.” Said Hakon while Astvar almost started to cry after hearing me.

[ Eric ]

“Oh, Before I forget. Hakon. How’s going taming the wolves?”

[ Hakon ]

“Umm… They don’t attack us anymore but now they just ignore us…”

[ Eric ]

“Hmm… I might have an idea. Will you help me Skyge?”

[ Skyge ]

“SURE!” Barked Skyge as he wiggled his tail.

The wolves were kept in a room of Astvar’s dead son. All furniture was taken out to not be destroyed. The only things left were carpets and a few chairs. There were a few buckets with water and a few for food. Not the best place for dogs but what else they could do… Those wolves aren’t tamed yet.

[ Eric ]

“Okey Skyge. Get them to cooperate with us!”

Skyge jumped off my shoulder and transformed into his real size. Slightly bigger than those wolves and he howled. Every wolf slowly approached Skyge and laid down with their heads down and silently squeaked.

[ Eric ]

“Looks like they are obedient to you. Let’s take them for a walk. Make them follow me when they would try running away, let me do the work. If it doesn’t work for me, you’ll interfere. Got that?”

[ Skyge ]

“What does interfere mean?” Asked curious Skyge as he tilted his little head.

[ Eric ]

“Oh, yeah… Sometimes I forget how young you really are. Interfere means… If it doesn’t work you’ll take an action and do something about it.”

[ Skyge ]

“Oh… OKAY!” Happily said Skyge.

Once again I got the whole village's attention. Well… What else would I expect from walking with a pack of wolves and one of them with horns at that!

[ Hakon ]

“Nothing to worry people! We have everything under control!” Shouted Hakon as he walked behind the pack with Skyge.

In the village I let Skyge calm every wolf down that barked or growled at people. After that, we got close to the forest. One wolf slowly wandered away and he didn’t listen to me so Skyge jumped in front of him and scared him toward the pack. Not the best result but at least the wolves no longer ignore us. They at least turn around and look at us when we call them.

[ Eric ]

“Hakon. We need to change a few things a bit.”

[ Hakon ]

“What things?”

[ Eric ]

“At least once a day take them out for a walk. It doesn’t need to be a whole pack at once if that’s not the problem and the next time you feed them don’t throw everything into a bucket. Give them food directly from your hand. Giving them food like that can mean ‘I wanna be your friend’ or ‘You can trust me.’ Do you understand?”

[ Hakon ]

“More or less… Yeah. Got it.”

[ Eric ]

“And the ones who behave the best… name them and it would be best to give them to someone you trust like your father or even one for yourself. It’ll be a companion for life.”

[ Hakon ]

“But aren’t wolves’ life sho…”

[ Eric ]

“A! A! A… You’ll understand what I mean once you find one that you like. Also, wolves would be perfect pets for hunters. Skyge take three wolves and go hunting with them. We’ll wait here.”

I said as I sat on a rock.

[ Skyge ]

“But… I don’t know how to hunt…” Said a bit sad Skyge.

[ Eric ]

“Nothing to worry about. It should be natural for you. You’re a giant wolf after all!”

[ Skyge ]

“Okey!” Said Skyge as he took three wolves with him. Those wolves certainly looked happy about going hunting.

[ Eric ]

“Hakon. Where I come from hunters use dogs to help with the hunt. A trained dog can be very useful. They have a better sense of smell and they are faster so they can catch small prey that you didn’t hit with a bow. Does the village have a hunter or someone like that?”

[ Hakon ]

“Yeah. There was. Old man Sorir. He doesn’t hunt anymore because he can’t draw a bow like he used to.”

[ Eric ]

“Then we can make him go hunt again.”

[ Hakon ]

“Is it a good idea?”

[ Eric ]

“I think so. The best companions for old people are pets. You’ll be surprised how helpful they might be.”