The farmland lay wide and quiet under the early morning sun. Low fences stretched across the green hills like stitched seams, and small barns stood in the distance. It was peaceful.
Liora and Tessa followed the dirt path toward the largest of the farms, where a man with gray-streaked hair was already tending to a flock of nervous sheep.
As they approached, he straightened up and wiped his hands on a cloth.
"You, the adventurers from the guild?" he asked.
Liora nodded. "We're here about the wolf sightings. I'm Liora, and this is Tessa."
"Name's Darrek," the man replied. "You're just in time. They've been creeping closer to the outer fence. Took a lamb two nights ago. Found blood and tufts of fur near the eastern ridge."
Tessa flinched slightly at the detail, but kept her posture firm.
Darrek gestured toward a second man approaching from a nearby plot, his son, by the look of it. "We've seen at least four, maybe five. No alpha sighted. They're smart, staying low and fast."
"They're testing your perimeter," Liora muttered. "Won't be long before they try again."
Darrek gave a grim nod. "Figured as much. That's why I requested help."
With information in hand, Liora and Tessa began patrolling the fence line where the last attack had happened. The eastern fields were covered in tall grass, swaying in the breeze. Trees gathered toward the back of the property, perfect cover for a stalking predator.
Tessa walked a few paces behind Liora, eyes scanning every movement.
"I keep expecting them to just... jump out," she said.
"That's the point," Liora replied. "They want you to lower your guard."
She paused, crouching near a bent fence post. Fresh pawprints. Deep ones.
"They're nearby," Liora whispered. "Get ready."
A sharp rustle in the bushes was all the warning they got. One wolf leapt from the tall grass with a snarl, its fangs bared.
Liora moved fast, sword flashing as she parried its strike, her boot slamming into its ribs to send it rolling.
"Two more on the right!" Tessa yelled, drawing her short blade.
The wolves circled fast, jaws snapping. Tessa held her stance, keeping her back to Liora's as they moved together. Another wolf lunged, and Tessa ducked, driving her blade across its side before it could land on her.
"Nice hit!" Liora called out, spinning to keep another at bay. "Don't chase them, make them come to us!"
They held their position near a stone wall, forcing the wolves into tighter angles. One tried to circle, but Liora was ready, she ducked low, slashing clean and fast, forcing it to limp back, wounded.
Tessa kept her breathing even, blocking another lunge and countering with a well-timed stab.
The last wolf let out a low growl and turned to flee.
"Let it go," Liora said, panting. "We've done enough."
The two adventurers stood still for a moment, their backs rising and falling with deep breaths. Around them, three wolves lay unconscious or defeated, one dead, two badly injured and fleeing.
"Think they'll stay away now?" Tessa asked, wiping sweat from her brow.
"For a while, yes," Liora replied. "But the farmers will need to reinforce those fences."
They dragged the bodies into view and marked the signs for guild confirmation.
Darrek met them near the barn, his son already preparing fresh fencing.
"We saw it from the hill," he said. "Looks like you handled it well."
Liora nodded. "Two fled with wounds. One won't be coming back. You'll be safe for now."
He handed her a cloth pouch heavy with silver and a grateful nod. "We appreciate it. Especially doing it fast and clean."
Tessa smiled faintly as they turned to leave. "Not bad for our team quest, right?"
Liora gave her a small grin. "You're holding up better than most rookies I've met."
As they walked back toward the village gate, the sun was higher in the sky, and the danger behind them for now.
And though their blades were stained and their arms tired, the feeling in their chests was warm.