The morning light bathed Tierwyn's outskirts in a golden haze. Mist clung to the low grass, swirling around the trio's boots as they made their way along the eastern trade path. Birds chirped from tangled trees overhead, and the smell of dew, crushed herbs, and distant woodsmoke carried on the breeze. Mira walked ahead with practiced steps, occasionally brushing her fingers along the moss-covered trunks as if the trees whispered directions.
"Feels like a quiet day," Drathan said, adjusting his cloak lazily. "No quests. No explosions. Just a peaceful walk through potentially cursed wilderness."
"That's because we're not on contract," Mira replied without looking back. "Which means the danger will find us instead."
Seme snorted. "That's comforting."
"Don't jinx it," Kenshin added, cracking his knuckles.
They were a mile from the canyon trail when Mira slowed, her ears twitching.
"Voices," she murmured. "Caravan… and steel."
They crested a slope and spotted a modest merchant convoy rolling slowly down the road—three covered wagons pulled by stocky tusk-bulls, flanked by eight armored soldiers wearing matching red-tabard uniforms. At the head of the convoy rode a barrel-chested man in steel-plate armor, helm clipped to his saddle, revealing short gray hair and a scarred cheek.
Beside the first wagon, a portly man in fine silk robes rode a decorated palfrey. Two younger girls—likely his daughters—peeked out from the second wagon, one of them holding a small parasol against the light.
"Merchant escort," Mira said. "Looks Tierwyn-bound."
As they approached, the caravan halted. The armored captain raised a hand. "State your names and intent."
"We're adventurers," Seme replied, stepping forward. "Returning from patrol."
The merchant leaned forward. "Are you from the Tierwyn Guild?"
"Yes," Mira answered, showing her emblem. "Anything wrong?"
Before the merchant could reply, a sharp howl pierced the morning air. A moment later, a second answered it—closer.
The soldiers snapped into formation, weapons drawn.
"Damn," the captain muttered. "Marshwolves."
Drathan tilted his head. "Thought they stuck to the southern bog."
"They do," Mira said. "Unless something's pushed them north."
The howls turned to snarls as three sleek, long-legged wolves emerged from the tree line. Their fur was dark and matted, with greenish stripes running down their sides like moss-covered scars. Eyes glowed faintly yellow, and foam flecked from their jaws as they crept forward.
"Scouts," Mira hissed. "The pack isn't far."
Within moments, six more marshwolves broke through the underbrush—silent, fast, and hungry.
"Get behind the wagons!" the captain barked.
Kenshin surged forward. "Let's light 'em up."
The battle erupted as the wolves fanned out, two leaping for the lead wagon. Drathan blinked behind them, slashing with void daggers that tore clean through their sides, dispersing them into shimmering death motes.
Kenshin launched a storm arc through the trees—CRACK! ZZZAP!—catching three wolves mid-pounce.
Seme stood firm at the line, cutting through the flanking predators with brutal downward swings. Each strike ended in a flash of blood and steel.
Two wolves circled wide toward the rear wagon where the girls were hiding. Mira vaulted over the side, dual blades flashing. She kicked one away mid-leap, then buried a dagger in the other's throat before it could yelp.
"Stay low!" she called to the girls, then turned to engage another pair.
The captain and his soldiers formed a defensive semicircle but were being pushed hard.
"Ten more incoming!" Kenshin shouted, sparks racing across his arms.
"Void Shatter!" Drathan called, collapsing a wave of energy across the left flank. A thunderous pulse sent dirt and wolves flying.
Seme leapt to intercept the largest of the beasts—twice the size of the others, its back covered in bone-like ridges.
"Alpha's here," Mira warned.
The alpha lunged, jaws wide. Seme met it with a clash of metal, her boots skidding backward under the force.
"Tag in!" she barked.
Kenshin bolted in, lightning-blades igniting as he slashed into the alpha's side. The beast howled in fury.
Mira flanked left, cutting into its haunches, while Drathan used void chains to bind its limbs briefly. The team coordinated their attacks until, at last, Seme drove her sword between its ribs.
The alpha collapsed with a final hiss.
The remaining wolves scattered.
Silence fell. The road was littered with black blood, scorch marks, and steaming pawprints.
The merchant stepped forward, pale but unharmed. "You saved us."
"Part of the job," Mira replied, flicking blood off her blade.
The captain saluted. "Well fought. You're welcome to travel with us the rest of the way."
Drathan smiled. "We'll take the scenic route… and breakfast, if you're offering."
The daughters giggled softly from the wagon.
As the group began to move again, the two daughters practically bounced from the wagon steps. One—clearly the older of the two, with chestnut hair braided in a looped ribbon—ran straight to Drathan's side, looping her arm around his without asking.
"You were amazing," she gushed, eyes bright. "That void magic! So clean and deadly."
Drathan arched an eyebrow, letting her cling without complaint. "What can I say? I aim to impress—and dismember."
The younger sister, blonde with curls and sharp eyes, latched onto Kenshin's elbow. "You move like a storm incarnate! Are all adventurers this handsome?"
Kenshin blinked, suddenly more self-conscious than usual. "Uh… sometimes?"
Seme walked ahead, face neutral but very clearly smirking.
The merchant, now visibly calmer, steered his mount closer to Mira. "Please, allow me to properly thank you once we reach the city. Dinner, coin, favor—whatever's appropriate. My name is Marick Othwell, spice and textile trader. Those are my daughters, Nelya and Jissa."
Mira nodded respectfully. "We're happy to assist, Master Othwell."
Marick gestured proudly at the wagons. "We're transporting rare desert spices from Velnar, silk from the east archipelago, and a sealed crate of bluefire crystals for the mage's guild. Everything was bound for Tierwyn's upper market until those beasts came."
Drathan whistled. "That's some precious cargo. Glad we didn't let it become wolf chow."
As they traveled, conversation turned light. The daughters peppered Drathan and Kenshin with questions about battles, monsters, and life as adventurers. Mira kept a careful watch on the treeline, but even she relaxed enough to share a story or two.
By the time the towers of Tierwyn came into view, the caravan felt less like a job and more like a procession of friends—and flirtations.
The merchant's promise of reward loomed pleasantly on the horizon.