Chapter 15: Wyvern
Leaving the golden wasteland bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, the Silver Dove caravan crossed into the shadowed foothills and slowly entered the deepening gloom of the Blackrock Mountains.
"The mountains are just ahead," Marcus Silverdove said as he rode beside Durant. "After passing through the valley, it will take another hour to reach Blackrock Village."
It was the fifth time he had tried to start a conversation.
Durant merely nodded.
Throughout the journey, the knight had remained exceptionally vigilant. His eyes constantly scanned the terrain. From time to time, he rode ahead to scout before returning without a word.
If all caravan guards were this responsible, Marcus would gladly pay double their wages.
The only flaw was that Durant spoke very little.
"Mm," Durant responded calmly.
Marcus had grown accustomed to that.
The group entered the valley, following a winding mountain path.
The road resembled a dried riverbed, covered in loose pebbles. The carriages struggled forward, slowing the entire procession.
Durant found it difficult to imagine how Marcus had discovered this hidden settlement in the first place.
Just as the thought crossed his mind—
A sharp whistle cut through the air from above.
"Shields up!" Durant barked.
The guards reacted instantly, raising their shields into defensive formation.
An arrow struck a tree trunk directly in front of the caravan.
It was a warning shot.
"Easy," Marcus called into the valley with a reassuring smile. "It's Marcus Silverdove—your old friend!"
His voice echoed against the mountain walls.
After a tense moment, silence returned.
As dusk thickened, a figure leapt down from the hillside ahead.
"Our people," Marcus said with relief, stepping forward.
Durant caught his arm.
"Mr. Silverdove," he said quietly, "if they ask about me, tell them I am one of your hired guards."
Marcus frowned. "Why?"
"They may not know about Lord Rhodes," Durant explained. "And I do not know their attitude toward him. It is better to avoid unnecessary complications."
Marcus studied him for a moment.
Something about the request felt deliberate.
But having come this far, he finally nodded.
"Very well."
"Thank you."
Marcus stepped forward to greet the newcomer.
"It is good to see you again, Renn, my friend. May the Light of Dawn shine upon you."
"I've been waiting all winter for you, my handsome friend," Renn replied with a grin, pulling Marcus into a firm embrace.
Marcus flushed but laughed awkwardly, gently pushing him back.
After exchanging pleasantries, Renn's gaze shifted to Durant.
"You reacted quickly," Renn observed. "You sensed my arrow before it arrived."
Durant studied him in silence.
Renn was close to his own age, broad-shouldered like Gunther, clad in rough leather armor with a weathered cloak draped across his back. A bow hung over his shoulder; a short blade rested at his waist.
He carried himself like a seasoned hunter.
Dangerous.
For a fleeting moment, Durant felt the instinct to draw his sword and eliminate the potential threat.
Reason prevailed.
"Of course," Marcus interjected smoothly. "I paid well for his protection."
Renn nodded, unconcerned.
"Come. We hunted three deer today. If we delay, we'll miss supper."
He turned and led the caravan deeper into the valley.
After a short distance, the road narrowed into a rocky gap too tight for the wagons to pass.
Marcus had expected this.
He ordered some servants to remain behind with the wagons while others prepared to carry the goods through on foot.
Before Marcus could finish giving instructions, Durant directed his men to shoulder the cargo and proceed through the narrow passage.
Ten meters later, the view opened suddenly.
A small village lay nestled within the forested basin.
Like Frostleaf Town, it was encircled by a wooden palisade over two meters high. Firelight flickered between thirteen wooden houses. Smoke rose from eleven cooking fires.
A five-meter watchtower stood at the center.
Under a crude shelter, a woman in furs stirred a pot over an open flame while several men butchered freshly killed deer.
The settlement felt tribal—rougher and more primitive than Frostleaf Town.
As Durant surveyed the surroundings, a tall, slender young woman approached.
"My daughter, Alyra," Renn introduced.
She bore little resemblance to her rugged father. Her features were delicate, her demeanor calm and self-possessed.
Marcus bowed politely.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Alyra. May the Light of Dawn shine upon you."
"Welcome back," she replied with a bright smile. "We've prepared many goods for trade."
Then she lowered her voice mysteriously.
"And you arrived at the perfect time. I found something special today."
"Oh?" Marcus's interest sharpened instantly. "What is it?"
Renn looked puzzled.
"You'll see," Alyra said, gesturing for them to follow.
Since he had not been invited, Durant remained outside.
He preferred it that way.
While Marcus and Renn followed Alyra into a wooden hut at the edge of the village, Durant memorized every detail he could—the tower height, house spacing, guard numbers, weapon placements.
He wasn't interested in whatever "special" treasure they had found.
He was calculating whether he and his men could seize the settlement if necessary.
Inside the hut, dried mushrooms and cured meats hung from the beams. Sacks of grain were stacked against the walls.
"Your storehouse?" Marcus asked curiously.
"The good stuff is here."
Alyra stepped to a pile of hay and pulled it aside.
Two oval objects lay hidden beneath.
They were slightly larger than watermelons, covered in dark blue scales that shimmered faintly in the firelight.
Marcus froze.
His eyes widened.
"Is this… a dragon egg?"
Alyra rolled her eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous. If it were a true dragon egg, we'd all be dead."
She crossed her arms.
"They're wyvern eggs."
Marcus inhaled sharply.
"Excellent," he murmured. "Wyverns are still draconic creatures. This is indeed valuable."
Only Renn did not share his enthusiasm.
His expression darkened.
"Are these from the wyvern that claimed the old mine?" he demanded sharply.
The hut fell silent.
(End of Chapter)