Connor, Reya, and Gabriela were sitting around the dining table having breakfast when they returned.

Gabriela jerked up in surprise, nearly overturning her bowl of porridge. “Tryle! What are you — I thought you’d decided to go back to your village already.”

Tryle slid his rucksack off his shoulder and plunked himself into the rocking chair. “I did. Until your grandma decided now was finally a good time to detain me.”

“That’s enough whining out of you, Bodkin. This is merely a precaution.”

“A precaution against what?” asked Reya.

Connor dunked his raisin bread into a bowl of honey. “I’m sure Bodkin wanted to come back for a trinket he’d forgotten to purloin. Why else would a goblin overstay its welcome?”

Tryle bared his teeth. “Trust me, human, I’d like to be well on my way by now, if only to avoid having to look at your stupid face.”

“I must say, it is hard to tell if you’re telling an outright lie or a misleading truth. Even so, your departure is long overdue.”

“Hush, Connor,” said Reya curtly. Connor looked taken aback, but Reya’s gaze was focused on Henna. The bodyguard in her had taken over. “You were saying, Your Majesty?”

“Thank you, Reya. Bodkin here has reported seeing signs of a mysterious creature in the woods a few weeks ago. A creature that by other accounts in his tribe point to that of a Berserker Wolf.”

“A Berserker Wolf?” said Gabriela. “Are you sure?”

“As sure as what has been reported to me.”

“But why are you so concerned about what the goblins might have seen? Berserker Wolves are just legends. They’re supposed to be extinct.”

“They were not so extinct in the Big War,” said Henna grimly. “And I am quite aware of not being able to kill all of them at the time. To see Berserker Wolves nowadays would not be a violation of the Daoda Treaty, but even the appearance of one so close to the boundaries of the kingdom is cause for concern.”

Connor scoffed. “Why? It would be one foul beast among many others.”

“You were not alive during the Shadowlands War, Your Highness,” said Cadoc heavily. “Even as a young boy, I heard tales of their savagery. The Berserker Wolves were the vanguard of the monster armies, notorious for their strength and cunning. They struck from the shadows and could tear a man in half with their bare claws. Many knights have died trying to slay them.”

“Which brings me to my main point,” said Henna. “The three of you are leaving after you’re done with breakfast. I want you all packed and on your way before this afternoon.”

“What!?” exclaimed Gabriela. “But we practically just got here.”

“I’m not taking any chances. I want you, Connor, and Reya out of here and back on the road to Medeira by nightfall. Reya will take over knight-guard duties until such time Cadoc rejoins you or you are safe back at the palace.”

“But what about you?”

“Bodkin’s tribe is still out here. I must warn them to clear out before any of them gets hurt. In the meantime, I want Bodkin close by so he doesn’t get snatched up like the juicy little dumpling that he is. Sir Cadoc and I will monitor the situation for a time and pin down the beast’s location.”

Tryle shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unsure if he should be offended or not.

“And what happens if you come across this Berserker Wolf?” demanded Gabriela.

Cadoc said, “We will do what we must.”

Connor thumped his fist on the table. “Are you really asking us to retreat due to a goblin’s imagination?”

“It’s for your own safety.”

“You are asking me to trust the word of a goblin, Grandma.”

“No, I am asking you to trust me.”

Gabriela crossed her arms. “I’m not leaving.”

“Look here, young lady —”

“I didn’t ride all the way out here just to leave this soon. And if the Wolf turns out to be real, why would I abandon you and Cadoc to deal with it by yourselves? No, I’m staying.”

“This is a Berserker Wolf, Your Highness,” interjected Cadoc. “Not some common woodland sprite. It’s best if you leave this matter to the myself and the Queen.”

“You’re not in the best shape to be fighting, Grandma.”

Henna’s eyes narrowed. “I beg your pardon, dearie, but what exactly do you mean by that?”

“I know what you’ve accomplished, Grandma, but there’s no shame in admitting your glory days have passed.”

“I am quite capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much. And if recent events are proof of anything, I would say others know it. Just ask Bodkin over there what shape his tribal mates were in after I was done with them.”

“All the same…”

Henna drew herself up to her full height, her tumbling white hair fluffing out like thunderclouds. “I am not some helpless, tired old lady for you to fuss and worry about! You should have seen me in my prime! I slayed ice giants and dragons with nothing but the broken ends of a spear! I bashed in the heads of thousands of ogres and ba she and wolfmen and sent them packing back to the Shadowlands! I beheld the Vulcane Orb and scorched my enemies into fields of ash! Even now, the bards are still composing new ballads about my strength. Both of you are leaving this cottage, whether you like it or not! Now, if you excuse me, I am going to draw myself a bath. Unless you think I am in imminent danger of scrubbing myself to death!”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Henna stalked off to the bathroom, her heavy tread causing the floorboards to squeak.

“Bathing alone at her age does carry a risk,” muttered Gabriela. “Old people are more prone to slipping.”

Connor shook his head, reaching for another slice of raisin bread. “I cannot believe she is taking this matter so seriously. A Berserker Wolf…really!”

“That’s what I said,” cut in Tryle morosely.

“Your Highnesses, I must ask you to reconsider,” said Cadoc.

“I’m not going anywhere,” replied Gabriela.

Cadoc exchanged a look with Reya, then sighed. “As you wish.”

At noon, Tryle, Henna, and Cadoc walked out to the middle of the fields. A cloaked, diminutive figure with pointy ears was already waiting for them, carrying a recurve bow with an arrow half-strung in one child-like hand. Curly, pale-pink hair spilled out from under its hood.

Tryle beamed. “Opal! I knew it was you! Nobody else could’ve made that shot.”

For a moment, Opal’s face brightened with relief. Then her eyes narrowed at the two humans flanking him.

She said in Goblano, “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine! The grandma’s been taking care of me ever since I got injured in the raid. There’s no need to worry — these humans don’t want to fight.”

Opal flicked her gaze from Henna to Cadoc and back again. “That’s not what Gumbo said. Apparently this grandma roughed them up pretty good.”

“Gumbo?” said Tryle incredulously. “He’s alive?”

“We found him about ten miles from here eating wild mushrooms off a log. Chief Jrunta ordered the rescue party.”

“I hate to interrupt your reunion, Bodkin,” said Henna sweetly. “But I’m afraid I don’t speak your tongue. Opal…is that your name?”

“You need to let Tryle go immediately,” replied Opal in a steely tone. Her English was as good as Tryle’s, but her accent was better, her syllables sharper.

“I will, dear, in due time. But we have a more pressing matter to discuss.”

“I find that really hard to believe.”

Cadoc shifted his bulk uneasily; he was still wearing his breastplate, arm bracers, and scabbard. “Unstring your bow and we can parlay.”

Opal didn’t move. “I will if you toss away that sword.”

“See reason, goblin. You’re outnumbered two-to-one.”

“So I have good reason to stay armed. D’you really think I’m that stupid?”

Cadoc tilted his head appraisingly. “No, I don’t think I do.”

“Then I guess we’ll both be talking with pointy things in our hands.”

“Why are you here by yourself?” said Tryle. “Where’s the rest of the rescue party?”

“They refused to go along with your meeting terms,” said Opal with chagrin. “The Chief said it would show weakness and wanted to wait until the time he chose.”

“A hard-headed one, indeed,” observed Henna. “You clearly don’t agree with him.”

Opal gave her a defiant look. “Jrunta’s going to give me an earful when he finds out I’ve come here on my own, but I came to make sure Tryle was safe. And to ask you to give him up peacefully before anyone else gets hurt.”

“Like you, I am also concerned for Bodkin’s safety. Which is why I want him in my care until we know for sure it is safe for him to return home.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was told members of your tribe saw a Berserker Wolf while they were scouting my home for their little raid.”

“Those were rumors. I’ve seen nothing unusual on my journey here.”

“But Bodkin did.”

Opal gave Tryle a questioning look. He shrugged and said, “I saw something when we raided the cottage. But it could’ve been a Midnight Owl. They also have big, glowing eyes.”

“Whatever he saw sounded like a Wolf to me,” said Henna. “So out of an abundance of caution, I want Bodkin close by to keep an eye on him. I advise you and your tribe to clear out for a week or so while my knight and I secure the area. Your presence here might give it some easy snacks. Wolves and goblins have historically had a bit of a one-sided culinary relationship, from what I hear.”

“Oh sure,” said Opal sarcastically. “When the wolves are real, that is. And not long-lost mythical beasts that never leave the Shadowlands.” She looked at Tryle. “You’re going along with this?”

Tryle glanced helplessly between her and Henna. “If it makes things easier. I don’t want things to get out of control. Just tell Jrunta not to do anything stupid.”

“What makes you think he’ll listen to me? Technically, I’m not supposed to be here. If the humans don’t let you go, I can almost guarantee we’re going to come get you, whether you like it or not. Gumbo’s been telling anyone who’ll listen that you’ve been brainwashed and we need to break you out of the cottage by force.”

“They will find that task a bit more difficult than the last time,” said Cadoc dryly.

“I will be back here in the evening should your people wish to talk, dear,” said Henna. “Though it will be considerably more dangerous. When not directed in battle otherwise, Berserker Wolves almost exclusively hunt at night.”

Opal seemed to be having an internal conflict. Finally she said, “As long as Tryle isn’t being held against his will, I don’t see any reason to fight you. But I can’t promise anything.”

“Neither can I, dear. Hopefully, I’m wrong. But I suspect I’m not.”

Henna turned around and began walking back to the cottage. Cadoc, on the other hand, kept his hand on the hilt of his sword as he backed away. So did Opal, holding her bow pointed down but at the ready.

“It’s really good to see you,” Tryle called after her.

Despite the worry on her face, Opal gave him a half-smile and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. We’re gonna get you home, Tryle. Don’t blow yourself up before then.”

They had a few hours before Henna and Cadoc were to meet Jrunta and the rest of the tribe. Until then, cottage life went on. Cadoc went to assist Henna with chopping wood for the fireplace while Connor trained once more with Reya in the front yard. Only Gabriela stayed inside to continue a knitting project she had started since the beginning of her journey from the castle.

Meanwhile, Tryle was ordered to stay within the boundaries of the cottage and wait. Too restless to sketch in his notebooks or ruminate on scientific theory, he paced in circles around the main room while counting his steps. He factorized every number in intervals of seven to distract himself, willing for the seconds to pass by.

When that didn’t work, he tried preoccupying himself by restarting a few of Henna’s old books he’d previously given up on. They had bizarre titles like Bingjiao Feng and the Pewter Fox and The Eight Songs of Liguo Sun. So far, he’d managed to get ten pages into Journey of a Thousand Suns before he started getting a headache. The book was about a prince searching for his long-lost bride in a skybound realm of clouds at the end of the world. In the book, the world was flat. Tryle nearly closed the book after reading that.

Gabriela came out of her room and sat in the rocking chair beside him. He pointedly ignored her as she worked in silence on a pair of rainbow-striped earmuffs.

“What are you reading?”

Not looking at her, Tryle wordlessly tilted the cover up so she could see the title.

“That’s one of Grandma’s favorites. A kingdom classic. Do you like it?”

“I’ve been reading the same page for the last fifteen minutes,” said Tryle bluntly.

“Must be a good page.”

“To bore you out of your skull? Absolutely. Counting the threads in the rug I’m sitting on would be more entertaining, but I already did when I first got here. The knot density looks to be four hundred fifty. Seems high-quality.”

“You don’t have to read. Take a nap.”

“These books usually help me do that.”

“I could read you a different story.”

“You could go away.”

They lapsed into silence.

“You know, Tryle, I think…I think you and I could be good friends.”

“Why do you think so?” said Tryle coolly.

“You’re like me. You play by the rules and abide by the customs, but at the end of the day, you answer only to the questions in your own mind.”

Tryle said nothing. Gabriela went back to her room, leaving Tryle to listen to the disembodied clacks of her needles fading down the hallway.