Celise and Erevan spotted something up ahead at the same time. Erevan planted his feet in the snow and came to a skidding halt. Two wolves stood before them. One with a freshly caught rabbit dead in its jaws.

The one with the rabbit quickly pulled back while the other moved forward growling defensively.

“Kalile, reach inside the rucksack closest to you on the sled.” Erevan said.

“What?” Kalile, despite her confusion, did so.

Inside was salted venison. She grabbed a slice and handed it up to Erevan.

“Go get it!” Erevan waved the meat and tossed it far to the left.

The wolves dashed away towards the meat.

“We could have taken them.” Celise said as the party started moving again.

“We would risk further injury or even being delayed so long the pack catches up to us. And if you haven’t noticed. Everyone’s a little battered but you.” Erevan huffed as he dragged the sled.

Celise scoffed with disapproval. Almost as if the comment injured her pride.

“Darton needs medical attention.” Kalile said quietly to Celise.

The group moved without further discourse as Erevan forged ahead dragging the reins of his sled. They spotted the orc camp in the distance. Ozarrik whistled and the gates opened as Erevan charged through.

“Jaegar!” Erevan shouted. “Darton’s hurt!”

Jaegar, Warlord Graw’aud, and the female Speaker burst through the drapes covering the entrance to the giant skull. Erevan pulled the sled to them, breathing heavy, and struggled to keep his footing.

“You did good kid.” Jaegar said as he jogged past him.

He stopped at Darton and knelt down by his side. Jaeger first put a hand to his neck, then put his ear by Darton’s mouth. Darton’s chest moved slightly as he struggled to breath.

“He’s barely hanging on. He’ll die before we get him to town, let alone the compound.” Jaeger said.

“Their friend is dying.” Ozarrik quickly looked to the speaker for help and spoke in Old Pod to her.

“And for what? What do you have to show for it?” The Speaker crossed her arms and glared down at the shorter orc.

“We killed a Winter Wolf. There was at least one more in the wolf pack. We had to get him out so we retreated.” Ozarrik bowed his head. “Please help my new brothers and sisters in arms.”

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“You fought with them against a Winter Wolf?” The Speaker raised her eyebrows.

“And they fought as fierce as orcs.” Ozarrik added.

“Then we will help.” The Speaker almost reluctantly said.

Erevan translated to Jaegar as they talked. Jaegar seemed far more shocked than the Speaker that the teens fought a winter wolf. Jaegar moved out of the way as the Speaker called over two orc acolytes with robes and veils on. Both acolytes had one horn sticking out of their veil, but they each had their horn on a different side than the other.

The first acolyte focused on an incantation and began speaking an ancient dialect of orcish not even Erevan knew. Her spell stabilized Darton. The second acolyte did the same as she focused on a spell that buffered his life force with temporary energy.

Together they ensured his survival as the Speaker began her spell. In the same old orcish she bent his life force and fueled it. His eyes snapped open and he let out a scream as his flesh warped and the wounds closed.

As soon as the wounds closed and the Speaker stepped away Darton’s boar leapt onto his lap. The dwarf wrapped his arms around the boar as he began to sob. Kalile and Celise dropped to the snow overwhelmed with exhaustion in an instant as soon as the danger passed.

“What do I owe you for helping my friend?” Erevan asked in Old Pod to the Speaker.

“Nothing. The Warlord's son has been bloodied in combat against a winter wolf. This is a great honor to any child of the Frostblood Clan.” The Speaker commented.

“You would still allow me to stay here to build the ballista?” Erevan asked.

“Allow you?” The Speaker casted a curious glance at Erevan.

“I have no interest in human society.” Erevan admitted.

“Then you're an orc until you outlive your use.” The Speaker said as she turned and left.

Erevan walked over to his sled and pulled his fathers journal and charcoal out. Erevan hated practicing his writing, but had been forced by his father to learn the skill.

He quickly wrote down a list of components pertaining to the construction of a ballista. Erevan walked over to Jaegar who was kneeling next to Darton. The teen Burkwood handed the paper over to Jaegar.

The older hunter took the note, scanned it, before looking up at Erevan. His brows were furrowed.

“I can’t read.” Jaeger glared at Erevan.

“I can.” Darton snatched the paper from Jaegar and read the list. He nodded and mouthed a few things to himself.

“I need all of that to build their weapon.” Erevan put his hands on his hips.

“Wait, you’re really staying here?” Celise looked over at them.

“I gave my word.” Erevan said.

“You’re a good man.” Jaeger nodded in approval.

“The list?” Erevan turned to Darton. “What can you get?”

“My clan can get you all of this. I’ll take inventory of the stores in Arfall and the personal workshop in the hunter’s compound. But most of your mechanisms will arrive in two to three weeks time.” Darton answered.

“Agh. I’m glad that everyone worked so hard to save you. You're a real asset.” Erevan said with a pat on the side of his shoulder.

“You did most of the work.” Kalile looked at Erevan.

“I dragged his sorry ass down a mountain. All downhill. Didn’t even phase me.” Erevan waved her attempt at a compliment away.

“Yeah Kalile,” Celise stepped next to her, “you could tell that he didn’t even break a sweat by the way his heavy breathing imitated a beast in heat.”

“Alright. Before night falls. Let’s get back to Arfall.” Jaegar said cutting off any retort from Erevan.

He helped Darton onto his feet and corralled the two young female hunters. They started to head towards the gate. Erevan waved goodbye to them as the gates closed. Darton looked back with his boar piglet in his arms and waved goodbye.