They set out the next morning after a hearty breakfast of jerky. As they prepared to leave, Lance noticed something intriguing about the caravan. Many people weren't just merchants; they were mercenaries and hired guards. Among them, to his astonishment, was an actual wizard. Despite the previous day's events, Lance couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
The wizard, a grizzled man with a long gray beard and twinkling eyes, noticed Lance's stare. “Hey there, son. Heard you’re goin’ t’ Elderglen. Fine college, that is. I learned all I know from there. Didn’t really graduate, though. Got kicked out for raiding the mess hall.”
Lance couldn't help but smile. “Really? What’s your name?”
“Name’s Alaric,” the wizard replied with a grin. “Stick with me, lad. You might learn a thing or two.”
The caravan started marching toward Valoria, the city where Elderglen Institute was located. As they reached the outskirts of the Blackwood Forest, Lance couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The trees loomed tall and dense, their shadows casting eerie patterns on the ground.
Alaric came up beside him. “No matter how many times ye go through it, the Blackwood always gives a chill down yer spine.”
Suddenly, there was a yelp and a scream. Someone shouted something in a language Lance didn't know, and there was a rush of movement. Everybody scrambled. People drew their swords, and archers pulled back their bowstrings. In the front, a strange creature emerged from the shadows. It was the largest wolf Lance had ever seen, with fangs jutting out of its mouth and spikes along its back.
“Dire Wolves,” said Alaric. “Dangerous creatures, and this one seems to be a full-grown male.”
A man Lance didn’t know charged the wolf with a longsword, but with a swipe of its paw, the man was knocked back. He didn’t get up. Despite his poor sense of the Lifestream, Lance suddenly sensed it building up around the dire wolf.
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Alaric shouted, “Cover your ears!”
Lance instinctively clasped his hands over his ears, but others weren’t so quick. The wolf released a yowl, not just any call—this held power. Shockwaves of the Lifestream rippled against Lance's skin, but he didn't let go of his ears. Whoever hadn’t covered their ears instantly fell asleep.
When the call ended, the only two left standing were Alaric and Lance. The wizard looked at Lance and said, “Distract the beast!”
Alaric closed his eyes and furrowed his brow in concentration. Lance, heart pounding, tried to distract the wolf. He shouted and waved his arms. The dire wolf’s eyes locked onto him, and it lunged. Lance barely dodged the first swipe, rolling to the side and scrambling to his feet. The beast was fast—too fast. It lunged again, and Lance ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as the wolf's claws swiped overhead.
Ember growled fiercely at the wolf, nipping at its heels to draw its attention. The wolf snarled, snapping at Ember, but the agile hellhound dodged and darted away. Lance took the opportunity to grab a fallen branch, wielding it like a makeshift weapon.
The dire wolf turned back to Lance, eyes glowing with malice. It lunged once more, and Lance swung the branch with all his might. The impact threw the wolf off balance, but only for a moment. It recovered quickly, circling Lance with predatory intent.
Sweat poured down Lance’s face as he kept his eyes on the beast. He could feel the Lifestream pulsing around the creature, a tangible aura of power. The wolf lunged again, and Lance sidestepped, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws. He stumbled but regained his footing, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Ember continued to harry the wolf, his small form darting in and out, distracting the beast. The wolf growled in frustration, turning its attention between Lance and Ember. Lance seized the moment, swinging the branch again, striking the wolf’s side.
The beast howled in anger and pain, but it was far from defeated. It bared its fangs and charged at Lance with terrifying speed. Just as it was about to pounce, a spike shot up from the earth, impaling the creature.
Lance fell back, gasping for breath, as the dire wolf collapsed, lifeless. Alaric helped him up, a look of admiration in his eyes. “Well, that was close. Good job, lad. You’ve got guts.”
Lance nodded, still shaking from the encounter. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without Ember.”
Alaric chuckled. “That pup’s got spirit, just like you. Now, let’s wake up the others before more of these beasts show up.”