As the first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, casting warm orange hues across the camp, the air was still bitingly cold. Wisps of mist rose from the ground, swirling gently as the sun's warmth began to stir the landscape awake.

Arvind shivered as he sat up, feeling the chill against his skin. Dressing quickly, he chose not to wake Anika, who lay peacefully nearby. He muttered softly to himself, taking in the stunning sight of the early sunrise. "The sun's up earlier today," he noted, exhaling as he recalled the nerve-racking night before, filled with distant roars that had left him on edge. Despite the tense night, the warm sunlight and breathtaking scenery offered a quiet solace.

Looking around, he saw the camp slowly stirring to life. The knights were already at work, their faces weary from a night spent on high alert. His gaze settled on Aldric, who was emerging from a restless sleep, still clad in his armor, his face haggard. A complex mix of gratitude and frustration filled Arvind as he watched Aldric, remembering the knight's silent vigilance through the night.

Aldric's eyes opened, and he took a deep breath, shifting stiffly in his armor. Last night, he had assigned two of his men to stand guard while he slept lightly, ready to spring into action at the slightest noise. Despite his private disapproval of Arvind's leadership, he was determined to protect the camp. Aldric rose and approached his two guards. "Any disturbances?" he asked, his voice rough from sleep.

"All was quiet, sir," one of the knights responded, his face lined with exhaustion. The other nodded in agreement. Satisfied, Aldric ordered, "Good. I'll check the defenses myself. You two get an hour of rest, then switch with the others." He pointed to a section of the camp. "You, check the flank; I'll take the front."

The knight saluted and moved swiftly, his armor clinking faintly. As Aldric inspected the camp's perimeter, his gaze fell on the line of sharpened logs and tripwires they had set up. Each trap lay undisturbed, giving him a sense of relief.

Suddenly, a shout pierced the morning calm. "Your Excellency! There's a disturbance!" Aldric's heart pounded as he raced toward the sound, hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword. He found a knight pointing toward a section of the camp where one of the traps lay in disarray.

Approaching cautiously, Aldric scanned the ground, noting the tracks around the disrupted trap. His grip on his sword loosened as he exhaled slowly. "Just a boar," he muttered, allowing the tension to ease from his voice. "Nothing to worry about. Return to your post."

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Nearby, Shankar approached Arvind with a respectful nod. "Good morning, my lord."

Arvind turned, pulled from his thoughts. "Morning, Shankar. What are you busy with?"

"I'm checking our supplies. I suspect someone might have tampered with them," Shankar replied, a crease of worry on his forehead.

Arvind's stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger. He found Anika preparing their breakfast. "What's for breakfast today?" he asked with a warm smile.

"Bread, as usual, my lord," she replied, though her smile faded slightly. "Our supplies are dwindling."

Arvind's expression tightened. "We need to quicken our pace," he decided, his voice firm. Anika's face brightened, a hint of relief showing in her eyes.

After a quiet breakfast, Arvind and his companions prepared to continue their journey. The caravan—an assortment of wagons, horses, and provisions—began to roll forward, the sound of creaking wheels breaking the morning stillness. As they moved deeper into the wilderness, a sense of unease lingered in the air, like a warning yet unspoken.

Suddenly, Aldric halted the convoy, his face unusually tense. "Something's wrong," he muttered, his voice laced with concern. "I think we're being followed."

One of the knights relayed Aldric's suspicion to Arvind, who approached him with a frown. "What's the matter, Aldric?" he asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Aldric's jaw clenched. "From my experience, my lord, I'd say we're being stalked. Could be a beast," he said grimly.

Arvind's face tightened. "Is there another route we could take to avoid it?"

Aldric shook his head. "No, my lord. We have only two options: fight or risk an ambush."

After a moment's hesitation, Arvind's gaze steeled with determination. "Then we'll face them head-on. We can't wait for them to make the first move."

Aldric nodded, a fierce grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "A wise choice, my lord." He turned to the other knights and barked orders. "Six of you, stay close to the lord. The rest, prepare for battle! Likely a wolf pack."

The knights exchanged wary glances, but their faces hardened with resolve. Arvind watched them prepare, feeling the weight of responsibility settle upon him. This would be a test not just of their strength, but of his own leadership.

With a sharp command, Aldric and his knights charged forward. The clash was swift and brutal, a flurry of snarls, snapping jaws, and gleaming swords. The alpha wolf, an enormous beast with burning eyes and a coat matted with mud and scars, leapt forward with terrifying speed, targeting Aldric. Its movements were precise, every shift and snarl betraying a dangerous intelligence.

Aldric's breath was labored, his muscles straining with every swing of his sword. He knew he needed to end this quickly. Letting out a battle cry, he lunged at the wolf, his sword a blur. The alpha dodged, snapping its jaws in retaliation, narrowly missing Aldric's arm.

The fight stretched on, the air thick with tension and the metallic smell of blood. Aldric felt his strength waning, each strike slower than the last. His vision blurred with sweat, but he gritted his teeth and dug deep. With a final burst of energy, he swung his sword, the blade catching a faint blue glow. It struck the wolf's flank, sinking deep. The creature howled, stumbling back.

For a moment, a hush fell over the clearing. Then, as if sensing their leader's defeat, the rest of the pack hesitated, some retreating, others snarling uncertainly. Aldric staggered back, his chest heaving, as he kept his sword raised, prepared for any last attack.

Relief washed over the camp as the remaining wolves slinked away, melting into the shadows of the forest. The knights, exhausted and bruised, exchanged glances of weary triumph. They had survived this test, and as Arvind looked over his men, he felt a renewed sense of respect for their loyalty and bravery.

The journey was far from over, but together, they had faced this threat.