It was almost comical how easily Thistle’s team fell into this trap of the wolves now that she thought about it. The pack leader smelled possible prey, had their pack finish their drinking, feigned a retreat, and then started prodding the group once they let their guards down with conversation and refilling their supplies. It was basic tactics, but they were effective. As to why the pack leader was doing this, Thistle couldn’t guess. All she knew was that there was a threat, and it had to be removed or neutered.

In an instant her team fell into position. Thistle and Blade stood in front of Ashroot’s shield, guarding his flanks. Sheath was in front, ready to take on the easiest target with Pine on her right flank to both protect Thistle and Blade along with providing extra support with his spear’s reach.

“Ashroot, right there!” Thistle shouted, pointing toward the glimpses of bright yellow behind the trees.

Ashroot fired in the pack leader’s direction, hearing the thunk of a hard arrow hitting wood.

Both Thistle and Ashroot clicked their tongues. The pack leader was smart enough to change positions when spotted. “Keep a lookout for it but focus on any wolf getting close to Pine’s exposed flank.”

“Got it,” He pulled back another arrow and kept sight on Pine’s left side. Three wolves darted into the gap, and Ashroot shot one of them down with a single arrow.

Thistle followed up on the opening, channeling mana through her leg and swung it right into another approaching wolf’s jaw. Empowered by the mana surging through her limb, she felt the bones within the wolf’s jaw snap as if she kicked a wooden board during training. Thistle looked over to the right, seeing Sheath viciously tearing and stabbing into another wolf with her short spears and Pine pushing another back with his spear and keeping Sheath’s flank secure. So far, everything was going well. “Blade, any more wolves approaching?” Thistle shouted.

Blade paused, looking into the sky for a moment as she heard a few loud caws from a larger raptor, then shook her head. “We’re clear!” She said.

Thistle nodded, watching the battlefield as things unfolded. Sheath and Pine were keeping wolves occupied in the front, Blade’s scouting support left little chance of surprises and further ambushes, and Ashroot was slowly thinning down the wolves numbers with accurate shots. About four wolves were down, three of them confirmed dead thanks to Blade and Ashroot’s lethality. And after a fifth wolf went down thanks to Blade’s ruthless stabs a deep howl rang throughout the forest. All the wolves froze in place for a moment, looking into the trees and hearing a few rough growls before the remaining pack started to dart off in retreat.

“Should I take a shot?”

Thistle glanced at Ashroot, pursing her lips as she debated. “Only if they’re in range and no more than two. If they’re smart enough to retreat after losing this many then picking off too many and pissing them off could be dangerous.” She decided. “Letting them lead us somewhere they have the advantage would be a bad move if we pursued as well, so we’ll call it here.”

Ashroot gave a reluctant nod, frowning.

Thistle didn’t feel like the choice was right, but it was better to play things safe. Elves were fast, but not fast enough to catch up with mana-enhanced wolfs retreating to their den. And if that little ambush taught her one thing it was that this pack might be smart enough to have a trap laying in wait for anyone foolish enough to pursue them. No, they probably did have a trap, and this quick retreat was bait.

“I say we go after them,” Sheath said, glaring at Thistle. “We already have them scared, might as well finish them off.”

Thistle opened her mouth to speak, but Pine spoke up first.

“There’s only five of us, Sheath.” He said bluntly. “We’re a patrol and scouting team, not a hunting or combat squad. We’re only here to make sure everything is as it should be and report to the village if things aren’t. You and me are the only frontline fighters.”

Sheath crossed her arms, not relenting. “We have a healer and a spellcaster that can fight in the front too, Pine.” She countered, gesturing to Thistle and Blade. “And Ashroot’s good with his shield. Even if they retreat into some den, we can fight in a tight space if we need to.”

Ashroot spoke up next. “I’m only in the front when I’m out of arrows.” He stated, his tone matter-of-fact. “And as much as I hate to admit it, I’m the only ranged fighter here. Blade’s spells are midrange and only work around flora and fauna, not some hideaway cave or clearing that pack probably has.” He gave Sheath a hard look. “And please don’t suggest our caster and healer fight on the front when it’s not an emergency.”

Blade moved toward her sister’s side, looking Ashroot in the eyes with conviction. “I can fight in close quarters,” She stated, giving her quarterstaff a small twirl for emphasis. “And I can communicate with some of the fauna to pinpoint the location of the pack. Thistle can stay in the center to give commands in the tight space, assuming the den is somewhere cramp in the first place. You guys saw how big that wolf was, right? They can’t stay somewhere too small.”

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Pine was about to counter with something, but Thistle spoke up.

“Alright. That’s enough, guys.” She said, her tone firm. “This conversation has already given that pack enough of a lead. Don’t bother.” Sheath was about to speak, but Thistle’s glare cut her off. She then turned to Blade with a softer expression. “Blade, find a bird or fox to contract and have them follow the wolves’ trail. If they find the den, then just memorize the location and give it to the elders.” After Blade nodded she turned to Ashroot. “Ashroot, let the hunting squad know what we found and see if you can join them. You’ve got the best eyes out of all of us next to Blade.” She then turned to Sheath with a hard expression. “I get that you want to eliminate the threat, but we also have to return to the village within a certain amount of time or else the adults will assume something drastic happened. Pine’s right, there’s only five of us and that’s a pack of at least ten. I’m not risking us getting a serious injury with little to show for it.”

Sheath sneered, clicking her tongue. “It’s a pack of five now.”

“Assuming they don’t have cubs in their den or what we saw was just a small portion of a larger pack.” Pine added. “I’m with Thistle on this one.”

Ashroot sighed, giving Sheath a placating gesture with his hands. “I want to pursue them, but we don’t have the right team for it.” He said somberly. “But if Blade’s fox or bird find them and their den is close, I want to at least scout it out before heading back.”

Thistle nodded. “That’s reasonable enough.” She said, looking to Blade.

Blade scowled but shrugged. “Whatever…” She muttered.

“Anyway,” Ashroot said, gesturing at the few dead wolves around them. “Looks like wolf meat’s on the menu today.”

At that, everyone groaned. “Ugh… why couldn’t it had been a mana-infused deer or something?” Blade complained. “At least the meat would taste good without a load of seasonings, herbs, and wine.”

“Definitely,” Pine said. “Might as well just tie them to a tree or something and let the hunters use the pelts for leather later today.”

“Totally,” Blade agreed.

Thistle looked over the group, then spoke up. “Alright guys,” Thistle said. “Line up. I wanna’ check you all out before we start to head back.”

The team all rolled their eyes. “Thistle, we’re fine.” Pine started. “Barely got a scratch on us. Whatever nick we got doesn’t need healing an-”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Thistle said, putting her steel in her voice. “Now line up.”

With a collection of groans, muttering complaints, and another round of eye-rolling, the group lined up by height, Thistle pulling up shirts and pants as she gave each of them a quick scan. For the most part, Pine was correct. Only Pine and Sheath had minor scratches on them, but she wasn’t going to risk infection. She took a slow breath, her hands glowing a dim white as she gently tapped and slid her fingers along each small scratch and minor bitemark she found on their bodies, sanitizing the wounds with her mana as she did so. Pine and Sheath gave stifled hisses at her touch, but didn’t flinch. Blade and Ashroot were clean due to their positions in the battle, though she made sure to give them a full scan as well, especially Ashroot given his larger body.

“Alright. None of the wolves were infected, and I’ve sterilized you all with my mana. We’re good to go.”

“Great, thanks…” Blade muttered sarcastically, getting a smack upside the head from Thistle. “Hey!”

“Alright, Pine, Ashroot, set up those wolves so the hunters can grab them later. We’ve got about an hour to get back to the village.”

The two boys did as instructed, quickly getting the kills set up and hanging along trees for the hunters to pick up and dress later. Ashroot had the skills to do so himself, but he was only one elf, and it’d take too long given the goal of their patrol.

After that was said and done, the group continued their trek, going along the riverside as Thistle and Blade continued doing further checks on the environment and general condition on their side of the forest. As usual, things were as they should. Then, Blade tapped Thistle’s shoulder twice. She had spotted something.

Thistle turned, seeing another sparrow perching itself on Blade’s shoulder and chirping into her ear.

“Humans ahead,” She said. “Eight of them, and not the ones from across the river.”

That got the group to pause.

The human county across the Nyblom River rarely ever came this close. Beyond the river the animals grew more dangerous and the flora more poisonous for human consumption due to the excess mana. The humans occasionally came across to offer trade, but a treaty made those times limited. The only other time they’d cross the river unscheduled was to ask for asylum or aid like her master 30 years ago. Already Thistle’s guard was up. Something was off First the wolves, now this. She thought with a click of her tongue. She wasn’t an ambassador or council member, but she couldn’t let that information go without doing something. Humans crossing the border unwarranted was cause for concern, and more information would be needed before they made a report.

“Alright,” Thistle turned to her group. “Pine, you’re the fastest on foot among us next to me. Go tell the elders about this.”

Pine nodded, immediately running off toward HornLeaf.

“Ashroot,” She said, turning to him. “You stay behind, but in range. I don’t think they’ll start anything if I approach, but I’m playing things safe. Blade, Sheath, stay behind the tree lines, but close to my position. Just in case.”

“Shouldn’t we wait for the elders to instruct us first?” Blade asked.

Thistle pursed her lips in thought, crossing her arms. “I don’t want to take the risk of the humans going too deep into the forest and getting themselves hurt or worse.” There was a chance they might stumble into that wolf den and get themselves killed, bringing even more humans into the forest and causing problems. “Besides, I’ll follow the village guidelines for this. Don’t worry.” The general rule when humans came this close to the border of the village was to be cordial and firm. Try not to upset them but be clear they’re trespassing without permission. So, with a few hand gestures to signal exact positions her team was set and ready. Thistle adjusted her outfit to look as neat and presentable as possible, then quietly moved toward the humans' location.