Wolf is laying his head on his crossed forepaws when his ear twitches. He raises his head and Jack follows his gaze.

  “Sounds like the boss is back,” Wolf says.

  Jack pushes himself back to his feet. “Better go check in.”

They round a farmhouse with interlocking logs for walls and thatch roof before stepping back onto the path only to meet Red’s scowling face.”

  “Where were you two?” She complains.

  “We’re fine, Sarah. We were just staying out of everyone’s way. Did you get something set up?”

  “Yeah, I managed to arrange some combat and team training for Wolf.”

  Wolf looks up at Jack. “Ever notice how she’s always getting rid of me?”

  Red looks around nervously at the locals while Jack smiles and nods. “Shhh,” Red hisses. “We don’t need anyone hearing you. Just do this so we can take you into real fights with us.”

  “Don’t worry about him, Sarah. He’ll get it done.”

  Her eyes pass between the two of them, scrutinizing and curious. She finally nods. “Are you ready, Wolf?”

  He nods back.

  “Just don’t challenge anyone for superiority, and remember, you’re only there to learn so you that you can fight alongside us from here on out.”

  “I got it,” Wolf whispers.

  Red nods and opens a portal. “We’ll be waiting for you, Wolf.”

  He walks through and into a cabin-like structure as three trainers await him.

  The portal closes.

  “So what are we going to be doing in the meantime?” Jack asks.

  “You two sure seem chummy now.”

  Jack crosses his arms and shrugs. “We worked it out.”

  Red shakes her head. “I don’t mean anything by that, it’s just…it’s nice.”

  “Yeah, so what have we got?”

  “Right,” she says, collecting her thoughts. “We need some gear adjustments and then I want to climb a mountain.”

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

  “A mountain?”

  Red points past him and he turns, seeing the rising terrain. The surrounding landscape suggests a fall season, but the rising elevation seems to have advanced into winter. The majority of the mountain is snow covered while clouds obscure its peaks.

  “Ok, but why?”

  “Elevation training. After getting abducted by one of the hag’s portals and falling who-knows-where, it made me realize that I need experience at higher elevations. Better to be prepared, you know?”

  Jack nods. “Yeah, it makes sense. I just don’t know how you come up with this stuff. The gear’s for the mountain then?”

  “Yes and no. We’ll need some warmer clothes, but I also want to make Wolf a harness for a weapon.”

  “It’s a good idea. I never did understand why you were fighting in a skirt.”

  “Hey, there is nothing wrong with this skirt. And besides, it’s motivational. If I can do something in a skirt, you two shouldn’t have any problems doing the same thing.”

  Jack chuckles and shakes his head. “Throwing punches at our man-cards, huh? That’s harsh.”

  “That’s life for you. So which would the huntsman prefer, hunting or blacksmithing?”

  He rubs his bearded chin and looks out over the surrounding wilderness. “Well, I am a good fit for the hunting, but that shouldn’t really be a challenge for either of us. Will there be any actual metal working at the smithy?”

  Red nods.

  “I’ll take the hunting then.”

  “Oh, so you’re going to let the girl do the hard stuff?”

  “Remind me again, what were you needing to do with your sword?”

  “Ram it up the old ha—”

  “No, besides that. Something with your portals?”

  She nods, understanding.

  “Smithing is going to be the better task for what you’re trying to do. I doubt you’d gain any strength on the hunt.”

  “Don’t be so sure, Jack. This isn’t a wilderness that either of us comes from. There are far worse things out there than typical woodland predators. This world also has trolls, wraiths, giant spiders, and even dragons.”

  Jack tilts his head in consideration. “You know what, I bet you could get some strength training out there if you still wanna switch.”

  Red smiles and disagrees. “No, you’ll be fine. Just don’t get careless. I’m going to need some pelts. I’m certain you’ll encounter several wolves out there, but I want to avoid using them.”

  Jack nods. “Yeah, I’m sure Wolf would appreciate that.”

  “Yeah, the last thing we need is for him thinking that we’re wearing a warning.”

  “Agreed.”

  “There are plenty of bears, deer, and elk out there, so let’s focus on that.” She turns to open a portal. The back of a building becomes visible through the doorway. She reaches through and grabs a high-level bow along with several quivers of arrows, then passes them over to Jack.

  “This should make short work of most of the wild game out there,” says Red.

  Jack looks over the bow and nods appreciatively. “Nice, Sarah. This will do just fine.” The black bow’s limbs and grip curve in a W-shape with the grip in the center.

  She leads Jack’s gaze up to one of the watchtowers. “That tower there. I’ll leave a chest at the base of it. You can drop my supplies in there, and I’ll grab them as I need them. That way, we don’t have to wait around for each other. Just keep the supplies coming until I meet back up with you.”

  Jack nods. “Sounds like you’ve thought of everything. Alright, I’ll get to it.”

  “Be careful out there, Jack.”

  He turns to leave, and she steps back through the portal.

  Red emerges behind the blacksmith’s workshop and the portal closes behind her. A soot covered woman with a black apron is standing there waiting for her. “Thanks for waiting, Adrianne,” Red says. “My guy will be putting the materials out in the locker I mentioned.

  “I already said that I’d take the job,” Adrianne replies. “Just don’t expect a miracle.”

  Red shakes her head, smiling. “Of course not. I’ll check back later to see if you need anything else.”

  Red opens another portal, then steps through.