“Easy there,” Darian said, his palms still facing out. “Are you hungry?” He slowly leaned down and plucked up the rabbit he’d been draining.
The wolf cocked its head to the side and licked its lips.
“Here you go.” Darian tossed the rabbit and the wolf caught it midair. The growling ceased, replaced by the crunch of bone. Is his tail wagging? Darian approached the wolf, the beast’s bushy tail dragging back and forth across the moonlit grass. Hesitantly, he placed his hand on the wolf’s head. It retracted at first, but then leaned into it, his tail wagging faster. “Good boy.”
He’d never really had a pet in his previous life. The family dog, Bandit, had died when Darian was around six. And his allergies and general poor health kept his family from having more pets, despite Darian’s urging that he wanted a dog. But now he was standing in the middle of a cursed forest petting a giant wolf that could probably eat him if it wanted to. How things can change so quickly.
“Now you’re going to keep this whole blood drinking business between us, right?” Darian asked, feeling a little silly asking an animal such a question. But then it leaned up and licked his face, its tongue course and wet. “Gah!” He stepped back, rubbing the slobber off with the back of his hand. “I’ll take that as a yes?”
The wolf barked and sat up, the rabbit entirely gone.
“Well, c’mon then,” Darian waved the wolf forward and it followed him. “Zan is your name, right?” The wolf barked again. “Well Zan, stay close to me and I’ll feed you what’s left when I’m done. Just no going back on our deal, okay?” The wolf bounced along beside him, a happy trot to his steps.
***
By the time Darian returned, he and the wolf had helped themselves to several small animals in the forest. Feeding on a few new creatures had brought Darian’s race XP up to (24/40). He still had no idea what a race level was, but he couldn’t shake the feeling it was going to be important.
As he approached the cave, Darian looked over to the wolf and smiled. Turns out having a giant killing machine with a good nose is helpful. More than once, Zan chased out a rabbit only for Darian to snare it with his racial skill. All in all, Zan made hunting for blood take half the time. And the wolf was satisfied too, his belly full of Darian’s leftovers.
The pair entered the cave silently, Carver softly snoring along the wall. Darian eased onto his pillow, Zan nestling himself between him and Carver. He thought about the quest he’d received a few hours ago and brought it back up.
----------------------------------------
Quest: Companionship
Objective: Form a party of three
* Reward: (Minor) XP Crystal
* Reward: Scroll of Cure Minor Wounds
* Reward: Scroll of Cure Major Wounds
----------------------------------------
How do I form a party? He looked over at Zan who’d already passed out, his bushy dark fur rising and falling with each breath. Wonder if he counts toward the total? Darian tried to relax but couldn’t help but feel strange with Carver so close. While he wouldn’t consider himself socially awkward, having been so far removed from others for so many years made Carver’s proximity send a tingle of anxiety down Darian’s spine. But he smothered the feeling, his thoughts turning to darker matters.
Carn.
While the relationship between him and Carver wasn’t entirely clear, Darian could tell Carver looked up to the man. And I know he’s dead, but I haven’t said anything. He’d been asking himself why he hadn’t spoken up, but so far he hadn’t found a good answer. Telling Carver he found a body would be easy and wouldn’t bring on any suspicion, but he just couldn’t do it. Tomorrow night when he wants to go searching, I’ll lead him back to where I found him. The body would most likely be gone by now, but maybe Carver would find something that let him know Carn was dead. But what about his daughter? She’d seen Darian before he sped into the night. If she was still alive, what would she say? And these Justicars. I’m sure they'll realize I’m not an elf. There was also that massive four-legged monster that had been eating Carn. He couldn’t be sure, but Darian had a gut feeling it was even stronger than the Bone Knight.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Darian put his hands over his face and groaned. It seemed no matter what he did, there were no good options. I guess I’ll help Carver search for now. He rolled over, his thoughts growing cloudier. I feel like things are about to get nasty, no matter what I do. Then his thought turned to the robed skeleton at the cabin and the Bone Knight. He clenched his fists. I’m tired of running. He’d already told himself he had to become stronger, but now his life was in danger once again. No matter what happens from here, I will become powerful. I have to.
***
Gershank watched from the other side of the pond, his jaw aching. Having his fellow Wargs kill that damned Bone Knight had been almost too much trouble, but he couldn’t have it report back to their master. This neck of the woods was his to watch, and she'd know the intruders were here if that Bone Knight made it back. That’s why they tore it apart and he ate what was left.
Now that the pale man had help, it would only be a matter of time until he started ruining the master’s preparations. Then she’d get desperate and send more of her forces out from the crypt. And when Valmier and Adenion are gone, well…Gershank licked his lips.
His unique skill [Perfect Concealment] had kept the pale man from noticing him so far, but that damned wolf would make things complicated. And it was too strong for him to kill in a single blow. It was a nuisance, but he would just have to keep his distance for now. But the time of action was almost upon them. Soon that damned necromancer's army would be done, and then she would march on the village. Then the city of Ulsfe and all of Lonelen would come after. She was a few crumbs short of a biscuit, but she was powerful. But the constant talk of “Divine Ascension” this and “God of the Grave” that was making him sick. She needed to be dealt with.
He scratched at his neck. Even though it was invisible, he could still feel the cursed collar wrapped around his throat. But she’ll be joining the dead soon enough, and I’ll be free. I just need the pale man and the other three survivors to provide me a little distraction. Gershank laughed.
Things were about to get very interesting.
***
Darian shot up, his heart racing. It was the same nightmare again. Why do I keep seeing this? Each time he had it, the lake of blood grew larger and larger, his thirst growing. He shook his head and stood, eager to feel some fresh air.
The outside was the coldest it had been since his arrival. The wind was low and ice chilled, the trees groaning. A white fog settled over the pond, and for the first time Darian shivered.
“Careful friend,” Carver said from behind, Zan beside him. “You shouldn’t be out when dressed so lightly. Not during a night like this.”
“I have cold resistance,” Darian replied.
“Still, better to be safe.” Carver took off his coat and handed it to Darian, who took it reluctantly.
He thought about telling him he was immune to sickness, but he was starting to feel the cold. “Thanks,” he said, wrapping the fur coat around his shoulders. It smelt of woodsmoke and pine, the interior surprisingly soft. “Did you find anything during the day?”
“I confess I did little searching.” Carver walked to the pond and knelt, filling a waterskin he produced from his satchel. “I’ve had little sleep the last few nights and took the opportunity to rest. But I did find some tracks.”
“Tracks?” Darian asked, pulling the coat tighter around himself.
“Yes.” Carver stood and pointed at the other side of the pond. “Too big to be a wolf but too small to be from a dire bear. They most likely belong to a Warg.” Zan released a low growl, snarling at the name. “Before the undead swarmed this forest, it was the Wargs who ruled here.”
“Are they dangerous?”
“Yes, but not only because of their strength.” Carver adjusted the quiver on his back, Darian noting the archer only had five arrows left. “They are cunning, and some are capable of speech.” He turned and regarded Darian with a stern eye. “Never trust them, my friend. Never.”
“I won’t,” Darian replied, stretching, loosening his limbs. “Any idea where we should start searching for your missing friends?”
Carver looked about at the fog and scratching branches, his face slowly forming into a grimace. “In other circumstances, I’d say we should stay indoors during such weather, but winter will come either way. And we must find the others before the first snow falls or the path back to the village will become too perilous.”
“I think I know a place to start looking,” Darian said nodding toward the northeast. “I heard a lot of strange noises from over that way when I first woke up here. Might have been from those Justicars of yours.” Lying still twisted Darian’s stomach into knots, but at least Carver might find closure there.
“Then that is where we shall begin. Lead the way, friend.” Carver gave Zan a pat on the head, the wolf’s tail wagging.
Darian walked into the forest, an extreme feeling of dread washing over him. He didn’t know why, but he couldn’t shake the feeling something terrible was about to happen.