Chapter 30

“I see a pack of wolves ahead.” Lyn whispered as she pointed towards the caves. I glanced past her and counted three of the large beasts. They really did look just like dogs, albeit larger. Size wise, they were bigger than the jaguar I had faced, covered in shaggy grey hair, rather than the sleek fur of the second-floor creature.

“You said you didn’t fight any of them last time?” I asked, and Lyn nodded in confirmation.

“Didn’t like my chances.” She said, “‘If you’re outnumbered, you’ll be overwhelmed.’” She said in a mock Commander Phyr voice. I grinned, remembering the adage myself.

“Always seek to even the odds,” I finished the saying, and we shared a smile.

Nyle, on the other hand, glared at us. He was still picking slimy scales out of his mouth and tongue. He’d been startled awake when we slid the trout into his mouth. And in his panicked surprise, had bit down hard enough to sever the creature’s body, further increasing his distress. There was now a singed patch of grass by the stream where his fireball had narrowly missed Lyn and I.

“Let’s get this over with.” Nyle grumbled. “Lyn and I can take care of them from a range.” He nodded towards a rock nearby, that gave a good view of the cave below. “You can stand in front of us and act as bait if they get close.”

“Oh, its fine if you use me as bait, but not that random Climber who saved us?” I asked. “Such a hypocrite.”

“Back then you were my friend,” Nyle said. “Until this taste leaves my mouth though, you’re dead to me.”

Lyn laughed as she followed Nyle towards the large rock.

“What about Lyn?” I asked, feigning hurt. “She was a part of it too.”

“You and I both know it was your idea.” Nyle countered. “Lyn just fell prey to your devious ways.”

Lyn looked at me and smirked. “You’re such a bad influence Ash.” She said in a mocking tone. “How could you do that to your best friend.”

I made a rude gesture in her direction, and both of us laughed while Nyle took up his position on the rock. With the two of them safely atop the large stone, they focused their attention on the cave.

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“On three?” Nyle asked Lyn. She nocked an arrow and nodded. I sighed, with no way to really help unless I felt like burning another spell and drew my scimitar and dagger. The cave was about thirty feet away, an easy stone throw away for fireball, and an even easier shot for Lyn.

“One,” Nyle said softly. I didn’t have to look to know he was forming the fireball. I had to wonder how many of those potions Ryker had given him. If Hans was to be believed, they weren’t immediately cheap. Still, today we needed to be as efficient as possible at killing monsters. Ryker probably viewed the items as an investment in our future. Besides, after hearing Ryker boast of his normal reward size, simple potions were probably nothing to him. And then there was the fact his clan was on a job for Alexandra. What type of reward would they get, for catching Hans in the act?

“Two,” I pushed the thoughts from my mind and focused fully on the cave. Two of the wolves were laying on the stones, gnawing on bones. The third was looking up at us, its ears twisting and turning.

“Three,” as Nyle spoke I heard Lyn’s bow twang. An arrow sprouted from the side of one of the prone wolves. A moment later a fireball splashed down next to the second one. The delay in time between the arrow, and the fireball, gave the second wolf enough time to stand and move, making the throw miss slightly. Still, the ball of flames erupted, and the wolf’s fur caught fire, causing it to yelp in surprise as it snapped at the flames.

The third wolf, the one that had been watching us, lifted its head to the sky and howled. It was a loud, long, mournful sound. As it did, the wolf Lyn had shot stood, having snapped the shaft of the arrow with its mouth. The second, the one on fire, leapt into the stream below its cave, putting out the flames.

I felt myself tense as more howls echoed from within the cave. Yellow, glowing eyes began to appear from within, one set, then two, then four…

“Well then,” I said, even as I heard another fireball burst to life behind me. Another arrow flew true, striking once more into her target. The wolf growled and staggered. Then, tired of waiting and being attacked, the wolves snarled. “I’m assuming we’re staying to fight?”

“You scared?” Nyle said. He’d just gulped down another potion as his fireball flew towards the cave. Lyn had a third arrow ready to fire and was taking aim. “Scared of a few wolves.”

“Not really,” I said, though I took the moment to wipe my palms on my clothes, ensuring that they were as dry as possible. I was really tired of losing my weapons. “Just, wanted to make sure you guys weren’t going to run off and leave me to fend off a whole pack.”

“I thought about it,” Nyle said with a chuckle. “But lucky for you, that potion washed away the last of the fishy taste.”

I felt myself grin as I stepped forward, putting a bit of distance between myself and the boulder, as I stared down at the wolves. The two injured ones were rushing towards me, while the third stayed behind, as if it were barking orders to the others. With Nyle and Lyn behind me, I liked our odds. Finally, we’d get to begin gathering Tower Essence. Finally, we’d get to do what we came here to do. Finally, we were going to fight, and gain some levels.