The village pulsed with frenetic energy, the air alive with the sharp, rhythmic clanging of metal being arranged. The cacophony echoed through the settlement, reminiscent of a war camp preparing for battle. Thranak emerged from his tent, his imposing figure cutting a stark silhouette against the bustling backdrop.
Before him stood a group of warriors, their faces etched with fierce determination. Each bore an identical tattoo, a mark of unity and purpose that snaked from their necks down to their chests. Their armor, strategically crafted metal plates, protected only the most vital areas of their bodies, a testament to their confidence and agility.
"Everything has been prepared, my lord," one of the warriors announced, his voice resonating with respect and readiness.
Thranak acknowledged with a nod, then led his group through the village. As they passed, children's eyes widened with admiration, their excitement palpable in the charged atmosphere. Despite the gravity of their impending mission, Thranak couldn't help but smile at the youngsters, their innocence a stark contrast to the perilous task ahead.
His mind wandered to the past, to the disaster that still haunted him. This time, he vowed, would be different. No longer would they wait passively for danger to find them. They would strike first, crushing their enemy while they were still vulnerable.
The group arrived at a large enclosed area at the village's edge. Sharp metallic wires glinted in the sunlight, surrounding a space where a series of beasts sat on the moist ground, their yellow eyes alert and watchful. As Thranak stepped into the enclosure, the air seemed to thicken with anticipation.
He placed his fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle. One of the beasts' ears twitched in response. It rose, its small frame expanding into an imposing monster - a wolf twice the size of the already massive Thranak. Its paws left deep imprints in the earth as it approached, metal plate armor glinting on its fangs and flanks.
With a resounding thud that shook the ground, the behemoth landed before its master, its huge, menacing fangs bared. The warriors behind could only stare in awe at the magnificent creature.
Thranak, gifted with the innate ability to communicate with wolves, addressed his mount. "Wilver, it's time to go hunting," he said, his voice low and commanding. The wolf bent slightly, allowing Thranak to hop onto its back, his axe hoisted securely behind him.
One by one, the warriors mounted their own wolves, each beast rising from the ground with a power that seemed to ripple through the air.
Suddenly, Kaelis stepped into their path, astride her own wolf and wielding a long lance. Her eyes burned with determination, a decision long made evident in her stance. Thranak knew his sister's stubborn nature well; no words would sway her now.
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Thranak glanced at his warriors, torn between protectiveness and fairness. "You will obey my orders," he finally said, tapping Wilver lightly to signal their departure.
The sight was awe-inspiring as the wolf riders advanced, the crowd parting before them like water before the prow of a ship. They rode out of town, saluted by tribe members wishing them luck.
Thranak's voice rose, addressing both his people and his warriors. "Travelers have caused immense pain to all of us. To our families, to Aeonia. Are we going to let them continue? Are we going to sit and wait for our demise?"
"NO!" The warriors' shout was vigorous, filled with conviction.
A small voice piped up from the crowd - a little girl, her words tinged with fear. "But what if they are not here for us? What if they have learned their lesson and don't attack us? We wouldn't have anything to fear."
The crowd turned to her, annoyance flickering across some faces. She cowered back, but Thranak waved her closer. After a moment's hesitation, she approached.
Thranak's voice softened as he addressed her concerns. "I understand your fear. Barbarians are warriors. All of these courageous men here would be willing to die for me," he said, gesturing to his warriors before tapping his chest emphatically. "And I would be willing to die for them."
His voice rose once more, carrying across the assembled crowd. "With each other's backs, we have nothing to fear. We have no idea why they are here, but one thing is certain - they will regret setting foot on Aeonia. Are you ready?"
The barbarians' response was thunderous. They hammered their armor with their fists, creating a rhythmic, energetic sound like war drums. Thranak raised his axe high. "Wolf riders!"
"Lord!" they roared in unison.
"Let's go hunting!" Thranak's axe swung down, and the wolves unleashed powerful roars that echoed across the vast area. The earth shook and trembled as the wolf riders sprang into motion.
They shot through the forest, a blur of fur and metal. Thranak leaned forward, fingers entwined in Wilver's thick fur as they maneuvered through the dense foliage. The wind whipped past them, but their speed only seemed to increase. The wolves displayed unprecedented agility, leaping and evading obstacles with fluid grace.
The forest was a tapestry of green and brown, dense with intertwining roots and broad leaves that filtered the sunlight. Small creatures darted from tree to tree, startled by the passing wolf riders.
The fresh, earthy scent of leaves and forest assaulted their senses, mingling with the musk of wolf fur and the metallic tang of their armor. The ground trembled beneath the wolves' paws as they charged forward. Though the object of their hunt had landed a considerable distance away, the wolves' endurance and speed were unmatched.
Thranak led the charge, pushing Wilver to his limits. Kaelis rode close behind, with the rest of the wolf riders following in their wake. Hours of intense riding passed, the landscape blurring around them.
Eventually, flames appeared on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and red. The air grew thick and acrid, but for the barbarians, hardened by countless trials, this was but a minor inconvenience.
Their pace slowed as they approached the edge of the forest. Before them stretched a beach, dominated by a massive round object that obscured much of their view. The ocean's waves lapped at the shore, carrying a salty breeze that ruffled the wolves' fur.
On the beach, a series of figures came into view. Thranak's hands balled into fists, his suspicions confirmed. They were indeed travelers, and the confrontation he had both anticipated and dreaded was now at hand.