Morning came slowly. It did not bring warmth. It did bring distance. The town of Durnholde was already behind them. Its quiet streets were fading into memory with every step they took.
No one talked about Durnholde. They all understood that there was nothing to talk about the place they are leaving. They look forward to the road ahead of them straight into a forest.
It was quiet. Too quiet. Kael walked at the front his eyes scanning all the time. Lina drifted between the shadows. She was barely visible unless she wanted to be seen. Tomas stayed near Elira occasionally muttering incantations. These were detection spells. They were as light as breath.
Ronan walked behind them. He was not following. He was there. Kael said, "You always stay at the back?" He did not turn to look at Ronan.
Ronan did not answer away. After a moment he said, "It is easier." Lina's voice came from somewhere to the side. She said, "Easier?" Ronan said, "To see everything." This earned a glance from Kael. It was a glance but it was enough.
The forest got deeper as they moved. The air got heavier. It was still. Then they heard a sound. It was faint, low. It was a growl. Kael's hand went to his sword away. He muttered, "Contact." Another growl. Then another. It was not one wolf. It was a pack.
The wolves came out of the underbrush. They were wolves and they were larger than any natural beast. Their bodies were lean but powerful. They glared with hungry, feral eyes. This hunger was sharpened by something. There were many of them. Kael thought there were six. Then he saw two more. There were eight.
Tomas said, "They are surrounding us." His voice was tight. The wolves spread out. They were not rushing. They were hunting. Lina clicked her tongue softly. She said, "Great. I hate fighting things that do not think." Kael said, "They think enough. They are just not afraid."
The lead wolf stepped forward. It was low and slow. It was testing them. Then it lunged. Kael moved to intercept. He never reached it. A blade flashed past him. It was short, simple and fast. Ronan had stepped in. He did not use force. He used precision. The short sword moved once. It was clean. The wolf dropped mid-lunge. It was dead before it hit the ground.
Kael stopped, slightly. He said, "That was fast." The rest of the wolves did not wait. Two more charged from the sides. Ronan did not turn. His free hand moved. Two flashes of silver. They were throwing daggers. They flew low and direct. They struck the wolves eyes and throats. The wolves collapsed instantly.
Lina blinked. "Okay." she said with a smirk on her face. She said, "He is now my favorite person in this group." The pack hesitated, for a moment. It was enough. Kael barked, "Do not let them regroup!"
Tomas raised his staff, chanted and a quick barrier formed. Another wolf leapt toward Elira. It struck the barrier and was deflected. Elira stepped forward. Her rapier moved. It was not as fast as Ronan. It was precise. The wolf fell.
Lina reappeared behind another wolf and her daggers flashed. They were quick and efficient. There was one wolf left. It did not attack. It backed away slowly watching them. Then it. Ran. Silence.
Kael lowered his blade slowly and he said, "Is it just me or I think that was not normal?" Tomas nodded. He said, "I agree, they were coordinated." Elira looked toward the direction the last wolf fled. She said, "Something might seem wrong here."
Ronan wiped the blade of his sword clean. It was simple and routine. Tomas added, "They are moving closer to the roads. That normally should not happen." Kael glanced at Ronan, this time. "You did not hesitate." he said. Ronan sheathed his sword. "Why would I?" he said.
Kael frowned slightly. He said, "That is not what I meant." Ronan looked at him. There was a pause. "I know." he said. Lina stood, stretching lightly. She said, "Blacksmith, huh?" Ronan did not respond.
Tomas adjusted his grip on his staff. "You avoided using it." he said. Ronan's gaze shifted, slightly. "Yes." he said. Elira watched him carefully. She was not watching the way he fought. She was watching the way he held back. "You didn't need it?" she said. Ronan did not answer, because that was not the reason.
Far in the distance something stirred. It was unseen. Kael turned back toward the path. "We have to keep moving." he said. No one argued in the group. This time no one questioned where Ronan stood. He still walked behind them. Now they knew that he was not there to follow, but he was there to make sure nothing reached them.
Somewhere beyond the forest the world is changing. It was not changing slowly but deliberately. Forces were already, in motion. What began was a hunt that was becoming something far more dangerous than any of them expected.