The Son of Artemis and Fenrir

Chapter 23 - The Broken Valley

We easily removed all traces of our presence from the cave in a matter of minutes. I had not been bothered to put my armour back on. For the time being they were compact inside one of Sparks's enchanted saddle bags. As I was placing my armour away, I did remove a large roll of leather and the sowing kit.

I was sat calmly and efficiently finishing stitching my little project together when Robyn walked over.
"We are all ready to leave, you ready to continue?" She asked as she offered me a hand up.
"Yeah, I just need to place this back in the saddle bag" I said after she helped me up. Whilst walking over to Sparks, I slung the satchel over my shoulder and across my chest. I patted Sparks's jaw after I closed the saddle bag.

"Why aren't you wearing your armour?" Robyn asked as I joined her at the front of the cave.
"Because I prefer to feel the wind rushing through my fur." I explained before looking down at Rennie. Wether meaning to or not, she had been rubbing against my leg. When she saw I was looking at her she nervously chuckled.
"I reckon if we follow this path northward we should be able to get to Iron Wood village in a day or so." Robyn said as she emerged from the cave riding Sparks.

"That sounds like a good idea, why do we need to head to Iron Wood again?" I asked as she started to lead us forward.
"We need to go there so we can hopefully buy a sledge or a boat so we can carry on heading north." She explained as she slightly hastened their pace.
"Why are we going north?" Rennie asked as she started to struggle to keep pace. I sighed as I walked back and carefully picked her up. I then gently placed her in my satchel so that her head was still poking out whilst the rest of her was curled.

"We are heading north because an entire pack of Dire Wolves has disappeared like fully vanished without a trace. So We are heading north to try to find them." I explained as I caught back up. I then gently scratched behind her ear causing her to giggle. Luna looked and simply sighed, "I swear brother if you keep on helping our kind at the rate you are going you will have thousands accepting you in no time."
We both started giggling. The trees around us were slowly getting more and more naked.

Not only the trees but the ground as well.

"Stephen, is it just me or does you feel that something has happened here? Luna asked as she gradually moved closer and closer to me. My hand instinctively dropped down to comfort her as we continued.
"You are definitely right Luna, I was here only a month or two ago. An ecosystem does not naturally go from flourishing to being so desolate and barren." Robyn agreed as she and Sparks stopped to observe the surroundings. Sparks whined uneasily as he saw the devastation that had occurred.

"I know brother, I know. We have seen this type of destruction before." Robyn muttered as she tried to comfort him.
"What do you mean you have seen this type of destruction before?" I asked as I stepped in front of them.
"Sköll, this is his work. Unless it was a large group of flame wielders. It just seems to similar to be a coincidence." She explained. Out the corner of my eye I noticed something flapping in the wind.

"Yeah, I think I am going to have to agree with this being Sköll. Because call me an idiot but that seems to be a Red Cloth flag." I said as I nervously pointed to a red flag with golden silk forming their symbol, the cross.
"By the looks of it we are lucky. This damage was done a few days ago so hopefully they are gone." Luna said whilst donning a fake smile.
"Keep your guard up." I ordered as we started to continue through the burnt field.

It seemed that the trees were a touch away from breaking. I noticed a few bush husks breaking into dust and travelling on the wind as we passed. Oomph! I had walked straight into a large stone. As I reeled back, I noticed a large crack starting to form from where I hit into it.

"You should be keeping your eyes forward silly" Rennie chuckled as I looked down to make sure she was alright.
"Yeah, I know that now" I retorted as I stuck my tongue out before rubbing my forehead. There was definitely going to be a bruise, may only be a temporary one, but there will be one. I leapt over the boulder and then hurled it out of the way.