The Wolf's Den

Path 2: Ryand, Chapter 7: Part 1

        When she awoke, Ryland rubbed her eyes and stretched her limbs, rising to find herself alone in the room with half a bed made, more or less. For a moment, she panicked because Adrieve and Tilli were not with her, but if the duffle bag with the initials 'T.T.' Meant anything, then she was on a search to find them. At least, she hoped they were found at the end of the journey, but she could at least try. Moving to her feet, still in the clothes from yesterday, she found some clothing laid out on an armchair for her, ones she changed into and put her cloak over her shoulders. Once the bed was made, she left the room to find Red and Tom, and Levi if he was awake.

        All seven brothers, Red, and Tom were there, chairs pulled up to make room for nine people instead of eight. Sitting meekly in the seat between Levi and Tom, she looked around her, the room quiet as Levi's six brothers studied her closely. Finally, between bites, the eldest spoke.

        "So you must be Ryland. We were told when he awoke this morning that you was lookin' for your siblings, and we can support that. Levi told us how much it means to you."

        "Gregory, don't make it sounds so militant. She's a person just like us," Levi said.

        "She ain't gotta lose those she loves in the process, though, and we're on the war path. War paths involve that sort of thing, Levi." Turning to Ryland, he stared hard at her. "What do you suppose we do?"

        "We?" Surprised, Ryland tilted her head slightly, finishing her breakfast quicker than normal. Well, better than no breakfast, she supposed.

        "Yeah, we. You've got Red, Tom, and the seven of us. That's a lotta we, an' we want you to suceed because we know what it's like, all of us, to be in the situation you're in now. Some of us more than others, as it played out."

        "Oh, well, um, thank you... Gregory, was it?"

        Gregory nodded before staring at his youngest sibling, raising an eyebrow. "I guess you stay with them and the six of us go find where they are, her siblings, I mean? It seems the most effective."

        "Wait, isn't it unfair to have you risk your lives?" Ryland said.

        "Why would it be? Tom and Red are risking their lives to help you, and we're going to do the same. Levi'll stick with you guys, though, because it means he can show you around better than Red or Tom, as they know less than we do. We've been here longer than them, so a guild will be helpful."

        "Right, I suppose that makes sense, just... Don't die out there, okay? I refuse to let you die for my quest."

        "Then let's get packing, all of us. Red, you get food for the four of you. Tom, go help Ryland get enough clothing for everyone, and Levi... I need to ask you something important, so join me in our room, okay?"

        As Red prepared a proper food bag for four people and Levi and his brothers entered their bedroom, Tom and Ryland went to find clothing if it would be needed. For Ryland, she gathered it would help, and for Tom, they'd have to make due with what he had, but Red? Red had nothing else. As she slumped into the armchair, she sighed slightly.