Wings of War

Chapter 5

The caravan was traveling smoothly through the soggy forest as the rain turned to snow. "Well, that's what we get for living in the ice kingdom." Alven remarked. "Plus, its not all that bad. The wheels wont get stuck in the mud." 

"I hardly call that a plus." Molu replied with a huff. "I'd rather be warm at home than in a forest that's about to become a winter wonderland. I suppose we have to march all night in order to make it to the Frost River tomorrow." 

"You guessed it, Hallen!" Alven replied with a laugh. "It's not too bad. We'll light a torch on the caravan to keep us warm. We shouldn't have to worry too much about bandits with this snow." As they continued down the path, they heard a crackle come from their left, and saw a glint of light. "Looks like we have some ice wolves as company tonight. They must smell the horses. Soldiers, stand ready with bows. We need the horses to be kept safe."

"We will be ready, sir." Zaru replied. A few minutes later they saw a shadow streak across the path in from of them. "The wolves are starting to howl a lot more." Zaru remarked. "Are they trying to spook the horses?"

"I think so." Alven replied. "Wait a second, isn't Manu descended from the earth kingdom? Molu, go see if he can tame the wolves."

"It shall be done." Molu slipped off his horse and into the caravan. about thirty seconds later, Alven heard the caravan door open and Molu hopped out. "Stop the caravan!" Molu ordered. Immediately, the door opened and Manu hopped out. The wolves began slowly approaching. "I count five, wait, six! Molu exclaimed. "Manu, now's your chance."

"My wolf is a little rusty, but lets see here." Manu began growling, then whining in a high tone. The wolves slowly began to move closer, and their demeanor relaxed. One of the wolves barked in reply, and all of the other wolves huddled around the caravan as the alpha wolf approached Manu. The alpha wolf whined once, and Manu said "They will take us to the river,  but no farther."

"Wonderful! Manu, can you see if they will get some game for us?" Alven asked. Manu translated this to the wolves, and one by one they padded back into the brush. Manu got back into the caravan, and shut the door. "I'm glad he came along. The ice wolves are extremely fierce and loyal animals."

"I agree, general. Continue forward!" Molu ordered. The group continued their trek down to the Frost river, stopping now and then to let the soldiers rest. About 5 miles from the river, the wolves returned, four of them with pheasants and two with turkeys. Alven called a halt, and they stopped their journey for the night. Haru lit a fire, and just as they sat down to eat Botrami arrived back with a deer on his horse. Botrami gutted the deer as the men each chose a bird and put it over the fire to roast. After they had finished their meal, they all laid down to rest for a few hours. "The wolves will keep us safe, so do not be worried." Molu laid down on his mat that he had unrolled on the fresh snow, and quickly fell asleep. The others followed suit, and a few minutes later they were all sound asleep.

Early the next morning, just as the sun peeked over the Southern Mountains, Alven woke up. He quickly roused the soldiers, and they rekindled the fire and put on half of the deer to roast. After they had their hastily eaten meal, they continued on their journey to the river. The wolves served as silent companions and excellent guards, some of them quickly snagging a bird and devouring it, then bounding back up to where the caravan was. About an hour later, the group arrived at the river, and the town of Frostmuth. There, Alven hailed a ship on order of the king. The alpha wolf padded over to Manu, and asked if he could send two of his youngest wolves on the journey with them. Manu asked Alven, and Alven said he would be glad to take the wolves with him. Around noon, the group set off onto the river, ready to sail to Stonevera.

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"Now the real journey begins, general." Molu remarked. "I'm glad none of us get seasick." The boat had put out from Frostmuth, and the city was still within eyesight. "It's very beautiful, seeing the city glimmer in the sunlight. It's almost like the the Ice Forest."

"Just a bit more hospitable," Alven grinned. "No ice giants to sneak up on you"

"Don't even think about bringing that up again!"

"Oh, you know it was your fault. You didn't have to crash their party."

"Yeah, but where's the fun in that?"

"I'm sure you found it, if there was any." Molu turned back to the ships railing.

"I wasn't the one who got seasick their  first time on a ship."

"I'd like to see you not be sick while riding on a floating cork."