Embedded Emerald in Gold fire

Forming bonds - 6

She kept her word though also her distance riding deeper in the forest than any of them dared. The men talked amongst each other, seeing only hints of the red fur or her dark cloak. At night she stayed just outside their camp and each time anyone dared to hunt an animal and cook it she was gone completely. Those nights in which the men decided to stay in a tavern she did not accompany them, meeting them bright and early as always.

Though she had not spoken many words and was always staring angrily, they had gotten used to her presence. Half a moon cycle passed before any of them even saw her eat. It was a normal day but Kara stayed close, having her horse walk and trot just behind Renmar. He glanced back a lot, but her eyes were in the forest surrounding them and even her horse seemed to move her ears attentively.

"What is it Kara?" he asked, feeling twitchy from her weird behaviour. "Stay alert, the forest is too quiet" she replied, her voice calm. This time she rode with them to the river where the horses drank and the men got off to take a short break. They ate some bread and dried meat while Kara ate bread out of her own bag. Mardaniel wondered how she managed to fit enough food in there. Renmar had passed her message on and even though Phil and Cudar had grinned, they did as she said and left their weapons in reach at all times.

They were just about to pack up again when Kara jumped to her feet and onto her horse, pulling the sword she carried herself. "Come out of hiding, we have spotted you long ago" her voice demanded. There was a harshness in it that surprised Mardaniel. He rose, pulling his own sword and so did the others. Kara sat high on her horse which was anxiously stepping from one hoof onto the other.

It remained silent and Nelm was about to snort when men walked out of the forest and onto the clearing they were on. They were holding weapons, bows, swords and spears. It was clear they were welodas from the different features marking them and a quick headcount told Mardaniel they were fourteen. "Good ears... too good for a human" one man said, his own fluffy ears sticking out from his head.

"What do you want from us?" Mardaniel demanded to know, taking a defensive stance to be ready for anything. They were outnumbered, but most likely better trained... there was a big chance they would win, but not without at least some injury. The men with bows would most likely hit them before any of them could even start a fair fight...

"Well, you are on our land and there is only one reason for soldiers to come on our land... but we will not be attacked, killed or enslaved" the same man spoke again. "We were not planning to do so. We are only coming through on our travel north" Mardaniel tried, but he saw the bloodlust in his eyes. He saw that this man did not want to settle and let them go. That man did not care for any casualties, he wanted revenge for things soldiers had done to him or others.

"One of them is..." "a traitor, working with humans" the wolf-born interrupted the other man who had spoken. If it was not for the bows Mardaniel would have suggested to just quickly ride off, the horses making them faster... but the danger of hurting or even losing someone was too big. His eyes searched the scene again, looking for a way out. His own heritage would not help him, the fact he wore the kings coat of arms was enough to spike their anger.

Freyja moved as if sensing the danger, the men had all taken aggressive stances, getting ready for a fight. "Surely we do not want to settle this with blood" Kara said, raising her voice just enough for everyone to hear. "And why is that sweetheart?" one of the weloda from the forest asked. "You might have realized the kings coat of arms and I get it, the king is not my favourite either and it would be so easy to take it out on these guys. Well you would have to spare some lives due to the fact that these are the best fighters the king has... well you might win, I get it, it is a good enough reason to try and on any other day... I would have encouraged you. But this man right here is not only a great fighter, but as you correctly spotted one of your own. He is not a traitor, he has tried to fit into a world he is not part of. He has tried and achieved to bring respect to your kind. He has worked for that respect and owns it.