Chapter 18: The Magic Wolves
Abyss watched the charging wolf with an indifferent expression, his body unmoving.
His undead warhorse, mirroring its master’s demeanor, also showed no fear, its gaze fixed on the wolf, its body crackling with electricity.
The wolf, mid-leap, felt a surge of confusion. Shouldn’t a horse be terrified by a lightning-wreathed wolf charging towards it? Why wasn’t this horse reacting?
Before it could process this anomaly, the undead warhorse casually raised a leg and stomped on its head.
Thud!
The wolf, its momentum abruptly halted, its head pinned to the ground by the horse’s hoof, whimpered, its eyes rolling.
The other wolves, surrounding the merchant, paused, surprised by the newcomers’ strength.
The alpha wolf, its gaze fixed on the undead warhorse, its intelligence surpassing that of ordinary wolves, assessed the situation. This horse, which had effortlessly incapacitated one of its pack, was merely a mount. The human riding it was likely even more powerful.
After a moment of consideration, it growled, and the pack, understanding its command, retreated, abandoning their attack. The wolf trapped beneath the warhorse’s hoof, with Abyss’s silent consent, scrambled free and fled.
Within seconds, the wolves vanished into the forest, their movements swift and silent, their knowledge of the terrain unmatched.
Abyss dismounted, approaching the merchant, who was cowering among his horses.
The merchant, seeing the wolves gone, let out a sigh of relief, emerging from his makeshift shelter and bowing deeply to Abyss. He straightened up, his hands clasped together, his voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you, brave warrior. If you hadn’t arrived, I would be wolf food now.”
“How did you get surrounded by wolves? Your caravan seems quite large. Wolves usually avoid such large groups,” Maggie asked, jumping off her horse, curious. “Speaking of caravans, have you ever seen a truly massive caravan? I once saw one with over three hundred guards…”
“Don’t let her start. She’s a chatterbox,” Baggs said from Abyss’s shoulder.
The merchant, startled by the talking cat, then, remembering he was in the Elven Kingdoms, quickly composed himself. “Ah, a Druid, I apologize. I didn’t recognize you.”
“We’re curious as well. Why were you attacked? Food is abundant this time of year. I doubt they were starving,” Baggs said, his tone serious when addressing outsiders.
The merchant sighed, recounting his experience. “You see, Master Druid, I’m a merchant from the Western Empire. I came to the Elven Kingdoms seeking treasure, the valuable resources supposedly found within the bodies of the magic-wielding animals. I’ve been hunting in these forests for two days, but I haven’t found anything. I don’t know if I offended these wolves somehow, or if their newfound magic has made them bolder, but they attacked us as we were preparing to leave.”
He glanced at the bodies of his companions, his face etched with grief. “Those damned beasts, with their magic, ripped open my horses’ bellies like they were made of cloth, then chased us down and trapped us here. My companions tried to fight them off, but they were killed. I was too terrified to move, so I’m the only survivor…”
“That’s terrible,” Maggie said, her voice filled with sympathy. “It’s not your fault. You might have died as well. It’s good that you survived.”
“So, their magic has made them more aggressive? I wasn’t aware of that,” Baggs said, his cat eyes widening slightly. “You’re quite unlucky.”
“I feel so guilty… I should have warned them, told them not to underestimate those magical beasts, but…” the merchant’s voice choked with emotion. “Benny… Owen… Gru… Greta…”
“Do you have any idea why they attacked you?” Abyss asked, crouching down, looking at the dead merchants.
“I dissected a few of those magic-wielding herbivores, but I didn’t find anything unusual. I just took their hides. I left their carcasses behind. That shouldn’t have attracted the wolves…” the merchant said, sighing. “This is a disaster. I’ll be ruined…”
Abyss examined the scene, the tracks on the ground, the terrified horses, their bodies trembling. “That’s strange. Did the wolves lose their minds after acquiring magic? Are they seeking something beyond mere sustenance?”
“I don’t know… By the Nine Gods, why is this happening to me?” the merchant wailed.
Abyss patted the horses, then returned to the merchant, his gaze sweeping over him.
“Have you discovered the reason for their attack?” the merchant asked, unnerved by Abyss’s intense scrutiny.
“Perhaps… perhaps not…”
“Could you escort me out of this forest, warrior? I might be ruined, but I need to return home. I have a wife and children waiting for me. I must…”
Before he could finish, Abyss grabbed his coat, bringing it to his nose and inhaling deeply, sniffing it.
“What are you doing?” the merchant asked, alarmed. Had he encountered someone with peculiar fetishes? This young man was handsome, but he wasn’t interested in men!
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