Bound Evil

After ensuring everything was packed, Emily left her room and headed to the dining hall. Alex had received a heavy letter from Hester yesterday, delivered by Samuel personally.

As of yet, they had not opened it but Emily wanted to see what was inside soon. When they finally walked out of the inn Emily waved goodbye to the Alewife and her son for probably the last time.

As they left the inn Emily spotted Jesse on his way into the building. She’d looked for the Companion last night but he was nowhere to be found, probably out with another customer.

When he saw her, his charismatic business smile bloomed, but then he saw her fully geared up in fresh travel clothes and his face fell.

“I’m assuming you’re heading out.”

Emily glanced at Alex out of the corner of her eye and the guy relented with a grimace.

“Yup, I’ll see you around Jesse. I also wanted to thank you for the advice you gave me. So far it seems to be working”

Jesse peeked over her shoulder to look at Alex and still had the cheek to look like a kicked puppy.

“Are you sure you won’t stay a couple more days?”

Emily shook her head.

“Nah, I can’t. I have some things to do. Plus you’ll easily find new customers with a face like that.”

Emily pinched his jaw, as a bittersweet look appeared on his face.

“Yeah, but none will see me in the same light as you...”

With a snort, she pulled him forward for a peck on the lips.

“Don’t make me pay for that one okay?”

A laugh broke through his downtrodden mask and then his eyes widened as he rummaged through a pouch on his side.

He pulled out a delicate red comb made from some unknown aminal antler. It consisted of a single length with fine teeth coming to a delicate point and a flower carved into the front.

“Here, I was going to give this to you when we share our next evening but rather now than never.”

Emily pursed her lips. She’d already bought a comb at the market yesterday so she didn’t need this one. There may be an ulterior motive behind it or it could be a trap. It was best not to risk it.

Emily smiled and shook her head.

“You keep it for the next beautiful woman that catches your eye.” She winked as she said this and turned to leave. As she did so Emily spotted Alex waiting nearby watching the exchange. He wore a straight face but something moved in the light behind his eyes causing Emily to stop in her tracks.

Looking over her shoulder Emily saw Jesse’s handsome features tarnished with a mournful look. Scratching her head Emily turned back and held out her hand.

“On second thought, I could always use another. Would you still be willing to gift it to me?” her voice so low that only Jesse could hear her. The smile that bloomed on his face chased away the darkness and he placed the comb in her palm, closing it and brushing his lips over the back of her hand.

“I wish you a safe journey Miss Emily, and hope you find what you’re looking for. And good luck with him,” he said nodding towards Alex over her shoulder.

Emily swallowed and nodded, pulling her hand out of his and stepping back, sending him one last friendly wave as she moved forth into the crowd.

When she glanced over at Alex she saw him watching her with a cheery face.

“What?”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing.”

The two of them arrived at the tavern not long after, and it was a far cry from what it had been just yesterday. The front was bereft of the usual teams that hung around, and even the posters had been ripped from the corkboard out front.

The tables were locked up tightly, but Emily couldn’t sense any life force coming from within, so it was safe to assume they were empty.

The front door was sealed shut and when Alex went to walk around the side of the building, Emily had a fairly good idea of where everyone was.

Stepping into the training ground she saw over forty Rime wolves being saddled with packs, weapons, tarps, cooking ware, and so much more that Emily didn’t recognize.

The beasts were so large that they could easily carry as much, if not more than winter mules.

Here people moved in amongst the wolves offering warm words and gentle pats. As though seeing a partner after a long time away. While Emily was still taking this in she spotted the massive Rimeworld from Kael’s office. He had by far the greatest number of things packed onto his large form. Even still the black-coated monster still looked like he was capable of handling double that. Besides the creature, another wolf sat quietly. Its coat was a caramel color and it was far thinner than even a normal Rime wolf.

It was while they were moving in that direction that Emily spotted Kael making his way towards them. Behind him was Atticus and Gerade, Marth was nowhere to be seen.

“The two newest hires are the last to show up. Hope you weren't trying to impress me, cus you’re off to a shit start.”

Emily grinned.

“Nah, we’ll leave that for when you see us fight.”

Atticus and Gerade looked at one another but Kael burst out laughing.

“Sure, I look forward to it. With that kind of energy, I’ll leave it in my team lead's capable hands. Alexander, you’re with our scouting team, so Atticus will be your point of contact. And while Gerade handles the training of the beasts his team is also comprised of our magic specialists, so Emily you’ll be with him.”

Kael then placed his finger to his mouth and whistled softly.

“Normally a client would have the best position in the convoy, but seeing as I can’t stand idle hands, especially deadly ones, I’m going to put you to work for your meals.”

Emily frowned, she didn’t like it but if there was a chance she could fight then she was in.

At this point, the skinny Rime wolf Emily had seen earlier appeared and brushed its large head against Kael’s chest.

Causing the man to scratch the beast behind its ears and follow her off to another group of men.

Watching him go, Emily turned her attention to his two sub-leaders.

Gerade indicated for them to follow and made his way over to the large black wolf.

Atticus was the first to speak his tone a lot more level than she remembered.

“The boss is mostly just messing with you. You'll no doubt get the best treatment from him. Just help out where you can and don’t cause unnecessary conflict if you can help it”

All three sets of eyes turned to look at Emily, who shot them a questioning look in turn.

“What? I know that lay of the land. Kael made it clear. They don’t mess with me and we're all gonna be peachy.”

Most of them looked confused at the word ‘Peachy’, but Alex shook his head and turned back to them.

“Where’s our partners, I want to get started on the bond.”

Atticus’s brows shot up but it was Gerade who spoke.

“And what do you know if a bond kid.”

Alex clenched his jaw.

“I know that if I want to ride these creatures they’ll need to trust me. The bond ensures they know who I am. And it’s ‘Alexander’, not I'm not a kid”

Gerade crossed his arms and looked away but there was a pensive expression on his face.

“Well sadly for you two there's only one unpartnered wolf at the moment so you’re going to have to share. Keep in mind this isn’t like riding a galendmare or winter mule, they’re a challenge and will throw you off if you give them half a chance”

Emily had heard of galendmares from Ashe, they sounded like a beast resembling a horse, but apparently, they hated the cold so it was rare to find them this far up north.

The large wolf had lumbered over to Gerade and bumped into him with his massive shoulder. Emily was surprised to hear the sounds of pups yipping from two large wicker baskets tied to either flank of the thing. They were spheres to prevent the pups from climbing or falling out.

Alex looked around.

“So? Where is it?”

Gerade narrowed his eyes at Alex but then whistled.

“Hey Loch, you done saddling up Mist yet?”

A man in his late thirties poked his head over a wolf's back.

“Yes sir, he’s ready and waiting.”

Gerade nodded and led Alex and Emily over to one of the few remaining occupied stalls.

A dark grey wolf rested in the stable watching their approach. It looked about comparable in size to the rest and its temperament looked calm.

“Right which one of you is the primary?” Loch asked as he led Mist out.

Emily looked over at Alex and then at Gerade who just looked on quietly.

To be honest, Emily had never even ridden a horse, let alone a bloody wolf. So she tilted her head to Alex.

“He is.”

Alex looked at Emily but then turned and moved towards the creature, raising a slow hand to rest beside its neck, digging his finger into its fur he softly brushed the creature. Emily watched as he moved in towards its side, never breaking eye contact and getting sniffed in exchange. When Alex was parallel with the creature he placed both hands on the side of the saddle and pulled himself onto it with ease. Situated himself securely and lowered his chest to the back of the wolf’s neck. Patting and whispering quiet words in its ear until the beast relaxed.

Emily squinted at Alex and then over to Gerade to see a begrudging look of approval in his eyes.

“I haven’t seen such a talented first bond in years, good job greenhorn!” Loch gushed.

Gerade then rattled off a series of clicks, whistles, and commands the wolves would respond to. Which Emily did her best to memorize.

Alex clicked his tongue and had Mist move out to join the other wolves and then back toward the stalls. He stopped up next to Emily and held down a hand to pick her up.

Never one to hesitate, Emily dropped her pack and hopped on top of the beast with Alex's help. Settling awkwardly into a cushioned leather saddle, the moment Emily situated herself on the beast it began to shack its head to and fro.

Alex tried to keep it under control, but the beast whined and shook them more violently. Alex held on as the wolf suddenly went into a full spin. Like a dog chasing its tail, Mist spun outwards and Emily was unable to keep hold of the thing. Going hurtling off and tumbling through the air. Emily rightened herself in the air so she could avoid a painful landing but Gerade's short sturdy body caught her and lessened the stress of the fall.

When Emily reoriented herself she saw Alex still panting on the back of the now much calmer beast.

Loch burst out laughing.

“Now that's more what I expected!” a couple of snickers joined in with his laughter but Emily paid them no mind. Nodding to Gerade she got up and squinted at the beast.

“Don’t worry girl, Mist is kind, he’ll let you on, you just have to want to stay on.”

Emily looked up at Alex again and saw him trying to hide a smug smile.

Snorting at him Emily held her hand out to him and he took it. The moment Emily was back in the saddle, Mist began to get antsy again and it wasn’t long before they were spinning again. This time though Emily sunk her hands into his fur and clung on for dear life. The world spun as a blur and just when Emily thought she wasn’t going to be able to hold onto her breakfast any longer, Mist even out. Shaking himself one more time but then falling still. Emily and Alex were both panting from holding on but a relaxed smile graced Emily's lips as she settled into the saddle.

It wasn’t long after that the procession began to move forward into the crack in the wall. Emily tied her and Alex’s packs to Mist and hopped back on. As one long line, they plunged into the suffocating stone tunnel. Making their way through the twisting caverns, they showed an inspiring sense of unity as the pack lumbered ahead and behind with deadly purpose.

Blood points: 19