MattReading

It was the second evening since the White Wolves had left Blue Gate. Kassel, Loyal, Dunmel, Azwin, Sheyden, and Gerald—these six members of the White Wolves had gone on without much trouble as usual, until they sought refuge from the pouring rain in a nearby barn. After a heated discussion about who should go find…

As dawn broke, Jaymer woke Kassel. It was not yet sunrise, but there was enough light to ride. “We can still make it to the Gold Gate before them if we hurry now.” Kassel, with half-open eyes, washed his face roughly and mounted his horse. They rode quite a distance before the sun came up….

“What is Master Irene like, Mr. Jaymer?” Jaymer slowed his pace slightly for the exhausted Kassel, but even then, Kassel struggled to keep up. “Hey, Kassel.” “Yes?” “What’s with the ‘Mr.’?” “Then, Lord Jaymer?” Jaymer growled, showing an irritated expression. “Just call me by my name. I don’t stand on ceremony, and neither should you….

Jay’s earliest memory from his childhood was of a spinning ceiling. He saw the ground, then the ceiling again, and finally fell, hitting the ground back first. His mother screamed in horror. At only four years old, Jay couldn’t comprehend what had just occurred. He cried more out of shock than pain. It was only…

“He couldn’t have gone far.” Billy hoisted their supplies onto the wagon. Suvel removed his heavy shirt, exposing a short-sleeved shirt underneath that revealed his chest muscles. He also discarded the gloves reinforced with leather, and strapped a few daggers to his waist. Billy, on the other hand, unbuckled his iron belt, choosing to carry…

“How many soldiers remain?” Billy asked. “Eleven.” It was not Greenwood but Joffrey, who had become the sergeant, that responded. Occasionally, under the guise of training from Billy, they would have sword duels amongst themselves, and Joffrey was the most skilled of the bunch. However, he was overly timid. Seemingly having been caught thieving about…

Black had just tested him for something at the wagon. And Kassel felt as though he’d failed that test. ‘I’ll be swept away if things continue like this. I need to do something.’ He quickly thought of what to do, but he wasn’t confident. Looking back, he saw Billy and his group, who were some…

“Captain Wolf!” From behind, Suvel called out. Kassel continued walking without stopping. Yet, he didn’t display the demeanor of one hastily trying to escape. He walked confidently and steadily. “Stop, I said!” After ignoring several calls, the voice behind him grew angry. Only then did Kassel turn to look. Suvel stood right behind him. Up…

Kassel couldn’t discern how long he’d sat in the barn, waiting vacantly. Anxiety swept through his mind that with each passing moment, the situation grew more perilous. ‘This place has witnessed some event. Waiting here aimlessly isn’t a wise choice. Sitting without pondering is even less so.’ Kassel decided to assess the situation. He started…

“I heard you got a vacation? Lucky you, Billy. A little break might help you realize your place.” Behind Billy, who was packing, someone spoke in a voice trying to suppress laughter. Turning around, it was Blotch leaning against the door. Catching Billy’s eye, he cleared his throat awkwardly. “Got any business with me, Blotch?”…