Sheyden awoke to the sound of a bubbling and the delicious smell that accompanied it. A fire blazed nearby, and a warm blanket was draped over him. A small pot was perched above the flames.
He looked around, but no one was in sight. Fearing the food in the pot might burn, he forced himself up.
Stepping slightly away from the blanket, a cold breeze hit him. He noticed he was stripped bare underneath. His chest, side, and shoulder, as well as his forehead, were all wrapped in bandages. The absurdity of worrying about the food while in such a state made him laugh, which pained his chest.
“You’re laughing, that’s a good sign. It seems your recovery is swift.”
A woman’s voice emerged from the darkness. As she approached the fire, her figure became visible.
She wore a blue robe that shimmered occasionally, changing color like that of the Dethain. A pendant, too large to be considered just a necklace, swung near her chest. She set down the firewood she was carrying beside her and stirred the pot with a spoon.
“It seems ready. I’m not great with food, but I figured you needed something warm,” she said, sitting in front of the fire and looking at Sheyden. He wrapped the blanket around himself and sat up with difficulty, his head throbbing and spinning.
“Thank you.”
Sheyden devoured the bowl of meat stew she offered him in one go. She silently refilled his bowl.
“How long was I unconscious?”
He asked after another mouthful.
“If you remember, that incident happened this morning. Now, it’s just a bit before midnight.”
“I’ve been asleep for quite a while then.”
“Your injuries are more severe internally than what’s visible externally. I thought you’d be asleep until tomorrow.”
Sheyden looked at her again as he ate. Her voice suggested she wasn’t very old, but her face told a different story.
Even in the dim light of the fire, her face was so hideous it was almost impolite to look directly at her. One eyelid drooped, her cheek was lined with wrinkles, and a wart protruded from her lip. Her long nose was slightly crooked, and her eyes were narrow. She looked like the evil witch from children’s tales.
“You are Tanya, aren’t you?” Sheyden asked.
“Yes, and you’re Sheyden of the Wolf, right?”
“How did you know?”
“I had memorized the names of the White Wolves of Aranthia. They said Sheyden had curly hair and fierce eyes. But your hair is shorter than I heard.”
“I burned it off a while back, so I had to cut it.”
If there was one thing about her that was more striking than any other woman’s, it was her hair. Black with streaks of white mixed in, it shimmered beautifully in the firelight.
“Why have you been staring at my face?”
Tanya asked in a dry tone.
“I apologize. I was just admiring your beautiful hair.”
“It’s not by choice. The more magic I use, the whiter my hair gets. If I keep being a sorceress, I’ll be completely white-haired soon enough.”
With that, she picked up a heavy iron spear beside her and tossed it to Sheyden with ease, handling it as if it were a mere chopstick. It seemed that the strength she exhibited in the morning was not due to magic but her own.
“This spear, I went back to retrieve it. It was quite heavy.”
“Thank you.”
Sheyden examined the spear’s tip, dulled as if it had been used for years, and briefly recalled the fight from that morning. The thought that bats might still be swooping around somewhere made him shiver.
“Master Tanya.”
Sheyden spoke, watching the darkness uneasily.
“Speak.”
“Who was that person?”
“I don’t have detailed information. Perhaps the older sorcerers of Lutia might know… or rather, the Queen of Aranthia or your master, Quain, would know better. We refer to that person as ‘the Lord of the Undying.'”
Sheyden frowned.
“I thought that person died in Camort…”
She was visibly surprised.
“Camort? Could you tell me more?”
Sheyden briefly recounted the past month’s civil war between the Black Lion Count and the Red Rose Count. He described in more detail the religious ceremony of the ‘Lord of the Undying’ followers in the underground of Denmoju.
“So, that was the reality behind the religion spreading across the nations. I’ve also been investigating that information for a year now, traveling around Acrand. In fact, the Grand Master of Lutia disappeared while researching it.”
Tanya continued, her voice tinged with sadness.
“Whether the sorcerer who attacked you was the Lord of the Undying himself or just a minion, I can’t be certain. I prefer to think it was him. I don’t want to believe that a mere minion could wield such magic.”
Sheyden recalled the power displayed by the Black Lion Count in the court of Normant.
‘How powerful would that be by Tanya’s standards?’
He didn’t ask, having no way to describe it.
“The problem is why he appeared in Aranthia and why he attacked you. He has never come forward before. Even in Camort, he ultimately used the Red Rose Count as a front, didn’t he?”
“Earlier, in the barn, he said it was revenge for the sins committed against him by a previous White Wolf.”
“It can’t just be simple revenge. And if he is truly the Lord of the Undying, then this isn’t something that ends with just a few deaths.”
Sheyden doubted he could survive another encounter with that person.
“I couldn’t do more than take you away from there. Probably among all the sorcerers of Lutia, only Grand Master Ruskin could confront his magic directly. Moreover, his true power is not just the magic visible to the eye…”
Tanya trailed off. Sheyden also thought it wasn’t a conversation for such a late hour and didn’t press further.
“Ah, but if you went back for this spear, was there no one else there?”
Sheyden asked, setting down his bowl.
Tanya shook her head.
“I arrived in the afternoon, and there was nobody. I didn’t have the courage to stay long. He might have returned, and I had left you lying here.”
She turned her head towards a light not too far off. It was a nearby village. It was hard to guess the size of the village due to the few lights at this late hour.
‘Why aren’t we staying in the village instead of out here in the open?’
As Sheyden looked towards the village, Tanya asked.
“Are you waiting for someone by any chance? Before you fainted, you mentioned ‘Captain’…”
“I must have passed out before I could explain properly.”
Sheyden smiled faintly and slowly rose to his feet. The blanket that covered him slipped down. Tanya, unfazed by his nakedness, extended clothes she had laid out beside her.
“I’ve prepared other clothes for you since yours were torn and soiled. I bought the largest size, but I am not sure if they will fit.”
Sheyden dressed, the shirt felt a bit tight across the chest. As he finished dressing, Tanya turned her gaze away and spoke.
“I won’t stop you, but you haven’t recovered enough to be up and about. You know that, don’t you?”
“I’ve left the Captain alone. And he doesn’t know of the sorcerer’s existence, nor why our comrades disappeared.”
“You mean the person you mentioned when you talked about Camort. Was it Kassel?”
Tanya rose as Sheyden, now dressed, seemed ready to leave.
“Yes. You said Kassel wasn’t in the barn, right? Then he must be heading towards Nadium by himself.”
Sheyden flexed his limbs and then picked up the spear. His body still wasn’t up to bearing its weight.
“Where are we?”
Sheyden inquired.
“We are at the entrance to the Sky Mountains. I intended to guide you through the Sky Mountains straight to Nadium.”
“Didn’t Master Dethain say that ordinary people can’t enter the Sky Mountains?”
“You’re no longer ordinary. If I guide you, you won’t be dominated by the power of the Sky Mountains.”
“Then Master Dethain must have taken my friends through there as well.”
Tanya nodded, the blue bead around her neck swaying.
“Nevertheless, I must go after the Captain. My duty is to protect him, and I can’t hesitate here. Thank you for your help. From here on, I’ll go alone.”
Tanya looked at Sheyden with her dark eyes for a long time.
“I was too young to remember, only hearing stories of the White Wolves’ deeds from ten years ago. Of course, you didn’t participate in the war back then, but somehow, you resemble the image I heard in those stories. People usually react in two ways when they see a sorcerer: they either flee in fear or look up to them in awe. But you neither flee from me nor ask for my help.”
“No, I fear sorcerers too. But there is no reason for me to flee. I’ve always admired your power. However, I prefer to do the tasks given to me by myself. That’s all.”
Tanya smiled warmly. The smile wasn’t particularly charming on her wrinkled face, but the bright expression softened her hardened features.
“That’s the pride of the White Wolves, isn’t it? Very well. I must return to Lutia quickly, but I want to help you.”
Tanya held up the bead around her neck.
“Place your hand here. That way, I can locate you even if I leave your side. I will transform into a wolf and run ahead. I could carry you, but it would slow me down, and I wouldn’t last long. If I find Captain Wolf first, I will ensure his safety.”
Sheyden did as instructed and placed his hand on the bead.
“Then I will follow the path to the Red Gate. There are no forks on the main road, so it should be easy to meet up.”
The blue light shone brightly in the darkness, enveloping Sheyden’s hand with warmth. Tanya closed her eyes and spoke.
“Visualize the Captain’s face for me. I will read it from your mind.”
Sheyden did as she instructed. Tanya closed her eyes and frowned.
“You have very strong mental barriers. Would you open the door for me? I am not powerful enough in magic to break through that wall and read your mind. You must show me willingly.”
Sheyden frowned as well.
“I don’t quite know how.”
“Close your eyes. And think of the most memorable moment you had with him.”
As he thought about the most memorable moment, too many events flooded his mind. However, the last clear image was of him standing tall in front of the gates of Normant Castle, wielding the precious sword of Aranthia.
“He has the precious sword of Aranthia.”
The light from the blue bead gradually dimmed and then disappeared completely. Tanya opened her eyes and looked into Sheyden’s.
“If nothing has befallen him, I should be able to find him within a day. One thing that concerns me though…”
Tanya paused, her hand on her chin, hesitant to continue.
“On my way here, I encountered a being with a malevolent aura. One who walks the realm of those who should be dead, living in a body that should have perished.”
“Do you mean a walking corpse?”
Sheyden thought of the Black Knights of Camort. The sight of broken armor reassembling itself in front of Normant Castle’s gates was a terrifying scene that haunted him.
“Where nature’s power is disrupted, such phenomena can occur. Occasionally, someone who has learned corrupt magic can cause the dead to rise. A master of Lutia could easily revert such an aberration back to its original state. However, this being moved with a will so strong I couldn’t approach with my magic. Not even the living usually possess such a strong will.”
“A will?”
“I have never heard of the dead awakening with their own will. Usually, when the dead are revived, they become subservient to the will of the one who awakened them.”
“Then it’s possible that being is truly resurrected.”
“It is possible. As you saw in Camort, the strength of a being with its own will and one resurrected against its will is distinctly different.”
“The Red Rose Count and the Twelve Thorns…”
Sheyden muttered to himself. He then picked up a piece of burning wood from the fire, extinguishing the rest with dirt from his foot.
“Hearing this makes me more anxious.”
“Speaking of it has made me anxious as well.”
Tanya walked beside Sheyden, who was heading toward the village.
“It might be the opposite. Not a living being taking on the form of the dead by their own will, but a dead being taking on the form of the living by their own will.”
The sound of their steps, squashing the puddled rainwater, blended with the rustling leaves in the wind. After the rain, the chorus of night insects and frogs was even louder.
“I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard that sometimes they can resurrect based on a strong grudge they held before dying. The power that comes then is beyond the control of a sorcerer like me. If that’s truly the case, then that being might be even more dangerous than the sorcerer who attacked you.”
Tanya’s voice echoed, but her footsteps were almost silent. Sheyden hadn’t noticed until now, but despite the many gnats, he had not been bitten once.
‘Is this also a form of magic? A spell to keep mosquitoes away?’
A gust of wind blew out the torch Sheyden was carrying. The moonlight was there, but it was too dark to walk the path by its light alone.
Tanya breathed onto the bead she was holding. It illuminated the surroundings much more brightly than when Sheyden had touched it before. Walking the night path under the blue light felt mystical.
“Going to the village isn’t a good idea. He will be ransacking every nearby village looking for you. That’s why, despite other risks, I laid you down in a place like this. Besides, if he finds us and attacks, a field like this is better. If we need to run, I can hold my ground. But if we’re attacked in the village…”
“He’d be willing to destroy a village if he wanted to. But we need to stop by the village now.”
“Was my food not to your liking?”
Sheyden chuckled briefly in response.
“I need to speak with someone. Master Tanya, please go find Kassel immediately. If he is in danger, don’t overextend yourself, just let me know his location. I will handle the rest.”
“You overestimate your condition. If you were struck by that sorcerer’s magic, you should rest for at least ten days. But given the urgency, I will only allow you to walk.”
“If Captain is entangled in the dangers you mentioned, I am fully prepared to face that being once more.”
“Human weapons will be insufficient.”
A look of ‘this human hasn’t learned his lesson’ was apparent on Tanya’s face. Anticipating such a response, Sheyden walked forward without faltering.
Eventually, she gave in.
“There’s no helping it. Then I will go to find your Captain. Follow by foot or on horseback, as you please. It seems easier to deal with the problem myself than to break your stubbornness. Extend your spear.”
Tanya touched and then removed her hand from the bead around her neck. The blue light transferred to her hand. She made a fist as if holding a grain of sand and blew onto the iron spear that Sheyden extended. A blue energy flowed along the spear’s tip, seeping into it.
“This is all I can do with my power. A human weapon won’t even scratch him. I’ve imbued it with a little bit of life force. You should be able to confront him with it. But only once.”
“Once is enough.”
Tanya nodded once and slowly arched her body backward. She was engulfed in a silvery glow, and in an instant, where a human woman once stood, there was now a wolf.
“Do not walk the main road. He’s always watching it. As someone who knows the paths of Aranthia well, you can use alternative routes to save time.”
“How will you find me if I don’t walk the main road?”
“Have you forgotten already? When you touched this bead earlier, I memorized your energy. Within a certain distance, I can pinpoint exactly where you are. I’ll leave now. Take care.”
“Ah, one more thing.”
Sheyden called out.
The wolf that was Tanya paused, lifting one paw.
“What is it?”
“It’s not important. Is there a special meaning to you transforming into a wolf, not any other animal?”
“I just like wolves the best. It has nothing to do with the Wolf Knights.”
The wolf turned to leave but glanced back briefly. Although it was hard to discern expression on the wolf’s face, it seemed as if she was smiling.
“However, I think I’m going to start liking the Wolf Knights now too.”
The wolf with silvery fur disappeared quickly into the darkness. Sheyden, momentarily stunned, began walking towards the village.
“Ah, I have no money.”
He realized belatedly that his money pouch would naturally be missing since his clothes had changed. Sighing, he instinctively reached into his pockets and found his money pouch still there.
“A sorcerer’s forethought.”
Sheyden smirked and quickened his pace towards the village.
☆ ☆ ☆
Sheyden rode hard. As Tanya had suggested, there were plenty of ways to the Red Gate that weren’t on the main road. However, due to the rain, the paths were a mess, making it difficult for the horse to pick up speed.
The newly purchased horse was poorly trained and lacked stamina, tiring quickly. By noon the next day, Sheyden had reached a village and decided to sell the horse immediately and get another, but there were no better horses to be found there either.
After examining all the horses in the stable, Sheyden asked,
“Do you have any better horses?”
“To find such horses, you would have to go to a large city. There are no faster horses than the ones I raise around here. I could let one go for a silver coin or so. Why don’t you just buy one and be on your way?”
The old stable master puffed on his pipe nonchalantly.
Like most people from Aranthia, this old man was oblivious to others’ concerns and lived in his own world. Sheyden purchased a horse, including the stable master’s pipe in the deal. He took a puff but didn’t find it to his liking. Azwin always said that those who rely on such things don’t deserve to be knights, but Sheyden couldn’t give up this small pleasure.
By evening, he had reached a larger village called Doilten. There, he sold the horse he had ridden and bought the best one available. The buy-and-sell transactions had cost him half his money, but at that moment, he was willing to spend a hundred gold coins if it meant saving even an hour.
Like Sheyden, the Wolf Knights were not just indifferent to their salaries; most didn’t even know whether they received one. They had the right to use almost all royal facilities and were provided with all the conveniences for living, but actual property ownership was forbidden. While it wouldn’t be true to say that no knight had complaints, most didn’t enter the knighthood for money, so there was no major dissent.
However, for official missions, the Wolf Knights could freely use the wealth filled in the royal treasury. Especially the White Wolves had the privilege of using that money without any restrictions.
Dunmel once used jewels worth a thousand gold coins to craft his own weapon, but considering the treasury’s size, that amount was negligible. Sometimes Azwin suffered from guilt after buying her favorite clothes and jewels under the guise of ‘official mission attire,’ but no one else paid it any mind. Other than that, no White Wolf had ever taken money from the treasury. Sheyden wished he could dip into that money right now.
If he asked the High Lords at each Gate for help, they would even provide an army. But even the time it took to greet them seemed too precious to waste. Sheyden rode on without stopping.
Following Tanya’s advice, he avoided staying in villages and slept outdoors. Riding all day had reopened his wounds, causing him to bleed without realizing it until he changed his bandages in the evening. His hands still lacked strength, and occasionally, he would have nosebleeds without reason.
‘Can I even save the Captain in this condition?’
Hoping for more strength the next day, Sheyden fell asleep.
The next day, after oversleeping a bit, Sheyden rode his horse even more hurriedly. The ground had dried considerably, allowing for quicker travel. It was only after a late breakfast and nearing lunchtime that Sheyden realized he had taken a much longer route than necessary.
Though hurrying now wouldn’t dramatically shorten the time, he started to push for more speed. The horse, wearied from running through the mud, would need to be replaced by tomorrow. Fortunately, good horses were plentiful at the Red Gate.
Sheyden began to worry about Tanya. She had not returned after a day as she had promised.
‘Could something have happened to her? She can find me, but I can’t find her – that’s the flaw.’
Finally, Sheyden arrived at the Red Gate, only to find it closed. Some of the windows on the gate were charred black from a fire, and the flags that should have been fluttering grandly were nearly all taken down. Instead, black banners signaling an emergency were hung.
The area in front of the gate was crowded with travelers waiting for passage. Sheyden pulled up his horse and moved through the crowd toward the main entrance.
An elderly merchant at the very front was arguing with a guard.
“I’m a milkman bound for Mandel. If I don’t get there today, it’ll spoil and I can’t sell it. You know me; I’ve never once been late with my toll. Why won’t you let me pass?”
Others were pleading for passage, each with their own urgent reasons. Some threatened, some pleaded. Those not in a hurry had already given up and left for nearby villages to find lodging.
“The sun will soon set, and the gate will be officially closed. Please, return home. We are in a state of national emergency.”
Eventually, most waiting travelers left after hearing this. Still, a few continued to argue for another half hour, but the guards were resolute. Sheyden waited for the last person to leave and then approached the guard, who seemed exhausted from the verbal battles and sighed at the prospect of another argument.
“As I said, you cannot pass.”
“What’s happened? Where is the gatekeeper?”
Sheyden asked slowly. The guard, perhaps unsettled by this large man who wasn’t begging to get through, took a step back.
“Who are you to ask such questions?”
“I didn’t want to show privilege in front of the others, so I waited.”
After making sure no one was around, Sheyden continued.
“I am Sheyden Wolf of the Aranthia Wolf Knights. Could you please pass that message to the gatekeeper?”
“Ah, if that’s the case… please wait a moment.”
The guard, his face flushed, quickly went inside the gatehouse. It didn’t take long for the gate to open.
☆ ☆ ☆
“An attack?”
“According to survivors, the enemy numbered between twenty and thirty. Judging by the items found on their bodies, they don’t seem to be from Aranthia.”
The gatekeeper was dead. Instead, another older soldier narrated the brief account. Sheyden was appalled by their story.
Black knights. And a fire. Sheyden wished he could return to that moment.
“When did this happen?”
“It occurred just before noon today.”
“Were there any prisoners taken by them?”
Sheyden inquired.
“There was someone resembling that description, yes.”
The soldier detailed how one of the attackers had secretly handed him a note instructing not to let anyone pass and described the events leading up to the battle.
“Was that person by any chance named Kassel?”
“There was no way to know their names.”
“Understood.”
Sheyden stood up abruptly.
‘I’m too late. The thing Tanya was worried about has happened. Kassel has been taken. The situation is strange though.’
Sheyden had no reason to stay any longer.
“I must go. Lend me your fastest horse.”
At his words, another soldier immediately went to fetch a horse. The Red Gate, being a gathering place for many young people aspiring to challenge the Wolf Knights, had a special way of treating Sheyden compared to other gates. They were more concerned about Sheyden’s presence than the day’s events at the gate.
Just as he was about to leave, a man holding his helmet in one hand approached. The man was bandaged in several places but had not taken off his armor. The soldier who had been explaining the situation to Sheyden quickly introduced him.
“We have a survivor here who stayed at the gate until the very end.”
The helmetless soldier bowed and said,
“I apologize for stepping forward in front of a Wolf Knight. I came forward because I heard the name Kassel.”
“Do you know of Kassel’s whereabouts?”
Sheyden asked eagerly.
“Not exactly. But right after the attack at the gate, there was an odd incident involving a person named Kassel. It might be unrelated to this event, but that’s not for me to judge. I thought I should tell you.”
Sheyden, ready to leave, indicated he was interested.
“I’m listening.”
“After the gate was attacked, two people came. One was an older woman and the other a young man. The man had a slight red tinge to his hair and called the woman ‘Master.’ They saved me and asked me a few things, like you did. The most significant thing to them was that the person who set the gate on fire was named Kassel.”
“Kassel?”
Sheyden’s voice was so loud it startled the surrounding soldiers.
“I didn’t expect you to be so surprised.”
The wounded soldier also expressed his astonishment.
“Kassel was with them, attacking this gate?”
Sheyden could hardly contain his excitement.
“At first, I thought so. But thinking back, it seemed like he was actually protecting the gate. Thanks to that fire, all the survivors could retreat…”
The soldier shook his head as he continued.
“Anyway, both of them were curious about the whereabouts of this Kassel. The woman said she had to go through the Sky Mountains to Nadium immediately, fearing danger there.”
“The Sky Mountains?”
“That woman was strange. I don’t remember her name being mentioned at all. But I clearly remember the man’s name. It was Jaymer. Do you know him?”
Sheyden paused, momentarily forgetting his haste to leave, lost in thought.
“I don’t know that name. But if it was the ‘Master’ you mentioned, maybe… no, that can’t be…”
The soldier waited for Sheyden to finish his thoughts before completing his initial intention.
“The two eventually parted ways; the ‘Master’ headed south while Jaymer went west along the road. I told them to inform the Gold Gate about these events.”
The story didn’t quite add up for Sheyden.
Sheyden decided to inquire about Tanya’s whereabouts later and first asked about the mysterious wolf.
“Did a wolf pass through the gate? Silver fur, tall enough to come up to my waist…”
The soldier looked puzzled.
“That’s strange. Those two people asked about a wolf as well, and now you. What’s with this wolf? I’ve never seen or heard of such a large wolf in my life.”
Sheyden glanced at the other soldiers, but they all shook their heads.
‘No, Tanya wouldn’t have revealed her wolf form in front of these soldiers.’
Sheyden waved his hand dismissively and spoke.
“We’ll talk later. I must be going now. The horse?”
“It’s ready for you.”
Sheyden strode out of the gate and asked another soldier.
“What’s the situation with Red Gate’s defenses now?”
“We’ve suffered considerable damage but are maintaining the status quo with reinforcements from nearby. A messenger has also been sent to the Gold Gate, so they should be aware of our situation within a day.”
Sheyden mounted the horse waiting for him outside the gate. A young soldier handed him a small bundle.
“Here’s a packed lunch. You seemed like you haven’t eaten dinner…”
In his haste, Sheyden had forgotten to eat for a long time. The meal was as welcome as a pail of water in the desert.
“Thank you.”
Grateful, Sheyden firmly shook the young soldier’s hand. The soldier returned the handshake with an inspired look.
“Someday, I dream of becoming a Wolf Knight.”
“Hope it’s before I retire. Then I can repay you for this lunch.”
With the lunch tucked beside him, Sheyden galloped away.
☆ ☆ ☆
The night was deep and the road barely visible, but Sheyden did not stop. The path from Red Gate to Gold Gate was almost a straight line, well maintained.
The horse provided by the gate soldiers was not afraid of the night journey. It was strong and did not tire easily. It was likely one of the horses kept for express messengers at each gate.
Even the moon, which had not aided Sheyden before, shone brightly, not hidden by clouds. The lunch from the young soldier meant he was not hungry. There was no reason to stop. Yet suddenly, Sheyden reined in his horse.
A line of dark shapes obstructed the path. There was no immediate sign of danger, but after his encounter with the sorcerer, Sheyden could not ignore even the smallest sign and raised his lance.
The dark shapes turned out to be the bodies of ten soldiers and ten horses. Sheyden dismounted to take another look around. Still no sign of danger, but an ominous feeling made the cold night air feel heavier.
The bodies were desiccated, as if they had been dead for a thousand years, their uniforms, weapons, and the emblems on their flags indicating they were the Red Gate’s messengers who had left for the Gold Gate just hours before.
‘How could this be?’
To the northwest, a flash of blue light lit up the sky. It was close but silent. The sky was too clear for lightning. It was another in a string of ominous signs, and Sheyden couldn’t ignore it.
He leaped back onto the horse and galloped past the bodies. But after a short distance, Sheyden stopped again. This time, he hadn’t spotted any particular trace, nor was there another blue flash. He had to circle in place a few times to calm the excited horse that was enjoying the speed.
There were two signs, and something had brushed Sheyden’s senses as he had passed by earlier. It was not a physical touch, but a feeling. Although he should be acting rationally, analyzing the objective situation, he couldn’t just pass it by. It felt as if he had left something important behind.
“If this is also magic, is this a call from Master Tanya, or a trap by the so-called Lord of the Undying luring me in?”
Sheyden returned to the spot that had given him the faint sensation.
There was nothing there.
Despite the lack of further signs, he did not give up and kept watch in the darkness. Then he caught a glimpse of a small light that he would have missed if he had blinked. It was on a ridgeline to the north. Sheyden rode towards it.
The light did not appear again. He remembered its location and ran without straying, but he worried he might have lost direction several times along the way.
After about an hour of riding over rough terrain, he finally reached the spot where the light had twinkled. Yet, he could not be certain this was the place; it was a distant sight, and the spot on the ridgeline was so overgrown with trees that even in daylight it would be difficult to search.
‘It’s a waste of time. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be looking for, or even if there is something to find here. I shouldn’t be lingering like this.’
Yet, even as he thought this, Sheyden continued to search for traces of the small light well past midnight. He had no intention of giving up, even if it meant using the entire night.
Relying solely on his senses in the darkness, where only the moonlight was his guide, Sheyden finally heard a faint breathing. There, crouching in the darkness, was a large animal.
As Sheyden approached, the animal bared its white teeth and growled. It was a wolf that had lost the silver sheen of its fur, now looking grey in the dark.
“Master Tanya,” Sheyden said, extending a hand. The wolf exhaled heavily and continued to growl, but without hesitation, he moved closer.
“You’re hurt. Let me see your wounds.”
Suddenly, the wolf bared its teeth again and bit into Sheyden’s forearm. However, Sheyden did not falter and took the wolf’s weight. After hanging onto his arm for a moment, the wolf lost strength and slowly slid to the ground.
Sheyden gently laid the wolf’s head down, noticing a lukewarm liquid on his palm that held its neck.
It was blood.
Upon feeling the side, he found a patch of fur about a hand’s breadth torn open.
“What in the world happened to you?”
The wolf’s black eyes blinked slowly and then closed. The wolf’s body then shrank into that of a small, slender woman.
☆ ☆ ☆
Tanya woke up only in the evening of the following day. Upon awakening, she saw Sheyden beside her, who had been tending to her, and spoke.
“Our roles have reversed in just a few days.”
Sheyden smiled in relief.
“I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you awake. I thought you had stopped breathing during the night. I had no tools to stitch the wound, so I couldn’t stop the bleeding. Call it Lutia’s fortune, but I happened to meet an herbalist passing quickly on the mountain path who provided me with the tools to treat the wound. Even the blanket is theirs.”
Sheyden added almost irrelevantly,
“Well, I gave them a gold coin for it, so it wasn’t a bad deal for them.”
Tanya looked inside the blanket and laughed weakly.
“Our positions have changed all the way to stripping clothes.”
“I apologize. It was urgent at the time, and I had no time to consider such proprieties.”
“That’s alright. Considering I got to enjoy the sight of your bare body, I’d say I came out ahead.”
“Really?”
“It was a joke.”
Tanya replied dryly, looking towards the western sky. As she confirmed the setting of the red sun, she hurriedly attempted to rise.
“We can’t afford to delay any longer. We must hurry…”
A cry of pain escaped Tanya as she fell back down.
Sheyden waved his hand dismissively.
“It’s a bit different from when I tried to get up with my injuries. If you force yourself now, the stitches might burst and your insides could spill out.”
“That’s a bit extreme for a joke.”
Tanya frowned at him.
“Half of it was serious,” Sheyden replied firmly. “Just stay put. And please, explain what happened to you.”
He opened the cap of a water skin and poured some water into the mouth of the reclining woman. After coughing a few times, Tanya managed to drink a little and began her story.
“Barely a day after I left you, I spotted a suspicious group. It was the Black Knight I had spoken of and it’s followers.”
“I heard they attacked Red Gate, and that’s why I was on my way,” Sheyden interjected with a note of excitement.
Tanya nodded and continued.
“I’ll tell you about that too. Considering the worst, I approached their vicinity. To my surprise, I discovered Captain Wolf among them.”
Sheyden clenched his fist without realizing.
“I approached him to explain the situation. I even mentioned you a bit. He seemed to be held as a hostage, but it didn’t appear too perilous. I wanted to rescue him immediately, but I wasn’t confident I could safely extract him with the Black Knight present.”
Regret tinged Tanya’s voice.
“The knight seemed to hear me no matter how silently I approached. Magic didn’t work on him either. So, it was impossible to tell Kassel anything more detailed.”
“If Kassel isn’t in immediate danger, then that’s the right choice…”
Sheyden agreed with Tanya, though it was with a sense of reluctance.
“I needed to retreat and think of a plan. Alone I might not manage, but together with you, we could possibly rescue him. But right after that, I encountered a gray-robed sorcerer wandering around them.”
“The Lord of the Undying?”
Even whispering the name brought a chill.
“Yes. It was fortunate I saw him first. If he had spotted me, I surely would have been killed.”
Tanya suddenly winced with pain, clutching her side. Having cared for her since last night and all through the morning until now, Sheyden reflexively reached out to touch her side, but she gently pushed his hand away.
“I’m fine. It’s not serious enough to ask for help now that I’m conscious.”
Sheyden awkwardly withdrew his hand and asked,
“So you managed to evade him then?”
“Yes. I huddled and waited for him to pass by without noticing, and I succeeded.”
Suddenly remembering something, Tanya took the blue bead that was on top of the neatly folded clothes beside her and hung it around her neck.
“After that, I couldn’t just leave Captain Wolf behind. If the sorcerer was lingering near the Black Knight, relatively speaking, you were in less danger, weren’t you? The captain was at risk. So I waited there all night, and when they started moving at dawn, I followed them. But the gray-robed sorcerer stayed put. Did you come across him on your way here?”
“No, I did not use the main roads, following your advice.”
“Good. It seemed that the one you call the Lord of the Undying was disturbed by something chasing him, as if he was waiting for you or me to follow that path. Anyway, after taking Kassel hostage, the group engaged in a battle while passing through Red Gate. I couldn’t intervene, so I just watched from a distance. Later, I continued to follow them until I was unfortunately detected by the gray-robed sorcerer.”
“Right before I found you, I discovered the soldiers from Red Gate turned to mummies on the main road.”
“That was his doing. Luck wasn’t on my side twice. He attacked first, and I was left with a fatal wound. Injured as I was, I couldn’t easily shake him off and was hit squarely by a subsequent attack.”
“That would be the wound on your waist.”
Tanya nodded.
“He must have thought it was over, as he let his guard down momentarily, and I took that chance to pour all my remaining strength into an escape.”
Sheyden recalled the brief flash of blue light in the sky. That was Tanya’s magic.
“He’ll likely struggle to recover from the magic I cast on him for a while. Nonetheless, fearing the worst, I hid in the woods and felt you passing by. I sent out a signal with the last of my strength, although honestly, if the enemy had seen it, there was nothing I could do. You might have missed it as well.”
“I’m just glad you did. It was dangerous, wasn’…”
Sheyden reached out to stroke Tanya’s head but quickly pulled back.
It was a habit he had with Azwin. Azwin enjoyed having her head touched, and when there was nothing else to do, she would lie down on any available lap, and whoever was there would pet her.
Tanya was momentarily startled by Sheyden’s gesture. Nobody would dare to stroke the head of a Lutian Master like that, so her reaction was understandable. Sheyden immediately apologized.
“I’m sorry. It’s just a habit…”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just not used to… contact with others.”
Tanya turned away from Sheyden’s gaze as she continued.
“People usually avoid me when they see my face. You’re different from other men.”
Tanya wrapped up her story.
“I used all the magic I had left to stem the bleeding. Thanks to that, I passed out for a while. I remember a bit. I bit your arm, didn’t I? And you have been delayed in rescuing the captain because of me. I apologize for both.”
“There’s no need for apologies. For now, just focus on healing. Once you have regained enough strength to defend yourself, I’ll leave.”
Sheyden spoke firmly.
Tanya seemed about to say something but then shook her head.
“Even if I told you to leave now, you would refuse, wouldn’t you? Then I’ll do as you say. I’ll focus on my recovery.”
After finishing the conversation, Tanya closed her eyes and lay back down. Once Sheyden saw that she had fallen asleep, he also allowed himself to sleep. Having been up all night worrying that Tanya might die, he fell asleep almost immediately, even in a sitting position.
Throughout the night, Sheyden groaned in his sleep. The wound inflicted by the gray-robed sorcerer was not healing but instead was getting worse.
☆ ☆ ☆
It was still a long way from dawn when Tanya woke Sheyden with a shake.
Contrary to expectations that she wouldn’t rise any time soon, she stood upright. The gaps in her torn robe revealed a slender waist and pale thighs. Her face was twisted like a wicked witch, covered in wrinkles, yet her skin was that of a twenty-year-old.
‘She could smooth her skin with magic, so why leave her face as is? Most women would use it the other way around.’
Sheyden was curious. And suddenly, he remembered something Sildire, the sixteen-year-old female knight, had blurted out.
‘All men are the same! They only look at a woman’s legs or chest with those disgusting gazes. I wish they would learn a thing or two from Sheyden.’
She always mentioned him to the other knights as a paragon. At this moment, Sheyden silently apologized to Sildire.
‘Sorry, Sildire. I’m not devoid of that curiosity. I just hide it better…’
Ready to depart, Tanya asked with icy eyes as if she had read Sheyden’s mind.
“Are you coming to your senses?”
“Somehow, getting up is difficult. I’ve never felt like this before.”
Accustomed to managing his gaze, Sheyden casually averted his eyes from her legs and waist as he spoke. Tanya replied with a slightly suspicious look.
“It’s the aftereffects.”
“From the magic?”
“You faced a sorcerer who wields a curse that would rot or mummify upon a proper hit, with just a spear. Having clashed with such a terrifying magic that could age flesh merely by exposure, even if temporarily, your physical strength might be down to that of a 40-year-old.”
The idea was horrifying to hear in his vulnerable state.
“I used to tease the Master about feeling groggy in the mornings, but now I’m exactly in that state.”
“Don’t worry. Just like a cut from a sword, even such a curse will heal.”
“It’s somewhat reassuring to hear that. But you’re up already? How’s the wound?”
“If you’re talking about the wound…”
Without any hint of shame, Tanya revealed the stitched area at her side through the tear in her robe. Except for the dark scar that remained, it had healed properly.
“Impossible! Have I been asleep for a week? Or was the herb the herb collector gave us some sort of magical secret herb?”
“No, you slept for exactly four hours. And the herb was simply a good quality one. However, if medicine is a substance that aids a person’s natural healing, a sorcerer can amplify that power themselves. Shall I lecture on healing magic here?”
“I might be slightly interested to hear it.”
Sheyden got up with sleepy eyes from the noises of their conversation, which had also woken the horse. He took out a summer pear from the bag tied behind the horse and tossed it to Tanya.
“It’s a bit squished but should be edible. Your recovery from such a wound is impressive, but transforming into a wolf and running might still be too much. How about riding behind me?”
Sheyden said, chewing on the fruit.
“Given the urgency, I won’t refuse.”
Tanya nodded gently.
At that moment, Sheyden realized, looking at her face and figure, that it wasn’t an old woman who had magically altered her body, but a young woman who had made her face appear old.
‘It can’t be. I don’t know magic to tell the difference. What woman in the world would use magic to look older?’
Sheyden had walked down from the mountain leading the horse by the reins, and then promptly mounted it. Tanya, with agile movements, sat behind him and lightly held onto his waist.
Despite the darkness, the horse showed no fear. As dawn approached and the surroundings brightened, they entered the main road.
“Are you okay?”
Sheyden asked, slowing down the horse slightly.
“It hurts a bit, but it’s bearable. Can we stop for a moment?”
Tanya asked as she dismounted and extended her hand to Sheyden on the horse.
“Since we’re here, let’s try to make up for lost time. Can I sit in front?”
Sheyden helped Tanya to the front of the saddle, embracing her from behind to hold the reins. He was surprised by the small and delicate frame of Tanya, contrasting with the strong impression she had first made, easily lifting the iron spear with one hand. Tanya, without looking back, spoke.
“Thankfully, you’re big enough. From now on, I’ll push the horse to go faster. It’s as brave as you are, filled with a desire to run. It has the stamina to carry us both, so if we just alleviate its fatigue, it could run to the end of the world.”
Tanya glanced back briefly, their faces close, but she spoke firmly without a hint of shyness.
“Your particular concern for the Captain makes me want to help him too. I’m eager to meet the man who’s touched your heart so deeply.”
“Maybe you’ll be disappointed. And then you’ll end up liking him.”
“That’s a strange thing to say. And interesting too.”
With that, Tanya encouraged him to go.
Sheyden spurred the horse forward. They quickly reached the Molbi River along the main road. Checking the sun’s position, Sheyden announced,
“From here to the Gold Gate, it’s only two hours.”
“Then we don’t need to change horses. I’m drawing on this one’s reserve energy. It will collapse in exhaustion in two hours and sleep for a couple of days.”
Tanya looked back, her hand leaving the horse’s head.
“I sense recent traces of those who passed here.”
“The Black Knight?”
“Yes. If the Red Gate’s fall hasn’t reached the Gold Gate, it’s trouble. I’ll go ahead. Keep following.”
Before Sheyden could protest, Tanya leapt off the horse, transformed into a wolf, and began running alongside. The horse, not scared of the giant wolf, seemed to view it as a companion and even raced it. Realizing the wolf wasn’t a threat was perhaps instinctual for the animal.
As a wolf, Tanya looked up at Sheyden.
“Facing the Black Knight or that sorcerer with your current injuries is risky. Just keep running.”
She sped off, twice as fast as the horse.
Sheyden lowered his posture and refrained from hurrying or steering the horse too much. The horse adored running on the wide, sprawling main road. Sheyden thought that if he were a guard at the gate, he wouldn’t have given up this horse even if the queen herself had come instead of the White Wolves.
The Gold Gate came into view. Also visible was the Alaya Bridge, one of the most beautiful architectural works in Aranthia. As they approached, Sheyden saw Kassel on horseback at the bridge entrance and a swordsman engaged in combat with the Black Knight.
“Kassel!”
Sheyden shouted. Startled, Kassel turned around.
Once, Kassel had confided in Sheyden that he barely remembered his mother’s face as she had passed away when he was too young. Sheyden mused that if his mother were to appear alive before him, Kassel would probably wear the same expression he had now.
“Sheyden!”
Sheyden stopped beside Kassel’s horse.
“You’re late, Captain.”
“Sheyden! How did you… No, wait, we need to save Jaymer.”
Kassel stammered. The man dueling with the Black Knight seemed to be Jaymer, who was caught by the collar by the Black Knight.
“Just wait, Kassel.”
Sheyden lifted his spear, pointing towards the Gold Gate. Tanya, transformed into a wolf, was running towards them. Anticipating what she would do, Sheyden softly instructed Kassel.
“I’ll lead the charge. Whatever happens, don’t stop, just follow.”
“Got it.”
Kassel responded immediately. At that moment, Tanya’s magic exploded above the Black Knight’s shoulder. His shoulder froze, and Tanya, howling like a wolf, cast a spell in the Black Knight’s face.
The Black Knight’s body floated back, hitting the bridge railing. However, he quickly got up and swung his halberd at Tanya. The bridge railing and pillars within the swing’s arc shattered.
The wolf ran low, biting the fallen Jay’s shoulder, and dragged him towards Sheyden.
“Put him on my horse.”
Sheyden commanded.
Tanya lifted Jaymer by the arm. It was harsh treatment for an injured man, but Sheyden roughly grabbed him and hoisted him onto the front of the horse.
Jaymer groaned briefly in pain.
“Kassel, follow the plan we discussed!”
“Understood.”
Kassel assented faithfully. Sheyden charged directly towards the Black Knight.
‘If he can break Alaya Bridge’s sturdy railing with that force, he must be incredibly strong head-on. I should avoid it.’
The black knight raised his halberd behind his shoulder.
‘Or maybe I should just deflect it slightly or block it with all my strength. That seems right.’
Sheyden thought, pulling his spear back.
‘What seems right? In situations like this, you just have to clash and see!’
Sheyden swung his spear in time with the Black Knight’s halberd.
The two massive pieces of metal collided in mid-air, spreading a blue light all around. It appeared that the magic Tanya had cast earlier was hidden and burst out at the moment of attack. Sheyden was pushed back, and so was the black knight. Without gloves, Sheyden’s palms felt like they were tearing.
‘It’s different! This isn’t the Black Knight of Camort!’
Sheyden glanced back as he passed the Black Knight. Kassel and Tanya were also passing by the Black Knight.
Kassel nodded as their eyes met. Sheyden returned the nod and looked back towards the receding bridge. The Black Knight stood tall, halberd in hand, vigilantly watching them.
“Open the gate!”
Standing in front of the Gold Gate, Sheyden shouted.
“By the request of Lutia’s Master Tanya, the gate has been closed. Identify yourselves.”
A soldier on the gate’s tower called out.
“I am Master Tanya. Please open the gate.”
Tanya, having transformed from a wolf back into human form, spoke. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead – a natural outcome considering she had run at full speed and used magic while injured.
“And who are with you?”
Asked the gate’s soldier.
“I am Sheyden of the Aranthia’s Wolf Knights. We have an injured person, hurry and open the gate.”
The city gate soon opened.
☆ ☆ ☆
“This is a level one alert situation. All guards, to your posts.”
“Contact the off-duty guards as well, issue a return-to-duty order.”
Inside the gate, there was chaos. The response was remarkably swift, more than just following the orders of a Lutia magician. The training for emergencies was evidently well-practiced.
‘The coordination here is far superior to the Wolf Knights. Perhaps we should receive training from these fellows later.’
Sheyden carefully laid the injured Jaymer on a prepared bed. Kassel, with a look of concern, followed and stood beside the bed.
Tanya, too, stood by the door, casting a worried glance. However, her concern was not for Jaymer, but for Sheyden.
“You’re bleeding, Sheyden.”
Kassel was more surprised than Sheyden. Upon touching his shoulder wound, his hand came away soaked with blood.
“It seems the wound reopened when our weapons collided.”
“Wounds inflicted by magic don’t heal easily. Haven’t I warned you several times?”
A doctor soon arrived, examined Jaymer’s wounds, and opened his medicine chest. He then looked around at everyone else and waved them away.
“Alright, anyone who’s not a patient, please step outside for a… Hmm.”
The elderly doctor glanced between Kassel, Sheyden, and Tanya, remarking,
“I can’t tell who the patient is here. Shouldn’t all of you be lying down?”
“For now, please tend to the more urgent patient over there. And once things are stable, please check on the others. Do you have clean cloth?”
Sheyden wrapped a bandage around his wound and left the room.
Inside the Gold Gate, it was noisy but there was an overall sense of calm. Kassel looked up at Sheyden and said,
“It’s a relief, Sheyden. I thought we were in big trouble.”
Kassel hugged him briefly and then stepped back to ask,
“What about the others?”
“Circumstances led them to the Sky Mountains. We have a lot to discuss.”
Sheyden patted Kassel’s shoulder.
“But first, let’s check on something.”
Sheyden went up to the watchtower of the gate. Kassel and Tanya followed him. Reaching the top, they saw many soldiers standing guard with their lances.
“Are there more soldiers here than at the Red Gate?”
Kassel asked, looking around.
“Entry is free up to Red. But not from here onwards.”
Sheyden explained.
“When the Gold Gate is bathed in the western red sun, it shines golden due to some principle. It looks as if it’s made of real gold.”
Tanya, who had been listening, added,
“The construction of the Gold Gate was completed a thousand years ago. Stones blessed by Lutia were used. The blessing retains the sunlight received during the day and begins to glow as light fades. Even with the most skilled magicians and a large workforce, replicating such a structure would be impossible. I can’t even imagine the dedication and effort that went into its creation back then.”
Kassel looked at Tanya with a slightly awkward gaze. Sheyden quickly pointed to her and said,
“I’m late in introducing. This is Master Tanya of Lutia, and here is Captain Kassel Wolf.”
Kassel gave a slight bow in greeting.
“I am Kassel.”
“Nice to meet you. Sheyden has been quite worried about you.”
“Were you the wolf who spoke to me when I was taken hostage not long ago?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Kassel still wore an awkward smile. He was afraid of Tanya, and she, considering his reaction natural, did not particularly mind. For Sheyden, who had hoped Kassel would feel more at ease around Tanya, this was a somewhat regrettable scene.
From the highest tower of the gate, one could clearly see the Alaya Bridge spanning the Molbi River. The Black Knight was no longer visible. Inquiring with a nearby soldier, Sheyden learned that the Black Knight had retreated immediately after they entered the gate.
“Who is that Black Knight? Given the name ‘Black’ and his long companionship, he seems different from the Twelve Thorns we encountered in Camort.”
Sheyden asked.
“Definitely different. Despite his appearance, he is a real knight. Almost like…”
Kassel trailed off.
“Almost like what?”
Sheyden urged.
“Like a living knight of Excelon.”
Neither Sheyden nor Tanya showed any disturbance at his bold statement. Sheyden had already sensed a peculiar presence during their clash. A magician would be more sensitive to such feelings.
“Black kept saying he had to go to the Gold Gate. And eventually, we ended up here. But I’m not sure what he intends to do now that he’s here.”
“Is there any special significance to the Gold Gate?”
Sheyden pondered for a moment before asking Tanya.
“Is there any historical significance or magical property to this gate that I’m not aware of?”
“There are dozens of magical powers and related historical significances to the Gold Gate. More so at the White Gate. Without knowing the identity of that person, I can’t make any rash guesses. Perhaps nothing with good intentions? For now, the best we can do is reinforce the gate’s security and wait.”
“How did the heightened security happen so quickly? What orders did you give, Master Tanya?”
“It wasn’t me. When I arrived, the defenses were already strengthened, and all I requested was to close the gate for precaution.”
The number of people authorized to close or strengthen the security of the Gold Gate was limited.
“Then I wonder who ordered such a large-scale defense system.”
Sheyden mused, and as if in response, someone behind them spoke.
“I received urgent news by dispatch this morning.”
Turning around, they saw Danedor, the Gatekeeper of Gold Gate. He was a former Wolf Knight, still displaying his youth despite nearing forty. There was a saying among Wolf Knights that living up to Danedor’s example after retirement was a success, reflecting his ongoing active endeavors.
“A dispatch? The dispatch from Red Gate wouldn’t have reached here.”
Sheyden recalled the mummified remains of ten dispatch horses and ten soldiers.
“No, the dispatch came from Nadium.”
Danedor pointed towards the back of the castle.
Sheyden couldn’t believe it.
“Someone in Nadium knows about this situation? Who sent it? The Queen? Master Quain?”
“From Irine! You wouldn’t believe how surprised I was to see that name.”
Sheyden confirmed again.
“Irine, you say?”
“Yes, Irine. Hard to believe, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s just unexpected.”
Danedor said, extending a letter.
“As you can see, the envelope instructs to deliver this to one of the White Wolves or a young man named Jaymer upon their arrival. At the time, I didn’t know who Jaymer was, but his actual appearance was a bit of a surprise. He’s the young man lying downstairs, isn’t he?”
Sheyden received the letter. Danedor pointed at a specific part of the letter as he continued,
“And there’s one more name that puzzled me. There, see? ‘If Captain Wolf arrives too.’ It’s even emphasized. But there’s no captain in the Wolf Knights yet, right? Although some seem to think you are the captain…”
“There is a captain.”
Sheyden passed the letter to Kassel. Danedor widened his eyes, looking at Kassel, who was reading the letter, and murmured,
“Hmm, I thought Master Irine was out of touch since she’s been away from Aranthia for so long, but it turns out she knows more than I do. Since when have we had a captain?”
“Recently. But how she knew about the captain, when she arrived in Nadium…”
Kassel, having finished reading the short letter, spoke with a slightly tense voice,
“It seems my whereabouts are known in Nadium.”
“What does it say?”
“Master Quain is waiting for Captain Wolf, ‘come to Nadium immediately upon reaching the Gold Gate’… Whether it’s Captain Wolf, the White Wolves, or Jaymer, send them straight away. That’s what it says.”
Kassel appeared a bit frightened, but Sheyden had somewhat expected this. What he was curious about was how Master Irine knew all this. It seemed likely that the key to this answer lay with the young man named Jaymer.
“If it’s a master’s order, we should follow it, both of us, right? Then let’s leave this place to the soldiers of Gold Gate and hurry to Nadium.”
Danedor said heartily.
“That’s right.”
Sheyden sent Tanya and Kassel down the stairs first and then said,
“Be careful, Danedor. The situation is unusual.”
“Don’t worry. I’m the knight who fought 300 Excelon knights right here nine years ago. There’s no danger to Gold Gate. High Lord Vinoklas’ army is also on its way; it’s the largest troop gathering since the war. I think it might be an overreaction…”
Danedor shrugged, but Sheyden spoke seriously,
“If I’m right, this might be a more serious problem than what happened nine years ago.”
Danedor’s eyes widened.
“You’re not one for jokes, are you?”
“I do joke. Just not in a situation like this.”
A carriage, already prepared to transport them, waited behind the Gold Gate. Tanya sat down first, leaving a space for Sheyden, and Kassel took a seat inside. Surprisingly, Jaymer, who had just received treatment for his wounds, was sitting next to Kassel. Despite his pale face from blood loss, his gaze at Sheyden was piercing.
“You could have rested here a bit longer.”
Sheyden said.
“No, I’m going too. My name was mentioned in the letter, wasn’t it?”
Jaymer replied.
Sheyden smiled emotionlessly and said,
“This carriage is full of people who don’t care about their own well-being.”
After Sheyden sat next to Tanya and closed the carriage door, the four-horse carriage slowly started, rocking gently.
Kassel asked with a hint of worry,
“How long will it take to the White Gate?”
“One day.”
Sheyden briefly replied and then leaned his head against the carriage window, falling asleep. He had been pretending to be fine, but speaking another word was almost too exhausting.
He fell into a deep sleep, like a boy who had passed out for the first time after drinking.
–TL Notes–
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