Fallen Worlds

Chapter 5: Rest Before the Storm

The walk back to the camp was quiet. Flynn stayed close to Alice, though his eyes drifted often toward Azymondius. The dragonborn walked under his own power, but every few steps blood found its way through the torn scales along his shoulder, dripping steadily onto the dirt below. Wolf walked beside him. She never once asked if he was alright. She already knew the answer. The camp slowly came into view. Smoke from dozens of cook fires mixed with the lingering haze from Dragonsreach. Survivors continued moving supplies while healers worked tirelessly among the wounded. Price spotted them first. His expression immediately hardened. He stepped forward, Task Force 141 close behind. "What happened?" Wolf stopped only long enough to answer. "A demon." The single word silenced everyone. Even Soap. Price looked between Wolf and Azymondius before his eyes settled on the steadily growing pool of blood beneath the dragonborn. "What happened to him?" "I'm fine." Azymondius straightened, attempting something resembling confidence. "I've had worse." The effort lasted all of two seconds before he swayed. Alice caught his arm. "No, you haven't." She looked toward the camp. "Flynn." The boy looked up immediately. "Can you find the healers?" Without hesitation, Flynn nodded and sprinted into the camp. Alice turned back to support more of Azymondius's weight. "We need to stop the bleeding." Wolf watched the blood run freely down his arm. "They won't be able to." Alice looked at her. "Wolf—" "You know they can't." Silence. Alice's shoulders slowly lowered. She did know. Neither of them said another word.

Wolf stepped away. One hand rose toward the sky. Dark shadows gathered around her fingertips before bursting upward as a brilliant signal flare. It climbed high above the camp before blooming into a plume of black and silver light. Everyone looked skyward. Moments later… The familiar beat of wings echoed overhead. The Griffin Riders returned. David banked sharply before landing beside them, his griffin skidding several feet across the earth. He took one look at Azymondius. "...What in the world happened?" "A demon." Wolf's answer came immediately. David's expression darkened. His eyes shifted to the wound. Then back to Wolf. "I see." No more questions. Not here. Wolf stepped closer. "I need you to take them." David frowned. "Them?" "Azymondius." She looked toward Alice. "And Alice." Alice's head snapped around. "What?" "No." She took a step forward. "We're not leaving you." Wolf ignored the protest. She carefully guided Azymondius toward one of the waiting griffins. The dragonborn opened his mouth to object. Then thought better of it. "Wolf." Alice's voice was firm now. "We're staying." Wolf finally met her eyes. "Listen." There wasn't anger in her voice. Only urgency. "Whatever that thing was..." She paused briefly. "...its appearance changes things." Alice remained silent. Wolf continued. "Azymondius is injured." "He needs treatment." "You know who can help him." Alice's gaze dropped. She did. Wolf rested a hand briefly against the dragonborn's uninjured shoulder. "He takes priority." David quietly helped Azymondius climb into the saddle. The dragonborn hissed through clenched teeth but managed it. Alice still hadn't moved. "And what about you?" Wolf looked toward the line of black war horses grazing near the edge of camp. Then toward Task Force 141. "We'll ride." "It'll take longer." "But we'll get there." She glanced toward the griffins. "There isn't enough room for everyone." Price finally stepped forward. "We can manage." Wolf nodded once. "I know." Their eyes met briefly. Neither commander needed to say more. They understood the assignment. Alice slowly exhaled. She hated it. Every part of her wanted to argue. Instead… She stepped toward the waiting griffin. "I expect you in Riversport." Wolf's eyes softened almost imperceptibly.

"You'll see me there." Alice searched her face for another moment. Then nodded. "I'll hold you to that." Wolf gave the faintest incline of her head. "You always do." David tightened the last of the saddle straps before looking between them. "We're ready." Alice climbed aboard behind Azymondius, wrapping one arm around his waist to steady him. The dragonborn managed a weak grin. "I still think..." He winced. "...I almost had him." Wolf folded her arms. "You almost bled to death." "...Details." Even injured… He couldn't help himself. The corners of Wolf's mask tilted ever so slightly. Almost a smile. Almost. David pulled gently on the reins. The griffins crouched. Powerful wings spread. With one tremendous beat they lifted from the earth, ash spiraling beneath them as the formation climbed into the evening sky. Wolf watched until they became little more than silhouettes against the fading light. Only then did she turn back toward Price and the others. "We should move before nightfall." No one argued. The long road to Riversport had begun.

The forest swallowed them once more. The smoke of Dragonsreach gradually disappeared behind the trees, replaced by the familiar scent of pine, damp earth, and moss. The black war horses maintained an effortless pace. Hours seemed to pass without the animals slowing. Wolf rode at the front. She never once looked back. The only sounds were the steady rhythm of hooves striking packed earth… The rustling of leaves overhead… And the occasional call of birds somewhere high within the canopy. No one felt much like talking.

Ghost urged his horse forward until he rode alongside Price. For several minutes they simply rode. Watching. Listening. Finally… Ghost broke the silence. "She was in a hurry." Price glanced sideways. "To get Alice and Azymondius to Riversport." Ghost nodded. "More than just because he was hurt." Price looked ahead again. "He was bleeding badly." "I'd expect the same if it were one of us." Ghost adjusted the reins. "So would I." His eyes drifted toward Wolf. "But..." He paused. "...Something feels off." Price remained quiet. Ghost continued. "She said..." His voice lowered. "'Its appearance changes things.'" Another long silence followed. Price replayed the conversation in his head. She hadn't sounded afraid. Concerned… Yes. Urgent… Definitely. Afraid… No. That bothered him more. He gently urged his horse forward.

Wolf heard him before he spoke. She slowed just enough for him to pull alongside. "What is it?" Price studied her for a moment. "May I ask you something?" "You just did." A faint hint of dry humor. Price almost smiled. "Fair enough." He looked ahead. "The demon." Wolf's expression remained hidden behind her mask. "What about it?" "You reacted differently." Price chose his words carefully. "You've fought everything we've seen today without hesitation." "The wyvern." "The Golden Boar." He looked at her. "But that..." A pause. "...felt different." Wolf didn't answer. Price continued. "When you said its appearance changes things..." He sighed quietly. "...I believed you." She remained silent. Price gently guided his horse ahead until it stood across the trail. Wolf's own mount came to a calm stop. Neither animal seemed bothered. Price turned in the saddle to face her. "When we met..." He spoke calmly. "I didn't know whether to trust you." A brief smile touched the corner of his mouth. "I'm still not sure I should." Wolf's head tilted slightly. "But my men have followed you into burning towns." "They've trusted your judgment." "So have I." His expression became serious again. "I need you to be honest with me." "What are we riding toward?" The forest fell silent. Even the breeze seemed to pause. Wolf looked at him for several long seconds. Then...

She glanced toward the rest of Task Force 141 riding farther down the trail. Toward the empty sky where the griffins had disappeared hours before. Finally… She looked back at Price. "...It isn't my story to tell." The answer wasn't defensive. Nor dismissive. Simply… Honest. "Not by myself." Price searched her eyes. For the first time since meeting her… He believed she truly wanted to answer. She simply… Couldn't. "Lux deserves to be there." Wolf continued quietly. "So does Alice." "They've earned that right." Price held her gaze for another moment. Then gave a single nod. "...Alright." No argument. No demands. He trusted what she'd said. Not because it answered his question. Because it felt truthful. He guided his horse aside. Wolf inclined her head ever so slightly. A silent thank you. The two resumed their place at the front of the column. Neither spoke again.

The journey continued. The sun climbed… Then slowly began its descent. Morning greens gave way to warm gold. Long shadows stretched across the forest floor. The horses crossed shallow streams without hesitation. Climbed rocky ridges. Descended into quiet valleys. Occasionally the trail widened enough for two riders to travel side by side. Other times they rode single file beneath low-hanging branches. Soap eventually broke the silence. "I've decided..." Nobody answered. "...These horses are smarter than I am." Gaz laughed. "Took you long enough." "I mean it." Soap patted the stallion's neck. "I've barely done anything all day." The horse snorted. "There." Soap pointed proudly. "See?" "He agrees." Ghost never looked over. "I think he sighed." König glanced down at his own mount. "I believe mine dislikes me." The horse immediately nudged his shoulder. Soap grinned. "No." "I think he likes you more than us." König looked genuinely confused. "...Why?" "No idea." Price shook his head, unable to hide a small smile. The laughter faded as quickly as it had come. But for a few precious minutes… The road felt lighter. As afternoon slipped into evening… The sky slowly turned amber. Then orange. Then deep crimson beyond the treetops. Wolf looked toward the fading light. "We'll make camp soon." No one objected. They'd all begun to feel the weight of the day. The road to Riversport… Was still far from over.

The last of the daylight filtered through the towering pines as the trail opened into a broad clearing. A small stream wound quietly along one edge, its water catching the fading orange light of the setting sun. Wolf slowed her horse. Her eyes swept the tree line once. Then again. Only after several silent seconds did she nod. "We'll stop here." She swung down from the saddle in one smooth motion. "This clearing is large enough." The others followed suit. Leather creaked. Harnesses jingled. The horses snorted as they were led toward the stream, eager for water after a full day's ride. Price watched as Wolf immediately got to work. No hesitation. No discussion. She simply… Started. She unbuckled bedrolls, stacked firewood, checked the tree line one final time before selecting a spot for the fire, then began assembling camp with the practiced efficiency of someone who had done it countless times before. Without anyone saying a word… Everyone else naturally fell into helping. Ghost gathered firewood. Gaz filled canteens from the stream. Soap unloaded supplies from the horses while König carried the heavier packs as though they weighed nothing. Price found himself smiling. No one had assigned jobs. They had simply...

Fallen into them. "Captain." Gaz looked up from one of the packs. Price walked over. "What've you got?" Gaz held up a rolled bundle of canvas. "...We've only got two tents." Price frowned. "Two?" Gaz nodded. "That's all the survivors could spare us." Price looked toward the rest of the camp. Five soldiers. One wolf. Two tents. He rubbed the back of his neck. "...Well." Before he could say anything— "It'll have to do." Wolf never even looked up from where she was securing one corner of the larger tent. "i’ve all slept in worse." Soap looked between the tents. "...Wait." His eyes widened theatrically. "You mean..." He pointed between himself and the others. "...We're sharing?" Wolf gave the last support pole a firm push. "It appears so." Soap looked thoughtfully around the clearing. His gaze eventually landed on Wolf. A grin slowly spread across his face. "You know..." He casually folded his arms. "...I don't mind sharing with you." Silence. Price closed his eyes. Ghost sighed. Gaz muttered, "...Here we go." A shadow lashed out.

THWACK.

The tendril smacked Soap square across the back of the head. He stumbled forward with a yelp. "Oi!" Wolf didn't even turn around. "In your dreams." Soap rubbed the back of his head. "...Worth asking." "It wasn't." Ghost answered before Wolf could. König looked between the two. "...Does that happen often?" Soap pointed accusingly toward Wolf. "I'm beginning to think she doesn't like me." Without missing a beat— "I tolerate you." Wolf replied. Gaz laughed. "That's practically affection." Soap gasped dramatically. "Gaz!" "What?" "You're supposed to be on my side." "I was." Gaz shrugged. "Then you spoke." Even Price let out a quiet chuckle. For the first time since arriving in this strange world… The camp didn't feel quite so heavy.

As the last of the daylight disappeared beyond the trees, the camp slowly came together. Two tents stood near the edge of the clearing. A fire crackled softly at the center. Bedrolls had been unrolled. Weapons rested within easy reach. The horses grazed peacefully nearby, occasionally lifting their heads before returning to the grass. Wolf stepped back, giving the camp one final inspection. Everything had its place. Escape routes. Sight lines. The fire positioned so its light wouldn't blind those standing watch. Satisfied, she gave a single nod. "It'll do." Price looked around. He couldn't argue. In less than half an hour… A bare clearing had become a defensible campsite.

Wolf gave one final glance around before stepping away from the others. "Price." The captain looked up from securing the last supply pack. "I've figured out the sleeping arrangements." He walked over. "What were you thinking?" "You'll take Gaz and Soap." She pointed toward the larger of the two tents. "I'll stay with König and Ghost." Price considered it for a moment before nodding. "Not a bad plan." A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You sure they won't crush you?" Wolf let out a quiet laugh. It escaped before she could stop it. The movement pulled at her side. Pain flared sharply beneath her ribs. Only for an instant. She didn't let it show. "I'm sure." Price chuckled. "I'll let them know." He started back toward the others before pausing. "Oh." He looked over one shoulder. "We're running low on rations." "Enough for tonight." "But we'll need to hunt or forage tomorrow." Wolf nodded. "I'll handle it." Price gave a short wave without turning around. "I figured you'd say that." Once he was gone...

The smile faded. Wolf walked toward the stream. The evening water flowed quietly over smooth stones, reflecting the last traces of orange sunlight. She crouched near the bank. Slowly… She pulled back part of the torn fabric at her side. The wound stared back at her. It wasn't bleeding as heavily anymore. But it wasn't closing either. She frowned. ...Damn. I thought it would've healed by now. "So." König's voice came quietly from behind her. "...You are hurt." Wolf looked over her shoulder. The towering Austrian stood only a few steps away. His hood concealed most of his face as always, but his eyes had already settled on the wound. She immediately let the fabric fall back into place. "It's nothing." She stood. Intent on walking past him. König shifted just enough to block the path. Not aggressively.

Simply… Present. "If you don't clean it..." He glanced briefly toward her side. "...It will become infected." Wolf folded her arms. "I've had worse." "I believe you." "Then leave it." "I cannot." Silence settled between them. The stream continued to flow beside them. Somewhere deeper in the forest, an owl called into the growing darkness. Neither moved. Their eyes remained locked. Wolf's golden gaze met König's without wavering. König didn't look away either. It wasn't a challenge. It wasn't defiance. Just quiet determination. Finally… He spoke. His voice had softened. "Let me help." Wolf remained silent. König looked toward the camp for only a moment before returning his attention to her. "You do so much for everyone else." A small pause. "...Who does things for you?" Wolf couldn't see his expression beneath the hood. She never could. But his eyes… They told her enough. There wasn't pity there. No judgment. Only concern. Something she wasn't entirely sure what to do with. The silence stretched another few moments. Then… She exhaled. "...You win." König relaxed ever so slightly. "But..." She held up one finger. "Not a word to the others." "They've had enough to worry about today." "The last thing I need..." A faint smile crossed her lips. "...is all of you in a tizzy over this." For the first time since they'd met… König let out a quiet chuckle. "I can agree to that." Wolf studied him for another second. Then gave a small nod toward the stream. "Fine." She turned back toward the water. "Help me clean it." König silently rolled up his sleeves and knelt beside her. Neither of them noticed… That this was the first conversation they'd had completely alone.

The stream disappeared behind them as the three walked back toward camp. The fire had grown brighter in the fading light, its warm glow dancing between the two tents. Before they reached them, Ghost stepped away from the campfire to meet them halfway. "Price says we're bunking together." His tone was as flat as ever. König stopped for half a heartbeat. The surprise never reached his face. Not that anyone could have seen it beneath the hood anyway. Wolf noticed. Of course she did. A faint glimmer touched her golden eyes. "Is that a problem for either of you?" Ghost answered first. "No." König folded his arms. "Nein." He answered just a little too quickly. Wolf's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Interesting. "Good." She sounded almost... pleased. She continued walking toward the tents. "Tomorrow morning I'll hunt." Price had already mentioned the dwindling rations. "No sense letting all of you starve before we reach Riversport." König frowned. "Hunt?" Wolf nodded. "We're nearly out of food." She glanced over one shoulder. "Someone has to keep you fed." "I'll go with you." The words escaped König before he'd fully thought them through. Wolf stopped. Slowly...

She turned around. One eyebrow lifted. "Oh?" There it was again. That tiny spark in her eyes. "You?" She looked him up and down with exaggerated consideration. "You're certain?" König shifted his weight. "...Ja." Wolf gestured broadly toward him. "You do realize you're built like a fortress." Soap coughed loudly from the fire. "...She's got a point." Wolf ignored him. "I'd be interested to see how someone your size intends to sneak up on anything." For just a second… König wondered if she was serious. Then he caught the amusement in her eyes. She was teasing him. Very deliberately. He cleared his throat. "...I manage." "I'm sure you do." Wolf gave a small wave over her shoulder as she started walking again. "Then we'll find out in the morning." She disappeared into the tent without another word. König stood there for a moment. Ghost watched the tent flap settle closed. Then looked at König. "...What was that?" König blinked. "What?" "That." Ghost motioned toward the tent. "She was teasing you." "...She was?" Ghost stared at him. "...You really didn't notice?" König rubbed the back of his neck beneath the hood. "I..." A pause. "...May have been distracted." Ghost folded his arms. "Why'd you volunteer?" König looked toward the tent. His voice dropped. "She's hurt." Ghost's expression sharpened. "What?" "Quiet." König glanced toward the campfire to make sure nobody else was listening. "I told her I wouldn't tell the others." Ghost stepped a little closer. "She let you help?" König nodded once. "I cleaned the wound." Ghost remained silent. König continued. "It isn't deep." "But..." He frowned. "It should've looked better than it did." Ghost studied him. "So that's why you're going." "Partly." König didn't look away from the tent. "If she's hunting..." He shrugged. "...She shouldn't be doing it alone." Ghost was quiet for several seconds. Finally—

"You've known her for a day." "I know." "And?" König looked toward the fire where Price, Gaz, and Soap were quietly talking among themselves. Then back toward Wolf's tent. "She barely knows us." He spoke almost to himself. "And she's still feeding us." "Still leading us." "Still taking us to her home." He slowly shook his head. "That says more about her..." A small pause. "...than anything she could tell us." Ghost followed his gaze. For a long moment… Neither man spoke. Then Ghost gave a slow nod. "...No." His voice was quieter than usual. "I don't want to lose her either." The two men stood in silence for another moment before returning to the fire. Neither realized it… But somewhere during the past two days… Their thoughts had begun shifting away from simply surviving. Toward protecting someone else.

Night settled over the forest. The fire had burned down to glowing embers, its warmth enough to push back the evening chill without advertising their position too far into the woods. One by one, conversations faded. Soap was the last to say goodnight. Gaz answered with a tired shake of his head. Price remained by the fire a little longer, quietly checking tomorrow's route against the map Wolf had sketched in the dirt before finally covering the embers with another log. The camp slowly fell silent.

Ghost adjusted the sling on his rifle before ducking into the tent. König followed close behind, having to lower his head to avoid catching the canvas with the top of his hood. The lantern hanging inside cast a soft amber glow across the small shelter. Ghost stopped. "...Well." König looked past him. Wolf was already asleep. Still dressed. One arm tucked beneath her head, the other resting loosely across her stomach. She'd claimed the middle of the tent. Not because she'd wanted the best place. Quite the opposite. Her small frame occupied barely more room than a rolled blanket, leaving as much space as possible on either side. Ghost let out the faintest huff of amusement. "Looks like she solved that problem for us." König nodded quietly. "...Ja." He eased himself down onto the bedroll to her right, taking extra care not to disturb her. Even then...

He looked enormous beside her. Ghost settled onto the opposite side. For a moment, neither man spoke. König glanced toward Wolf. "She could've taken more room." Ghost followed his gaze. The distance between them was almost comical. A woman barely five foot two sleeping between two men well over six feet tall. One of them nearly seven. Price's earlier comment drifted back into Ghost's mind. "You sure they won't crush you?" Looking at the arrangement now… He had to admit the captain had a point. A faint smirk crossed Ghost's face. "It'll be miracle if one of us doesn't." König let out a quiet chuckle. "I'll stay on my side." Ghost looked back toward Wolf. She hadn't moved. Hadn't stirred. Even asleep… She seemed careful not to inconvenience anyone else. "It's like you said." Ghost's voice was barely above a whisper. "She thinks about everyone else before herself." König didn't answer immediately. His eyes lingered on the bandages hidden beneath her side, concealed now beneath her cloak. "...Ja." There was nothing more to say. Ghost extinguished the lantern. Darkness settled over the tent. Outside… The forest carried on as though nothing had happened. Leaves rustled softly overhead. Somewhere in the distance, an owl called into the night. Within minutes… Three steady rhythms of breathing filled the tent. For the first time since arriving in this strange world… They slept.