Chapter 17

The morning sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Aeon and Lyra sat by the stream, finishing their breakfast of foraged berries and the last of their dried meat. The night had been quiet, giving them time to rest and recover from the previous day's events. Now, with a new day ahead, they needed to focus on their next steps.

Lyra brushed her wolf ears back, her expression thoughtful. "We need to think about the future, Aeon. We can't keep living hand-to-mouth forever. We need a stable source of income to fund our plans."

Aeon nodded, his mind already working through the possibilities. "You're right. We need money to gather resources, buy information, and eventually build a network of allies. But the question is, what's the best way to make money without drawing too much attention to ourselves?"

Lyra stretched, her muscles still sore from their recent mission. "We have a few options. We could take on mercenary work, rob the regime's supply caravans, or even offer our services as bodyguards or bounty hunters."

Aeon leaned back against a tree, considering her suggestions. "Each option has its pros and cons. Let's break them down."

Lyra nodded, her ears twitching in anticipation. "Alright. Let's start with mercenary work. It's straightforward: we offer our combat skills to the highest bidder."

"Mercenary work could provide a steady income," Aeon said, his brow furrowing. "But it also means aligning ourselves with people who might not share our goals. We could end up working for someone just as bad as the regime."

"True," Lyra agreed. "And there's also the risk of becoming too well-known. If we start making a name for ourselves, it could attract unwanted attention."

Aeon sighed. "What about robbing supply caravans? It directly weakens the regime and provides us with both money and resources."

Lyra's tail swished thoughtfully. "It's a high-risk, high-reward option. We could gather valuable supplies and strike a blow against the regime at the same time. But it's dangerous. Caravans are usually well-guarded, and if we get caught, it could end badly."

Aeon nodded. "Plus, there's the moral aspect. We'd be stealing from people who might be just trying to survive, even if they are part of the regime's machinery."

Lyra sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "There's also the option of offering our services as bodyguards or bounty hunters. It's a bit more legitimate, and we could choose our clients."

"That's true," Aeon said, considering it. "Bodyguard work might be less risky, and we could build relationships with powerful allies. Bounty hunting could be lucrative too, especially if we target criminals who are a threat to us and others."

"But again, we risk becoming too visible," Lyra pointed out. "And there's always the chance we might have to take on jobs that don't align with our morals."

Aeon stared at the stream, the water bubbling over rocks and fallen leaves. "It seems like every option has significant risks. We need to find a balance between making money and staying true to our cause."

Lyra nodded, her expression determined. "Maybe we should consider a combination of these options. We can take on a few mercenary or bounty jobs to get started, while also planning a few strategic hits on the regime's supply lines. We need to stay flexible and adapt to the situation."

"That sounds like a solid plan," Aeon agreed. "We should also look into establishing a safehouse or base of operations. It would give us a place to retreat to and store our resources."

Lyra's eyes lit up. "I know a place that might work. There's an old abandoned fortress not far from here. It's been empty for years, but it's still structurally sound. We could fortify it and use it as our base."

Aeon smiled, feeling a sense of hope for the first time in days. "That's perfect. Let's start there. We can scout it out and make sure it's secure. Once we have a base, we can focus on our plans to make money."

They spent the rest of the morning planning their next moves. After breaking camp, they headed toward the fortress Lyra had mentioned, discussing the details of their strategy along the way.

"We need to be smart about this," Lyra said as they walked. "We can't afford any mistakes. The regime is powerful, and they'll be looking for us after what we did to that village."

Aeon nodded. "Agreed. We'll take it one step at a time. First, we secure the fortress. Then we gather information on potential jobs and targets. We need to be strategic and stay under the radar."

By midday, they reached the outskirts of the fortress. It was nestled in a dense forest, its stone walls covered in ivy and moss. The place had an eerie, abandoned feel to it, but it also offered the security and seclusion they needed.

They spent the rest of the day exploring the fortress, checking for weaknesses and potential threats. To their relief, the structure was sound, and there were no signs of recent occupation. They set up camp inside one of the larger rooms, the thick walls providing a sense of safety they hadn't felt in weeks.

As the sun set, they sat by a small fire, the flickering flames casting shadows on the ancient stone walls. Aeon leaned back, feeling a sense of accomplishment. They had a plan and a place to call home, at least for now.

Lyra looked at him, her eyes reflecting the firelight. "We've come a long way, Aeon. I know it's going to be tough, but I believe in us. We can do this."

Aeon reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I believe in us too, Lyra. We've faced worse and come out stronger. This is just the beginning."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the crackling of the fire the only sound. Despite the challenges ahead, they felt a renewed sense of purpose. Together, they could achieve anything.

As the fire burned down to embers, Aeon and Lyra lay down to sleep, their thoughts turning to the future. They had a long road ahead, but they were ready to face it together. With a solid plan and each other, they were unstoppable.