Chapter-8 Arin and Niall

Lith arrived at the meeting spot just as the sun began to dip below the horizon. Drogan was already there, barking orders to his men as they loaded up their last few wagons and carts.

"Lith!" Drogan greeted him with a grin. "Right on time. We'll be leaving in just a few minutes. Did you manage to get everything you needed?"

Lith nodded, holding up his small sack. "I have some food and a knife. It's not much, but it should last me a few days."

"Good, good," Drogan said, clapping him on the back. "We'll be stopping to rest and replenish our supplies along the way, so don't worry too much about running out."

Lith looked around at the group of 6 men, all mounted on sturdy horses and armed with swords and spears. They looked like they were ready for anything. Most likely mercenaries hired to help and protect the goods.

Drogan turned to the dwarf and gestured towards Lith. "This is Lith, he's a traveler who's joining us on our journey."

The dwarf, who had been inspecting his battleaxe, looked up at Lith and grunted. "Aye, nice to meet ye laddie. Name's Arin, Arin Stonefist."

Lith was taken aback by the dwarf's gruff manner and thick accent, but he managed a smile and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you too, Arin," he said.

Arin gave Lith's hand a firm shake before turning his attention back to his weapon. "Ye'll have to excuse me laddie, but I need to make sure me axe is in fighting shape."

Drogan chuckled at Arin's dismissive attitude and gestured towards the other man. "This is our scout, Niall. He'll be leading us through the forest."

Niall stepped forward and gave Lith a quick nod. "Good to have you with us," he said.

Lith returned the nod, still a bit taken aback by Arin's gruff demeanor. "Nice to meet you too, Niall," he said.

Arin looked up from his axe and snorted. "Bah, we don't need no fancy introductions," he said. "We've got work to do."

Niall shot Arin a quick glare before turning back to Drogan. "We've scouted the area and the path ahead seems clear," he said. "We should be able to make good time before midnight."

Drogan nodded in approval. "Good work, Niall. Let's make sure we're all prepared for the journey ahead. I will introduce you to the rest of the company later Lith."

As the group began to prepare for the journey, Arin walked over to Niall and started whispering to him in a language that Lith didn't recognize.

"What language are you speaking?" Lith asked, curious.

Arin looked up at Lith and raised an eyebrow. "Dwarvish," he said. "Ye've never heard of it?"

Lith shook his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "No, I'm afraid not," he said.

Arin chuckled. "Aye, laddie, ye've got a lot to learn about the world," he said. "But don't worry, we'll show ye the ropes."

Lith smiled, grateful for the offer. "Thanks, Arin," he said. "I appreciate it."

Arin looked up at Lith "Aye, laddie, go tell Dorgan that everything is prepared and everyone is ready to go," he said to Lith.

As Lith left to notify Drogan, Arin and Niall stood by the wagons, their breath visible in the cold night air. The sound of distant thunder rumbled through the forest, and a gust of wind blew a flurry of leaves across the path.

"Looks like we're in for a rough night, laddie," Arin said, his gruff voice carrying over the howling wind. "The storm's almost upon us, and this forest ain't no place to be caught out in the open."

Niall nodded, eyeing the dark clouds on the horizon warily. "I know, Arin," he replied. "But we have to keep moving. The cargo needs to get to the other side of the forest in two weeks after that it will be only a week to the Stonewall Town."

Arin grunted, his bushy beard bristling in the wind. "Aye, I know that," he said. "But we need to be careful. This fog's thicker than a troll's hide, and we don't want to get lost in the woods."

Niall nodded again, his expression grim. "I've got a map, and I know the route like the back of my hand," he said. "But you're right. We need to stay together and keep our wits about us."

Arin snorted. "Don't worry about me, laddie," he said. "I've been through worse storms than this. But what about the cargo? Is it secure?"

Niall gestured towards the carts and the wagon. "It's all tied down tight," he said. "But we'll need to keep a close eye on it. The roads are treacherous in this weather, and we don't want anything to get damaged."

Arin nodded, his eyes scanning the forest around them. "Aye, that's true," he said. "But we can't stay here all night. We need to start moving, and fast."

Just as Lith returned, everyone could hear Drogan order. "Everyone let's move out!"

Niall nodded in agreement, and he help Lith climbed onto the wagon, urging the horses forward into the misty forest. The rain started to fall in heavy drops, and the wind howled through the trees.