Chapter 14: Among Shadows

The Ironwood hunters led Alucard and his companions deeper into the forest, their movements almost ghostly as they weaved through the dense trees and thick underbrush. Alucard kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, not out of fear, but out of respect for the palpable tension in the air. These hunters were survivors, like those in Frostfall, but there was a different edge to them—something colder, more severe.

The woman who led them moved swiftly, her masked face revealing nothing as she navigated through the thick trees. Every step felt purposeful, as if she had done this a thousand times. Alucard could tell that these hunters knew every inch of the Ironwood, using the forest itself as a shield against the outside world.

After what felt like hours, they arrived at a large clearing, where makeshift wooden structures were camouflaged by the surrounding trees. It wasn't a village in the traditional sense, more of a hidden refuge—built for speed, not comfort. Hunters moved silently through the area, some sharpening weapons, others tending to injured comrades. Everyone had the same hardened look of those who had fought for survival for far too long.

The woman stopped and turned to face them, finally pulling off her mask. Her face was as sharp as her gaze—angled features, high cheekbones, and a deep scar that ran across her left cheek. She looked like someone who had seen too much bloodshed and carried the weight of her past with her.

"I am Reyna, leader of the Ironwood hunters," she said, her voice as cold as the wind that cut through the trees. "You're here because you claim to be hunters, but we don't trust outsiders easily. If you want our help, you'll have to earn it."

Garret stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We're not here to beg for favors, Reyna. We know what it's like to fight alone, to lose everything and still keep going. But the sorcerer's forces are growing stronger, and if we don't unite, none of us will survive."

Reyna crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "The Ironwood has survived for this long because we don't trust anyone outside our borders. You ask us to risk our lives for a cause we know nothing about."

Jasper, ever the diplomat, spoke up. "We understand your hesitation. But you've already been fighting the sorcerer's forces. You've seen what they're capable of. They're not stopping at the Ironwood, Reyna. Sooner or later, they'll break through."

Alucard's voice cut through the conversation, filled with the intensity of his own experiences. "They'll leave nothing in their wake. They don't just destroy—they consume. Every village, every town, every life they touch turns to ash. You've fought them before. You know what's coming."

For a long moment, Reyna said nothing, her eyes locked on Alucard's. He could see the wheels turning in her mind, the conflict between wanting to protect her people and knowing the reality of the sorcerer's threat.

Finally, she spoke, her voice quieter but no less determined. "There's truth in your words. We've lost too many to that darkness. But we don't follow blind hope—we follow strength." Her eyes flicked to Garret. "Show us your strength, and maybe—just maybe—we'll join your fight."

Garret didn't hesitate. "What do you need?"

Reyna turned and motioned toward a distant ridge, barely visible through the thick trees. "There's an outpost there, deeper in the forest, where the sorcerer's forces have set up camp. They've been scouting Ironwood, waiting for a chance to attack. Take it down, and we'll talk."

Alucard exchanged a glance with Garret, a silent understanding passing between them. This was their test—prove their worth, or walk away empty-handed.

"Consider it done," Alucard said, his voice steady with resolve.

Reyna's lips twisted into something resembling a smile. "Good. Don't disappoint us."