25 - On the Road to 'The Red Riding Wolf' 2

*Nemesia's POV*

The rogue outpost was nestled in a small clearing, shielded by towering pines whose branches whispered secrets to the wind. As we approached, the first thing that struck me was the eerie silence, the kind that hangs heavy in the air, as if even the birds were wary of disturbing the stillness. The morning mist clung to the ground, swirling gently around our feet as we entered what appeared to be a forgotten fragment of rebellion.

The outpost consisted of several rustic buildings, each constructed from rough-hewn logs that had aged to a soft grey. The main structure, which served as both a stable and a storage area, bore the marks of frequent use, though now it lay abandoned. Its wide doors were ajar, creaking softly with the occasional breeze, inviting yet foreboding.

We dismounted with caution, our senses heightened to any sign of disturbance. The outpost, usually a reliable haven for changing mounts and gathering last-minute supplies, appeared deserted, an unsettling welcome.

Nearby, a smaller cabin that I assumed was used for lodging the caretakers or visitors stood with its door closed, a padlock hanging open as if left in a hurry. The windows, dusty and smeared with the passage of time, reflected the early morning light in a ghostly dance.

Scattered around the grounds were various implements of daily life at the outpost: a water trough, now empty, with a thin layer of dust and spider webs; a chopping block with an axe embedded in it, as if someone had been interrupted mid-chore; and several stacks of firewood, covered with a tarp that flapped mournfully in the gentle wind.

The sense of abrupt departure was palpable, the air tinged with a lingering urgency that had not quite faded. It was as if the shadows of those who had lived and worked here still lingered, reluctant to leave the safety of this secluded haven despite the danger that had driven them away.

"Stay sharp," I whispered, leading the approach with Evar close behind. Our hands rested on the hilts of our swords, eyes scanning the shadows that clung to the empty buildings.

A rustle in the underbrush caught our attention, and we tensed, ready for confrontation. Instead, a little boy around 10 years old with fiery red hair and wide, fearful green eyes emerged. He hesitated, his body poised to flee at the slightest threat.

Evar lowered his weapon and offered a friendly smile.

"Hello there, we mean you no harm. What's your name?"

The boy bit his lip, glancing between us before mumbling, "Rowan."

"Come to us baby, we won't hurt you," Jenna cooed, but he snarled lightly and took a step back.

"I am not baby," he said while pouting, not liking her patronising voice.

I stepped forward, keeping my voice gentle but authoritative and without those sweet accents adults often give to children - I just wasn't good with that.

"Rowan, we're searching for our friends. Can you tell us where everyone has gone?"

He shuffled his feet, looking down at the ground before responding.

"They left a week ago... said it was too dangerous to stay..."

"And they left you alone?" I was a bit surprised.

"Coz I am nusi...nuisi... nuisance..." He tried hard to repeat the word.

"So you have lived here by yourself since then?" I was amazed that he survived.

Rowan nodded shyly.

Appreciating the gravity of the situation and the boy's bravery, I nodded solemnly.

"You've done well, Rowan. We need to leave our horses here... DO you think you can take care of them? Can you handle that?"

Before the boys answered, Evar took me by my arm and looked at me with shock. 

"What are you doing?" He whispered.

"Getting as a stable boy for now..." My answer was totally honest and caught him off-guard.

I looked again at the boy and raised my eyebrows. "So?"

His chest puffed out slightly, a spark of pride lighting his eyes. "Yes, I can."

"Good," I said, clapping him gently on the shoulder. "We'll be back for them soon. And when we return, you'll come with us."

His nod was shy but determined as his eyes sparkled happily at the news, and after finding out that Rowan had worked around horses earlier, we quickly but thoroughly prepared them for a rest, making sure they were comfortable and secure. Checking every strap and buckle, I made sure everything was stacked in place for us to retrieve after returning. We couldn't take too much with us, now that we were without our horses.

We didn't waste more time. Although the other three looked at me like a lunatic for leaving behind a small kid... and without horses at that... I felt quite confident about it - not sure why. Maybe it was some kind of women's intuition, not sure... It's not like we didn't try for an heir. It is one of the most important things for rulers. But... there were problems with me conceiving for an unknown reason, and then we tried less and less... And mind me saying - it's difficult for a lycan to get pregnant, so it's best to try a lot... not that we did. I realised something was wrong a lot earlier than Melody happened to our lives.

*

As dusk began to approach, we decided to set up camp in the dense forest, not far from 'The Red Riding Wolf'. The decision to stop here was a strategic one, close enough to the inn to reach it by morning but far enough to maintain a cautious distance.

According to the plan, Orion, with his keen sense of the surroundings, was chosen to scout ahead to the inn. His task was to gather as much intel about what awaited us there without drawing attention. The rest of us busied ourselves to make sure that our camp was both concealed and secure.

Jenna busied herself arranging the perimeter, setting small traps and alarms using twigs and strings, a simple yet effective early warning system. Evar, with his usual thoroughness, was double-checking our weapons and supplies, making sure everything was in order for whatever we might face tomorrow.

I took on the task of watching the fire and preparing some food - I had to make sure that the fire wasn't too big to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Not to mention that my thoughts were running in circles and I couldn't make myself do anything else which everyone understood. Using dried leaves and twigs, I managed to keep a small, smokeless fire, enough to keep us warm without lighting up the whole forest.

As the fire crackled quietly, the air filled with the subtle scent of pine and earth, a peaceful backdrop to the underlying tension of our mission. Once the camp was set up, we gathered around the fire, the flickering flames casting shadows on our faces as we discussed the plan.

"Orion, once you get to the inn, try to blend in as much as possible. See if you can overhear anything about the person who wants to meet with me... or about anyone suspicious," I instructed, handing him a small pouch of coins that Murphey gave me before we moved out. "Use this if you need to pay for any information or services."

Orion nodded, his expression serious.

"I'll keep a low profile. If I sense any danger, I'll pull back immediately."

"And be careful," Jenna added, her voice laced with concern. Orion looked at her with a smile but then his face became more serious when he realised, how Jenna was looking at him.

"I will. I'll be back by dawn," Orion assured more her, than us, placing his hand on hers in a shy manner. Then glanced at me. "Try not to worry too much."

His attempt at lightening the mood drew a small smile from me, despite the swirling anxiety. After final checks on his gear, Orion melted into the shadows of the trees, his steps silent.

With Orion gone, the camp settled into a watchful quiet. Evar and I took the first watch, sitting close to the fire. The warmth from the flames was comforting as the night air grew chill.

As we sat there, the forest around us a tapestry of sounds from nocturnal creatures, Evar broke the silence.

"Do you think Orion will find anything useful?" he asked, poking at the fire with a stick.

"I hope so," I replied, pulling my cloak tighter around my shoulders. "But regardless of what he finds, we'll need to be ready for anything tomorrow. It could still be a trap"

Evar nodded, his gaze fixed on the flames.

"We will be. We've planned as much as we can. Now, it's about staying alert and adapting to whatever comes our way."

The night deepened around us, the sounds of the forest a constant reminder of the world alive beyond our little camp. Our conversation drifted to lighter topics, an attempt to ease the tension. We talked about the landscapes we had passed during our journey, the challenges of living on the road, and even shared a few stories from our pasts that brought a few laughs.

Eventually, Jenna would take over the watch, allowing Evar and me some rest. But sleep was fitful, filled with dreams of shadowy figures and whispered threats. As I finally drifted into a deeper sleep, the last thing I saw was the fire, reduced to embers, casting a soft glow on Evar's face as he watched over our camp. The comfort of his presence, steady and unwavering, was a balm to the unease that had settled in my heart. Unfortunately, before I knew it, it was my time for the watch so I had to get up.

*

As dawn broke, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, we doused the fire and prepared to move out. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of pine and the fresh promise of a new day.

"Let's check everything one last time before we leave," I suggested, my voice tired and stern. Together, we ensured that every pack was secure, every weapon ready, and every mind prepared for the day ahead.

With a final look around the now-empty campsite, we set off towards the inn, the uncertainty of our mission looming ahead but our resolve stronger than ever. Whatever awaited us at 'The Red Riding Wolf', we were ready to face it—together. We hoped Orion would be waiting for us with some information when we got closer.