Wolfe Pack (7 page)

“We mean to confront Attley over this preferably peaceably but we will use force if we have to.” The guard didn't hesitate in replying,

“Then force it shall be.”

Wollfen turned to the others and spoke quick,

“You two will fan out to the left and Keera and I will go to the right, now please, no killing unless you absolutely have to okay?” They all nodded in agreement and moved off without hesitation.

The guards closed rank and moved forward to the lead wagon protecting it, the other wagoneers watching on as the different parties jockeyed for position. Obviously Attley was in the lead wagon. Wollfen drew his sword and held it out to the side opposite to Keera who had also drawn hers holding it across her chest in readiness. They rode forward approaching the lead wagon under the watchful eye of the guards who also had their swords at the ready, thankfully none of them had a bow or crossbow.

Wollfen kept a respectful distance and called out loudly,

“Attley! Show yourself and answer us!”

A small voice called out from within the wagon,

“I have nothing to say to any of you bandits! Begone I say!”

“You have stolen that which is not yours! Hand it over now and nothing more will come of this!”

Keera didn't wait any longer and geed her horse racing towards the nearest guard with a yell.

“Dammit!”

Was all Wollfen could mutter under his breath and he too lunged forward to enter the fray.

Keera started using her sword two handed bashing away at the nearest guard's sword being held up defensively and she didn't let up. Solynne and Kane who had been riding along on  the other side joined in and began parrying swords with the two other guards. Wollfen didn't bother joining in riding right up next to the wagon and sheething his sword before jumping across into it. The shocked driver sat there staring in fear and Wollfen gave him a reassuring grin,

“It's okay I am not after you.”

He then turned and pulled back the flap before entering and there was a squeal from inside. A small man in a nightshirt and not much else was pushed out from behind being held by his ear. The man was holding tight to Wollfen's forearm and trying not to move. Wollfen was holding him firm.

“Tell the wagons to stop or I will tear your ear off.”

The man frantically tapped the driver on the shoulder beside him and he pulled up. The fighting stopped too as they all watched on. Wollfen shook him by the ear a bit making the man cry out again,

“Now tell them to lay down their arms or I will peel you, do you understand me?”

“Yes yes, lay down your arms, do as he says, please, it hurts!”

The guards did as they were told and still everyone watched on.

“You owe Keera here the fifty gold that was due her for killing those bandits on the road into Comberwell.” The man looked incredulous,

“Fifty gold!? It was only fifty silver!” Then he realized his mistake, he had just admitted to it all. “Wait, wait!”

But it was too late, the guards all grumbled, they realized they had been duped. Wollfen let go of him and he slumped down beside the driver cowering.

“So how about it? Where is it?”

“I don't have it all anymore, I had to give some to the guards as payment to see me through to Port Cholandra.” Wollfen shook his head,

“So how much do you have left?” The man was too scared to answer and Wollfen gave him a firm nudge, “Come on, out with it!”

“There's only 15 coin left I had to buy supplies too for the trip.” Keera gave an angry shout and Wollfen waved at her to wait. He sighed,

“How could you have so little? What do you normally pay for things with when taking a journey like this?” The man was desperate pleading his case,

“Please, I normally sell produce along the way in each town we stop in but this trip no ones been buying much at all. I ran out of money before we got to Comberwell.”

Wollfen looked to the guards and then to all the others, what could be done? There was no way he could strip the man of all he had here and leave him bereft in the middle of nowhere plus he surely couldn't demand the money back from the guards either, they were just doing their job after signing on. It wasn't their fault the man had cheated Keera. He had an idea.

“You lot who were guarding this wagon train, as you can see the money you have was not Atley's to give, I understand you have already done some work on this trail and are owed some money for that.” The lead guard piped up,

“I gave up some good work going north to do this trip, I am not giving up the money I have earned.”

“Yes but if push comes to shove we will insist on escorting the lot of you back to Comberwell and letting the sheriff sort it all out and you know he will demand all the money back.” The men grumbled at the prospect, they had no desire to front the law.

“What do you suggest?”

“How much did he pay you all in total?”

“We got eight silver pieces each. That's for two weeks work.”

“Well you have been working for less than a day, I will be generous, keep three coins each for your troubles and hand over the rest.” He looked to Keera who rolled her eyes but nodded.

The three guards huddled for a moment then turned back and the lead guard stuck out his hand,

“Done.”

They shook and handed back five pieces each and Wollfen handed them to Keera, he then turned to Attley making a give it up motion with his hand. The man grudgingly reached into his nightshirt producing a pouch which Wollfen took, he opened it up and dumped the contents into his hand, there was thirty pieces of silver not fifteen. Wollfen scowled at Attley who just sat there with a pained look on his face.

“Alright, we will be on our way then, just make sure you don't try fleecing anyone else in future Attley, the next bunch of people may not be so forgiving. I know you understand this.” The man nodded timidly,

“But what am I to do now?” Wollfen shook his head,

“It's not our problem the predicament that you have gotten yourself into, but I may suggest you turn your wagons around and head back to Comberwell, then do some trading. After all that's the business you are in.”

The man meekly looked down as Wollfen mounted his horse and signaled the others.

“Let's get going, we have a long ride ahead.”

Outrock

The four riders sat at the bar, the two men unshaven and all of them looking well worn from a long time out in the wilds, they had been riding over a week to get here. It was Wollfen and his companions having traveled far south at a good pace that found them tired and sore after such a long ride with only a few hours a night sleep. He had deliberately set a cracking pace to see how the others would hold up and they had done well. While there had been some griping on the trail they had held together well and worked in cooperation without too much input from him. Yes they had performed admirably.

There had been a clash with three orcs a couple of days ago and Wollfen had held back letting the other three work out their own attack. Kane had taken the lead without hesitation and it hadn't taken long to dispatch the creatures. Yes the group so far had proved their mettle and he was pleased. He only need find a few more people to complete the group and then he could start focusing on special training.

“Well I'm tired and worn out, I won't hide the fact, I need a hot bath to soak in.” Kane sniffed himself,

“I can't say I smell too good either.”

Solynne turned up her nose at his comment,

“Don't come near me, I have been smelling you for the last week, you reek.” Kane gave her a dark look and Keera chuckled.

The three of them were glad to have the trail done and be taking a break, the last week had pushed them for sure and they felt it. But at the same time they felt pleased with themselves too, Outrock would normally be a two week ride. It was  the last large town in the southern districts of the Kingdom, an out of the way place that no one gave a second thought to. Anyone of regard that is, the place had more than it's fair share of outlaws and vagabonds.

It was to be expected, Kingdom soldiers or government officials hardly ever set foot this far south, there wasn't much here to preside over. Outrock as the name implied lay on the edge of the rocky outlands here to the south east, while there was still forests to be seen they were far thinner here and the ground was dry. The hills further on were lashed by high winds that kept the greenery from taking too much of a foothold. In every direction you looked it was rocky and dusty.

Keera turned to a barmaid and called out,

“Another round of ale here please, we are parched.”

The barmaid nodded and moved off. Wollfen looked around scanning the people in the tavern, they appeared to be locals by their tan garb and weathered skin. Some were of a black skinned race which wasn't seen often in the Kingdom, at least not further north. Wollfen found that curious, he had thought they were only to be seen in the southern islands near Svalbard across the ocean. Well that had been his experience. Up until ten years ago he hadn't seen any of them taking up residence in the Kingdom at all. Oh what did it matter? His mind was wandering, the tiredness was getting to him he thought. He looked across at his companions, they were content to wait for their ale and it was too early to eat being mid afternoon.

“”Hey I am getting a room and having a bath then rest awhile, what you lot do is up to you. Let's meet up here again say in three hours?”

They all nodded quietly, content to do very little. Wollfen pulled himself up off the bar stool and made eye contact with the barman, they traded some words and Wollfen was handed a key. Then he walked off down a hall at the right to the row of rooms. The other three waited on their ales and when they had drunk them moved off to their own rooms to do the same. Keera though hung around chatting to some guys, she had no intention of wasting her time on rest when there were some attractive young men to flirt with.

Wollfen meantime having finished his bath was laying back on his bed, eyes closed but not sleeping, he was feeling his body ache and was glad to be resting. After dinner he would come back to bed and he was sure to sleep well. He felt himself drifting but sleep wouldn't claim him. It was about an hour later when he heard a commotion from the direction of the bar. At first he paid it no heed but then it occurred to him that maybe one or more of his companions could be involved? He grudgingly got up and pulled his boots on. Wollfen was in no rush, maybe it would be all over by the time he got there and he could return to bed.

Outside his door he turned towards the bar and could make out the sound of Keera shouting, he sighed. Upon entering the bar room he could make out Keera standing there facing off with a young man with his dagger out, Wollfen could see that her dagger was still sheathed. What was going on?

“Come on you son of a bitch! Come at me! I'm not scared!”

While those two faced off Wollfen looked around quickly, there were a few onlookers but no one appeared to be of any danger and they weren't getting involved. Of the other two companions there was no sign. He walked over and stood to one side making his presence known. Keera glanced out of the corner of her eye at him,

“Leave this to me, I have this.”

The man scowled and lunged with his dagger, it was all that Keera needed and as she batted his hand to one side she swung hard with her other making a fist catching the man square on the nose. There was a shout of excitement from the crowd as the man staggered back clutching his face as blood trickled down his chin. Now he was really angry but smart too. He stood up, looking at both Keera and Wollfen,

“You will keep.”

And then he walked out with Keera slinging barbs goading him on, but he wouldn't bite.

“Oh come on! That's all it takes to defeat you? What did you momma raise? A coward?”

The man half paused in his steps but he didn't stop walking out the doorway into the street. Keera turned to Wollfen and he could see she was somewhat drunk from her bleary eyes and slight swaying. He knew not to tell her off, right now it would be a waste of time so he simply motioned for her to join him at a booth. The two of them sat down as the other patrons went about their business, some grumbling at the anticlimax. Wollfen looked at Keera without a word.

“What? He started it.” He said nothing, still looking, “Oh for crying out loud, he was pissing me off, I couldn't just sit there and take it.”

Again nothing from him but that silent stare, it wasn't even a stern look. Finally she sighed,

“I think I need another drink.” This time Wollfen did speak up,

“Stay with me for a minute, tell me what happened.”

She let out a big breath and looked at him for a few moments, collecting her thoughts, was she even sure how it had started anymore? Then she slowly shook her head as she looked away,

“Oh it was something stupid, he probably didn't even mean anything by it, all I know is it stung and I reacted.”

Wollfen could see there was the start of tears in her eyes, what was going on?

“What did he say?” She shook her head in reply,

“I honestly don't remember, how stupid is that?” Wollfen grunted,

“It's not stupid, so many arguments start like that, by the time you get into it with the other person you quickly forget what it was all about in the first place.”

She nodded in agreement and tears started trickling down her face. Should he push her on what was upsetting her? How would she react? Well, there was one way to find out he supposed.

“So what's upsetting you Keera? What is it that is so maddening? I can see it is eating at you.”

Keera gave him a look, like a lost girl, a little frightened. She seemed so unsure of herself all of a sudden,

“I just can't stand it when...” Then she stopped, he looked on waiting,

“Go on, I will listen.”

Then all of a sudden the anger rose in her again and her vulnerability was shut away.

“Fuck you and fuck all men! I am tired of hearing you lot feigning interest and pretending to be concerned when all you want is to get into my pants!”

Wollfen couldn't help but look on in surprise. Keera stood up and stalked out without another word, where she went he had no idea but he knew to leave well enough alone.

About twenty minutes later Kane and Solynne entered the tavern smiling and chatting, they had been out for a walk. Kane spotted Wollfen sitting in the booth and they made their way over, sitting down opposite him.

“How goes it my friend? Enjoying some pints of ale?” Wollfen shook his head. Solynne looked around,

“Where's Keera?” Wollfen raised an eyebrow and she worked out real quick something was up. “Is she in trouble?” Finally Wollfen spoke up,

“No she isn't in any trouble but she is upset, she walked off awhile ago and I haven't seen her since.”

“What is she upset about? What happened?”

“Oh she had a minor run in with some fellow over something he said to her, but I am sure that isn't what has caused her to go off the deep end. I have a feeling she is carrying some deeper issue, something is gnawing at her and it's affecting her greatly. What it is I have no idea. There was no hint on the trail.”

“So what did she say? Anything at all?”

“Yeah, she did tell me to get fucked, that all men were simply trying to get into her pants.”

Solynne thought about that a bit, Kane also did too but he wasn't any help, he had no idea about these things. Solynne though was considering some possibilities.

“Wolf? You know she became a mercenary at a very young age, she says for ten years right?” He nodded, “That would mean she would have started at about 13 years old. Don't you think that gives an idea of what's going on?”

Wollfen thought about it a bit, she might be onto something there, what would drive a child of 13 out into the world? Abusive parents for sure, or maybe she was an orphan? Either way she would have been driven out into a world without love, without any nurturing other than what was given to her by men seeking their own sexual satisfaction. He was sure that was it thinking about it now, she would have been a young girl all alone fending for herself and she would have been taken advantage of.

“You know she probably grew up learning to use her sexuality to get what she wants, well that and the use of her sword. With no parents to guide her or protect her I am also sure she would have been abused along the way too.” Solynne agreed and also added her own part,

“It would also explain her ways when we are in town, seeking the attention of men and flirting and more, it's all she has known. She doesn't know anything else.”

Wollfen nodded his head quietly in agreement while looking at nothing in particular, he was deep in thought. What could they do? Probably not a lot.

“We shall just have to see how things pan out, let's hope it doesn't prove to be an issue for the rest of us.” Solynne wondered though,

“You don't think there is anything we can try?” Wollfen shrugged his shoulders, he wasn't sure,

“I guess all we can do for now is play it by ear, until we know more I doubt we are in a position to talk to her about it. We are still somewhat in the dark.” Solynne agreed,

“You are right, I tell you what, when we are riding back to Comberwell in a few days I can spend more time talking to her, I spent most of my time with Kane as you know.”

Wollfen smiled, it was good to see Solynne stepping up and taking a role in all this, he hadn't needed to say anything which was good.

“Good idea, I am sure she will talk to you more readily than either of us, just don't push her, let her open up to you.”

Solynne winked and smiled, she understood perfectly.

The evening came and went with the two of them eating their meals and spending a bit of time in idle conversation. It grew late and still there was no sign of Keera, was she in trouble? Kane wondered that very thought out loud,

“Do you think she is in need of help? Should we go look for her?” Wollfen shook his head,

“No let's leave her be, I am sure she is fine. She has managed to take care of herself for the last ten years, there's not much chance of her needing anything.”

The three of them moved off to their respective rooms soon after that and they turned in for the night. Wollfen lay in bed looking up at the ceiling still thinking about the day's events, he brooded too much for his own good.

There was a quiet knock at his door and he got up moving over to it. Unlocking the door and opening it he saw Keera standing there looking like a sad puppy with bloodshot eyes. She had been crying a lot obviously. He let her in without a word and she walked over to the bed, kicking her boots off and flopping down. Wollfen walked around to the other side of the bed and sat on the edge looking on, he spoke quietly to her,

“Do you want to talk?”

She shook her head without a word and simply lay there. He sighed, what should he do? After a moment he decided to lay down which he did, stretching out beside her. He lay there quietly listening to her breathe. After a few minutes Keera reached out and held his hand, he squeezed it in return. That was how they spent the night, no words, nothing more than holding hands until they both drifted off to sleep. It was a curious situation that Wollfen hadn't experienced before.

Later that night Wollfen awoke with a start to find Keera up on one elbow looking down on him,

“Hey?”

It was all he could get out while half asleep. He rubbed his eyes and forced himself to wake properly.  Keera lay here watching, not saying a word.