Chapter 13: The Road to Dustmere

The road bent east, cutting through low hills and patches of brush. The fog was gone now, burned away by sunlight, but the quiet hadn’t lifted.

Vaelira leaned forward on the bench. The trail ahead was open, but it felt narrow. One side sloped into a gully with a few dead trees clinging to the roots. The other rose into jagged stone, sharp enough to break a wagon axle if they drifted too close.

No birds. No buzzing flies. Not even the creak of branches.

Just hooves, wheels, and the cart.

She frowned and glanced back. Sahvani was awake now, sitting up fully. Her scarf was wrapped tight again, and one hand rested on her leg, near the handle of her glaive. She wasn’t looking at anyone—just watching the trail behind them.

Thalen scratched the back of his neck. “Is it me, or does it feel like we’re being followed by the world’s quietest funeral?”

“It's just the hills,” Edrin said, though he didn’t sound certain. He slowed the lead horse and narrowed his eyes. “Wind echoes weirdly in places like this.”

“Just the hills,” Edrin said. He didn’t sound sure. He slowed the horse and looked ahead. “Wind moves strangely in spots like this.”

Grukhar gave a short grunt. “I’ll take it from here.”

Edrin looked back at him, then nodded. “Alright.”

He handed over the reins without fuss. Grukhar climbed into the front, settled into the seat, and gave the horses a soft flick of the reins.

Vaelira turned her eyes back to the trail, but she didn’t relax. She couldn’t explain it. Nothing was wrong. Nothing had happened. But her fingers still drifted to her staff, and they stayed there.

Just in case.

The cart rattled over a dip in the road, and one of the back wheels gave a sharp creak. Grukhar grunted and leaned to one side, listening.

“Wheel’s acting up again,” he said. “If it splits out here, we’ll be stopping for a long while.”

No one answered, but Vaelira glanced at the cart’s rear axle as they kept moving.

They were further into the hills now. The trees were thinner — just a few pines scattered around, some low brush between them. Dry grass grew in clumps along the edges of the road. Flat rocks stuck out from the ground. The path looked rough, like no one had taken care of it in a long time.

The cart slowed a little as the wheels bumped over a shallow rut. Grukhar kept the reins steady, eyes on the road.

Up ahead, the trail curved between two low ridges. The brush thickened near the bend, and a few broken branches.

Grukhar clicked his tongue once. “Visibility’s bad up ahead. Don’t like that pass.”

Edrin nodded. “I’ll walk ahead. Make sure it’s clear.”

He climbed down from the cart. His boots hit the dirt soft. He adjusted the strap of his bow and started forward, eyes on the slope to the left.

Vaelira watched him go for a few seconds, then gave the side of the cart a light tap. She swung her legs over and dropped down as well.

Thalen looked at her. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing,” she said. “Just felt like walking.” She adjusted her cloak and fell beside the cart. Sahvani was already there, walking near the back with quiet steps. The foxkin hadn’t said a word since morning. Her scarf was still pulled up high.

The breeze picked up again. Grass moved along the sides of the road.

Vaelira didn’t know why, but something about the air felt off. Not heavy — just still. Like the trail had gone quiet on purpose.

She didn’t like it.

“Is it always this quiet?”

Sahvani walked a few steps before answering. “Not sure. I haven’t been through here before.” Vaelira glanced at her. “You seem calm.” “No point worrying unless something actually happens.”

The words had barely left Sahvani’s mouth when Edrin raised a hand from up ahead.

He crouched low, one knee almost to the dirt, and stared at something just off the trail. The cart rolled a few more feet before Grukhar pulled the reins tight.

“Stop,” Edrin called, calm but firm.

Vaelira stepped forward. “What is it?” He didn’t answer right away. He ran a hand along the edge of a flat stone, then pointed. “Tracks.” Grukhar swore under his breath. “How fresh?”

“Few hours at most,” Edrin said. “Too many. Four, maybe five.” Could be more.” “Thalen shifted behind the cart. “Animals?” “Maybe,” Edrin said. “But… something’s wrong with the pattern. They didn’t pass through. They circled.”

That was all he said, but Vaelira felt it. That same stillness again. No birds. No wind. Just the soft creak of the cart and the faint shifting of grass.

Sahvani had already moved to the side. She pulled her polearm from her back and held it low. The wide, curved blade caught the light as she turned it once.

Grukhar grabbed his hammer from the seat beside him and stood, eyes scanning the rocks.

“You can fight?” Thalen asked.

Grukhar glanced at him. “Even a merchant needs to protect his wares. I’m not great with it, but I’ll swing if I have to.” Vaelira shifted her grip on the staff. Her eyes locked on the trail ahead, and her mind reached for the threads. She didn’t cast — just prepared to pull if she had to.

Then something moved — low to the ground, fast, slipping between the rocks ahead.

Vaelira blinked. She almost missed it.

Another shape followed, close behind. It ran quick and silent, paws kicking up dust. Gray fur, shoulders hunched, head low. Its body moved like it didn’t care about being seen — like it was already too close.

Edrin shifted first. He pulled his bow, nocked an arrow, and loosed in one smooth motion. The arrow hit the first wolf. It stumbled but didn’t fall.

“Wolves,” he said. “Big ones.” Two more darted out from behind the ridge.

“Down!” Grukhar shouted.

Sahvani didn’t wait. She moved around the back of the cart, her polearm already low. The closest wolf lunged. She met it head-on, planting her foot and driving the blade upward. The wolf’s weight carried it into the steel — one step too close. It dropped without a sound.

Another charged from the right. Vaelira reacted fast. She reached for the threads and drew a short, sharp rune with her staff. Ice snapped from the air, slicing across the grass and catching the wolf mid-leap. It yelped, tumbled and kept moving — slower, but not down.

Then a fourth one rushed Grukhar from the side.

He turned late.

Thalen was already there.

He stepped between them with his shield raised, the wolf’s jaws slamming against metal. He shouted something under his breath — words meant for Soltheria than for them.

His mace came down in a hard arc, and a flash of light burst at the point of impact. The wolf dropped, still twitching.

Grukhar blinked. “...Good swing.” Thalen panted. “Wasn’t aiming to impress.” A fifth one broke from the edge of the rocks. It moved low and fast, weaving past the others.

Vaelira turned—

Too slow.

The wolf slammed into her side and knocked her off balance. Her staff clattered against the stones. She hit the ground hard, gasped, and tried to push herself up.

The weight of it pressed her into the dirt. Its jaws bit down on her arm — hard.

She screamed.

Fur and teeth, hot breath, pain. It bit through just below the shoulder, not clean, but deep enough. Blood ran fast. She tried to pull away, but it held on.

Her free hand scrambled for anything. She reached the base of her staff and tried to lift it, but her vision blurred. Her arm felt like it was on fire.

Then came the crack of a hammer.

The wolf jerked sideways.

Grukhar stood over her, teeth clenched, hammer raised again. “Get off!” It staggered, but didn’t fall.

Sahvani moved next. No shout, no warning. Her polearm swept in from the side. The blade hit just below the ribs and carried through. The wolf dropped.

Vaelira lay there, breath ragged, arm soaked red.

Thalen dropped beside her, already pulling his pack around. “Hold still.” “I am,” she snapped.

He pressed a hand over the wound, and golden light bloomed under his fingers. Warmth pushed back against the pain.

“Bad?” she asked through gritted teeth.

“You’ll live,” he said. “But you’re lucky. Another second, and you’d have needed the arm stitched back on.”

The last of the wolves turned and broke off, slipping back into the hills.

Two limped. One tried to snarl but couldn’t keep its footing. Edrin raised his bow and put another arrow through its side. It dropped without a sound.

The two others disappeared into the rocks.

The trail was quiet again. Only the sound of breathing, footsteps, and wind brushing through the glass.

Thalen finished closing the worst of the wound with his magic, then reached for a roll of cloth. “This’ll keep it stable. You’ll need to go easy on the arm for a few days, even with the healing.”

Vaelira winced as he started wrapping it. “Easy’s not really my thing.”

Thalen smiled at her words.

Sahvani stood nearby, cleaning the edge of her weapon with a scrap of cloth. She glanced over.

“You were lucky,” she said. “That thing had weight. Could’ve taken your whole arm off.” Vaelira managed a thin smile. “Yeah. Thanks for the save.”

Sahvani gave a short nod. “Wasn’t just me.” Vaelira looked up at the group. GRukhar leaning on his hammer. Edrin checking the edge of a broken arrow. Thalen was still fussing over the bandage like he was stitching up royalty.

Edrin glanced over. “So. You going to start dodging next time?” She sighed. “Maybe.” He smirked. “Progress.”

They didnt’ travel much further after that.

The road opened up into a wide bend with a rocky slope on one side and a short drop on the other. Grukhar pulled the cart up beneath an overhang where the stone hung low and dry overhead. A small ridge above it broke the wind.

“This’ll do,” he said, voice low. “Don’t think anything else will try us today.” By the time the fire was lit, the light had gone soft. Shadows stretched across the rocks, and the last bit of sun clung to the sky behind them. Blood had dried in patches on Vaelira’s sleeve.

Grukhar passed around strips of dried meat and two hard biscuits each. “Extra tonight,” he said. “For not letting me end up wolf food.” Thalen looked at the food, then at his hands. “Think I’ve still got a wolf on me.” “Adds flavor,” Edrin said.

Vaelira sat near the edge of the firelight, resting her back against the side of the cart. Her arm still throbbed. The bandage held, and the healing had closed most of it, but she could feel the stiffness already creeping in.

Across from her, Sahvani sat with her polearm across her lap. She ran a cloth along the blade in small, careful motions, eyes half-focused.

After a while, Vaelira pushed herself to her feet and crossed the gap between them. She didn’t sit, just hovered nearby. “Didn’t peg you for the quiet victory type,” she said.

Sahvani glanced up. “It wasn’t a victory. Just survival.” Vaelira scratched at the edge of the bandage. “Still. You were fast. Precise. That cut probably saved me.” “It was clean. You held its attention.” Vaelira gave a smile. “Glad to be useful.” She eased herself down to sit, legs crossed. A pause followed.

“You were right. About not worrying until something happens.” Sahvani looked at her. “Didn’t mean you should stop paying attention.” Vaelira laughed. “Noted.”

They sat in silence for a bit longer. The fire crackled. Edrin and Thalen traded low words and a chuckle Vaelira couldn’t quite hear. Grukhar was snoring already, half-sitting against a rock.

Finally, Sahvani spoke again. “You cast fast.” Vaelira blinked. “Too fast?” “You didn’t lose control,” Sahvani said. “But it was close.” “I know. Didn’t think. Just reacted.” Sahvani nodded slowly. “That’s how most people start.” Vaelira tilted her head. “You don’t cast. How would you know?” “I’ve seen enough. The ones I trained with. Slow, careful. One wrong step and it all scattered.” “Sounds stricter than my old teacher.” Foxkin looked back at the fire. “Strict doesn’t mean wrong.”

Vaelira poked at a loose stone with her boot. “Back home, they always made us recite theory before touching wands. No real spells until you could draw everything on sand. Perfect lines. Exact angles.” Sahvani didn’t say anything at first. Then: “That doesn’t sound like you.” “It wasn’t.” Ylvaari smiled faintly. “Didn’t go great.” Foxkin gave a quiet hum. It could’ve been an agreement. Or just acknowledgment.

“...But I did learn a lot by leaving. Even if I got bitten for it.” Sahvani glanced at her bandaged arm. “You’ll remember that one.” “Hard to forget.”

They both sat in silence after that. The fire crackled and popped. The air had cooled, and the rocks around them kept the warmth close.

Eventually, Vaelira stood and stretched her good arm. “Thanks for not shutting me out tonight.” Sahvani didn’t look up from her blade. “You didn’t try to talk like you knew me.” Vaelira raised a brow, but said nothing. She walked back to her spot by the cart. Thalen looked up from his blanket and smiled. “You two seemed to get along.” Vaelira shrugged. “Hard to tell.” “Seemed like a good start to me.”

Vaelira laid down on her side, wincing as her arm pulled slightly. Edrin, already stretched out with his hands behind his head, didn’t open his eyes. “Try not to pet the next wolf, yeah?” Vaelira sighed. “No promises.”

The fire was down to faint embers. When Vaelira sat up, the sky was pale with few clouds. Her arm throbbed as the bandage pulled.

Grukhar was still asleep under his blanket. Thalen sat nearby, pouring hot water into a metal cup.

Vaelira looked around. “Where’s Edrin?” “Went ahead at first light,” Thalen said. “Probably scouting.”

Vaelira rubbed her eyes. “Why didn’t anyone wake me for watch?” Thalen handed her the cup. “We figured you earned some extra sleep.” She took it and raised an eyebrow. “I’m not dying.” “Didn’t say you were. But rest helps.”

They sat in silence for a while. The fire cracked softly, and the wind moved through the rocks. Somewhere off on the trail, a bird called once, then went quiet again. Thalen looked toward the hills.

“You think our next adventure will lead us towards Frost’s Embrace?” Vaelira didn’t answer right away.

“I don’t know. But, I hope we will make progress towards it… But earning coin is as important.” A faint scuff behind them.

She turned her head.

Sahvani stood near the edge of the camp, leaning against a stone. Arms crossed.

Vaelira didn’t speak. Just held her cup and watched the steam rise.

Sahvani stayed there a moment longer, then pushed off the rock and started checking the cart harness.

“She’s always up early,” Thalen said softly.

Vaelira nodded. “Yeah… she listens more than she talks.”

Thalen looked over at Sahvani, then back at the fire. “Sometimes that’s how trust starts.”

Bootsteps sounded on the trail above them. A moment later, Edrin appeared between the rocks, brushing dust from his cloak.

“Trail’s clear,” he said. “Looks like no more wolves.” Thalen stood and started packing his things. “Good.” Grukhar let out a grunt as he sat up, rubbing his face with one hand. “Didn’t miss anything important, did I?” “Just peace and quiet,” Vaelira said.

“Shame. Those don’t last.” Sahvani had already finished checking the harness. She gave the lead strap a tug and climbed up to the front of the cart without a word.

Vaelira moved slower, slipping her arm through her cloak as best she could. The bandage pulled again, but it felt more like dull pressure now.

By the time the cart rolled out from under the overhang, the sun had cleared the ridge. The road stretched ahead. Another bend. Another trail.

They didn’t speak much as they moved.

By late afternoon, the hills opened up. The trail curved over a final ridge, and there it was below them.

Dustmere Ridge.

A quiet valley town, low buildings tucked between the rocks. Lanterns already glowed in doorways, and a few distant carts rolled along its main road. Thin columns of smoke drifted up.

The cart slowed as they crested the hill.

The merchant gave a soft chuckle. “There it is. Feels like we’ve been chasing it for weeks.” He looked over at the foxkin beside him. “Well, this is your stop, I guess.” She nodded once, gaze fixed on the town. “Last ride.”

“You were a good help,” he said. “Quiet, sharp-eyed. I’ll have to find a few greenhands to replace you.”

“You’ll live.” He gave a low laugh. “I will. And maybe we cross paths again — me, this lot, and you.” Sahvani glanced toward the others but didn’t answer.

After a moment, she stepped down and slung her pack over one shoulder. She looked at the group.

“This was supposed to be the last road. Just a job.” She then nodded a little.

“Didn’t expect to meet people who made me… rethink that.” Then she turned and walked toward the lights below.

Vaelira stood near the cart, watching her go.

“Hey!” she called after her. “Don’t take too long rethinking it.” The foxkin didn’t stop walking, but her ears shifted. Just a little.

Thalen chuckled softly. “I liked her.” Edrin crossed his arms. “That explains your taste in friends.” Grukhar grunted and pulled a coin pouch from his belt. “For the road. You kept me alive, and the cart in one piece.” He handed it over. “Should be enough for beds, food, drink for a few days. You earned it.” The cart creaked as he climbed back into the seat. “If we cross paths again.. I hope it’s on quieter roads.” “Well… Lets get our rest then.” Vaelira glanced at the two.

They just smiled and nodded.

They started down the last stretch together. Dustmere grew clearer with every step. The road behind them was quiet now.

The town ahead looked peaceful.

But her thoughts stayed with the people they’d met.