“Got everything you need?” Asked Lynn.

  “I believe so.” Raine replied as he did a quick check of his travelling gear.

  They had salvaged everything they could. A bag full of rations, dried meats and fruits, some salt and various spices, a waterskin, a cooking pot, two bedrolls, a change of clothes, a knife; along with some other essentials, all stored away in a sturdy leather backpacks.

  “We'd better get going, while there’s still some light.” Said Lynn as he donned his dark grey cloak.

  “Right behind you.” Replied Raine, taking one last glance across the burned town. It had been just over two days since the fire. Raine stood beyond at the gates, bidding Lobos a silent farewell. Wind blew through the charred remains in response.

  It had begun to rain. The water dripped from the hoods of their cloaks as they walked down the main road, leading away from the village.

  “Where are we headed?” Asked Raine.

  “For now, the closest city is probably our best bet, a place called Satus. Just east of here. We can restock there, then head north. Unless you’d prefer if we headed south towards Orcus; though from personal experience I’d advise against it.” Lynn explained.

  “Are there any element wielders in Orcus?”

  “Wielders?” Lynn bit his tongue as he asked the question; the answer was obvious. Raine had mentioned repeatedly over the past two days. He needed to become strong enough to take on a dragon. “There should be, although they’re probably in the military and that’s the one place I’d recommend you avoid.”

  Raine raised his eyebrow. “Why is that?”

  “It’s just - they’re not people you want to deal with. Although they’re praised as heroes by their faction, they’re just thieves, rapists and murderers; the lot of them.” Lynn said through gritted teeth.

  Raine was curious about Lynn’s relationship with Orcus but couldn’t bring himself to ask. His own memories of murder were still too fresh.

  “Let’s head north.” He said confidently.

  “It’ll be a very long journey.”

  “We’re in no rush, are we?” Raine mused, showing a genuine smile for the first time in two days. “Or are you having second thoughts about coming with me? Maybe the scrappers' life is too alluring just to quit.”

  Lynn lightly tapped the leather pouch that sat beside a pair of daggers, strapped around his waist. The movement rattled the gathered coins inside.

  “I think this might be an opportunity for both of us. A new page in our story.”

  A large caravan had stopped in front of the gates, blocking the entrance. There were six carts, four of which were loaded with sacks, barrels and crates. The remaining two carried passengers. Satus acted as trading outpost and local hub for the surrounding villages, before it had grown into the city it was today.

  Large stone walls surrounded the city, with a sturdy gate and a watchtower guarding the main road. The gate guards questioned to the drivers, inspecting their goods.

  The line slowly moved forward.

  “Please state your name and purpose.” One of the guards drawled, without lifting his gaze.

  A merchant from the third cart, a man in his fifties who wore a deep red robe and a white-furred hat, approached the guards and handed them a piece of parchment.

  “Supplies for the Orcus army, sir.”

  The guard looked it over, glanced at the merchant and gestured, letting the caravan through.

  “Next!” He shouted.

  “It’s a lot stricter than Lobos.” Raine whispered to Lynn. He thought of the few village guards that had patrolled Lobos. They usually spent their time drinking or playing cards. Nothing happened in Lobos. Until now.

  “With the number of people that go through here, it’s expected.”

  Raine nodded and lowering his hood as they approached the guard.

  “State your name and purpose.”

  “I’m Raine, and this is Lynn. We’re travellers looking for a place to stay.”

  The guard let out a sigh.

  “You’re free to enter. Please refrain from causing any trouble.”

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  “Thank you.”

  “We’ll do our best.” Lynn added, causing the guard to give him a stern glare.

  As they passed the gates, Raine’s first impression was right; it was a lot busier than the village he’d come from. Satus was bustling with people. The streets teemed with traders, carrying crates and goods, whilst others talked to customers and haggled over prices.

  In the distance a bell rang, drawing Raines' attention. It sounded just like the one back home. It was so familiar yet felt foreign.

  It took them forty minutes to reach the town square. They’d trudged through narrow, winding roads, avoiding the thoroughfare of the main street. Its stone roads were packed with travellers, carriages, merchants and even soldiers from the Orcus military, of whom Lynn carefully avoided.

  Raine stood beneath the shadow of the white tower in disbelief, drawn to it by the bell. It stood directly in the town square, though this one had a building attached to it, similar in its decorative patterns.

  “Did the Nevesal catch your eye?”

  “The what?” Asked Raine.

  Lynn couldn’t help but chuckle. “That church over there.” He pointed.

  “No - well, yes. It’s the bell tower. It looks almost identical to the one in Lobos.”

  “Didn’t know they were everywhere?”

  “Yes, but I’ve never seen them. It’s a little surreal.”

  “The church built them hundreds of years ago and is still in charge of their maintenance.” Explained Lynn. ‘You’ll see quite a few on our journey.”

  It didn’t sit well with him, seeing this tower again. Raine couldn’t explain why, but something about the church bothered him.

  “I say we should go look for an inn.” Said Lynn, clearly exhausted.

  “I could eat a horse right now.” Raine agreed.

  The buildings in Satus were a mix of different styles. Whilst a large majority were built from timber frames, stacked high and close together, with pitched roofs and lines of clothing hanging from open windows, there were a handful that had been carved from stone. These buildings seemed primarily for business, or the homes of affluent merchants. Raine peered into the garden of one such home, noting the array of flowers growing within. A small woman tended them, her uniform dirty, hair pulled back in a fierce knot. She gave Raine a warm smile as they passed.

  As they continued down the street, the smell of freshly cooked food reached their noses.

  “What do you think?” Asked Lynn.

  Raine glanced up and saw a wooden sign hanging in front of the large two-storey building, featuring a large black cat next to a silver platter.

  “Looks good.”

  The heavy wooden door led into a large taproom, where a handful of people were seated. Despite the light pouring in through the windows, there were a few lit candles scattered across tables and a smouldering fireplace towards the back. There was a small bar along the left wall; behind it was a middle-aged woman with a stern face. She was polishing glasses as Raine and Lynn took one of the free tables in the corner. Whilst Raine looked nervous, Lynn seemed far more at home. Raine felt a hand land on his shoulder and looked up to find the barmaid beside him.

  “Welcome to the Black Cat, what can I get for you?” Her gentle voice had a calming effect on him.

  “Two plates of whatever is cooking and a room for the night, please.” Said Lynn.

  “I do apologise for asking, but you have the means to pay, right?”

  “We would not be here otherwise.” Smiled Lynn and placed a handful of silver on the table.

  “If only everyone would think like that.” She left them then to retrieve two plates of stew and place them on the table.

  “I’m Vera, the owner of this establishment. I hope the stew is okay with you.”

  Lynn nodded, his mouth already full.

  “My name’s Raine, and that’s Lynn.” Raine offered, pointing at his companion.

  “Nice to meet you.” Added Lynn.

  “Likewise.”

  Raine dug in as well. He had almost forgotten how hungry he was. "It's been a long time since I've had such a feast." They’d spent a week on the road, sharing their rations and few rabbit’s they’d managed to catch.

  “What’s that on the wall there?” Raine asked, his anxiety subsiding slightly as he pointed towards a piece of parchment on the wall. On it was a drawing, of a crude black dog.

  “A bounty is what that is. Sometimes, creatures become a bit too dangerous for the folk around here, so a bounty is put up for them.” Vera explained.

  “What is it?” Lynn turned to look at the drawing, chewing thoughtfully.

  “A death sentence.” Vera wiped her hands down the front of her dress, shaking her head. “They say it’s a wolf of sorts. Bollocks, if you ask me. Never heard of a wolf dragging a whole grown ox away. Many have left to hunt it, but only a few returned, those lucky enough to flee from it.”

  “So, people have seen it?” Asked Raine.

  “What you see in the picture is how those who survived described it.” Said Vera.

  “A shadow, with blank white eyes and a growl that’s unlike anything I’ve heard.” Said an older man sitting at the table next to them.

  He was dressed like a veteran fighter, his face a patchwork of scars. His left eye had a milky-white hue, and he was missing his right hand.

  “Sounds like a monster.” Lynn eyed the man cautiously.

  The man’s expression darkened as his brow furrowed; his grip tightened around his tankard.

  “Aye. A monster. Something unnatural that should’ve never existed.”

  The room suddenly grew tense and quiet; all eyes locked on the veteran, his fist shaking. Raine could see a wet shimmer in the man’s remaining eye.

  “Forgive my friend, he’s a bit on edge.” Vera said as she put her hand over the veterans.

  That’s what killed my parents as well. A monster. Raine furrowed his brows.

  “Anyways, breakfast will be on the table at daybreak.” Vera spoke softly. “You will find your beds on the second floor, just go through that door and then the second room on the right.” She pointed to a door leading to a stairwell.

  Each door they opened creaked loudly, leading to the second-floor room. The smell of food, stale beer and sweat had been heavy in the tavern, but the air in their room was better, the windows open to the fresh breeze.

  Their shared room was quite big, with four beds set against the walls. Lynn immediately leapt into one and stretched like a cat.

  “One could get used to this.” Lynn noted cheerily, as though he’d spent most of his life sleeping outside. The beds were soft, built from wooden frames and adorned with feathery pillows. A small bedside cabinet sat next to each.

  “Never saw someone so happy over a simple bed.” Smirked Raine.

  “Yeah well, if you don’t appreciate the small things in life, you won’t deserve the bigger ones.” Lynn commented.

  “I see, so what do you appreciate most?” Curiously asked Raine.

  “Friends, of course!” Exclaimed Lynn, cheeks flushing at the comment.

  “Rest up, we’ll be heading out in the morning.” Raine put down his backpack and placed the axe on the cabinet, within reach of his bed. He had barely finished his sentence when he noticed Lynn was already fast asleep. Smiling, he lay down with a deep sigh. Holding his hand up in front of him, he muttered to himself.

  Friends, huh.

  Soon after, the night took him away as well.