"Maahh"
"Alright calm down you are almost hooked up and then we will leave."
As soon as the firebleats were brought out they were acting anxious.
Everyone knew the fierce reputation of a firebleat, they would fight off predators then chase them down just because it looked at them the wrong way while fleeing, but they were also one of the most loyal companions you could have on a journey.
If they were anxious then there was probably a tear nearby to be wary of.
"All set." Came the call from the rear of the caravan setting the whole convoy in motion towards the Dracon fen Church.
Every carriage had injured paladins or clerics riding in them now. All healthy individuals decided to walk with the caravan.
The extra weight would slow them down, but nobody was willing to leave the injured behind as the dragon churches often did humanitarian work to provide for the poor, starving, or injured.
Not to mention that the dragon Gods always repaid favors done for their priests and followers. A God's blessing was always worth the trouble a few injured would bring.
Once they started things looked fine for the first few hours, but as evening came there was an unsettling feeling creeping up their necks. Like someone was watching them but no one could find any creature nearby.
Commander Stan decided to push through the night instead of resting and just in case, every firebleat had a lantern hung from their neck to boost their flames slightly.
This quiet procession continued throughout the night uninterrupted.
When the sun rose the next morning there was a collective sigh of relief as the feeling of being watched retreated. Whatever had been following them wasn't there anymore.
Commander Stan called out "Stop for breakfast, the clergy will provide porridge."
Agreement could be heard from every carriage as the clergy descended and started casting their food creation spells into large cauldrons for a communal breakfast.
All the drivers donated some of their stored food to the cauldrons, providing a much more sumptuous breakfast. There was even a cauldron with only fruits and vegetables for those who didn't want or couldn't eat meat.
All of the elves and a surprising number of paladins were at that one.
Commander Stan and Captain came over to eat with Chronos' group
"How long do you think we'll have to be on the move before we can rest?"
"At least half the day." Gregory answered, "It will be difficult on everyone, but I don't want to be anywhere near whatever was watching us."
Captain started to look concerned at that. "Then you're certain that something was watching us?"
Gregory nodded "Sariah thinks it was using magic to watch us, but she hasn't found any trace of it since the sun came up."
"That's right." Came Sariah's chipper voice as she grabbed a bowl of porridge and joined them. "I think it uses darkness as a medium for long range scrying, which means it can't track us unless we enter an area with thick shadows. My proposal is to switch out who is walking and who is resting periodically and just keep up the march all day."
"I can walk all day along with the stronger members, but the weaker mercs and paladins will be too exhausted to fight if we are attacked, even if they have time to rest occasionally." Chronos continued proposing an alteration to her plan. "We should stop for a nap at lunch. With that much light around I doubt the dark beasts will attack us."
"My paladins can maintain a fast march until a few hours after noon. We will not stop until then after which there will be lunch and a 3-hour nap before continuing." Commander Stan decided.
"I agree but my men won't be able to keep watch if we march for that long." Captain spoke of his concerns.
Sariah chimed in, "I can set down a large barrier to protect the camp while everyone sleeps, but I will be almost useless afterwards."
"That's fine." Gregory muttered "I can carry you if things get bad."
Both of them blushed slightly while Chronos and Captain looked a little jealous at their flirting and Stan chuckled to himself.
Leaving the two of them alone Stan went to check on the condition of his knights while the other two went to clean up the meal.
"By the way, what is your name Captain? I don't think I have heard anybody say it during training or other activities."
"You travel with us for almost a week and only now think to ask that." Laughed Captain.
Looking sheepish, Chronos said "Ah sorry, I didn't think it was that important since nobody made a fuss over it."
"Truth is, I don't remember my name. I took a blow to the head when I was just starting out as a mercenary and forgot some things. The priests did a good job saving my life, the healing barely left a scar but now I just go by Captain." He said as he showed a thin scar that went from his right temple to his crown.
"That didn't interfere with your training?" Asked Chronos as he got a questioning look in his eyes.
"It did at first but then my body started moving on its own and it just made sense. Like a door suddenly opened."
That sounded like enlightenment. How unfair!
Enlightenment would help you comprehend whatever you were working on at the time and improve your comprehension to boost your growth speed in the future as well. Those who achieved enlightenment would never be weak.
Most warriors sought enlightenment their whole lives but never experienced it because it required both devotion to your craft and good luck at the right time. Yet this guy got hit on the head and had enlightenment shortly after! Unfair!
Ah but if he had forgotten something important when injured his growth would be rather limited.
Chronos wasn't sure if that was lucky or unlucky, but one thing was certain. Once he had a zweihander in hand, he would rapidly advance. Forget his current rank of knight, having achieved enlightenment Captain might reach the fourth rank of lord before long.
"Come with me, we need to find you a good sword. Maybe one of the paladins has one for you to use."
"I'm fine with what I have right now..."
"Nope, you need one now."
Zweihanders were large swords, between 60 and 72 inches. This made it more difficult for people to carry them on long marches without horses or carriages, making it unlikely to find one, but if they could find a sword even close to the right size Captain would become much more dangerous in combat.
After searching around, they were able to find a claymore that barely reached 60 inches from one of the injured paladins.
It would work well but without a large cross guard, ricasso, or parrying hooks it would still be slightly off from a perfect sword for Captain.
After cleaning up breakfast the caravan moved at double time. Everyone was trying to gain as much distance as they could between them and the fight yesterday.
With the current pace the priests and priestesses were swiftly exhausted despite having slept in carriages for most of the night. The mercenaries were able to keep pace with the paladins for most of the morning but switched out with those riding just before lunch.
Chronos wasn't sure if it was a matter of pride or just wanting to reach home faster, but the paladins kept up the march until it was time for lunch.
Reaching an open clearing Adam called for lunch and practically all of the paladins fell to their knees unable to remain standing after yesterday's battle, all night march, and a full day's march at double time.
The clergy prepared lunch which the paladins barely ate before sleeping on the spot. Everyone else erected sunshades and tents to shield them from the sun while Sariah set down her barrier before passing out.
Chronos stayed up to keep watch along with a few other high rank paladins and Captain.
Near the end of the rest period Commander Stan came to talk with Chronos.
"Are you sure you don't need to rest?"
"Commander Stan, I will be fine. Werewolves are used to long runs lasting days. Apparently, our human side gives us endurance while our wolf side gives us speed."
"That sounds like a perfect combination, I'm a little jealous."
"Not quite. Doing that makes us ridiculously hungry and we're mainly carnivores, so it puts a burden on the farmers to keep livestock at all times. I will be eating a lot once we arrive at the church."
"Hmm... Do you think we will reach the church before we are attacked again?"
"I wish I could say yes but my instincts say we will have to fight once more before then. If the worst comes to pass, I want you to take my companions and make a run for the church."
"And leave you behind?"
Chronos locked eyes with Stan. "I can outpace most beasts, and for whatever reason these creatures seem to be weak to me. If anyone should bring up the rear, it's the one who has the highest chance of surviving."
Looking into his eyes Commander Stan realized that he wouldn't budge on this.
"Fine but if it looks like you are struggling, I will take your place. It's better if an old man like me sacrifices himself instead of you young brats."
Nodding a pleasant silence descended between them.
It didn't last long as howling and growls echoed in the distance.
"Get up!! Form ranks!! We're making a run for the church!! We'll be there in two hours!!" Roared Commander Adam as a flurry of activity erupted from the camp. "Leave the tents, abandon anything that isn't necessary!! We leave now!!"
Within minutes everyone was on the road, tents and cooking gear left behind along with a barrier they hoped would slow the beasts down.