Liron spent the next twenty minutes in conversation with Dieter, talking about nothing of substance. After meeting Angin, he needed something to clear his head. And his friend Dieter was someone who knew how to cheer someone up. All conversation ceased at once, though, as a single figure marched towards the hunting party.
Like Angin, the man wore too little. He had a leather mantle, hiding most of his body. His head a triangular shape, the sides fashioned like the wings of a dragon. A white feather adorned the hat's right, coming from a hawk. Noble men preferred them, having them cut into shape, as they are too massive to wear without adjustment. The crowd parted for the stranger. He didn't say a word or pause, moving forward as if the reaction was to be expected.
The stranger took position in front of the gathered people, raising his hand. His gloves had the holy cup on them. The air around his fist vibrated, forming a sphere of energy.
"My name is Kasper Lockram," the stranger said. "Son of the Sacred House of Lockram, rulers of Nordland in the name of Harras's righteous Scion, Augustus Arist. I am here to lead the hunt."
A stunned silence. Soldiers and men of Eisenrahm alike wondered whether they had misheard. Liron rubbed his eyes, thinking he had witnessed a shared illusion. As the weight of reality set on, everybody fell to their knees, bowing their head.
Kasper waited a moment, taking the obedience in. "We have received reports of a wolf pack near your town, making home in Lichtwald. On its own, this would not require my family to step in, but our scouts confirmed the wolves are harassing the local mountain-walker. Their intent is clear. They want to steer the giant towards Eisenrahm and create chaos in the town, making easy prey for them.
"The wolves are intelligent even for their kind. They can't be tolerated. This is why my mother sent me, ensuring the hunt would not end in tragedy. I take absolute control over this party. You are to follow my orders without question. Once the fighting starts, none of you will come too close to me if you value your life. Always stay close together and don't underestimate them. Do this, and you will survive to sing the tale of tonight. The True Dawn will come!"
Everybody repeated the phrase, the soldiers's voices the strongest, having yelled it several times already, conviction heavy in their words. Liron and Dieter exchanged thrilled glances. To imagine that they would ever see a Lockram in action. They all knew that their Sacred House took their responsibility seriously, but they would have never imagined that one would appear in Eisenrahm for anything.
The hunting party moved into Lichtwald, walking in a tight formation as they entered the forest. Angin, who had listened to the whole thing with a passing interest, appeared next to Liron and Dieter.
"Well, he actually showed up. And here I dared to question it."
"You knew Sir Kasper Lockram would join the hunt?" Dieter asked.
"Rumors. I was told that someone more important would take charge. They are tight-lipped when it comes to the movement of members of the Sacred Houses and other crucial personnel. Information like this would prove fatal should it fall into the hands of the Resistance."
Dieter's expression darkened. "Bah! Let's not mention those traitors. They will bring nothing but bad luck over us."
Angin looked ahead, studying Kasper's distant form. "Well, perhaps. But his presence could do the same."
Liron and Dieter followed his eyes, aghast. "What?" Liron asked. "But he… oh. Fuck."
The corner of Angin's lips moved, turning to Liron. "Good. You noticed it without me. Excellent."
Dieter's face turned into a question mark. "I don't. What is it?"
Angin pointed towards Kasper, keeping his voice low. "He mentioned it himself, but he downplayed the severity of the situation. If Ingrid Lockram thought it necessary to send her own son to ensure the success of the hunt, things are more dire than they want to admit. These wolves must be quite dangerous. So, boys, you stay close to me. I can melt you into one piece again should the monsters's fangs tear you limb from limb.
"Thanks," Liron said. That was one way to drain all enthusiasm.
Angin smiled, satisfied with his joke. "Well, young Liron, tell me more about Eisenrahm."
Liron and Angin talked as the hunting party made their way into the forest, heading for the mountain-walker. The titan was about to lie down, its weight too much to bear without the Silver Moon present. The Alchemist took a greater interest in Liron than before, enjoying his time talking to him. Liron shared that sentiment. Angin was of blue blood, but he had a more crude side to him he kept hidden, which became noticeable when he talked to Liron. There was more, though. Something brewed inside the Alchemist. Something that underlined his every word.
The conversation helped to kill the time and distract Liron from the cold. Winter would be over in a week or so, but the last cold still rattled him. Without the larger heaters in Eisenrahm, the town would have died out long ago. Lichtwald endured the freezing without any help, though, the forest keeping its majesty while doing so.
The trees were massive, the trunks broader than any man, its crown reaching for the sky. Moss and mushrooms covered the trees, glowing in the light Liron had seen in the early morning. The light had the purpose of warming the plants, ensuring their survival, all snow having melted away from them. So, the glow bathed the hunting party in its beauty, raising the spirit of every man present. Even Liron, whose determination had been dampened, had his will returned to him. The Warpriest had fallen into a silent prayer, preparing himself for the battle to come.
Angin didn't seem impressed by the light dancing around him. He narrowed his eyes, aimed at Kasper. "What is it?" Liron asked.
"It is… well," Angin whispered, "I think that our dear leader might have more self-serving ambitions."
Liron nodded towards Angin's robe. "You mean the fur of the wolves."
"What? No. They are expensive but not for a Lockram. No, I think he is aiming to keep a beast for himself."
Liron and Dieter exchanged looks, their quiet laughter uncertain. "Ehr… Angin, you must be joking. Keeping a grown wolf is…"
"For a mere mortal like us perhaps, but a man of his strength could tame a beast like this. Oh, apologizes, you might not have heard of it. I take it you are aware of the war beasts that are utilized against the Qilesh."
"Of course," both Liron and Dieter said in unison.
"Well, taming a beast can be done in two ways. First, raise them yourself. Easier, but it takes years before your companion comes of age. The second is battling the monster into submission. This is only possible with more powerful ones. They have to be intelligent enough to understand mercy and that only servitude will save their life. The bond forged through this can be of a more… brittle nature. Or it can become rather loving, no different from owning a pet."
"And you think Sir Kasper wants a wolf?"
"He has no beast to call his own yet. His sister has several, and the other Sacred Houses like to keep such creatures as companions. Kasper is still young. He might want to prove himself. His worth."
Angin rubbed the back of his head. "This could… complicate things further."
"How?" Liron asked.
"Well," Angin whispered, "it could indicate that his interest concerning our safety is weaker to non-existent, making this even more dangerous than expected. But… don't listen to me. I'm just thinking out loud. Nothing has changed. You two keep close to me."
Liron's grip on his spear tightened. Every sound around them became a herald of their foretold end. What Liron couldn't see, the shadows moving between the trees, his imagination turned them into living nightmares. Beings of horror beyond his comprehension, equipped with tools to bring him an agonizing death.
Dieter was alert, too, keeping a cooler head than Liron. His eyes were a hawk's, searching for his enemy. Angin had opened his bag, hand in it. Whatever he held, he readied himself to pull it out. The Alchemist had kept his voice low, but their tension spread through the other men of the hunting party. They breathed it in, the furious confidence gone.
Only the Warpriest and Kasper weren't affected. Liron only saw their distant backs, but nothing had changed in their step, their posture having the same assurance from when they had started. They seemed to know that they were in no real danger.
Kasper raised his fist, stopping. The party came to a halt, murmurs following as they all butted into the backs of the man in front of them. Silence, all waiting for whatever made their leader pause. Liron's eyes darted from one direction to the other. His pulse hammered inside his veins, his breaths coming out warm. Despite the cold, sweats broke out all over his body, soaking through his clothes. His coat, made for him, felt too tight. He couldn't breathe. He let go of his spear, fighting to open up his coat.
"Liron?" Dieter asked.
His finger trembled too much. They couldn't get a grip. His breathing became more shallow. His throat closed up, refusing to allow any air. "Fuck," Liron groaned.
With enough force, he succeeded in ripping his coat open, but it didn't help. He still couldn't breathe. It was the people. They trapped him, not giving him enough space. Liron pushed against the men in front of him, fighting to create an opening. He didn't get far, Angin grabbing him and pulling him close.
"Calm," the Alchemist told him. "I know what you're feeling right now. All is good. You can breathe. Just focus on it and nothing else."
Liron struggled under his grip, his racing mind screaming at him to not listen to this stranger. But some part of him trusted Angin, forcing himself to breathe. The first attempts failed miserably as the first, but then the blockage opened up, air filling his chest again. Liron bent over, tears in his eyes. Dieter helped him to not collapse.
He picked up Liron's spear, holding it in front of him. "Liron, all is good. I'm here. But we need you. The…"
A crack ripped through them. The party had noticed Liron's panic, turning to him, the first insults leaving their mouths. They jerked towards the sound, nothing but a dark shape standing between the trees. Another sound from the other side, showing another silhouette. Liron took his fallen spear, looking up at Angin. The Alchemist didn't need to say anything.
They weren't the only ones out for a hunt. The wolves had laid a trap, and they had walked right into it.