Chapter Forty-Five: Special Privileges

At night, after drinking the meat broth and warming themselves, Lukas called for Wade and a few others to gather around the central campfire.

The orange flames illuminated solemn faces; Wade’s black iron helmet reflected a metallic sheen. He hadn’t discussed anything with the Tania people beforehand, but his seat had been placed at the very center, right beside Lukas—or rather, it was Lukas who sat at his left, like an adjutant.

They sat on a few dead logs, the snow cleared away to reveal the pitch-black earth beneath. A burning pine log crackled and popped as Lukas displayed the route map he’d drawn earlier for the rest to see.

Lines traced in the dirt represented mountain ranges, waves marked rivers, squares denoted Bronte Village, and clusters of trees indicated the streamside forest they would have to cross.

“This is the Clave Pass,” Lukas began, “and just ahead is Bronte Village. Our current position is between the Clave Pass and Bronte Village—right here.” He pointed with a stick to a triangle drawn to represent their tents.

“According to our original plan, after resting in Bronte Village, we would take the main road straight to Alvado Town.” Lukas drew a line with his stick. “Normally, two more days’ travel and we would see Alvado.”

“But the necromancer is bound to be watching the most obvious and easiest route. We have a hundred and thirty-seven people, which would make us far too conspicuous. If the mage strikes first, using poisons and magic to attack us, we’d end up like the people of Bronte—slaughtered, and even in death, our souls and bodies would become materials for the mage’s experiments.”

“To avoid attention, we can only go through the streamside forest, under the cover of the dense Tania pines.” Lukas pointed to the trees drawn on the map.

“In the morning, we’ll set out southwest. There’s no flat road in the forest, mostly rugged mountain terrain, so we can’t use the ox carts anymore. The sheep must also be left behind. Be prepared to climb on foot. Apart from the minimum food and warm clothing, don’t bring anything unnecessary.”

“Uncle Lukas, how long will it take if we go through the streamside forest?” Avery pursed his lips.

His wife, Emily, didn’t have much stamina, and their daughter, Aya, was only five. If the journey was too long… he feared they wouldn’t be able to endure it.

“It won’t take too long,” Lukas replied. “In fact, cutting straight through the forest is a shorter route. If we leave the oxen, sheep, and extra baggage behind, traveling light, we’ll be out of the forest in three days at most.”

“The hardest part will be the tributary of the Bragg River—a large river seven or eight meters across that splits the forest in two. But in this weather, the surface should be frozen, and we can cross directly over the ice.”

“What about ice bears?” asked a young man, barely in his teens. “I’ve heard the streamside forest is their habitat. What should we do if we encounter one?”

“Koa, ice bears hibernate in winter,” Lukas explained. “Every autumn, they hunt ferociously in the forest—sometimes even coming out to attack nearby villages. But in winter, after fattening up, they find a tree hollow or dig a den and sleep straight through to spring.”

“So that means we won’t run into any ice bears,” Koa said, suddenly enlightened.

“Not exactly,” Lukas replied, “but even if we do, it’s not a problem. As long as we stay quiet, don’t disturb their sleep, and don’t attack them, we’ll be fine.”

“Once we enter the forest, let’s keep as silent as possible,” Bardel added. “Tell everyone not to speak unless necessary, and remember to walk under the pine cover.”

“I’ve heard necromancers can control undead birds to watch from the sky and the ground. Even in the forest, we must be careful.”

“Let’s do it that way,” Lukas agreed. He turned to Wade and asked, “What do you think, Sir Wade? Any suggestions?”

Wade shook his head and wrote in the dirt: “You decide.”

He was unfamiliar with the terrain and was content to follow the locals.

“Then it’s settled,” Lukas said, producing a pouch and placing it in Wade’s hand. “Here, sir—this is extra payment, thirty-six silver coins in total.”

“When we reach Alvado, we’ll also give you the money from selling the winter wolf pelts and fangs.”

“Thank you for accompanying us on this journey. Every person here will forever hold friendship and gratitude for you.”

Everyone turned to Wade. He did not refuse; he nodded and accepted the heavy pouch of coins. He shook Lukas’s hand and gave a firm thumbs-up.

The faces around the fire relaxed.

“Starting tomorrow, we’ll have no tents to shield us from the wind,” Lukas said with a smile. “Tonight is our last chance for a good sleep.”

“Sir Wade, we’ve prepared a separate tent for you. Once we’re in the streamside forest, we’ll need your help for many things. Please rest well tonight—so you have the strength for the journey ahead.”

Wade nodded. Compared to last night, when he’d dozed by the fire clutching his sword, tonight he enjoyed many special privileges.

Though he didn’t need sleep or shelter from the nightly cold, he still slipped into the tent.

In the forest, the journey ahead would be more than just a test of physical strength—it would be a trial of willpower and endurance.

Therefore, Wade had to appear “full of energy,” as though he’d truly rested, to inspire hope in the weary Tania people.

Outside the tent, all was silent but for the sound of wind and snow. Except for the sentries, everyone had gone to sleep, determined to gather strength for the rugged mountain path ahead.

Wade, still not feeling the least bit tired, took out the “Necromancer’s Heart” and examined it alone.

Mia, having finished digesting the soul, emerged from his helmet. The little creature returned some of the energy to Wade, and he felt his power grow.

He gripped the gray crystal, attempting to draw its magic. The foreign energy entered his body, and he sensed a familiar connection—just as he had in the cave when channeling “flame” to Mia, he could use this invisible link to transfer the necromancer heart’s power to her.

Mia shivered, and the temperature in the tent plummeted. Frost formed on Wade’s glove where he held the necromancer heart.

The magic stored in this stone was abundant; after all, it had powered that monstrous stitched beast. It would last for quite some time.

“With this, Mia can unleash even greater frost,” Wade thought.

That necromancer had abandoned such a powerful magic crystal in Bronte Village—perhaps he was unexpectedly wealthy, utterly unconcerned with squandering resources.

Perhaps the necromancer, wherever he was now, considered the necromancer heart nothing at all.

Caution and vigilance were necessary; such an opponent was likely to be a formidable and difficult foe.