Free Web NovelChapter 223: Sack of spoils
As Wanda and Trawerr walked away from the cave entrance, the daylight illuminated their dirty, exhausted faces. The sun was beginning to sink below the horizon, tinting the sky with a palette of golden and pink hues. The crisp afternoon air was a welcome change from the oppressive, damp environment they had left behind.
Each step they took on their way back to the capital seemed heavier, not only because of the fatigue they had accumulated, but also because of the large bags they now carried on their shoulders. Inside, the eyes of the giant spider they had defeated were carefully wrapped in thick cloth to preserve them. They were the trophy of their victory and, more importantly, their ticket to a good reward in the Hunters’ Association.
The dirt path snaked through the trees, the sound of the hooves of the horses they had left tethered near the cave echoing in the distance, making the walk even lonelier. The silence between the two was not uncomfortable, but charged with a mutual understanding; both too exhausted for words, but united by the bond of having faced death together.
Finally, Trawerr broke the silence, his voice hoarse from the battle. "Do you think it will be worth it? Are the eyes of the giant spider really as valuable as they say?"
Wanda adjusted the weight of the bag on her shoulder, feeling the muscle ache that was beginning to set in. "I have heard stories of hunters who have made a fortune selling parts of these creatures. If they don’t pay us well, I’ll pay a personal visit to the Master of the Association," she replied with a slight smile, though her expression was tired.
Trawerr gave a short laugh, more of an exhale than a real laugh, as he tried to shake off the tension he still felt in his muscles. "I think you’d be convincing enough for that."
They walked in silence for a few more minutes, the sound of their footsteps breaking the silence of the surrounding forest. Birds sang in the trees, and the gentle wind rustled the leaves, as if nature were watching the survivors of yet another of their trials.
When they spotted the main road ahead, Wanda stopped suddenly, her eyes narrowing as she realized something strange. "Trawerr, did you hear that?"
Trawerr, who was slightly ahead of them, turned and looked at them with concern. He concentrated, trying to pick up any unusual sounds other than the natural sounds of the forest. At first, everything seemed normal, but then he heard it, too: heavy footsteps on the dirt floor and muffled voices coming from the opposite direction.
"It’s them again. The men we met before. But this time... they’re not alone."
Trawerr frowned, feeling a pang of concern. He remembered well the men they had encountered on their way out of the city. Now, however, their numbers had increased significantly, a clear sign that they hadn’t come for a simple peace meeting.
"Get ready," Trawerr said as he adjusted the bag on his shoulder and checked the sheathed sword at his waist.
Wanda nodded, her eyes quickly scanning the area for possible escape routes or cover, but the road they were following was narrow, lined with dense trees on either side, making an ambush almost inevitable.
The footsteps grew louder, and soon they appeared around the bend in the road, the silhouettes of the men standing out against the light that still bathed the road. The group, which had consisted of only a few before, now numbered twelve. All of them were armed, and their expressions were hard, as if they already knew what they were going to do next.
The leader, a man with a scarred face and a poorly trimmed beard, stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Trawerr and Wanda. He smiled, but the gesture was anything but friendly.
"Well... what have we here? The brave hunters returning from their little adventure?"
Trawerr stepped forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Wanda, but maintaining a relaxed posture. He knew that any sudden movement could provoke an immediate hostile reaction.
"We’re just passing through," he replied, trying to keep his voice calm. "What do you want?"
The scarred man laughed, a harsh sound that echoed through the silence of the forest. "That’s simple, boy. We want the girl’s head by your side! Did you see what he did to me?"
At that moment, the man’s eyes rested on the bags Trawerr and Wanda were carrying.
"But we can bargain and take what you’re carrying. You’ve probably defeated the giant spider and are taking something very valuable back to the capital. Hand over the bags and maybe we’ll let you out of here alive." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Wanda tightened her grip on the hilt of the sword she had already prepared, feeling the blood boil in her veins. "Do you really think we’re just going to hand over our spoils to a bunch of cowards like you?" Her voice was full of defiance, and her eyes sparkled with a determination that few could ignore.
The leader of the group stopped laughing, his smile fading as he narrowed his eyes on her.
"Foolish woman. You have no idea what we’re willing to do to get what we want. And if you keep this attitude up, you’re going to find out the hard way."
Before Trawerr could react, one of the men from the group stepped forward, trying to catch Wanda off guard. But she was prepared. With a quick, fluid movement, she drew her sword and spun to the side, dodging the blow while slashing the attacker in the side. The man screamed in pain and recoiled as he clutched at the wound, blood dripping between his fingers.
This started a chain reaction. Seeing their wounded comrade, the other men drew their weapons, and the tension in the air became thick enough to cut with a knife. Trawerr and Wanda were now surrounded, and it was clear that the fight was about to begin.
"You will regret this," growled the leader, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword as he advanced toward Trawerr, who had already drawn his twin swords, the muscles in his arms tensing as he prepared for the clash.
The battle began with sudden fury. The men attacked in unison, their weapons glinting in the evening light. Trawerr defended himself masterfully, his swords moving with precision, blocking and deflecting the blows that came from all directions. He spun, struck, and retreated, every move calculated, as if dancing in the midst of chaos. freēwebnovel.com
Wanda, for her part, moved with agility, dodging the attacks that came from both sides. Her body was an extension of the blade in her hand, and she took every opportunity to counterattack, wounding and incapacitating the men who tried to surround her. The magical glow that still surrounded her sword left glowing trails in the air, a reminder of the energy she had channeled in the previous fight against the spider.
But despite her skills, the number of enemies was beginning to overwhelm her. For every man they took down, two more seemed to take their place.
Trawerr felt a blade scrape against his arm, cutting the skin and making him grunt in pain. Wanda also began to show signs of fatigue, her breathing getting heavier and her movements slightly slower.
Then something unexpected happened. A distant sound, similar to thunder, echoed through the air, interrupting the battle for a brief moment. Everyone stopped in confusion as the sound repeated itself, growing louder and closer.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet shook, and a huge boar with a black coat and eyes glowing like embers emerged from the forest and ran toward the group with impressive speed. Its hooves kicked up dust and dry leaves as it advanced, the screams of the men echoing across the road as they tried to escape its path.
The boar charged straight at the leader of the group, knocking him to the ground with the force of its impact. The other men, now panicked, began to retreat, their initial confidence crumbling in the face of the unexpected threat.
"What? A monster now?" Trawerr asked as the boar turned on him and Wanda.
Wanda planted her feet on the ground, her boots sinking slightly into the loose earth as her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword. There was a quiet determination in her eyes, a determination Trawerr knew well. Wanda was ready to fight.
The boar, realizing that his new targets would not back down, let out a grunt that sounded more like guttural thunder, his long, curved tusks reflecting the little light that penetrated the clearing. It lowered its head, preparing for the onslaught.
Trawerr and Wanda looked at each other, a silent communication flowing between them. There was no need for words; they had faced enough to understand what the other was thinking.
Without wasting any time, Trawerr stepped forward, holding his twin swords tightly. The blades reflected the evening light, and for a moment he let the tension in his muscles release, preparing himself for what was to come.
