Free Web NovelChapter 23: Departure (3)
Darkness gradually descended over the northern wilderness.
The last traces of sunlight disappeared behind distant mountains as the temperature continued to fall. Snow drifted steadily through the air, covering the surrounding forest beneath a thin silver veil. Beyond the circle of campfires, towering pines stood motionless in the darkness like silent guardians watching from afar.
The temporary camp had already been completed. Tents formed a rough defensive circle around the supply wagons while several watch posts had been established along the perimeter. Years of frontier experience allowed the knights to perform such tasks with remarkable efficiency. Nothing was wasted. Nothing was left to chance.
Ethan sat beside one of the campfires, quietly observing the activity around him. Some soldiers were preparing the evening meal, others inspected weapons and armor, and a few apprentices exchanged stories about the day’s journey while trying to hide their excitement. For many of them, this was their first expedition beyond Ravenhold, and the Ancient Wildlands still carried a sense of adventure.
That feeling would not last forever.
"You’ve been quiet all day." ƒreewebɳovel.com
Roland lowered himself onto a nearby log and accepted a wooden bowl from one of the soldiers before glancing toward Ethan. "Disappointed?"
"Disappointed?"
"No monsters." Roland shrugged. "Most apprentices spend their first expedition hoping something attacks the camp."
A few nearby knights laughed. One of them shook his head. "Until something actually attacks the camp." That earned even more laughter, and the atmosphere relaxed considerably — years of fighting together had created a familiarity that resembled family more than military hierarchy.
Ethan quietly listened to the conversations. These moments had once been common in his previous life — simple conversations around campfires, shared meals, laughter after long days on the road. Back then, he had never paid much attention to them. Only after losing everything had he understood their value. A stronghold was not built solely through walls and weapons. It was built through the people willing to stand together when danger arrived.
The scent of cooked meat gradually spread through the camp, and before long everyone settled into smaller groups around the fires. Stories from previous expeditions quickly became the evening’s entertainment.
"...and then Owen realized the tracks weren’t from a wolf."
The surrounding group immediately began laughing. Across the fire, one of the veteran knights groaned. "Do we really have to tell this story again?"
"Absolutely." The grin on Roland’s face widened. "The apprentices deserve to hear it."
Several younger members immediately leaned forward. "What happened?"
Owen sighed heavily. "What happened is that certain people enjoy repeating embarrassing stories."
The veterans completely ignored him. Roland continued. "Three winters ago, Owen spent half a day tracking what he thought was a dangerous predator. He followed the tracks through a snowstorm, reported the threat, and after gathering half the patrol..." He paused dramatically. "...he discovered it was a mountain goat."
The entire camp erupted into laughter. Even Ethan found himself smiling.
As the laughter gradually faded, the conversation drifted toward training. One of the older apprentices, a broad-shouldered boy of about fifteen, eventually looked toward Ethan.
"Is it true? That you already reached the Knight Realm."
Several nearby apprentices immediately stopped talking. Even a few veterans looked amused — clearly, they had been waiting for someone to ask.
Ethan considered the question briefly before nodding. "Yes."
The reaction was immediate. Some apprentices looked impressed, others skeptical, and one nearly dropped his bowl. Roland simply laughed. "I told you idiots days ago."
Before Ethan could say anything further, Gareth’s voice sounded from behind them. "You will keep what you’ve heard to yourselves."
The campfire immediately fell silent. Several apprentices straightened instinctively. "Yes, Commander."
Gareth’s gaze swept across them, then across the fire to where Owen had buried his face in one hand.
"It was snowing," Owen muttered.
That only made everyone laugh harder.
For a while, the camp remained filled with warmth and conversation, yet beneath the relaxed atmosphere, discipline never disappeared. Perimeter guards remained alert. Scouts periodically checked the surrounding terrain. Weapons never strayed far from reach. Because everyone present understood a simple truth — the Ancient Wildlands were peaceful until they weren’t.
Eventually Gareth emerged from a meeting with several scouts and approached the central fire. Conversations gradually quieted, not because he demanded attention, but because his presence naturally commanded it. The Earth Knight sat beside the flames and accepted a cup of hot tea, watching the fire for several moments before his gaze shifted toward the surrounding apprentices.
"Enjoy tonight."
One apprentice blinked. "Sir?"
"The deeper north we travel, the less comfortable things become." Silence settled around the camp. "The outer wilderness is forgiving. The inner wilderness is not."
No one interrupted, no one joked, because everyone understood Gareth wasn’t attempting to frighten them. He was simply stating reality.
After a moment, he stood. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."
The camp gradually returned to normal — conversations resumed, meals were finished, and one by one people began retiring to their tents. Before long, only the perimeter guards remained fully awake.
Ethan remained seated beside the dying fire, his gaze drifting toward the dark forest beyond the camp. Snow continued falling silently between the trees. Everything appeared peaceful, normal.
Yet something felt different. Not dangerous, not threatening. Just... different.
The feeling disappeared almost as quickly as it came. Ethan frowned slightly. Perhaps it was simply instinct — years of battlefield experience had taught him to trust such instincts. After a final glance toward the forest, he rose and headed toward his tent.
Ethan remained awake for several minutes after entering his tent, listening to the wind moving through the trees beyond the camp. Snow drifted softly across the clearing, and the forest seemed almost peaceful beneath the moonlight.
Yet he knew better.
The Ancient Wildlands had never been a place of peace. Beneath the silence, countless predators hunted. Countless monsters watched. And somewhere deeper within those endless forests, events were already unfolding beyond his knowledge.
Eventually, Ethan closed his eyes.
Morning arrived far sooner than he expected.
