Night of Wolves Read Online Free PDF

was Bobby’s best friend, Peck Smithson. How could he endure that?”
    He leaned against the tree and thudded his head against the bark.
    “I led us right into that ambush,” he said, his voice growing quieter. “The tracks were so obvious a child could have followed them. I should have known something was wrong. The people of this village aren’t fighters. They’re farmers, shepherds, and herdsmen. Now more are dead, the village suffers for the lack of hands, and the one I sought to help spent the night hanging from his ceiling by a rope.”
    “Yeah, you really messed up, didn’t you?”
    At Darius’s glare, Jerico chuckled and smacked his shoulder.
    “If our gods agree on something, it’s that we’re all human, and all make mistakes. Let it go, Darius. You did what you thought was right. Next time, don’t let your guilt keep you away. I’m tired of dedicating all the burials around here. Oh, and don’t give a damn sermon about the punishment awaiting a loved one who died mere hours before.”
    “You would have me lie about my beliefs to make them feel better?”
    “I’d have you show a measure of tact and talk about anything else in the world for the next few days. Surely you can grant me that?”
    Darius sighed. “Very well. The least I could do for what remains of his family. It’s not like I want it to be this way, Jerico. The rules we live under are harsh, and not everyone will meet them, but truth is stone, unbending, unmoving. That is the way of Order.”
    Jerico stayed silent, not wanting to discuss theology. Instead he gestured east, toward the distant river.
    “What do we do about the wolf-men? From what I gathered, it was a pack of ten that attacked us. That, plus the raids across the river worry me to no end. They’ve found a gap in the towers, and Durham’s right there in the way.”
    “We killed more than half,” Darius said. “And that was with them having the advantage. Do you still think they’ll press us?”
    “How do we know it was half?” Jerico asked, voicing the fear that had been nagging at him. “We were within the Wedge only a little while. How many might be gathering? We could have stumbled upon a single hunting party, not the entire pack.”
    Darius shook his head. “That can’t be. That would mean a pack of fifty or so, maybe more. It’s been years since any packs of that size. The elven scoutmasters keep them thinned and at war with one another, and someone that strong usually finds an arrow in their neck.”
    “Except the elves are gone,” Jerico said quietly. “We cannot take any chances. Let us request aid from the towers, together.”
    “We can handle this,” Darius said, his stubbornness and pride returning.
    “Whether we can or can’t, I’d rather we err on the side of caution. Trust me on this?”
    Darius sighed.
    “Twice now I agree to your demands. I must be bothered by this more than I thought.”
    “Good. It’s a welcome reminder you’re as human as I am.”
    Jerico gave him an exhausted grin, and the dark paladin relented to his good humor.
    “Write your request,” Darius said, standing. “And I will sign it.”
    “Where are you going?” asked Jerico.
    “I have a family deserving my apologies,” said Darius. “Not that it’s your business.”
    Jerico leaned against the tree, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the weather. Slowly he felt his tension drain away, and once renewed, he returned to Durham to write his letter to the lord of the Towers.

    R edclaw waited at the head of his pack for his scout to return.
    “He will see little in this daylight,” said Bonebite, his most trusted warrior. His fur was faded with age, but he’d feasted upon more fallen foes than anyone else in his pack.
    “The orcs are slow and stupid,” said Redclaw. “They will not expect us to attack while the sun burns the sky.”
    Bonebite snorted. “Does the mighty Redclaw need the help of surprise to kill a few runty orcs?”
    Redclaw bared his teeth, both