Cow Girl walked the last of the cows into the barn, wiping the sweat from her brow with her handkerchief. She smiled as she looked out at the field knowing that all the work had been done, and now she could rest happily. He had been gone these last three days on a quest, but she could take comfort in the knowledge that he was no longer having the go on these quests alone. She still worried about him of course, especially with the knowledge that there were two women with him, but he had always been a business and only business type of person. Now on this fourth day she once again looked out to the road to watch for him, and to her surprise found an individual in dirty leather armor walk toward the farmhouse. A smile broke across her face at the sight of her childhood friend finally returning home.

"Welcome ho…"

She was unable to finish, for behind him was a dark looming figure, a creature walking on all fours yet standing nearly as tall as her friend, a wolf unlike anything she had ever seen was behind him. Was this creature stalking him? Was he unaware? Did his helmet obscure his vision? All she could do was warn him and hope that the warning came in time.

"Behind you!"

Goblin Slayer stopped and turned around to look, and to her surprise the wolf also stopped looked toward Goblin Slayer then turned as well. She stood there with wide eyes and mouth hanging open as both casually turned back toward her and continued to the farmhouse.

"I don't see anything. What did you see?"

"There's a wolf behind you."

"I know."

"You do…then tell me why there is a wolf behind you? Why isn't he attacking?"

"He helped kill the goblins."

Cow Girl was not quite sure how to respond to such a statement and soon found that her friend and the wolf were only a couple feet from her.

"I'm home."

Cow Girl sighed, she already knew how he was after watching him for the last six years. She figured that she had come to understand everything there was to know about her odd friend, but evidently he still had a few surprises for her. With that said, there was of course only one thing she could do.

"Welcome home…both of you."

Goblin Slayer nodded his head while Wolf slowly approached Cow Girl. She tensed up as Wolf approached her, this creature was about the size of a small horse and probably just as heavy, even as it approached she was practically looking it in the face rather than looking down at it. With the wolf only inches from her, it moved into a sitting position, and stared at her. She cautiously moved her hand out to pet the massive beast, constantly expecting it to bite or growl at her, and gently placed it upon his head. To her surprise it was not as coarse as she was expecting it and gently stroked the top of his head, then as if on cue she saw his tail briefly wag.

"He reminds me of the dog I used to play with at the village when we were kids."

She smiled as she continued to pet the gentle giant in front of her and soon felt the bumps of hidden scars beneath its fur. It was only then that she saw its red eyes looking at her, that she was really able to make the connection.

"He's just like him, beneath that armor he bears all the scars from his journeys, and now I find that unlike those ones that attacked the farm with the goblins, this one kills goblins. Then again, I can actually see that you're happy with the attention I give you, so you're at least more honest than he is. I wonder…is this what adventurers refer to as a familiar?"

"What's his name? Do you plan on keeping him?"

"He is Wolf, and I planned on having him accompany me."

"Absolutely not!"

Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl turned at the sound of the angry voice and found her uncle standing there with pitchfork in hand.

"Get away from her!"

Wolf looked toward him and began to growl as it moved back into a standing position. Cow Girl placed both hands on Wolf in an attempt to calm him down, which worked as it once again sat down.

"You bringing that wizard boy here was one thing, but I'll be damned if that…that monster is staying here!"

"He is a wolf."

Farmer sighed as Goblin Slayer stated the obvious as if correct the identification of the animal.

"Exactly! He's a wolf on a farm full of livestock. What are you going to do if he eats one of the cows or pigs?"

"He will not harm the animals here. He will hunt in the forest."

"How can you be sure?"

"I will tell him."

The farmer was at a loss for words upon hearing what Goblin Slayer said. Was this boy that naive to believe that if he told the wolf not to attack it would listen to him?

"We could always use a form of protection should the goblins ever come back uncle."

"You stay out of this and stay away from that thing."

"He hasn't attacked or even growled at me, it even came over to let me pet it. You should at least try to pet it uncle."

"And lose my hand?"

The wolf stood once again and slowly walked over toward the farmer who still held his pitchfork out. The wolf soon stopped, moved into a sitting position and once again stared at the farmer. The farmer was still as tense as ever waiting for this beast to attack, but it only stood there watching him. The farmer sighed in defeat as he lowered his pitchfork and moved a hand to pet the wolf. The wolf allowed him to pet him, but did not wag its tail as it had with Cow Girl.

"He gets locked up in the work shed come night time. If he so much as thinks about eating any of my livestock or my daugh…niece, he's getting put down."

"Understood."

"So…you're calling him Wolf huh? Does that make that bird "Canary" then?"

"Yes."

Once again the farmer sighed as he turned and walked toward the front door, leaning his pitchfork along the wall. Goblin Slayer, Cow Girl and Wolf remained outside before Cow Girl once again went to pet Wolf, gently stroking his fur and giving his side a couple pats.

"He's so big…I wonder if I could ride him? But that might be rude and improper of me to ask that kind of question."

"I'll bet you're both hungry, I'll get started on dinner."

"Okay."

With a smile she skipped over to the house to get started on the stew he loved so much. Goblin Slayer remained outside and turned to look at Wolf who looked back at him.

"Don't eat the animals here." Wolf barked once before panting with its tongue out. "I see."

xxxx

The townspeople had gotten used to the sight of Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl, but there was shock and slight fear as the large dire wolf followed beside them. People visibly moved away to hide as the wolf continued to walk, every now and then Wolf looked at the people and surroundings around him, so much different from the forest it inhabited. The trio soon reached the Guild Hall, where Cow Girl had to make her deliveries.

"Once I'm finished I'll meet you inside."

"Okay."

Goblin Slayer and Wolf proceeded to move to the entrance, other adventurers who were heading in and leaving the Guild were surprised to see them both and, just as the townspeople had done earlier, quickly moved aside. Guild Girl was busy at the front taking quests from the other adventurers when she heard the familiar jingle for the door, she and the other usual adventurers all looked up to see him walk in.

"Oh Good Morning Goblin…"

He walked in as he normally did, but behind him followed the large wolf. Spearman spit up his drink as the dire wolf followed behind Goblin Slayer, while his partner Witch smiled while tapping an inquisitive finger against her chin. Heavy Warrior, Female Knight and their party could only look on with mouths wide open at the sight of the dire wolf entering the Guild Hall. The others adventurers at the front of the desk quickly moved away allowing Goblin Slayer and Wolf to approach right away. Even Guild Girl was taken aback at the sight, but being the professional, quickly recomposed herself as they drew near the front desk.

"G, good morning Goblin Slayer."

"Hello."

"I take it this one is with you?"

"Yes. He is Wolf."

"Wait, are you saying his name is Wolf or stating that he is a wolf?"

"Yes."

Guild Girl smiled, though mentally she could feel the nerve on the right side of her head throbbing.

"I remember his party saying that he would have quite the surprise for me to see, but I never imagined this. At least, he actually came up with a name for the wolf, even if stating what it is as its name is a little uncreative."

"If you're not busy, I'd like to make my report."

"Oh of course." With a smile she readied her quill and ink. "Whenever you're ready Goblin Slayer."

"It was a large nest. There were seventy-seven goblins."

"Goodness that sounds terrifying. Are you alright?"

"Yes. The horde was led by a shaman and two hobgoblins. They took the cave of a family of wolves as their camp. There were six total captives, including one of the party members of the previous group. The other two were killed and devoured."

"I was worried something like that might have happened. Did you manage to save the other member of their party?"

"Yes. Two of the other captives were already dead, but the rest were rescued. This dire wolf was the only survivor, he killed the shaman and one of the hobgoblins. All the goblins were killed."

"Thank you Goblin Slayer for all your help with this quest. I have already split up the reward and given them to your party, I have yours here. May I ask why…Wolf is with you?"

"He came with us after the quest. He'll be useful killing goblins." Goblin Slayer casually picked up the small coins and placed them into his pouch.

"I see." Guild Girl smiled then looked toward the wolf who looked back at her with his red eyes. "It's like looking at a mirror image of Goblin Slayer…I wonder if everyone else came to the same conclusion?"

"Goblin Slayer!"

All eyes turned toward the sound to see the young Priestess coming down the stairs with sounding rod in hand.

"How could you bring him in here?"

"He followed behind me."

"I was wondering if Wolf would be coming with Orcbolg." High Elf Archer and the rest of the party looked down from the second level at the sight below. "Did you like the surprise I was talking about?"

Guild Girl smiled then looked back to find Goblin Slayer looking at the quest board obviously looking for any goblin quests, but still found Wolf staring at her. To say she was a little nervous would be an understatement, but Wolf at least was not showing any signs of aggression. Wolf then stood and began to move, actually moving behind the desk towards her. Guild Girl wanted to move, but felt if she was to stand suddenly it might agitate the wolf. Everyone saw this and readied themselves to intervene if necessary, all but Goblin Slayer who looked toward Guild Girl and Wolf before looking back at the quest board.

Wolf walked right up to Guild Girl, who was still sitting at her desk, trying her best to keep perfectly still. From where she was sitting, the dire wolf actually towered over her and then, as if sensing her discomfort, placed its massive head upon her lap, much to the horror and jealousy of Spearman. Guild Girl looked down at the wolf, completely shocked by his actions, who looked up at her, she carefully moved her hand down until she was able to gently stroke the top of his head. Wolf closed his eyes as she petted the massive dire wolf all the while smiling away like she was petting a cat.

"You're just a giant sweetheart aren't you?"

"Are you okay my dear? If need be, I will gladly save you."

Spearman walked closer toward the front desk, wanting more to chase away the beast from the girl he liked, but of course claiming to be the hero. Wolf opened his eyes to look at the approaching Spearman and began to slowly growl, never taking his head away from Guild Girl's lap. Spearman immediately stopped, to which Heavy Warrior and Female Knight laughed at the sight.

"Looks like he showed you. What's wrong…is the Frontier's Strongest scared or jealous?"

"Indeed. From what I just saw, I think the wolf is trying to protect her, for good reason I might add."

"Shut yer traps!" Spearman fumed at being slightly humiliated before looking at Goblin Slayer. "Would you get hold of this dumb animal?"

Goblin Slayer turned back toward the furious Spearman then back to the front desk to see Guild Girl still petting the dire wolf.

"He does not appear to be bothering her."

"Well he's bothering me, not get that beast away from her!"

Goblin Slayer stood motionless for a while moment then turned toward the front desk and in his usual dispassionate voice called out.

"Wolf."

Wolf's ears picked up and then he moved off Guild Girl's lap and moved back to join Goblin Slayer. Now that the ice had been broken, all patrons returned to their conversations and actions, every now and then turning back to examine the wolf. In her mind, Guild Girl could not help but smile at the thought of Goblin Slayer running around a field playing fetch with the giant wolf, the image in her mind almost made her laugh out loud.

"You're lucky I have a date, which is ruins to explore, otherwise I'd be giving you and that, that thing a piece of my mind."

"Understood."

Spearman huffed and puffed as he stomped out of the Guild Hall, while this was happening, Witch slowly made her way toward the large wolf. Without the hesitation of the others, she reached out and began to scratch the right ear of Wolf and smiled when she saw him wag his tail. Taking a gently puff from her pipe, she exhaled the smoke toward her right as not to bother the dire wolf.

"My…you do…find such…interesting…companions. I'm curious…to see…what…you two…will…accomplish."

Goblin Slayer nodded as she walked to catch up to her fuming partner. Dwarf Shaman smiled as he saw the whole spectacle and continued to stroke his beard.

"Given his actions with Long-Ears, the young lass, the Witch here and our Guild Girl, this beast may actually fancy women."

"At least he knows to be friendly and protective of women, unlike some wine barrels I know."

"What's this now Long-Ears, jealous that the wolf paid attention to them today and not you?"

While the conversation was going on, Goblin Slayer went back to the front desk to make his inquires.

"Any Goblins today?"

"None today Goblin Slayer. But thank you for bringing your friend in, it was very enjoyable."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed, he's much friendlier than I would have imagined."

"I see."

Goblin Slayer moved toward his normal table with Wolf, where the rest of his party came to join him.

"Hey Orcbolg, I take it there are no goblins today?"

"No."

"Well that means you'll be free for another adventure, and if you remember you owe me one for the help after the festival last fall."

"I have not forgotten. I will repay my debt."

High Elf Archer's ears drooped with a heavy sigh. "You could at least try to act happy or excited to be going on a different quest."

"Goblin Slayer, we talked about this before. You need to be more considerate of those who are trying to be nice to you."

"I will try."

"I tell you what Orcbolg, you can even bring Wolf with you."

"Will we need him?"

"Could be?"

"Very well then."

The party conversed and waited around for Cow Girl to finish her deliveries and come in to retrieve Goblin Slayer and Wolf. She graciously joined them for a meal, even Guild Girl bought Wolf some meat to happily devour. When they were finished, the trio made their way back to the farmhouse, so ended the first official visit of Wolf to the Guild Hall, but tomorrow would provide a new adventure for them to undertake, the details High Elf Archer would keep to herself until tomorrow.