Goblin Slayer grunted as he used the mace in his left hand to help push his body up, his blood dripped onto the floor from his previous wounds though the pain was bearable, it was his strength that seemed to be failing him. The effect of the stamina potion was beginning to wear off and the accumulated fatigue was finally getting to him. He looked up to see the others adventurers around him also trying to get back to their feet but directly in front of him was the Lich Queen.
"Is it painful beloved?" Her swords in hand vanished as she reached down to grab Goblin Slayer by his neck and lift him up until they were face to face. "I have not forgotten your little trick with that flammable liquid from earlier. I will enjoy making you pay for such treatment of your queen."
"You…are not…my queen." Goblin Slayer drew out his sword with his free hand and stabbed it through the Lich Queen's arm.
The Lich Queen chuckled as she saw this futile struggling then threw Goblin Slayer back to the ground and then removed the blade before tossing it to the ground as well.
"It is true that because of you all I am more vulnerable to attacks, but that only fuels my rage and that gives me more power." With a wave of her hands strong gusts of icy wind circled through the room with enough force that everyone was thrown around like empty sacks.
The Lich smiled at the sight of the adventurers struggling, her rage would not be sated by killing them instantly, she would need to toy with them until they lay before broken and suffering.
"Especially him!" Lich Queen looked back toward Goblin Slayer and smiled as she heard him struggle to get back on his feet. "His pain will be most delicious as I drink in his suffering."
The Lich Queen paused as she looked at this man, this man who had intrigued her since last night, there was something about this man that almost seemed familiar to her. She then began to think back to her past, back when she was still a human sorceress, just starting out as a young adventurer…when he was part of her adventuring party.
xxxx
During her early days she found herself wandering through the guild hall of some long forgotten town, she had just registered and was eager to start questing, but what to start with? Rats and goblins seemed beneath her and her abilities, but trying to fight a dragon on her own would be very foolish, she need to find allies that would not hold her back, those she could use as stepping stones to become even greater.
"If you're looking for a group, we could always use another spell caster on our party."
She turned to see a human warrior in leather armor and chainmail calling toward her, beside him was a young handsome archer, a female cleric and a male scout. Dwarves, elves and the other non-human races had always kept to themselves, which suited her just fine. The human warrior, the leader of the party, an experienced individual as he had tag of ruby rank around his neck, appeared to be at least ten years older than her. At first glance, this group didn't seem very impressive, but at the very least they could serve as a form of amusement.
"You better not hold me back." This young sorceress smirked as she walked toward them.
Their first quest together had been dealing with demons who had been preying upon the local populace. On this mission she had saved her comrades, but was nearly killed herself had their leader not stepped in and taken the blow, though wounded he kept her safe and in that moment had become smitten with this man. After about a year together, this man had given her a golden hand mirror as a present for her birthday.
"Why a mirror?"
"I see you looking at yourself in the reflection of the streams to check your appearance. This should make it easier for you. Though you need not worry…you are most beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have you."
During this time, the human archer had developed feelings for this sorceress and was aware that she had feelings for their leader, but since he came from nobility he felt that could carry much more weight with it than just being a skilled adventurer.
Another year had passed and she finally managed to bear her feelings toward him, hoping that he would reciprocate.
"I'm truly happy to hear this…but I have nothing to offer you. My only skill is as a warrior, how could I support us and a potential family with just the earnings from these quests? I am not worthy of this affection."
She was devastated to hear this and in her fit of jealousy began to be more flirtatious with the archer in hopes of making him jealous, sadly it did not. He had been a man focused on his mission, see the quest through and keep the others safe. One mission had gone rather disastrous, on the verge of being slaughtered, their leader instructed the archer to take the others to safety while he stayed behind to cover their escape, knowing full well he would not be coming back. She quickly protested but was pulled away by the archer. She watched for as long as she was able to, seeing the man she loved struck by multiple arrows and stabbed repeatedly yet never screaming or crying out in pain as he continued to fight.
The group had disbanded and she had gone with the archer, as the lord of his castle he felt she no longer need to practice her magic as her main duty would now be taking care of their future children. She looked down at the engagement ring he had given her and then over toward the golden mirror her leader had given to her.
"Is this to be my life? Stuck in this prison watching children and letting my skills diminish while he acts as the lord? I was a fool to act that way in front of him…I would have preferred to die alongside him, than live like this." It was then she had a sinister thought come to mind. "These mortal races…all they do is kill one another every day, without end. This is why I lost my beloved. I shall find a way to wipe them out, so that my beloved can truly rest in peace. Even if I must sell my soul, I will find a way to make myself the strongest sorceress in all the world."
With that, she went about her transformation into becoming the Lich Queen, no matter how many years it took, she would become an all-powerful being bent on wiping out the mortal races…all for him.
xxxx
"A memory from long ago…this man, my beloved…it matters not. My vengeance will not be satisfied until every one of them is a servant in my army of the dead."
"Firebolt!" Sage raised her staff toward the Lich Queen as the flaming projectile flew toward the Lich Queen.
"Stone Blast!" Dwarf Shaman added his spell to help Sage as dozens of rocks flew forward as well.
The Lich Queen gave a wave of her hand and the projectiles were reflected back at their casters. Sage moved to the side but screamed as the firebolt both cut and burned her left shoulder. Dwarf Shaman, standing beside Witch, quickly pushed her to the ground and threw himself over her, grunted as the stone hit the wall around him but debris struck him, slightly cutting his face and back.
"Are, are you ok?" He slowly moved off Witch hissing in pain from his minor injuries.
"I am…thank you…but…what about…you?" Witch was concerned when she saw the state of Dwarf Shaman beside her.
"Nothing too serious. Besides, I won't have a comrade injured by my own spell." Dwarf Shaman smiled as he looked toward Witch, but internally was worried. "That's the last of my spells. I'm down to my sling and I don't feel quite as confident using that against the Lich Queen."
Half-Demon Assassin smiled as he started to use the small file concealed in his glove, though his daggers had been removed he still had plenty of weapons hidden, ready to kill the three young girls in front of him.
"She must still have a horcrux!" High Elf Archer rolled to the side as the Lich Queen struck the area she had been standing moments ago.
"The fourth horcrux." Half-Demon Thief immediately thought back to what the Lich Queen had said about her.
Hands shaking as she watched her friends fighting a losing battle down below and started to move her hands, when Priestess placed her hand upon hers.
"What…what are you…"
"No. You're not going to sacrifice yourself."
Half-Demon Assassin stopped himself in the middle of cutting the ropes, surprised that this human would stop his sister from taking her life.
"But unless I die, the Lich will kill the others."
"That truth has not been confirmed my dear." Lizard Priest slashed left and right at the Lich only to be knocked back against the wall. "There is something we're overlooking. Her Crown! Her Swords! Something!"
"But you can't...she'll kill you all! I can save you if I'm gone!"
"No." Goblin Slayer pushed himself up once more with both weapons in hand. "We…we will defeat her."
"But you'll die unless her horcrux is destroyed."
"So be it." Goblin Slayer walked forward his eyes ablaze within his helmet. "I'll see this quest through and help you…I've still got goblins to slay when this is done."
Lich Queen was taken aback by his comment and for a brief moment saw her deceased beloved before the image returned to Goblin Slayer. She steeled herself for the task at hand and charged forward to meet Goblin Slayer's attack.
Half-Demon Assassin was also shocked by what he had heard from those who claimed to be his sister's friends. Even now as they struggled to fight the Lich Queen, and were given the option of destroying the final horcrux, they refused to take her life.
"These people…they're different from what I expected. Perhaps…my sister was right." He continued to cut through the ropes the bound him. "Then…perhaps there is still a chance for me to set things right?"
He finished cutting through his ropes and drew out a hidden knife from his boot and rushed forward. Half-Demon Thief turned toward the noise and quickly pushed both Priestess and Apprentice Cleric out of harms. Her brother grazed her shoulder as she too moved out of the way then drew out her daggers to defend herself.
"Brother."
"We finish this." He rushed forward and began slashing at her, but to the trained eye it was a very distinctive pattern.
"What…what are you doing?" Half-Demon Thief could easily see what he was doing, but could not understand why he was attacking in such a manner.
The others down below could see this happening, but to their surprise it was the Lich Queen who was the angriest at this.
"You damn fool, get away from there right now!"
"Not until I have finished what I must do my queen."
The Lich Queen grew angry but had to focus on the other adventurers around her, in a few moments she would deal with the others still on the second level. Half-Demon Assassin grew impatient as his sister continued to act on the defensive and knew more drastic measures would be needed, he turned and focused his attention on Priestess.
"Then you will die first!" Half-Demon Assassin charged forward with blade in hand ready to stab Priestess.
"No!" Half-Demon Thief rushed after her brother, determined to keep him from killing her friend.
Once he was close enough, he turned back toward his sister and held his arms out to his side. Half-Demon Thief saw this but could not stop herself in time as she rammed her dagger into his chest. With a cough blood ran from his mouth as he looked down at the blade that had pierced his chest directly in his heart.
The Lich Queen screamed once again dropping her swords as she stumbled around crashing into the walls around her in a horrific display. She looked up with wide eyes at the sight of Half-Demon Thief stabbing her brother in the chest, she raised her hands determined to skew her body with icicles but suddenly two wolves leapt forward, each grabbing her wrists and pulling her back to the ground.
"You damn animals get off me!" She angrily shook her arms in an attempt to get the dire wolves off of her but they would not let go.
Half-Demon Assassin had collapsed to his knees, his breathing becoming ragged as he pulled out the dagger and let it clatter to the ground. Half-Demon Thief's hands were shaking as she placed them over his wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
"Brother…why?"
"You can't…stop her…until the final horcrux is destroyed."
"But…you…I thought…"
"I was…the only mortal she could trust…her last connection to the living world." Despite the pain he smiled as he looked at his sister. "I was wrong…wrong about them…and wrong about you. I'm sorry…for everything…as a brother…I've failed."
"Brother that's not true…you were tricked by her."
"Live your life…the way you choose…sist…"
Half-Demon Assassin slumped forward into his sister's arms, tears running down her face as she hugged her brother's body.
"Enough!" Lich Queen suddenly stood and threw the wolves off her.
She glared at them but suddenly felt a terrible pain in her shoulder, she turned to see Spearman stabbing through her right shoulder. Before she could react three arrows pieced through her body from High Elf Archer's bow. Female Swordmaster, Lizard Priest, Rookie Warrior and Goblin Slayer charged forward taking turns slashing at her body, her black blood spilling to the ground with every strike.
"No…am…am I dying? How…how could this have happened? Centuries of being alive? The rise and fall of empires? The Heroes who came and fell! Now, this group…has bested me?" She then looked back toward Goblin Slayer this one man and his tactics had caught her off guard far too often. "No…I will not die here tonight!"
With a yell, she knocked everyone away, it took nearly all of her strength to do it, but she bought herself the precious time she needed. Her formed changed back to the voluptuous woman Goblin Slayer had seen the night before as she staggered toward him. She created a single icicle in her right hand and coated it with her blood before stabbing it into one of his open wounds. Goblin Slayer grunted from the pain as he turned to see the icicle in his shoulder then looked back toward the Lich Queen and saw a gentle smile upon her face.
"Beloved." She gently placed her right hand upon his chest and then her left hand on the side of his helmet. "You…you will never be rid of me."
The Lich Queen leaned forward and kissed his helmet before standing and returning to her original form once again. She groaned as she turned and found Hero standing before her with her holy sword ready to deliver the final blow.
"You…you may kill me here…but there are still other horrors in the world for you to face…you'll die and end up failing eventually."
"Then until that day, I will grow stronger and continue to fight!"
Hero leapt forward and with a powerful swing of her sword decapitated the Lich Queen. The Lich Queen's head hit the ground and rolled toward her throne while her body fell forward with such force that the throne room shook. The adventurers stood there, waiting to see if she would get back up but to their relief saw her body dissolve into black dust.
"We…we are victorious!" Hero cheered as she held her sword high.
The others cheered as well, but while this was going on Priestess and Apprentice Cleric were comforting Half-Demon Thief as she sobbed while cradling her brother's body. Before they could celebrate for very long the castle started to shudder as dust and rubble began to rain down upon them.
"The castle…with her gone this castle is collapsing!" Half-Demon Thief looked around worried that they had defeated the lich only to be buried alive in the castle.
"We need to move." Goblin Slayer grunted as he stood then tore the icicle out of his shoulder.
"You all get down here quickly! No telling how long this castle will be left standing!" Spearman nervously looked around as he heard the sound of the rock cracking and crumbling around him!
The five remaining adventurers, and Half-Demon Assassin's body, were quickly helped to the lower level, Lizard Priest carrying the fallen assassin over his shoulder as the group started running for the entrance. As expected, the skeletal warriors and undead had collapsed the moment the Lich Queen was defeated, meaning there was nothing to hamper their escape. Outside the castle the group turned to watch as the structure crumbled and fell, then before the dust had cleared the ice and rock on the nearby mountain fell as well, burying the remains.
"It's…it's like the Earth is filling in the grave of this site." Priestess exhausted from the ordeal bowed her head and silently prayed to the Earth Mother.
"I say good riddance, no one needs to know that such horrors occurred here." Spearman spat to the side before carefully placing a hand on his injured shoulder.
Apprentice Cleric sighed as a defeated look crossed her face, her friend immediately took notice.
"What's wrong?" Rookie Warrior grew concerned for his partner.
"We forgot to get the treasure." She sulked at the thought that they came away with nothing from the castle.
"Let's get back to the fortress! I'm hopeful that our victory here did not come too late for my Uncle."
"Yes…and we must properly deal with this poor soul as well." Lizard Priest was of course talking about the body of Half-Demon Assassin.
Half-Demon Thief was beside herself as she looked down at her blood-stained hands, her brother's blood, and lamented having to kill him.
"I…I wanted to save him."
She then felt a heavy hand upon her shoulder and looked back to see Goblin Slayer behind her.
"We'll have a proper burial for your brother."
"Thank you." She nodded her head, tears still present in her eyes.
The battle weary group slowly made their way back to the wagon to begin the long trek back to the dwarven fortress.
xxxx
"Victory!" Honored Uncle raised his ax high as the last of the skeletons and undead collapsed to the ground.
As the sun broke over the horizon, the remaining warriors cheered as well, then went about the rather unpleasant task of rolling the dead into the burning trenches, a precaution to unsure no further undead would rise up. The preparations they made were indeed very helpful as they reduced the number of casualties they suffered losing only a hundred more over the long battle while their enemy had been completely defeated.
Honored Uncle, Elf Leader and Human Commander chose to wait despite being tired from the two days of constant fighting, they would wait for the group of adventurers to return. It was late in the afternoon when the wagon came down the pathway leading toward the fortress. The exhausted adventurers disembarked from the wagon, but before there could be any celebration, they needed to tend to Half-Demon Assassin. Goblin Slayer, Spearman and Lizard Priest went to work digging the grave before placing his body into the ground, once buried Priestess went about praying for those who had been lost over these two nights that they find some measure of peace and know their sacrifices had not been in vain.
Before returning to their rooms, each adventurer's wounds were healed by the some of the human spell casters, but once inside every person immediately fell asleep, their long fight finally over. They slept through until the next morning where they finally had the energy to go and eat a hearty meal, down in the dining hall Hero and her party were treated like conquering heroes, but for the girls they certainly didn't feel as though they had truly earned it. For some of the other adventurers, such as Spearman and High Elf Archer, they were a bit annoyed that they weren't also being treated like heroes, but the rest of the party was just thankful for the food.
"You know…after all of that, I think I'd prefer to go after goblins." Dwarf Shaman mused as he took a bit of the roast before him.
"I would tend to agree sir mage, hunting the little devils would be a welcome change after the constant undead we encountered." Lizard Priest smiled as he happily dined on his meat and cheese.
"I don't know about going after goblins, but I've had enough undead to last a lifetime." Spearman added as he massaged his injured shoulder.
"Does it…still hurt?"
"Nowhere near as bad as last night? Don't you worry I'm perfectly fine." He smiled and nodded at her with a wink.
"I am…relieved. If need be…I could…kiss your wound…to make it…feel better."
"Don't, don't be ridiculous. I'm not some child." Spearman blushed as he took a swig of his ale.
The others all laughed, for Priestess though there was the lingering thought of nearly losing Goblin Slayer last night, but she need only look over at him to see he was still there.
"Uh Goblin Slayer, what about you? How are your injuries?"
"Fine. Nothing serious."
"After last night, I don't want to hear you mention anything about what you consider serious or not Orcbolg! I'd say you took at least a thousand years off my life with that stunt you pulled."
"Sorry."
"Uh Goblin Slayer…I meant to ask, when the Lich Queen kissed you, what did she say?"
All eyes were upon him, very few had seen the Lich Queen transform and kiss him, but for three certain women they were very aware of this action and curious to know what happened in full detail.
"She said "You'll never be rid of me." Nothing more."
"What do you think she meant?" Half-Demon Thief slightly jealous to hear that the Lich Queen had kissed Goblin Slayer.
"I don't know."
"Perhaps it was her way of saying you'd never forget fighting some of her power or strength Milord Goblin Slayer."
"Perhaps. It doesn't matter."
"And your shoulder where she stabbed you, is that okay Goblin Slayer?"
"Fine."
The party members continued to laugh and eat within the dining hall discussing what they had encountered in the castle and their plans for the upcoming New Year celebration. Soon Honored Uncle came with a rather solemn look upon his face as he walked over toward his nephew.
"Honored Uncle, why the long face? Has something happened?"
"You all need to come with me, there's something we need to discuss in council chambers…and you're not going to like it."
xxxx
"What the hell do you mean we can't submit this quest to the guild?" High Elf Archer found her hands shaking from her rage as she heard the news.
"No one must know about what happened here. No mention of the Lich Queen or her army in the thousands, none of it." Human Commander sighed as he was forced to tell them all of these restrictions.
"Just what the hell do you think you're trying to pull? We risked our lives to make sure you and the others survived last night's assault!" Spearman too was furious as he heard the Human Commander spout off this nonsense.
"You have to think about the world here. What would they think if they heard the Hero was nearly defeated and had to be saved by adventurers of lower rank?"
"Don't you dare make this about us?" Hero walked forward angry about her comrades not being able to gain any credibility from this quest, but now furious as she and her party were being made the scapegoats. "We're only here to celebrate this victory because of their bravery."
"Exactly. It wasn't gold ranked adventurers who saved you, but silver and lower. Who would ever take the title of Hero serious if they found you had to be saved by others? That you screamed and cowered before the Lich Queen. There would be panic and no one would feel safe if they knew of a weak Hero."
"This…this is not right." Hero could understand what Human Commander was saying but she didn't have to agree with it. "These people also risked their lives as we did, they should be able to get credit for their hard work."
"No one can talk about it. By order of the king, all information is to be suppressed." Human Commander sighed as he thought about everything he had unloaded on them. "As compensation for your work each of you will be given five bags of gold."
For Priestess, Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric the news they would not be getting any credit from this, and they would not be able to move up in ranks, was crushing to their self-esteem.
"Come on, these three deserve to be able to move up the ranks, you can't deny them." Spearman took note of the three young ones sadden expressions and hoped he could at least get credit for them.
"Sorry, but the king's decision stands. You have my thanks as well as the king's."
Honored Uncle and Elf Leader were also upset with this decision, unfortunately they were not in any position to speak out against the king.
"Then our business has been concluded here. We can depart tomorrow morning." Goblin Slayer turned with a grunt and made his way toward the door while the others looked on with surprised looks on their faces.
"I do hope you understand reasons for this decision Goblin Slayer." Human Commander called out, though thankful for his suggestions, not completely trusting of this adventurer. "It's for the good of the world."
"I'm not fighting for the world." Goblin Slayer paused before exiting the room to turn and look back toward the leaders. "I was fighting to help a friend."
The rest of his party was surprised to hear this comment, but were immediately thrilled when they did. The rest of his party members followed behind their leader, immediately forgetting about their anger toward the Human Commander. Hero and her party though held back, and it was Hero who walked toward him.
"I'm sorry, we can't do any…"
Before he could finish Hero punched him across the jaw knocking him to the ground.
"You bastard!" Hero and her party quickly turned to catch up with Goblin Slayer and the others.
"Goblin Slayer wait!" Hero called out to Goblin Slayer to stop him and his party.
Goblin Slayer and the others turned to see the trio of young women approaching.
"I…I wanted to apologize. You all deserve much better than what he's saying."
"It doesn't matter to me. Our quest is done so we'll be going tomorrow after a day of rest."
Hero looked at odd man and chuckled, even after everything she had been through, he was the most unusual of all.
"I'm going to miss working with you. You're leaving just like…" Hero paused as she recalled the adventurer who saved her village some six years ago, he had left the moment his job was completed and he had only told her, she looked back at Goblin Slayer and studied his helmet carefully. "You're helmet…did it use to have horns before?"
"My helmet? Yes, it had horns but they were torn off long ago."
Hero looked at the man, her heart racing as she heard him mention the horns on his helmet and immediately rushed forward toward him wrapping her arms his waist and hugging him tightly, much to the shock of the other girls.
"It's you. You're the one who saved my village all those years ago. You came alone, had us bring in our harvest and were making stakes for the goblins."
"Hmm. I do remember a village…a sister was the one who spoke with me…and a little girl as well."
"That was me! You inspired me to be an adventurer! You saved me then and now!" Hero released her grip around his waist tears of joy in her eyes. "Thank you so much for everything."
"I'm glad. You've done well. Perhaps we'll meet again someday."
"I…I would like that sir." Hero nodded her head a slight blush present across her face.
Goblin Slayer nodded toward the trio once again then turned to make his way back down to the dining hall. The women in Goblin Slayer's party were slightly annoyed to see Hero so friendly with Goblin Slayer, but pushed it aside as they followed behind him. Hero watched him walk away and felt the heat in her face and brought her hands towards her chest as her heart raced.
"You okay?" Female Swordmaster walked up to her right side to check her friend.
"That's…that's twice he's come to save me, it must be fate! I'm going to work even harder to become a hero truly worthy of him…wait for me Goblin Slayer!"
"Wait for…you don't mean…" Sage was surprised by the comment and the implications that came with it.
Hero smiled, the blush still present on her face, before she and her party went back to the dining hall to join Goblin Slayer and the others.
xxxx
The next morning, Goblin Slayer and his party went about loading up the wagons with their supplies and rewards before they departed that morning. Half-Demon Thief stood by the dirt mound and small stack of stones that represented her brother lamenting all that had happened to and between them.
"This will be the last time I'm able to see you dear brother. I'm sorry I was unable to save you like I wanted, but your sacrifice saved not only me but the whole world. You're a hero even if no one says it."
"You okay?"
Half-Demon Thief turned to see Goblin Slayer slowly walked toward her followed by the two dire wolves.
"Yes sir, just saying my final goodbyes."
"In the end, he gave his life to save his sibling… as any older sibling would." Goblin Slayer looked down at the grave and his older sister came to mind.
"Goblin Slayer…do you have family?"
"I had an older sister…but that was long ago."
"Did…did she also try to help and protect you the way my brother did?"
"…yes…"
"I'm sorry for your loss." Half-Demon Thief felt sad about mentioning that to him and yet felt happy to know that someone else knew what she was going through. "Can I ask you something?"
"I can't promise an answer."
"You're terrible you know that? Would…would it be alright if I continued to travel with you and your party?" She turned toward Goblin Slayer waiting on pins and needles to see how he would respond.
"You're free to do whatever you wish…I don't mind."
Half-Demon Thief started to cry while nodding her head, happy that she could continue her journey with the friends, true friends, she had made.
"Th…thank you sir."
The party members loaded up on the wagons, the girls in the second wagon with Snow while the men were in the first with Wolf. Dwarf Shaman had finished his final goodbyes with his Uncle and promised to continue his work to properly represent his people. As the wagons got moving, Goblin Slayer grunted as he started to rub his left shoulder.
"You ok Goblin Slayer, sir?" Rookie Warrior wondering if his previous injuries were still bothering him.
"Fine…my shoulder just feels…cold."
xxxx
Elsewhere, that night was the time of the month where the green moon was no longer visible and only the red moon was out. Female Knight grunted as Heavy Warrior bandaged up her injured arm, a slight blush present on her face being near her lover.
"How are you feeling?" Heavy Warrior asked as he finished wrapping her arm.
"F…fine. Actually, I feel rather foolish for being bit by that wolf." Female Knight sighed and smiled at him worrying about her.
Heavy Warrior and his party had been summoned to his village to deal with a large wolf that had been terrorizing their farm for roughly a week every month. To their surprise another group was there ready to help, not wanting any part of the reward, only to capture the wolf alive. Now on this final night where the red moon was out, they finally found the wolf, though Female Knight had been wounded in the battle, the wolf was capture just as the other group had wanted.
"That should do it." Half-Elf Warrior sighed as he wiped the sweat from his brow after he and Scout Boy helped load the cage onto the wagon.
"Thank you boys, we would have had a hard time trying to catch this thing by ourselves." Animal Tracker said with a smile as he motioned toward his partner in the driver seat of the wagon.
"What are you going to do with this thing?" Scout Boy wondered as he back away from the cage as the wolf snarled at them.
"We'll train him, sell him to a circus or for a fare, that sort of thing?" Animal Tracker smiled toward them, though his smile made both boys feel rather uncomfortable. "Thanks again boys."
Before the wagon rode off down the road Half-Elf Warrior caught sight of something that was quite unusual, but was more concerned with the rest of his party. Heavy Warrior and the rest of his party joined back with him to survey the area before returning back to the village to report the capture of the beast.
"Are you okay?" Druid Girl asked her other female companion.
"Please, this little wound is nothing to a future Paladin."
"Something bothering you?" Heavy Warrior noticed that Half-Elf Warrior was rather quiet on the way back.
"Nothing really, just thought I saw something odd about that wolf before the wagon took off."
"Looked like an ordinary wolf to me, what did you see?" Scout Boy was curious for he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"Before the wagon left, I swear I saw the wolf stand up on its hind legs and grip the bars of the cage with its front paws like a man."
Author's note: I have one final filler chapter to finish off this section of story, but this can be viewed as the conclusion to the Lich Queen Arc, but is it really the end? And now our other guild compatriots may have given us a clue as to what we'll seeing soon. I'm glad everyone found Half-Demon Thief and Snow to be enjoyable characters, they were a lot of fun to write and keep around.