Chapter 4

No matter how much misfortune a merchant maybe plague with, in the end, they will do anything to turn a profit.

Despite everything Lawrence had been through that night he had managed to return to the inn in peace. Approaching his room, the peddler couldn't help but sigh in relief, seeing a small light flicker from the cracks between the door. With his mind still hazy from his attackers, the merchant was having a hard time remembering if he had left something on before leaving earlier that night. Not wanting to over think it though, he decided to just accept that he did and grabbed the door nob. All he knew was with the light meant less stumbling.

Opening the wooden door, Lawrence soon learned the light was coming from a small lantern that was lit beside the bed he and Holo were sharing. "Are you not well?" Suddenly came a worried tone.

Lawrence, now startled by this voice, jumped before closing the door behind him. "H-Holo?" He spoke swiftly turning to face the wolf. Their, the young merchant watched as Holo crossed her legs before eyeing him curiously from the bed. Unlike him, completely worn out and exhausted, the wolf deity looked surprisingly relaxed. "You seem to be in better spirits. Don't tell me the liquor has already pass through your body?" He questioned, making his way towards the beautiful woman.

"Mm? Oh yes...Fine liquor never lingers long." She spoke with a grin before closing her amber-red eyes.

"Have you been awake for a while now?" Lawrence replied calmly, watching as she slowly nodded her head in response. Deciding now was probably a good time to explain himself, Lawrence took to a seat on a desk across from the bed. "There's something I need to talk to you about Holo."

Holo's exposed ears perked up as she reopened her eyes. Her gaze soon followed, watching the merchant as his expression darkened. "And that might be?"

Knowing her wolf senses had already caught onto his worry, the young peddler had to force his next words to come out. "Though I'm ashamed to say it, but I have been attacked and robbed of my spices."

Holo immediately frowned before closing her amber-eyes once again. "Though this is quite a concern I am aware you have a plan to get it back?"

Something didn't seem right. Lawrence had expected Holo to turn serious as she screamed about who had done such a thing to him. Yet instead, she approached it as if it was little concern to her. It had thrown him off guard, but after clearing his throat Lawrence replied. "Y-yeah, well sort of. But are you not going to ask me if I am alright?"

Holo, who reopened her eyes only scowled before tossing the merchant a serious look. "If one is to worry over the simplest of wounds, they turn a blind eye to what truly needs to be addressed." She spoke, wiping at her sniffling nose. "Still, I cannot say seeing you hurt makes me pleased, however it is your own foolish fault this happened."

Slamming his hand on the desk, Lawrence glanced at the wolf who still looked for the most part relaxed. "How could you say that?" If you knew something was up why didn't you stop me." He shouted, glaring at the deity.

Holo pondered this for a moment, her legs still crossed. "I was in no state to stop you." She remarked back, sternly eyeing the merchant with her blood-red eyes before adding on anger idly. "Lawrence, do you not recall the conversation earlier with the inn mistress?"

Quietly, Lawrence listened to the deity, before trying his best to recall earlier that day. "You mean about the thieves? Yes, I recall but wh..." Then, as if all his senses had been knocked back into him, the merchant figured it out. With widened eyes, he brought a hand to his forehead and clutched it tightly. "Tch...Your right. This is all my fault. I was not thinking probably before leaving. I'm sorry Holo."

Holo looked at Lawrence with a more calm expression. "Worry not, I will find out where the theft has taken your spices Lawrence...After all, I am a wolf; My nose can detect anything." She smiled proudly, rubbing once again at her sniffling nose.

Glancing up at the deity, Lawrence force a faint smile before shaking his head. "Thanks, but we don't need to get ourselves involved with thieves. To be honest, my weapons are going for double their price if I go with a deal an elder offered me."

Once again, Holo's ears perked up with mild curiosity. "Certainly this deal must be of importance considering you do not wish for me to retrieve your valuables." She spoke, with shock.

The merchant simply let out a soft chuckled before relaxing against the chair. "More or less. It's actually a bit more complicated than that." He spoke with a faint smile. "Holo, you may not like what has to be done so I want to make sure you'll be okay with anything I'm about to say."

With her ears twitching, Holo spoke much like an impatient kid. "I am not a child Lawrence. I am a wise wolf. I am quite aware that life is full of things one is not particularly fond of. You may tell me anything and you know well I will go with you."

Feeling assured, the young merchant took in a much need breath before releasing it. He knew Holo would not stop him, but the uncomfortable present lingering in his stomach promised Lawrence that the deity wasn't going to enjoy any part of the deal.

"What if I told you we are about to head to place that is currently celebrating the death of wolves?" Nervously, the young peddler continued, allowing the foul words slip from his mouth. "One where we need to carry perhaps a wagon full of wolves pelt too in order to get the profit I seek."

The lantern in the room flickered, as Holo quietly sat on the bed. To Lawrence, she seemed almost unreal as her magnificent tail swayed back and forth. It was quiet, so quiet that ever passing second left the peddler feeling more anxious. Did he draw the line? Was this too much. Pulling at his shirt's neck collar, Lawrence allowed air seep in, as he desperately tried to cool his sweating body down.

Tossing the peddler a rather puzzled smile, the wolf couldn't help but giggle. "You really are too softhearted Lawrence." She spoke, practically shocking the young man. "I am honestly not at all surprised there is a festival celebrating the death of wolves. After all, besides death itself, human's seem to fear us wolves the most."

Holo's words had made it almost impossible for the young peddler to say anything. Though he felt bad for her, he was never good at finding the words to make bad situations better. "Holo, I..."

"I presume you are thinking I am troubled by this correct?" She spoke, leaning her back against the wall. As she gazed up at the ceiling, she continued. "It is not true that human's celebrate the death of their own kind? If you think of it, then how is this any different?" With a faint smile she went on. "After all, have I also told you Lawrence that those wolves who die were too weak. Tis true it saddens me to see, but out their...it truly is only the toughest and smartest survive."

Though she tried to reassure Lawrence to not worry, he could not find any comfort out of her words. In the end though, he could go back on the deal Holo had not denied the idea, and desperately needing the money, the two agreed by sunrise tomorrow, they were to set out towards the town of Edmundus.

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Next time: Chapter 5: Wolf and the festival of death