It had been a long journey.
Only sounds of the rattling wagon, which carried boxes of nails and wood, could be heard as it travelled along the dirt road through the forest on its way to the upcoming town.
There wasn't any laughter or conversations, or any social interaction. It was just a quiet morning, which the young traveling merchant commonly experienced every day.
Kraft Lawrence, a 25 year old traveling merchant, was already accustomed with this experience through his 7 years of being a traveling merchant. His hair and clothes was kept in the style of a businessman, and had the appearance of a fit and healthy person. His ultimate goal was to someday acquire his own shop, settle down in a city, and become a town merchant.
Loneliness was a common feeling for Lawrence, as he spent most of his time on the road traveling from town to town doing business by himself. Sometimes he would wish that the horse pulling the wagon could speak, and occasionally he would actually think that the horse was talking to him.
However, things started to change when he met a particular girl in the town of Parsoe, where he had gone to trade some wheat. The girl was not your ordinary local farm girl, but a several hundred year old wolf deity who lives in the town's wheat fields, blessing the town with bountiful harvests. She had the appearance of a beautiful 15 year old girl with long brown hair and red eyes, which could catch the attention of any man that saw her. She looked like a normal human girl except that she had a pair of white tip wolf ears and a tail.
She calls herself Holo, the wise wolf of Yoitsu. Her true form was a giant wolf that was about 10 times bigger than an average man.
Holo wanted to return to the north to her hometown of Yoitsu after noticing the farmers and the locals had started to forsake and forget her because of inventions that had improved the ways of farming and agriculture.
Lawrence was aware that Holo had been lonely for a long time while staying in the wheat fields through their conversations, and decided to aid her on her travel to the north.
Throughout the journey, they had confirmed that Yoitsu was destroyed a long time ago by the Moon Hunting Bear, shortly after Holo had left her hometown. Although the town had been destroyed, Holo's companions was said to have fled the town before it was destroyed.
Presently, Lawrence and Holo were still continuing their journey north in search of legends that might give clues to the location of Yoitsu, and Holo's companions.
An icy breeze swept across the ground and passed Lawrence, causing Lawrence to shiver from the cold. Being in the middle of winter, the icy morning wind was merciless, and he prayed to Mother Nature that he would not be caught in a blizzard or a winter storm.
Trying to deter himself from thinking about the cold, since it would make him colder, Lawrence looked around at his surroundings to find something that could take his attention away from the harsh weather. He caught a glimpse of Holo, who was still sleeping with the covers wrapped around herself like a bug in a cocoon.
Lawrence could not help but feel a bit jealous towards Holo that she was able to sleep, and keep herself warm, while he was awake driving the cart. So jealous that he thought of waking her up because it was him that was helping her find her home, so she should be one being cold and not him.
However, Holo looked so innocent and cute like a child when she was sleeping soundly, so Lawrence could not bring himself to wake her up. He realized that this was probably one of Holo's schemes to look defenseless while she's sleeping, so that she could sleep as much as she wants.
Even though she had a beautiful appearance and cute charm, she was very sly and scheming. Even Lawrence who had many years of experience of being a merchant, and sweet talking people into deals was no match for Holo. She had the wisdom and life experiences of a several hundred years.
As a result, he could never win against Holo in an argument, and always the victim of Holo's teasing.
Suddenly, he noticed the sound of Holo's tail sweeping the wagon floor, and the movement of her ears, a clear indication that she had woke up. She slowly opened her sleepy eyes, and caught Lawrence looking at her. She grinned at Lawrence, where Lawrence could only reply with a strained smile.
She removed the covers and lifted herself up from the wagon floor, and gave a big sleepy yawn that clearly showed her canine fangs. She quickly wrapped the covers around herself again and said with a sleepy tone.
"It is a cold morning today, is it not?"
"You don't know how cold it really is. Wrapping all the covers around yourself and sleeping while I'm here driving the cart!"
Holo's head peered forward, her red eyes gazed at Lawrence.
"Then why do you not wake me up to get the covers then?"
"That is because…", before Lawrence could think of an appropriate answer to reply back, Holo continued her attack.
"You know…I would not mind sleeping next to you under the same covers." Holo's ears drooped down, and turned her head slightly to side, giving her an extremely cute and sweet appearance.
Lawrence was no match for Holo's acting, since he had failed to hide the blush that had surfaced on his cheeks after hearing Holo's remarks.
Holo revealed a big smile, her eyes fixated on Lawrence blushing expression as if mocking him.
Lawrence knowing that he had fallen into Holo's trap once again, and realizing that he was going to get tease further if the conversation continued, accepted defeat. He sighed, and turned his head back facing the front of the wagon to hide his embarrassed expression.
Holo responded to Lawrence's actions with a soft giggle and spoke.
"You are just too adorable and fun."
Holo jumped from the back of wagon to the driver seat, and sat next to Lawrence. She covered herself and Lawrence with the blankets she brought from the back, and let her head rest on Lawrence's shoulder.
Lawrence placed his hand on Holo's head, as if petting a dog. Seeing that Holo didn't move away or resist him, he moved his hand to the top of her left shoulder, and brought her petite body closer to his.
Not knowing if this was a trap laid by Holo to tease him later in day, Lawrence still held Holo close to his side. Lawrence didn't care if this was actually a trap because he was happy that he was accompanied by Holo on his travels, and would rather be teased by Holo than to be lonely.
It was quiet again; the sun was directly overhead of Lawrence, signaling that it was already afternoon. The sun had warmed up the air, allowing Lawrence to finally feel warmth and comfort, unlike the unforgiving cold winds during the early morning.
The cart had finally passed through the forest, and only hills that stretch out for miles could be seen all around. The path twisted around the various hills, like a snake slithering across the ground.
To Lawrence's amazement, he noticed that he was the only cart on the road, which gave him an ominous feeling.
On the back of the cart, Holo was busy combing and maintaining her tail, and paid no attention to the surrounding environment, like she was the only one on this cart.
But Lawrence knew better. Even though Holo looked oblivious to her surroundings, her ears were always on alert, detecting any movement and sound. Her sensitive wolf ears could hear the sound of a flea hopping on someone's skin, and could detect lies from other people.
Holo was the first to break the silence.
"Where are we headed?"
Lawrence looked back to see that Holo was still combing her tail, not even making eye contact with Lawrence. Lawrence figured that the question was just to break the silent boring atmosphere, and engaged in a conversation to pass the time.
"We're heading to the city of Revattle; it should take two more days on cart to reach the city."
Holo finally looked up and made eye contact with Lawrence, her face happily smiling.
When Holo smiled like that, Lawrence knew it was not going to be anything beneficial for him and his wallet.
"Does that mean I can finally sleep in a warm comfortable bed in an inn, and eat actual food, instead of sleeping on the cold wagon floor, spending everyday eating tasteless black bread with water?"
Lawrence was right on the mark. Holo probably wanted to rest in a decent inn, while eating the expensive food the inn had the offer. If he didn't do this, then he will provoke Holo's wrath, something that Lawrence didn't want to do, since he knew how wrathful Holo can be. Thinking about this, Lawrence unknowingly showed a bleak expression.
"Fine, we will, don't worry."
Holo's request was acceptable and manageable, since Lawrence also wanted to find an inn and stay in the city for a couple of days to rest for the journey ahead. Holo helped him closed a good deal back in the previous city that earned him a decent profit. Furthermore, these eight days of travelling on the cart had exhausted him completely. And if he felt exhausted, then Holo, with a smaller and more fragile body was probably feeling worse than he was.
Seeing that Lawrence had agreed to her request, Holo laid down on the wagon's floor, looking up at the sky, showing no intention of continuing the conversation.
"You should also be looking forward to the different types of food you'll find there."
Holo instantly sat back up, and faced Lawrence again, intrigued by what he had just said.
"What do you mean?"
If there were anything that could get Holo's attention and make her happy, it was food.
"The city of Revattle is located on the northern border between the Kingdom of Porania and the northlands. Many traders and workers come from the north and south to trade and do business in the city. As a result, many people come and share their skills and knowledge with other people, so Revattle has adapted both northern and southern styles of food and cooking."
Finishing his explanation, Lawrence saw Holo's mouth, drooling at the thought of various foods she would be able to eat, hastily said.
"Then we should quickly arrive to the town!"
Holo sounded like a child making a request from her parents, and her eyes and face was filled with happiness and excitement, Lawrence could not help but smile.
"Alright, but we shall only eat after I had sold the things in the back. And just because I mentioned about the food in the city doesn't mean you can eat much as you want."
After Lawrence finished his sentence, he was met with Holo's face, which was full of displeasure.
"Why? Did you not make a huge profit in the previous town?"
Holo's eyes narrowed on to Lawrence, trying to get him to submit, but Lawrence did not back down. Because if he did, Holo would have dealt another blow to his wallet and his pride as merchant, which were things his pride would not allow him to do.
"I did, but you need to control yourself and your eating expenses. You eat so much that you have almost used up all the earnings I got."
Holo peered back, turning her face away, and then turned back to face him with a confident and strong expression and composure.
"Oh really, then let me ask you this? Who was it that came up with the plan that had allowed you to earn a profit in the last town?"
Even though Lawrence knew that the plan was originally her idea, he could not answer question. Because if he did, he would confess that he was wrong and she was right, which was the same as forfeiting.
Holo sensed Lawrence's thoughts and continued her assault.
"Who was it that was mainly responsible for the unfortunate incidents during our travels? And who was it that had come up with the plans that had helped you get out of those unfortunate events?" Holo mocked.
Lawrence was speechless.
"So, in a business perspective, I should be getting a share of the profit for my services, right, Master?"
Holo deliberately used the word master to further mock Lawrence incompetence by using the concepts of business he learned as a tool against him.
Lawrence crumbled, having no reply that would turn the tide in the situation. As he was about to submit to Holo dominating presence, Holo's ears suddenly twitched, and quickly turned her head.
Lawrence was surprised by Holo's sudden action.
"What's wrong, Holo?"
He noticed that Holo had a cautious expression on her face. Her ears were on full alert, detecting any sound and scanning the environment.
"I hear multiple galloping horses coming towards us at a fast pace."
Hearing Holo say this, Lawrence thought it was a messenger and his escorts trying to deliver a fast message. Since Revattle was a major city in these lands, it was not uncommon for merchants to encounter messengers on the road delivering documents to other major cities.
"It's probably a messenger and his escorts trying to deliver something."
Holo listened to Lawrence's response, and quickly retorted his judgment.
"If it were really messengers and his escorts, would they not be traveling on the same road as us?
Lawrence was taken back by Holo's question.
"I guess they would be taking the same route as us"
Holo nodded at Lawrence response.
"But the sounds I hear are not coming from the road, but over the hills on the other side, and they are coming at us quite fast."
Lawrence was startled by Holo's remark, and also began to look cautious and alert. Lawrence surveyed his surroundings, but because his vision was blocked by the numerous tall hills around the side of the road, Lawrence could not see anything except the main road in front of him.
"They are almost here." Holo quickly put on her hood to cover her ears, while producing a low growl, like a wolf getting ready to pounce on any threat that appeared.
Moments later, Lawrence also started hearing the sound of galloping horses, but he also heard the yells of people and the clashing sound of metal.
In that instant, a thought suddenly sparked in Lawrence mind. Somewhere in his past distant memories, he had been in a similar situation and heard similar sounds. And then it hit him, with a face full of horror and concern, he muttered.
"Bandits."