The Frontier's Most Honourable

Chapter 4

Exiting the wagon, Warden and Goblin Slayer surveyed the landscape where their wolf hunting quest was to take them. It was at the outermost edges of the Frontier Town where hamlets and holdfasts were scattered few and far between each other. Much of the land were grazing pastures for sheep, cattle and horses. Taking out the notice, Warden read the details of the quest.

"Hm. Seems like the one who posted the notice may have some more information on where to find the wolf pack," the knight remarked knowingly.

"Who posted the notice?" Goblin Slayer asked curiously.

"A man known as Horse Breeder," replied Warden as he folded up the paper and put it inside his satchel. "His farm isn't far from here. Let's get moving," he suggested as they began to walk across the meadows.

After a few minutes of walking, they came to a fenced off field where some horses grazed contentedly on green summer grass. "Beautiful animals," Warden remarked appreciatively as he gazed on the horses.

"Are they?" Goblin Slayer said indifferently as his gaze was more focussed on the adjacent farmhouse to the field.

"Come now, Sir Goblin Slayer. Can you not appreciate a well-bred stallion or mare?" Warden asked his partner who did not answer as a stout looking middle-aged man wearing a farmer's smock, trousers and boots came walking over to them.

"Who might you two be? You looking to buy?" he asked them curiously.

"We're here to help with a wolf pack problem," Warden replied. "Might you be Horse Breeder?" he asked professionally.

"Aye, that'd be me," the man said nodding his head in response to the question. "Me and few other farmers around here put together a reward hoping someone would take the job," he added and he then looked at Goblin Slayer and recognition dawned in his eyes. "Oh, it's you, Goblin Slayer," he intoned in surprise. "How's Farmer and Cowgirl?" he asked conversationally.

"They're fine."

Warden coughed into his hand to move the conversation back on track. "Do you have any idea where the wolf pack may be making its den?" he enquired.

"Can't say that I do, but what tracks we find lead into the nearby forest," Horse Breeder replied. "Might be the den is somewhere in there," he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Do you know how many wolves there?" Warden then asked.

"I'd say about a dozen, but there's one set of tracks with them too."

"Goblins?" Goblin Slayer asked hopefully.

Horse Breeder shook his head at this and replied, "Nay, no goblin tracks, but they look like a wolf's spoor, but bigger! Much bigger!"

"Hmm, must be the alpha," Warden muttered putting a hand to his chin in thought. "Can you show us where the latest set of tracks are?" he requested.

"Aye, this way." Horse Breeder then led the two adventurers across the field and they soon found a patch of trampled grass and dirt with large stains of blood and viscera staining the earth. Warden knelt down to examine the grass and dirt.

"This is where the last attack occurred," Horse Breeder informed the two adventurers. "Killed three good horses, one of them was just a foal. Heard their screams too late," he lamented bowing his head in sorrow.

Warden carefully examined the blood stained mud and found paw prints of wolves along with a larger set of tracks that he guessed to be the alpha. "About six wolves counting the alpha were here and attacked the horses," he made his observations. "Must've eaten a majority of the carcasses and dragged the rest back to their den," he noted. "There should be a blood trail for us to follow," he said thoughtfully.

"Here," Goblin Slayer said as he indicated a blood trail leading away from the sight and further away.

Warden stood to his feet and looked at Horse Breeder. "We can handle it from here. You'd best head home. If we're not back by morning, send word to the Guild," he advised the man who nodded solemnly and headed back to his home.

Warden then looked at Goblin Slayer and asked him, "You ready to go?" The Silver ranked adventurer nodded silently in response to the query. "Alright then," Warden nodded in satisfaction as they followed the streaks of blood.

Following the trail, the pair soon came to the edges of the forest. "Seems the trail leads us here," Warden remarked. "Do you know if there are any cave systems in this forest?" he asked his partner. "Could be where the wolves are making their den," he said for clarification.

"I know of a cave nearby in this forest," Goblin Slayer replied. "I cleared out a nest of goblins inside it not too long ago," he said casually.

"You lead then. I got your back." Goblin Slayer then led the way to the cave he mentioned. As they walked through the forest, Warden spoke. "This cave. How big is it?" he asked.

"It's big enough that you can use your sword without any issues," Goblin Slayer replied. "There's about five chambers inside, all connected to each other," he then said.

"Good to know," Warden nodded in understanding. "When you cleared it out of goblins, how many were there?" he then asked.

"Not too many. A good thing I took care of them, otherwise it would've been a bigger problem if left unchecked," Goblin Slayer said monotonously.

"I agree with that sentiment," Warden stated. "Goblins aren't a loose end you leave untied, but sadly many seem to," he said cynically.

Goblin Slayer hummed contemplatively before coming to a stop. "We're here," he said to Warden who stood beside him and saw the cave. It was a gaping hole set into the side of a large rocky hill and lounging outside the cave entrance were two wolves, their fur matted and black. One wolf was gnawing on a thigh bone of a cow and the other canine was sleeping.

"Guard dogs?" Warden remarked in surprise. "Are wolves normally smart enough to have members of their pack keeping watch?" he asked Goblin Slayer.

"I wouldn't know," Goblin Slayer admitted. "But the alpha may be smart enough to have the weaker members of the pack keeping watch," he said offhandedly.

"The question is how smart can the alpha be to have set up guards in its lair," Warden stated. "How do you want to do this?" he then asked his partner.

Goblin Slayer put a hand to his chin in thought before looking at his partner and laid out the plan.

…

The wolf gnawing on the cow bone was trying its best to crack the bone to get at the delicious bone marrow within. But the bone was proving tough to crack. The wolf was nonetheless determined to get at the delicious treat within. Then a sudden whistling pricked its hearing. Looking up, the wolf's ears twitched as it tried to determine where the sound had come from. The whistle came again and it didn't sound like a bird. Rising to its paws, the wolf growled softly at its sleeping compatriot who woke briefly, raising its large head before huffing and went back to sleep.

Then came another whistle. Baring its teeth and growling menacingly, the hair on its spine arching up, the wolf growled as it tried to find where the noise was coming from. Then a sharp whistle came as an arrow sunk deep into the wolf's neck, spearing through thick fur and flesh. The beast gave a yelp of pain and alarm as it fell to the ground, bleeding out in seconds.

The other wolf alarmed at the death of its pack member tried to sit up so it could warn the rest of the pack when a large shape landed on top of it. The last thing the creature saw was a large steel thrusting into its throat preventing it from calling for help.

"Got mine," Warden said as he freed his sword from the dead wolf's neck, wiping off blood, fur and fat from the blade.

"So have I," Goblin Slayer as he retrieved his arrow from the wolf he had killed, giving a small hum annoyance as he saw the arrowhead had broken off. "Now we go in," he stated as he pulled out a torch and lit the oil and tallow soaked head.

"Good thinking. It must dark in there," Warden said in approval.

"It is," Goblin Slayer nodded in confirmation as he held the torch in his offhand and drew his shortsword with his dominant hand.

"Let's get this done then," Warden declared as he follow Goblin Slayer inside the tunnel. As Goblin Slayer said, the cave was big enough to allow Warden to use his longsword effectively and the first chamber of the cave had three wolves sleeping. Unfortunately, the wolves heard the two adventurers entering their home and charged to meet them. But unfortunately for the wolves, Goblin Slayer had his torch with him and most animals were sensibly afraid of fire having no natural defence against it. Goblin Slayer used this fear to keep the wolves at bay, allowing his partner to move in to dispatch them with his sword.

The next chamber was much the same and the next one as well. When coming to the final chamber, the two adventurers met the rest of the pack and the alpha.

"He's a big one, isn't he?" Warden remarked to his partner as he gazed upon the alpha. The alpha looked much like a wolf only much bigger; much of its pink-red skin was bare, leaving its body and muzzle exposed. What fur it had covered the top of its head, neck and back all the way to its tail. Blood red eyes blazed furiously at the two adventurers as drool dripped from its large fangs. The rest of the pack looked much like regular wolves but with the presence of the alpha giving them confidence, they all growled and barked at the intruders.

"Any ideas?" Goblin Slayer asked his partner as the wolves surrounded them. Putting his back to Goblin Slayer's, Warden replied, "Kill the alpha and the rest should break."

"How do we do that?" Goblin Slayer asked quizzically.

"You got another flask of petroleum?" came Warden's response and Goblin Slayer nodded.

"Give it to me and throw your torch when I say." Curious but trusting in his partner, Goblin Slayer handed his petroleum flask to Warden who readied as the alpha growled menacingly to give an order. "Now!" Warden shouted as he flung the flask near the alpha's clawed paws. The flask shattered and splashed onto the alpha who howled angrily. Goblin Slayer then threw his torch at the soused creature and flames lit up the oil spill, engulfing the alpha in flames. The alpha howled as hungry flames ate away at its oil soaked flesh. The sight of their pack leader aflame froze the other wolves with fear. This gave Warden and Goblin Slayer the chance to kill them with swift thrusts of their swords. Almost half the remaining pack was eliminated as Warden pulled his sword free from a wolf he killed when he was suddenly tackled by the alpha. Its fangs bit deep into Warden's shoulder making him grunt in pain, but luckily his armour was thick enough to prevent the beast from drawing blood.

But the close proximity meant that Warden couldn't use his sword in such close quarters. Resorting to punching the burning beast, Warden tried to make it loosen its grip on him while Goblin Slayer focused on killing the rest of the pack.

Reaching for his knife at his waist, Warden tried to draw it out so that he could stab the alpha in the neck and kill it. The alpha shook its head trying to exert more force into its bite through Warden's armour. Pulling his knife free, Warden prepared to stab the beast in the neck when another wolf clamped its jaws around his forearm.

"Shit!" Warden then had to try and wrestle the alpha and its subordinate when a throwing knife sunk into the alpha's haunches. The Alpha howled in pain, loosing its grip on Warden's shoulder and looked to see Goblin Slayer preparing another throwing knife. Baying loudly, the alpha charged at Goblin Slayer in attempt to sic him. Warden used his now free hand to smash the wolf holding back his arm in the face. The beast gave a whimper but held its grip tightly on the knight's arm. Taking his knife into his free hand, Warden stabbed the blade into the wolf's neck causing it cry out in pain and let go of his arm. Grabbing the wolf by the scruff of its neck, Warden quickly slashed its throat open, warm red blood spraying out onto the earthen floor.

Taking up his longsword, Warden saw his partner pushing the alpha's body off, rising to his feet, blood staining his armour and shortsword. "Are you alright?" the knight asked the silver ranked adventurer. "Have you any injuries?"

"Just a little winded. The alpha killed itself trying to tackle me to the ground," Goblin Slayer replied as he turned the alpha's body onto its back to reveal a deep stab wound where the heart would be.

"Good work. Is that all of them?" Warden asked as he looked around.

"I think so. They're not like goblins," Goblin Slayer remarked.

"Aye, I didn't see any wolf cubs in here when we came in," Warden said in agreement. Looking at the alpha, Warden examined it more closely. "It looks like a wolf, but at the same time it doesn't," he observed.

"It does look a little different from wolves," Goblin Slayer said absently.

"Maybe Guild Girl can identify it?" Warden suggested as he then prepared to cut the alpha's head from its neck. A few minutes later, the alpha's head was securely fastened to Warden's side with some rope from Goblin Slayer's bag.

"Think we should bring the pelts as proof?" Warden then asked his partner who replied with, "Do as you wish." With a nod of understanding, Warden went to work, skinning the rest of the pack of their pelts, rolling them up to carry under his arm. With other a dozen wolf pets slung under his shoulder, Warden nodded at Goblin Slayer who nodded back as they made their way out of the cave back to Horse Breeder's farm.

The found Horse Breeder sitting on his front porch smoking from a clay pipe. The stout man looked up at the two adventurers and said, "Ah, you're back. I was starting to get a little worried for a minute."

"We found the wolves and their alpha," Goblin Slayer informed him indicating the pelts and the alpha's head Warden carried with him. "You shouldn't have to worry about them anymore," he assured Horse Breeder.

"Thank ye kindly, good sirs. Everyone around will breathe a whole lot easier knowing those wolves are gone," Horse Breeder said in relief. "Might ye want summat to eat 'fore you go?" he offered generously.

"Not at this minute, but we would appreciate a ride back into town," Warden replied.

"Alright then. I'll get the wagon then." Soon Warden and Goblin Slayer were seated in the back of a horse drawn wagon being driven by Horse Breeder. Companionable silence reigned with the sounds of the wheels rolling against the dirt road, the occasional flick of the reins and the huffs and pants of the horses as they pulled the wagon. Soon the wagon reached the Frontier Town.

"Here you are," Horse Breeder told the two adventurers as they got off the wagon. "Thanks again for taking care of those wolves. If you two ever want a decent horse, see the Stableman here in town and tell him I sent ya. He'll give ya a decent price for a good horse," he said to them.

"Thank you, I'll be sure to take that up soon," Warden said with a nod of thanks and Goblin Slayer nodded silently. "If there's any more trouble, send word to the Guild," he then told Horse Breeder who nodded at them before flicking the reins and his wagon trundled off out of town.

"Shall we?" Warden asked his partner as they headed back to the Guild where they found Guild Girl sitting at her desk. Her face lit up with a smile upon seeing them.

"Goblin Slayer! Mr Warden! You're back already! How did it go?" she asked them with professional eagerness.

"We dealt with the wolves," Goblin Slayer replied. "The alpha seemed like a wolf, but doesn't look it," he then said.

"Really? Do you have any evidence?" Guild Girl and Warden held up the head of the slain alpha. Guild Girl's amber eyes lit up in recognition of what she was seeing. "Oh, my, that's a worg you've got there!" she stated.

"A worg? What is a worg?" Warden asked curiously.

"A worg is a special breed of wolf created by the forces of chaos to act as war hounds and even act as cavalry for creatures like goblins," Guild Girl explained. "This particular one might've been separated from the Demon Lord's armies and took control of a wolf pack," she noted.

"It was certainly a nasty beast," Warden remarked. "I don't suppose we get an additional reward for killing it?" he jested.

Guild Girl smiled and replied, "Normally, no, but I could make an exception in this case." She left her desk and returned a moment later with a purse that clinked with the promise of a monetary reward. "Here you are, plus a little extra for killing such a dangerous beast," she faux whispered with a secretive and playful wink.

"Many thanks, Lady Guild Girl," Warden replied as Goblin Slayer took the purse and divvied up the reward. "Do you know of anyone in town who would pay for animal pelts?" he then asked as he indicated the wolf pelts he carried.

"The leather tannery pays good money for animal pelts. You can try there," Guild Girl suggested. "And your paperwork?" she then asked.

"Of course, I'll write it up now," Warden said as he went over to a nearby table and filled out the report and returned to the front desk and handed the document to Guild Girl who looked it over. Nodding in satisfaction, Guild Girl stamped the seal of approval on the document.

"Well done, you two," the receptionist then complimented the two adventurers. "Are you done for the day?" she then asked.

"Unless there are any goblins, then I am," Goblin Slayer said monotonously.

"No goblins," Guild Girl informed the stoic adventurer regretfully. "Maybe tomorrow?" she offered helpfully.

"I see," Goblin Slayer stated. "I'll head home then." The silver ranked adventurer then left the Guild. Guild Girl stared after the man as the doors swung open and he left. She then gave a small sigh.

"What am I going to do with him?"

"Charming fellow, isn't he?" Warden asked conversationally and Guild Girl gave a start as she realised that Warden was still in the room.

"I-I-I don't know what you mean," the receptionist stuttered out awkwardly.

"Come now, Lady Guild Girl. You needn't be embarrassed," Warden said to her kindly. "I can tell you have an inclination towards the strong silent types given how often you deal with boisterous loud mouths on a daily basis," he added knowingly.

Guild Girl's face flushed with embarrassment and she asked, "Is it that obvious?" and Warden nodded at this. Frowning a little, Guild Girl then said, "So, what if I am? There's no law against it."

"None," Warden confirmed. "But Goblin Slayer is a rather dense fellow, except when it comes to killing goblins," he then said.

"Yeah…"

Warden then said to Guild Girl, "If you wish for Goblin Slayer to take notice of you for something other than goblin slaying quests, then be honest and upfront with him," he advised.

Guild Girl blanched at this then her cheeks went rosy pink as she began to stammer, "Bu-Bu-But what if he doesn't see me like that?!" Steam started to come off her head as the thought of being that honest with Goblin Slayer mortified her.

"Men like Goblin Slayer don't respond to subtle hints or cues," Warden told her firmly. "If you are at least upfront with the man, you will then know if he has feelings for you or not," he said.

"I-I-I-I-I don't think I could!" Guild Girl was blushing bright red by this time.

"Sooner or later you'll have to be upfront with him, elsewise you mightn't get another chance," Warden told her firmly. "Failing that, if you can't bring yourself tell him, I will for you," he said teasingly.

"No! Please don't!" Guild Girl squeaked her voice becoming high pitched.

Warden chuckled and said, "Well, it seems I've given you something to think about. Good day." Chuckling, the knight then left the Guild to head for the tannery to sell the wolf pelts and get a hopefully good price for them.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: There! Chapter four is done and dusted and I hope I delivered on the action part for this chapter and we see Warden give some advice to Guild Girl regarding her feelings for Goblin Slayer. I honestly wished girls in real life would just be upfront with guys instead of playing games, but that's a topic for another time.

I recently saw the new hero trailer details, the Sohei who I am led to believe is based on a real life Japanese hero from legend. I'm thinking he'd be an interesting addition to the story as a warrior going around defeating other adventurers and taking their weapons from them to use himself. But I've got other heroes from the game to use first before getting to that stage.

In other news, I'm working on some ideas for my Witcher's Apprentice story regarding some crossover worlds that Aegon and a couple of companions could end up for a brief adventure. To that end, I've set up a voting poll of some worlds that could be used and taking a look at the results so far, Lord of the Rings and DC Comics are tied for the first place and Marvel Comics is in second place. So you know the drill, if you haven't already, cast your vote.

And that's about the sum total of things, so I'll see you all next time.

Be kind to one another,

Angry lil' elf.