Late into the night, the two tracked the wolves as far as the rocky plains. With no further settlements, they turned in for the night. Ago made for the nearest town, however Hex stayed outside the gates.
The next morning, Ago came outside to find her. Resupplied and moderately rested, he was eager to get the whole chase sorted. Optimistically, the towns would be on alert for a return trip. Direwolves simply wouldn’t have a reason to stay. Not in the plains, rough or tame.
Ah, and on the subject of adaptation. Ago happened across an egg. The tapered moulding of Hex’s limbs was immediately recognizable against the stockpiles. Cracked open to reveal an eye within, she spoke, “I’m beginning to wonder where your training comes from. Not a lot of people could have made that trip, and yet here you are, bright eyed and moving proper.”
“Well it’s the middle of the rainy season. Any trail there is to follow is only fresh for a few days. That is when the weather isn’t keen on washing it out.”
Hex rolled her eyes, discreetly checking the skies before stretching to her full height, “I suppose you're entitled to some secrets. Keep in mind though, I consider this hilltop my territory. I am an enforcer and protector, to the point that the locals claim I’m enough.”
Ago mulled that over. It seemed she had something in common with mabeast. He had taken for granted her appearance, but hex was more than just your average person.
Hex closed in on him, “So don’t go dragging problems into my turf. I am one of a handful of people out here you really want to have on good terms.” Turning to get her bearings she added, “Now let’s get this over with.”
Ago nodded, and the two of them continued toward the rocky hills.
Like the mountains, this region separated the desert barrens from the archipelago. The rocky hills varied between limestone outcroppings and basalt plains, making it the favored home of masons, gem miners, and smiths. As far as territories went, the hills were considered to be among the calmest, although they did hold their fair share of castles.
One thing that Ago hadn’t expected going in, was the abundance of undergrowth. Moss was pretty well known, but between some of the hills, the brush became rather thick, and deceptively deep. Through most of his years, Ago believed there wasn’t a single native to the hills. As it turned out, they were just better at hiding.
It was tricky to pin down the heading at first, but they didn’t have far to go. Within the first of these hidden arbors, they found the predators. And with them a camp. Glowing embers peaked out in the morning light. Smoke restrained by tents and capped forges.
Working and grooming hand practically on top of one another. After surveying the camp from a distance, and getting more than enough insight to be worrying, Ago turned to the spider and returned to the valley, “Let’s go.”
Hex raised and arm theatrically, “That’s all? One glance at a hunters camp and you spook.” A few moments of walking later, she caught up with a more solemn look, “Looks like they’ve got a few beast tamers among them.”
Ago’s brow was drawn, “I know a war camp when I see one. They’re not unheard of, popping up in the city. These are small fry, but the fact that they bring dire wolves is worrying. This close to the valley, we need to warn them. I leave it to your judgement, weather you can handle this locally, but I recommend having the carrier keep an eye on this.”
Hex soured, “Uh huh. You’re just gonna barge in, scope things out, and then see the iron giant looking over my shoulder? No thank you.”
“I’m not taking issue with how you do things on your turf. I only recently cut ties with the vanguard, and there’s plenty of confidence on that front. My main concern is, this is just beyond our borders, and probably just the eyes for something bigger. Beast tamers, craftsmen, imbued stones. What are the odds they have a communications array?”
Hex froze at the ‘stones’, “Are you sure?”
Ago scoffed, “Only about what I saw myself. If there was a rumor of something like this back in the city, I know I would have heard about it.”
