Jason's body was dripping with sweat as he worked together with the other personnel transferring the cargo from the building's warehouse to the carriages outside.
There were exactly 8 workers hired including him.
He didn't think that there would be so much stuff that they will load inside the carriages.
The things inside the warehouses could easily fit inside 4 carriage.
Most of the goods from the warehouse aren't that heavy, although there still a few heavy luggage, there's not many of them.
What tired him the most was not carrying them but transferring them from the warehouse to the carriages.
It's quite a long distance since the warehouse was inside the building and considering that he has to go to-and-fro, it took quite a toll in his body.
[Hoooo.]
He let out a heavy breath while wiping his forehead with the end of his clothes.
He actually carried at least 40% of the overall goods, he also did it in a short amount of time making it much more faster than the expected time.
He decided to do well in hopes that he would get a bonus for his extra work.
If he doesn't get a bonus it's all good since 34 shillings was already enough for him.
But if he can a bonus then it would be much better!
Since he decided to take this opportunity, he'll have to make the most of it.
He rested for a brief moment before getting back to work.
It was still dark even though it's already nearing 6 of the morning.
They had to start out early so they can leave the town much earlier.
Finally after half an hour of loading, they filled out all 4 carriages and are ready to depart anytime.
…
[My lady we're ready to depart.]
Said the old butler at the small open window of the carriage.
[Then let's depart.]
The lady didn't think that they would depart half an hour much earlier than the set departure time.
But this is much better!
This might be a sign that their journey would go much better than expected.
They had already thoroughly planned everything to make sure nothing will ever go wrong.
Although they had to hire a few workers in this small town, everything besides that is going the way she wants it.
[Ready the horses and we'll depart.]
The coaches got on the carriage.
…
Leading the way was 4 apprentice knight of their family accompanying them in the journey.
At first she deemed these knights unnecessary since the path they will take is relatively safe.
But after some thought, he decided to let them accompany her since no one knows what will happen in a journey.
After all it's better safe than sorry.
Behind the knights was her carriage, then the 4 carriage carrying the cargo, and after that is the carriage of the workers they hired.
And just like that, the sun had already set.
The young lady inside the carriage heaved a sigh of relief.
Finally the first day had passed, although it's still not safe to let her guard down, he can't help but be relieved.
They had a short meal before turning in for the night.
This has gone on for two more days.
And now is already the fourth day of their journey.
Just one more sleep and they will finally reach the capital!
The young lady's nervousness and anxiety has mostly faded away with them slowly approaching their destination.
Of course she knows that letting her guard down is plain stupidity so she still remains wary to unexpected things that can happen.
…
Jason stretched his back inside the carriage as he yawns.
A few days had already passed since their departure, and now they're slowly approaching their destination.
During this period of time, Jason had been in a few conversation with his co-workers inside the carriage.
And it's been a fun experience for him knowing and talking to them.
Especially when they share funny stories with everyone.
They get a good laugh once in a while.
But most of the time they spent inside the carriage is mostly sleeping and dozing off.
Just like right now.
He awoke from his slumber and it was already afternoon.
Stretching a few more then he sat down at the end of the carriage.
The carriage didn't have any seats so it's hard to sit inside the carriage.
But it gave the benefit of them being able to sleep in the wide floor.
He glance towards the forest on his right.
He can still remember being amazed by this scenery a few days ago.
He's never seen these pink petalled trees in his entire life.
You do really experience new things as life progresses.
While Jason was dozing off, the carriage suddenly stopped.
[Hmmm?]
It was still afternoon and the sun is still up so why would the carriage suddenly stop?
[Has something happened?]
Just as he was about to get off the carriage and looked he heard a loud neigh from the horse.
This shook of the others from their sleep.
[Ugnnnnn.]
[Is it already evening?]
On after another they got up.
After that Jason heard rustling in the bushes on his left.
[Guys are you hearing that?]
Jason asked with increased wariness.
[What? Those in the bushes?]
Said the bald dude.
[It's probably just some small animal.]
[Yeah. Are you perhaps… pussying out?]
Said the other guys.
[[Hahahahaha.]]
The others bursted out laughing at the sudden remarks.
(Have I just been overthinking it?)
Jason thought inwardly.
And just as he was about to back and sit…
*Baam!*
The carriage got sent out tumbling with a loud bang.
It spun a few times on the ground before settling down.
With their worlds getting rocked out by the sudden happenings, they all came out dizzy and lightheaded.
Thankfully no one was fatally injured.
All they suffered were light wounds and scratches.
[Is everyone fine?]
The bald man asked everyone.
[I'm fine.]
[Me too.]
[Me three.]
Everyone answered in response.
Confirming that everyone inside was fine.
The bald man decided to go out of the carriage.
Everyone quickly followed suit to the bald man.
And just as Jason was about to leave the upside down carriage.
*Chomp*
The person right before him who just left the carriage was suddenly chomp to death.
Half of his body was bitten off by what seemed to be a giant wolf.
Spurting blood came from what remained of the torn body, it quickly made a puddle of blood besides the remaining lower half of his companion.
Seeing the giant twice the size of their carriage, their faces turned ugly in horror.
They were busy tending their wounds the moment they got off the carriage so they didn't quickly notice the giant wolf.
Jason who's inside the carriage staggered as he saw the grotesque scene that just happened in front of him.
Fearing for his life he quickly ran the opposite way and got off using the small opening of the carriage in front.
He ran as fast as he could to the carriage in the front where the knights were located.
…
The young lady was deep in her thoughts when she heard the horse from the back.
She was just about to asked her butler when she heard a loud bang in the back.
[What is that?]
She asked in confusion.
Nothing can go wrong in this point of time.
They're so close to their goal.
If something happens right now everything that they had done will be all for naught!
[My lady just stay iinsid!]
Remarked the butler as the knights came to surround the carriage.
The young lady opened her window to see just what's going on.
And to her horror, she saw the huge gray wolf biting off the body of a person then thrashing it around while inside it's mouth.
Then the giant wolf turned to another person and pounced them with it's claw to death.
Disembodied people laying on the ground.
Puddles of blood curdled on the ground dying the surroundings in a red hue.
A bloodbath was left after the monster's wake.
Trembling with widened eyes, she stared mindlessly at the humongous bloodied wolf.
She felt throwing up seeing such scene happening right in front of her.
[He.. HELP ME!]
She saw a brawny man running for his life towards them.
Hearing the plead for help, the wolf quickly took noticed!
It stared with reddish eyes looking for it's next prey, or rather, it's next plaything.
Looking at what remains from its previous rampage, it raised its paws and smacked the remains of the wrecked carriage.
With a whizzing sound in the air, debris flew in quick succession towards their carriage.
The knights quickly took action and fended off most the debris aimed to them.
They took vigilance and hurriedly got into an arch formation defending the carriage at their back.
[Arghhhhh!]
A groan of agony sounded at the side of the carriage.
The lady noticed this and quickly got down.
[FREDRICK!!]
She shouted seeing his wounded aid. Blood flowed out on the deep wound left out by the sharp wood.
[My…Ngnnnnn Lady y-you shouldn't leave the carriage.]
[Haa… It's not safe here.]
Horrible pain riddle his body but he still pulled through and said the words in his heart.
Thankfully the blow he took wasn't fatal that it would need a physician. Although there was no organ impaled with the wood, the wound it left was still quite large and he is loosing blood at an alarming rate.
It could horribly go wrong for him if left untreated for a long time.
[Wha-What should I do?]
Panic overcame her mind very quickly as this is her first time experiencing a situation like this in her lifetime.
[There's a small compartment under the Ngnnnnn… under the seat of your carriage.]
[Get the bandage there my lady.]
The young lady quickly got in the carriage and opened up the small compartment.
She swept through the items very quickly trying to find the bandage.
As this was happening, the wolf was having a stare off with the knights, staring daggers at them.
It growled, baring it's fangs and howling at them.
The tip of their swords are trembling, not because of fear but rather from the blow that the wolf did to the carriage earlier.
They didn't expect that such a casual blow from it was able to make their hands tremble in pain.
They can clearly tell that this huge wolf was definitely much more powerful than the one's they encountered in the past.
Be it strength, speed, agility, and intelligence.
It surely surpass those they have seen in the past. Even they are not confident in defeating this monster.
But so what!?
They are knights, and they must follow their creed to the very last of their breath.
If killing this wolf meant that they also need to sacrifice theirs, then they will gladly do so.
The giant wolf eyed them and jumped towards them threatening to pounce everyone of them.
They braced their bodies for the incoming battle. They held they swords showing no signs backing down.
*PHUU!*
But there suddenly appeared a figure which sent the giant wolf flying in a second.
Dust flew to the air caused by the aftermath of the wolf crashing heavily on the ground.
[Hooooo.]
A boy in his teenage years with a bright red eyes and hair, a muscular but lean physic, and a wide smile directed to the wolf laying on the ground.