Torben took a final solemn look towards the cart, as they all crossed the bridge. A sigh of exasperation leaves him, slinging the light backpack over his bruised body. At the back of the group, he scrutinized the other two, the unease of being in their company always shielded from them. They were merchants of death and were people who had no qualms in taking a life. Every death Torben was responsible for weighed heavily on his soul, no amount of reflection aided with this. He could justify and explain why he had to do this, but he knew deep down these were excuses. Looking at Ulric, he knew he craved battle, a likely result of hailing from a village whose people were renowned for their fighting prowess. Elias, he couldn't pin down. He could sense something weighed heavy on the older man's mind, but the way he dispatched life told Torben it was not in taking a life. If anything, Elias seemed distracted in those moments, a welcomed diversion to what was on his mind.

Whatever it was, Torben knew it had something to do with what Elias concealed on his back. Sometimes if he focused at night, he could hear something, maybe it was the rattling of chains, a scratching noise. Discreetly he tapped into the Ki surrounding them, the lifeforce in which he honed his abilities, and reached towards Elias. Sure, enough he felt his aura, not daring to probe any further. He then moved towards the thing on his back. Nothing. Whatever was on his back was an inanimate object, potentially linked to Elias's powers. Resigned to still be in the dark with what Elias hid he caught up with the other two.

The trio walked on for what felt like an age, slowly but surely their wounds healing with the aid of potions and magic; though they all felt stiffened from the blows they had endured. The last rays of sunlight were fading, leaving a darkened orange glow as they ascended a hill; each man feeling the strain. With a strained effort, Ulric was the first to reach the top of the hill, acting as a vantage point as the road then dropped down an equally steep hill. From here Ulric could see InnMarsh, a large collection of buildings off into the distance. The winding road in front of them was a direct path to the town, and he allowed himself to feel relief. Either side of the road was beset with thick forests, small pinpricks of light dotting them, likely small farming settlements between them and InnMarsh.

"If we continue as we are, we'll make the town with our supplies" Ulric said to the two as they took in the view. He allowed them to take it in, taking a swig from a flask. Elias bent over with the physical effort it took, his breathing ragged and laboured. Torben shifted his focus from the view to Elias.

"I can carry that if..." Torben started, Elias's hand shot up in protest.

"It is my burden lad, let's just leave it at that" Elias rasped.

"As long as that burden doesn't slow us down" Ulric interrupted, shooting the older man a stern look. Elias straightened up, defiance replacing the fatigue he felt.

"I'd say that I've proven myself useful, especially to you" Elias said, getting a smile on Ulric's face.

"That you have old man, something which I repaid" he shot back quickly.

"Remember we only get through this together. If you are faltering, we need to know" Torben adds looking towards both men, to which Elias just nods, shifting the pack to a comfortable position. With no more said they descended the hill, the sunlight disappearing behind them, obscuring them into the shadows.

The journey down was relatively easy for them, gravity aiding their descent lower and lower down. And with the descent came more darkness, as not only the last rays of sun disappeared but the canopy started to envelop the sky above them. It set them all on edge, surely the memories of the night previous playing on their minds. And they were right to feel this way. Levius yanked the choke chain he was holding, the dire wolf on the other end of the chain yelping in fear and pain. In the other hand, he cracked the leather whip on the hind legs of a wolf circling him. He knew this one wanted to prove its worth, just like the alpha in front of him. But he had bent that beast to his will, just like he would with this whelp. A growl escaped his lips, a low and menacing tone which made the rest of them retreat.

"Their close" Levius spoke to himself, sniffing the air. From his vantage point, hedidn't need his more honed senses, his eyes able to pick the trio out even inthe darkness, flitting in and out from the canopy. With a final tug the beastsubmitted to his will, a glint of glee appearing on his face. Now was the time. Now he would unless the beasts.