By the next morning, I am grateful that we should be seeing the Fortress at any time. While the men refill water skins, I wash off in a small stream as best I can, rubbing my sore legs and back until Ward takes over for me. However, I have to call a halt to it before he gets any ideas. The next few hours are torture only because I know I’m almost home, which makes the walk unbearable, but when the stone walls come into view, all of the men give off a cheer. Ward howls and several wolves come running from the forest, circling him anxiously. It makes the other men nervous to see the wolves, and I guess they are a bit startling, with their tails held low and swinging, ears pulled down, circling Ward as they whine and lick at his muzzle.
“What the blasted Hells?” One of the men asks. I
