Chapter 152: Beyond The Great Verdant Forest

The northern watch tower hadn’t existed three weeks ago. Zephyr perched atop it and spread his wings, observing from his nest. Below he saw a group of Star Wolves pausing on the road that ran alongside the freshly cleared patch of land workers were pushing toward the half-finished path. Something else had changed beyond the trees as well.

It wasn’t Eldoris. Zephyr opened his wings wide and the wind swept him away. Tanaka stood in the middle of Dominion Way and was mid-argument over a possible third storage facility needed for the growing city, with Eldrin. The man in his normal form held a wooden board covered in notes as his companion watched with an almost dissatisfied look as his friend’s life slowly got more stressful by the day.

Tanaka blinked at the sound of a familiar voice. "Lord Tanaka."

"What happened?" Tanaka asked. "I found something beyond our patrol range," Zephyr said. Eldrin’s face twisted. Tanaka lowered the board. "What did you find?" he asked. "Another road," Zephyr answered.

Tanaka froze for the briefest of moments. As of recently, there hadn’t been any more roads built around Eldoris. They led outside to Varkesh and in the other direction to the construction sites and new buildings within the Dominion. "I found a road beyond the Great Verdant Forest," Zephyr said. Tanaka’s mind went into overdrive.

The Great Verdant Forest had always seemed endless. Tanaka had survived long enough inside its boundaries for the massive trees, intense mana and dangerous creatures it contained to become normal to him. Though as he, Zephyr, Raizen and several other Star Wolves travelled further north than he ever had before, the older man had come to realize he hadn’t travelled its extents much at all. Eldoris’ expansion had come primarily within the Dominion.

Varkesh wasn’t even far enough past the trees for things to change much. However, today had already defied that pattern. Tanaka knew they weren’t far enough to be outside of what counted as Verdant Forest territory, but the deeper north they travelled, the more evident it became that it no longer truly was. The massive trees gave way to smaller trunks before being replaced yet again with isolated trees and stretches of lawn, all soaking up the sun which seemed to reach the ground more easily this far from the woods.

Tanaka had to stop at the edge to look upon the expanse of land that opened up to either side of them. "So that’s it," he whispered. Raizen came to stand beside him. "The end of the forest," Raizen said. Tanaka turned back to look at the wall of green that marked the boundary of the realm they had already crossed, before facing forward once more.

Tanaka felt his heart pound in his chest. Fields of tall green grass stretched out for miles, punctuated now and then with hills, thick woods and rivers reflecting the bright afternoon sky. Further north, mountains capped with white loomed over the horizon. But what surprised Tanaka most was that there was a road cutting through the heart of this vastness.

Tanaka pushed himself closer to run his fingers along the stone surface. "Someone maintains this," he said. Raizen sniffed the air. "Recently," he added. Tanaka followed Zephyr’s wing movement. There were settlements further north as well.

The bird had seen smoke rising this morning, but he had left the sight unpursued. Tanaka pushed himself back up once more. "Why not?" Tanaka asked. "I don’t know whose territory it is," Zephyr replied. Tanaka nodded.

Good enough. Eldoris had learned long ago what happened when countries crossed into unclaimed territory. Tanaka would not make the same mistake Syrathen had. A Star Wolf walked closer and sniffed at the road. The scent of man, horse and several other animals lingered over the stone.

Tanaka’s eyes went down to the marks in the soil caused by wheels. "Trade route?" he asked. "Most likely," Raizen said. Tanaka smiled. Exactly what Eldoris had wished for when they had expanded, new contact, trade and information.

Though he hadn’t expected to find another group in such close proximity from the get-go. "We should follow it," Tanaka said. Raizen blinked. "How far?" Raizen asked. "Until we find something interesting," Tanaka replied.

Zephyr let out a chuckle that almost sounded like words, and Raizen sighed. "Of course," Raizen said.

The landscape continued to shift the further they travelled from the Great Verdant Forest, rolling hills giving way to small pockets of civilization before reaching wider expanses, until suddenly there were buildings clinging to the edge of this area. Tanaka could see smoke rising from some, but none were close enough to discern who belonged to what. Barriers between sections, fences circling croplands, channels of water running between the land claimed by men. Everything indicated someone had taken the time and effort to plan out this little corner of the world.

Tanaka’s breath caught as he spotted something else, though. Along the road stood a wooden post with markings carved into it. The symbol along with some words were nearly surrounded by an emblem shaped like a wolf head with a crown atop it. Tanaka shook his head.

"I can’t read that," Tanaka said. Raizen frowned. Zephyr landed next to the post with an expression that suggested to Tanaka the bird might one day become human. "I’ve seen that symbol further north," Zephyr said.

Tanaka’s fingers hovered over the carved wolf. A nation perhaps, certainly a clan of some sort. Definitely inhabited by others. Before Tanaka could say anything, Raizen’s ears twitched. Someone was approaching.

Tanaka turned his gaze to the road ahead. A large cart rolled over the crest of a hill, with two large animals pulling it, and four mounted riders flanking it. But as the strange group grew nearer, Tanaka narrowed his eyes. Initially, he had assumed the riders to be human, but as he looked closer, he noticed ears on one of the riders.

One of the strange folk along the road actually had canines as prominent as his own. But what startled Tanaka more was that the same one had a tail, though it flowed away from his body as the horse under him plodded onward. "Beastfolk?" "You know them." Raizen asked.

"Only in fantasy games," Tanaka said. Raizen had no idea what that meant, but decided not to ask. The approaching figures stopped the minute they saw Tanaka, Zephyr and Raizen. Two moved forward, and the remaining two formed a guard around the cart.

Hands went to weapons. Tanaka’s shot to his own. "We don’t want any trouble," he said. The man leading the small pack reined in his mount. He was a wolf beastfolk wearing leather and metal armor, with a dark grey set of ears atop his head.

His gaze lingered on the wolves before meeting Raizen’s. Then, Tanaka. "Who are you?" the rider asked. Tanaka thought he’d better play it safe. "My name is Tanaka," he said.

The wolf beastfolk waited. Tanaka did the same. "That’s all?" the rider asked. "For now," Tanaka replied. The rider’s eyes narrowed. "You came out of the Great Verdant Forest," he said.

"Yes, we did," Tanaka said. "People don’t come out of that forest," the rider said. Tanaka turned back to look at the woods. A small chuckle escaped Raizen as he did. "I just did," Tanaka said.

It was an answer that earned Tanaka a sideways glance. Not only from the wolf beastfolk, but from Raizen as well. "What settlement do you belong to?" the rider asked. Tanaka opened his mouth to answer in a much less alarming way. "Eldoris." The reaction was immediate. One of the riders whispered something to another. The leader’s posture changed. "You said Eldoris?" Tanaka noticed. You’ve heard of us?" "Only rumors."

Interesting.

Eldoris had barely known these lands existed, yet news had already travelled here.

"What kind of rumors?" The wolf beastfolk ignored the question. "Is it true your ruler is a slime?" Tanaka smiled. Raizen looked away. Zephyr spread one wing across his face. Tanaka couldn’t help himself. "Unfortunately." He said. The rider stared. "Unfortunately?" "He’s a troublesome slime." Raizen coughed. Tanaka continued before anyone exposed him. "We’re exploring the region. We didn’t know there were established territories this close to the forest."

The wolf beastfolk studied him for several seconds. "You’ve entered Bravelm." Tanaka’s expression shifted. That name was new.

"Bravelm?" He asked. "The Beastfolk Lands."

The rider gestured toward the northern horizon. "These roads fall under the protection of the Wolf Crown. Travellers are permitted, but armed groups entering without notice may be stopped." Tanaka glanced at the Star Wolves.

Technically, they were an armed group. A very unusual one. "We didn’t know." "Now you do." Tanaka nodded. "We’ll respect your laws." The rider seemed surprised by how easily he agreed. Then his eyes settled on Raizen again. "What is he?" Raizen answered for himself. "A Star Wolf King."

One of the beastfolk behind the leader nearly dropped his reins. The lead rider looked from Raizen to the Star Wolves standing behind him.

"Star Wolf... King?"

Raizen’s expression remained calm. "Yes."

The wolf beastfolk stared for another moment before turning back to Tanaka.

"And you’re travelling casually beside him?"

Tanaka scratched his cheek. "I do that a lot."

The rider’s suspicion increased rather than decreased. Tanaka realized this conversation was becoming worse every time he opened his mouth. Then a voice came from inside the wagon. "Enough." Tanaka felt mana touch him.

The old creature’s face softened. "Garric," she called. The man leading the pack turned back once more. "What?" he asked. "Move away from him!" she ordered. All combatants paused.

Tanaka raised a brow at the obvious tension. Still, the odd old woman stepped down out of the wagon toward them. She stared, unblinking, at Tanaka. Her eyes were nearly on fire before she looked over his body, the way his uniform clung to him, before returning to the Great Verdant Forest.

"The ruler of Eldoris is called Tanaka," she said. Tanaka sighed. So much for keeping things simple.

The old wolf woman swallowed. "Are you the slime?" she asked. Tanaka smiled. "Would you believe me if I said no?" he replied. "No," she said. "Then yes," Tanaka answered.

Every beastfolk on horseback drew his weapon. Not necessarily to kill or wound, but from sheer reflex. Tanaka watched the look on every rider before turning back to the woman. For a long moment, the old woman simply stood there, as if memorizing the sight of him, before her gaze passed to the others in the group.

Tanaka wished he had a drink in his hand.

Because he didn’t know what else he could do now to stop this conversation from developing into trouble.