After twenty-four days of trekking, the caravan finally entered the Grand Canyon.
The wolves have disappeared. Maybe they are enjoying the fruits of last night's victory, maybe they are wailing for their lost companions, but no one cares about these.
The losses of the entire caravan were not great. Only two small groups perished, including the ten kodo beasts inside. With the powerful bite force of the Lokidaran wolves, it was not difficult to deal with these bulky big men.
This is the smallest loss in recent years!
In the past, the number of casualties and cargo losses would have doubled.
Now everyone in the caravan is cheering.
After entering the Grand Canyon, they only need to walk for three more days to reach the country of the dwarves. They can celebrate in advance that they have survived and that their wallets are about to be filled with gold coins.
Because there is no danger in this journey.
The end of the Grand Canyon is the pass of the dwarf country. The passable road is not wide and there are no forks in the middle. Smart wolves will not chase it in to seek death.
No one will think of the poor boy who left his body in the wilderness.
To the caravan, the dead are just border duties levied by the wolves.
Even in the face of the equal death of all living beings, the humble lives are destined to be insignificant. The only mark they leave in the world is the white bones corroded by wind, sand and rain.
The Grand Canyon is not long, but it is very difficult to walk.
The steep and straight peaks on both sides are rugged with rocks, and no trees or bushes can survive. Only some very stubborn ferns grow in some gaps, adding a little bit of green to the dark and gray depressing space.
The narrow valley bottom is also filled with undulating hills and rocks of different sizes, which eliminates the possibility of horse-drawn carriages passing through.
The flash floods caused by spring floods and the rainy season between summer and autumn every year have brought all the gravel into the wilderness, leaving behind bare stones that silently cry out for endless desolation.
Atwood woke up only the second day after entering the Grand Canyon.
At that time, people could vaguely see the end of the Grand Canyon and the majestic pass made of steel by the dwarves.
His awakening should be attributed to the severe pain in his shoulders and back caused by the jolting of the horse. Chris and others tied him to the horse's back.
People who have lost excessive blood will always wake up with unbearable thirst.
"water..."
His voice was very dry and weak.
But Chris, who was riding nearby and keeping an eye on him, heard it and quickly untied him and handed the water bag to his hand.
The wound on his shoulder and back has scabbed over, but the wound with a missing piece of flesh is as disgusting as a baker's apprentice's spoiled pie.
"Why save me?"
Atwood drank water like an ox and looked at the surrounding environment. He was silent for a while before asking a question.
According to the unwritten tacit understanding on this trade route, he who was severely injured should be abandoned in the wilderness and become the excrement of the Loki Daran wolves.
"This is already the south."
Chris gave him a smile, which made his beautiful face become very warm in the sun. "The soul of a northern man returns home too far from here and will get lost."
"The soul returns home..."
The unexpected answer made Atwood a little stunned.
After murmuring something, he suddenly sat upright on the horse.
The rough movement caused blood to ooze from the wound, but he didn't seem to feel it at all. He just looked back to the north, his pupils unfocused, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
Seeing this, Chris didn't make any noise to disturb him, but he was kind enough to help him hold the reins of the horse as he rode forward.
There was silence for a while.
Being squeezed by the peaks on both sides of the Grand Canyon, the strong wind hit Atwood's face with a sharp sound, waking him up from his meditation.
"Thank you. If I have the chance, I will repay you."
After coming back to his senses, he smiled and thanked Chris politely.
This was also the first time he showed courtesy to others.
"No, you have already repaid me when you called me a little rookie. Thanks to you, I am now weaned, haha~~" There was no teasing in Chris's smile when he was laughing at himself, he was still very sincere and sunny.
Atwood couldn't help but laugh.
Even as he smiled, he couldn't help but look back to the north, his eyes vaguely glistening.
There is also a sentence quietly falling in my heart: Maybe, it is time for me to go home. Because the soul of the north will get lost here and will not be able to return to its hometown...
The third day into the canyon.
In front of the majestic pass of the dwarf country, accompanied by a harsh sound, the city gate, which was five to six meters high and about one meter thick, slowly opened under the movement of the winch, and a group of dwarf knights riding black goats filed out.
The hooves of the black goat made a clanging sound on the ground watered by iron juice, very neatly.
This is the mount of the dwarves. It is aggressive, has long stamina, is good at climbing, and can walk on mountainous terrain as if it were on the ground. More importantly, its height matches the height of the dwarves very well.
The dwarf knights showed great enthusiasm for the arrival of the caravan.
Wearing horn helmets and thick full-body armor, they looked like steel cans. They waved loudly as soon as they came out, "Welcome to the dwarf country! The enthusiastic and sincere dwarves are willing to
We will provide you with a home away from home service!”
Of course, everyone knew that they still had a word to say.
That is "for the sake of gold coins".
Since the opening of this trade route, the dwarf kingdom has designated a garrison for caravans to camp and sent soldiers to protect it.
Of course, this is a fee and is mandatory.
After the caravan had set up camp, the mercenaries all took their commissions and left in a hurry.
For those who can survive through the wilderness, only the warmth of a woman's quilt and the sweetness of rye wine can soothe the hardships of the journey.
The travelers and adventurers who joined the small mountain town in the Rocky Daran Mountains also left the caravan one after another.
At this moment, they no longer need to hug each other for warmth.
After saying goodbye to Atwood who was recovering from his injuries, Chris and Sion also left the caravan camp to find a tavern without special services, intending to use hot baths and soft beds to relieve their fatigue along the way.
Surprisingly, Jacob Locke, who had been looking for various reasons to get close to him on the road, actually nodded to Sion, said "Goodbye" to him, and disappeared into the crowd with Jessica.
Could it be that I am too worried?
He was just being arrogant and joking, and had no intentions of plotting against me?
Chris, who was a little surprised when he saw Jacob's disappearing back, turned his questioning eyes to Sion.
In response, Xian shrugged.
The nerves that had been tense for nearly a month became uncontrollable after they relaxed.
For three consecutive days, the two of them stayed in the tavern, eating and sleeping when they were hungry. When they had nothing to do, they would sit with a glass of rye and listen to the drinkers bragging, joking, drinking, or gambling.
Today is no exception.
However, when the two of them were bored, a man walked into the tavern and walked through the noisy crowd. He placed a string of Lokidaran wolf fang pendants on the table and said, "Chris, this is for you."
The workmanship of the pendant is very rough, and you can tell at a glance that it was made on the spur of the moment.
But Chris felt very kind.
Because animal tooth gifts are one of the gifts with northern characteristics.
However, he was also surprised because he didn't recognize the well-dressed, well-dressed and neatly trimmed mature man in front of him.
"Who are you?"
Chris stood up and looked at the other person with doubts.
Immediately, he suddenly realized, "Are you Atwood?!"
"Yes, it's me, I'm going home."
Atwood's face was pale, but he was no longer gloomy. Instead, he was smiling, "Goodbye, my friend, if I have the chance to see you again, I will repay you. Well, my last name is Teutonic."
After saying that, he opened his arms and gave the latter a hug, then turned and left the tavern.
It was a very sudden arrival and a very free and easy departure.