Active Fangs of Honor, A Knights Journey

[Crescent King]

The tension in the air mirrored the weight of the decision now resting on Cassian’s shoulders. He turned the seed over in his hands, his brow furrowed in concentration. The idea of carrying something that could attract monsters made his stomach twist uneasily, but the thought of helping Nyelle accomplish her task, of being part of something greater, kept him steady. His fingers tightened around the seed as he looked at the wagon and nodded.

“We’ll do it,” Cassian said, his voice steady despite the nerves bubbling under the surface. He met Nyelle’s gaze, offering her a reassuring nod. “It’s important to you, so it’s important to me. We’ll make it to Arborhaven and get the seed planted.”

Cassian crouched to Hideki’s level, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t worry,” he said softly, scratching behind Hideki’s ears despite the large dogs disdainful expression. “We’ll keep it sealed and stick to the plan. I’ve got you watching my back, don’t I?”

Cassian straightened, strapping his sword securely at his side as Hideki fell into step beside him. He cast a glance at Reynard, who gave a cheerful wave before disappearing back into his cabin. “Guess we’ll see how much nettle it takes to cover all that fertilizer,” Cassian muttered to himself, shaking his head with a wry grin.

As they loaded up and began their journey, the road ahead felt heavier with uncertainty, but Cassian’s resolve burned brightly. He was determined to prove himself, not just as an aspiring knight but as someone capable of making a difference, even if it meant tangling with the monsters that lurked in the shadows.

 

[Moonberry]

The wagon rattled along the uneven path, its wheels creaking against roots and stones that jutted out from the earth. Hideki padded beside it, his paws making barely a whisper against the damp forest floor. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above in fractured streams, painting the ground with patches of gold and shadow that flickered as the breeze stirred the leaves. The world here was quiet—too quiet, Hideki thought, his ears twitching at every distant rustle.

Despite Reynard’s warnings about the fertilizer, their progress was, to his surprise, uneventful. No howls echoed in the distance, no heavy footfalls shook the earth. Only the soft hum of nature surrounded them, the faint chatter of birds and the occasional rustle of a rabbit darting through the underbrush. Even so, Hideki’s body remained tense, his sharp gaze darting to the edges of the path, searching for the slightest hint of danger.

The wagon creaked louder as they passed a bend in the trail, where the forest thinned and the road opened to fields of tall grass swaying gently in the wind. The air felt lighter here, free from the dense weight of the trees. Hideki allowed himself a small huff of relief, though his tail stayed low and still. The breeze carried with it a hint of wildflowers and sun-warmed earth, but there was also the faint, acrid tang of the mulch in the wagon. It clung stubbornly, a reminder that their journey wasn’t without risk.

As the hours passed and the sun dipped lower, Hideki noted the change in the air—cooler now, touched with the early chill of evening. The shadows stretched long across the road, and Nyelle finally pulled the wagon to a halt near a shallow brook that glittered in the fading light. A suitable spot for camp. She climbed down and began organizing supplies, her movements brisk and efficient as she muttered something about needing more firewood.

Hideki lingered at the edge of the clearing, his gaze sweeping the horizon. The fields stretched endlessly around them, broken only by the occasional cluster of trees that stood like dark sentinels against the painted sky. The wagon’s bulk cast a long shadow, and the sound of trickling water blended with the rhythmic creak of leather straps as Nyelle unloaded their provisions.

He padded back toward the camp, his gaze instinctively drawn to the fire as it began to flicker and dance. The scent of ash from earlier campsites mingled with the fresher aroma of wild herbs crushed underfoot. Hideki paused near the newly budding fire, his ears swiveling at the faint sounds of the evening settling in around them: the chirp of crickets, the rustle of grass in the breeze, the occasional splash of water from the brook. His blue eyes studying Cassian and Nyelle as they went about their chores.

---

Crescent King

 

[Crescent King]

Cassian ventured into the nearby trees, his sword resting at his side as he gathered an armful of fallen branches. Each crackle of twigs underfoot set his nerves alight, but he pushed the unease aside, focusing on the task. By the time he returned to camp, the sun was dipping low, painting the clearing in shades of amber and gold.

Dropping the firewood beside Nyelle, he offered her a quick smile before heading to the brook. Kneeling by the water, he scrubbed his hands clean, the cool stream washing away dirt and sweat. He splashed his face, the chill refreshing after the long day, and lingered for a moment, watching the ripples fade into stillness.

Rising, he cast a glance toward the campfire where Nyelle and Hideki sat, their silhouettes framed by the flickering flames. With a deep breath, he straightened and walked back, ready to settle in for the night. "Guess things are going well. No sign of and monsters or ghouls so far." He looked up at the sky as the light slowly faded away. "So, about the seed, we just leave it out to soak up moonlight?"