“We’re almost here! Keep it up!”
A ragged man could barely speak. There was dirt all over his hair and his eyes were sunken in, showing how tired he was. His lips were dried and cracked, and his clothes were in rags. The only thing that looked somewhat okay was the shield and warhammer he was holding. The hammer was full of dried blood, showing that it had been put to use in real combat.
“If we go over there…”
The man spoke impatiently. It was just over a hill and he would arrive at the rumored place. It was just half day ahead.
‘Am I late?’
“Nngh…”
The man moaned at the thought. That was when a baby cried out from the inside of the awkwardly protruding cloth on his chest. His cloth began to get wet and yellow liquid dripped down to the ground.
“Oh no.”
The man looked troubled. The baby was crying as it was uncomfortable and the others who followed frowned.
“He’s tired.”
“It’s amazing he held it until now.”
“Yeah.”
“How did that baby hold up so well?”
“Let-let me…”
A middle-aged woman came up and took the baby from the man in the lead. The baby began smiling as the woman unwrapped the baby and washed him with a wet cloth.
“Haha, look at you smiling. Look at you.”
The woman smiled as she worked on cleaning up the baby. She finished wrapping the baby with dried linen and told the man, “I will carry him.”
“Yes? But-”
“It’s okay. I will stay close to you. It’s too dangerous to fight with a baby, sir.”
The man sighed and nodded.
“Okay, thank you.”
He nodded politely, looked at the baby once, and then turned away.
‘We must… go.’
He bit his lips. He raised his hands so that the men could gather around him.
“What is it, sir?”
“Sir Girotin.”
Men of various ages gathered close to him. They were armed with various weapons. The number of men was enough to fight, but the weapons, which consisted of farm tools, were not enough.
‘It’s not enough to fight.’
He could not voice the fact. Everyone already knew this. That was when a wolf popped up from the back. The wolf howled and more wolves began popping up. There were hundreds of them.
“No…”
Everyone seemed to be shocked. They gave up any sign of hope. But Girotin, the knight, did not give up yet.
“I will go.”
Everyone seemed to not understand what he was saying. He pulled himself up on his trusty horse and shouted at others.
“I will lure them away. All of you run to the Ainos over the hill and ask for help! Do not look back! That’s the only way to live!”
People now knew what he was up to.
“NO!”
“You can’t do it alone!”
“SIR! But the kid…!”
“I will be okay. You people go ahead. I may be a commoner, but I am still the best knight of Galia! I will not lose to such wolves. Do not worry about me. Please, go!”
People began tearing up. Some began sobbing. They all knew what he was trying to do. There was no way he was going to survive.
“Dammit! I am not going to let Little Giro take all the glory himself! I’m going with you!”
“Haha! Our hero needs at least two men! I have been waiting for this!”
“I am going too!”
“Don’t count me out!”
Men who were old and heavy began shouting. Some referred Girotin to how they used to call him when he was a boy. Girotin looked at them. He knew these people.
“Okay. Let’s go together.”
‘No choice.’
These old men had no chance of running out alive. They were too old to run for half a day. It was also good to have more people stay behind to help the others escape in safely.
“Let’s go!”
Girotin’s Galim ran out bravely. The warhorse charged toward the wolves without fear. The wolves were bigger than calves, but the Galim did not hesitate. That was when a big wolf began charging at Girotin. He pulled up a long lance and began swinging it like a mill. Men began running after Girotin. They were too slow to keep up with the Galim, but their purpose was to use their lives as bait.
Wolves who were attacked by the lance had their bones broken in pieces and some lay dead after being trampled by the Galim. That’s when an alpha wolf howled, signaling the wolves to back away. They slowly circled around.
‘This will buy us some time.’
Girotin knew there was no chance to drive away the hundreds of wolves. He began guarding himself, carefully attacking the wolves. He charged at the side of the wolves that made them retreat, but he was only able to injure one of them. At that moment, another wolf lunged and bit one of the Galim’s hind legs. But its head was crushed as the Galim kicked it forcefully. The wolves began to become wary as they saw one of their pack members die with its head exploding from a kick.
‘Little more time…!’
“ARHG!”
Girotin turned to the scream. It was from where old men were fighting. Two wolves that were bigger than calves bit onto an arm and leg of an old man and began running away.
“Herot!”
“YOU BASTARDS!”
Old men shouted, but they were helpless. It was a matter of time.
‘Dammit…!’
He could not go help them when he was surrounded. He had no choice but to look away.
“We were almost there… dammit!”
It was unbearable to watch people he knew since he was young to die from an animal attack.
“AH! YOU!”
A wolf backed away as it was hurt by the pickaxe that the old man swung at him. But the attack was far from over. The injured wolf was replaced by another wolf. Soon, the group was surrounded by young wolves that were practicing their hunting skills.
It wasn’t over yet. Wolves began to focus on the people who had run away as they heard the baby crying from the distance.
‘No… Please!’
Girotin felt guilt grasping his heart as he watched. The baby was his sister’s, who she protected until she died. That was when a wolf lunged at him, kicking away the Galim.
‘I’m sorry.’
He thought about the baby. Time was coming to an end.
