The Jackal's Song

Chapter 17: Into the Calorwood

“Guess you like wolves, huh?" Bahadur said, clearly enjoying the effect he was having.

They were seated at a round table in the Stag. Tracker had already been here when they'd arrived, and the three of them had garnered more stares than usual. Fortunately, Senu and Tracker's novelty had at least worn off, and by the time they'd all sat down, most of the conversation had resumed. On stage, Andrus was performing, and for once, Senu was glad for the dragon's often gaudy performance capturing the attention of most of the room. 

“Y-you're really coming with us?"

It was the first time Senu had ever seen the kobold struggle with his words.

“If that's fine with you. You're the only one who hasn't given me the all-clear. I'd be happy to give you a... physical demonstration if that helps. I understand you're quite energetic yourself."

“Gods, are all delvers this horny?" Senu asked, trying to keep from laughing.

Bahadur smirked, his deep voice rumbling like a distant thunderstorm. “Is that a problem for you?"

“No, but I think we should save some of our energy for the Dungeon," Senu replied, his ears flicking slightly.

“That won't be a concern. Trust me." When Senu looked skeptical, the wolf shrugged and ordered a drink from a passing waitress. “Look, it's like this. Delvers tend to skew young, and most of us are in extremely good physical condition, mostly out of necessity. Whenever you get a lot of those kinds of people together in a highly stressful situation, passions run high, and it's only natural to look for ways to express them. Happens all the time with athletes and soldiers too. Sure, you can indulge in drinking or gambling. You can sing songs and tell stories, but sometimes you need something physical, you know? Delvers have to be in tune with each other anyway, and privacy is always a rare commodity on the road, so sex is often inevitable. It's quite healthy in moderation. And a hell of a lot of fun in excess."

“Fuck me with the Mother's horns," Tracker muttered, adding a string of particularly colorful profanity that drew a few glances from nearby patrons.

“There's the Tracker I know," Senu said with a soft laugh.

“All right, all right, I'll get over it. Just..." Tracker trailed off, gesturing toward Bahadur as if that were all the explanation needed.

“Hey, I don't mind," Bahadur said with a grin that revealed sharp white teeth. “Let's just make sure it's not a distraction when we need to be focused on other things."

“Speaking of," Senu said, deciding to steer the conversation back to more serious matters, “where exactly is this place we're going?"

The kobold reached into a worn leather bag slung over his shoulder and produced a large envelope made of thick yellow parchment. The seal, bearing the green delver's mark, had been broken open, and the contents were a bit haphazardly stuffed back in. Tracker set the envelope down on the table and tapped it with a clawed finger. “Look it over if you want, but keep your voice low. Don't need some other group trying to squeeze in."

Senu exchanged a quick glance with Bahadur before snatching up the envelope and carefully pulling out the contents. Several maps, sketches, and sheets of paper covered in scrawled notes spilled onto the table. Senu sifted through them, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the name of the location: The Burning Doom.

“The Burning Doom..." he murmured, more to himself than to the others. “I've heard of it."

“You have?" Bahadur asked, leaning in closer to peer at the documents. “What do you know about it?"

Senu cleared his throat, feeling the weight of the others' gazes on him. “Well, that name comes from a poem. What we're talking about is an old wizard's academy, a tower, that was built almost two centuries ago. It was known as the Tower of the Arcane back then. The ruins are located on the northern side of the Calorwood on an isolated plateau."

Tracker nodded. “That matches up with my information."

Senu continued. “About a century ago, the tower was destroyed. No one knows exactly what happened because no one survived. My people were among those who investigated, but no one could even get close due to the heat of the flames - the tower, or at least its ruins,  burned almost continually for three years. Rock melted, plant and animal life was decimated. The landscape was completely altered, but the damage was limited to the plateau. At night, the unnatural red glow of the flames was visible from a hundred miles away. When the flames finally died and scouts were able to approach, they found nothing left of the tower but a malformed lump of black stone."

“That's a hell of a fire," Tracker commented. 

“From what I was taught, there's nothing left of the structure. But its site is still dangerous." Senu continued, his voice lowering as he spoke. “The plateau was a site of Arcane power. It's been used by cults and all manner of spellcasters for as long as beasts have inhabited the region. The tower was just the latest in a long line of fortifications and strongholds built on that ground. Most consider it cursed, and even my people forbid expeditions without paladins to provide escort. Fortunately, It's remote enough that most never get close unless they're actively seeking it out."

“Why build there in the first place?" Bahadur asked, his tone curious. “If it was cursed and that remote, wouldn't any respectable group avoid it?"

Senu hesitated.  “I've studied enough history to know places of power attract those who wield it, regardless of motive. The Calorwood itself is enchanted, woven with ancient magics that even we don't fully understand. Nevertheless, Rhea, the archwizard who ran the Academy was a wise scholar and devoted worshipper of Yttrus. She pushed the boundaries of Arcane knowledge, but by all accounts was responsible with her efforts. We're not talking about a necromancer or infernalist. Just a wizard who was furthering her craft. In fact, several of her spells are still in wide use." 

Tracker snorted. “If she got herself blown up she must have been doing something stupid.."

“Maybe," Senu agreed, “but think about why we're going there. Some of the most dangerous spells and artifacts in history were created in places like the Burning Doom. And now, according to these notes," he held up one of the maps, “it seems the tower has somehow reappeared, standing once more in the heart of the plateau. And beneath it..."

“A series of caverns," Tracker finished, nodding. “Natural and artificial. Carved out by different groups over the centuries."

“My brother would say we're being stupid to go there," Senu said, setting the map down.

Tracker narrowed his eyes. “You're not backing out, are you?"

Senu shook his head. “No." 

“Good." Tracker scooped up the papers and stuffed them back into the envelope. 

“I am more worried than I was before I knew exactly what I've gotten myself into." 

Bahadur nodded. “That's fine. Fear isn't an emotion to be ashamed of. It often warns us of danger. But, being willing to face such dangers is what sets beasts like us apart. That said, we should be smart about how we approach this. Do either of you have any other information?"

Senu shook his head. “I only read the poem once, and the extent of what I learned from my people is that the Burning Doom should be avoided. That's all I have." 

Tracker shrugged. “I tried to research the place -- that's why I was in the archive when we met -- but you've covered everything I learned. I took this lead because I was hoping there'd be some fucking elementals to kill, but I'm not sure what to expect. Could just as easily be spiders or zombies or something crazier."

“But you're sure there'll be monsters?" Bahadur asked, his eyes shining with a strange anticipation.

“Oh, yeah," Tracker replied with a strained grin. “The Dungeon never disappoints on that front."

“The Calorwood's enormous," Senu pointed out, his brow furrowing in thought. “Do you know where we need to go, exactly?"

Tracker leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms confidently. “I'm a gods damned ranger. I know how to navigate a forest."

Senu put up his hands in mock surrender, though he was still concerned. They would be passing close to his childhood home. Close to his family. “Fine. Fine. Just asking."

“Just leave all that shit to me. I might not be the strongest arm with a sword, but I will make sure we get where we need to be," Tracker said, puffing out his chest a little.

Bahadur winked at him. “I'll pick up the slack in the fighting department if we need, but Terrance seems like he knows what he's doing."

“Yeah," Senu said, “I think we've got a good group. I bought a good collection of supplies today. As long as Terrance agrees, we could be ready to go as early as tomorrow."

“Finally!" Tracker said. “I knew this was a good lead."

“I'm in no hurry, but no sense dawdling if we don't need to," Bahadur added, then grinned at Tracker. “Though I might stick around for a while tonight. If you're interested."

Tracker looked like he might faint.

***

Terrance needed another day to make preparations and, Senu suspected, to make sure Alessia didn't kill him for agreeing to this expedition in the first place. As such, Tracker, Senu, and Bahadur found a way to pass the extra day. That night was the first time Senu had ever seen Tracker truly exhausted, and the jackal had to admit that Bahadur lived up to his ideals in worshiping the god of passion.

The following morning, it was clear even before dawn that the day would be both hot and humid. Senu woke to the sounds of early morning activity—a cacophony of clattering pots, low murmurs, and the occasional barked order from a nearby vendor. He had already dressed in his lightest clothes, but as he stepped outside, the thick, humid air immediately smothered him, making his fur cling uncomfortably to his skin. By the time he and Bahadur had finished loading up the modest wagon Tracker had purchased, Senu was already panting, and having to put ointment on his nose to keep it from drying out.

Bahadur, on the other hand, seemed unbothered by the heat, his golden fur practically glowing in the early morning light. He moved with an easy grace as he hefted bags and crates into the wagon, his powerful muscles rippling under his fur. Senu couldn't help but marvel at the wolf's strength and endurance. Despite the oppressive weather and the long exertions of the day before, Bahadur was as energetic and focused as ever.

Terrance arrived just after dawn, was dressed in a repaired set of armor, and apparently ready for a long journey. The wolf's usually stoic face betrayed a hint of weariness as if he hadn't slept well. He set one bag in the wagon, then waited quietly, leaning against the side of the wagon with his arms crossed.

At one point, as Senu walked past, Terrance sniffed the air, his nose twitching slightly. The older wolf's sharp eyes narrowed, and he gave Senu a knowing look. The jackal felt his ears droop and his cheeks flush as he realized what the wolf had likely picked up on.

“We had time to kill," Senu offered with a shrug, trying to sound nonchalant.

Terrance wrinkled his nose but said nothing, though his tail wagged once in quiet amusement. Senu wasn't sure if the older wolf was judging him or just finding the situation funny, but he decided not to dwell on it.

By the time they had packed, double-checked supplies, made a quick trip back to the market to buy a few things they'd forgotten, and packed those as well, the sun was well over the horizon. The heat had intensified, and all four of them were forced to take some precautions to shield themselves. Senu had wrapped a light scarf around his neck and pulled it over his head like a makeshift hood, while Bahadur had donned a wide-brimmed hat that shaded his face and shoulders.

Tracker, on the other hand, seemed entirely unfazed by the weather. The small kobold was practically bouncing on his toes as he adjusted the straps on his pack, his lavender eyes gleaming with excitement. “Come on! We have a lot of ground to cover!"

“Easy, Tracker," Terrance said. “We've got a long journey ahead. No sense exhausting ourselves before we even reach the woods."

The kobold huffed but didn't argue, though he did tap his foot impatiently as they finished the last of their preparations. When they were finally ready, they set out from Shimmer Bay, following a dirt road that eventually led them to the edge of the Calorwood.

The first few miles of their journey were uneventful, though the heat made the going slow and uncomfortable. The road was well-traveled, and they passed a few other travelers—merchants, farmers, and the occasional noble in a carriage—who offered polite nods or wary glances. Senu noticed that most of the travelers gave their group a wide berth, particularly after catching sight of Bahadur or Terrance's imposing figures. The jackal couldn't blame them; he and Tracker made for an odd sight, and the heavily armed wolves followed by a well-dressed jackal likely carried implications of nobility.

Fortunately, after the first five miles, the sun quickly became less of a problem. The road began to slope gently downward as they approached the Calorwood, and shade became increasingly prevalent. The towering trees of the forest loomed ahead, their thick canopies blocking out much of the harsh sunlight and casting the road in a cool, greenish light.

When they neared the official boundary to the wood, marked by a weathered post carved with ancient runes, they all gathered together under some shade to rest and discuss their plan for how they would continue. The air was cooler here, and the sounds of the forest—the rustling of leaves, the distant calls of birds, and the soft hum of insects—provided a soothing backdrop as they spoke.

“Before we go any further, we need to figure out the best way to navigate this place," Bahadur said, crossing his arms as he looked out at the dense woods. “There's no road through the woods, only a few fairly narrow trails. The wagon is small enough that we'll be able to get it through, but it'll be slow going, and we'll likely need to cut a path through parts that have been overgrown."

Tracker nodded in agreement. “Most travelers heading to Porta Strega or beyond choose to travel by ship specifically to avoid this problem. The trails here are old and not well-maintained. We'll have to be careful not to lose our way."

Senu listened quietly, his ears twitching as he absorbed their words. He knew the Calorwood better than any of them, having grown up hearing stories about its dangers and mysteries. The woods were enchanted by the Seelie, and had been long manipulated by further jackal magic to ensure the protection of Feyspring, the hidden city of his people.

When Tracker suggested following the Faysteel River through the woods—the shortest path and the easiest to navigate thanks to the river—Senu almost shouted his “no." The suggestion sent a jolt of panic through him, and he quickly scrambled to come up with a reason to reject the idea without revealing too much.

Everyone stared at him for a second before Terrance asked the obvious question. “Why not? It's definitely the safest."

Senu swallowed, his mind racing. The real answer was that the Faysteel River would take them within just a few miles of the entrance to Feyspring. Yes, it would take days more travel to actually reach the hidden city thanks to the enchantments that protected it, but there was a small chance a patrol or someone traveling from his home might see him. And he desperately wanted to avoid that.

He couldn't tell his friends that, however. So instead, he spun a tale. He was a bard, after all.

“That's not the safest route," he explained, trying to keep his voice steady. “There's a good chance we could get lost. That's what these woods are known for. Sure, it's the shortest distance, but we could easily end up going in circles and find ourselves right back here. Or, we might never get out."

Tracker looked offended, his tail lashing behind him. “Fuck off, Senu. This is my thing. I can get us through these woods no problem."

Bahadur rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “No need to be rude about it. But, Tracker's right. We should be deferring to his expertise on this."

Tracker nodded, though he still looked a bit put out. “Exactly. I know what I'm doing. Trust me, we'll be fine."

Senu tried to protest further, but Bahadur had made a compelling point. Besides, it would be a bit suspicious to press the issue too much. In the end, they settled on a route that would stick primarily to the river, but Senu was at least able to convince them to avoid the section that contained the crossing, where they were at the greatest risk of running into jackals.

And so, Senu entered the Calorwood for the first time since he'd left home over four months earlier. The familiar scent of pine and moss filled his nostrils, and he felt a pang of nostalgia as they moved deeper into the forest.

Tracker, it turned out, had an almost supernatural sense of where to guide them. Even as the infamous mist of the wood began to limit visibility, the kobold led them straight through, dodging obstacles and stopping from time to time to let nearby animals get some distance or to avoid other unseen dangers. The thick mist clung to the ground like a living thing, swirling around their ankles and obscuring the path ahead. Shadows flitted through the trees, and Senu caught glimpses of movement out of the corner of his eye—likely just wildlife, but it kept him on edge.

Nevertheless, the wagon was what really slowed them down. By the time night approached on the first day, they'd only really traversed about four miles of the wood. Combined with the first five miles from Shimmer Bay, that wasn't bad, but Tracker seemed almost dejected.

“Shouldn't have bought that shit-eating wagon," Senu overheard him muttering to himself as he moved about setting up their first camp for the night. The kobold was practically sprinting from place to place, setting up bedrolls and simple shelter for everyone, then starting a cookfire with quick, efficient movements. Despite his small size, Tracker had an energy and drive that was almost infectious.

Bahadur and Terrance helped with the camp as well, though Bahadur's focus seemed to drift more toward making sure everyone was comfortable. The golden wolf moved with a calm, almost regal demeanor, his deep voice carrying easily as he spoke with Terrance about the best way to arrange their bedrolls and keep the camp secure.

“You pups fine with rations, or should I try my hand at foraging?" Tracker asked as he struck the flint, catching his little nest of dried grass on the first try. The small fire quickly took hold, casting flickering shadows across their faces.

“There should be plenty of rabbits and wild roots around here," Senu said, trying to sound casual. “Lots of mushrooms too, but most of them are poisonous."

Tracker winked at him, a sly grin spreading across his face. “I could see you enjoying some of the mushrooms I saw on the way here, but don't worry, I know what to look for."

“Fresh food would be nice," Terrance said, still panting from the heat as he took a seat on a fallen log. “I know we didn't get that far today, but that was still hard going."

“Sounds good. I'll go see what I can find. Doubt it'll take very long." With that, the green lizard slipped into the dark wood without hesitation or a single sound. The kobold's ability to move silently was nothing short of impressive, and within seconds, he had vanished into the mist.

Bahadur whistled quietly, his golden eyes following Tracker's departure. “He's good."

Senu nodded as he drank heavily from his waterskin, the cool water a welcome relief from the day's heat. He felt oddly comfortable in this environment, despite being away for so long. The Calorwood felt familiar, even comforting in a way. It was a place of mystery, of ancient magic and hidden secrets, but it was also home. Or at least, it had been.

Tracker came back sooner than expected, carrying an entire backpack full of various wild berries, mushrooms, and fruits he'd foraged, as well as two large rabbits and six full waterskins. He dropped the pack by the fire with a satisfied grin. “That ought to do for a day or two."

“You really are amazing," Senu said, genuinely impressed.

“It's nothing," Tracker shrugged, though Senu could see a smile in his eyes. The kobold's earlier frustration seemed to have melted away, replaced by a quiet pride in his abilities.

Terrance was already working on the rabbits, expertly skinning and preparing them for the fire. He moved with the practiced efficiency of someone who had done this many times before, his large paws deftly slicing through the meat. Bahadur assisted by skewering the rabbits and placing them over the fire, the savory aroma soon filling the air.

By the time they settled into their bedrolls that night, Senu too exhausted to entertain the idea of repeating the previous night's activities, they had full bellies and a positive outlook. The day's slow progress hadn't dampened their spirits, and the promise of adventure in the days to come kept their minds focused.

The oppressive heat unfortunately carried into the next day. Sleep had been difficult, with the humidity making it hard to get comfortable, but they all seemed revitalized as they set out once more. The shade provided by the trees was a welcome relief from the sun, and the air was cooler the deeper they went into the forest.

Senu had to admit that Tracker's decision to follow the river had been the right call. They had passed through the densest portion of the wood by noon of the second day, and as a result, were also free of the vision-impairing mist and the (mostly) harmless spores that drifted through the air. The forest around them became less tangled, the undergrowth thinning out as they moved closer to the heart of the Calorwood.

They would camp once more tonight, but they would arrive at the Burning Doom early the day after. Senu's thoughts kept drifting back to the stories he had heard as a child—tales of the Burning Doom, of the wizards who had perished in its flames, and of the dark forces that had once been drawn to that cursed place. His parents had both warned him to stay away from this place and he'd never considered disobeying them until now. The reality of that decision weighed heavily on him, but he tried to push his uncertainties aside. They were well-prepared, and he had faith in his companions.

Their travel from then on was relatively easy. They stopped to rest several times, mostly because they all knew they were in no great hurry. It was only as night started to fall on that second night that Tracker pointed into the distance. There, deep past the treeline, a faint, flickering red glow could be seen, barely visible through the dense foliage.

“There she is," Tracker said, his voice low and tense.

The party paused, staring into the distance. Senu, in particular, felt a tinge of anxiety. His father had told him several times to never enter this part of the woods. The stories of the Burning Doom had always been accompanied by warnings—warnings that Senu had taken seriously, even as a child.

“Let's camp here," he suggested, his voice betraying a hint of unease.

“Not a bad idea," Tracker replied, glancing around the clearing they had stopped in. “The area is open enough, and we'll be able to see anything that approaches."

“Let's make sure to set two sentries at a time tonight," Bahadur said, his tone serious. “The Dungeon sometimes likes to play games with delvers. Monsters and weird magical effects are fairly common."

“Sounds like a good idea to me," Terrance agreed, nodding.