I wasn't sure if Xertrics was getting involved and translating with that shifter to get him to join the caravan as the guide and translator. It was annoying how It would be a mark against me that Xertrics acted on her own to bring him in but it was a good thing. Looking over the caravan set up with Veln running around translating, with actual trade going on, It's good.

  The only thing I worry about is if the whole getting stopped by the guards will continue, but the more he teaches Veln the less we'll have to deal with him. He already spooks the horses just by being around and all of their riders. Regular shifters already freak some people and animals out but he's something else. A little grotesque if someone was going to ask my opinion.

  The way his eyes stare down at you it's not like Xertrics, you can see a hunger in the eyes that's just there as if hidden by something, but it's there and it sends a chill down my spine every time I see it. His body isn't much better. That weird mix of elk and bear, claws as long as daggers and arms as big as a Durn, and that quiet way he walks around just like Xertrics sometimes he's just there, behind you despite his size.

  At least he knows to keep a distance from everyone when we set up camp, his hunting also keeps him from costing me more than he already has. Those clothes he requested made me pay Sven ten coppers, and he goes and ruins them soon after he gets them. A big waste if you ask me. It's not like anyone cares if he doesn't have any clothes. I doubt anyone here wants to look at a beast, but can't really argue with what it got us. a decent guide if you can call it that, but the warnings of being close to shifters is good, and he better do his part if we actually encounter anything dangerous.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  This venture is starting to actually be profitable well, it's looking like it's leading to being profitable. None of the shifters here have any gold, silver, or even copper, but there's plenty of things that can only be found here in this valley and forest. The shifters are the best way to get them, they know all the best spots and have a lot more than what we could get ourselves.

  I make my rounds around asking for everyone's log of their cargo, what was traded, what was given. Marking them down in my ledgers asking for an update on the food that we needed. The pemmican that is good for this whole trip, also good to sell as something only from Salkin if we have any leftovers after the shifter's festival, during midwinter.

  Everything appears to be in order. We still have plenty to trade with for the next few months, that's good. Everything seems to be going smoothly, supplies replenished, goods traded, only one thing left to do is check the horses. Making my way over I notice that most of the Shifters that we've traded with have already left the end of the clearing that we've set up at but those first few guards remain watching all of us like we're a danger like that Shifter.

  When I reach where we set the horses to graze, they're all doing well, if not nervous by all of the new people, probably worse than the shifters smell like a beast and their plenty of wolves, bears, and every other predator that there is. But they've calmed and haven't let that cause a freak out, at most they're more vigilant. Just as I was about to turn back and give the orders to get ready to leave. A terrifying roar rips through the trees causing a panic amongst the horses.