Calen watched in horror as the Wyvern seized Doc and carried him into the storm. The creature's massive wings beat against the howling wind as it climbed higher, Doc's struggling figure growing smaller against the swirling white chaos.

  "Fish!" Calen shouted, but the phase wolf was already disengaging from her battle with the nearest wolf. Her violet markings blazed as she triggered her abilities, blinking out of existence in pursuit of Doc.

  "Focus on the wolves!" Kesh commanded, his bow singing as another arrow found its mark. "Doc can handle himself!"

  But Calen's attention was drawn to something else—a brilliant blue glow cutting through the snow near his feet. His new Resonance Veins ability let him see the energy patterns even through the blizzard, the plasma gun's power core shining like a beacon where Doc had dropped it.

  "Carl!" Calen called, diving for the weapon. His fingers closed around the grip, and immediately he could sense the contained energy humming through its channels. "How do I use this?"

  Carl glanced over, his eyes widening as he saw what Calen held. "The blue ring—that's the trigger! Point and squeeze!"

  Calen raised the weapon, his enhanced senses reading the energy flows within. The plasma gun felt alien in his hands, but his Phantom Mechanist abilities let him understand its function intuitively. Through the storm, he could track the remaining wolves by their energy signatures—four still circling, including the massive alpha that was coordinating their attacks.

  The Colossagoat charged again, its enlarged form scattering two wolves, but the alpha remained focused on its strategy. It was hanging back, using the storm as cover while directing the pack's movements with commanding howls.

  Calen steadied his aim, following the wolf leader's energy signature through the whiteout. His circuit-like scars began to glow faintly as he channeled his perception, the patterns on his arms pulsing in rhythm with the weapon's core.

  There. The alpha moved between two snow-laden boulders, positioning itself for another coordinated assault. Calen could see its energy pattern clearly now—larger and more intense than the others, burning bright.

  He squeezed the trigger.

  The plasma bolt cut through the storm like a blue comet, the energy discharge lighting up the entire mountainside for an instant. The shot struck the alpha center mass, the creature's howl cut short as the pulse overloaded its nervous system. The massive wolf collapsed into the snow, its body convulsing before going still.

  The effect on the pack was immediate. Without their leader's coordinating presence, the remaining wolves' formation collapsed. They milled about in confusion for a moment before survival instincts took over. One by one, they began to retreat, melting back into the storm as quickly as they had appeared.

  "Nice shot!" Carl called out, relief evident in his voice.

  Kesh lowered his bow, scanning the area with his enhanced senses. "They're pulling back. The storm's weakening too—must have been tied to the alpha somehow."

  Sure enough, the unnatural blizzard was already beginning to dissipate. The howling wind died down to a whisper, and the visibility improved dramatically. Calen could see the mountain peaks around them clearly now, sharp against the sky.

  "Where's Doc?" Carl asked, looking around frantically.

  Calen extended his senses, searching for any trace of Doc's energy signature. Fish's phase-stepping had left faint distortions in the ambient field, but they were already fading. "I can't sense him. They're too far away."

  The Colossagoat, still enlarged from its battle, began to shrink back to normal size. It approached their group cautiously, its massive head lowering as if in gratitude.

  "We need to find them," Carl said, adjusting his pack nervously.

  Kesh shook his head. "In this terrain? Close to nightfall? We'd be more likely to fall off a cliff than find anything useful." He looked up at the clear sky where the wyvern had disappeared. "Fish went after him. If anyone can get Doc back safely, it's her."

  Calen hefted the plasma gun, its weight unfamiliar but somehow reassuring. Through his enhanced perception, he could still feel its contained power, ready to be unleashed. "What do we do now?"

  The mountain felt eerily quiet after the chaos of the wolf attack, with only the wind whistling through the peaks and the soft crunch of snow under their feet.

  Kesh approached the fallen alpha, his experienced eyes already assessing the carcass. "We should set up the relay while we're here," he said, glancing toward the summit where they'd originally planned to install it. "No point wasting the climb." He looked at Carl. "You still have storage space in your inventory?"

  Carl nodded, patting his side where the dimensional pocket resided. "Plenty of room. Why?"

  "I'll gather what I can from this wolf. The core alone will be valuable, and the pelt's worth something too." Kesh drew his skinning knife, the blade gleaming in the light.

  Carl turned to Calen. "Where's your backpack? We'll need the relay components."

  Calen's stomach dropped as the memory hit him. "I gave it to Doc before we started climbing. He was still wearing it when the wyvern—" He trailed off.

  Carl nodded thoughtfully. "Doc has a radio unit in his suit. With a relay, He'll probably try to contact us once he finds his footing." Carl's voice carried more confidence than Calen felt, but it was reassuring nonetheless.

  The Colossagoat, now returned to its normal size, positioned itself between them and the path where the other wolves had retreated. Its eyes remained alert, scanning the mountainside as if standing guard.

  "Looks like we've got a protector," Calen observed, watching the creature's vigilant posture.

  Carl began unpacking his own gear, pulling out the other relay components they'd prepared. "Good thing I brought backup equipment. Help me with this housing, will you?"

  Calen set Doc's plasma gun aside carefully and joined Carl in assembling the bronze relay casing. His class abilities let him sense the energy flows as they connected the components.

  "The resonance is perfect here," Calen murmured, watching energy patterns dance through the device.

  Twenty minutes later, they had the relay operational. Carl activated the radio and tuned it to their base frequency. Static crackled for a moment before Edda's voice came through, clear and steady.

  "Hello?"

  Carl explained what had happened—the wolf attack, the wyvern, Doc's disappearance with Fish. Calen listened to Edda's responses, her natural authority providing an anchor of calm.

  "Doc has survived worse," she said finally. "It's better for you to wait until he contacts you than to go searching and run into more danger. Return to the colony."

  Kesh finished harvesting the alpha wolf, storing the valuable parts in Carl's inventory. "She's right," he said, wiping his blade clean. "Doc's got Fish with him, and that phase wolf of his is tougher than any creature on this mountain."

  As they prepared to descend, Calen noticed the Colossagoat following them, its hooves finding sure purchase on the rocky trail. "What about our new friend?"

  Kesh glanced back at the creature. "Leave it. Colossagoats are known for their loyalty. Once they bond with someone, they don't abandon them easily." He shouldered his pack, the alpha's core secured safely within. "When we get back to the colony, I'll ask Tanna to take a look at it. The goat fought with us—that makes it an ally."

  The Colossagoat continued to follow at a respectful distance, its hooves clicking against the stone with surprising delicacy for such a massive creature.

  "Carl," Kesh said, pausing to examine the radio unit. "With this relay positioned here, can we reach the temple directly?"

  Carl nodded, his breath forming small clouds in the cold air. "Should work perfectly. The relay bounces the signal off the mountain's leylines—gives us much better range than the handheld units alone."

  Kesh held the bronze device like it might bite him, turning it over in his weathered hands. "Still feels like old magic to me." He pressed the activation switch as Carl had shown him, waiting for the static to clear.

  "Hello, this is Kesh. Anyone there?"

  The radio crackled for a moment before Fenn's young voice came through, clearer than Calen had expected. "Kesh! We can hear you perfectly. Where's Doc? And Carl?"

  "Carl's here. Doc... had an encounter with a Wyvern. He's fine," Kesh added quickly as worried voices murmured in the background. "Fish is with him. But we need Tanna to come to the surface exit—the cave entrance. We've got something we want to show her."

  Calen watched Kesh struggle with the device's unfamiliar operation, his finger hovering uncertainly over the transmission button. The hunter's comfort with bow and blade didn't extend to bronze boxes that spoke across mountains.

  "What kind of something?" Fenn asked, curiosity evident even through the static.

  Kesh glanced back at the Colossagoat, which had stopped to nibble at some hardy mountain grass growing between the rocks. "The kind that needs her expertise with animals. Large animals."

  "I'll find Tanna and let her know," Fenn replied. "Should she bring anything special?"

  "Just herself. And maybe some of those calming herbs she uses for the rabbits." Kesh released the transmission button and handed the radio back to Carl. "How do I turn this thing off?"

  Carl showed him the switch, then secured the unit in his pack. "Tanna's going to love this," he said, nodding toward their new companion. "A Colossagoat that fought alongside us? That's exactly the kind of challenge she enjoys."

  Calen shifted his weight, the plasma gun's grip warming slightly in his hands. Through his enhanced senses, he could feel the weapon's core cycling through its containment patterns, maintaining perfect stability despite the cold. "Think Doc's really okay?"

  Kesh's expression softened slightly. "Fish wouldn't let anything happen to him. And Doc..." He shook his head. "That man's survived everything the Hollow Vale could throw at him. A Wyvern's just another problem for him to solve."

  Tanna knelt beside the feeding pen, watching Moss-ear and three other Phasehorn Rabbits nibble at the fresh greens Tavi had scattered. The young girl moved with practiced quiet, her bond with Tinyhorn allowing her to anticipate the herd's needs before they became restless.

  "That one's getting bold," Risa observed, nodding toward a silver-gray rabbit that had wandered closer to the pen's edge. The young woman's calloused hands moved efficiently as she refilled water dishes, her Yardhand class evident in her motions.

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  Tavi crouched lower, extending her palm toward the curious rabbit. "He's just learning we're safe. Tinyhorn showed him."

  Tanna smiled at the girl's confidence. Six months ago, Tavi had been a frightened child who barely spoke. Now she moved among the phasing creatures with natural ease, her Flickertracker abilities complementing Tanna's own Beast Tamer skills perfectly.

  Footsteps approached from the courtyard. Fenn jogged over, slightly out of breath from his hurry. "Tanna? Kesh wants to see you at the colony. Says he's got something that needs your expertise with animals. Large animals."

  Tanna's ears perked up with interest. Large animals. In the Northern Territories, that could mean anything from a wounded bear to a Frostmaw Elk. "Did he say what kind?"

  "No, just that you should bring calming herbs. The kind you use for the rabbits."

  Tanna glanced back at her charges. The herd had grown to twenty adults and seven kits, all anchored to the sanctuary grounds through careful bonding. Leaving them, even temporarily, required preparation.

  She walked over to Risa, who was checking the pen's reinforced corners. "I need to travel to the colony. Would you and Tavi be comfortable managing the herd while I'm gone?"

  Risa straightened, brushing dirt from her hands. "Of course. We've been working with them for months now." Her voice carried quiet confidence. "The rabbits know our scent, and Tavi's got that special connection with them. We'll keep them fed and calm."

  Tavi nodded earnestly. "Tinyhorn helps me understand when they're worried."

  "The pen's secure," Risa added. "And if anything goes wrong, we'll call for help immediately."

  Tanna felt the familiar warmth of pride in her students. "Thank you both. I shouldn't be gone long, but if the herd gets agitated—"

  "Scatter the sleeping herbs and keep voices low," Tavi finished. "We know."

  Satisfied, Tanna gathered her herb pouch and a small travel pack. She'd heard stories about the runic gateway from Carl and Calen—neither had described it as pleasant. As she approached the shimmering portal in the gateway chamber, her stomach tightened with apprehension.

  The portal's blue shimmer made Tanna's fur stand on edge. Moss-ear pressed against her leg, the small rabbit's warmth steadying her nerves. The bond between them had deepened over the months, and wherever Tanna went, Moss-ear followed. The rabbit's phase-blink abilities made it the perfect traveling companion, able to reappear safely even if something went wrong during transport.

  "Ready, small one?" Tanna murmured, scooping Moss-ear into her arms.

  The rabbit's nose twitched once—its version of agreement.

  Tanna stepped forward into the gateway's light. The world dissolved, reformed, and suddenly she stood in the ancient dwarven chamber. Her stomach lurched, but Moss-ear remained calm in her arms, which helped settle her own discomfort.

  Marron's weathered face broke into a genuine smile as Tanna emerged from the shimmering portal. "You handled that better than most folks. Carl turned green as pond scum his first few times through from what I heard."

  Tanna shifted Moss-ear in her arms, the rabbit's calm presence having anchored her through the disorienting journey. "Thanks to this small one. She keeps me steady."

  Marron reached out to gently pet the rabbit's head, his touch respectful and careful. Moss-ear's nose twitched but she didn't phase away—a sign of trust that pleased Tanna. "Smart thinking, bringing a familiar companion." He gestured toward the chamber's exit. "Follow me. Kesh is waiting on the surface."

  They walked through corridors of seamless dwarven stonework, amber runes casting steady light along the walls. Tanna had heard descriptions of the colony from the others, but experiencing it firsthand left her awed. The precision of the construction, the way sound carried cleanly through the halls, the sense of ancient purpose still humming in the stone—it felt like walking through a living memory.

  Most of the chambers they passed stood empty, their original contents long since removed. The silence felt expectant rather than abandoned, as if the colony waited patiently for new purpose.

  "Here," Marron said, stopping at a chamber where warm light spilled through the entrance. "Thena's set up her workshop. We'll need to grab you some winter gear."

  Inside, Thena looked up from a partially-sewn cloak, her measuring cord draped around her neck. Without a word, she assessed Tanna's build and selected a frostleaf fiber coat from a nearby rack. The garment felt surprisingly light yet warm against Tanna's hands.

  As they continued toward the surface, Tanna noticed a growing pile of supplies near the elevator shaft—bundled furs, wrapped tools, sealed containers of various sizes. Her eyes lingered on the organized collection.

  Marron followed her gaze. "Gathering supplies for the trade expedition. Should be departing soon, once Doc gets back from his mountain errand." His merchant's eye swept over the goods with satisfaction. "Good honest trade goods. Nothing that'll raise uncomfortable questions about where we've been."

  The elevator platform carried them upward, Moss-ear's ears perking as new scents filtered down from above. Tanna felt her own anticipation building. This would be her first glimpse of the world beyond the Hollow Vale's borders since she was captured six months ago.

  The surface hit Tanna like a physical wall. Cold air rushed into her lungs, sharp and clean, carrying scents of pine sap and fresh snow that made her nose tingle. The brightness forced her to squint—after months in the Vale's filtered canopy, the Northern Territory's crystalline light felt overwhelming.

  Snow. Actual snow. It crunched beneath her boots as she stepped from the cave entrance, each footfall releasing tiny puffs of white that caught the mountain wind. The air tasted different here—thinner, with an edge that spoke of altitude and endless sky.

  Moss-ear shifted in her arms, the rabbit's fur fluffing against the sudden temperature change. Her small companion's nose worked rapidly, processing this entirely new environment with the cautious interest of a creature built for adaptation.

  Across the clearing, Edda stood deep in conversation with Brenn, both gesturing toward a partially-framed structure. Even from a distance, Tanna could see the authority in Edda's posture—the way she pointed and measured, her skills clearly at work. Brenn nodded thoughtfully, his woodworker's instincts translating her vision into practical construction.

  Tor moved past them, shouldering a massive timber beam that would have required three normal men to carry. His class ability made the burden look effortless, though Tanna noticed the careful way he planted each step. The structure taking shape behind him looked substantial—sixty feet of foundation already laid, with corner posts rising like the bones of some great hall.

  But it was the cluster of figures near the clearing's edge that drew her attention. Kesh, Calen, and Carl stood in a loose circle around something large. As Tanna approached, her Beast Tamer instincts engaged automatically.

  The animal was magnificent.

  The Colossagoat stood nearly as tall as Kesh at the shoulder, its shaggy coat a mottled blend of granite gray and mountain-snow white. Her enhanced senses reading the creature's emotional state like text on a page.

  Curious. Cautious but not aggressive. Recently bonded to the group through shared conflict.

  Her Beast’s Intent skill painted a clearer picture as she drew closer. The goat's breathing was steady, ears forward in alert attention rather than pinned back in fear or dominance. Its hooves shifted occasionally—not from nervousness, but from the restless energy of a creature built for movement that had been standing still too long.

  Most telling were the subtle cues that marked pack acceptance. The way its head turned slightly toward Kesh when he moved. How it didn't tense when Carl gestured animatedly nearby. The faint scent of trust that her heightened senses detected beneath the animal's natural musk.

  This one fought alongside them, Tanna realized. Shared danger. Earned belonging.

  "Tamer's Vigil," she whispered under her breath, activating her skill consciously. The world sharpened, magical resonance becoming visible as faint streams of color around living things. The Colossagoat's aura glowed with warm amber traces—the signature of a creature whose magical nature was tied to growth and protective instincts rather than predation.

  Fascinating.

  Kesh noticed her approach and stepped aside, his amber eyes meeting hers with the quiet understanding that had developed between them over months of working together. "Found him trapped between rocks during a wolf attack. Joined our fight without hesitation."

  "He's magnificent," Tanna murmured, letting her Beastmurmur aura extend outward. The calming effect rippled through the air—not enough to influence the goat's will, but sufficient to ease any lingering tension from having strangers nearby.

  The Colossagoat's ears twitched forward as her aura reached him. His large, intelligent eyes focused on her with recognition. Not of her specifically, but of what she represented. Beast Tamers carried a particular resonance that magical creatures could sense, a harmonic frequency that spoke of understanding rather than dominance.

  Tanna took another step closer, then another. The goat's posture remained relaxed, confirming her initial assessment. This was a creature built for partnership, not conquest. His magical growth abilities made him formidable when threatened, but his core nature was protective rather than aggressive.

  "Hello, large one," she said softly, extending her hand palm-up. "I hear you've had quite an adventure."

  The Colossagoat lowered his massive head, sniffing curiously at her outstretched fingers. His breath was warm against her skin, carrying the earthy scents of mountain herbs and fresh snow.

  In her arms, Moss-ear suddenly perked up. The small rabbit's nose twitched rapidly, processing the goat's scent with obvious interest. Before Tanna could react, Moss-ear phase-blinked—vanishing from her arms and reappearing directly on top of the Colossagoat's head, nestled between his curving horns like a tiny gray crown.

  The goat's eyes crossed slightly as he tried to look up at his unexpected passenger. Moss-ear settled into the thick fur with obvious satisfaction, her small form looking ridiculously tiny perched on the massive creature's skull.

  Tanna burst into laughter, the sound bright and musical in the mountain air. "Well, that settles it. She's claimed you as hers."

  The Colossagoat seemed more puzzled than bothered by his new hat. He turned his head carefully, as if testing whether the rabbit would fall off, but Moss-ear's grip remained secure. Her phase-abilities let her maintain perfect balance even when her platform moved.

  "Looks like you've got yourself a familiar," Carl called out, grinning. "Though I'm not sure who adopted who."

  Tanna's assessment deepened as she watched the interaction. The goat's immediate acceptance of Moss-ear confirmed her reading—this was a creature whose instincts ran toward protection and inclusion. The kind of temperament that thrived in community settings.

  Perfect.

  Kesh observed Tanna's careful approach to the Colossagoat, noting how the creature's posture shifted from alert wariness to calm acceptance under her influence. The Beast Tamer's skills were subtle but unmistakable—the way she moved, the gentle extension of her calming aura, the patience she showed in reading the animal's intent.

  When Moss-ear phase-blinked onto the goat's head, settling between its horns like a living crown, Kesh allowed himself a rare smile. The small rabbit's immediate acceptance of the massive creature confirmed what his own instincts had already told him—this goat would fit well with their community.

  "Looks like you've got this handled," Kesh said to Tanna, who was still laughing at the sight of her tiny companion perched atop the enormous beast.

  Carl approached with Calen, both still carrying equipment from their mountain expedition. "We should head down and unload these ice wolf pelts," Carl said. "Thena or Dulric will want to examine them while they're still fresh."

  Kesh nodded. "Good thinking. The cores too—someone might have use for them."

  As Carl and Calen headed toward the cave entrance, Kesh turned his attention to where Edda stood near the construction site. The settlement leader had been waiting patiently, but he could read the tension in her posture. She needed a full report, and she needed it without the others overhearing.

  He walked over to where she stood beside the partially framed longhouse, even half-built, the structure looked like it belonged here.

  "Edda," he said quietly.

  "Kesh." Her voice carried a note concern. "I need to know what happened up there. All of it."

  Kesh appreciated her directness. "We were trying to heal the Colossagoat over there when the Frosthowl wolves found us. Seven in a pack, led by an alpha that could summon blizzards. Standard hunt tactics—they tried to separate us, use the storm for cover."

  Edda's expression darkened. "Frosthowls. I was afraid of that. They're territorial, and intelligent."

  "More than intelligent," Kesh corrected. "The alpha coordinated the storm timing with their attacks. We were holding our own—the Colossagoat joined our fight, proved surprisingly effective. But during the engagement, a Shiverfang Wyvern dove out of the storm and grabbed Doc."

  "A wyvern?" Edda's voice sharpened. "Those don't hunt in packs. Why would it—"

  "Opportunistic strike," Kesh explained. "It waited until we were engaged with the wolves, then took advantage of the chaos. Grabbed Doc specifically—not sure why him over the others."

  Edda was quiet for a moment, processing. "Fish?"

  "Went after them immediately. Phase-stepped up through the air, pursuing the wyvern as it climbed."

  "Assessment?" Edda asked, though her tone suggested she already knew his answer.

  Kesh considered his words carefully. "Considering what I know of Doc's capabilities and Fish's abilities, I'm confident he's still alive. The wyvern would need time to reach its nesting site, and Fish is fast. If anything happened to Doc, we'd likely have seen Fish return alone."

  "But no contact."

  "None. Carl said on our journey back that they might be out of radio range, or something's else might be preventing communication." Kesh glanced toward the mountain peaks, their snow-covered slopes glowing in the afternoon light. "Too late to start searching today. Visibility drops fast once the sun sets, and monsters are more active at night."

  Edda nodded, her practical mind already working through implications. "Tomorrow then. What do you need?"

  "Just myself, initially. Too many people will leave tracks. I'll scout the likely nesting sites, see if I can pick up their trail."

  "Be careful, Kesh. We can't afford to lose you too."

  "Understood."

  Edda studied his face for a moment, then placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll let everyone know what happened. Keep the details simple—Doc and Fish are missing but likely safe. No need to mention Wyverns unless someone asks directly."

  "Good thinking. Panic won't help anyone."

  "Agreed." She glanced back toward where Tanna was still working with the Colossagoat, Moss-ear still perched between its horns. "At least we gained something from today. That creature fought beside you—it understands the concept of alliance."

  Kesh followed her gaze. "It'll fit in well. Protective instincts, but not aggressive unless threatened."

  As Edda walked back toward the construction site to continue supervising the work, Kesh remained where he was, studying the partially built longhouse. The structure was taking shape exactly as Edda had envisioned—sixty feet of hewn logs fitted with precise joints, the frame solid enough to withstand northern winters.

  Where are you, Doc? he thought, his hunter's instincts gnawing at him. The mountains held a thousand hiding places, countless caves and ledges where a Wyvern might nest.

  The wind shifted, carrying the scent of fresh snow from the peaks above. Tomorrow he would climb higher, follow whatever trail he could find. Doc had saved all of them from the bandits, from the fungal horror, from a dozen other threats. It was time to return the favor.

  Thanks for reading!

  Chapter 48 drops Friday!