Explore with Donald.

Leaving Sritti, you venture out into the main area of the camp. Not long after, you find Donald, amongst the warriors, laughing, and making merry with them. The warrior women are affectionate with the Crown Prince in a way that clearly goes beyond friendly camaraderie or feudal fealty.

Pulling him aside, you relate Sritti's tale to him, and tell him you believe it bears investigating. To your surprise, Donald's eager to come with you. After quickly preparing for a short journey, the pair of you slip out of the caves, find your horse and depart.

-

"Ah, it's refreshing to be out amongst nature once more." Donald sniffs, as you ride north through a light snowfall. You simply shiver under your cloak, doing your best to remain warm. What passes for refreshment to a Beathan would seem to be more bracing to an Itherian.

"The women in those caves are some of my kingdom's finest warriors, but I couldn't spend all my time with them." Donald admits. "It's important to spend time like this, just men."

"You would say that." You smirk, unable to resist. Donald swats at your arm.

"I'm not ashamed." Donald says frankly. "Why only enjoy meat, when there's fowl, fish?"

"So you're a glutton?"

"I certainly was for your meat, my beautiful young king." Donald admits, one hand briefly manoeuvring from holding you safe in place on his steed to stroking your side suggestively. You have to admit, despite your incompatible inclinations, some part of you does respond to the slight electricity of his touch.

Just as briefly as he'd started, Donald withdraws his touch.

"I saw what you did to Sritti..." the crown prince notes. "She's not a bad fuck, eh?"

You murmur in agreement.

"Still, you made the right choice, taking her arse. I've fathered my share of bastards, but I wouldn't subject one to a mother that daft."

"No harm in that with Jana. She's an impressive woman." You tell him.

"Aye, she is at that. Can't imagine anyone'll complain when I make her my queen." Donald responds.

"You're not married already?" You ask.

"No. We do that, but don't place as much stock in it as some other kingdoms. Jana's known to be mine, that's enough." Donald informs you.

"Are we still on the right track?" You ask, casting an eye around. As your mount crests a hill, you notice the snowfall is beginning to intensify.

"I think so." Donald tells you. "Sritti's instructions were clear enough. We just-"

The Crown Prince's words cut out suddenly. He pulls on the horse's reins.

"What is it?" You slur. Donald gestures towards a rise ahead. It takes you a second to spot in the whiteout, but once you do, your body tenses. A fearsome looking wolf, bigger than any you've heard of in Itheria, stands ahead, the rest of it's pack circling around. You count five or six of the beasts at least. Suddenly, a well-defended cave with hundreds of nubile women seems even more desirable than it would normally.

"Have no fear, Edward, I can see off a few wolves." Donald promises, reaching for his blade.

The pack leader looses a chilling howl, and lopes down the hill towards you, the other wolves in close pursuit. Donald swings with his axe, bringing down a couple with a handful of well-placed strikes, but there are too many to take out cleanly. They set about the horse, and the situation quickly descends into chaos from there.

Donald unable to keep you steady on the horse and fight off the wolves at the same time, you lose your balance and slip from the saddle. Through some minor miracle, you're able land well enough, protecting your head as you crash onto the snowy terrain. Though nothing seems to break, you imagine you'll be well-bruised this time tomorrow.

That is, if you survive what comes next.

Donald's horse makes to flee. You lose him in the quickly worsening visibility, however you can still hear the growls of the wolves, and the warrior princes own frenzied cries carried on the wind.

One of the pack peels off, circling you, ready to pounce and tear your throat out. A blade of terror pierces your heart. You've never seen a predator so close before.