Something had happened on the road ahead.
Sage had barely taken three steps toward the front of the caravan when another shout rang through the mountain pass, followed by the frightened cries of horses and the unmistakable sound of steel leaving scabbards.
The narrow road had become a mess almost immediately.
Merchants climbed from wagons to see what was happening, drivers fought to calm their animals, and the mercenaries protecting the caravan rushed forward without any real formation.
Sage moved past two stopped wagons and finally saw the cause. Several large beasts had emerged from the woodland where the road curved around the base of the rocky slope.
They resembled wolves at first glance, which probably explained why one of the mercenaries near the front was already shouting for everyone to remain calm, but Sage immediately noticed the differences.
The creatures were nearly twice the size of ordinary wolves, with dark grey hides covered by irregular stone-like plates.
