Evan packed the crates of medicine with steady hands. The request from Northfall Village repeated in his mind. A fever outbreak. Children weakened. Caravans blocked by shadow beasts. No one else could reach them in time. This was the first large scale job for Dragon Freight. Failure would damage his reputation before it even formed. Success would prove the value of beast based logistics.
Gale stood ready with wings half folded. The wyvern sensed urgency in Evan’s movement. The crates were not heavy but they had to stay stable in mounting turbulence. Evan placed each crate into a reinforced frame strapped to Gale’s lower harness. He checked every knot with care and added a soft cloth layer between wood and leather so the medicine would not break if Gale made sharp turns.
The sky above Ironwind Valley showed remains of the earlier storm. Clouds drifted slowly but the mana current was settling. Evan looked toward the forest path that led north. The land changed as one moved toward Northfall. The cliffs softened. The pine trees grew taller. The wind became colder. But the danger did not go away. Shadow beasts roamed that forest. They attacked anything that carried strong scent or moved fast.
Gale lowered its head so Evan could mount. He climbed up checked the straps again and signaled readiness with a light tap. Gale crouched then leapt into the sky. The rush of wind pressed against Evan’s face. Below them the camp shrank into a few tents and crates.
As they gained altitude Evan looked at the young wyvern cage still set aside for later transport. He would return for it after this mission but he needed Gale for Northfall now. No other beast could handle long distance flight with full cargo so soon after a storm.
Evan leaned forward and let Gale follow a familiar current eastward. Then they banked toward the northern ridge. The air cooled as they flew higher. Evan checked the cargo frame again making sure nothing shifted.
The land below changed into dense woodland. Pine trees stretched as far as the horizon. A thin river cut through the forest like a silver line. Evan remembered traveling this way on foot years ago. It took four days because caravans moved slowly and had to avoid known beast paths. Gale would do it in hours if no major danger appeared.
But danger always appeared.
As they reached the forest edge Gale stiffened its wings and slowed. Evan looked down and saw movement between the trees. Black shapes with long tails. Shadows that flickered unnaturally. Shadow beasts. Their bodies absorbed light. Their eyes glowed faint red. They moved like fluid darkness sliding under branches.
Shadow beasts did not usually attack from such distance. But they sensed the medicine. Fever herbs had a strong aroma to beasts. Evan pulled a cloth soaked in scent neutral powder from his pack and pressed it against the crates. The powder reduced the smell but not enough to fool a whole pack.
Gale flew higher. The beasts followed with land speed that disturbed the dirt and scattered leaves. Evan tapped Gale’s neck twice to signal a higher climb.
The wyvern beat its wings harder. Soon they reached a height the beasts could not track. They faded back into the forest but Evan knew this was only the beginning.
Northfall Village lay beyond the forest and above a narrow mountain pass. The pass carried its own danger. Air currents were unstable. Magic crystals grew in clusters along the cliffs causing unpredictable mana surges. Evan calculated the route in his mind. They needed to stay near the right side of the pass then angle left when the wind shifted.
As they approached the mountain range he felt the pressure change. Gale adjusted its wings. The wyvern’s instincts matched Evan’s knowledge. Together they could read the sky better than any caravan scout.
The first part of the pass was calm. Pine scent filled the air. Gale glided smoothly as Evan looked down at the remote huts scattered across the lower slopes. Smoke rose from chimneys. Farmers tended to animals.
A sudden flash of blue light caught Evan’s eye. A mana surge. It formed behind a cluster of crystals on the cliff. Gale jerked sideways. Evan tightened the straps and leaned in. The surge expanded like a bubble ready to burst.
“Hold steady” Evan whispered
The surge cracked open and released a blast of wind. Gale dropped three meters then swung upward again. Evan kept his posture low so the air would not throw him off.
They escaped the surge but new turbulence rolled across the pass. Evan read the pattern and chose a narrow path between two currents. Gale followed his signal and they broke through into calmer air.
Beyond the mountain pass the land opened into a valley dotted with wooden houses. Northfall Village. Smoke rose from chimneys and small lights glimmered near the central square.
Evan guided Gale down slowly. Villagers gathered below pointing at the wyvern. They were frightened but also hopeful. Word must have reached them about the medicine.
Gale landed in the open field next to a shallow stream. Evan climbed down and unstrapped the crates. The village chief an older woman with braided white hair hurried toward him.
“You came” she said breathless “The fever spread faster than expected”
Evan set the crates gently on the ground. “These herbs need to be boiled with clean water and stirred until the color turns pale gold. Give it to anyone with high temperature”
She bowed deeply. “You saved us We could not get through the forest”
Evan smiled faintly. “Dragon Freight delivers no matter the obstacle”
The villagers opened the crates and spoke in relieved voices. Children who had been too weak to stand sat up with help from their parents. The air carried a warmth that had nothing to do with weather.
Evan checked Gale’s wings. The wyvern was tired but uninjured.
The chief approached again. “You must stay for the night. The forest is dangerous after sunset”
Evan shook his head. “I need to return before storms form again. But leave a message for me through any passing merchant. If you need more supplies I will come”
The chief placed her hand over her heart. “We will remember your name Evan Drakemarch”
Evan mounted Gale. As they rose into the evening sky the sun cast long shadows across the rooftops. The village shrank below him and the mountains glowed orange.
He had completed his first critical mission. The world saw what Dragon Freight could do.
But he also saw the forest below shift with unnatural darkness. Shadow beasts were restless.
This was only the beginning of a larger threat.