"I was almost caught by the guards," I began, while they listened by then, we had found a secluded spot, under an oak tree, not too far from the road where Mr Smith had followed. "The guards were intimidating at first. I thought that was the end of my mission. At that moment I regretted embarking on the journey alone. I should have heeded your initial advice but, I guess it was too late by then."

Alpha Ammon wasted no time scolding me. "You see why I was against your decision from the very first moment. You couldn't have encountered such if we had gone with you?"

Eric also made...