The creature was as large as a full-grown bull, its body covered in thick, silver-gray fur. Beneath those hairs, which stood stiff as steel needles, its muscles coiled like steel cables, brimming with explosive power. Its limbs were thick and powerful, and its claws scraped against the iron bars with a piercing metallic screech.
Most striking were its eyes-ice-blue pupils gleaming with wildness. Yet it showed no fear of humans, making it clear that it had been domesticated.
"Is that... a Frostland Direwolf?" one well-traveled general asked, drawing a sharp breath.
"The northern barbarians' mounts!" another chimed in, his voice full of shock. "They say these magical beasts can run through a blizzard for an entire day and night without stopping. A full-grown direwolf is as strong as two oxen!"
Veylin walked up to the iron cage, and the direwolf immediately quieted down, even lowering its head.
He reached through the bars to stroke its nose, then turned to face the others.
"You're quite right. This is a Frostland Direwolf, from the Frozen Tundra farther north than the Evergreen Council. The barbarian tribes there have lived alongside them for generations, hunting and migrating through the ice and snow."
Veylin looked at those unmistakable blue eyes and that face radiating an air of "wisdom," barely managing to stop himself from saying husky.
Then he pointed to the sled beside the cage. "One direwolf can pull a sled carrying two tons and maintain a speed of forty kilometers per hour through deep snow. Their paws are broad, with special pads that keep them from sinking into the snow. More importantly-"
Veylin picked up the enormous leather sack on the sled.
"They can carry supplies, sniff out their bearings in a blizzard, and even serve as combat units when necessary." Veylin looked at