The forest was alive with the vibrance of spring. Sunlight filtered through a canopy of fresh green leaves, casting dappled patterns on the soft earth below. The scent of blooming flowers and damp soil filled the air, mingling with the distant chirping of birds hidden among the branches. A gentle breeze rustled the foliage, making the trees sway as if whispering secrets to one another.
Geschicht and Harriet moved along the narrow dirt path, their footsteps light against the mossy ground. Harriet glanced up at the towering trees, their leaves swaying with each breath of wind. His golden eyes reflected the flickering light as he exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Geschicht raised a hand to shield his eyes from the golden morning sun, squinting as its light spilled through the trees. The warmth on his skin told him it had been morning for a while now. His stomach gave a quiet rumble, as if confirming what he was about to say.
"I think it’s time we prepare something to eat for breakfast," he said, lowering his hand.
Harriet, walking a few steps behind, glanced up from kicking a loose pebble along the dirt path. His golden eyes glinted in the sunlight.
"Neat," he replied with an easy grin.
As they wandered further, the soft murmur of flowing water reached their ears. Pushing through a thicket of tall grass, they emerged by the edge of a clear, winding river. The water glistened under the sun, reflecting the green canopy above. A gentle breeze carried the crisp scent of fresh water and damp earth.
"This looks like a good spot," Geschicht said, glancing around. The ground was flat, the riverbank wide enough to sit comfortably.
Harriet crouched by the water’s edge, dipping his fingers in and watching the ripples dance outward. "Not bad," he mused. "Better than eating on the road, at least."
With that, they set their packs down and began gathering what they needed to cook, the peaceful sounds of the river accompanying their morning preparations.
The lake stretched wide before them, its surface rippling under the soft morning breeze. Geschicht knelt near the fire, carefully turning skewers of fish over the open flames, while Harriet sat on a flat rock, flicking small pebbles into the water with his invisible hands. The scent of roasting fish mingled with the crisp air, making Harriet’s stomach rumble.
"This might be the best meal we’ve had in a while," Harriet mused.
Geschicht nodded, watching the fish sizzle. "Good thing we found this lake."
Just as he spoke, a loud splash sent a spray of water onto the shore. Both boys turned their heads.
A woman was swimming in the lake—not leisurely, but with powerful strokes that cut through the water like a blade. Her long, wavy green hair trailed behind her, heavy with water. Most surprising of all, she was fully dressed, as if wading into the lake with her coat and boots was the most natural thing in the world.
Harriet blinked. "Huh. She knows she’s swimming with her clothes on, right?"
Geschicht, ever curious, watched as the woman turned onto her back, floating with a peaceful expression. "Maybe she doesn’t care."
As if sensing their stares, the woman tilted her head toward them. Her sharp emerald eyes locked onto theirs. She made no move to leave the water, but her gaze held a quiet intensity.
"You two," she called out. "That fish ready?"
Harriet nearly choked. "What?"
She gestured toward the fire with her chin. "Smells good."
Geschicht exchanged a glance with Harriet before shrugging. "Almost."
Without hesitation, the woman waded toward the shore. Water cascaded off her coat as she stepped onto land, completely unfazed by how soaked she was.
Before either of them could say anything, heavy footsteps approached from behind. A broad-shouldered man with a thick spade beard stopped beside her, arms crossed. Behind him, a red-haired man leaned lazily against a tree, his heterochromatic eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Jelle, you can’t just ask strangers for food," the bearded man sighed.
"Why not?" she replied flatly. "They made enough."
Harriet narrowed his eyes. "Hold on—who are you people?"
The red-haired man grinned. "Now that’s a fair question. Name’s Uwe. The grumpy one beside Jelle is Hauke." He motioned toward the bearded man. "And there’s Liselotte, hiding behind that tree, panicking about Jelle’s wet clothes."
A small, shy voice stammered from behind a nearby tree. "J-Jelle, you’re dripping everywhere—"
"They’ll dry," Jelle said dismissively. She turned back to Geschicht. "So? Do you mind if we eat together?"
Geschicht simply smiled and gestured toward the fire. "If you don’t mind waiting for it to finish cooking, sure."
Jelle nodded approvingly before sitting down on a nearby rock, wringing the water from her sleeves. The others followed, and just like that, they joined by the fire, strangers sharing a meal by the lake.
The fire crackled as the scent of roasted fish filled the air. Harriet leaned back slightly, his gloved hands resting on his knees—at least, that’s what it looked like. His sleeves barely shifted as he reached for a small twig with his unseen hands, poking at the fire absently.
Uwe let out a satisfied sigh as he stretched, watching the flames. “Not bad. Guess we got lucky stumbling into you two.”
“You didn’t stumble,” Harriet muttered. “Your boss swam over and invited herself.”
Jelle, still wringing out the ends of her coat, didn’t react. She merely grabbed a stick, poking at the fire as well. “Seemed easier than talking first.”
Hauke let out a low chuckle. “She’s got a habit of making first impressions like that.” His steel-gray eyes flicked toward Geschicht. “And you? You don’t seem too surprised.”
Geschicht tilted his head. “Surprised by what?”
“That a House under The Innocent Association just showed up at your fire.” Hauke smirked. “Not many would stay this calm.”
Harriet raised a brow. “A House?”
Uwe grinned. “Yeah, we’re The Kopflos. A registered House under The Innocent Association, working for the Ident Order.”
Geschicht’s expression brightened with recognition. “Oh, so you’re all Idents?”
Liselotte, still nervously adjusting her shawl, nodded. “Uhm, yes! Our leader—Jelle—is a grade 3 Ident.”
Harriet exhaled a short whistle. “Grade 3? That’s serious.”
Jelle, unbothered, took a fish skewer from the fire and examined it. “It’s a number.”
Hauke smirked. “A number that means you don’t have to lift a finger unless things get really bad.”
Harriet’s eyes flicked between them. “And the rest of you?”
“Grade 4.” Hauke motioned to himself and Uwe. “And Liselotte’s grade 5. Still fresh.”
The girl fidgeted slightly. “I-I’m still learning…”
Harriet glanced at Geschicht. “You following all this?”
Geschicht hummed in thought before nodding. “So you’re all recognized Idents, and your House operates under The Innocent Association. That means you take on official work, right?”
Uwe grinned. “Smart kid.” He took a bite of his fish. “Yeah, we take on all sorts of things—tracking, securing Singularität users, resolving disputes. Even the occasional monster hunt if the pay’s good.”
Harriet leaned back. “Sounds like a lot of work.”
Hauke shrugged. “Comes with the title.”
Jelle finally took a bite of her fish, chewing thoughtfully before glancing at Geschicht and Harriet. “And what about you two? Just wandering?”
Harriet smirked. “Something like that.”
Geschicht nodded. “For now.”
Jelle studied them both for a moment, then simply nodded. “Alright.”
And just like that, the conversation settled into an easy rhythm, the fire crackling between them as two groups shared a meal—not as strangers, but as travelers on the same road, if only for a moment.
The fire crackled as the group ate, the warm scent of grilled fish mixing with the cool lake breeze. Harriet, ever the restless one, tapped his boot against a rock, his eyes flicking between Jelle and his skewer.
“So,” he said, voice casual, “your skin’s kinda… different.”
Geschicht, more in his curiosity, studied Jelle closely. Her complexion had a strange quality to it—not unnatural, but certainly unlike any human’s. It held a soft vibrancy, like fresh leaves in spring, catching the firelight in a way that made her look almost luminescent.
Jelle, unbothered as ever, tore off a piece of fish with her teeth. “And?”
Harriet shrugged. “Never seen anyone with skin like that before.”
Uwe snickered. “That’s ‘cause you don’t meet a lot of Eldruun.”
Harriet raised a brow. “Eldruun?”
Liselotte perked up slightly, finally finding confidence in a subject she knew well. “They’re a race tied to the seasons! Their skin changes depending on the time of year. Jelle’s looks greenish now because it’s spring.”
Harriet blinked. “So what, you turn red in the fall?”
“More golden,” Hauke corrected. “Like autumn leaves.”
“And winter?” Geschicht asked, leaning in with interest.
Uwe grinned. “Pale as fresh snow.”
Harriet nodded slowly, processing it. Then, after a moment, he smirked. “Alright, so what happens in summer? Do you glow?”
Jelle finally looked up, meeting his gaze with her usual unreadable expression. Then, after a long pause, she said, “Try not to stare too much when it happens.”
Harriet chuckled, but Geschicht was still deep in thought. “I’ve never read about Eldruun before…” he murmured.
“That’s not surprising,” Hauke said, picking at a fish bone. “There aren’t many left.”
Jelle didn’t respond, instead focusing on her meal. The others took that as a cue not to pry.
Harriet, however, grinned. “Well, you’re the first Eldruun I’ve met, so I’d say you made an impression.”
Jelle’s lips twitched slightly—almost a smirk, but gone before it could settle. “Good.”
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As the group finished their meal, the conversation turned to the road ahead. Hauke leaned back on his elbows, gazing up at the sky. “So, where are you two heading next?”
Geschicht wiped his hands on a cloth, glancing at Harriet before answering. “Dämmerburg.”
Uwe let out a low whistle. “Hah, Dämmerburg? That place has been getting a little tense lately.”
Harriet perked up. “Oh? What’s going on there?”
Liselotte hesitated before answering. “Well… it’s not bad, exactly. Just… people are on edge. Rumors about disappearances, merchants being extra cautious. The city’s still standing, but something feels off.”
Hauke nodded. “It’s a trade hub, so news travels fast. If something’s wrong, we’ll hear about it once we get there.”
Geschicht’s curiosity sparked. “You’re heading to Dämmerburg too?”
Jelle finally spoke. “For now.”
Harriet stretched his legs out, tapping his boots together. “Then we might as well go together. Safety in numbers and all.”
Uwe grinned. “That so? I don’t mind the company, but you sure you can keep up?”
Harriet smirked. “You’d be surprised.”
Liselotte brightened up. “It would be fun to travel together! At least for this occasion.”
Jelle glanced at the sky, judging the position of the sun. “We’ll move at noon,” she said simply.
Geschicht nodded. “That gives us time to prepare.”
Harriet smirked. “I like this pace already.”
Uwe stretched, rolling his shoulders. “Good. Gives me time for a drink before we leave.”
Liselotte gave him a disapproving look. “You always have time for a drink.”
“Exactly.”
Hauke ignored the banter and turned to Geschicht. “You said you’re headed to Dämmerburg. What’s your reason for going?”
Geschicht tapped his chin. “Curiosity, mostly. I want to hear the stories there. If something is happening, people will talk.”
Harriet leaned back against a rock. “I go where he goes. And he goes where I go”
Jelle studied them for a moment, then spoke. “Dämmerburg is different from smaller towns. It’s busy, crowded. Easy to get lost in.”
Harriet shrugged. “Sounds fun.”
Liselotte fidgeted with her sleeve. “The markets are really nice, though! You can find things from all over. Spices, books, even enchanted trinkets.”
Uwe smirked. “And trouble, if you’re looking for it.”
Hauke sighed. “Rumors say people have been disappearing lately. Not a lot, but enough to make travelers nervous.”
Geschicht’s interest piqued. “Any idea why?”
Jelle shook her head. “That’s what we’re going to find out.”
The dirt road stretched ahead, winding through rolling fields and patches of dense woodland. The sun hung high, casting long shadows behind them as they walked. The steady rhythm of boots on the packed earth filled the quiet between bursts of conversation.
Uwe, with a relaxed stride, kicked a small stone and watched it bounce along the road. “So, how long you two been on the move?”
Geschicht adjusted the strap of his bag. “Not long. Harriet’s getting used to it.”
Harriet smirked. “I’ve been fine from the start.”
“You did stumble once or twice.”
Hauke glanced over at them. “First time on a long road?”
“I guess,” Harriet answered. “Unless the smaller towns count.”
Liselotte's eyes sparkled. “Oh, then you’ll love Dämmerburg! It’s so big! The buildings are tall, and there are so many markets.”
“Big enough to hide trouble,” Hauke muttered under his breath.
Jelle, who had been walking ahead, turned her head slightly, her voice calm. “Stay close when we get there.”
Harriet raised an eyebrow. “You think I’ll get lost?”
Jelle’s gaze lingered for a moment. “Not lost. Just… be careful.”
The group walked in a comfortable silence for a while, the only sound being the steady crunch of their footsteps. Uwe broke it after a bit, shifting his pack on his shoulder. “So, what do you think of traveling lke this?”
Geschicht looked out toward the distant trees. “It’s peaceful. Not much like the towns we passed through.”
Harriet smiled. “Yeah, it’s a good change.”
Liselotte’s voice was soft, but she was clearly excited. “It’s so quiet here. I’ve always liked the open spaces, but Dämmerburg is... so different. Everything moves so fast.”
Uwe chuckled. “Fast, and sometimes a little too quickly. But that’s the charm of it. You get lost in the hustle.”
Jelle’s steps didn’t falter. “We’ll get there soon enough.”
The sun began to fall lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the road as they continued their journey. The air, once warm and bright, started to cool, and the distant sounds of birds and rustling leaves grew quieter as the day slipped away.
Uwe glanced around, noticing the change in the atmosphere. “Guess we’ve walked far enough for today,” he said, stretching his arms overhead. “It’ll be dark soon.”
Liselotte looked up at the sky. “It’s a beautiful evening. Maybe we can make camp soon.”
“Agreed,” Hauke said, his eyes scanning the road ahead. “There’s a clearing up ahead. We can settle there for the night.”
Geschicht nodded. “Sounds good.” He glanced at Harriet, who seemed distracted by the fading light. “Harriet, you alright?”
Harriet shrugged, his golden eyes reflecting the soft orange glow of the sunset. “Just thinking about how quiet it’s getting.”
Jelle glanced at the sky, then back at the group. “It’s always quiet before nightfall.”
They continued onward, the path narrowing as the trees grew thicker. Soon enough, they arrived at the clearing, a soft patch of grass surrounded by a few scattered trees.
As the group began to set up camp, Liselotte turned to her pack with a thoughtful look. “I’ll get the fire going.” She pulled out a small, delicate bundle from her bag, holding it in her hands with care. She whispered a few quiet words to herself as she gently opened the bundle to reveal a handful of tiny, glowing fire bunnies—small creatures made of living flame, their bodies flickering with warmth and light.
With a gentle flick of her wrist, Liselotte sent the fire bunnies scampering toward the pile of kindling. The little creatures hopped around, their fiery bodies igniting the dry wood with ease. The crackling fire grew quickly, casting a warm, golden glow over the clearing.
Harriet watched in fascination as the bunnies danced in the flames, their glowing forms shifting and flickering as they powered the fire. “That’s pretty amazing,” he said, his voice full of wonder.
Liselotte gave a small, shy smile. “It’s a gift from the local deity back home. They’re helpful for situations like this.”
Uwe chuckled, stretching out on the ground. “Helpful? They’re perfect for a quick fire when you’re out of matches. I think we could use a few more of them.”
As they began unpacking their bags, Liselotte started rummaging through her supplies. “We’re running low on food,” she noted. “Just some dried fruit and bread left.”
Harriet raised an eyebrow. “You guys didn’t stock up enough for the journey?”
“We did,” Uwe replied, “but we’ve been walking longer than we expected.”
Geschicht glanced over at the group. “So, we’ll need to find something else for dinner.”
Jelle gave a small nod. “Looks like it.” She dropped her bag on the ground and stretched her arms. “Let’s not waste time, though. We’ll need to hunt for it.”
It was time to find a new meal.
Jelle, Hauke, Geschicht, and Harriet moved through the darkening forest. The trees around them grew denser, their branches heavy with the last remnants of daylight. The air was cool, filled with the earthy scent of moss and pine, and the occasional rustle of leaves as a breeze passed through. Uwe and Liselotte remained behind, tending to the camp, leaving the four of them to search for their meal.
The forest was alive with sound—the chirps of distant insects, the calls of night birds, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. The path ahead was unclear, but Jelle moved with certainty, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. “Stay alert,” she said quietly, her voice blending with the sounds of the night. “The forest hides many things.”
Hauke nodded, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. His expression was focused, his body still as a predator’s. Harriet walked beside him, his eyes darting between the trees, alerted. Geschicht, as usual, was quiet, his thoughts drifting as he observed the surroundings.
After a few minutes of walking, the sound of something large moving through the underbrush reached their ears. Jelle raised a hand to halt them, her sharp green eyes narrowing as she scanned the area ahead. A low, grating growl echoed in the distance, followed by the unmistakable crunch of foliage. She gestured for the group to crouch low, her movements graceful and swift.
“I’ve got a feeling,” she whispered. “Keep your distance, but don’t let it get away.”
They crept forward carefully, their footsteps barely audible against the soft forest floor. As they reached a clearing, they saw it: a hulking creature, its silhouette just visible in the dim light filtering through the trees.
The owlbear stood at the center of the clearing, its broad, owl-like head swiveling from side to side, eyes gleaming in the darkness. Its body was a twisted mix of bird and bear—muscular and towering, covered in rough, dark feathers that blended with the shadows. Its beak was sharp, curving downward into a wicked point, while its massive paws, tipped with claws, dug into the earth. The creature’s massive wings were folded against its back, but they still gave off an imposing presence.
Jelle’s eyes locked onto the beast. “Hauke, it’s yours,” she said, her tone commanding.
Hauke didn’t hesitate. His posture shifted, his body becoming fluid and focused. He unsheathed his sword, its edge gleaming faintly in the fading light. As he stepped forward, a subtle but noticeable breeze began to stir around him, causing the leaves to flutter and the grass to shift. His movements were precise, each step calculated, and a sense of calm fell over the group. He didn’t need to speak—his confidence was clear.
In one swift motion, Hauke dashed forward, his sword held with deadly precision. As he moved, the wind seemed to follow him, swirling around his body with a quiet intensity. The owlbear, sensing the danger, let out a hoarse screech and lunged toward him, its talons slashing the air.
But Hauke was already in motion, his sword arcing through the air. The wind seemed to bend around his blade, amplifying the strike with unnatural speed. With a single, fluid movement, he drove the blade deep into the owlbear’s side. The creature’s screech turned into a guttural roar as it staggered, and with another swift strike, Hauke delivered the killing blow to its heart. The owlbear crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud, the life draining from it quickly.
The wind around Hauke died down, and he stood still, breathing evenly, his sword dripping with the creature's blood. There was a brief silence before Jelle gave a single nod of approval. “Nice work.”
Harriet blinked, still processing what he had just seen. “That... was quick.”
Jelle glanced over at him. “Hauke’s swordsmanship is unparalleled. And, as you may have noticed, he has a particular connection to the wind. It aids him in battle.”
Geschicht looked at Hauke with a mix of curiosity and awe. “That was incredible.”
Hauke cleaned his blade slowly, his gaze distant for a moment before he spoke. “It’s nothing. Just something I’ve learned over time.”
Jelle stepped forward, her sharp gaze taking in the dead owlbear. “We’ll gather what we need, then head back to camp. We’ll need the meat for tonight.”
The group moved in, beginning the task of preparing the creature.
The group made their way back to camp, hauling the owlbear’s meat and fur. The air had grown cooler, but the fire Liselotte had set with her fire bunnies burned bright, casting flickering orange light over their makeshift campsite. Uwe greeted them with a low whistle.
"An owlbear? That’s a good haul," he remarked, rubbing the back of his head. "Guess I won’t be going hungry tonight."
Liselotte looked between the carcass and their dwindling supply of herbs with a thoughtful frown. "Do owlbears even taste good?"
Jelle, stretching out her limbs as she took a seat, smirked. "Depends on who’s cooking."
Hauke and Geschicht exchanged glances before stepping forward.
"I’ll handle it," Hauke said, rolling up his sleeves.
Geschicht nodded. "I’ll help."
They got to work, first by butchering the owlbear with practiced efficiency. Hauke’s cuts were clean, his blade slicing through muscle and sinew with ease, while Geschicht handled seasoning and preparation. The scent of raw meat filled the air, but soon, it was replaced by the earthy aroma of wild herbs as Geschicht pulled out what little seasoning they had left.
"We’ll want to get rid of that gamey taste," Geschicht muttered, rubbing his fingers against a sprig of wild rosemary. "Owlbears eat a lot of meat, so their flesh tends to be tougher. We’ll need to break that down."
Hauke nodded. "A long roast would be best, but we don’t have time for that." He ran his fingers over the cleaned slabs of meat. "We’ll need to tenderize it. Do you have anything fermented?"
"Not much," Liselotte said, rummaging through their supplies before pulling out a small pouch. "Just a bit of old ale."
Geschicht took it, smiling. "Perfect. The enzymes will help soften the fibers." He poured some over the meat, the liquid soaking in as he began massaging it with his hands.
Hauke, meanwhile, set up a flat stone over the fire, letting it heat up. "We’ll sear it first, lock in the juices." He then took a small knife and began scoring the meat, creating fine cuts along the surface.
After a few minutes, the stone was hot enough to sizzle, and Hauke carefully placed thick cuts of owlbear meat onto its surface. The instant it touched the heat, a rich, smoky aroma filled the air. The fat began to render, dripping onto the fire and making it crackle.
Hauke’s gaze remained fixed on the meat, his ears trained on the sound of sizzling. "You can tell how it’s cooking just by listening," he said. "Too much crackling means the heat’s too high. A steady sizzle? That’s just right."
Geschicht leaned in, watching closely. "So, we let it brown first?"
"Exactly. You want a good crust on the outside before flipping."
The golden-brown crust formed quickly, and Hauke flipped each piece with a precise motion. The second side seared beautifully, locking in the juices. Meanwhile, Geschicht crushed some garlic and wild onions, tossing them into the pan alongside the meat. The sharp scent of garlic mixed with the richness of the roasting owlbear, making Uwe shift eagerly in his seat.
"That smells incredible," he said.
Liselotte, still unsure, leaned forward to take a whiff. "It doesn’t smell bad at all…"
"That’s because we’re not done yet," Geschicht said with a grin. He reached for a handful of wild herbs—rosemary, thyme, and a few stray sage leaves—and tossed them onto the sizzling meat. The oils from the herbs released an aromatic burst of flavor, carried through the camp by the breeze.
Finally, Hauke took the pouch of ale again and poured just a splash over the meat. A burst of steam and rich scent filled the air as the alcohol cooked off, leaving behind deep, caramelized flavors.
They let the meat rest for a few moments before slicing it into thick, tender strips. The juices glistened, pooling slightly on the wooden plates they had prepared.
Hauke smirked as he handed the first serving to Harriet. "Here. Let’s see what you think."
Harriet took a bite, his golden eyes widening. "Hells, this is good."
Geschicht chuckled, wiping his hands on his tunic. "Good. That means we did it right."
Jelle, leaning back against a log, took her own plate and nodded approvingly after taking a bite. "Seems like we’ve got a cook among us."
Liselotte, who had hesitated the most, finally took a careful bite. Her eyes brightened, and a small smile crept across her face. "I guess owlbear isn’t so bad after all."
With that, the group dug in, the warmth of the fire and the rich flavors of the meal bringing comfort to their journey.