Time to scout

With the pit ready, it was high time for the two vanguards to do some real scouting, get a feel of the region, plot the optimal path and set traps.

- It is rare to get a terrain so advantageous, with trees this size, even the biggest behemoth will have to go around. (Chris)

- I hope the previous group didn't dismantle everything before going, I get the feeling things aren't going to stay this quiet for long. (Arc)

- Do they ever? (Chris)

- I've got a question about Bel, what is she so adamant about being a four men team? I mean, considering how much she hates the militia, I just don't understand why she refuses to expand the team? (Arc)

- It's mostly about tradition, the Quickhatches has always been a team of four and you've seen how she is? You've been with us for four years and she's only starting to consider you a team member now... [Snickering] It took only two years for me though. (Chris)

Arc take a long look at the forest then ask.

- How do we go about it? Do we go together or separately? (Arc)

- Separately, but for today we're not going too far in... I'd say we start with one-quarter of a league deep, you take riverside and I take the other. Call if you find anything left behind by the old team. (Chris)

- The same thing goes for you. (Arc)

- Obviously (Chris)

They both enter the forest and start walking in opposite direction, Chris as very little expectations of finding anything in this direction, but it as to be done anyway. She hopes that some accomplishment, however small, will give Arc a much-needed morale boost and help him get over his break-up.

He's at the age where the idea of settling down start looking attractive, and in the near future he will learn that until they are needed, hunters are ranked pretty high on the unpopular list, right behind soldiers. Parents worry their children will receive bad influence and officials about the cost.

She stops, something caught her sight, those plants look like pepper. Because she doesn't know this variety, she takes a waterproofed leather bag a put them inside without touching them. Best case scenario, they are worth their weight in gold, worst case scenario they are too hot and their powder is poisonous or can only be used as an irritant, in any case, it's still a good find.

On his side, Arc as reached the river without finding anything and is now moving deeper in the other direction. So far there has been no sign of drake-lings and that fact worries him. Although a pack rarely attack preys they cannot beat twice, at least one scout should have been dispatched to make sure of his intentions. Arc continues, more wary of his steps, certain that somewhere around here, is something that spells certain death for the drake-lings...

After two hundred steps he stops and gets is tree climbing gear out of his bag. Right in front of him is a tree with an abnormally smooth surface and what looks like to be cable imprints ten feet above the ground. After a short climb, there is no more doubt, he as found what he was looking for.

He continues climbing until he reaches the first arm, and sit on it, assuring himself a good position and a good view before giving the signal, a high pitched whistle.

A good while later, Chris arrives near the tree and signal her position with her own whistling. A small voice answer.

- Over there! (Chris)

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Chris looks in that direction, see the smooth trunk and Arc, waiting for her. While he climbs down she starts asking him questions.

- Did you ear any drake-lings while you were here? (Chris)

- None. (Arc)

- Sound bad. (Chris)

- It gives me the creeps. (Arc)

- Did you find the mark to go with this one?

- Yes, it's on that tree over there. (Chris)

- That's pretty far for a trip cable. (Arc)

- Remember? They were dealing with a Ptedon family right before they moved, there are other cable marks higher in those trees. But from up there I found a disarmed deadfall and the remnants of a tension trap. (Chris)

She smiles.

- Well done, we're on the right path. (Chris)

- Thanks. What do we do, do you want to go further? (Arc)

- Bow or dagger? (Chris)

- I'll use my steel arrow and you should do the same, there's something out there. (Arc)

No hunter like using a steel arrow, its only use is when one has his bow out yet is in danger of a melee attack. The problem is that it is mediocre both as a melee weapon and a ranged weapon while costing a lot more than a regular arrow.

- That bad? (Chris)

Arc nod, waiting for her arrival has only made him more anxious.

- Ok, let's go. (Chris)

They walk side by side, each trying to cover as much terrain as possible with their sight but who knows what is hidden in those trees or under the thick layer of leaves. Suddenly both start walking slower while narrowing their eyes, in front of them the pattern of leaves is too regular.

Both of them make the sign of retreat at the same time, what is in front of them are not leaves but a giant snake with green and yellow camouflage. Those creatures rarely care to eat small animals, preferring boars and deers over skinny human, but when famished or guarding eggs, they can be very aggressive.

As soon as they put enough distance between them and the reptile, they start talking again in a muted voice.

- I hate snakes, whatever the size. (Chris)

- Want to kill it? Please, say yes! (Arc)

- I want to, but since we're not getting paid for this one, I want to speak with Dalene first, to see what is worth selling. (Chris)

- Good point, if we kill it now it'll have been devoured by the time we're back. (Arc)

Seeing as they are nearing the edge of the forest, they run for the city without a care for the noise they make. At this time Dalene should be helping Belina and the worker assembling the cheval de frise.

They enter the warehouse calling loudly.

- Dalene are you there? (Chris & Arc)

Coming down from a pile of large wooden stake, Dalene answer.

- Yes, I am. You don't have to shout. What is the hurry? (Dalene)

- Sorry, there's a giant snake, green and yellow, it looks like a constrictor. Is there any part worth anything? (Chris & Arc)

- No, and you shouldn't kill it. (Dalene)

- We obviously need to kill it, it's a snake! (Arc)

- I don't want to go anywhere near this place while this thing is alive. You better be very convincing if you want us to leave it alone. (Chris)

- Mark its nest and you have a perfect snare trap. (Dalene)

- They don't move around? (Chris)

- They do, but they always come back to their nest. Also, unlike venomous snake, they don't use their tongue much, so there is no problem if you mark it with a smell. (Dalene)

- Apart from getting killed you mean? (Arc)

- Again, they are unlike other snakes, they can only move fast on a very short distance, just what they need to capture prey that comes near their hiding spot. (Dalene)

- If it eats me, I'm coming back to haunt you. With snakes, every night! (Arc)

Chris gets the leather pouch to show Dalene the 'peppers'.

- Do you know what these are? (Chris)

- Looks like a southern green pepper? Not very hot, usually preserved in oil. Costly. (Dalene)

- How costly exactly? (Chris)

- You will have to ask a merchant, but I remember it tastes better than black pepper and can be used as food preservative. (Dalene)

- Come on, trust a merchant? Give me a minimum price at least. (Chris)

- With what you have there, maybe 10 copper or... I don't know, ask to buy some and see how it goes. (Dalene)

- Damn, that's easy money. (Chris)

- If it's what it looks like. I never said I was sure. (Dalene)

- Thanks... Oh, right Arc, we're leaving the snake for now. Tomorrow I'll make a dung arrow flask and we'll stink the hell out of this thing. For now, money is calling me and it sounds beautiful. (Chris)

Arc wait until she's out of sight and asks.

- How sure? (Arc)

- Six out of ten, why? (Dalene)

- Because I thought they looked a lot like bitter peppers, they go around two copper for three. Want to take a bet? (Arc)

Dalene narrows his sight then answers.

- No, I don't think I do. (Dalene)

Arc walk back to the inn with a big smile.