Over the course of the next few days, Lanek and his companions ventured deep into the mountain range, finding very little in the way of flying creatures to join his group. Sure, there was the occasional bird of prey flying about, but he didn’t want to go that route unless he had to. For one, he didn’t want to put a mundane creature in the amount of danger that he often found himself. On top of that, he wasn’t sure how many more creatures he could bond with, so he wanted to save it for something special just in case he was nearing the limit. Additionally, he was trying to save all of his reward stones and didn’t want to have to buy a taming skill at this time.
He had found multiple skills that would help with his stat problem, namely one that would boost his perception and resolve when he fed points into his constitution. This confused him at first, but then he remembered how often doctors back home would recommend exercise to combat brain fog, depression, and other similar issues. However, the downside to said skill was that it would cost him 2,500 reward stones and he was only walking around with 455 and that was only due to the furballs’ hunting expeditions.
Lanek had also found a skill for half that amount that was very tempting simply due to how satisfying it would be to use. This particular skill would combine all of his stat points and redistribute them evenly. Ultimately, he couldn’t bring himself to do it despite the satisfaction that such a thing would give him as he didn’t want to lose the benefits of his very high dexterity and spirit. Not to mention the fact that the numbers wouldn’t stay even for long due to [Ethereal Empowerment].
Liv had offered to give him her reward stones, but he had declined. There were way too many upgrades that she could buy for her gear for Lanek to feel comfortable taking those stones. Besides, once he had a flier to scout for enemy forces, he would hopefully be collecting stones incredibly quickly.
Unfortunately, they had found no signs of anything unusual in these mountains in terms of fliers. They had slaughtered several groups of gaunts as well as a pack of raptors that thought they would be easy prey, but nothing airborne. No dragons, wyverns, drakes, or anything else along those lines. Despite Liv’s concerns for their safety, Lanek had no intention of trying to bond with a dragon, but that didn’t mean that he would pass up the chance to at least see one. After all, Lira had confirmed that dragons did exist in this world, they were just very rare.
Liv, despite her hurry to reach her people, didn’t really mind the detour as they weren’t heading due west, but rather north-northwest. She also knew that a flier would help them get stronger on the way, which would help her be a bit more at ease as they were already passing into areas that neither she nor anyone in Caelis had explored. As a result, they had no idea what horrors might be awaiting them in this place.
“So, I have to ask. If you wanted a flying companion to join us, why didn’t we bring Pharaoh?” Liv asked, finally bringing up something that had been bothering her for the last few days.
“Oh, I definitely wanted to ask him to join us. The only problem with it is that he has joined Eldros’ service, not mine. Eldros probably wouldn’t mind if Pharaoh wanted to join me a bit later, but Pharaoh is already busy getting his people settled in and doing some things that Eldros needed done. Also, I wanted him to enjoy some much-needed time on the surface with his people rather than gallivanting off into danger with us.” Lanek explained.
“I don’t know, seems kinda like a leisurely stroll to me. Besides, if anything did kill me you could just make a pact with my spirit and bring me back.”
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Lanek opened his mouth to reply, but froze before any words came out and looked up. Hovering casually over the party was the tressym in question, looking for all the world like he had been there this entire time.
Liv had to suppress a smile as she could almost hear Lanek’s teeth grinding before he mastered himself and addressed the flying cat. “I swear to every god on this damn planet if you have been nearby this entire time and let me wander this far out of our way looking for a flying creature to tame or make a pact with us…”
Pharaoh laughed merrily before answering. “Nah, Eldros sent me here to wait for you when he felt you change directions. He knew that I wanted to travel with you and didn’t mind making that my new duty in his service. Probably has to do with the fact that the rest of the tressym are already working for him and it won’t be long before some of the other cats begin evolving.”
“That’s it? Seems like he could have set that up before we left for Laethon.” Liv said, puzzled.
“Well, I don’t think Eldros would have sent me if you hadn’t changed directions. The other reason he asked me to meet you here is that your current trajectory will lead you fairly close to one of his old groves. However, it is pretty well hidden and the odds were pretty high that you would bypass it without even knowing it was there. So, I’m to lead you there to investigate before we continue on to the north. I’m glad you’re here now, I’ve been waiting in that tree over there for a little over two days now.” Pharaoh replied, drifting down until he was perched on Maximilian’s neck, looking up at Lanek.
Lanek, much calmer now, reached over and gave the cat a scratch before replying. “I’m glad you’re here, then. How far is this grove?”
“Not too far, about another day in this direction. Fair warning, I came straight here and didn’t check out the grove. Eldros forbade it. He said it could be dangerous.”
“Gotcha. Well, since the sun is going down, how about we make camp here and move on in the morning?” Lanek proposed.
“Sure, works for me.” Liv replied, eager to get out of the saddle and relax for a bit. It also helped that Lanek had told her that Kazuma and Sanguineus had taken something large down and were bringing the remains back to share the meat with the party. Sure, they had plenty of rations, but those would always pale in comparison to freshly cooked food.
Lanek, as had become routine at this point, quickly constructed a shelter up against the nearby cliff wall with [Nature’s Rampart], leaving only a doorway large enough for he and Liv to come and go as they pleased. Lanek had discovered that as long as the weather was decent, Maximilian and Yuri far preferred to sleep under the stars instead of in the shelter. Sure enough, once the pair had dismissed their saddles, they had sprawled out underneath the tree Pharaoh had been waiting in.
However, the pair roused themselves quickly at the smell of fresh meat and blood that drifted into the camp as Sanguineus entered the camp carrying a massive carcass. To Lanek, it looked almost like a moose, but had scales covering its neck and belly.
Liv, recognizing the beast as something called a “draxl” and promptly took over the butchering of the carcass. As she worked, Lanek noticed a bit of a problem.
“That’s not going to be enough for all of us, not with how big Maximilian and Yuri are.” Lanek said, causing Yuri to whine piteously and Maximilian to give him a mournful look.
A moment later, Kazuma pawed at Lanek’s arm and nodded back the way he and Sanguineus had come. “You want to go hunting again?”
“He says that there are more of these out there and that they are easy to take down, but they are too heavy to bring back more than one at a time. Sanguineus can carry one pretty easily, but they are too heavy for Kazuma to lift, although he can drag them.” Pharaoh said from over his shoulder. “Kazuma told me where they are.”
Liv looked from Yuri to Pharaoh before calling out. “If you could guide those two behemoths to the draxls I’ll give you first pick of whatever cut of meat you like from this.” She said, gesturing at the carcass in front of her.
Pharaoh looked at her for a moment before wrangling the demigryph and bear to begin the hunt. “Guess he accepted your deal. We should be good now, one draxl is more than enough for the two of us and the mighty hunters over there.” Lanek said with a laugh as he pointed to the salivating wolf and cat lounging nearby.
As he enjoyed the meal and companionship with the myriad of furballs and Liv, Lanek couldn’t help but worry about their task. Just what awaited them at Eldros’ grove that he warned Pharaoh from exploring it alone? Was it an overabundance of caution or was it something that the primordial couldn’t remember in his weakened state?