With little more than the ping of a bowstring and the whimper of a dying wolf, Rohl was released from his second near-death experience. However, he couldn't relax and thank the gods for his continued survival just yet. Whoever had ended the monstrous wolf could be just as much a danger to a lone traveller like himself and so with his hands free, Rohl rushed to unstrap his knife before aiming it in the direction of the seemingly empty forest.

How Rohl's mysterious saviours managed to keep themselves hidden within the forest, Rohl had no idea. Sure, he wasn't exactly accustomed to seeking out hidden targets but the fact he couldn't even see a single trace of the archer was incredibly impressive.

Only when the unknown presence finally began to speak, did Rohl have somewhat of an idea of just where the owner of the voice was located.

"Didn't want to try using that on the wolf, no?" A rather teasing voice echoed, there was clearly a friendly undertone but that didn't stop Rohl from remaining silent as he continued to scour the forest edge.

"Oh, lighten up will you, if I wanted you dead, you'd have five arrows sprouting out of you by now."

The voice's rather sensible point was enough for Rohl to finally lower his guard, if they wanted him dead, there was little he could have done to stop it. But pointing out such a fact did little to stop his furiously beating heart or prevent the sweat from pooling in his palms.

Only when the voice finally revealed himself along with his hidden companions did Rohl finally begin to calm down.

Rangers.

Well, that was Rohl's best guess anyhow, who else was likely to be patrolling the edge of the road, hunting down any threats other than adventurers who had taken up a ranging job? And whilst that was Rohl's best guess, it was still best to keep it to himself until the encroaching figures finally confirmed it.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the four strangers didn't appear to be in any sort of rush, in truth they seemed to leisurely stroll out from the forest before finally coming to a halt beside the wolf's body. But even at such a close distance, their appearances were still disguised underneath their hoods.

Whilst a little camouflage was to be expected in the form of dark green hoods or painted skin, these rangers had gone all out. Vines wove around their clothes, leaves had been fixed to their lining and in some cases, it looked as if they had managed to get the plants to actually grow around their cloaks, as if they had become a very part of them.

It was impressive but that in itself created its own suspicion, it was too good to be made by simple rangers, and with that thought, Rohl couldn't help the tinge of suspicion that wrought up about him.

Am I just being foolish? Maybe they really are just talented rangers... but if they're not, why are they disguised as them?

As if they had managed to pick up on the change in Rohl's body language the ranger's leader finally uncloaked himself and unleashed a truly bright friendly smile, something that looked rather out of place on his long thin face.

Despite its thin oddity, it did fit the ranger lifestyle well, with his long thin frame and short pointy brown hair, the young ranger seemed as if he could hide behind the trees with ease.

"You're lucky we were here, few more seconds and you'd be little more than a tasty wolf snack. Where are you headed in such a careless rush anyhow?" The ranger's question, whilst somewhat mocking did still contain small amounts of concern, enough that Rohl didn't feel any particular hesitance about answering his questions.

"Elmon, I had no real choice but to leave by myself, I thought the roads were meant to be safe but well uh thank you for your help." Rohl's mumbled answer didn't seem to particularly sate the ranger or wipe the amusement from his smile.

"Well then, you're in luck, we're headed back that way soon and who better to keep you safe then your very own guardian adventurers? Besides, if you died, we'd have to report it, such a pain." The adventurer's tone was still surprisingly light-hearted given the fact they were discussing Rohl's possible death.

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Despite that, Rohl was hardly going to turn down any travelling companions, especially not when he had almost just thrown away his only chance to give his family a proper farewell. Whilst there was still some risk in accepting the stranger's help, it was still his best option and besides having two near-death experiences so soon was hardly good for his mental state. A third would have been more than he could handle.

"That would be great, thank you."

"Ah don't mention, we've got to look out for each other and all that crap. Now have you got a name, or would you prefer wolf chow?"

"Rohl Bluedawn."

"Well great to meet you Rohlly. I'm Quinn Terriney, but you can just call me Quinn, saviour, world's greatest archer, whatever strikes your fancy really." Before the ranger could continue his clearly jovial speech, an annoyed cough from one of the three companions waiting behind him ended his tirade, it was clear they knew what would happen if they allowed their speaker to continue.

"Ah, where are my manners, on the right there... take off your hoods, it's no good telling him your names if he has no clue who's who.... On the right, there is Terrance Filmen, our mage, the magic man himself, spell boy etcetera etcetera."

At the ranger's words, the magic user finally flung down his hood to reveal a rather average-looking face, except for the plant roots that seemed to be fighting to escape his long hair. Whilst that wasn't enough to set him apart, the intrinsic wooden staff he twizzled in his hand definitely was.

The wizard greeted Rohl with a small nod before allowing Quinn to carry on with his introductions.

Why does this feel rehearsed?

"Next, we have Thaddeus Welman, his role should be pretty obvious just look at those muscles, could pick you up, rock you to bed and kiss you goodnight with ease." It was rather obvious from the disgruntled expression that Thaddeus wasn't exactly pleased with his introduction, yet Rohl couldn't exactly argue against it. Thaddeus was indeed extremely muscular and if the great weapon fixed to his back was anything to go by, the bald man could likely pick Rohl up without so much as straining a muscle.

"And finally, our final member... Mimi Arteal."

The final members' introduction performance was cut short by Quin who seemed to find great amusement in the act. Yet she didn't seem too bothered by the fact, if anything she seemed to have expected it.

With a small glare towards Quinn, the final ranger simply pulled down her hood and simply offered Rohl her hand. "Don't worry, you'll get used to him... unfortunately."

"Wowwww, right in the feels."

The exchange went mostly ignored by Rohl, who simply took the offered hand and did his best to ignore the rather obvious differences between the companions. Rohl wasn't exactly new to the wider world, but this was the first time he had actually met someone of the rather secluded fae race. Shrewsborough was hardly a village that attracted a great deal of different travellers after all.

With his inexperience in mind, Rohl did his best to turn his gaze from the fae's silver irises or pitch-black hair, instead, he simply pretended to be impressed by the twin blades attached to her hip.

Best I can do to repay their help is not to embarrass myself.

"Now that's all down, Rohl, how about you, why don't you tell us three interesting facts about yourself?"

The question was met by a rather awkward silence that was quickly shattered by Quinn who seemed rather entertained by his own joke.

"I'm kidding, although before we continue escorting you towards Elmon, there is one thing you can do for us. Harvest that wolf, the guild will want evidence for their logs, and I just don't have it in me to skin anymore. Makes the wrists sore."

I...I guess.

Despite being rather flummoxed by the large quantity of information he had just received, Rohl still did as requested. It was fair recompense for everything the rangers had done for him and if their main reason for being here was tracking wolf numbers, then Rohl couldn't blame them for being tired of the task.

Besides he was hardly a stranger to such a chore and so after quickly giving his affirmation to the ranger, Rohl got to work skinning the wolf that had almost claimed his life.

A mistake Rohl would be sure not to repeat, especially now when he was so close his goal. He may have been on a time crunch, but he could spare a quick moment to harvest the wolf fur, an action that felt somewhat cathartic given what it had put him through.

The fact the task covered him and his weapon in more than just his own blood quickly put an end to that, however. Still, it was a worthy trade given the protection it was buying him, he did need the ranger's help, especially given how he was meant to be attending his family's Rite of Last Sorrow, not having his own.

I have time... I have time, please Lord Thanatos, don't take them yet, let me say goodbye.

Whether his family had finished their voyage or were still weeks away, Rohl had no idea, all he knew was that he would do his best to attend, whilst now not being so careless as to die attempting the journey.

And with the lead ranger giving him a thumbs up at the sight of the neatly harvested wolf fur, Rohl felt his chances of getting there alive and intact improve drastically.

I'm still sore from Furbrough, even with their help I'm going to need to rest for ages to finally gain some sense of myself.