I spent the rest of the afternoon heading towards and gathering the last few marten flowers marked on the map. The next time I ventured out I would have to go significantly farther to keep gathering the known resources. Unknown resources would continue to populate the map as my skill level increased. There were a total of 14 of the marten flowers now nestled in my pack. That would be 14 major health potions that I could craft before attempting the dungeon. Using two after the fight with the apes, that was 12 more for the mine.

My new skill was fascinating to explore. Communicating with intelligent beasts opened up an entire new world of exploration. It was only level 1 right now so the description was vague. Sharing skills and attributes would be an incredible boon. Marci didn’t have any skills yet, if the framework treated her like a human it would be level 10. Checking her interface showed that her health had dramatically increased to 60/60, she must be sharing my stamina values.

Intelligent beasts were all over the forest. The panthers, apes and bears had all been marked as intelligent while the hyenas and bushbears were not. I would need to take note of all intelligent beasts in the forest. If I could communicate to them the boundary of the mine, there would be no need to fight each other. We could establish a peace between the packs and the mine.

The temptation to find new beasts and use it was almost overwhelming. Unfortunately there were people back at the mine waiting for me to return. Leveling the skill would hopefully increase the types and ease of communication. During the interaction with the forest ape, Marci had been part of the mental bond. She experienced everything that I did while the forest ape told its story. Did this depend on the distance between us? Had the ape specifically included her? Was it her nature as a beast that allowed this? So many questions that could only be answered by testing the skill.

The sunlight filtering down through the canopy began to fade shortly after gathering the last marten flower marked on my map. Deciding to head back to the mine instead of staying out for another night, I grabbed the hallowed lantern out of my pack. It would only take me two hours to jog back to the mine at a comfortable pace.

The distance to where the portal had been during the beast waves was uneventful. The crater was still there, massive in size. Memories of that fateful day ran through my mind as I walked through the clearing towards the mine. Lost in thought, I remember the Crucian Elite’s words as we fought. The framework forced him to attack, to participate in the survival event. Would that happen to me? Other people of Eter or our world?

Marci let out a chirp and jumped off my shoulder and climbed a few dozen feet in the air. She had doubled in size after leveling twice from the experience fighting the forest apes. She was focused on the direction towards the mine. Her emotions were anger and fear. Trying a new tactic I sent her a mental prod to investigate. Her eyesight was far superior to mine especially when she was focused.

She settled in a tree a few hundred feet ahead and watched for a few minutes before gliding forward and circling a large area between me and the mine. The distance to the mine should have been about 1 mile, too far for me to see with the trees. From her vantage point up high she would be able to see everything, even in the limited light.

She flew out of my sight for a few minutes and my anxiety began to increase. I could feel what direction she was in and that she was focused, maybe annoyed? Her emotions were clearer since the completion of the bond but when she had strong emotions it was still jumbled. She reappeared and dove down to rest on my shoulder with a chirp that translated as danger.

A distressing series of images flowed across the bond. The mine was surrounded by a force wearing the uniform of the army of Eter. There were at least 200 soldiers of various types in a makeshift blockade around the clearing. The soldiers were wearing the patches of the first army which was disturbing all on its own. The first army never left Etes, its duty was to protect the capital at all costs.

Arthur had expressed his worries about this situation occurring. The army had experienced trackers that excelled in fieldcraft. If the King truly wanted to find the former residents of Burch, he would be able too. We had foolishly hoped that Norx and the framework would occupy too much of the King's time to bother with us.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I sent a request through the bond to Marci to investigate the opening to the mine. Was the outpost still manned and the door unbroken? She chirped her agreement and flew off. Hoping she understood what I was asking, I stuffed the hallowed lantern in my pack and stashed the pack in some bushes near a large tree, marking it on my map.

I grabbed my bow and checked over my supplies. I had 14 arrows left, my dagger, my armor was fully repaired and in good condition. I had my stryker supplies of trippers, smokers and manglers. If the mine was still in our hands we would have to wage a two pronged assault to free the residents.

Backing up towards the crater, I began to trap the forest with trippers and manglers. If I had to fight against overwhelming numbers I needed to be smart and utilize all the resources available. I checked the leaderboard to see if I could recognize any names belonging to the first army but quickly realized I didn’t know any of them. General Rale was up to level 16 but he led the third army.

Marci returned shortly after I finished prepping the area. She sent a flow of mental images one after the other. I saw the clearing before the mine surrounded by the soldiers. There was a mix of infantry in heavy armor with swords and spears backed by two groups of archers. There were several stryker uniforms mixed in with the crowd. My anger rose at seeing the uniforms that mirrored mine, threatening myself and my friends.

I watched as Marci flew to the outpost where she was greeted by Arthur, Rian, Ryen and the rest of the guards. Arthur recognized her immediately as she settled on his shoulder, he knew how Marci’s mother had communicated with me. Marci couldn’t understand human language so I wasn’t able to decipher what was spoken. Arthur must have guessed that Marci wouldn’t understand and sent a chilling message. He took his thumb and drew it across his throat and pointed it out to the soldiers.

The outpost was unchallenged as of yet, the army unit must have just arrived and set up the blockade. The residents would have food and water to last weeks with the stockpiled town currency. Arthur opened the hatch and Marci flew down to examine the defenses. Several stages of barriers were constructed in the entrance way and common room. The defenders would be able to weather the door breaking and an initial charge from a position of strength.

Barrels of arrows were set up near the back of the room. There were only 5 or 6 bows in the mine and it was mostly the guards that trained with them. Marci was about to fly back up to the outpost when an arm grabbed her and she panicked. She turned and pecked furiously, slashing with her growing claws until she saw it was Camile. Camile hugged her tightly and said a few words that Marci didn’t understand. Marci snuggled against her before taking flight and returning to the outpost.

Marci landed on Arthur’s broad shoulder and pecked him in the head. She pointed her body straight out towards where I was hidden and let out a proud, angry shriek. Arthur visibly laughed and ran his hand down her spine. He grabbed a container of arrows just like the one Rocks had fashioned for me and held it suggestively to Marci. She cocked her head sideways and tried to figure out what Arthur wanted. He slowly approached her and wrapped her talons around the strap. She let out a satisfied chirp and flapped her wings to test the weight. With one last look at the guards she flew out behind the mine before circling around to me.

She didn’t seem able to project her memory as clearly as the forest ape had been able to. That would be amazing for her future growth, her potential for scouting was unrivaled. For now the images and emotions combined were enough. Marci was angry, she felt pride for the mine, for me, and she felt hatred for those who wanted to take it away. So did I.

There wasn’t much left to do to prepare for my offensive. The forest floor was covered in traps that would disorient or disfigure pursuers. My plan was simple and straightforward.

“I’m going to climb one of these tall trees and find my maximum bow range. I’ll take a warning shot at someone who looks important. The angle of the arrow should make it obvious where I am, they won’t expect the manglers and trippers.” I told the falcon on my shoulder who chirped at me.

I now had 34 arrows thanks to Marci and Arthur. Eter soldiers wouldn’t go down permanently from one arrow but they could be incapacitated. My dagger would have to do if one of them got in close. My agility was higher than anyone without a specialized class and many levels. My stamina would allow me to out run and last against the soldiers, I could take advantage when they got tired. Fighting experienced soldiers was a daunting task, a terrifying task if I was honest with myself.

There was a large tree not too far from where Marci had first alerted me to the danger. Climbing it showed the outermost soldiers would be well in bow range. It took a minute of staring out over the clearing to realize my eyesight was excellent even in the dark. This had to be due to my bond with Marci as a Dusk Falcon. I projected pride, love and companionship to her and she reciprocated the emotions. I ran my hand down her spine and she gave me a soft peck. She settled on the branch I was sitting on as we prepared for the fight to come. One thought rising above all the rest. Survive.