Miguel watched attentively as preparations were made in the mansion stable. Horses were being saddled and soldiers were organizing their provisions. The scent of fresh hay mixed with leather harnesses brought a comforting familiarity, though the tension in the air was palpable.

Beside him, Ricardo, his uncle and friend, checked the final details of the supplies. Ricardo was a robust man, with keen eyes and a scar cutting across his left eyebrow, a reminder of past battles. He had always been a figure of wisdom and strength for Miguel.

The five soldiers accompanying them formed a disciplined line, awaiting final orders. Each of them wore lightweight armor suited for long journeys and delicate negotiations. The gleam of freshly polished swords reflected the soft morning light.

"We're ready, my lord," Ricardo said, patting his nephew on the shoulder. "The beastmen are not known for their hospitality, but we need these supplies."

Miguel nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. As baron, he knew this diplomatic mission was crucial for the well-being of his people. The recent drought had devastated their crops, and an alliance with the neighboring beastmen could be key to survival for many.

He approached the soldiers, raising his voice to ensure clarity. "Men, today we embark on a mission that demands more than just strength and courage. We need diplomacy and respect. The beastmen are different from us, but we must treat them with the same dignity we expect to receive."

The soldiers nodded in unison, respect and determination clear on their faces. Miguel continued, "Our priority is to secure a fair agreement and bring back the necessary supplies. Follow my instructions and maintain calm in all situations. Ricardo and I will lead the negotiations, but I trust each of you to perform your role with excellence."

With that, Miguel mounted his horse, a magnificent black steed named Shadow. Ricardo did the same, followed by the soldiers. The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the stable as they lined up for departure.

Before giving the final command, Miguel took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of the moment. "Remember, we seek an alliance, not conflict. Let's bring hope to our people."

He raised his hand, signaling the start of the journey. "Forward!"

And so, with the newly risen sun lighting their path, the group set off into the unknown, carrying with them the hopes and expectations of the entire barony now under their command.

***

The journey towards Theragor, the land of beastmen, was long and fraught with uncertainties. Miguel and Ricardo, accompanied by five soldiers, rode in silence along a winding trail that snaked through the hills and dense forests marking the border of Baronate of Drakmoor. The sun, already high in the sky, struggled to penetrate the thick canopy of trees, casting dark shadows over the path.

The sound of horses' hooves echoed somberly along the trail, and Miguel felt a growing knot of apprehension in his stomach. He glanced at Ricardo, riding beside him, whose expression was as laden with uncertainty as his own. Ricardo, though somewhat better now, still showed signs of fatigue and pain.

"It feels like we're embarking on a suicide mission, my lord," Ricardo finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was low, almost a murmur. "Negotiating with the beastmen... it's too risky. I agree that I also reached the end of my travels."

"I know," replied Miguel, trying to keep his voice steady. "But we need to try. The situation in the barony is critical. If we don't get help, I don't know how we'll avoid devastating famine."

Ricardo nodded slowly, but the worry in his eyes did not diminish. "Do you really think they'll listen to us, my lord? Will they want to negotiate with us? They are free beastmen..."

Miguel sighed heavily. "I don't know. But if we approach with respect and show our peaceful intentions, perhaps we can find a way to dialogue. We must not lose hope, Ricardo, but tell me, when you want to mean by free?

Ricardo looked at Miguel with surprise. "Have you forgotten? Most of the beastmen within the borders of the kingdom and in almost all human kingdoms are slaves."

Miguel was shocked by this statement. He suspected that this existed in this world and perhaps in his memories in this new body he also knew, but this information had not yet appeared in his mind.

The soldiers behind them were silent, their somber faces reflecting the uncertainty of the mission. They knew of the dangers awaiting them in Theragor, and the tension was palpable in the air.

As they advanced along the trail, the sky began to cloud over, casting an even heavier shadow over the forest. The leaves of the trees whispered in the wind, creating a sound that seemed like a disturbing murmur. Miguel couldn't help but feel that nature itself was warning them of the danger ahead.

Then Ricardo pointed towards the horizon. "Look, my lord. That column of smoke."

Miguel followed Ricardo's gaze and saw a thin column of smoke rising in the distant sky. It was unusual to see smoke in that region, especially so close to the border with Theragor.

"Weird," muttered Miguel, furrowing his brow. "Is there a village or camp in that direction?"

Ricardo shook his head. "Not that I know of, my lord. It could be an improvised camp or something worse. We should investigate. It could be important, and we can't ignore anything in this situation."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Miguel agreed. "You're right. Let's check out the source of the smoke."

They changed direction, guiding their horses over the rugged terrain towards the column of smoke. Uncertainty hung over them like a dark cloud, and each step seemed to bring a new level of tension.

As they approached, the smell of burning wood intensified, and the air seemed laden with a sense of foreboding. The sound of the horses' hooves was now muffled by the soft forest floor, and the silence became almost oppressive.

Miguel looked at Ricardo, who seemed lost in grim thoughts. "We need to be prepared for anything," said Miguel, trying to hide his own anxiety. "We don't know what we'll find."

Ricardo nodded, adjusting his position in the saddle to ease the pain in his shoulder. "Let's keep our eyes open and stay vigilant. This journey is already dangerous enough without unwelcome surprises."

The soldiers, sensing the change in direction, moved closer to form a more defensive position around Miguel and Ricardo. They were ready for any eventuality, but the uncertainty in their eyes was evident.

When they finally got closer to the source of the smoke, Miguel felt a chill run down his spine. The column of smoke still rose, now more visible through the sparse trees. The silence of the forest, broken only by the distant crackling of wood, heightened the sense of unease.

Miguel took one last look around, seeing the concern on his companions' faces. "Let's move forward, but cautiously. We need to find out what's going on."

***

The smoke on the horizon grew thicker as Miguel, Ricardo, and the soldiers approached. The tension among the group was palpable, and the sound of the horses' hooves seemed to announce their advance through the now uncertain territory. As they drew nearer, Miguel noticed the shadow of death hanging over the trail.

"We're getting close," murmured Ricardo, his face marked with concern. "Whatever it is, it's just ahead."

Miguel nodded, his stomach churning with anxiety and fear. He had never faced such a grim situation before. The murmurs of the soldiers behind them were almost inaudible, drowned out by the growing sound of burning wood and the acrid smell of smoke.

Finally, the sight of a small village emerged among the trees. The scene unfolding before them was one of pure horror. Almost every house was engulfed in flames, and those that weren't had already been reduced to charred skeletons. The flames licked the sky, casting an orange glow that contrasted with the cloudy sky.

Miguel felt his stomach churn as he looked around. What he saw made his skin crawl and a lump form in his throat. Villagers' bodies lay scattered on the ground, some burned beyond recognition, while others bore brutal wounds. Men, women, and children lay dead in ways Miguel had never imagined possible.

"My God," whispered Ricardo, his voice filled with disbelief and horror. "Who could do such a thing?"

Miguel dismounted with trembling legs, each step heavy with the weight of what he saw. "It can't be the work of the beastmen," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "We're still in kingdom territory. This... this is something else."

The soldiers around them were equally shocked. Their expressions ranged from disbelief to sheer terror. Some were pale, while others stared blankly, as if trying to process the extent of the carnage before them. The somber silence of death was broken only by the crackling of flames and the occasional snap of wood.

Miguel crouched beside a small body, recognizing it as that of a child. The innocent face was contorted by the fear and pain of a brutal death. Miguel's hands trembled as he gently closed the child's eyes, a futile attempt to give some dignity amidst the chaos.

"Who would do this to children?" he murmured, feeling a lump in his throat. "What kind of monster..."

Ricardo approached, placing a hand on Miguel's shoulder.

"We need to find out who did this and why," he said, his voice steady despite the horror. "But we also need to be cautious. Whoever did this might still be nearby."

Miguel nodded, getting up with difficulty. He felt sick, his stomach churning with each new sight of horror. The air was thick with the smell of burnt flesh, and the sense of despair was almost suffocating.

The soldiers began to spread out, investigating the remnants of the village with expressions of horror and determination. One of the soldiers, a young man named John, was visibly shaken. His eyes were wide, and his breathing was quick and irregular.

"Sir, what are we going to do?" asked John, his voice trembling. "I've never seen anything like this before. It's... it's a nightmare."

"We need to stay calm," replied Miguel, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "We'll find out who did this. But first, we need to make sure the immediate danger has passed."

As they continued to explore the ruined village, Miguel noticed a house that miraculously wasn't on fire. The structure appeared intact, but the doors and windows were broken, indicating it had been looted.

"Let's check out that house," said Miguel, pointing to the structure. "There might be some clue about what happened here."

Ricardo nodded, and the soldiers approached the house in a defensive formation. Miguel pushed the door open carefully, revealing an interior that seemed to have been ravaged by a storm. Furniture was overturned, belongings scattered on the floor, and signs of struggle were evident in every corner.

Miguel felt a chill down his spine as he explored the house. The feeling that something terrible had happened there was overwhelming. He scanned the wreckage, searching for any clue as to what could have led to such a massacre.

"Look at this," said one of the soldiers, pointing to a toppled bookshelf. "It looks like they were searching for something."

Miguel approached, observing the scattered books and belongings strewn on the floor. There was a sense of urgency in the looters' movements, as if they were looking for something specific.

"Could this have just been a robbery?" Ricardo wondered, his voice filled with doubt. "It seems more personal. Like they were searching for something or someone."

Miguel was about to respond when a sudden sound made everyone turn. It was a muffled noise coming from the floor of the house, as if something or someone was hiding there.

"Did you hear that?" asked John, the young soldier, his voice almost a whisper.

Miguel nodded, raising his hand to signal everyone to stay silent. He crouched down, trying to locate the source of the sound. It was low but steady, as if something was trying to move beneath the floorboards.

"Stay alert," whispered Miguel, rising slowly. "Let's find out what's making that noise."

The soldiers raised their weapons, ready for any eventuality. Ricardo approached, his expression tense and alert. Miguel took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

The sense of danger was almost palpable, and Miguel knew that any wrong move could be fatal. With a nod, he signaled to the soldiers to begin searching for the trapdoor or any entrance to a basement that might be hidden in the floor.

As they searched, the sound became clearer—a faint scratching that sent shivers down Miguel's spine. The air inside the house was heavy with the scent of destruction and the shadow of whatever lay hidden beneath the floorboards.

Miguel felt the tension mounting, each second feeling like an eternity as they approached the source of the sound. He knew they needed to be ready for anything, but uncertainty and fear of the unknown hung over them like a dark cloud.

Finally, one of the soldiers found a loose board. Carefully, he lifted it, revealing a dark, narrow opening. The sound grew louder, and Miguel swallowed hard, feeling the chill of fear run down his spine.

"Stay ready," he whispered, his voice determined. "Let's see what's hidden down here."