The three sat in the hideout, growing restless as they waited for Captain Zach to return with news about their band’s next steps.
Leeani asked, glancing toward her friend.
“What’s taking Captain so long? Do you have any idea, Ruby?”
Jiighual replied, her voice filled with impatience.
“Yeah, it feels like I’ve been waiting forever! I finished my big steak ages ago while waiting patient—”
Leeani corrected with a teasing grin.
“You mean while waiting impatiently!”
Jiighual laughed, a bit flustered.
“Umm, right! Waiting impatiently for him!”
Ruby said.
“I really don’t know, Lea.”
“Now I’m hungry,” Leeani admitted, rubbing her stomach.
“Same here,” Ruby chimed in.
“Me too!” Jiighual added, leaning back dramatically.
Leeani exchanged skeptical glances with Ruby.
“Jiighual, you just ate a whole steak!”
Jiighual defended himself, puffing out his chest.
“Hey, come on! I’m a big guy, and big guys need big meals. It’s just common sense! Gotta keep my strength up!”
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed outside the hideout, drawing their attention.
“Speaking of food, what’s that?” Jiighual asked, his expression suddenly serious.
“Sounds like more than one pair of footsteps,” Leeani noted, her eyes narrowing.
Ruby suggested, her heart racing with anticipation.
“Could it be Zach returning?”
Jiighual exclaimed, getting to his feet.
“Yep, and I bet Nert is with him!”
A familiar knocking echoed at the hideout’s door, signaling that one of their band members had returned.
“Here they are,” Leeani said, moving toward the door.
“Maybe he found us a feast! I’m starving!” Jiighual added eagerly.
“Or he has some news for us. I hope it’s good!” Ruby said, crossing her fingers.
Leeani opened the door to reveal Zach and Nert standing there.
Nert looked a bit worn but ready for anything, while Zach carried a massive grizzly bear over his shoulder, its fur glistening in the sunlight.
“Wow! A bear!?” Leeani exclaimed, eyes wide.
“Yep! Captain decided to go all out today!” Jiighual grinned, practically bouncing on his feet.
“I should’ve known! You two never come back empty-handed,” Ruby said, trying to hide her surprise.
“This is amazing! I could eat a whole bear by myself!” Jiighual declared, mouth watering at the sight.
“Thought it would be nice to bring home food for the whole day. Hope you all are hungry!” Zach replied, setting the bear down with ease.
Leeani chuckled.
“Looks like Kazaks and Yzavynne are the only ones missing now, right?”
Nert added, stretching his arms.
“Yep, seems like it, Captain. We should head in. They’ve probably been starving with how long breakfast got delayed.”
Zach nodded, entering the hideout alongside Nert.
The massive bear thumping onto the ground.
“Finally, we can eat something that’s not just Jiighual’s cooking!” Leeani teased, crossing her arms with a playful smirk.
“Hey! My cooking isn’t that bad!” Jiighual protested, puffing out his cheeks.
“No one’s saying it’s bad, big guy. But a fresh bear feast? That’s something else,” Nert replied, shaking his head with a chuckle.
“Just don’t get too carried away, Jiighual. We’d like some food too, you know,” Zach reminded him.
Jiighual smirked, a mischievous glint appearing.
“I’ll try to save you all a bite.”
Zach, with his usual calm, surveyed the room, a small smile creeping onto his face as he took in the lively banter of his friends.
“Alright, listen up. This isn’t the first bear we’ve dealt with, but I’ll remind you how we handle the meat to avoid getting sick.”
He knelt beside the bear, motioning everyone closer.
“First, we need to drain the blood fully. We’ve got to hang it up, let gravity do its work. This’ll stop the meat from spoiling quickly. Blood carries disease, and we don’t want that.”
Nert nodded, grabbing some rope.
“Next, we’re going to clean the skin real well. We’ll scrape off the dirt, any fleas or ticks that might still be clinging to the fur. The hide carries all sorts of things from the wild.”
He pointed to the bear’s claws.
“See these? We’ll need to burn the claws and the paws before cutting through them. That heat will kill off any hidden sickness, especially in wild animals.”
Leeani raised an eyebrow.
“How do we burn it without ruining the meat?”
“Good question. We’ll do it quickly, and just on the surface. The idea is to singe the parts that touch the ground the most, not roast it.”
He gestured to Jiighual.
“After we strip the hide and burn the claws, Jiighual, you’ll boil water. Lots of it. We’ll wash the meat pieces in that, make sure anything lingering on the surface dies before we cook it.”
“Sounds like a lot of work.”
“It is. But better we take the time than risk anyone getting sick. Raw bear meat can have parasites. We’ll need to cook it thoroughly, slow over the fire, make sure it’s well done. No shortcuts.”
Jiighual smirked.
“Slow cooking? Sounds perfect. This bear’s gonna be a feast to remember.”
“Exactly. But remember, we take care of the meat first. Food is only good when it’s safe to eat.”
Zach finished explaining, and each member of the group immediately set off to tackle their assigned tasks with quiet focus.
Nert, always quick to act, grabbed some rope and began tying it around the bear’s hind legs.
His movements were sharp and practiced, securing the massive creature to a sturdy tree branch outside. Once the bear was lifted off the ground, he stepped back, allowing gravity to work on draining the blood.
Jiighual, with his usual smirk, headed toward the fire pit, gathering a pot and fetching water from the nearby stream.
He set the pot over the fire to boil, his large frame moving with surprising grace as he stoked the flames and added more wood to keep the fire strong.
Leeani, nimble and precise, took to the bear’s claws.
She found a small torch from their supplies and carefully lit it, moving over to where the bear hung. She singed the paws and claws, ensuring that any lingering disease from the forest floor wouldn’t spread.
Ruby, her expression steady, grabbed a set of tools and started scraping the hide clean.
She worked methodically, removing dirt, fleas, and any debris clinging to the thick fur. She occasionally glanced over to make sure Jiighual’s water was coming to a boil, always efficient in managing her time.
“Boiling’s all set. Once we get the meat ready, we’re good to go. . . Good work, all of you. Keep this pace, and we’ll be eating soon enough.”
He moved to oversee each step but never had to correct anyone.
They had all learned well over time how to handle situations like these.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
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Meanwhile, Kazaks and Yzavynne were patrolling the rainforest.
Staying close enough to their hideout to report any suspicious movements and keep their Captain informed about the forest’s condition.
Their conversation had a playful tone, almost like a couple bickering with each other every day.
“See anything worth reporting to Captain Zach, Yzavynne? Because for me, nothing out of the ordinary so far. No suspicious movements, no strange miasmas. But we’ve only just started patrolling, so we’ve got to stay sharp.”
Yzavynne leaned closer to Kazaks, a teasing grin on her face.
“Nope, nothing yet~ Maybe they’re all hiding, trembling in fear of the great Kazaks~”
Kazaks rolled his eyes.
“Ugh, cut it out, Yzavynne. This is exactly why I don’t enjoy being paired with you. A woman like you drains all the strength from a man like me!”
“Oh, come on, mighty Kazaks, I’m just teasing.”
“Well, now’s not the time for jokes!”
“Mm, but you’re just so serious all the time, Kazaks~ Lighten up a little, y’know~”
“Serious? Somebody has to be serious! You think enemies are gonna wait until we’re done playing around?”
“Enemies, huh? Maybe. Or maybe they’re just out there, shaking in their boots because they know you’re on patrol~”
“You’re impossible. We’re supposed to be focusing, not flirting!”
“Oh, but it’s more fun this way, don’t you think~?”
“No! Focus. I’m not getting distracted because of your jokes. Not today.”
“Fine, fine~ But don’t worry, I’m keeping my eyes open, even while teasing you~”
“Yeah, you better. I’m not here for fun.”
“Tch. And that’s exactly why I enjoy messing with you so much.”
“ENOUGH ALREADY, FLIRTATIOUS WOMAN!!”
Kazaks paused for a moment, catching a whiff of something unusual.
“Wait a minute. What’s that?”
He squinted, noticing movement far below their patrol spot, his sharp eyes catching a familiar figure.
“Is that, Captain Zach? And the others? What in the world?”
Yzavynne, amused, stepped closer to see what had caught his attention.
“Hmm? Oh! They’re cooking? Oh my stars, is that a bear they’re roasting?”
“A bear!? Seriously?! We’ve been patrolling, and they’re down there having a feast!”
“Seems like Captain brought dinner back for the entire day~”
“Ugh, only Captain Zach would turn hunting a grizzly into a casual snack.”
“Well, look at them! The big guy’s enjoying it, too.”
“Unbelievable. I swear, they’re never fazed by anything.”
Kazaks’ stomach growled loudly, the sound echoing in the silence.
Yzavynne stopped in her tracks, eyes wide, before breaking into a grin.
“HA HA HA HA HA! Kazaks!? Was that your stomach?! Oh, this is priceless! The mighty Kazaks, brought down by hunger! HA HA HA HA!”
She couldn’t stop laughing, clutching her sides as Kazaks turned red, his face burning with embarrassment.
He crossed his arms and looked away, grumbling.
“Tch. Great, now I’m hungry.”
“Oh, this just made my day. Even the fierce warrior has to feed his mighty belly!”
“Alright, enough. Let’s get back already. I’m done hearing you laugh like a maniac.”
Suddenly, Kazaks caught a scent that was unfamiliar.
It wasn’t food, magic, fire, or even human. It was something he had never smelled before.
“Something’s not right.”
Yzavynne instantly stopped laughing, her eyes narrowing at Kazaks’ change in tone.
She watched him closely, scanning their surroundings.
“What is it?”
Kazaks pointed north, toward the entrance of their hideout. His instincts flared with anxiety, a rare feeling for someone who had been through so many battles.
This was unsettling.
Kazaks said.
“There’s a strange smell coming from over there.”
Yzayvnne said.
“Should we investigate? Or maybe inform Captain before we check it out?”
Kazaks replied.
“We’ll check it ourselves. No need to bother Captain while he’s resting. We’re on patrol, and if something’s off here, it’s our job to handle it.”
“Alright. Lead the way, Kazaks.”
“Let’s stick to the trees. We can get a better view from above, and without weapons on us, it’s safer to stay hidden. No point rushing in blind.”
“Agreed.”
They both climbed into the trees, moving carefully toward the source of the scent.
Yzavynne felt a slight unease, sensing how serious Kazaks had become.
She hadn’t seen him like this in a long time, and it made her feel the weight of whatever they might be walking into.
----------------------------------------
After several minutes of silently leaping from tree to tree, Kazaks and Yzavynne moved closer to the source of the strange smell.
Their movements were smooth and quiet, their focus sharpened by the eerie atmosphere.
Finally, they reached a spot where the scent seemed the strongest.
They both dropped down from the trees, landing quietly on the forest floor.
Kazaks’ eyes scanned the ground, and there it was—a small, empty bottle, its surface smeared with traces of a liquid.
Kazaks crouched down, examining it.
“Poison. Some left inside.”
Yzavynne knelt beside him, her face tense as she studied the bottle.
“Whoever left this wasn’t far ahead. No ordinary traveler would carry something like this.”
Kazaks narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.
“This wasn’t an accident. Someone’s planning something.”
They exchanged a glance, the weight of the discovery settling in.
“Think about it, Yzavynne. Who would bring poison into the rainforest?”
Yzavynne’s brows furrowed as she thought hard.
“Maybe someone wanted to harm the animals? But that doesn’t make sense. There are easier ways to catch food.”
Kazaks stood up, pacing a little, trying to piece it all together.
“What if it’s not about the animals? What if it’s meant for us? Or for someone else nearby?”
Yzavynne nodded slowly, her heart racing.
“You mean like an assassin? Someone trying to take down the Captain or the band?”
“Exactly! Think about it—this place is perfect for hiding. If they wanted to strike, they’d use poison to be sneaky.”
“But why here? Why now?”
Kazaks crouched again, examining the bottle closely.
“Because they think we’re weak. With the master away, they see an opening. They know we’re vulnerable.”
Yzavynne looked around, the trees now feeling less like home and more like a trap.
“We have to warn Captain. If there’s an assassin, we can’t let him walk into danger.”
Kazaks straightened, determination flooding his voice.
“Right! But we need to be careful. We can’t let them know we’re onto them.”
“Let’s follow the scent of the poison. It might lead us to whoever did this.”
They moved cautiously, Kazaks leading the way. They kept low, every rustle of leaves heightening their senses.
“Stay sharp. If someone’s out here, they could be watching us.”
Yzavynne nodded, her heart pounding as they navigated deeper into the forest, the mystery of the poison lingering in the air like an unseen threat.
Just as they suspected—
Someone was already watching them as they moved deeper into the forest.
Sanaage and Xertu perched silently atop the trees, quietly exchanging words.
“Look at them, walking right into every trap I set. This is perfect, Xertu. Just perfect.”
“Why don’t we just take them out now? They’re practically unarmed!”
“I just explained! We can’t rush this. Plus, that guy is a beast in combat. Have you seen how he fights?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Sanaage leaned closer, his voice low and serious.
“Trust me, you don’t want to tangle with him. They’re monsters. The Captain, the kid with the axe, and their master. All of them. You don’t mess with guys like that unless the gods themselves gave you some kind of special gift for fighting. They’re the kind of warriors you don’t want to face.”
“Got it. So, what’s next? Are we still going with your scheme to toy with that pretty blonde one?”
“Yes! Just remember, we must keep it quiet. We can’t alert their captain.”
“Right. And those guys we tricked should show up any minute now. Let’s get in place so they won’t see us coming.”
----------------------------------------
Nert perched high on a tree branch, chewing on his bear meat while keeping a vigilant watch over the surroundings.
His eyes scanned the forest, sharp and alert, but his relaxed posture made it clear that this kind of thing was second nature to him.
Down below, Jiighual, sitting cross-legged, was already halfway through his second serving, talking loud enough to make the birds scatter.
“You know, I might just open up a restaurant someday. Bear steaks, boar sausages, you name it! People would line up for miles!”
Leeani rolled her eyes, playfully swatting him with her free hand.
“Yeah, because you’d eat all the stock before anyone even gets a chance.”
Ruby, sitting beside her, giggled softly, the two of them sharing a moment like close sisters.
“Knowing him, you’re probably right.”
“Definitely. But hey, as long as he cooks, I’ll still eat.”
They both laughed, their voices light and easy. A rare moment of peace amidst their often chaotic lives.
Zach, on the other hand, sat in silence, his eyes focused on the fire. He was serious, lost in thought, though his hands worked methodically, carving his piece of meat with precision. There was something in his expression that hinted at the weight he carried as their leader.
Always planning.
Always watching.
He took a slow bite, as if lost in the depth of his own mind.
Nert’s voice broke the quiet from above, though it wasn’t loud.
“Nothing unusual out here. Just you blabbering, Jiighual.”
Jiighual shot him a playful glance, clearly unbothered.
“Well, someone’s gotta keep the energy up, right? Can’t let things get too boring around here!”
Nert froze mid-bite, his ears picking up something faint but unmistakable—footsteps, just beyond the trees.
Three, maybe four, by the sound of it.
His sharp senses honed in on the clinking of metal, swords, or armor, breaking the stillness of the forest.
He didn’t wait.
In one swift motion, he leaped down from the tree, landing silently on the ground beside the group, his face tight with focus.
“Footsteps. Close. Three, maybe more. Armed.”
Zach immediately stiffened, eyes narrowing as he processed the information.
He placed his food down calmly, standing up, his gaze meeting Nert’s.
“How far?”
“Not far. Northeast. They’re moving slow but steady. Probably scoping us out.”
“How did Kazaks and Yzavynne miss these guys when they’re patrolling the north?”
He paused for a moment, glancing in the direction Nert indicated.
“Something’s off.”
He looked back at Nert and Jiighual, his eyes narrowing.
“Stay sharp. This doesn’t add up. If Kazaks and Yzavynne missed them, it means these people are either too good or we’ve got another problem.”
Leeani and Ruby exchanged glances, their playful mood dissolving in an instant, replaced with quiet tension.
Jiighual, still holding a piece of bear meat, looked up, his face paling a bit.
Even he knew when to shut up in moments like this.
“What do we do?”
“Stay alert. No sudden moves. Nert, keep listening.”
Nert nodded, his body already shifting into a more defensive stance, ears still focused on the sound creeping closer.
“Do you think they know we’re here?”
“If they don’t, they will soon.”
The group stood poised, their peaceful meal forgotten.
Every sound in the forest now felt amplified—the crackling of the fire, the rustle of leaves.
The clinking of metal footsteps was getting closer, slow but deliberate.
Nert crouched low, his eyes flicking between the trees, anticipating the unknown that lurked just beyond.
Zach’s eyes sharpened as the sound of the approaching group grew louder.
Without hesitation, he turned to Jiighual.
“Jiighual, grab your pavise shield. Leeani, get your crossbow and arrows.”
Jiighual immediately scrambled to his feet, tossing his half-eaten bear meat aside.
He rushed toward the hideout, his big form surprisingly swift.
Leeani, moving with precision, went to retrieve her crossbow, her face now serious, the playful banter completely gone.
As they prepared, Zach stayed rooted, his hand lingering near the hilt of his claymore, but he didn’t draw it.
He looked at Nert, who was already standing at attention.
“Nert, be ready. Hand-to-hand if it comes to it. No weapons unless absolutely needed.”
Nert nodded, cracking his knuckles in anticipation.
“Keep your eyes and senses sharp. Don’t activate the tattoos. Not here. Not yet.”
The reminder of their tattoos sent a ripple of tension through the group.
Thosetattoos, with their latent power, were a last resort.
Zach’s tone, though calm, was a clear command—they weren’t to escalate this unnecessarily.
“Whoever they are, go easy on them. We don’t need a fight unless they force it.”
Jiighual returned with his massive shield, gripping it tightly.
Leeani loaded her crossbow, her gaze flicking toward the trees.
Zach stood at the center, a steady force. His refusal to use his claymore wasn’t out of pride, it was strategy.
He didn’t need it to take control.
They were ready, silent but prepared, as the footsteps inched closer through the forest.
Zach’s gaze shifted to Ruby and Leeani, both standing ready with their weapons.
“Leeani, take Ruby and get inside the hideout.”
Ruby blinked, caught off guard by the sudden command. She opened her mouth to protest but quickly closed it when she saw the stern look in his eyes.
She knew better than to argue with him when he got that serious.
“Are you sure, Zach?”
Zach gave her a firm nod, his voice calm but commanding.
“Yes. We need to keep a stronghold inside. If something goes wrong, we need someone in there protecting it.”
Leeani, who was still holding her crossbow, hesitated. “But I can—”
“No arguments. Inside. Now.”
Ruby gave a sharp nod, grabbing Leeani by the arm and pulling her toward the entrance.
“Come on, let’s go.”
Though reluctant, Leeani followed, her eyes scanning the treeline one last time before disappearing into the safety of the hideout.
Zach watched them go, his jaw set, then turned back to Nert and Jiighual.
“Let’s see what we’re dealing with.”