HIDDEN CAMP

With Mocha corralling the other horses and watching the wagon, Iris felt safe as she and her party followed Laken through the woods. As they followed Laken deeper into the woods, the trees grew thicker and the underbrush more tangled. But Kaira trusted Laken's instincts, and he seemed to be following clues that Iris could only guess at, so she was more than willing to let the man take the lead.

She was more of the ‘find the monster already there’ type of hunter. Not a ‘find a camp that may or may not be dismantled after a week’ type of tracker.

The forest was quiet except for the sound of leaves rustling underfoot and the occasional chirping of birds. Iris kept her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready for any potential threat.

Gryff walked silently beside her, his spear at the ready. She could sense his nervous energy, and she knew that he was ready for action if needed. Laken moved ahead, scouting the area for any signs of danger.

Kaira and Bree hung back, keeping space from the group so as to not provide one bunched-up target.

As they moved deeper into the woods, the air grew cooler and the light filtered through the leaves overhead. Iris took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh forest air.

After a few hours of following Laken, they stopped to take a break and reassess their progress. Kaira pulled out a map from her bag, spreading it out on a nearby tree stump for them all to see.

“We’ve gone pretty far in,” Kaira said, pointing to a spot on the map.

Iris frowned, feeling a bit disheartened. They had been traveling for hours and had yet to find any concrete clues. She had hoped that they would have made more progress by now.

Gryff sat down on a nearby rock, removing his helmet, the man looking exhausted. “Maybe we should head back and try a different approach?” he suggested, looking at Iris and Laken for their input.

But Iris shook her head after she too removed her helmet, letting her determination show on her face. “No, we can’t give up yet. We have to keep going. Laken, do you have any other ideas?”

Laken looked around, scanning the surrounding area. “I think we should head that way,” he said, pointing to a direction off the beaten path. “I saw some disturbed foliage and tracks that way. Might be worth investigating.”

Iris nodded. "Alright, let’s go that way then. Keep your guard up, everyone.”

They all stood up and followed Laken, pushing through the dense foliage and brush. The terrain became rougher, and they had to be careful not to trip or slip on the wet rocks and roots.

The sound of trickling water grew louder, indicating that a creek was nearby. Moss covered everything, and Iris was a bit surprised they hadn’t seen any animals as of yet.

After another hour, Bree spoke up, breaking the silence. “Do you think we're getting close?” she asked, her voice hushed.

Iris shrugged. “I have no idea. Laken seems to be leading us in the right direction, but we could be searching for hours more.”

Kaira nodded in agreement. “It's possible. But we need to stay focused and keep moving forward. We can't afford to waste any time.”

Gryff chimed in, “I just hope we find something soon. This waiting and searching is making me anxious.”

Iris patted him on the shoulder. “I know, buddy. But we have to be patient. This is the worst part of a quest. All of the build-up for just a quick moment of action.”

The man sighed and nodded.

They continued on through the woods, the ground beneath their feet becoming spongy and damp, with moss and mushrooms covering the tree trunks and fallen logs. The sounds of small animals scurrying about echoed through the trees, and birds chirped.

As they walked, Iris couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. Something didn’t feel right, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. Her [Danger Sense] was quiet, but she had long learned to not rely on the trait.

Suddenly, Laken held up his hand, signaling for them to stop. He pointed to a nearby tree where a large claw mark was visible. “Looks like we’re getting close,” he said, his voice low as he reached down and picked something up.

Iris felt a rush of adrenaline as they approached the tree and the [Ranger]. The man turned and showed them a broken arrow. It looked as if it had been only recently used.

She glanced at the tree, her eyes narrowing. She had never seen a claw mark that large before. It was at least a foot long, and the claw marks were deep, suggesting that the creature was incredibly strong.

Wait… There is one thing…

“Is this fresh, Laken?” she asked quietly, pulling mana into herself.

The elf shook his head. “Not recent. At least a day or two,” he said before pointing in a direction off to the left. “This way.”

As the party continued, the forest grew darker, the canopy overhead blocking out more and more of the light. The sound of trickling water grew louder, and they could see the stream up ahead.

But as they approached the bank of the stream, Laken held up his hand again. “I think I see something up ahead,” he whispered as she stepped next to him.

The man pointed and she [Focused] as she looked to where he indicated. In the distance was a dim flickering light in a small clearing. Just like that of a campfire. To the left was a slight hill. Enough for one of them to hide and look down if they’re careful.

She smiled, a plan forming.

Iris gestured for Kaira to move up beside her and leaned close to her when she did. “Take the party that way,” she indicated in the more Eastern direction. “I will head to the top. If it is indeed bandits, wait for my signal to approach.”

Kaira’s eyes narrowed. “We don’t need to split up, we can go together.”

Iris shook her head. “If it is the bandits, I have an idea… It will allow you guys to surprise them. Just wait for my signal.”

“What signal is that?”

A smirk grew on Iris’s face. “Lightning, what else?”

Kaira groaned but nodded her head nonetheless.

✦ ✦ ✦

Iris carefully crawled up the hill, keeping her movements slow and steady to avoid making any noise. As she reached the top, she peered over the edge and saw a small camp in the clearing below. Six people sat around a campfire, eating and chatting.

The camp was well-hidden, surrounded by tall trees that shielded it from prying eyes. It consisted of several makeshift tents, made from scraps of cloth and leather, that were scattered around the clearing. A large one seemed to be where they gathered, and she caught a glance of at least one more person inside.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

But it was the cages that caught her attention. Two of them were filled with wolves, their piercing yellow eyes gleaming in the firelight. The third cage was larger and held a bear, pacing back and forth in frustration. Iris couldn't help but feel sorry for the animals, trapped and confined like that.

Iris studied the camp for a few minutes, trying to identify any weaknesses or vulnerabilities. She noticed that there was a guard posted at the entrance to the camp, but the rest of the bandits seemed preoccupied with their food and drink or in the command tent as she was designating it. The cages with the beasts were positioned in a way that made it difficult for them to be seen from the outside, but Iris could see that they were all in poor condition, malnourished, and mistreated.

Iris took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.

She cast [Arcane Capability] and [Rushing Wind] before pulling mana into herself, readying a [Chain Lightning] to cast on a moment’s notice. If things got dicey, she’d rush away with her movement spell.

You got this, Iris. Easy. You fought all the bandits on the bridge and they were better equipped.

With a nod to herself, she stood up and removed her helmet, attaching it to her belt. She forced a smile on her face, spread her hands slightly to her sides, and approached the camp.

✦ ✦ ✦

What the fuck is she doing?

Kaira couldn’t believe her damn eyes. Iris was striding down the hill and straight toward the camp. The woman looked so confident, and so… gods she’s beautiful.

She shook those thoughts from her head, they were dangerous.

Kaira watched as Iris approached the bandits with an ease and grace that belied the danger of the situation. She noticed that one of the bandits had stood up and was watching Iris closely, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The man called out to the others and the camp came alive.

Those sitting at the campfire jumped up and pulled blades out.

Kaira tensed, ready to jump in and help if things went south, but she trusted Iris to handle herself. She knew Iris was powerful, and the others had seen firsthand how skilled she was in combat.

“What is she doing?!” Gryff whisper-shouted.

Kaira shrugged. “No clue, watch for the signal,” she said in a calm voice completely contrasting how she felt inside. The woman she cared about was walking directly into danger, and she couldn’t help but feel anxious.

As Iris reached the edge of the camp, the bandit with his hand on his sword stepped forward, blocking her path.

“What’s the signal?” Laken asked.

Kaira sighed. “Lightning.”

Gryff sucked in a breath. “Shit.”

Even Bree muttered curses as the medic prepared herself.

What are you doing, Iris?

Kaira’s heart couldn’t take this…

✦ ✦ ✦

“Who the fuck are you?” the bandit in front of her growled, his eyes narrowing as he looked Iris up and down.

Iris smiled disarmingly, holding her hands off to the side in a gesture of peace. “What do you mean who the fuck am I? Erick and Eira recruited me, and now I’m here. Where are they?” she lied. “I had to finish a job but they gave me directions to meet them when I completed it.”

The bandit didn't look convinced, his hand still on the hilt of his sword. “Erick and Eira? I don't know them.”

She noticed the six from the campfire slowly approaching, a man and two others emerged from the command tent. When their gaze focused on her, the man in the lead spoke to the other two and they split up, walking away.

Shit, scouting for others?

Iris’s smile faltered slightly, but she kept her cool. “Well, that’s fucking strange. Because they clearly said that they were part of this group. They intimated that my abilities would be well utilized. Are you the leader here?”

The bandit scoffed. “I ain’t the leader. But–”

“Then maybe fucking get them? Because I don’t really feel like wasting my time on some stooge,” she demanded.

Before the man could respond, the man she had already pegged as the leader called out. “What do we have here?” he asked as he approached. The man, a telv with a scar on his neck, was the only one wearing proper armor, with two short swords on either hip.

The bandit turned and stood straighter. “She says someone named Erick recruited her and told her to come here.”

The man rubbed at his chin. “Erick, eh? Are you sure?”

Iris narrowed her eyes. “Of course, I’m sure. Him and the two other terrans he was with.”

The man nodded. “Interesting. When did you say they recruited you?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t say, but it was about two weeks ago? In Stilstead. I was on a job, and Galen thought it would blow my cover to leave it. He suggested I come after.”

“Oh? What about Maya? What did she think? Although, she wasn’t one to talk much, so…” he said, clearly as a test.

She laughed. “Did you say, ‘Maya’? If you mean, Eira? She’s the one that approached me first! The woman wouldn’t shut up. So excited to see another terran, she was. She’s the reason I almost declined. Thank the gods for Galen, he convinced me there was some good coin in it.”

The man chuckled. “I see you’ve met her, but I have some unfortunate news for you,” he said, his expression becoming more serious. “They’re dead.”

Iris faked surprise. “W-What? How? They said they were coming back here!”

The bandit leader sighed and crossed his arms. “That’s what we’ve been trying to figure out. They and six of my men were killed by some guards. No one made it out alive.”

She schooled her features, the man was lying. She was still sustaining her spells, keeping her attributes boosted. Iris shook her head. “But… Eira had magic… How’d she… She was so nice,” Iris said sadly.

The man nodded and stepped closer, patting her on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s get you a drink, yeah? To Eira, Erick, and Galen! Then we can talk about you joining us. What’s your name?”

“Iris,” she replied smoothly.

The man led Iris to a makeshift bar set up inside the command tent. She kept her guard up, scanning the faces of the bandits around her. She couldn’t let herself become comfortable at all, and hopefully, the two that had left wouldn’t find the others.

As they walked, the man ask if she had made sure to not be followed. To which she replied that, of course, she hadn’t. He was acting friendly enough, but Iris could sense an undercurrent of suspicion. She tried to keep up the act, smiling and chatting with him as if she was just another recruit looking for work.

Keep it cool, play the part. You’re a bandit extraordinaire. You steal candy from babies and the panties off of women and men… nevermind.

They arrived at the bar, which was really just a rickety wooden bar-height table with bottles on it with a large keg sitting behind it. The bandit leader poured them each a mug of ale and gestured for Iris to sit on a nearby barrel.

“So, Iris,” the telv said, taking a long sip from his mug. “What kind of work are you looking for?”

Iris shrugged. “I'm not picky. I've done everything from smuggling to guard work since arriving. I mainly deal with work dealing with monsters, though. As long as the pay is good, I'm in.”

He nodded. “We could always use more muscle around here, and you’re a whole lot of woman.”

“A whole lot of woman, really?” Iris raised an eyebrow. “You need muscle or are you trying to get in my pants?”

The man chuckled and raised his mug. “Take it easy, I mean you clearly look like you can handle yourself in a fight. If Erick and Galen were recruiting you, I’d expect nothing less.”

She lifted her mug. “To Erick, Galen, and Eira! May they find peace with Relena.”

The man smirked and echoed her toast.

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “We've been having some trouble with the knights and guards from Brightburn that showed up in Stilstead. They found one of our other camps. We've lost a lot of men in the past few weeks. I’m worried they will find us here. That’s why it is important that you weren’t followed.”

“I’m no amateur, I already told you I wasn’t followed.” Iris frowned. “But, seriously, that sounds rough. The fucking law here in Lehelia are nothing but tyrants. But why not just move your camp somewhere else?”

“You will find no argument from me.” The bandit leader shook his head. “Don’t you worry about that, though. This isn’t all we have in our… organization.”

Iris nodded, taking a sip of her ale, forcing herself to not wince at the vile taste. “I see. So what's your plan, then?”

The man shrugged. “We’re going to lay low. Something’s coming and it will change everything.”

Iris raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. I’d ask, but honestly, I just want the coin. I’m not into all the high-level strategy stuff.”

The man laughed and slapped the bar. “That’s the spirit. We can't keep losing men like this. But we could use someone like you on our side. Someone with experience and skills.”

She smiled. “Well, I definitely have skills. What do you–”

Movement came and Iris instinctively [Focused]. One of the two that had gone off to scout, a high elf man, walked into the tent and caught the leader’s eye before giving a small shake of his head. The man wore a robe just like Eira had. Iris narrowed her eyes.