MISCHIEF AND MAYHEM

Iris stepped out of the inn, her armor and herself freshly cleaned and her sword at her side. She had eaten a quick meal and was now on her way to help the farmer with his monster problem. As she looked around, she saw Bree standing there, her expression one of worry.

“Hey, Bree,” Iris greeted her with a smile, hoping to alleviate some of her concern. “Is everything alright?”

Bree’s gaze flickered over Iris’s clean armor and sword, then back up to her face. “You’re leaving again?” she asked, her tone firm. “Where are you going?”

“I’m heading to the farm outside the village,” Iris replied. “The farmer there is having trouble with a monster attacking his livestock and crops. I’m going to see what I can do to help.”

“But Kaira is still recovering, and the others aren't back yet,” Bree argued. “We're a party, Iris. You shouldn't be going out on your own like this.”

Iris could see the worry etched on Bree's face, and she knew the sun elf wasn't going to let this go easily. “Bree, I have to go,” Iris said firmly. “The farmer needs my help, and I can't just sit around and wait for the others to return. We don't know how long they'll be gone.”

“But it's dangerous to go out alone,” Bree said, her voice raising slightly. “What if something happens to you? What if you get hurt? We need to stick together as a party.”

“I can handle myself,” Iris said, trying to reassure her. “And I have my magic and my sword. I'll be fine.”

Bree's expression remained resolute, her arms crossed in front of her. “That's not the point, Iris,” she said, her voice steady. “We need to stick together as a party. You can't just run off on your own whenever you feel like it. We have responsibilities to each other and to the people we're trying to protect.”

Iris sighed, knowing that Bree was right in a way, but also feeling like she had to help the farmer. “I understand where you're coming from,” she said, her tone softening a bit. “But I have to go. I promise I'll be careful, and I won't take any unnecessary risks.”

Bree's gaze bore into Iris, her tone edged with accusation. “Do you really have to go, Iris? Or are you rushing off to face a monster in order to avoid confronting your true feelings?”

Iris froze at the unexpected question, taken aback by Bree's accusation. “What? No, Bree, that's not it at all," she said, her voice rising in defense. "I'm going because I made a promise to that farmer. And as for Kaira, I'm just glad she's alive and recovering. We talked, and we came to a decision.”

Bree looked at her skeptically, arms still crossed in front of her. "I don't believe you, Iris. I think you're avoiding your problems by throwing yourself into danger."

Iris felt a flash of anger at the accusation. “That's not fair, Bree,” she said firmly. “We barely know each other. I'm not avoiding anything. But sometimes, we have to make tough choices. And right now, my choice is to help the farmer. I'll come back as soon as I can.”

Bree's eyes narrowed, and Iris could see the tension in her body. "You're right. We do barely know each other, and woman from another world or not, I know people. And I've seen the way you try to hide it.”

Iris opened her mouth to deny it, to argue, but quickly found herself struggling to find the words to say.

Bree noticed. “I'm sorry, Iris,” she said, her tone softening a bit. “I didn't mean to come across that way. But please, think about what you're doing. We're a party for a reason. We need to look out for each other.”

Iris nodded, feeling the tension in the air begin to dissipate. "I understand," she said, her voice calm. "And I appreciate your concern. But I have to go. If the others come back before I do, please tell them where I am."

Bree sighed, her arms uncrossing. “Fine, Iris. Don’t be a hero, alright? If you run into trouble, get out of there.”

Iris smirked, trying to further relieve the tension. “Haven’t you heard? I am the hero of this story.”

Bree's expression stiffened, and the woman crossed her arms in front of her again. “This isn’t a joke, Iris. I still don't like this,” she said, her voice firm. “But fine. If you're going, I'm going to check on Kaira. And if the others come back before you do, I'll tell them where you are.”

Iris smiled at the gesture, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. “Thanks, Bree,” she said. “I'll be careful. And I'll see you soon.” With that, Iris turned and began walking towards the village gate, feeling determined to help the farmer and prove to Bree that she could handle herself.

As she walked, Iris couldn't help but think about Bree's words. Was she really avoiding her feelings by throwing herself into danger? She didn't think so, but the doubt lingered in the back of her mind.

✦ ✦ ✦

Iris arrived at the farm, the sun beating down on her as she stepped into the fields. The air was thick with the scent of growing crops, and the sound of animals and insects filled her ears. She could see the farmhouse in the distance, a small structure with a red roof and white walls. The surrounding fields were dotted with various crops, including corn, wheat, and soybeans.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

As she walked closer to the farmhouse, she could see a small group of chickens pecking at the ground nearby, and a couple of furry cow-like creatures lazily grazing in a small nearby pasture.

The farmer, a stout man with a friendly face, greeted her as she approached. “Welcome, welcome!” he exclaimed, waving a hand in greeting. “I'm glad you're here. We’ve really been having trouble with that fox. We could really use your help.”

Iris nodded in agreement. “I’m here to help,” she said, her voice determined. “What type of livestock did you say it would attack?”

The man shrugged. “It steals a chicken every now and then. But mostly, it’s destroying the crops. And today…” He grunted in exasperation. “It’s better if I just show you.”

The farmer led her to a nearby field where a scarecrow lay in tatters, its straw stuffing scattered around it, except for the head, which was sitting on the clothing and sported a clear claw mark that made it appear to be frowning. Another mark was made to resemble almost tears.

That is… yeah that’s fucking weird.

“This is where it happened,” he said, pointing to the destroyed scarecrow. “We haven’t seen the fox since, but we’re afraid it will strike again.”

“When did you find this?” she asked, her eyes scanning the area for tracks.

“Yesterday,” he said. “But usually we see it at least twice a day. It’s like it’s deliberately doing things to frustrate us. It leaves nothing but mayhem in its wake.”

Hashtag relatable.

Iris nodded, taking note of the details. She crouched down to examine the remains of the scarecrow, searching for any clues that could help her track the fox. She spotted a few tufts of reddish fur caught on the wooden stakes and picked them up for further inspection. The placement was weird as if almost deliberately left there.

“Can you show me where the fox went?” she asked, standing up and dusting off her hands.

The farmer pointed towards the edge of the field, where the crops grew sparse and wild. “It ran that way,” he said. “Towards the woods. They’re not too far, a short walk beyond the fields.”

Iris nodded, tucking the fur into a pouch on her belt. “Wish me luck!” she said with a smile.

The man grunted but dipped his head.

She unsheathed her sword, feeling the familiar weight in her hand, and started walking toward the woods. She kept her eyes peeled for any signs of the fox, scanning the ground for tracks or listening for any sounds of movement.

As Iris left the farm and began her walk to the woods, the sun beat down on her, intensifying the already hot day. Sweat began to form on her forehead, and she could feel the heat emanating from the ground beneath her boots. The air was thick with the scent of freshly plowed earth and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers that dotted the edges of the path. The buzzing of insects and the occasional caw of a distant crow were the only sounds that broke the otherwise peaceful stillness.

Despite the heat, Iris tried to enjoy the walk, taking in the beauty of her surroundings. The fields on either side of her stretched as far as she could see, the bright green of the crops contrasting with the dull brown of the soil. A light breeze picked up, rustling the leaves of nearby trees and offering some respite from the sweltering heat.

As she walked, Iris made sure not to tire herself out, taking slow and steady steps. She used the time to relax and focus her mind, mentally preparing herself for what might lie ahead in the woods. The trail wound on for about a kilometer, and after about ten minutes of walking, Iris could see the edge of the forest looming ahead.

Iris took a deep breath as she stepped into the woods. The air was cooler here, the heat of the sun filtered through the leaves of the trees. The scent of pine and earth filled her nostrils as she made her way deeper into the woods. She kept her eyes peeled for any sign of the fox, scanning the ground for tracks or broken branches. She walked slowly, her senses heightened, not wanting to miss anything important. She could hear the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds, but nothing that indicated the presence of the fox.

As she moved further into the woods with her sword at the ready, the sounds of the outside world faded away. She could feel the soft dirt and fallen leaves crunching under her feet as she moved through the undergrowth. It was peaceful here, and she felt her tension start to ease.

Suddenly, her [Danger Sense] buzzed, and she [Focused], shifting her stance and jerking her head around, looking for the source. As her eyes darted, she moved closer to a large tree, channeling mana into her core as she prepared to cast.

She caught a glimpse of something moving in the distance. Iris paused and squinted, trying to get a better look. There, just ahead, she could make out the shape of a redheaded woman moving through the trees. She couldn’t make out any features from this distance, but something about the woman caught her attention. She felt a sudden urge to follow her, to find out who she was and what she was doing in these woods.

Maybe she’s seen the fox.

Iris stealthily pursued the woman, attempting to remain undetected. The forest seemed to come alive around her, the shadows deepening and the air growing colder as she ventured deeper into the woods. The once vibrant and enchanting forest now felt more like a labyrinth, with the trail becoming increasingly obscured by thick undergrowth and tangled roots.

The entire thing seemed off to Iris, it was as if the woman was deliberately trying to lead her somewhere. She’d yet to see anything that made her [Danger Sense] go off, which left only the woman.

Iris took a steady breath and channeled mana into herself, using her [Rushing Wind] and [Arcane Capability] to enhance herself. She wouldn’t be caught unawares, but there was something about the woman. Iris needed to catch her.

The mysterious woman seemed to glide through the forest, her movements fluid and almost ethereal. The rustling of her garments and the faint sound of her footsteps were the only indications of her presence. Iris strained her senses, trying to maintain her focus on the woman while also being mindful of her surroundings.

Even with Iris’s improved attributes and movement capabilities, it was as if the woman was quicker. More agile. It only made Iris push harder, to catch the wiley jerk.

Iris felt a pang of frustration as her Bad Luck reared its ugly head. She tripped over a root that she could have sworn wasn’t there a second ago, and almost fell, nearly losing sight of the woman.

Okay, bitch. Now it’s a matter of pride.

She had to find out who this person was and what she was doing in the woods.