- 66 -

They set up camp at the bottom of the slope. Drew flew above the small clearing. There were weathered stone fences and the bones of past campfires were scattered around the small clearing.

A couple vending machines, a shower, and this could be a good rest stop. Other remains from many travelers littered the area, further proof that most everyone camped here before heading up the steep slope.

It makes sense that this is a good stopping point if you are about to enter the high peaks.

Seriously an inn could make a killing here.

The Johns parked their wagons in a loose circle and corralled the Garnts after a quick wash and feed.

The mercenaries pitched their tents and set up their own camp in minutes just outside the circle of wagons.

Are they expecting to be attacked at all times? They are putting those fat sacks on the police force back home to shame.

A few of them started to dig a low trench, piling the dirt and rocks on the inside to create a simple fortification on the opposite side of their camp, away from the wagons, between them and the encroaching forest.

If they knew I could talk then I could ask them what’s out there. Would they try to capture and sell me?

The Johns set out enchanted canvas bundles in a semicircle around the camping kitchen. They grumbled and looked at some dark clouds building up against the peaks above them.

“We will wake up to rain tomorrow.” One John said to the other.

“5 copper says the storm hits before dinner ends.” The John replied. “Kitchen area needs a canopy.”

Each of the bundles held a simple enchantment that would set the tents up on a thin platform. They were large enough to bed 4 and came with cots and space for trunks. Each corner of the tent was divided by fabric walls enchanted to block the sounds of sleeping.

Damien, Alphonse, and Marcus were bunking together. And Isabella, her granddaughter, and the snowy elf all bunked together.

Thrain and his driver Krag had their own tents in the same style as the mercenaries.

“Simply not warded enough for low rank monsters. Of course you do want to focus on the more deadly higher level ones.”

Drew followed Damien and the trunk into the tent. He chose the back right bed. He was talking to himself and digging around inside his trunk.

“That’s how the Guiles snuck through.” He said.

Alright, we are alone.

“Damien, I’m going to go see if I find any of the ingredients from the Alchemy book nearby. Hoping to pick up a new skill.”

Drew pulled his armor out of the trunk and equipped it.

“What skill helps you find miscellaneous things? Like food or gold?” Drew asked.

Damien didn’t take his eyes off his notebook.

“Skurr get a skill called Scavenge but I don’t know it. People adept at gathering from the forest learn Forage. I don’t have either one so I won’t be any help.” He said.

Drew adjusted his armor, loosening the breast piece some, and flexing the braces over his legs.

Ah yes the buffs really do give a significant boost. Would have helped in the Guile attack. Maybe I’ll keep these on for tonight.

“How dangerous is the area around here?” Drew asked. “Should I get someone to go with me?”

“Apprentices usually head out together in a gathering party. Actually I’d be interested to see how quickly you can learn a skill on your own. How much time have you spent foraging or scavenging already?”

“Not that much. A few fetch quests. Maybe I could unlock both skills?” Drew replied.

“Be careful not to range too far, I have placed repelling wards around the camp but they only extend about 10 meters into the forest.” Damien said.

With a nod Drew flew off to explore the tree line around their camp.

A couple mercenaries left camp to the south and Drew followed along above them. They continued on more than ten meters into the woods, towards the sound of a stream and Drew dropped to the ground.

Better not go any farther. There’s plenty of herbs and flowers I don’t recognize around here.

Drew strut over to root them up and stacked them in a pile.

Too bad I don’t have my basket anymore that would be a huge help.

Area Quest: Inspect the Strange Glen: A strange glen glows with the light of the moon, even during the day. It seems to host a different variety of flora and fauna. Discover the glen’s secrets. Accept: Y/N

Nope nope. Not today, this is clearly something that is going to get me in a ton of trouble. Flora or fauna means big dangerous beasts, even plants are dangerous here. No way.

Drew spent an hour pulling herbs out by the roots, and stacking them up in piles. He was able to identify Mindy Flower and Stone Wart based on the descriptions in the Alchemy book.

Dang. Now that I’ve lost the space in my storage ring I can’t tell how many I’ve got. I cannot use my quest list to identify these herbs or flowers. I don’t know if these other plants are weeds or something rare that’s harder to identify.

He spotted some tall grass and decided to make a basket to cart his herbs and flowers back to camp.

It took half an hour to gather the grass and weave the basket. He was attacked three times before it was complete. They were each one on one fights and he easily used his aerial advantage to defeat them without taking any damage.

Combat results: level 4 red skeetle. Exp 12

Combat results: level 5 red skeetle. Exp 15

Combat results: level 8 mishroom. Exp 21

Quest complete: Hunger: exp 150

My Hunger quests are really getting more demanding. The requirements have grown each time I complete one.

Racial Quest: Hunger: (35/321)

Drew spent the 4000 exp to upgrade his gathering ring to hold 6 stacks of 2 items. The next upgrade would be 5000 exp.

I’ve got a long way to go to get it back to what it was.

“Anyone who’s hungry it’s herbed Mishrooms and Guile meat for dinner!” A John called out.

I wonder what herbs they are, I could gather them as we travel. Could the John’s give me a fetch quest?

Drew returned to the camp, dropping his basket and armor off with the trunk on the way. He could see that everyone was already getting their food.

The two mercenaries must have returned from another direction.

Food was plated and passed around to the travelers. Everyone was seated around one of two fire pits the Johns had set up inside the ring of wagons. One of the Johns was softly strumming an instrument that looked like a guitar but only had three strings.

There was a relaxed attitude amongst the travelers. But at a sudden pop from the fire people’s eyes were sharp and weapons were checked.

I almost feel bad for any beasts that attack our group.

Damien brought Drew a small plate of food and he pecked at it. The meal was good, the mossy combination of herbs and Mishroom going well with the Guile meet, which had a lemony tang to it. The quality of the meal completed another hunger quest and pushed Drew halfway into the next Hunger quest.

“I’m stuffed.” He said drawing the eyes of several of the other travelers. They looked towards Damien who happened to be drinking mead from a large glass when Drew spoke.

Alicia laughed from a few seats over.

Damien must seem like a real oddball to these people. Ha!

“My complements to the chef. You have outdone yourself John!” Drew said.

Damien gave him a confused look that caused Alicia to laugh again.

She tossed Drew a bit of Mishroom which he caught easily with his beak and the Johns cheered. The icy elf tried to hide a smile behind her hand.

“Well Damien, would ya care for a game of Cabal?” Thrain asked as he got up and strode over to his cart and brings back a travel set with its own stand.

“I would be happy to,” Damien replied. “I played quite a bit in my youth. It is hard to find a partner that can give me a challenge these days.”

Damien and Thrain proceeded to play and drink. They caught the attention of the cartographer Alphonse. Isabella stopped her daughter from walking over as well, instead they both retired to their tent.

Krag stood behind Thrain and sharpened a dagger with a whetstone.

The game was close and longer than any that Drew had seen yet. Damien played defensively, his strategy was nearly as impenetrable as his mana shields but Thrain prevailed in the end.

“Well played, well played. Krag would ye care to take my seat, ya could learn much from our friend here.” Thrain boasted.

Krag said nothing and went to lean against the cart to start fletching some arrows.

“Might I give it a try?” Alphonse asked. “I’ve played some in my travels and have met a variety of different tactics.”

“Be my guest, young lad. If ye can beat the enchanter then ya can challenge me.” Thrain laughed and finished his mead calling for another.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

They sat down to play after clearing the board and Drew could tell that Damien was playing differently than before. Alphonse was quiet for the first few turns.

“Ah, yes the Demon Lords Offensive, a classic offense that can speed up the midgame.” Alphonse said. “I have tried the same tactic on the mountain tribes in Eesayum. The elves there have a defense for this called Water Flows Downstream. Here I’ll have it set up for you in a couple turns.”

“I had a friend like you back when I was studying in Valoria, a good friend Alonzo. He was a scholar and knew many strategies for Cabal. His downfall was that he could not help but switch them around. He did not win many games.” Damien said deep in thought.

Alphonse upgraded his keep and summoned a knight to the board threatening Damien’s harbor.

“Do you mean Alonzo Fairshadow the bard? He is famous for traveling with the prince’s retinue. Wait are you Sir Damienous Bombastic Thornbrush?” Alphonse asked with a gasp.

Damien stood quickly. “No that’s not me. I’m just a simple enchanter. I forfeit, you would have won in three turns with your defense.”

“Wait wait! It must be you, the Butcher of Siengard. Your great arcana stopped the largest fleet of pirates the kingdom has ever seen. You killed them all before-“

“No!” Damien shouted wand drawn. “I am not that man. He is the lowest of the low. That’s how you get the title of butcher.”

All of the eyes in the camp were on Damien, Marcus was cowering behind one of the Johns with his sword drawn and held in a defensive angle. Damien visibly deflated and stowed his wand.

“I’m sorry for my outburst.” He said with a strain in his voice. “I will be heading to bed early.”

He disappeared into his tent and the light within was quickly extinguished.

- 67 -

“Ahhhhhhh! He’s dead!” Someone screamed.

Drew was up and had his armor on in seconds. He was out of the tent in a flash.

Who screamed? Alicia? The beautiful elf? Who is dead?

The scene in the middle of the camp was like something out of a horror movie. There was a body mauled to pieces, camp furniture broken and scattered everywhere. Entrails and limbs littered the ground.

Marcus stood at the edge of the massacre clinging to a wagon with a slim dagger clutched tightly in his fist. The man screamed again when a John placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

The group of Mercenaries were at regular intervals outside of the wagons standing guard.

“By the moons, what could have done this?” Damien said as he stepped out of his tent. “Is that the cartographer?”

Oh, I can see it now, those are his clothes. He was killed while wearing his day clothes, and he even has his drafting materials there.

“A beast must have snuck in to kill him in the night.” A John said. “How could this happen?”

Thrain and Krag walked up with another John, all three armed to the teeth.

“What happened here?” Thrain demanded.

Another John replied as he knelt beside the corpse. “Alphonse Glennfyurd was killed by a monster in the night. Look at these claw marks, it must have been a big-“

“It was no monster.” Damien said drawing his wand. “It was murder.”

“Ahhhhhh!” Marcus shrieked for the third time.

“Murder? How can you know? Or more so, why would anyone want to kill the young lad?” Thrain asked.

The flap to the women’s tent opened to reveal Isabella and Alicia. The snowy Elf exited the tent and Isabella covered her granddaughter’s eyes.

“This is quite the mess.” She said, stepping gingerly around the perimeter to stand near one of the Johns. “Surely a monster has done this. Or are you suggesting one of us would be so ruthless?”

“Seraphina, you don’t need to witness this.” One of the Johns said and gestured to walk the snowy elf away. But she declined.

“It’s not the first corpse I’ve seen and it won’t be my last.” She said. “He was a nice boy, Alphonse.”

A moment of silence followed. The travelers were tense as they looked at each other.

We are traveling with a murderer. They must be stopped.

“No beast could have entered the camp last night. I added an additional layer of warding on top of the wagon’s enchantments. Any beast strong enough to notice us would have been forcibly stopped and turned away.” Damien explained.

Damien knows his enchantments, I’ve seen them stop a Drake. He’s got to be correct. Someone here killed the cartographer. But who?

“Who saw him last?” Drew asked.

“Yes Drew, good idea. Who saw him last? Judging by his clothes he did not make it to bed.” Damien said.

“And his kit is here, he was up by the fire working on his maps by the firelight.” Thrain said.

“I saw him drawing when I turned in for the night.” Seraphina said.

“As did we.” One of the Johns said. “We cleaned up dinner and prepped for breakfast and he was drafting away.”

“Marcus and Krag were by the fire with him.” Drew said.

“Damien quit the tricks with your familiar. You would be one to talk, you nearly killed the boy last night. We all saw you.” Marcus said.

“I did no such thing. And Drew is not my familiar. He’s a named Skurr from Rottervale and he has saved lives more than once.” Damien said.

“What nonsense is this? You mean to tell me there is a named monster traveling with us?” A John said. “Did he come from the dungeon?”

The mercenaries readied their weapons but another of the John’s waved them down.

“That explains it! How you did your talking act! I knew it was too perfect.” The third John said. “I’ll be damned, a talking Gallows Bird! I bet they’d go for a fortune.”

“Ten gold actually,” Drew said with a shrug. “I was captured and sold once, didn’t like it very much.”

“Quiet evil Demon!” Seraphina said and readied a spell.

“Now wait. Calm down. Drew couldn’t cut up this man like this even if he was feral. Which he is not.” Damien said.

Krag knelt beside the body, without a care for the gore that got on his clothes.

“Killed by large beast, five claws. Two. Three meters tall. White fur, slick and thermal for northern weather. He fought back.” Krag said.

How can he tell so much from just this chaos? We could use him back on earth!

“There are only a few things that big in these forests. Bushcats and Drakes the most common.” A John said.

“Neither would make it through our wards.” Damien said.

“Unless you wanted them to!” Marcus said pointing his dagger at Damien. “Nobody knew these wards were here, what’s to stop you from turning them off and luring a monster here?

“My dad always said to be wary of old adventurers.” A mercenary said.

“They have lived hard lives. The merciful die young, only the ruthless and cowardly ones survive.” Another mercenary said.

“Stand at ease. Eyes sharp.” The captain of the mercenaries said.

“He speaks true,” Thrain said. “Either way, a man loses everyone he loves. Ye are lucky if ya never had anyone to care about at all.”

“Nobody left the camp last night, and no monsters got within a spears throw of the wagons. My men kept our oath. We didn’t know there were additional wards so we posted a full sentry last night.” The Captain said.

Drew watched the group around him. Everyone’s faces were tight with concern.

This is a bloody massacre, a closed room case. Someone here killed Alphonse and tried to make it look like a beast did it. But who would do that?

Drew looked at Damien. The man had his wand out still, loosely held at the ready.

He’s ready to fight everyone here. But so is everyone else. They are all living dangerous lives and have the reflexes to survive.

“Can everyone stand down?” The captain said. “I’ve been hired to keep you all safe and it gets much harder when you are all about to kill each other.”

“Would you all take a moment and breathe? One of my men was a town guard and has the Detect skill.” He gestured to the guard that had spoken up before. “If you would submit to questioning then we can get to the bottom of this.”

Around the circle people agreed silently.

“Start with the enchanter.” The captain said.

“Fine with me, I have nothing to hide.” Damien said and pulled up a camp chair to sit down.

“Jeff, Maggie. Can you clean up the remains of our friend here? Call out if you find any potential evidence. I will take a look and then we will place it over there.”

“Detect.” The mercenary said. “Mr Hornbrush, did you set an additional ward around the camp last night?

“Yes.”

“What was the effect of the ward?”

“It was a standard monster ward for rank 3 monsters. The same that I maintained for the city of Rottervale.”

“You speak the truth. Did you turn off the enchantment at any time since you activated it?”

“No, in fact it is still active even now if you would like to see it.”

“That won’t be necessary, I don’t know the first thing about enchantments.”

“Is your Skurr your Familiar?” Marcus asked.

“He is not my familiar.” Damien replied and looked at the mercenary.

“True.” The mercenary confirmed.

Two of the mercenaries moved Alphonse’s remains over to the other side of the camp.

Which one is Jeff and which is Maggie? Wait is Maggie a woman? You can’t even tell them apart in all that armor.

“Skurr, eyes over here.” The mercenary said. “Are you a shapeshifter or demon?”

“No. I am simply a smart bird that has leveled up faster than average by completing guild quests.”

“A partial truth. Explain it again differently.”

“I was smarter to begin with. Although that has made it harder for me in other ways.”

“True. Shorter answers from now on everyone. I don’t want to hear you lot jabber all morning.” He said.

The guard questioned Marcus, Thrain, Krag, and all three Johns. None of them were lying about the death of the cartographer.

By the time the other mercenaries had dug a grave and spread fresh dirt over the blood stained ground, the investigation had moved to the snowy elf.

“Seraphina, you were the last to see Alphonse alive. When you saw him did he speak to you?”

“Only to say goodnight, he was focusing on his papers.”

“Truth, but there is something more there.”

“No that’s all he said. Simply good night. Without looking up.”

“What about his papers? Did you get a look at them? Do you know anything about them?”

“Oh yes, we spoke about them earlier, it was the most recent map he was working on. The lands around Eesayum. I particularly remember the way he drew the holy mountain, from the opposite side. In Eesayum we draw the northern face as it is seen from the capital.”

A John sorted through the bloodstained scrolls and separated out a few that were damaged before turning to the group.

“One map is missing.” He said. “I know because he had asked me to make a leather sling to hold all 8 and there are these two damaged ones, and 5 intact ones. This last one is missing.”

“Where could it be? Is it around somewhere?” Marcus asked, looking around quickly, as if the scroll would jump out and bite him.

“The killer must have taken it.” Drew said.

Isabella looked out of the tent and saw that the mess was mostly cleaned up.

“Alicia it is safe to come out my dear.” She said over her shoulder. “The mess is cleaned up and the riff raff has calmed down.”

She stepped out on to the dirt and moved towards the wagons, Alicia following closely at her elbow.

“Lady Moorshadow, we are not yet ready to make way. There has been an incident and one of our fellows has been killed.” A John said.

“Has the Glennfyurd lad been buried yet? We can sort this out simply and be on our way. People die all the time.” She said.

So cold, why am I not surprised? She’s been harsh and cruel. She would fit in well in the cold northern wilds.

The old woman and young child reached their wagon and she opened the door for her granddaughter to enter first. But she winced as her granddaughter gripped her arm for support.

The mercenaries tensed, and made a few quick hand gestures to each other.

“Lady Isabella, if you are hurt I can heal you.” Drew said. “I have a healing spell that works quickly.”

A mercenary came around from behind the wagon and stopped a few meters away from Isabella. The other travelers went quiet.

“Drew get back.” Damien said.

“Well now, shit. This doesn't need to happen this way.” Isabella said uncharacteristically snide and sharp.

“You idiots think you figured something out eh?” She said as she unruffled the several folds on her long sleeves.

“What do you expect to see? A wound perhaps?” A too-large wolfish grin spread on her face.

The mercenary behind her acted first. Throwing his weighted net over the old woman.

Seraphina and Damien launched their ranged elemental spells and ice and stone slammed down on the growing mass of white fur beneath the net.

Krag and Thrain charged in yelling as the woman in the net stretched to her full height. No longer an old woman but a large furry white beast. She shrugged off the net now that it barely fit her.

“Hehehehe.” She growled through her needle like sharp teeth.

Faster than something so large should be able to move, she slipped to the side like liquid death and dodged the large sword Krag swung down on her. He took a defensive stance between Thrain and the beast as she circled the group to slash at the mercenary behind her.

The mercenary’s armor took the brunt of the attack and his spear was battered from his hands.

Marcus was beside the Mercenary with his sword up in a defensive position. As her second and third swipes came down he frantically Parried them both, and followed up with a deep Lunge that seemed to be entirely muscle memory since the Elf was screaming in fear the entire time.

Drew fired off his lightning wand twice and it seemed to have some effect. Causing the giant monster to flinch. Marcus took the opportunity to run away and slipped between the wagons.

The beast slithered again, snakelike and bore down on the three Johns who were drawing bows. Two got off shots before the beast was too close. She would have slashed them but she was intercepted by two mercenaries with shields.

The two Bash attacks knocked the beast up onto her hind legs and Drew got a look at her scaled belly.

She’s like a snake with legs and fur? What the hell? She’s too big for me to even get closer.

Damien threw out a stamina Talisman and its tether gripped the beast, locking her in place.

She snarled and bit at the tendrils of mana as they turned icy violet and entered their second phase, draining her stamina to power the Binding enchantment.

Thrain slammed both of his axes into the beast’s back. Slicing easily through the white fur and into the muscle beneath. He activated an ability and his two axes burst into flame, searing the beast’s flesh and lighting its fur on fire.

“Ahhhhhh, you damn slug eater!” She screamed and reached around with both claws to grab the dwarf and throw him to the ground.

Before she could tear Thrain to shreds, Krag threw himself in the way of her Swipe. He took the brunt of her first attack on the broadside of his sword, but the second and third attacks slipped through.

Krag was slashed on his thigh and as he lost his footing the third swipe took off his arm below the elbow.

“Krag!” Thrain shouted.

Two Mercenaries intercepted again, their Bash attacks knocking the beast back. This time their formation was solid and the three spearmen in their back line struck deeply into the stunned beast’s exposed belly.

“She’s starting to fatigue!” Damien said. “Keep her occupied a little longer!”

He used his stone wand to form the ground up over three of her feet.

Seraphina blasted freezing water over the beast’s face and it froze solid, blocking her airway.

Drew landed beside Krag where Thrain was scrambling to pour a potion over the wound.

“Dammit Krag you big brute, where’s your stupid arm gone?”

“I’ll get it!” Drew said.

Crap. Crap. Crap. Where’s that arm? This all went sideways really fast.

He circled the campsite until he found the half orcs arm.

He swooped down to pick it up but was tackled out of the air by a small white blur.