Tom woke up, and he wasn’t in heaven or hell, although considering his first death the chances of that happening were low. Instead, when looking around he realised that he was still in the forest before finally spotting an emerald lizardman.
The female lizardman commanded him, and when her sentence finished there was a physical pull on Toms body as he was forced to stand against his will in an out of body experience.
“Zutal”
A sound pierced the world and Zatul knew that he was being addressed, his focus shifted from the hazel eyes and to the snout of the female. Her head held high and her voice, was very compelling when she spoke.
Zatul knew what his next command was before he even understood the words spoken, and this time he didn’t resist as he walked freely up to the cold blooded reptile who had him wrapped around her claw.
//Redacted//
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As Marie and Allelu left Sofia to do her much cheaper familiar healing magic, the two proceeded to continued walking around until finding a large game trail and following it. Clearly expected if the sight of large birds with a wing span starting from 5 metres to 10 metres (16 foot to 33 foot) perched on abnormally large trees was any indication. Hawks and vultures alike sat in tandem awaiting their guests.
The surrounding trees were etched with magics and as the adventurers walked further along the patch they came upon a truly massive tree, at around 100 metres ( 328 foot) tall and the canopy filled to the brim with equally as large nests.
As they neared the tree a loud *squawk sounded out and from the very top of the tree flew down a phoenix, wreathed in flame as its yellow, red and orange feathers did not so much as singe. A wing span of 20 metres (66 foot). The living flame spoke telepathically.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Pheonix: “I know what you seek, Aegis a dear friend of mine sent you using the only ground route in. You would do well to forget about it after this meeting.”
Allelu: “Yes your majesty of the skies.”
Marie: “Yes, your highness.”
Pheonix: “Good.”
A moment of silence passed under the gaze of the large bird as its heat made both adventurers sweat profusely.
Pheonix: “You seek the servants of claret confederacy. They did pass us by a while ago from the Jagged Peak mountains heading directly West through the Brushwood Haunt. Prey was unknown to us as one group was lost and returned back, however the others died in wild beast attacks.”
Allelu: “Surely you must be wrong, they can not pass the Jagged Peaks.”
The scowl on the birds beak is easily interpreted despite the physiological differences.
Pheonix: “I care little for your reasonings and I care little for your conflicts, although a contract is binding and so you are here all in one piece. Be happy that I have the dignity to allow nobodies to bear witness to my brilliance without being set alight, otherwise you would be speaking to somebody who only *squawks.”
Marie: “You are most gracious your highness, we are ever grateful for this favour and shall not squander it. Let us depart Allelu.”
Allelu: “Yes, let us leave now. And once again thank you your majesty.”
As the 2 party members leave and head back the sun has finally begun setting. However, as they are talking about the day’s findings and their friends new familiar they begin to hear noises in the woods. As they approach the sight is rather shameful but neither say a word as they watch before the act is shortly finished, leaving a bit of jealousy and arousal behind in equal measure in the observers hearts, Marie *Coughs and the knight resumes her loud steps closer to the other half of the party.
Before the night can begins Marie skins and disembowels the wolves, caring little about draining the blood since they were already bled out and instead separating the meat into now and later piles that go onto the campfire or in to Allelus backpack.
The rest of the night is spent around the campfire with Sofia being the translator for her familiar Zutal as he describes his life in the woods and talking about the enemy scouts in their own territory. After the informative chat and agreeing to teach the new member Sentient common they proceed to go to sleep under the starry sky.