When he returned to the street crowded with humans, he looked up, feeling intense heaviness in his chest.
“You made the right choice.” said the elf.
He didn’t respond but only continued walking away. He just wanted to put some distance between him and Allie, perhaps because he was remorseful of his choice, he felt terrible for betraying her. He didn’t want to, but it must be done.
How much he wanted to save her… even now, both his mind and heart were conflicting. What would his decision be if it was only him and Evry that faced her?
Imagining how much he hurt Allie made him recall his own daughter he left behind in his homeland.
“Arnaut, someone’s following us…”
He was brought out of his spiraling thoughts by that warning from Evry. As a beastman, Arnaut should have noticed it at the same time as him. But he was so lost in thought that he disregarded his surrounding which Evry noticed and took it upon himself to warn those with him.
“Should we kill them?” asked the elf.
Arnaut shook his head. “That would call all of their might unto us. We need to lose them,” he looked at Evry. “Let’s split up. I’ll take Elivar with me.”
“Got it. Good luck. And be very careful, there is someone that might evade your senses.”
After seeing Arnaut nod his head, Evry separated from them. Raising his senses, Arnaut listened to his surroundings, two pairs of footsteps seemed to have stopped and shifted their direction towards Evry. Meanwhile, there were other two that remained to follow both him and the elf, Elivar.
As Allie said, the humans intend to capture as many of them as possible. Once they have the location of their hideout, then the humans would try to wait until Arnaut’s men have all gathered together. When he returns, he should warn his men and order a couple to scout the surrounding area to make sure.
He and Elivar walked side by side with a quickened pace. Good thing there was only a couple following them, if there were more, it would have been more difficult. The more enemies there were, the harder it would be to prevent them from discovering their hideout. If Arnaut ever realized that they have discovered their hideout, he would have to consider moving immediately.
Truth be told, it was getting harder to find houses for them to use. There was only a limited number of buildings that humans offer for rent. They also couldn’t return to their last hideout. Inns were also not an option, not a good idea to stay where there were a lot of people going around. It was ideal if they have their own building to use at their own discretion.
Recently though, they have discovered one and were already paying for it, but the building was smaller than what he preferred. Still, it was better than nothing. Aside from that, their current budget needed to be considered. They have yet to receive financials from their nearby contact. They have been quite busy with something else. The money they had in hand was still enough for now, but Arnaut felt it would be nice if they have extra early on. Unexpected things might happen in the future.
He and Elivar entered through some buildings. The humans were still following them.
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“Elivar, we sprint.”
The moment they emerged from the building, they began sprinting. He hoped that the humans would have a delay in realizing that they have begun running with their view being obstructed by the building and walls.
The two of them ran through narrow pathways and jumped over fences. Arnaut could hear their pursuers’ footsteps slowly fading and becoming disoriented.
After moving away some more, Arnaut and the elf stopped and paused for a moment. And the former sighed.
“We lost them. Let’s get back.”
With that, they began making their way back to their hideout. Time passed, and they were about only three blocks away when Arnaut suddenly stopped in his tracks. Elivar gave him a curious look.
Arnaut took in a deep breath — no, it was more like sniffing. There was a familiar smell, one that has been there for some while. It was a pleasant smell almost. But that was not the main point.
He didn’t hear their footstep but the smell was there. How could he have not noticed it sooner? He didn’t even notice their movements with his eyes.
He looked around, the smell was the only thing familiar. Then that could mean they were alone.
Where is he?
He searched for that person. If he was alone, then that one both Arnaut and Elivar can handle. They could interrogate him after capturing him stealthily so the other humans may not realize immediately.
He followed the direction of the smell with his eyes.
A moment later, his eyes stopped and strained. There was a hooded figure looking at them, leaning by a wall ever so casually. But Arnaut could tell, the figure was looking at him. It was hard to tell precisely his physique because of his cloak, but his gloved hands were slender. Smaller and thinner than a man’s normally.
A man… no…
Seeing closely, the chin was thinner than a man’s and smoother. And also pale.
A woman…?
The woman as if realizing that she was noticed, removed herself from the wall and gazed straightly at Arnaut.
Who is that?
Watching her, it was somewhat familiar.
“Elivar…” he called to the elf. “Over there,” he pointed with his chin.
The elf followed his gaze and the direction he pointed at. “Following us?”
“Be wary. I want to capture that one.”
“Should be no problem.”
The moment the two of them took a step to approach the hooded woman, white smoke suddenly erupted all around her, catching both Arnaut and Elivar in surprise. The white smoke was as wide as the street, and the crowd yelped in shock at its sudden outburst.
Elivar clenched his sheathed sword in preparation to draw it at any moment. He rushed through the thick white smokescreen, he couldn’t see anything except things or people right next to him. But he knew how far that target was.
Weaving through the humans, he arrived a few seconds later and stood at the spot where that stranger was. He looked around, searching, but that person was no longer here. Arnaut a second later caught up to the elf and looked around and sniffed.
“Which way?” the elf asked.
“I don’t know. The smoke, it….it smells sour.”
He clenched his fist, a bit frustrated. To think that that person prepared countermeasures against a beastman’s nose. Not only that, he could not hear her footsteps at all.
How did she even get to move away this fast?
Whoever it was, she was not to be underestimated. That being said, there was something weird about that person, she was almost familiar. He had an image in the corner of his mind, but he decided to keep it to himself. That could be bait.
There was no way that person would be here, absolutely impossible.
I will not be fooled by this.
Besides, they didn’t know anymore where that person went. And there was no need to risk their life here — as the goal, for now, was to wait patiently for the opportune time. It will all end in one fell swoop once it begins.
“Ugh, this sour odor is annoying.”
The elf grimaced as he covered his nose. Given that Arnaut was in the middle of it all, it was more painful and obstructing for him than the elf.
“Let’s go while there’s still disarray.”
The smoke was slowly dissipating, and humans were confused, scattering and a few gathering just outside the smoke, covering their noses. It was a good chance to leave this place undisturbed. The two nonchalantly left the area, while Arnaut made sure they were not followed.
Eventually, they arrived at their hideout peacefully.