From that day onward, Grogar took the girl under his wing. They went on various hunting tasks where he showed her how to survive in the treacherous Kamatayan forest. He showed her where to find certain creatures, how to capture them, which plants and fruits of the forest are edible, how to cure poisons, and much, much more. Velvet soaked up all this information like a sponge and diligently took notes on everything the man said.
The gentle giant was pleased to have such an eager apprentice. She was almost too eager. He could barely keep her thirst for knowledge and adventure satiated. As soon as one task was done, she was already at the board, picking out another for them. They hunted everything from wild boars, giant bats and various lizards, not shying away from poisonous snakes and timberwolves—spirits of the forest who took on the form of wolves and were made up from branches, leaves and rocks.
More than once both of them had barely escaped death, but always pulled through somehow, the large man's strength and experience and the girl's fearless determination and strong magic working in tandem. Over time, the unlikely duo became known across the town of Talim and there wasn't a single soul in the Hunter's Guild who didn't hear about the monstrous man and his witch apprentice that completed every task without fail. Grogar wasn't known as Grogar anymore. Everyone simply called him Crowgar now, implying that the two were inseparable.
He generously offered up his small house and Velvet made it her home. Soon their bond began to deepen. At first the hulking man was of few words, but over time he began to talk more and more. About his adventures and the times he almost died. He showed the young witch his scars and told her a story about how he got each one of them. The girl's eyes were sparking with curiosity, urging him to tell her more. More about the forest. More about the creatures. More stories. More everything!
It wasn't just Velvet that was enjoying this arrangement of theirs. The lonely man also had to admit that having such a great listener and companion was something he had been missing all along. As they grew closer with every task and near-death experience, a mutual trust had built up, unlike anything Grogar had ever experienced. He was used to working alone all this time and relying on nobody but himself. But now he had someone. A girl who looked up to him and admired him as if he was part of her family. She eventually started calling him Uncle Grogar and although the strong and prideful man would not admit it, he felt a warmth in his chest every time Velvet called him that.
All the while, Velvet was sending letters to Arianna, who was honing her magic back at the academy, describing in detail everything that happened to her and her new friend:
4th of Ookayn, 52
"Dear Arianna!
I met this great man named Grogar! He's very big and strong and is going to teach me all about hunting. He is also the top hunter of the guild, can you believe that?!
I am very lucky that I ran into him, otherwise I wouldn't know where to start. Tomorrow we are going on our first task together. He said I should pick a simple one, so I chose a task that requires us to catch 20 Kamatayan squirrels. Grogar says their bushy tails are very valuable among nobles. I will tell you how it goes once we get back!
Love,
Velvet
P.S.
How are things are the academy?"
23rd of Ookayn, 52
"Dear Velvet!
While I would usually be worried that you're running around with strangers, in this case I actually feel kind of relieved that you didn't end up going into the Kamatayan forest alone. That feels like something you would do.
The academy life has been pretty slow lately. Not much to say about it. I'm training and studying advanced air magic with headmaster Argus. He sends you his regards, by the way! I'll update you on my progress!
Stay safe,
Arianna"
9th of Nokayn, 52
"Dear Arianna!
The squirrel task was easy—Grogar really knows how to set up traps well. The biggest problem is travelling, really. Not all creatures are found at the edge of the forest and it takes time to get to the location where one can hunt them. I really don't like this bit. Walking is boring! But I guess something attacking you out of the blue at any moment makes it a little bit more interesting at least. There's not much to say except that I am glad I came here and am able to finally go on these exciting trips! I hope you are doing as well as I am!
Love,
Velvet"
25th of Nokayn, 52
"Dear Velvet!
I'm really happy that you are finally adventuring as you always wanted! But please, please be careful...that forest is no joke and there are actual deadly creatures in there. I know this will probably only make you more excited to go in there, though. Why do I even bother?
I am glad to say that I am working on my first mythical transformation spell—Harpy. This is going to take a while to learn, but Argus says that I am ready for it. Let's hope so...wish me luck! And good luck to you and your new friend (is he a friend?) on your tasks!
Stay safe,
Arianna"
10th of Dokayn, 52
"Dear Arianna!
We've done a bunch of tasks since I last wrote to you about a month ago! I'm not going to name all the creatures we've hunted, because there were too many and I didn't even remember the names of them all—some are really funny! Grogar says I'm a very quick learner. I feel like he is starting to talk more as well. In the beginning he was very quiet and only gave me instructions. But now, we talk about all sorts of stuff and he's telling me stories of his adventures. He's a really amazing guy! I like him a lot!
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It's winter now and that makes hunting more difficult—so Grogar says. And I can see why. It's not so pleasant to sleep outside anymore and a few creatures have hidden and gone into hibernation, so we can't hunt those at all. There are some others who only come out in winter, though, and those are the ones we are focused on now. The elusive "snow fox" and "chillbite" are most sought after apparently. I will write to you again soon!
Love,
Velvet
P.S.
I know you can master that transformation spell! I believe in you!"
24th of Dokayn, 52
"Dear Velvet!
I was hoping you would stay somewhere cozy now that it's so cold outside. But I guess it was too much to expect from you. Of course you will still go adventuring even in the snow and ice. Please, just don't freeze to death while you're at it! I also hope this Grogar knows what he is doing, taking someone as young as you out on these dangerous tasks in the icy cold...
I on the other hand still haven't managed to successfully transform into a Harpy. The furthest I've come is making my hands turn into wings, but then I revert right back to my human form. This is much more difficult than I thought! But that is to be expected...it's a mythical transformation after all. I will keep trying!
Stay safe,
Arianna"
7th of Jadayn, 53
"Dear Arianna!
A new year has started! I hope this one is as great as the last one! No...it's going to be even better than the last one! By the way, good job on the progress you've made on your mythical transformation! Don't worry, you'll be able to do it soon! Once I come back you have to show me how to do it too! I want to know at least one mythic air transformation as well.
Believe it or not, I have also been spending some of my free time lately to learn new spells and transformations. Grogar thinks that I'm going to be ready to take on harder tasks soon and that means I need to get stronger! If everything goes according to plan, we will try to take on an ursa major by the end of this year's summer! Keep up the good work!
Love,
Velvet"
22nd of Jadayn, 53
"Dear Velvet!
Happy belated new year to you as well! It's funny, the year has changed, but everything else seemed to have stayed the same. At least for me it is this way. Now that I don't have classes and am just studying and training on my own accord every day seems like the last. I guess I miss having you around to spice things up a bit!
I would gladly show you the Harpy transformation once you come back! And I'll have you know, I am making great progress on it! The teachers scared us when they said it takes years to learn, I guess—because now it's been just over three months since I started practicing it and I can already do it fully! Well, sort of. I kind of lost control of it once because I stayed in it a bit too long and Argus had to slap me back to my senses...whoops!
An Ursa Major?! Isn't that the giant bear-like creature?! I heard it's one of the most dangerous beasts in all of Rumerra! Please don't get too overconfident...you know you do that sometimes. You promised me you will come back safe and sound! Now you are making me worry...
Please stay safe,
Arianna"
7th of Fodayn, 53
"Dear Arianna!
Please, don't worry about me! Grogar said he won't let anything bad happen to me and I believe him. He's protected me so many times already! There were a couple of close calls to be honest, but in the end we always made it out alright. Also, my magic has gotten a lot stronger lately I feel and Grogar thinks so too! Just on our last task I took down a timberwolf alone! Once winter is over we are going to start going for the real big targets! I can't wait!
Oh, by the way, I have also been earning a lot of money and points lately! I already made it on the list of top 100 hunters that is next to the board of tasks! I'm so excited! Currently I am on the 98th spot, which is barely on the list, but I will climb more once we start doing harder tasks! Keep training hard Arianna, I want to see your progress once I get back!
Love,
Velvet"
25th of Fodayn, 53
"Dear Velvet!
A timberwolf?! You are crazy, you know that?! And what do you mean harder tasks?! Timbewolves are already very strong foes! You really want me to get a heart attack over here don't you? I'm glad your magic got stronger, but you shouldn't push it this much...
I also have some news for you! I can now hold the Harpy transformation for almost ten minutes without losing control! And Argus said we will start working on another mythic transformation once I get to the thirty minute mark! He said it shouldn't be this easy to master a mythic transformation, but apparently I am very talented. I wasn't really confident that I could do it, but I think I am slowly starting to believe in myself more.
I will write to you as soon as I get your next letter or if something new and exciting happens. Safe hunting and don't overdo it!
Yours,
Arianna"
12th of Modayn, 53
"Dear Arianna!
Please don't worry so much, it's really bad for your health! I will be just fine as long as Grogar is with me! We've gotten quite famous around these parts actually. It's funny! People started to call him Crowgar now, because I always follow wherever he goes! He is like an uncle to me at this point! He feels like an uncle too! And he started telling me hunting jokes! Want to hear one?
What does a trihorn say to three adventurers? "I got a horn for each of you! And it ain't going in no hole that was already there!"
You have to admit that's funny! Well, write to you soon!
Love,
Velvet
P.S.
I'm number 87 on the top 100 hunters list now! Yay!"
27th of Modayn, 53
"Dear Velvet!
That is a terrible joke! What is this "uncle" of yours teaching you?! I am highly concerned. Your crazy uncle's jokes aside, I am glad to say I managed to stay in the Harpy transformation for thirty minutes now. As a reward, Argus will now start teaching me the other mythical air transformation spell: Air Dragon! Yes, you've heard that right! I will now be learning how to turn into a dragon! I have to admit I am a bit scared. The Harpy still looks kind of cute, but now I will be looking like an actual monster. Won't people be scared of me? I hope not...
Don't do anything stupid! And tell this friend of yours to stop teaching you stupid jokes!
Yours,
Arianna"
Thank you for reading this part of the story! You're a legend!
Did you know? The Kamatayan forest is widely regarded as the most dangerous place in Rumerra [https://img.wattpad.com/4ec525ec8a423170ebde2e0b429a8ced7d3bd536/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f464752745f6c56667345707868413d3d2d313238353333303137322e313732363963613035633564393462333234303130333836383332322e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Did you know? The Kamatayan forest is widely regarded as the most dangerous place in Rumerra. It is home to over 250 unique species that can't be found anywhere else. Most of them are predatory and highly poisonous.