The trees seemed to grow taller with thick leaves, shading the sunlight above the barren ground, covered in dead leaves and dirt. Large bushes shielded the background like a wall of green. Anything could hide behind the trees, but there were enough open spaces around the trees.
"This place is barely a forest," said Sora while glancing around.
"Forests come in many forms," said Garan. "Beautiful and deadly."
"This is our forest," Nancy stated. "Nothing comes here without our permission."
Sora stopped when an arrow struck the ground in front of her, nearly hitting her foot.
"Who goes there!" a voice shouted from above.
Up in a tree was a platform where a hooded figure sat at, aiming a crossbow down.
"It's me, you idiot!" Nancy shouted. "And these three are with me!"
The watchman jumped down and landed on his feet near Nancy. He rose and removed his green hood, revealing himself as a red squirrel.
Josh
Squirrel
Archer/thief
Male
Level: 05
HP: 50/50
NPC
The squirrel pointed his claw at Maxor. "What the hell is he doing back here?"
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Nancy smiled. "Don't worry about the traitor. He's coming back to repay us."
"About time!"
"Just let us through and continue your watch."
Josh sighed. "Yes, ma'ma."
After the squirrel climbed back up the tree, Nancy proceeded toward the tall bushes at the back. Behind the bushes were taller trees, but not just trees.
Tiny cabin houses stood below the trees while other houses on platforms hung in the trees, connected by bridges. The villagers were foxes, raccoons, rabbits, and other wood folk creatures, wearing rags and green hoods. In an open shaft, a pig in a white shirt sat behind an anvil, hitting a hammer on a blade. Two white rabbits carried a block of hay into a small tent and a deer raked a cabbage patch with a garden hoe. And two fox kids tossed a ball to each other.
“This place doesn’t look like a thief guild,” Sora whispered.
“You can trust me too,” Maxor whispered. “This is the guild, but we enjoy having our families with us.”
“Oh.”
Sora noticed the villagers giving Maxor some glaring eyes. Most of them knew him.
Without warning, two wolf guards approached Nancy and pointed their spears at Maxor. Unlike the villagers, they wore brown leather armor and chain mail pants.
Wolf Guard
Male
Level: 05
HP: 50/50
NPC
Wolf Guard
Male
Level: 05
HP: 50/50
NPC
“Maxor!” one of them shouted. “You dare come back here?”
Nancy got between them, holding up her hands. “Chill out you two. I brought him back here.”
Both the wolves glared at her. “Explain, or the chief will skin you alive!”
Nancy smiled. “He promised to pay the chief back, in full. Let us pass so we can speak to him.”
The wolves stared at each other until they shrugged. “You may proceed, but we will watch your back.”
“K-K! He will cooperate.” Nancy sneered at Maxor. “Or else!”
Maxor gulped, but Sora still has fault his guild will help them.