Chapter 20 - The Adventuring

=====>Forest’s Uneasy Adventure<=====

Forest had an uneasy feeling while he was watching the swirling mists. After purposely losing to Wolga, who was scared of ghosts, he was daunted by a haunted ravine, which seemed scary even to him. Anxious about the prospect of going into the ravine,  he was suddenly faced with Audentia. He looked her in the eyes and on reflex he started the game. Before he knew it he won. He had been feeling guilty since then.

-’ I should be the one going. But she went before I could volunteer after winning. ‘ He despaired silently and chastised himself for sending a frail looking girl into the ravine.

Forest recalled their earlier meeting and couldn’t stop himself from admiring the new companion. -’ Somehow she was able to stand up to Wolga and in a way she is really scary … ‘ Forest thought while looking intensely into the mist, trying to spot any sign of their companion. -’ ...but on the other hand she is really dependable. ‘ He recalled how, without a single complaint, Audentia disappeared into a ravine. -’ ...and courageous. ‘ He admitted to himself in shame.

Gripped by doubt and worry he called out to Audentia, but received only a chastising shushing from the ravine.

He almost yelled out in joy when a lithe figure finally appeared at the edge of the ravine.

When he rushed closer, wanting to apologize, he was stopped in his tracks by a cold and scary look. Audentia’s gaze was really cold and impassive, and it made Forest shiver.

-” What did you fin… “ Hamon’s open words froze on his lips under Audentia’s blank gaze.

-” There were bodies, around twenty of them… “ Audentia began matter-of-factly, but Forest interrupted her.

-” I am really, really sorry. “ He fell to his knees in front of her. -” This wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t such a coward. I will make it up to you, I swear! “ Forest exclaimed his resolve and looked up…

...only to find a questioning gaze hidden under the hat’s brim. Forest’s heart fell into despair when Audentia ignored him completely and turned to the rest of the group.

-” Most of them were killed by ice magic. “ Audentia spoke simply, in a deadpan voice. -” Though I found five bodies killed in a strange, ritual fashion. Runes were inscribed on the chests and the bodies seemed unusually sunken and discolored compar… “

Forest froze under the unfeeling, cold words, which described terrible sights hidden by the mist. He could not comprehend how Audentia could be so calm and composed in such situation, and he felt really bad about exposing her to such things.

-’ I am rightfully hated now... ‘ He thought to himself. -’ I must make it right! ‘ He swore to himself desperately.

-” In conclusion... “ Audentia said in composed voice. -” The chances of meeting a magic user are high. Though I doubt that we are against a necromancer. I find it hard to believe that a necromancer would leave a score of perfectly fine bodies undisturbed. “

-” Um, did you just examine all of them? “ Hamon asked hesitantly. -” Just like that? “ His surprise was evident in his voice.

-” Yes, why? “ Audentia’s eerily composed demeanor made a shocking impression on Forest.

-” Khem. “ Hamon coughed, evidently trying to recover. -’ ... ‘

-” What? “ With annoyed expression on her face, Audentia broke the prolonged silence.

-” Em… you are rather calm about that. “ Lysanthir said finally.

-” Weren’t you scared? “ Hamon asked directly.

-” It was rather spooky at first… “ She agreed. “ ...but, after seeing the bodies, I am certain that someone was involved. Therefore there’s nothing to be scared off. “

Everyone was taken aback by Audentia’s logic and attitude.

After a pause Hamon said thoughtfully:

-” ...Ehm, those drained bodies, I somehow doubt that a passing white wizard decided to grace the place with their presence. “ Then he suddenly turned to Forest. -” Forest… I feel stupid for asking this now, but what exactly are we supposed to do here again? To get that twenty golds, that is. “

Forest got caught off guard by Hamon’s sudden question. He hoped that no one would ask it.

-” If we can’t find the proof of necromantic activity… “ Forest started slowly, trying to stall as much as he could, but chastised by Hamon’s inquisitive gaze he finished quickly. -”If we find the source of the curse and lift it we can still get the gold! ‘

-” So we get nothing! “ Hamon exclaimed loudly and grabbed his head in exasperation.

-” Since we are here we may as well lift it. “ Lysanthir voiced his opinion. -” Maybe that mage will be able to help us. “

-” Which part of the *probable human sacrifice* did you miss exactly? “ Hamon countered.

-” Well, they were ruffians… “ Lysanthir answered calmly. -” ...and to tell you the truth, the mages that I heard about, in the city, do not strike me as a particularly nice bunch. “

Suddenly Hamon calmed down.

-” Hmm, you are right. “ He said thoughtfully. -” I have been hearing plenty of rumors about mage’s partaking in the dark arts and I guess that few ruffians would turn into perfectly acceptable source of free…whatever it is. “ He shrugged and shivered.

-” It’s the first time that I hear about that. “ Suddenly Audentia joined the conversation. -” No one mentioned such art’s at the Academy. “

-” Ha, just so you know, I know for a fact that a dark mage is a perfectly acceptable profession… “ Hamon responded with his usual open attitude, trying to contend with mist’s eerie atmosphere. -” ...if you omit the dark part in public, that is. “ He smirked at the last words.

-” I see… “ Audentia said slowly, she seemed to be deep in thought.

-” So what are we waiting for? “ Wolga asked. -” Since it’s a curse let’s… “ She faltered. -” Hmm, smash something cursed? “

Seeing this as his chance Forest chimed in.

-” Yes! We need to finish before the night. “ He tried to smile at Wolga, but his effort was dashed by her darkening expression.

-’ What did I say this time? ‘ He thought disheartened.

-” Got it. Lets get to the village, whatever we need to find, should be in there. “ Lysanthir said and pointed somewhere. -” It’s that way. “

-” You must tell me someday how you keep finding your way around so easily. “ Hamon said wistfully and shook his head.

-” Practice. “ Lysanthir responded enigmatically.

After looking at Audentia and Wolga, Forest renewed his determination. He asked Lysanthir for directions and then led the group off at a brisk pace.

Soon he passed the signpost, from before, and continued on the overgrown road. He paid no attention to the creaking sound, which still resounded from time to time.

Forest tried to ignore strange shapes that could be seen in the mist. Somehow, as he had gotten closer to the village, the mists become scarier. Shapeless cloud swirled and coiled, as if it was alive, and he could almost feel a hidden presence in the mist. He almost yelled when a clawlike, unsubstantial hand reached for his face, only to turn back into a wispy mass.

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He looked nervously at his companions and could see that everyone was spooked by the mists strange behaviour. His gaze traveled to Audentia and he was surprised to discover that she was only one that appeared unfazed.

He noticed that mists, that surrounded her, behaved in ever stranger fashion. Audentia seemed to be cloaked in a grey vapour, her strange, flowing walk only emphasized how the mists coiled around her form. It almost seemed like she was a wraith, due to mists flowing and twisting around her with her every step.

Their looks met and Forest couldn’t stop the feeling of dread, which suddenly had assaulted him. Somehow Audentia’s wraithlike image stirred his memory of the night that he was killed.

Forest shook his head to banish the memory of tendril like darkness, which seemed to follow his killer in his nightmares.

-’ I must stay strong. I have trained a lot and even that old man said that I should be ok. I will not let everyone down! ‘ Forest tried hard to maintain his resolve.

-” Did you hear that? “ Suddenly Lysanthir spoke in insistent, hushed voice.

-” Wh… what? “ Wolga yelped in high pitched voice.

-” I didn’t hear anything. “ Hamon tried to maintain a calm exterior, but the axe that he had drawn testified otherwise.

-” I hear something ahead. “ Lysanthir whispered. -” It seems like a voice. “

Forest swallowed hard and looked at wide eyed Wolga.

-’ I can’t falter. “ He thought and tried his best to calm everyone. -” I will go first, Hamon cover me. Wolga, I know that I can count on you. “ He received weak, but reassuring smile from Wolga. Then he turned to Audentia. -” Audentia will assist us from the rear. “ He could not read the strange look that Audentia had given him.

He turned away from Audentia, as her wraithlike, fog covered form gave out a forlorn and foreboding feeling that drained his resolve. He took a deep breath and went ahead.

He could hear a dull and reassuring thud of Hamon’s steps just behind him.

As he walked he noticed that they had arrived at the village. Ruined, wooden buildings loomed in the distance. Wooden beams pierced the mist, like dark and foreboding signs, markings of the abandoned past.

Suddenly he too heard a voice, which seemed like nothing more than someone's last breath.

-” G… i… ba… “ He strained his ears to distinguish barely recognizable, dry whisper. -” … Tr… “

Then he got spooked by a scary noise, which was like a dull scratching.

For a moment his eyes finally pierced the veil of mists and he saw a strange shape in front of him. There was a long, dark shade moving on the ground and Forest’s noticed a glistening pillar standing over it.

He still tried to understand the sight before him, when the shade suddenly moved. It turned its head and two crimson red dots looked directly at him.

-” Give it back! “ Dry voice, that came out of the thing, was barely a whisper, but to Forest it sounded like a scream. -” My power, my treasure! “

A human face suddenly became unveiled by the vigorous motion, which disturbed the mists. The massacred head, covered with abrasions and escher, was twisted in a hateful and hungry expression, dreadfully amplified by hollow eye sockets illuminated with baleful light.

Forest yelped and jumped back when the thing made a sharp motion, two claw like hands reached for him, but grasped only the empty air. Then they hit the ground and made a sickening scratching sound on the cobblestones. Though the thing didn’t get any closer.

-” Awrghhhh! “ A hateful, dry whisper resounded in the mist. -” My treasure come to me! “

Forest was shaken by the sudden turn of events, especially when a powerful, high pitched roar resounded next to him. He almost covered in panic.

-” ArrrGGGWWwwaaaAA! “ A big, bulky shape rushed forward and was immediately followed by the heavy thudding sounds.

[ *Whack*, *Twack*, *Crack*, *Smack*, etc ]

[ Few long moments later... ]

-” Why won’t you dieeee! “ Wolga screamed in a loud and pleading voice.

In response, the thing raised its skeletal hands as if to grab her, or cover its broken up face.

-” Waaagh! “ Wolga roared again and more hits rained upon the thing.

-” I think it had enough… “ Said Hamon doubtfully.

-” M...my...precious… “ Weak whisper had gotten out of the things battered shape. In that moment a powerful kick landed and made the thing do almost a full turn around a big, ice spike on which it was impaled.

Forest snapped out of his shock.

-” Um, Wolga please stop. “ Forest pleaded with Wolga, who evidently snapped due to fear. -” We need to know what’s going on and that thing doesn’t look like a threat... anymore… Right…? “ He hesitated because the thing still looked dreadfully scary, not to mention that it shouldn’t be alive anymore.

They eventually managed to convince Wolga to stop and then they started to interrogate the thing.

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Hey~, Author's Here~

Here's a CG of Audentia in her new garb, that I promised you earlier:

EDIT: Ok image hosting service seems to suck, so I will post it on google drive:

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1S6G3jtW62i98sDoGHDl-dahm6wliVysP4jezc1gNXII/edit?usp=sharing

We worked really hard, with Owlbear General, to make it. And I liked it enough to make it a new cover.

As to the other things, as you probably noticed the releases were held for quire some time. I blame the scrying mirror that froze solid and only recently I managed to get it back in working order without shattering it. What I learned from that? Don't overuse a scrying mirror, you will spend forewer unfreezing it from absolute zero (without shattering it).

You probably want to know when there will be next chapter? As mentioned above i need to watch for my mirrors cooling problem so I wont be releasing at such a mad pace as before. I expect to have another chapter ready before the month's end.

Last but not least - I really like comments and always read them so dont hesitate to give me some of your thoughts.

PS ...and don't worry i totally don't have an ilithid handy.

Cheers!

Mea

PS I hope you like the CG, I will post old one later...maybe...if we do some makeover on it.

NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 21 - The Adventuring (Part 6)

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