Jyl weaved through the undergrowth at high speed, her senses alert, her eyes constantly searching.

This morning she had found a pattern carved into a tree, which meant they were finally nearing the village!

Patterns like these were used by hunters and guards to determine their distance and position. They were spread throughout the forest surrounding the village, each one different from the others, designed so that only those who were taught could decipher them.

Of course, this included the seven hunters eager to return home.

There had been no attacks on them since they entered the village's sphere of influence. Obviously, the beasts could pose a threat and for that reason they were either hunted or driven out.

This didn't mean Jyl suddenly had nothing to do. Disregarding the fact that the chance of them running into a beast nonetheless wasn't zero, there was still the matter of scouting the area to search for more patterns or perhaps some guards.

She really hoped she would run into guards, they could warn the villagers of their arrival beforehand. If they walked into the village just like that, especially with three demons accompanying them, it would turn into a mess. She wasn't looking forward to being swamped by curious villagers.

Though, if it did turn out like that, she would snatch Arick and go talk to her grandfather while the others kept everyone distracted.

That seemed like a good plan, Lyall also wouldn't be able to interfere that way. Despite him not being open about it, she could still sense his disapproval in the way he treated Arick.

Changing direction, she moved to the group's other flank.

How would her grandfather react? Even without Lyall in the equation, the chances of him just accepting her leaving were small. Of course, he wouldn't outright forbid it either, since she already made the promise. She wondered what he would come up with.

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Another pattern caught her eye. Briefly studying it, she calculated that, at the pace they were travelling, the village should come into sight before nightfall.

Jyl was eager for that moment.

After informing Aiden, and consequently cheering up the other hunters, she once again split from the group to continue scouting.

It wasn't even half an hour later when she heard noises from ahead.

Swiftly and silently she scaled a tree. Hiding amongst the leaves she travelled from branch to branch, drawing closer unnoticed.

A group of guards from the village. She recognized the two walking in front, they were retired hunters who were now responsible for teaching the younger generation. Behind them walked half a dozen teenagers, clad in the simple leathers characteristic of aspiring hunters. These younglings would probably be having their naming ceremony next year and were in the middle of their mandatory guard duty.

Time to shake them up a little.

Taking one arrow from her quiver, she quickly carved a simple pattern into it. Then she readied her bow, making sure to be just conspicuous enough for the veteran hunters to notice.

The teenagers yelped when an arrow suddenly pierced the ground, right in the middle of their sloppy formation. One of the teachers chuckled in amusement, the other pulled the arrow out.

"Had that been an enemy attack someone might be dead", he lectured, "You should pay attention to your surroundings, then you might have seen it coming."

He showed the pattern to his colleague.

"Who do you think it is? There shouldn't be any hunting parties returning from this direction."

"Hunting parties would have no need to do something like this. Surely you realized who our archer is."

"You mean..." He grinned happily, immediately motioning for the group to continue walking, though he adjusted their course.

Soon the two groups met, followed by a happy reunion as one of the teachers pulled Rina into a hug.

Leaving the father and daughter be, the other retired hunter addressed the returning group.

"It's good to see you all again", he smiled, "With how long you've been gone, some were beginning to give up hope. And... you've brought guests?"

"Are those wings?" one of the teenagers gawked at Cecile.

His teacher slapped the back of his head. "Don't stare at people like that. Where are your manners?" He turned to face her. "My name is Cane the Earthdrake, a pleasure to meet you. You are demonkind, I presume?"

"You are correct. I am Cecile Bloedveer, the pleasure's all mine."

"How about we do introductions and explanations while we walk?" Aiden interjected.

The man nodded. "You two, go inform the elders. We should arrive at the village this evening."

Hidden nearby, Jyl was smiling widely as the two scurried off.

They were almost home.