The caravan rolled on, occasionally bumping on some rocks and branches on the road. With each jolt of the carriage, Geffery jumped as well. The journey to Pirn had felt longer than usual. Perhaps because he'd stopped the caravan to avoid possible threats at every turn. It was justified really. There were dangers everywhere. The road had many turns, snaking between the edges of Feytale Forest and Wyrmtail Swamp. Geffery kept turning his gaze back and forth. Keep an eye on the swamp. Keep an eye on the forest.
"Stop! There's something moving in the forest! Guards around the caravan at once!"
Groans sounded from the caravan members as they stopped their horses and moved about.
"We're almost there for gods' sake!"
"We can see the smoke from Ogon!"
"Just MOVE, we're almost there!"
Geffery shook his head at the complaints. The guards, or rather, the few travelers that he'd given weapons in the form of swords, farming tools and pointy sticks, surrounded the caravan and glared at the surroundings. Some muttered to each other but most just waited til Geffery felt safe enough to get them moving again. The skittish man surveyed the forest and swamp, beads of sweat rolling down the nape of his neck.
"O-Okay. We move again!"
More groans. Gods, these people were hard to please, Geffery thought to himself. He was just looking out for them! They wouldn't have time to complain if there was any actual danger this time. What if there was a bear? They'd only have a moment to react then blood would go flying. He was doing them a FAVOR. He was doing his JOB as caravan chief! He was a careful and responsible leader who looked out for his follower and kept them safe-
He shrieked when cloaked figures burst from the bushes in the forest and started jogging towards them. The others looked just as startled but didn't actually scream. The 3 cloaked people closed the distance in seconds and stopped just some meter away from the caravan. The nearest armed merchant raised his pitchfork warily and shot Geffery a questioning look. Geffery was trembling in his seat.
"W-w-wha-"
"Greetings fellow human traveler!"
The biggest of the strangers raised a pale hand and did a slow wave at them, interrupting Geffery. The voice sent shivers down his spine. It was melodic and echoed in his head. Geffery stared at the clawed hand as it retreated back under the cloak. He tried to stammer out a reply. The merchant with the pitchfork gave him an odd look then turned and spoke to the trio.
"Greetings... Who are you people? Can we help you?"
The 3 quickly turned to each other and whispered something in gleeful sing-song voices. Geffery's head was swimming. They turned back to face the caravan. The same person spoke again.
"We are human travelers on our way to the nearest city! Which way do we go?"
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"Ogon is just up ahead. You can see the smoke from here."
The trio whispered to each other again. One of them had a tattered brown cloak. She spoke with a brighter voice than the tall one.
"We have been to Ogon. We seek to visit another village."
"Then... There's Pirn, down south if you follow this road. Should be a week's travel by foot if you keep a fast pace."
The trio nodded to the pitchfork merchant then to each other.
The last of them, a thin person with a blue cloak spoke.
"Thank you, friends. We will be on our way then. We wish you safe travels!"
"Same to you, travelers."
Half-hearted and confused goodbyes were said as the trio departed. The caravan members stared at them as they darted back into the forest. Geffery just gaped. Someone looked at him then poked him in the side.
"Gah!- O-Onwards!"
And so the caravan moved again.
Ogon looked pretty much the same was when the caravan had left it. Except for the new inhabitants. Geffery nearly fell out of his seat when a HUGE crow screeched a 'welcome back!' at him. A dryad strolled past him, idly chatting with a farmer who was carrying a crate of carrots. The farmer said something and the dryad laughed. Geffery stared with his mouth hanging open in shock as the caravan passed them. A pair of pale people with too many eyes stared at them as they drove past the alley they were sitting around in. People gulped and moved silently, wondering what in the world happened when they were away.
"Geffery! You made it back at last!"
Geffery squealed and spun around in his seat just to be met with an almost normal sight. Krystal was striding towards them, arms spread out in greeting and an elated look on her face.
"I was starting to think you'd settled in Pirn and left my caravan in some ditch!"
He laughed nervously, eyes darting around to the odd creatures mingling around with the human villagers.
"What- what happened here? There's... What are those?"
He pointed around to the clearly unnatural creatures. Was that a rat on fire?!
"Oh, Ogon sorta merged with a dungeon. Or more like, the dungeon's inhabitants went and moved into Ogon. Some of them at least. Stop staring at the imp, they get offended."
"Dungeon?!"
A murmur spread among the caravan followers. Geffery gaped and tried to make sense of what Krystal just said. She sort of just stood there with her arms crossed, waiting for a reaction.
"A Dungeon?!"
"Yup. Mageon Dungeon, led by the lovely Fanv, visvarg broodmother and forest Guardian."
"Mag- Broodmother? As in... there's a brood? Of what?"
"Visvargs."
"What?"
"Visvargs."
"What?"
"Greetings humans!"
*caravan screaming*
The caravan followers snapped their attention to the newly arrived monster wolf. Or a visvarg, as Krystal corrected some of them. Geffery lay limp in his seat on the carriage, unconscious and foaming at the mouth. Krystal watched the unfolding chaos with a wide grin. People screamed each time a new Visvarg emerged on the street to join the first one. 6 visvargs stood in the street, some of them watching the caravan with keen interest while the others just stood around and waited for the lead visvarg to start moving again. The lead visvarg was black with golden stripes and just 2 eyes. On her back sat a woman with red hair and green eyes. She wore a dark blue cloak that looked as silky as her voice sounded.
"We're leaving now Miss Krystal. Just wanted to say our goodbyes to everyone."
"Take care, Rella! If you and your friends ever need help just look for me ok?"
"Will do Miss! Stay safe!"
The pack of visvargs then went on their way past the caravan and down the street. The biggest of them had to take a large step over one of the wagons to get past. The caravan followers watched in silent awe and horror as they moved past them.
"Those, are visvargs. Lovely people, very polite and easy to read."
They stared at Krystal who had a satisfied look on her face. She looked less satisfied when they broke out of their shock and swarmed her with questions.