Jason quickly inhaled the soup he was given, sure it tasted like flavored water with literally nothing else in it butt after surviving of air the last eight days, the soup might has well been from the gods themselves.

With a belly full, Jason's eyes began to wander around the camp. The same as him they said, he had yet to see someone from Enbridge but from the sheer number of tents and people he was sure they weren't from one of two of the smaller towns, no, they had to be from at least ten.

"Over a dozen", Jason turned to the source to see the man who had escorted him and gave him the bowl of soup. "How many towns and villages fell for this many people to be here? that's what you are thinking isn't it". The man turned to look at Jason and had a smile form when he saw the look on Jason's face.

"It easy to tell what your thinking when your face literally shows it" his words caused a blush to form Jason's face as he looked down into his now empty bowl. "Do you know why this is happening? why they are coming after us?" Jason asked as he remembered the archer the bitch who had dared to offer a prayer after killing his father.

"It's those damn scrolls, why else. They never gave two shits about us until these things started raining out the sky, I knew it was a bad omen the moment I laid eyes on it" "Everything has a price" Jason muttered remembering the words of his father.

"What?"

"That's what my father said before..." "I'm sure he was a good man" The man placed his hand around Jason's shoulder as he tried to comfort him.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"So where are we headed?" Jason asked in an obvious attempt to change the topic, the man with an understanding look spoke up. "We are headed for Normouth, it's a big town I'm sure we will be safe there".

"Also you can't stay here moping around forever, some of the kids are apparently playing a game of blitzkrieg down over there, why don't you go join them" giving a nod to the man Jason grabbed his bag and headed towards the group of children.

"We have a problem Cecil" another man walked towards Cecil who was watching Jason leave. "What?" Cecil turned to the newcomer, "Our numbers keep increasing and what should have been a two day trip is now turning to a three day trip. With our supplies I-"

"No" Cecil spoke interrupting the man, "we are not abandoning these people Jorah" Cecil stood his tone making it clear that he wasn't changing his mind.

"The plan was to get to Normouth whilst avoiding brigands, monsters as well as the people after those scrolls. Look at our numbers now Cecil, look at it! this is just inviting trouble!" Jorah tried to get his friend to see reason.

"Let them come if they do we will be ready" Cecil spoke although his confidence was beginning to waver, "with what, the seven of us? even then none of us are any good and the other people here know nothing about combat!"

*sigh* Cecil put his hands on his friends shoulder and looked him in the eye, "have faith friend, the lady Irrakam will guide as to Normouth safely. All of us will make it, so have faith my friend" Cecil gave him another pat before walking away to help some people.

Jorah stared at Cecil's back as he left with a frown on his face, before leaving for his duties with a huff.

****

The group after packing up continued their journey to Normouth making their way through the woods, and avoiding the main roads.

The canopy of leaves did little to stop the brunt of the sun rays as it made contact with them this coupled with the lack of animals such as horses and mules brought their speed to a crawl.

"Here have some water, you look like you might melt without it" Rob who was walking by Jason's side handed him a waterskin, Jason muttered a quick tense before taking a big gulp.

"So how long till we make camp" Jason, thirst now quenched asked his new friend. "From the looks of things I'd say in another hour or two" Rob replied retrieving the waterskin and taking a gulp himself.

"Hmm, can't wait to stop walking. I feel like if this continues for another hour my legs might actually fall off." Jason gave a small smile when he heard Rob's joke, before focusing back on the people surrounding him.

Even though they were a lot, Jason didn't feel the least bit safe, on the other hand the feeling that something bad was going to happen only grew.