Talax's return journey to his companions took much longer than he had expected. His encounter with the gnoll patrol had left him rattled, and he couldn't shake off the paranoia of encountering another patrol. The shadows that once provided comfort now seemed ominous, concealing potential danger. With every step, he moved with caution, treading carefully as he made his way back to his friends. He feared that any twig or rock could betray his location and compromise his stealth, leaving him vulnerable to the dangers of the forest.
Apart from the gnolls, other threats loomed in the shadowy forest. Though most creatures remained hidden due to the gnolls' incessant yipping, a few bold ones made their presence known with loud roars and shrill cries.
After a grueling journey, Talax eventually made it back to the spot where he had last seen Franny and Qalo. He followed the tracks they had left behind, trailing them for several long minutes while his anxiety and exhaustion took a toll on his body. Realizing he had been gone much longer than he had anticipated, he discovered that his companions had ventured further westward, in the direction of Franny's original group.
Finally, he heard their murmurs and felt relief wash over him as he listened to Qalo's annoyed voice. As he approached them, pride filled him as he realized his companions had not noticed his appearance. With mischief in his heart, Talax crept up behind Qalo and exclaimed, "Boo!" Qalo jumped in fright, and Franny let out a shriek that turned him as red as a tomato. Not very noble of their esteemed aristocrat.
Talax couldn't help but chuckle as his two companions glared at him, clearly not amused by his ambush. "You idiot! I could have killed you!" Qalo exclaimed, his embarrassment masked by anger.
Franny chimed in with a tone of haughtiness, "Sometimes I wonder if you're an adult or a child trapped in a man's body."
Talax smirked, his retort at the ready. "After hearing your high-pitched shriek, I wonder if you're a lady hiding in a man's body." Franny's cheeks flushed with indignation and embarrassment, and he was about to retort with a stream of curses that would not befit his noble upbringing when Talax's encounter with the gnolls suddenly came to mind. His expression turned serious, and he cleared his throat to change the subject.
Franny noticed the shift in Talax's demeanor and exhaled sharply, looking at him with a questioning expression. "What's going on?" he asked.
"I stumbled upon a gnoll patrol. Fortunately, they didn't detect me. I'm thinking..." Talax trailed off, wondering if his proposed plan was wise. He felt, however, that they could not keep moving blindly. Something was amiss, and the gnolls' presence might spell trouble for them, regardless of how hard they tried to avoid them.
His previous brush with danger solidified the importance of gaining some information about what was going on in the forest. Franny seemed adamant about avoiding the creatures; his only concern was rejoining his uncle and the safety of his large company of adventurers. Qalo was unconcerned; he was happy to follow the decisions of the other two. Despite Talax’s initial impression of a bloodthirsty orc, mainly due to his fearsome appearance, Qalo was happy to stay out of trouble. When the occasion called for it though, he could become an unrelenting killing machine.
However, ever since their initial encounter with the gnolls, the half-orc had been visibly agitated. His face was set in a perpetual frown, and he would occasionally startle at the creatures' unsettling yapping. When this happened, he would ball his fists and appear ready to tear apart anyone in his path. Talax had noticed this change in his friend's behavior, but had yet to ask him what was causing it.
"Well?" Qalo prompted, sensing Talax's uncertainty. Another round of yipping from the gnolls made up Talax's mind.
"We need to capture the gnolls," he said firmly. "We can't keep wandering blindly through the forest. Sooner or later, we'll come across a patrol that we won't be able to defend against. We need to learn what they're after so we can plan accordingly and avoid them if possible."
Franny shook his head at the suggestion, but as Talax explained his reasoning, his expression hardened like granite.
“No,” he said simply.
Talax groaned but tried to keep his cool. It wouldn’t be productive if he lost his temper and started arguing with the proud noble. It would inevitably end in another fight that he wasn’t sure he would win. So, as reasonably as he could, he asked. “Why?”
Franny looked at him with indecision before responding.
“The homing beacon’s light pulses faster and faster every hour, we are close to my uncle. I am sure of it! It would be unwise to involve ourselves in a fight with an unknown outcome that could very well end in potential danger. Once we join my uncle’s company, we can search for answers with the safety of numbers and superior force.”
Talax listened calmly to the man that he had come to respect and view as a friend. He understood his reasoning, but he disagreed. Even though Franny had shown signs of growth and coming into his own the past few days, once conversation steered towards his family, he reverted back into a haughty noble that lacked initiative and waited for someone else to sweep away his problems.
The fact that the beacon showed they were getting closer to Franny’s uncle had made the young noble hesitant to approach any dangerous situation. Their current predicament, with the gnolls circling them like hungry sharks, had made the young man want to reach his uncle as soon as possible.
Talax weighed his words carefully, hoping to persuade Franny to consider a different course of action. The young noble's plan to wait for his uncle's company seemed like the safest option, but there was one major unknown factor, they had no idea how far away the adventurers were.
"There's still one major problem, Franny," Talax said, his tone gentle but firm. "We don't know how far away your uncle and his company are. They could be just a few hours away, or they could be on the other side of the forest, days away from us."
Talax paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "I understand your concern for safety, but we can't keep going like this indefinitely. I encountered a gnoll patrol earlier, and they only had three warriors. I believe we could take them. Our goal would be to capture one of them for interrogation. And if that fails, it would be three less gnolls desecrating the forest.”
Franny's troubled expression revealed that he was giving Talax's suggestion some serious thought. "I don't know..." he murmured, his voice trailing off.
As Qalo remained impartial, Talax felt it was important to voice his opinion. He knew that Qalo was arguably the most powerful fighter among them, but he also believed that his own thoughts could be valuable to the group. Although Franny had proven himself to be a capable combatant with high-level skills, the orc's raw power and real-life experience still outmatched him.
Talax had come to realize that Franny's excellent teaching skills and controlled past experiences were hindering him in real-time combat. Franny tried to follow what he had been taught to the point of being counterproductive. He was stuck in a way of fighting that may be honorable and dignified for nobles jousting against each other, but in the wild, it left something to be desired.
In contrast, Qalo had a different approach to combat. As far as Talax knew, he had been drifting from place to place, facing dangerous situations that threatened his life. Qalo had learned how to quickly and efficiently eliminate his opponents. His half-orc heritage had given him superior strength, and he had learned how to wield it to his advantage, making him an efficient fighter. Qalo's fighting style was more practical and suited to the unpredictable nature of their current situation.
Talax turned to Qalo, “What do you think?” He asked the tusked man.
Qalo considered his response for several seconds as his two friends waited patiently, knowing that his answer would decide their next move.
After some thought, Qalo spoke up, unconsciously scratching his head as if uncomfortable giving his opinion. "I think... I think we should go to the gnolls," he said. He took a breath and elaborated, "Every day, we hear more and more gnolls. If this continues, we will have to fight them eventually. It's better to face them on our own terms than to be caught off guard."
He exhaled a breath as if relieved to have finished speaking. Talax couldn't help but feel proud of his friend's courage. He had noticed how the orc acted around Franny, often backing down and becoming subservient to the noble. Talax didn't understand why Qalo felt inferior to Franny, whether it was because of his noble status or being human. Qalo had even ended up becoming Franny's butler, which only furthered his subservience. So, speaking his mind, even if it was just a small opinion, was an act of bravery for Qalo, and it made Talax happy to see him assert himself.
Ferdinand's frown deepened, but he didn't argue any further. For several moments, the three companions stood facing each other in silence, lost in their own thoughts.
Franny broke the silence with a long sigh and asked, "So, what's your plan? Confront them and then torture them for information?" Talax started to nod, but then hesitated. While he had planned to use torture to extract information from the gnolls, he hadn't considered who would actually carry out the act.
He knew that the gnolls were unlikely to reveal information willingly, but was he capable of inflicting such pain? He had killed... a lot and without much thought on the matter. It had actually become a daily occurrence without even noticing, be it animals, beasts, or humans. However, torture was different. To intentionally cause suffering to a helpless creature, even one as vile as a gnoll, just to advance your own goals... it made him question his own morality.
As Talax considered the prospect of carrying out the torture, his thoughts were consumed by an inner turmoil. He wondered if he was really capable of such a heinous act.
"Is this really the right thing to do?" he asked himself. "I know these gnolls are dangerous and have information that could help us, but can I really bring myself to torture them?"
The thought of intentionally inflicting pain on another living being made him feel sick to his stomach. He had taken lives before, but this was different. This was an intentional act of cruelty, and the thought of it made his skin crawl.
Although Talax had serious reservations about using torture, he recognized that he had no other option. He took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and prepared himself for the difficult task ahead. He knew that it was a necessary evil, and that he had to be willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals.
He sighed heavily, feeling his mind spinning with confusion, unable to formulate an answer. However, before he could speak, Qalo's deep voice boomed out, "I'll do it." Both humans stared at the half-orc in surprise. His muscular frame seemed to radiate determination.
Franny looked at Qalo with genuine concern. "Are you sure? We could find another way." But Qalo's dark eyes remained firm as he shook his head resolutely. "No need." Talax could sense the strength and resolve emanating from his friend, and a glimmer of admiration crept into his heart. He realized with a start that Qalo had likely done this before. Talax had anticipated feeling disturbed and uncomfortable at the thought of what they had to do, but seeing his friend's calm demeanor made him feel confident and ready to face it.
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They quickly made a plan, debating the best approach to their ambush. Franny offered complicated tactics and plans that left much to chance, while Qalo suggested simply hitting the gnolls hard until they died. Talax suggested a more balanced approach, not overly complicated, but not too simple either.
He didn’t think they needed complicated plans since the gnolls didn’t seem great tacticians, they mostly depended on raw strength. A little planning and deception could be effective. But more than that would overcomplicate things, resulting in failure.
With their plan set, they started following Talax’s previous path. Talax remained on the front, leading with his tracking skill. He didn’t activate his stealth since he was accompanied by a lumbering half-orc and a fully armored warrior whose equipment rattled and jingled with his every move.
The inky darkness of the night enveloped them like a shroud, but Talax could feel the first rays of the morning sun peeking over the horizon. He silently hoped that they wouldn't have to travel too far before encountering the gnolls.
After what seemed like hours, they finally reached the gnoll patrol. The three gnolls were yapping and snarling, their voices harsh and guttural. They stopped at a safe distance, hidden behind the knotty bark of an ancient willow tree.
Talax whispered to his companions, "Stay here," before taking off with a light jog to find the gnoll tracks. As soon as he left the protection of the willow tree, he activated his stealth skill, and disappeared into the shadows.
He moved like a shadow, silently and fluidly, avoiding every obstacle with deadly precision. His heart pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert. He could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins as he approached the gnolls. The voices grew louder and louder, and he could see their ragged forms through the trees.
With agonizing slowness, Talax made his way towards his targets. The gnolls' grating voices filled the air as they complained about their duties, and their putrid stench filled his nostrils, making him want to retch. The fetid aroma was like a mix of wet dog and a rotting pigsty, assaulting his senses with each breath.
Talax's nerves were frayed as he watched the gnolls from the shadows. They were a ragtag group, their fur matted and dirty. One of them was leaning against a tree, lazily swatting at a fly. Another was sprawled out on the ground, crunching on something that sounded like bones. The third was pacing back and forth, muttering to himself.
Taking a deep breath through his mouth, he crept away from the gnolls and scouted the surrounding area. He moved with caution, jumping from tree to tree, and hiding in the shadows whenever he could. Every time he left the protection of a tree, his heart pounded in his chest, his legs shaking with fear. But he refused to let his nerves get the best of him.
Suddenly, a surge of mana compelled him to look inward, and a smile spread across his face.
Stealth Skill, Level 5
5% reduction in noise, 5% to hiding
Another skill had reached level 5, he was getting stronger! A sense of accomplishment overwhelmed him, and a hunger for additional power began to emerge within him.
With renewed confidence, he continued to scout, circling around the gnolls widely. As he made his way around the gnolls, Talax took note of his surroundings. The forest was dense and wild, with ancient trees reaching towards the sky. The underbrush was thick and lush, providing ample cover for any creature that called this place home. He kept his eyes peeled for any signs of danger, but so far the forest seemed quiet.
Suddenly, he heard a loud snap beneath his foot. He froze, his heart racing with panic. He knew his stealth had been compromised. He waited with bated breath, his eyes fixed on the gnolls. But to his relief, they didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. They continued to bicker and complain, their attention focused on each other.
Just when Talax thought he was in the clear, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. And that's when he saw it, a lizard, watching him with cold, beady eyes.
The lizard was massive, its scaly skin the color of dried blood. Its back was covered in bony protrusions that looked like twisted fingers made of wood. Talax's mind raced as he tried to figure out what to do. If the lizard attacked, he would be forced to reveal himself to the gnolls. And against three of them, he knew he didn't stand a chance.
He and the lizard stood there, locked in a tense standoff. Talax dared not move a muscle, afraid that any sudden movement would trigger an attack. But to his surprise, the lizard seemed to lose interest and shambled away, disappearing into the underbrush.
Talax let out a sigh of relief, his heart still racing from the adrenaline. He knew he had narrowly avoided disaster, and he vowed to be more careful in the future.
Talax closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling a rush of relief flood through him as the tension drained away from his body. The adrenaline that had been pumping through his veins slowly dissipated, leaving him feeling both exhilarated and drained. He could feel the fine tremors that rocked his body, a testament to the intensity of the moment.
He quickly focused his thoughts, reprimanding himself for his carelessness. His recent level up had left him feeling overconfident, causing him to let his guard down and be exposed to danger. He activated his stealth once again and moved as quickly as he could to loop back to his original position. After observing the gnolls for one final time, he jogged back to Franny and Qalo. The cool breeze in the air brought a sense of calmness to him as he breathed deeply, taking in the fresh scent of the forest.
Finally, he reached his companions. They were waiting patiently for him, their eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination. Talax gave them a brief rundown of the situation, his words quick and to the point. They nodded in understanding, their faces set in grim determination.
With a wordless agreement, the three of them set off towards their targets, moving as silently as possible. Talax and Franny took the lead, their eyes darting back and forth as they scanned the area for any signs of danger. Qalo hung back, giving the two humans the chance to get into position. Their presence would have been revealed if he got any closer, so he chose to wait while the other two initiated the battle.
As they neared the gnolls' position, Talax and Franny separated, each taking a different approach. Talax moved with silent precision as he made his way to a position he had scouted earlier. It was a small rise in the ground, affording him a clear view of the gnolls and a better angle for his arrows. Two trees stood on either side of him, providing cover and protection.
Still, Franny had to make the first move since Talax’s position was right in front of the gnoll patrol. The moment he chose to act, he would be discovered and attacked before the others could intervene.
He hid behind one of the two trees and deactivated his stealth so that Franny could see him. Franny, who was hidden behind a big briar, looked anxiously around trying to spot him. He fidgeted nervously, and even his slight movements made his armor rattle. It was a mystery how the gnolls were still oblivious, he wanted to curse the noble for his carelessness, but he would have to wait for it if they got out of it alive.
When he finally noticed him, relief washed over his face. Talax could see the nerves that wreaked him on his aristocratic face, but still, the young man nodded with confidence.
His eyes lasered in on his three opponents, ready for Franny to draw their attention. His mind was calm, even though the gnolls appeared to be at higher levels than his own and his friends, he had no doubt in his mind they would emerge victorious. He was like a coiled spring, ready to unleash his power.
First, he heard the signature clatter of Franny’s armor. Now that their objective was to draw the attention of the gnolls, the young noble didn’t waste time trying to hide his presence. His gleaming armor was like a beacon to the three creatures.
As one, the three gnolls turned their heads with an eerie synchronicity, like predators sighting their next kill. Before Franny had even managed to enter their line of sight, the gnolls drew their swords, with speckles of blood staining the dull blades, and readied themselves to attack. Their speed and efficiency were troubling, but Talax concentrated on his part of the fight.
As Franny emerged from the dense foliage, the gnolls' cacophonous yapping echoed through the forest, filling the air with an eerie tension. The senseless yapping transformed into words and Talax heard them wonder if the armored man was the one the chiefling was searching for.
The gnolls' towering presence seemed to loom over Franny, who struggled to suppress a shiver of fear.
The gnolls sensed Franny's unease and erupted into raucous laughter, causing the color to drain from Franny's face. Talax silently urged him to snap out of it, but the man seemed frozen in terror as the gnolls closed in on him like ruthless bullies, ready to torment their hapless victim. Even Franny's sword seemed to droop, centimeter by centimeter, as if he had already given up before the fight had even begun. The gnolls were ready to pounce, their fanged maws dripping with saliva as they hungrily eyed their prey.
"Damn it," Talax muttered.
Determined not to let their plan fail, Talax began to cast his spell. Words flying out of his mouth with a thunderous torrent that shattered his stealth and caught the gnolls off guard. Surprised by the sudden commotion, they turned around, giving Franny a chance to finally snap out of his fear-induced trance and yell, "NOW!" But it was already too late.
The gnolls, upon seeing a caster, switched targets and started to run towards Talax, who was now covered in the darkness of the forest. Talax stood frozen, unable to move, while he finished his incantation, sweat dripping down his face and fear gripping his heart. The five seconds cast time, even though it didn't seem like too long, felt like an eternity in a situation of life and death.
Franny tried to intercept the gnolls, but only one paid him any attention. The others were intent on attacking Talax, and he could see the glint of malice in their eyes. The gnoll that stayed with the noble swung its sword with surprising speed, the blade connecting with Franny's chest plate with a resounding clang. The noble tried to parry the blow, but the force of the impact was too great, the strength difference too vast, and he was sent hurtling backwards with a sickening thud.
Talax watched in horror as Franny lay crumpled on the ground, his breastplate mangled and dented where the gnoll had hit him. He knew that they were both about to meet their end in the hands of the vicious creatures, and despair washed over him. He heard Franny groan, and relief flooded through him. But it was short-lived.
As the two gnolls closed in on Talax, he felt sweat trickling down his face, his heart pounding with fear. With only seconds left to cast his spell, Talax fought to stay focused, knowing that any misstep could mean his certain death. He cursed under his breath as the gnolls approached him, their swords glinting wickedly in the dim light of the forest. The stench of their rancid breath made Talax's stomach turn, and he braced himself for the inevitable attack.
At the last moment, he heard a roar, and Qalo appeared on the scene, his massive frame filling the air with a palpable aura of strength and power.
The gnolls stopped in their tracks, their heads swiveling towards the new presence, and Talax seized the opportunity. With a last word, he summoned a heavy fog that enveloped the two gnolls closest to him. The entrapped creatures yipped and howled in agitation; their movements slowed by the dense mist. Talax knew that they wouldn't be able to break free for a few precious moments, and he seized the opportunity to gather his wits and plan his next move.
He exhaled in relief, and his chest heaved like he had been running for his life. His eyes darted to his two friends, as he watched the battle unfold before him.
Qalo had engaged the remaining gnoll, his muscular frame wielding his sword with deadly intent. The gnoll was a formidable opponent, its snarling teeth and wild eyes filled with hatred and bloodlust. The two clashed again and again, their swords ringing out with a metallic clang that echoed through the forest. Franny had managed to stand up, his face a mask of determination as he downed a healing potion with one hand. The other hand hung limply at his side, wounded from the gnoll's powerful strike.
Talax considered his next move, but the choice was obvious. He had to create some distance between himself and the gnolls. The adrenaline rush of the battle was starting to fade, and he knew that if he stayed too close, he would be overpowered by his two opponents. Besides, he was still woefully unprepared to face two enemies in close combat. He activated his stealth once again and disappeared into the shadows. He ran towards the nearest tree, his heart beating faster with each step. He hid in the shadows, feeling the rough bark against his back, and with labored breath, he drew his bow. He had to get some shots before the fog dissipated. He aimed and let the arrow fly, feeling a rush of anticipation as the arrow sailed through the air, cutting through the thick fog like a knife.
The sightless gnolls had no way to evade the coming shot, still blinded by the spell, and the arrow sank deeply into the hand of the closest gnoll. Talax felt a thrill of victory as he saw the gnoll's pained yelp and frantic search for the source of the attack. "I will kill you!" the gnoll shouted in its deranged language of barks and yips.
Before the gnoll had finished its sentence, another arrow embedded itself in its body, sinking deep into its leg just below the knee. The gnoll stumbled and lost its balance, falling with a loud crash.
Talax felt a surge of excitement as he watched the gnoll writhe in pain, its sightless eyes searching for its attacker.
Its fellow gnoll looked around in agitation, unable to even make out its companion who was groaning just a few centimeters in front of it. Talax felt a rush of adrenaline as he counted the seconds until the spell ended. He had to be quick, he knew, before the gnolls regained their sight and their fury was unleashed upon him. With a jump to another shadow, he crossed a couple of meters and waited until the fog vanished.
Still in stealth, he checked on his friends. The two exchanged blows with the lone gnoll, their movements a blur of steel and muscle. Qalo seemed to have accumulated many wounds, most of them superficial, but his appearance was concerning. Franny, on the other hand, was a little way behind, striking opportune hits to their opponent. his movements sluggish, and it seemed that the potion hadn't healed him completely.
When he turned his attention back to the other gnolls, he heard Franny's terrified voice.
"Qalo! NO!"
With huge eyes, Talax saw his big friend being skewered by the gnoll's heavy sword as a fountain of blood erupted from the orc's stomach.
"No..." he whispered as the fog finally dissipated and the furious gnolls looked around with manic eyes, trying to find the caster that had wounded them.