The four adventurers marched through the forest. The iron-gray trees pressed in close, as they traveled through the dense underbrush. Spotting a game trail, Neva led them towards civilization. The two wolfkin took the front, with Marcelle and Fritz lagging behind.

"Ughhh! Where are we even going?" Marcelle complained.

"South, towards Hueryss." Neva answered grumpily.

"When?"

"Soon."

"Not soon enough." Marcelle grumbled.

"Why'd we even travel through the forest anyways?" Fritz asked.

"Quickest way to get to Hueryss." Neva replied. "If everything went as planned, we could have traveled down from Trira via raft. Then we could just sail towards Fehrenn like civilized beastkin."

"But that didn't work out did it?" Fritz asked. Neva gave a non-committal grunt.

"It was a good plan." Neva huffed.

"What was in that letter?" Ada asked, slowing her pace to get closer to Fritz. A flash of confusion raced across the man's face for just a moment.

"Almost forgot! Probably nothing too important." Fritz said as he unshouldered his pack and searched for the letter.

"Let's take a break." Neva said, stopping in her tracks.

"Fine by me." Marcelle grumbled, as she slithered up next to a tree. Resting her back against the tree, she coiled up, crossing her arms.

Taking out the yellow letter, Fritz admired the beautiful crimson wax seal. A strange heraldry displaying a singular wing to the right of a drop of blood greeted Fritz. Ada looked over his shoulder, as broke the seal and finally opened the letter.

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"Come on, read it!" Ada whined.

"Dear so-called champion." Fritz began. Looking up to the other's he paused for a moment.

"Keep going!"

"Dear so-called champion, Your display at our last battle was most abhorrent. Truly you are worthless trash, not fit to be blessed by any of the divine. Still, the glory of slaying you shall be mine and mine alone. Should you continue to futilely struggle in such a revolting manner, I shall be forced to sick my maidservant upon you. Therefore, I write to tell you the following: if you attempt to dissuade my hunt again in the same manner, Hannah will rip your apart limb from limb with dark magic. I will then return home with your head. Yet, I would prefer to kill you myself. Therefore this letter asks for a simple compromise. Do not use that ever again, and my maidservant shall not kill Freyes' champion."

"That's it?" Ada asked.

"Seems pointless. Doesn't it Fritz? You promised us you'd never use that ever again? Didn't you?" Marcelle said venomously.

"Of course! Of course! Never again! I promised."

"Just like the first time?" Neva asked. Raising an eyebrow in challenge, she waited for Fritz to respond.

"This time I mean it!" Fritz exclaimed.

"Come on! You're being too hard on him!" Ada whined.

"Thank you Ada." Fritz said. Ada threw a friendly arm over her shoulder.

"Regardless, this might be good. The vampire wants to kill you herself, Fritz. That wight is dangerous. Nowhere in the letter does it mention her ignoring us three." Neva pointed towards Marcelle, Ada and herself in order. "We cannot assume the wight won't come kill us instead. She could be brought out to clear the path towards Fritz."

"She can come and try it." Ada said, flexing her free arm. "I'm getting stronger. Soon, I'll best her." Neva shook her head.

"You're getting ahead of yourself, Ada. You don't have experience fighting against magic. It's completely different. You also need a new sword. One that's not about to break."

"Once I do, I'll win!"

"They are still pursuing us. We should hurry. We won't be safe until we reach Hueryss." Marcelle interrupted.

"Exactly." Fritz said.

"Fritz, more steak. I need to keep my strength up."

"Sure, sure."

"Another cigar."

Returning to the group, Marcelle handed out a set of green potions.

"Take these, they'll help us keep moving. How long until Hueryss?" Marcelle asked. Neva merely shrugged, causing Marcelle to roll her eyes. Downing the potions the party went forth. Within the barrier forest of the Beastkin conclaves, they traveled towards their first major city. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of cloaked stalkers trailed behind them. Their green cloaks blended seamlessly into the underbrush of the surrounding woods.