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Chapter 58 –Sr’et?

Forest was not as thick as it was seen from Hallum. Trees were big and large with lots of branches reaching almost sky. Ground was not deserted either, small thorns and shrubs had covered every possible inch. Large stones, rocks and stems of trees up to some point were concealed by moss. It felt as natural as it should get.

As a result, our path was wide enough for us to walk in as a group. Getting back earlier, plan was that two warriors with few minutes differences from each other would walk in front of us as scouts to spy on area while we walked behind them. Sheila and Anja were casting detection magic in turns which covered small area but was useful as not to miss any animal or beastmen.

We walked for quite a while and weather was getting dark too. Tired, we began to set up tents to sleep over when I sensed something familiar lurking around.

[Me]: Sheila, do you sense something?

[Sheila]: It seems like a wolf is circling around us.

[Me]: You sure it is a wolf?

[Azim]: Wat’ cha’ me’n?

[Me]: I’m not sure myself, it just seems very familiar.

[Jubel]: I though you are a merchant?!

[Me]: Sensing danger is not just a mage’s or warrior’s attribute...

[Azim]: Wa’t-eva, sleeeep tim’

Azim was not an educated fella but listening to him I was doing my best not to laugh as he was chopping up words and sentences anyway he wanted. After midnight, Anja woke me up as for the next two hours it was going to be our shift to protect tents while checking out surroundings. A small fire was on, and we were sitting by it. Anja had told me that her detection magic was on so there was no need to walk around tents as if something got close to us she should feel danger in time.

We had few cups of hot tea and chit-chatted about this and that when my werewolf powers came to my help. I sensed, actually it was more like I smelled different odors which didn’t belong to any of us though smells were coming from close to us.

[Me]: Anja, how do you know if someone or something is coming at us?

[Anja]: Detection magic is like an invisible circle with a 500 meter diameter around us... If something steps within that distance on it, I feel it.

[Me]: What if...

[Anja]: what if what?

[Me]: What if they use trees to move? What if they are jumping from one tree to another?

[Anja]: I could do that too, but there is no need for that, isn’t it?

[Me]: Anja, go to tents and wake everyone up!

I took out Ulfberht who was in dagger form. Looking up at trees I could not normally see anything but by applying werewolf powers and instincts my eyes got more concentrated and I could feel even motion of small leaves on top of trees.

I knew it, there were three human size beastmen above us on trees. I couldn’t see them clearly as they were on branches with lots of leaves on them but they were there.

[Azim]: Waz’ w’on?

[Me]: We have guests. Three of them!

Others took out their weapons and got in defensive positions as Anja and Sheila confirmed existence of three beastmen on trees.

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[Sheila]: One of them is coming down from tree...

[Ashod]: Kill them!!!

Ricat was trembling in fear and Ashod was chanting something.

[Sheila]: It stopped, and now other two are moving in same direction towards first beastman.

[Me]: Even if they come down, do not attack them!

[Ashod]: Kill them all! Why the heck we should not attack them?

[Me]: Because if they wanted they could have attacked us before! There is something else, and if they come down we should get know...

[Ashod]: Bullshit! You can not reason with a beastman!

[Azim]: Shuuuuuut ‘p!

In a moment three beastmen appeared in front of us, a bit away from fire. All of them had cat like ears. One of them was a female while the other two were males. Their tails were wagging and flicking while they stood up. I think they jumped down so I’m not sure as I was looking at Ashod and Azim as we were talking before their appearance.

One of them had a massive axe with him. It was so thrice size of beastmen who was holding it. Other one had to small swords on him. Female one was holding two sais in her hands. They had intimidating looks, terrifying aura surrounding them though they were not similar aura which I sensed while we were travelling. Female had big racks which I gazed at for a while until beastman with the axe spoke.

[-]: Humans die! Killers die!

I stayed behind with Ashod and Ricat while others were fighting them. Impressive part of the fight was that three of them were holding their grounds against 17 from our side including mages who were healing them and attacking with fire and water magic simultaneously. Fight lasted for another few minutes which I checked out intensely to see what everyone else was capable of. I didn’t want to involve myself as I did not assumed that our side will lose.

I sensed same aura again for second time. It was somewhere close. This time, it was sending off killing intent which I felt even though, whatever it was, it was not close to us yet.

I took out Ulfberht in dagger form. I knew Ashod and Ricat had their eyes on me, glaring in interest to see what I was going to do. Normally, I wouldn’t want to show my cards but chilling aura was dangerous. Beastmen were not of importance in comparison to it. I walked up few steps, closed my eyes and it began. Mana was overflowing from my body. High quantity of mana bursted as if it was a bomb which exploded and big shockwave went in all directions epicenter being me. Opening my eyes, I saw beastmen and crew members looking at me in shock. My attention was at the other being though.

[Me]: Beastmen we are no killers! Real threat is coming at us right now as we speak.

They looked like from direwolf tribe. I hope they could smell, hear and sense as I was able to. As of now, us fighting them was pointless.

[Azim]: Wat sr’et?

Next: Chapter 59 - Join me?