The expedition group ran through the woods with the Quintin siblings being in the center. Unfortunately, due to the lower physique of the son and daughter of a merchant lord, it meant that they weren't as physically as fit as the others, which caused the group to run at a lower pace. Due to that, the savage warriors, making sounds like animals, were slowly catching up to them.
"You, and you, hold them off!" ordered Kastan to two guards. The two guards in white and grey uniforms obeyed without question and proceeded to break off from the group and buy the expedition group some precious time.
The group kept on running, but their numbers were becoming thinner every time Kastan heard the human made animal noises were getting closer. Somehow though, the dispatching of guards paid off. The noises eventually disappeared as they exited the forest and in front of them, they were welcomed by a gentle rush of water coming from a small river.
There were only a few dozen guards and a few mercenaries left with them, less than half of the original number they had first come here. As they made their way to the small river, some of the mercenaries threw their heads in the water and drank as if there was no tomorrow. The Quintin guards, however, only stood still in place until Kastan gave them the go signal before they went ahead and scooped the water to drink.
Kastan had a waterskin on his waist and first gave it to Luna, who was still trying to catch her breath. After she drank from it, she looked back to the forest.
Silas had also just finished drinking water from his own waterskin, noticed his sister's gaze and said, "Luna, don't worry about the guards. It's their job to protect us and if they have to die in doing so, then so be it."
"I know, Silas," said Luna. Once more taking a sip of water before handing it over to Kastan. "It wasn't the guards I'm hoping to see though. It's Merlin."
Silas's brows twitched. He said, "Why do you care so much about him?"
Luna sighed and said, "This is why father is not giving you authority over his businesses, Silas. Didn't you see how good of a warrior was he and on top of that, Merlin's a wizard! He's one of a kind. Do you know how rare it is to find a magician within the seven kingdoms? I bet Merlin's the disciple of a wizard who had closed himself on the world."
"I see." Silas's brows relaxed. "I guess I'm still too inexperienced. Anyway, take a look at this."
Silas grabbed a pouch from his back and showed it to Luna. He didn't open it but clearly there was something alive inside that opened a pouch on his back and showed something that made Luna smile.
"Did you really? No wonder the people of the forest are chasing us," remarked Luna.
A couple of minutes had already passed and fortunately, no attacks happened after. Asur came back from scouting despite his shoulder being injured.
"Any ideas where we are?" asked Kastan.
"Yes, based on the general location we have ended up and the two mountains on the distance, I believe this river leads on the northwest of Venta, we just have to follow the downstream of the river and I'm sure we'll eventually find our way back." said Asur.
"Any sign of Merlin?" asked Luna.
"My apologies but there's none," said Asur, bowing his head.
"Good work, Asur," said Kastan. "Everyone, gather up. We'll head south and follow the river!"
The guards from the Quintin Family stood and readied their gears. However, the paid fighters were a different story. They all looked at each other, looking dispirited.
"Strong men of Venta, I promise that if you stay with me and protect us until we reach Venta, I will triple the fee I have already given you earlier," declared Luna. However, the men's spirits were totally broken. They didn't stand as they kept their heads down.
"Money's no good if we die! How sure are you we'll come back alive?" asked one of the paid fighters.
Kastan moved forward and drew his sword. He pointed it at the man who had just spoken and said, "All I know is that we're alive. And I would like to keep that way. Either you stay here and die weak or you fight with us and you might either live or die fighting. Which is it?"
Kastan then offered his hand, pointing the sword away. The man who had just spoken grabbed Kastan's hand and said to Luna, "You've promised. Three times."
Luna answered, "I keep my promises as the daughter of the Quintin Family."
The expedition group once again marched along the river banks. As soon as they started moving however, the noises of the savage people once again resounded in the area.
"Hurry, they are coming! Get in formation!" commanded Kastan.
A dozen Chrutin warriors emerged from the forest, carrying bone spears and bow and arrows made out of stone. The long range skirmish started as the Chrutins threw spears and shot their arrows. The expedition wasn't able to retaliate because they didn't have any long ranged weapons. But their walls of shield blocked the incoming projectiles, making them safe.
The formation stayed true as they tried to retreat from the Chrutins. However, another party of Chrutin warriors appeared near the direction of the river stream, finally surrounding the expedition group.
The Chrutin warriors nearby the river's stream charged in, but the moment they had done so, the steady rush of water swirled and rose from the banks, creating a thick snake-like body, smashed into the charging warriors.
[Whip splash]
Another figure jumped out of the trees. Seeing him, Luna exclaimed, "Merlin!"
"To the ri..."
"What?" Luna shouted back as a feeling of panic rose within her.
"Cross the river! Something is coming!"
Finally, his words were complete in their ears. And due to how he had proved himself earlier, there wasn't a soul who questioned Merlin's words.
They scrambled to the river, and Emery used whip splash once more to repel the incoming Chrutin warriors from both sides. Not long after they crossed the river, Luna and the others were all shocked to see a monstrous figure coming out of the forest.
It was a giant wolf with fur of black and red. Its body was twice the size of the average man and the giant fangs appeared as if it could rip off the head of a person with just one bite.
Everyone had widened eyes except for Emery, who could feel a stronger connection compared to the people he had been fighting with.
Since this was a mythical creature, Emery used the special symbol on his hand. An information entered his mind that said:
[Fey creature]
Author Note
I apologize for unable to do extra chapters this weekend. Work been challenging during first week after the holiday, thank you for your patience. Will definitely give the extra chapter next week. Anyway, don't forget to drop by and join the discussion in the discord channel, klik the link from www.doomsdaypillars.com website. Thank you