The chimps gathered around, watching Arad. He grabbed the tiny chip and climbed the tree. ^Here is your damn kid,” Arad dropped the kid beside his mother.
The chimps were smart, more than other animals in the forest. [They can’t win. They are waiting to see what you do.]
^What can I do?^ Arad asked. He can’t speak the chimp language.
[It’s simple, show your teeth and growl. That will be a challenge to the leader.]
^Is see,^ Arad glared at the chimps, his teeth opal white as he growled with a crackling voice. Unlike the chimps, he sounded more like a monster.
The chimps backed away, and only one of them approached Arad. ^He’s the leader?^
[Yes, but he seems to have given up,]
The chip sat on the branch, throwing apples at Arad. ^Can I go now?^
[Take the apples and leave. They should start offering fruits from time to time, and they will respond to your call.]
Arad took the apples, hiding them in his stomach, and left. The chimps watched him from afar, sending a scout to follow him.
***
Arad returned back home, finding Aella had just finished planting everything. “How is it going?” He asked.
Aella smiled, “I planted everything. We should get back to the inn,” It was almost dark.
Arad nodded, “Let’s visit Mira first. She’s a carpenter and could help us rebuild the place. Your bow should be ready as well,”
Arad and Aella walked back home.
^Mom, is it me or are we being watched?^ Arad could feel the eyes on him. Even Aella was feeling uncomfortable.
[The chimps and wolves are following us. I believe they are just trying to keep an eye on you. We better escort Mira here tomorrow morning, or they might attack her as an intruder.]
Arad nodded. And the two returned to the city, stopping by Lyla’s store on the way.
***
Lyla was cleaning after a long day. She had a lot of work to do with all the wolf parts that Arad brought her. When she stood, she spotted Arad and Aella approaching.
“It’s you two. Did you need something?” Lyla smiled.
“I bought a house in the forest.” Arad said and scratched his head, “Well, it’s more like a shack or a shed now. I was thinking of asking Mira to help if she can.”
Lyla smiled, “Mira is a carpenter. She can make the furniture. But repairing the house would need someone else, but I will take care of it.”
Arad sighed in relief, “Thank you, To be honest with you, I don’t know anyone who can build, so that will help.”
“As I said, I will take care of it.” Lyla smiled, “I can get the best deal, but don’t expect anything fancy.”
“Yeah, please try to keep the cost down.” Arad nodded.
“Don’t worry. I will make sure all the bare minimums are prepared. And with an easy upgrade path,” Lyla replied.
Aella approached, “Please be careful. I don’t want to lose the garden,” She smiled, “We planted some herbs,”
“I won’t let the workers trample it, got it.” Lyla smiled, “Mira should be inside. Go upstairs.”
Arad and Aella walked in, “Mira, are you here?”
Mira walked out of her room, “Arad? Welcome,” She said, her hair being a mess. Scratching her head, she smiled, “Need something?”
“Were you asleep?” Aella asked, approaching her, “I spent the night and morning refining the stones,” Mira replied with a yawn.
“Aella, let her go back to sleep. Sorry for bothering you.” Arad walked in.
“Ah! No need to worry. What did you need?” Mira rubbed her eyes, “I should wake up anyway.” She walked away to wash her face while Arad and Aella waited.
After a while, Mira returned, “What did you need?”
Arad explained everything.
“You can count on me. I do have some beds and cabinets already made. All left is to customize them a bit. Can we head there tomorrow?”
“We can go early in the morning. Since I have a quest after that,” Arad replied with a smile, “I can’t miss the carriage.”
“You can just lead me there. I will take care of everything while you’re out.” Mira replied, “I bet mother can negotiate prices, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
Arad stood, “Then we meet tomorrow. Rest well.” He left with Aella.
***
The next morning came quite fast. Arad stretched his arms in front of the city gate. “Arad!” He heard Mira call him, and when he looked, he saw it approaching a large man.
Arad smiled, “Good morning. You came earlier than I expected.”
Mira yawned, “Thank him. Bob is the third-best builder in the city, mom called him yesterday, and he had the day empty.” She pointed at Bob.
Bob approached Arad, “You can call me Bob, the builder. I will have a look at the house and plan the renovations.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Arad an adventurer.” The two shook hands, “I usually like to get this straight from the start,” Bob smiled, “I will decide on the price after assessing the house situation, and then we can talk about discounts.”
Arad nodded, “You can’t price something that you don’t know,” Arad smiled, “But you won’t find me this evening, you will be dealing with Lyla,”
“I know. I just wanted to let you know.”
The three of them walked into the house.
“Aren’t we getting into the dangerous part of the forest?” Bob asked.
Arad shook his head, “You don’t have to worry. It’s safe around here.”
Mira looked around, “I feel like we’re being watched,”
[It’s the chimps. They are everywhere in the trees.]
“Probably just animals,” Arad replied with a wry smile. ．
“Is that so?” Mira looked around, “Where is Aella?”
“She is with our other party member Jack. They are getting things ready at the guild for the quest.” Arad walked forward and pointed into the distance, “There it is,”
The house appeared out of the trees, and Bob smiled. “This is a nice space,” He walked around the garden, carefully evading the newly plowed land.
“You even have a well,” Bob looked down and sighed, “Who built this? Couldn’t they reinforce it a bit?”
“That was me. We needed some water, so I just dug it,” Arad replied as if it was normal to dig a well alone.
Bob stared at him, “I will fix it, the house as well.” He sighed.
“How about you, Mira?” Arad asked.
“I can make it. All the furniture should be ready in a few days,” Mira replied, and then seemed to remember something, “When you’re going back to the guild, stop by mother’s shop to take Aella’s bow, it is ready.”
Arad smiled, “Thank you. Then I will head back,” He turned around to leave.”
Back on his way, Arad picked the bow and headed straight to the city center where the carriages rested. It was the place they all agreed to meet after everything was done.
“Chief, you’re late,” Jack smiled, “Does it have anything to do with the bow on your back?”
“It’s Aella’s bow. Mira finished upgrading it,” Arad handed the bow to Aella, and she pulled the string. “It’s light. Not as much as a normal bow, But I can aim for a few more seconds with this.”
Arad smiled, “How about speed? Can you fire four arrows?”
Aella pulled the bow a few times, “I don’t think I can. The bow might be light to pull. But it still releases a lot of power. I might snap my fingers if I tried,” She sighed, “I might need a hand guard or a bow glove.”
“What are those?” Arad asked.
“Gloves used by archers, we elves rarely use them, but it seems I need one,” She sighed.
“Should we stop to buy one?” Arad looked at her, but Aella shook her head, “No need. It will take time to get ready. We will look for it after this quest.” She climbed the carriage.
“We’re hunting dragon, chief.” Jack looked at Arad, “Do we have a chance?”
Arad scratched his chin, “Yeah. It’s a very young red dragon. And His minions are goblins, dire wolves, and slimes if I remember correctly.”
“I don’t like when you scratch your chin. It makes you seem unsure.” Jack cried.
“Because I’m not sure about it. A very young dragon can fly. We have to drop it somehow,” Arad said.
“I don’t think my arrows will pierce the dragon’s scales that easily. Especially if it flew high up.” Aella looked at them, “Can we bait it?”
“Dragons are intelligent. It won’t take the bait.” Arad sighed.
[Red are arrogant. They won’t turn down a challenge.] Mom said, [Call him a lizard or dragon-wannabe salamander, and he will lose it.]
“They can’t take insult?” Arad mumbled.
“What did you say?” Jack stared at him.
“I would bait the dragon. You two help me finish him.” Arad smiled.
“Don’t worry, chief. I have those,” Jack smiled, showing Arad a few red-glowing bottles.