(Book 1) The malediction of the Undertaker

Chapter 6: The camp

After a good banquet, Taker left with his most faithful soldier and friend, Pete in the forest. Pete's family has been in the Calaways camp for three generations, his father died in battle while he never knew his mother. When his father died, Betty decided to raise him, Taker taught him to fight by his side and how to communicate with his creature. They have become like brothers but prefer not to show it in public, not wanting to create tension in the fortress or betrayal. They are on the backs of their creatures, walking in the depths of the forest for a few tens of minutes now. Taker raises his hand to give the order to stop, seeing in the distance like torches and guards. "Let's continue on foot Pete. keep a low profile creatures." He said whispering looking at the creatures digging a hole near a tree to get in.

From bush to bush, they follow the two guards with the torches wondering who are and where from there. Their cloaks have the same symbol as the men's necklace that destroyed the village of the old man and his daughter. "Do you think why they are here?" Asked Pete looking at the two men who are potential enemies. Taker looks carefully at what is happening in front of him, he doesn't know why they are near the fortress. Who is their leader? Taker thought.

~!~

The next day, Taker gets up early in the morning to do his morning routine. He washes then gets dressed before going to get some fresh bagged meat and his morning meal before leaving for the forest. He walks quietly, his hair blowing in the wind, the raindrops falling through the trees, the heavy bag slung over his shoulder like a potato sack. He arrives at the den where the creatures take refuge when it's this weather outside, the soldiers are there to give their creature meat or water, bow when they see Taker passing by to go to the bottom of the den . He takes off his black hood before sitting down next to Markus who was cleaning his head with his paws. "Hi Markus." Said Taker rummaging in his bag to give him some juicy meat like Markus likes. Taker begins to think how he could search the camp undetected.

~!~

Diana and her father are walking around Araneolus Shire, they are impressed by the number of people trading, fish, meat, clothes, jewelry and a flower trade. They also visited the cemetery of the former dark lord of the fortress, the famous statues with the real eyes of each lord. Frish looks to his right as Diana looks at the statues and can see an elderly lady in the distance trying to carry huge bags of dirt. "I be right back, my darling." he said to his daughter before heading towards the lady who looked like she needed help. "Madam, let me help you". Said Frish helping him carry bags. "Thank you for your kindness." Said the lady who gave her a friendly smile, she had gray hair, green eyes, she had a beautiful smile. "Diana! come help us!" He shouted to his daughter who had placed flowers on each grave of the ancestors of the majesty.

After helping the old lady carry the bags of soil to a beautiful and gigantic garden behind the castle. There were flowers, trees, a small river running through the garden, even fruits and vegetables growing. "What is your name?" Asked Frish to the old lady, he had an attraction for her, he doesn't know how to explain, she has bewitched eyes of a man. "Oh excuse me, are you new here? I'm Betty Calaway, Mar..Taker's mother" Betty said with a smile, Frish and Diana are surprised that it's the majesty's mother, she looks very kind. "Oh delighted my queen." Said Frish and Diana bowing. "Also delighted." she said still smiling.

~!~

Taker returns to Araneolus Shire, after feeding Markus, he is still intrigued by the camp. Why is there a camp near the fortress? Do they want to attack us? He heads to his mother's garden to tell her if she has any plans to find out how he can sneak in to get information from this camp. He stopped short when he saw his mother with the two humans he had saved the day before. In his mother's garden? since when does she allow humans to go there? He approaches slowly, his hands behind his back, watching them discuss. "Oh Mark, how are you?" Betty asked when she saw her son approaching, Taker's cold gaze fixed on her mother when she called out his name in front of humans. "What are they doing here? I thought no one was allowed in here." He asked his mother calmly, completely ignoring the two people with her.

"They were helping me carry the bags, nothing more. " She said smiling at her son who didn't seem too pleased that humans were here. "Betty doesn't need you anymore, you can go, thanks." He said, Frish and Diana bowed another once in front of the queen then leaves without arguing. Taker was waiting for them to be far enough away to settle down next to his mother who was putting soil for her plants. "Mark, be nicer to the people of the village." She said seeing how her son was talking today, he was like he was angry that they were there. "I'm nice enough to let them live here because I can't stand innocent people being killed. I came to talk to you about the locket I found yesterday." Taker said taking the locket out of his pocket, looking at it carefully. "There's a camp not far from here and I want to know who they are. " He said thinking about how he could know this information. "You're still not going to go? I'll remind you that there's a full moon tonight!" Betty worried, looking at her son, who was still staring at the locket, then shook his head. "I know, but I have to know."

~!~

"Well you know what to do Pete." Said Taker looking at his most loyal soldier dressed as a camp soldier to infiltrate. He's been thinking all day how to look for information without being spotted. Taker and Markus set off to chase a soldier who was away from the group to kill him and take his things before Markus eats him. He takes the locket out of his pocket then puts it around Pete's neck, he looks one last time at his friend who smiles at him confidently. "I won't disappoint you" Pete said confident that he will return to the castle with information for Taker. "Come back at sunrise." Taker said before Pete nodded and left.