In a strange world as a Doppelganger

Chapter 43 - The Outpost

It's been a couple of days since Thi and I left the village to scout the forest for traces of humans. We considered asking Vera but she was nowhere to be found. Thi isn't so much of a fighter but can definitely stay quiet when they want and is damn near terrifying when getting the drop on someone. I only know this now because we passed a few grazing deer and Thi silently climbed a tree and swooped down on the buck, immediately slashing its throat when landing on its back.

I show them around the area where I had met the first walking corpse and we follow the trail all the way to the mound of burnt vines. My mood drops somewhat when we pass where the man was pinned to the tree and his body is nowhere to be seen. I keep the information private for now. The mound has been disturbed and the other body is gone as well. Drag marks lead off further to the west and now I tell Thi about the first body. They give me a nervous look but we agree to keep pushing and follow the tracks.

It's hard to keep up any conversation or try to make even the slightest small talk while we move through the woods. We're both on high alert and on constant guard. Every little sound makes us jumpy. Hours of travel is starting to wear us down but just as the sun is threatening to darken the sky with its absence, we spot something.

Two figures are having a hushed argument among the trees. We're not close enough to hear what they're saying but we still manage to catch on to them before they have noticed us. I signal to Thi to slow down and point them out. Thi comes up and gestures upwards before they start climbing the tree. I consider my human form and to walk up to talk to them. However there's a chance they might recognize me. It's not like I took the form of a random anybody, it was a warrior with a crest. They're sure to have had some repute.

One of the is holding a staff and has a shaved head and face. The other one is dressed in agile armor made from leathers and has bits of dirt and vegetation smeared over them. I sneak up closer, keeping an eye on Thi in the trees as I do so. I get close enough to hear little bits and pieces.

"I have had enough of carrying these bodies around, why can't we just leave them here and let nature take them?" The dirty one sounds annoyed.

"Because we need to know if they have been infected and to research a plan to stop the blight from spreading further", the bald one kneels down and inspects something. "It's imperative to have good materials and know what you're fighting."

"I say if the forest wants to kill people, we should consider talking to the dryads and leshies of Glenhaven, not drag the bodies out of the forest where they might nurture new growth. There was almost no blight left back there anyway, something is already cleaning up."

"You think that's a good thing? The traces were of magical fire, and sure it seemed to come from a primal source but it was still strange. We have not had reports of any druids or the like being active in this area. Unless you think the hags of the north have come down this far or perhaps the goblins started practicing the druidic arts?!" The bald one waves his staff around and raises his voice.

"Fine, let's go, just be quiet", the dirty person picks up a rope and starts pulling something I cannot see.

Thi and I reconvene as the two figure disappear. We agree to follow them from further away and follow the tracks of their baggage. We do eventually see what they're dragging along and it seems to be the bodies of the warriors I had seen in the clearing by the vines. They also mentioned a blight and as far as I can tell they must mean the vines and the way it would puppeteer the bodies. If it spreading though, that's not good, we'll have to warn the goblins and ask Vera about it as well since hags were mentioned.

We stay far enough to just barely make out their shapes, to ensure that we can hide if they clock that something is tracking them. Eventually there's an upswing in sound and we can hear yelling as a small group of people rush up to meet our targets. We sneak a bit closer and the forest opens up before us. It's more than just a clearing and nothing like a village built under the canopy. Here the trees have been cleared out and large buildings are in the process of being constructed. Timber and stone lays piled high and several dozen shapes move around casually between the projects. This is nothing like what I've seen before, though I haven't seen much at all I am starting to realize.

Thi comes up close and whispers to me that we should turn back.

"We've seen enough. they're establishing something more permanent than we expected and there's no way we get closer without being spotted", Thi points out several sentries on platforms. Wielding large and loaded crossbows they peer out over the woods.

"What if I went in and told them the truth?" I stare, mesmerized at the bustle ahead.

"Are you insane? They'll kill you!" Thi tries desperately to keep their voice down.

"Then how about this: We wait for someone to leave on a patrol or something and we approach then? Using a surprise to our advantage and force them into a conversation? Worst thing is they call for help and we can just bolt", turning my gaze to Thi I give a show of determination with a nod.

"I'm staying out of sight and running at first smell of danger", This pushes me away and we hunker down and wait for our opportunity.