In a strange world as a Doppelganger

Chapter 47 - Growth

We eat in silence, both of us glancing at the other every now and then. Not a good glance, more like we're both staying alert in case one of us pounces. Not that the risk of that is particularly high yet, as we are both still suffering the detriment of hunger.
Almost as if there's a race we are both eating fast, but with restraint to not shock the system. A strange relay race of who can most efficiently chew and swallow without rushing.
The thought makes me snort a little laugh and the orc nearly jumps at the sudden noise. He narrows his already small eyes at me, probably trying to gauge the reason behind the sound.

After that arduous meal we both stand up and get ready to move. None of us want to stay in each others company longer than we have two. The faster we get this over with, the sooner I can reconvene with Thi.

Moving through the night after the last couple of days is starting to take a toll on me. Fatigue creeps in and dulls my senses ever so slightly. Bardu, the orc, seem to have more experience with this and shows very little sign of tiring. Then again he is also fueled by the death of his friend.

We took a short rest just before dawn and a few hours of sleep was not something I was in a hurry to decline. Rested and fed, we made our way to the burnt clearing where the vines had been. I show Bardu where the body had laid and explain what happened here as far as I knew.

What I didn't tell Bardu was the fact that the greenery was already returning and even though they lay still, I could see the same vines with small yellow buds on them.
While the orc hunter examined the area I took a closer look at the vines. Do I tell him? This could maybe clear the Goblin tribe from this, but he might twist it and say that it's because of the goblins that it's coming back already. I'm not sure I should say anything until I have the chance to talk to Vera. If anyone can shed some light on this it would be her.

"You mentioned a big one", Bardu says from a few feet away.

"Over here", I start walking in the direction, close to the treeline and show him the remnants of the hulking corpse.

I can see the same vines have started to slowly wind its way around it, small yellow flowers budding all around.

"Don't get too close", I light a small flame in my hand. "I'm pretty sure those vines are alive, the flowers I saw looked similar but much bigger."

Bardu inspects the body from a distance, taking out a small note book and scribbling something. A minute or two later he nods at me. I carefully singe the budding flora, making sure to not use so much as to risk another wildfire.

"Why did you warn me? This could be a chance to get rid of me."

"Because I count on you to bring a factual report back to your camp, just as I will," I do not look at him while I say this. Part of me is curious to see if he will take this opportunity to attack.

"Show me again where you found the body."

Bardu asks lots of questions about what happened here and I answer as best I can. Even though I don't trust him and his to not blame the tribes of the forest, I still believe that as a hunter he will do the right thing and gather information about his prey.  By mid afternoon I tell him that I am going to leave.

"I will return to the goblins and give them an honest and truthful account of what I have seen. You do what you will, but don't step on the vines with yellow flowers." Without waiting for any form of reply I turn around and head off. I plan to head north for a day before turning toward the goblin village, just in case he decides to follow me.

It takes a few days, but I finally return to the village. There is definitely a change in atmosphere. While the reconstructing of the buildings is still going on, there is also a noticeably higher amount of patrols and goblins with makeshift equipment. Buckets for helmets, sticks with metal shards stuck to them, more bows than before and some wearing breastplates made out of wood. Part of me is relieved to see how seriously the situation is being taken but at the same time it's strange to see them like this; stern and guarded.

Thi is not hard to find, they are overseeing what looks like a class or a conference. A number of goblins are sitting and standing around the remnants of a burnt down building that now seem to function as some form of gathering space.

"You live," a statement and question both at once as Thi sees me approach.

I simply nod in reply and throw a quizzical gaze around the gathering.

"We didn't want unnecessary rumors to spread in the village so instead I was told to give briefs to anyone who wants to hear for themselves," Thi looks tired. "But I think we're about ready for a break anyway." The gathered goblins all start filtering away, some nodding at me or putting a hand on me while passing. Kind gestures of respect.

"I don't think they'll attack us, not yet at least. But I was also going to suggest we increase our defenses", I change into my goblin form as I approach Thi. A friendly embrace.

"I was worried, that hunter almost killed you when there were two of us."

"I won't lie, he had plenty of opportunity. I think finding the truth was what saved me."

We take a step back and head off to get something to eat while talking about what's happened.