Chronicles of Dras

Chapter 2: Unexpected Meeting

The forest always held an eerie aura, a silent whisper that threaded through the trees and rustled the undergrowth. It was this sensation that Dras had grown accustomed to. It made him feel alive, feel part of something grander. This day was no different. He had been walking for a few leagues when he heard a noise to his right, his heart pounded at the thought of another wolf. But instead, a man stepped out from behind the bush.

A mercenary.

"What do we have here?" The mercenary's voice was a gravelly baritone, grating against the quiet forest ambience.

"Hello... eh my name... is Dras," Dras responded, fighting to keep his voice steady. He studied the mercenary before him. He was a grizzled man, scars littering his face and arms, a testament to many battles fought. His eyes were a sharp blue, cutting through the forest's gloom.

"No need to be nervous boy, my name is Vantos. We are a mercenary unit on patrol to Kellis," Vantos said, moving with a confidence that spoke of years of survival in harsh environments. At his signal, a few other mercenaries emerged from the surrounding undergrowth, each as formidable-looking as Vantos.

Dras's heart sunk at the mention of Kellis. "I just came from there... Kellis was raided," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Vantos swore, spinning around with his hands on his hips and a string of curses falling from his lips. "Anyone else?" called out a mercenary with a bow strung across his back.

"No one else. I was the only one out hunting," Dras said. He remembered his family, the village, the laughter, and camaraderie of his people. All gone in a blaze of fire and violence.

"Hey boss, what do we do?" Another mercenary asked Vantos, a mean scar bisecting his face.

Vantos was silent for a moment before he finally spoke, "Send someone down there to confirm that there's nobody left. We will camp here for the night," he said. Then he turned to Dras. "We will take you with us too. We need someone independent to help report this. We won't get paid otherwise," he added with a wry smile.

"Take me where?" Dras asked, his mind still reeling from everything.

"To New Haven, of course," Vantos replied, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

A short while later, a mercenary returned from the village. "Nothing there left, boss. They really trashed the place," he reported, grimacing.

Vantos threw a piece of meat and bone into a nearby bush with a curse. "We will leave at first light tomorrow, make sure everyone rests well," he ordered. "Gar, you're on first watch," he instructed the scar-faced mercenary.

As the rest of the group settled in for the night, Vantos approached Dras. "Know how to use those?" he asked, gesturing towards Dras's bow and short sword.

"I used to go hunting near the village, and just yesterday I killed two wolves," Dras responded, his thoughts drifting to the adrenaline-filled chase, the fear, the triumph.

"Impressive. If we get into any trouble, just hang back and fire them off for us," Vantos said, clapping Dras on the shoulder. "What are your plans now?"

"I am going to join the Legion. I want to become stronger. I've heard stories that they are the best warriors in the empire," Dras said, his voice filled with a determination that surprised even him.

Vantos chuckled. "They sure are, but it's no mean feat. I was in the Legionnaires before leaving, couldn't hack my commander at the time," he admitted. "We will get you to New Haven and bring you to the commander of the barracks there. He will let you know if it's possible or not."