Penumbral

Chapter 2: Meeting

The team of mercenaries left the bloody cave and were greeted by a beautiful sight, the sun gently kissing the horizon as dusk slowly engulfed the continent of Heytral, the air around the entrance was now lighter as if a curse was lifted from the area.

-Sir, can you feel the world flow shifting?- Asked Salazar putting his hand on Alimur's now freed shoulder.

-Yes, those creatures maybe they're a byproduct of this shifting- Answered Alimur while crossing his arms and putting his right hand over his mouth.

-Alright, we should be heading back to Wesche now- Said Alimur uncrossing his arms and walking past the group, taking the lead as he always does.

After a few minutes of walking they reached Trion, and were greeted by a group of stout tall humanoids with skin of bark and hair of leaves.

-Hello little ones, what would you be doing this late outside city walls? You are not bandits, are you?- Asked what seemed to be the leader of the Druents.

-No we're not, we are mercenaries that took a job to investigate this village since there were no letters going out- Answered Jen stepping forward.

-I see, and if you do not mind me asking, what was the outcome of this tale?-

-The villagers were murdered and dragged to a cave nearby by small red creatures- Answered Alimur looking down.

-A shame, we will destroy this village then and use the area for our young-

-Shouldn't you ask the Duke for permission?- Asked Mia slithering closer to Alimur.

-It's been decided by the council that any area not inhabited by other races is free to claim by the Druents- Alimur answered while wrapping his arm around Mia.

-That is true, we are only exerting our rights, now you should be on your way little ones- Said the Druent leader while turning around and ushering its group to go to the center of the village.

-Alright that's our cue to leave, we have a Duke to report to- Said Alimur while guiding his group to Wesche.

After two hours of walking the group stopped, prompted by their tiredness the group of mercenaries set up a simple camp with three tents and a bonfire.

-Alright, I think that's enough firewood- Announced Jorn as he set a pile of branches and small logs inside the bonfire pit.

-Lets get cooking then- Said Jen as she lit up the bonfire and placed a collapsible grill grate on top of it. -I thought Salazar wouldn't take this long-

As if on cue Salazar arrived with six skinned hares tied upside down held by his left hand, and angrily responded -I'm sorry for the delay fair lady, how about next time you hunt the food- After his small outburst he placed the hares in the grill grate and threw some herbs on top of them. Jen was a bit upset by this but instead of fanning the flames she simply rummaged through her satchel and grabbed the previously blank book and pen to continue turning it into a proper bestiary for the new creatures they would encounter in their adventures.

After half an hour of reminiscing their past adventures the group finally arrived on their most recent one, fresh in their memories the encounter was not the most difficult one they had but certainly the most bizarre, as no books available talked about anything like these new monster that now seemed to exist, but without them knowing a bear slowly approached their camp, the beast was guided by the salty scent of cooked rabbit, the first to notice the bear was Alimur.

-Hey Jorn, looks like your girlfriend came to visit- Commented Alimur while pointing out the bear a few meters away behind Jorn.

Jorn turned around to see and quickly responded -That's how it is huh? Very well- Jorn stood up from the ground and walked towards the bear, once he reached the beast he embraced it tightly and exclaimed -OH MY BELOVED, HOW I'VE MISSED YOUR PRESENCE AND LONGED FOR YOUR TOUCH- After this display of "affection" Jorn doubled down and kissed the bears cheek prompting the poor critter to shake violently escaping Jorn's grip and running back to the forest, the group burst out in laughter at Jorn's acting.