Eliona's War 3: Lethal Healer

Ch. 42

Time Elapsed: 04:31:58

It was a very surreal experience to stroll through the forest with a burly barbarian at his side. Severance was somewhat relieved that Eusebius the Madi didn't talk much during their travels. He didn't know what kind of small talk one could make with a man like Eusebius.

So, you lost your ear, huh? That must have sucked.

Yeah, better he didn't say anything.

The forest sprawled out around them, with old trees and soft ground littered with years of decaying matter. Very little sunlight made it down through the thick overhead foliage, but there was the occasional flickering golden shaft of light. Birds sang and unseen creatures chattered overhead. One animal hooted like an owl, giving Severance a sense of nostalgia.

It was like the first time he ventured into this forest. The place was beautiful and eerie. And now that he was familiar with it, the forest held a sense of peace rather than the unsettling danger he'd felt then.

Animal trails provided winding, packed trails for easy passage. Vast trotted ahead, leading the way. His long tail floated behind him, its tip curled up to avoid bumping against the ground. Severance kept an eye on him, tensing slightly every time they reached a fork in the trails. But he said nothing, subtly letting Vast choose the way.

"You're following your beast, aren't you?" Eusebius' amused voice cut through the silence.

"Maybe," Severance hedged. Just because he found the Veiled House that one time, it didn't mean he knew how to find it again!

Eusebius' laughter rang out, startling the nearby animal chatter into silence. "It would have been easier if you had just brought us directly there, little cibel."

"Easier for you," Severance scowled. "I'm not going to-"

Vast abruptly started rumbling. His head lifted, ears pricking, and he stared at a tree just ahead like it had just called his revered grandmother an ugly hag.

Severance paused, tilting his head for a second. Ah. It seemed they weren't alone in the forest anymore.

"You can come out, Maun."

A dark figure stepped out from behind the tree. Maun regarded them with a rather serious cobalt gaze, even as he folded his arms and leaned up against the tree.

"Severance," he greeted neutrally. "What are you doing?"

"I'm walking in the forest," Severance said, somewhat defensively.

"Yes, I can see that." Maun's gaze went pointedly to Eusebius. "The question is, why?"

And why with him, went unsaid. But Severance heard the question loud and clear.

For his part, Eusebius kept silent. He simply watched the exchange, his scarred lips stretching into something that resembled a grin. The guy looked like he'd pull out a bag of popcorn any second.

Severance felt vaguely annoyed. "He insisted on coming over. I refused to teleport him, so we walked. I figured I'd run into one of you long before we reached the House."

"Hm. That was wise of you." Maun straightened, then approached. He was like a shadow, silent and dark, and Vast abruptly darted between Severance and Maun. He lowered his head, muscles bunching beneath his fur.

"Vast," Severance groaned. "Stop it."

But Vast didn't. His tail lashed side to side, his agitation only increasing. His attention remained solely on Maun, who soon stopped a safe distance away.