Eldoria

Volume 1 3-Raids

We were walking in a forest now with Erik's group, but we've been walking for a couple of hours. The sun will set in an hour or two.

I'm surprised none of them made a comment about me. Erik probably told them about my situation and ordered them to act like they don't know me. I am glad they are all complying without a problem.

--Arcol's POV--

As we walked into the forest, I walked beside the leader of this mercenaries, Erik. The way this man moved... Simply by the way he walks, I can tell. He was a soldier. After so many years serving in the military, I can tell when someone is or was a soldier. Still, I want to make sure.

"Looks like we have a big group. We  should assess their numbers and plan how we can surround them." I asked, hoping to get an answer that would confirm my suspicion.

"I agree. But numbers isn't all that we have to assess. Equipment and positions is also important to assess."

He answered. One would think that analyzing those three is a simple basic. But there are people who really miss this small things. Never a good soldier, though. 

"You think like a soldier. Were you in the war?" I decided to ask directly.

"Yeah. And judging by the way you walk and how your hand is gripping your sword at all times, you were in the war too. And a very long time." He is very perspective.

"Yes. I was there from the moment it started to the moment it ended."

That is true, those were some thirty-six long and bad years. I joined when I was eighteen, and now I am fifty-four. My whole life has been one of battle.

"Well, ain't you one lucky bastard." He started with a chuckle. "Some people didn't even make it past a year."

Hearing him say that, I couldn't help but feel he was right. I survived the war for thirty-six years. I watch men engage in their first battle and die with a clean sword. I really am lucky,

"Definitely. Sometimes I wonder if I've lived too long."

"That makes two of us."

--Rham's POV--

As I walked next to Divna, I remembered hearing a rumor I heard when the war was still on. It was the rumor of the bastard child. Apparently, Sobeck had a bastard child before the first prince. And to cover it, he sent that child into war without any regard for her gender. Still, apparently she showed martial skill greater than most soldiers. I never really believed them. Most human kingdoms don't allow women to join the military and for that same reason there aren't many human women adventurers.

I wonder how your life can change when you have all of the luxuries in the world one moment and then the next you're sent to the wolf's den.

I suddenly hear distant laughter as I saw Erik signaling us to stop moving.

He signaled us to crouch down as we all did before carefully moving forward.

As he moved further, we heard the laughter more and more.

After a few moments we see some light ahead.

Erik turned to us. Signaling me, Divna, and Arcol to follow him, and the rest of the group to wait.

We slowly continued forward and for a few moments where we saw a camp in front of us. Majority of the group were gathered around a campfire drinking and laughing. There were a few standing watch around the camp. And some where already passed out left on the floor. It is a common sight for bandits to get drunk and celebrate after a successful raid.