With the sun up and food in their belly's Nefre and Eiael were up and out of the inn they had been staying at before the sun had gotten too far over the trees. In a way, it was driven by a sense of urgency to get out of the territory of the current kingdom and into another one. Another reasoning though was being stranded on the side of a road camping if they didn't make it to a town before night fell would be dangerous, monsters prowled out there and were much bolder during the night. It didn't mean traveling during the day was perfectly safe either, with the war raging on, guards patrolling the roads was happening less and less keeping them clear of bandits wanting to capitalize or more aggressive monsters waiting to pounce on unsuspecting travelers.
Eiael for her part seemed completely at ease as they headed down the road, though those sharp eyes of hers seem to be constantly scanning Nefre had noticed as he looked over at her while they walked. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hot day, in fact with the breeze rolling through it felt nice, cool a perfect day to lay out under a tree and just bask in nature. But, a brisk walk to make as much ground as possible was the second best thing he reasoned.
"So what Kingdom is west of here? Ain't like I looked at a lot of maps on the farm and for the brief time I was part of the militia they only cared about Ducomor." Nefre asked looking over to Eiael wanting to fill some of the silence with a conversation, and hopefully, find some things out in the process. "The Kingdom of Vann is what's West of here, more of a kingdom built on trade and diplomacy rather than military might. which is perfect because not only will the main city haven plenty of work from the adventures guild but if we want to hitch a ride anywhere else we can by joining as Guards for Caravans or take a ship."
"A ship! I've never seen an actual ship before or more water than a small lake!" Excitement now permeated Nefre's voice and Eiael couldn't help but smile at his excitement, that pure genuine joy. Despite the distraction, her ears perked up and she reached up quickly unslinging her bow with one hand and hissing for Nefre to stop. Her eyes darted around and as Nefre stopped she pulled out a knife tossing it to him. "Someone's watching us...No multiple people are watching us...Bandits." She whispered reaching up quickly to grasp an arrow from her quiver as suddenly footsteps were heard before two men from each side came bursting out from the trees with a yell. Weathered faces beat down by circumstances, all filled with bloodlust and a desire to take whatever they wanted to keep living.
The thunk of an arrow released from Eiaels bow quickly filled the air the whistling of the arrow as it flew true slamming into one bandit's chest burying in deep a choked cry of pain was all that escaped his lips before he collapsed. Yet it didn't deter the other three as they kept going in right on top of them now, the zeroes on their arms prominent now to Nefre who ready himself. The swings of the two on his side were sloppy, slow as he sidestepped the one and ducked the other. Moving in quickly he drove into one slamming the knife right into his side and driving upwards with a yell before yanking the blade out as the man dropped. The second man didn't stop coming slamming the sword straight down in a desperate swing, but it was easy enough to move past, his superior speed letting him get in and drive the blade up and into his neck before yanking it out as hot blood coated his hand.
Panting softly he turned to look to Eiael seeing if she was okay though she was already done having watched him with an approving smile and nod of his head. "Good, so they did teach you how to fight. If you couldn't handle them then you would be no use to me. Let's just leave them here, someone will eventually come along and move them but we need to get moving before we lose any more daylight. And hopefully, avoid any actual bandits who know what they are doing." Nefre took a deep breath and nodded as the adrenaline came back down before looking to hand her the knife, with a smirk she gave him the sheath. "Take care of it until we get you another weapon."
Nefre smiles setting the sheath and blade on his side, looking to the bandits, and saying a soft prayer for them before heading down the road again with her. "You know, monsters are ranked like us, right? Though people tend to ascribe the ranking versus the number system we have that seems to come from the divine." Eiael said after a while of not talking the dead bandits far from view now. "Now it is sort of fluid compared to ours obviously but for the most part, most categories of monsters are assigned under a number system. It goes from one to ten. One is the easiest to kill and Ten being a calamity that could probably wipe out a kingdom. That thunder wyrm you saw sits around a seven or eight depending on its power but no less than a seven. Something that strong usually requires a team of people of higher rank to take on who are actively ready to fight it. While something at a level three me and you probably could takedown. It's not a perfect numbering system and there are definitely variables but the more hunt the better you get at figuring it out for yourself."
Nefre had listened closely, he hadn't fought a monster before, so any information was good, though it seemed like all things practical knowledge was going to be the best at the end of the day. After a few short stops for food and water Nefre looked up seeing the sun had already passed its zenith and was heading down towards the trees which meant they may be stuck out in the night. Looking to Nefre she seemed to sense his feelings and they picked up the pace hoping to find a town before it was too late. Though as the sun continued to descend it seemed unlikely until they crested one hill and both of them letting out a relieved sigh saw a small town.
Quickly they began following the winding road down to the town, luckily it seemed untouched by any conflict and big enough it should have at least a place to stay. "Well, after our night here, I estimate we probably have two maybe three more days of travel. Let's stock up tomorrow before we leave just in case." Eiael said as they got to the town proper, the locals glancing their way but didn't seem to pay too much mind. That is until one old man saw the bow on Eiael's back and began hurrying over to her. "Miss! Miss! Please, please tell me you are an adventure." He croaked out his voice battered by age. "Why yes, sir I am. What can I help you with?" The old man gripped the cane and looked at her almost pleadingly. " For the last few nights, we've been attacked by monsters, please put an end to the attacks, we've already lost one of our own." Eiael gave the man a somber nod. "Of course we'll take care of it. Just leave it to us."