Dark smoke colored the sky gray, ash falling from the hazy clouds as though it were snow. None could see that the sun was fading. Few knew that the Forest of Elves had burned, and none would ever hope for such a tragedy.
As the wizard and adventurer trudged along the road, Torheng pulled an oil lamp from his bag and lit it. They had been on the road for most of the day now and Arcius repeatedly shamed him for using any sort of magic - whether for cooking, or to light a lamp. The adventurer disapproved of a map and compass even! The wizard truly hadn't a clue as to how Arcius survived his journeys across Aurtriel.
"Ye finally be actin' like a real man! There be no need for a map 'r compass, 'r any of those foolish elven tools. Ye be confident in ye'r direction, like meself." Arcius boasted as he walked alongside the young mage, appearing to have not noticed Torheng's sour expression. Oh how the wizard wished this journey would soon come to an end.
"A map is no elven tool, but rather developed by man so he doesn't grow lost like.. Like some buffoon!" Torheng exclaimed, his tone wavering with irritation. "Man's gut, as you say, isn't so promising." He stated with a heavy sigh.
Arcius looked over at Torheng in discontent. "Ay, me called ye a man, don't ye make me regret it or I'll have to take the man out of ye, if you got any." He said gruffly, displeased with the wizard.
Without another word, Arcius grabbed Torheng by the neck of his robe and pulled him off the road, charging into the trees. The apothecary was at first speechless as he was dragged into the trees, but began to struggle as he overcame his shock.
"What are you doing!?" He yelled out, attempting to twist out of his hold.
The adventurer released the male when they were far enough into the forest, smiling with pride. "Ye said that the road 'ere goes round 'n round the mountain. Me's willing to bet we can make it to ye'r dwarven hall faster if we cut across 'er." Arcius remarked, pleased that he could come up with such a plan.
"There's a road for a reason! These forests are dangerous, and you don't even know what side of the mountain that we are on! If we come off on the wrong side, it'll take us longer to go around!" Torheng cried out.
Arcius simply hummed as though he was still triumphant and he began to walk further into the forest. "Aye, but if this be the right side, then we be savin' time." He stated, jumping over fallen trees. "If we don't get down this 'ere mountain faster, we'd suffocate on that smoke n' ash." The adventurer added, pointing out the haze in which darkened the sky. Torheng had figured them to be storm clouds. The ash hadn't quite reached them yet, but it looked like any other storm approaching.
Torheng was hesitant to follow Arcius, but they were too far from the road already. If they continued straight down, there was a chance they'd encounter the road once more. With a heavy sigh, he adjusted his bag on his shoulders and continued after the adventurer. This man will be the death of me - and it's completely my fault, the mage thought, his expression twisting with remorse.
***
A sudden sound came from Torheng's bag.
"Habelfa periculuna!" It squeaked out.
The two stopped in their tracks and looked around in an attempt to locate the noise. They had been walking for hours and the sky was pitch black. Torheng insisted they found the road once more before stopping to rest. Though, he wasn't so sure they'd find one any time soon.
Again, the noise erupted from his bag. "Habelfa periculuna!"
"Ye got a Brownie?" Arcius asked him, gesturing to the wizard's bag with the hilt of his blade.
Brownies. Dastardly creatures. The forest was their territory, along with many other creatures. Little fairies of the sorts, who play tricks on any who crosses them. As similar as they are to Mushroom Gnomes, the Brownies typically spoke the common tongue.
Torheng removed his bag and held his light to it. As he was about to rummage through it to locate the source of the noise, a small gnome popped out of the side pocket. It was no mushroom gnome, but it was Dwarf! Once again, the strange words came from Dwarf as he pointed north of the group. Arcius cursed the gnome, while Torheng looked in the direction gestured to. Something was wrong. Dwarf hadn't cared to make an appearance until now. Before either of them could question what the phrase implied, a loud whistle rushed between the two.
Thump.
Scraps of bark crumpled from a tree as a long arrow stood erect from it. Crooked and blood stained, the arrow's green shaft carried a note tied with a leather strip. The arrow was barbed and rusted. Despite the apparent age of the arrow, it was strong and dangerous
The color drained from Arcius's face, his expression twisting with recognition of the arrow. Hesitantly, he untied the leather strip and took the note from the arrow. Holding his lantern to it, he read it to Torheng in a low voice.
"You have entered the hunters' forest. All who enter are prey and won't be spared from the hunters' blade."
Torheng wished to play the blame game and accuse Arcius for the whole mess. However, they hardly had time to make any comment at all. The adventurer, even, seemed fearful of the message and grabbed the neck of the wizard's robes to force him to flee at the same time and pace as him. As they ran, an inhuman, violent cry broke the tension of the air, forcing birds from the nests in their trees to flee in fear, several of which were shot down only a moment later. The morbid, subtle rain of blood and feathers fell behind the pair as they fled from the war cries.
"What are we running from!? You can fight, can't you?" Torheng cried out as they ran. Arcius had finally released the male's clothing as he had practically been throwing the poor wizard about as they fled the area.
"If ye be expectin' me to win 'gainst a group of orcs, ye may as well slit ye'r own throat!" Arcius shouted out as to be heard over the obnoxious cries.
Orcs were powerful, humanoid creatures. They were roughly twice the size of Arcius, and twice as powerful in pure brute force. Their skin often was a murky green, and their jaws squarely stuck out, sharp teeth bulging from their lips. Both men and women of the orcish race were powerful. The kind were native to the forests and made it very clear that they wished to stay there. Orcs, while brutish and often seen as violent, only attack if one enters their territory. With permission to enter their territory and interact, they can be excellent trade partners. However, they refrain from becoming involved in any affairs that weren't their own. They are honest and prideful, as they are deadly. Orcish territory is identifiable, as it is surrounded by the same green-wood trees and muddy stones in which form their weapons.
Torheng stumbled and tripped over the overgrown foliage and the twisted roots of trees, Arcius seeming far ahead of him. Before he could regain his balance, his face crushed into the broad shoulders of the adventurer who had dragged him into this mess. He stumbled back and brought a hand to his nose, letting out a huff of frustration and anxiety. "Arcius!" He cried out, urging the tired adventurer to continue on running, unsure if they had escaped the tribe's territory yet.
Arcius stood still, however. His arm was extended out some as though to halt the mage from making any further movements. Before them stood a creature that looked as though it could eat Torheng in one bite. He was a tall, humanoid figure. Naturally, he had two arms and two legs. His swampy green skin was covered by dulled iron armor, rusted chainmail, and tattered cloth wrappings. A dulled helm suited the creature's head, covering his greased dreadlocks as the long, blackened hair of a horse rose from the rear of the creature's helmet. His brows were furrowed and his nose was jagged and looked to be scrunched. The chiseled features of his face were greatly exaggerated and sharp. Mouth wide and long, his two tusks of lower canines pushed out his pillowed bottom lip.
His jaw hardly seemed to move as he spoke a language foregin to them. Grunting out his commands, the orc signaled for two others to approach Arcius and Torheng. They stripped the two of their possessions, taking their bags and weapons. Arcius made no move to fight against them. Another orc came forward, gripping a rope in her hands.