Usman ' It's good, I am using the torch. Map is like a D&d structure drawing.'
As we moved forward, I saw a swarm of insects coming towards us with a giant wasp on map.
Usman " Something is coming." I said stopping.
Firuza " Is it undead?" She asked stopping.
I shook my head. As the swarm turned in our direction.
Firuza " I.. insects?!" She said afraid?
Usman ' Women really hate insects, huh.'
I shot three consecutive shots of arrows. As the insects blasted away, the wasp emerged.
Usman ' It's as big as a parrot!'
Firuza " NO! Stay away!" She said using produce flame.
But it dodged easily before it attacked us, I shot it down with 2 arrows.
Firuza " I... missed.." She said with wide eyes.
Usman" That's what I meant about your lack of experience about using offensive spells." I said re projecting my arrows.
Firuza" You are... right..." She said looking down.
Usman" But that doesn't mean, you can't improve yourself. What you need is some practise and battle experience." I said assuring her.
Firuza" I think, you are correct. Thanks!" She said with a smile.
Usman' Well, that's what worked for me.'
Usman " Shall we?" I said looking at her.
She nodded. We moved forward and after some cuts. I saw something on map.
Usman ' Really? Are they for real?!'
As the it moved near to us in our path. I rained down it with my arrows.
BOOM! SPLASH!
Firuza " Is there something in water?!" She said alarmed.
Usman" See for yourself." I said still looking at water.
Soon a body raised up on water.
Firuza " A..a...C...cro.. CROCODILE!!!" She said astonished.
Usman ' Yep! I was surprised myself. It was like an urban legend from my home world.'
Usman " I think, we should move on. We must be closer." I said looking forward.
Firuza" Y.. you think so?" She said still looking at the dead crocodile.
Usman " Just a hunch." I said shrugging my shoulders.
Firuza" Oh! R... really!" She said with a twitching lips.
Usman ' Well, I said that because we are near there base.'
After some walking, we could heard voices.
???" Man! I love this job! We just not get paid for our attacks on guards and people but we also get some ladies for our playtime."
???" Yeah!"
???"Hahahaha!"
Firuza" They have females in them for you know..?" She asked with hesitation.
Usman" No, I think those are the women, they kidnapped in their few raids." I said shooting my head in deny.
Firuza" T..they...did... but how.. you.." She asked surprised.
Usman" I heard in tavern about that." I said looking at her.
Firuza" So, that's why.." She said with wide eyes.
I nodded.
Usman ' Well, tavern is an information den.'
Firuza " But why Voclain didn't tell me?" She said with furrowed brow.
Usman" Maybe he thought they were used for some nefarious reason." I said what I thought.
Firuza" I think you are right." She said nodding.
Usman" Now, we should move quietly. They could use hostages against us." I told her my plan.
Firuza" I will do my best." She said nodding.
We moved near the entrance. There were 12 thugs and 5 females.
Firuza " They all... seemed married..." She said tightening her grip on the torch.
We moved forward...
TINK! TINK! TINK!
Firuza's foot hit a rock which caused noise.
Usman ' DAMN!'
I started shooting arrows. 5 of them died before looking at us. 3 died after seeing us and rest of them died before they reached the hostages.
Usman " Haaahhh!" I sighed and looked at Firuza.
Firuza" S.. sorry.." She said apologetically.
Usman " It's alright. Please be careful next time." I said rubbing my temple.
Firuza" I will tend to them now." She said moving towards the hostages.
As she moved forward, three shadowy figures emerged.
Usman ' They finally came out.'
Firuza " SHA.. SHADOWS!!" She said with wide eyes.
???" Aaakkk!"
They moved towards her but I shot them with arrows. One of those was destroyed. Remaining two attacked me. I shot more arrows but they were moving like water. I killed one but the other grappled and tried to choke me.
Firuza " USMAN! NO!" She said terrified.
My breathing was becoming hard and dropped my bow due to its wrapping me.
Usman ' DAMN! I will not die LIKE THIS!'
Usman " HAAAHHH!" I flared my mp yelling.
Shadow blown away due to that. I jumped towards it and slashed it downward with my swords.
Usman "Haaahhh!" I yelled slashing it.
Shadow"..aaarrk...." It died screeching.
Firuza " Usman! Are you okay?!!" She asked me anxiously.
Usman" I am.. good." I said stabilising my breathing.
I moved to her.
Usman " How are they?" I asked looking at hostages.
Firuza" let me check." She said going towards them.
One of the hostages was awake and was talking to Firuza with tears. After a while, Firuza came running towards me
Usman " What's wrong?" I asked.
Firuza " I have healed two of the 3 injured but I can't heal the third." She said anxiously.
Usman" How's she?" I inquired.
Firuza " Her injuries were less than other 2 but she needs healing." She said.
Usman" Here, take this healing potion." I said taking out the bottle and giving her.
Firuza " REALLY?! THANKS!!!" She said with a bright smile.