Tyler swung the 5 foot battle sword in a wide arc and sliced clean through four men in a single stroke, armor and all, with the same resistance one would expect to get with razor sharp scissors to a single piece of paper. Tyler was amazed by how his new blade cut through metal with such ease.
"Yup, new favorite toy."
Tyler swung the blade over his head as he followed through the first arc to smash the blade into the next taker. Severing his body from hip to shoulder in a single motion. He was smiling as he pulled a dagger and flung it to where a third mage was aiming a spell at a dancing Kaori. The blade took him in the leg, and as he grunted he lost focus on the magic and it set him alight with blue flames. Tyler marked his corpse as a prime loot source as an arrow pinged off his swordblade. He looked to see Duke drawing his sword. Tyler looked to see Malico wielding her new daggers as she stabbed the last soldier to death, whereas by kaori was just a mess of severed limbs and heads. Tyler smiled as he faced Duke.
"You really wanna play this?"
Duke had his own hand and a half bastard sword out.
"I challenge you to a duel of honor."
"Yeah, riiiight. Honor."
He looked to Kaori.
"What's that again?"
Her and Malico both laughed. Then the beautiful blonde looked to a very confused Duke.
"If you fight Tyler, better leave honor at the door."
"He don't play fair."
"If I did, I'd be dead right now. Eh, what the hell."
Tyler stabbed his blade in the dirt. Duke glared at him.
"Do you mean to insult me? Do you intend to fight me without Oblivion?"
That caught Tyler by surprise.
"Wow, you know the name of my blade. Curious as to where you got it."
The man was glaring at him.
"My brother was the one that you spared by the river. He told me of a young man that wielded Oblivion itself, and of a young lady whose beauty would haunt him for the rest of his days."
Tyler smiled.
"Wow, he lived? Kinda made a bet with myself he wouldn't. So. You want to face Oblivion?"
Tyler grinned at the man, as he tightened his grip on his blade.
"I seek to wipe the stain on my brother's honor away. Pick up Oblivion and face me!"
Tyler smirked now.
"This beast is NOT Oblivion."
Tyler reached over his shoulder and pulled the 4 foot blade from his back scabbard. He then held it ready.
"THIS is."
Duke took on look at the short sword, and laughed.
"THAT toy is Oblivion? I see the stain is even deeper then I thought."
"You ready to do this?"
Tyler was smiling as Duke became serious.
"Let's dance, traitor."
"I'll lead."
Tyler surged forward as Duke readied his blade for a thrust. Duke's sword was both far larger and heavier then Tyler's blade, yet Duke could wield it like it weighed the same as a dagger, so he was expecting the brash youth to be taken by surprise by the sheer speed he wielded his blade. So, he planted his feet and lunged with all his force, only for Tyler to flip around the blade and slice his arm clean off with a single swing. Duke dropped his blade, his arm, and to the ground. He screamed as the blood started to flow. Tyler just laughed.
"Idiot. Any jackass that knows how to use a short sword can eat a great sword wielder for breakfast. Hey! Kaori! Malico! It cool if I just kill this one?"
The ladies came over and sighed.
"Look, I get you're a heartless bastard, but do that crap when we're not there to see it."
"What she said."
Tyler looked at them.
"Soooo, he lives?"
"YES!"
He waggled a pinkie in his ear.
"ONE yell woulda done it."
He looked to the fallen soldier. The man was glaring daggers of hate at him.
"You tricked me."
"YOU got arrogant. Look over there, and tell me what you see."
Duke looked to where the fallen drakolisk lay. Now confused, Duke answered like a schoolboy not following the teacher's lesson.
"That's a dead drakolisk."
"How did it die?"
He tilted his head as kaori poured a potion on his shoulder stump.
"It was killed by a sword to the heart. Only way to kill these things beyond starvation."
"WHO killed it?"
The man was even MORE confused.
"You three did. Pray tell, what is the point of these errant questions?"
"Have you noticed A SINGLE scratch on us?"
He shook his head.
"No."
"So, to sum up what you just said, the three of us, alone, killed a drakolisk, without a scratch."
He looked at him, genuinely confused.
"That's what I'm saying."
"Soo, you thought you could kill us, with what, nineteen men, and then you thought you could kill me, in single combat, when I'm CLEARLY the leader of our little war party?"
Kaori and Malico had begun looting bodies, as the conversation was mentally killing them. Duke STILL did not know where he was going.
"I did. Why wouldn't I think that?"
Tyler held his head as he fought his mounting frustration. He then looked to where kaori and Malico were looking through a fallen horse's saddlebags.
"Ladies, can I PLEASE remove this thing from the gene pool? Like PLEASE?"
They both groaned.
"Much as it hurts to say, no."
"Just gag him before you send him on his way."
Tyler just groaned,
"Alright. Fine. The Council Of Hotties have spoken."
Tyler pulled the still confused knight to his feet, gagged him, and shoved him towards the trail.
"Go away. My friggin head hurts now."
The knight obeyed, running for the forest, as he struggled to comprehend the Warrior's confusing barrage of questions. He would later return to the capital with his tale of blood and pain, of a trio that had slaughtered his men after killing the drakolisk without a scratch, and had confused him with the questions. Duke would subsequently be laughed at by the King, for the wise ruler had seen exactly the point Tyler had tried to make. Though, the King was caught off guard by the loyal knight's next report.
"Sire, when we made to return, I had told him he'd spit in your face, he responded in a most peculiar manner."
"repeat his words."
"Sire. He said Go ahead puppet. Just be sure to tell him I and my party killed this thing FOR you. I mean, after we clear the first wave, well, we'll see him ourselves anyway. Those were his exact words."
The king had sat up in his throne,
"Now I understand. So. He wants a leg to stand on before facing his crimes? Wise lad, I must admit."
"As we charged him milord, I myself witnessed him holding Wulf, the Mountain Elf Ambassador back, it almost seemed as he didn't want the elf to get his hands wet with human blood."
The king rubbed his beard.
"A very shrewd play, if a foreign diplomat had drawn steel against my knights, I would have been forced to react accordingly."
Duke was stripped of his rank for his idiocy, and the King sighed as he looked out his window towards the Dragon Tower.
"I'm starting to wonder myself just what the hell happened in there."
Tyler turned back to the ladies as Duke vanished into the trees. The Warrior retrieved his weapons and aided the ladies in finishing up their looting of the fallen soldiers.
"Hey, Tyler, got some Licenses here."
Tyler looked over to see Malico toss him a small ring of spells.
"Thanks Malico. I'll-ouch!"
The first License he touched burned his fingers so badly he dropped the ring.
"Agghh, the hell?"
Kaori and Malico came over as well as a still present Wulf. The elven ranger had seen him get burned and drop the ring, and was curious. Tyler poked the license again, same result.
"Yeesh, Malico, can YOU touch that thing?"
She knelt and tentatively poked it with a finger, nothing. She laid a finger on it, and same result. The catgirl picked the ring up and pulled the rogue License off the ring. Tyler looked at her.
"What's it called?"
Malico looked at the name and gasped.
"No. It can't be. Wulf, look."
She showed the elf the thing and he gasped as well.
"River Of Torment? That's supposed to be a banned spell!"
Tyler and kaori looked at each other.
"River Of Torment? It hardcore?"
"Yeah, mali, Spill!"
Wulf explained.
"It's a spell from the path of Black. A very EVIL spell. It costs ten mana, and forces the target to both experience every single wound they had ever suffered in their lives two fold over again, and forces the afflicted into perfect servitude. In essence, it's a slavers spell."
Tyler sighed.
"No WONDER I can't even touch it. My white path hates the black. Wow, that sounds more racist then I really would like. Okay, you say it should be banned?"
Wulf sighed.
"It IS banned. Just possessing the chant is enough for a hundred lashes. The license itself is a death sentence. It can enslave anything and anyone. A few centuries ago, a Black Path Master rose to power, with an army of enslaved dragons and nearly wiped out life as we know it. His name was since banished to history and the spell banned with all licenses thought to be destroyed. It would appear they missed one."
Tyler sighed as he beheld the vile item.
"Okay, Wulf, Malico, what do we do with it?"
Malico looked to Wulf.
"I think you should inform your queen that a River License has surfaced in Vernillion."
The elf nodded.
"I shall. But, on that end, I have a request."
He looked to Tyler, the party leader. Tyler tilted his head.
"I think I know where this is going."
Wulf smiled.
"I'd like to ask you to accompany me to meet her Elegance Queen Tatianna. Both to present your bow, and aid me in my explanation of the License."
Tyler sighed,
"Let's finish our work with the lisk and see where we're at for supplies. I got the impression the journey to your home takes a while."
Wulf nodded.
"That is fair. It's a weeks ride to the east through some harsh terrain."
"There it is. Plus we're looking for a lost kitten in these woods as well."
Wulf tilted his head as the trio went back to work on the Lisk.
"A lost NekoPlesian? Her name?"
Tyler was prying off scales as he spoke.
"Her names Juniper, and is Malico's sister."
Wulf jumped.
"Lady Juniper is YOUR sister?"
Malico looked at him.
"Yeah, she is. You know her?"
Wulf just looked at the busty cat.
"She's the Spirit of The Dark Forest's apprentice. An EXTREMELY powerful Brown pather. I've heard it said her favorite form is a massive brown bear with paws the size of dinner plates."
Tyler and the two girls all looked at each other. Then the absurdity of the realization hit them like a truck as they burst out laughing. Wulf was confused until Tyler got his mirth under control.
"Oh, that explains a lot. We've met the Bear in question. She pointed out this things lair."
Malico was smiling.
"I'm so happy she's okay."
kaori hugged her.
"She's okay, and seems to be thriving."
Wulf looked at Tyler as he moved to the next scale.
"You met Lady Juniper….and lived?"
Tyler smiled.
"I thought that bear was the Spirit's Avatar, so I gave her a piece of the wyvern I was making. Plus we left that hotspring without a trace of our presence. So, ya know that helped."
Wulf just shook his head.
"I think….this world is in serious trouble."
"Nah bro, it's FUCKED."
"Was soon as Tyler set foot in it."
"Yup. We're just along for the ride."
"Both kinds."
Wulf just sighed,
"Hey, Wulf! Ya gonna just watch or ya gonna help us here?"
Kaori tossed him a skinning knife.
"What he said, you want to get fed, ya pull yer weight!"
Wulf just laughed at this one.
"Fair, where'd you want me?"
And so the drakolisk was stripped to the bones as the industrious crew cleaned the carcass in a few hours work. Once the last scale was pried off, Tyler was looking at a bone in the forearm. Wulf was curious as to why he was examining it.
"Why's he staring at that like it's speaking to him?"
He put the question to Kaori, who smiled.
"Because it IS speaking to him, Wulf. What he's doing is more seeing how he can kill the next one all the easier. Or how do put that bone to use. Notice how it is the length of a spear haft?"
Wulf watched as Tyler lifted the five foot bone and was stress testing it by sticking it into the dirt and trying to break it.
"You mean he's thinking that far out?"
She snorted.
"Dude gets a little obsessive with his plans, backup plans and backup, backup plans. Here, listen to this."
She told Wulf of their summoning and the plight he'd saved her from as well as the resultant escape from the dragon tower. HE then looked at the teenage as, now apparently satisfied placed the bone, and the others like it, in his miscellaneous pouch for sale, with a new respect. Then, the work finally down, the group mounted up on their horses. Tyler looked around.
"Where's that license?"
Malico patted her pouch.
"I put in the one with the ring, crown and scroll."
"Good kitty. We'll head for a safe spot for camp and plan our next move."
They all nodded, as Tyler lifted his voice to the forest.
"Spirit, we seek to rest before we leave your forest, may we use that hotspring again?"
The voice was quick to respond
"UNFORTUNATELY NOT, MY FRIEND. IT NEEDS TIME TO BECOME PURE AGAIN."
Tyler smiled.
"That's understandable. Do you know of a place that we can use then?"
"I DO. AND YOU MAY USE IT."
"We appreciate it. You will never know we were there."
"AS IT SHOULD BE."
They group walked into the trees, as a wolf appeared this time, and Tyler was awestruck. The beast was easily the size of a English mastiff from his old world, with pure white fur and golden eyes that seemed to pierce his soul. Tyler smiled.
"Now THAT is a WOLF."
The beast huffed, as if acknowledging his complement, before leading them through the trees. Tyler smiled.
"Nice to see you're okay, Juniper."
Malico was surprised, and the wolf's response confirmed it, as it looked at the busty catgirl and barked as if to say hiya! Malico sighed with relief.
"I'm so happy you're doing well, Juniper."
Tyler was also happy.
"Nice to see the girl's got good taste for a wolf form."
The wolf flicked her tail as kaori chuckled.
"Wolves always were his favorite animal. Even above tigers."
Wulf tilted his head.
"You know, Lady kaori, that kinda fits more than it should."
Kaori was in full agreement.
"Specially now. Guy was a pariah in our old world. But here? Like a duck learning that hey! Water's nice!"
The group laughed as they entered a small rocky area with a large slab easily big enough for their campsite. The ladies looked at him.
"Are we spending the night here?"
Tyler looked at the sky, noting it's dark blue.
"Yeah, might be a good call. We head out now we risk getting forced to make camp in a less defendable area."
Wulf shook his head at the wise move.
"Her Elegance is going to like you."
Tyler had the tent on his shoulders as he spoke.
"Well, we'll see."
The group set the camp with ease, as Tyler set the tent on the slab before walking around the perimeter casting Protective warning and Tranquil waters. Wulf was chopping wood for the fire as he felt the spell take effect.
"He even sets a warning spell in HER forest? He is a cautious one an no mistake."
Malico was walking around naked as he said this,
"Of course he's cautious. We've been saved twice by that thing. The one time he waited to set it up me and kaori got attacked by a wyvern."
He shook his head as he watched Kaori tending to the horses with evident skill and know how.
"We have a powerful defensive mage, a knowledgeable horse tender and a native of this world as their guide. A truly terrifying force to encounter on the road."
Tyler smiled as he pitched the tent.
"We're only dangerous to those that try us."
The tasks were finished, and Tyler laid out the map on the forest. Kaori to his right, Malico his left with Wulf directly across from him. Tyler sighed as he looked at heir spot.
"Okay, we have a mass of goods we need to sell, plus we need supplies we just can't find in a forest. No matter now well maintained it is."
The ladies nodded.
"We need salt, sugar and more licenses."
"Plus our rings are getting full of spells we can't use."
Wulf crossed his arms.
"There is a city between the eastern forest and this forest that has all you need."
Tyler ran his finger along the route and tapped the place in question.
"Raylik? Okay, it's a two day ride along this road, called…..The King's Road? Ugh."
"Agreed. It reeks of one."
Malico and Wulf looked at the now groaning warriors.
"It reeks of what?"
"Do tell?"
Tyler sighed.
"An ambush. Whether bandits or agents of the church we told to fuck off. Plus in our world, if a road is called the king's road, we run the chance of an encounter with the nobility. Given our food supplies, equipment, and the fact I just hate them, it's a recipe for a mess we don't need. Then there's the city itself that has me concerned."
Wulf was a little surprised.
"What? Raylik? It's a friendly city, and welcomes all with open arms!"
Tyler looked him dead in the eye.
"We've seen Dragul, Wulf."
At the mention of the vile city he sighed.
"I see. I suppose then you'll find the news of it being in open revolt satisfying?"
The ladies looked right at Tyler, who was chuckling.
"What's the resistance's banner?"
"YOUR warrior insignia. A black wolf racing along a field of bodies with a black dragon overhead. I've seen the thing painted everywhere in the city."
Tyler looked at Malico,
"See what I meant? All it takes to light a fuse is a single spark. Best part? We didn't have to lift a finger."
The catgirl laughed, and hugged him.
"I'll keep that in mind!"
Wulf tilted his head, confused.
"I heard you hadn't even set foot in the city, so I was wondering how you managed to set off a full rebellion."
Tyler smiled.
"The Viscount is just an angry little man with a superiority complex that likes to play bully. Problem with a leader like that? Their cities are powder-kegs just pleading for someone to throw a match. We got a letter from Ishtar asking us to meet with him, and aid him in dealing with a clan of wyverns. Well we ride up, see the hell it is, crippled a guard, tore the ear off an official, and I blew up a viewing ball in the Viscount's face. Best part? In FULL view of the walls, and the throngs entering the city, all while defending my Tailed friend. So, the old adage from our world came into play: make god bleed, and the sharks will come."
Wulf understood then.
"You showed the oppressed they COULD hurt him, if they TRIED."
"All without setting foot within the city proper."
Wulf just shook his head.
"A very nasty but effective gambit to be sure. As far as Raylik is concerned? Night and day differences. The city leader is of the Tail. And she is a very beautiful lady as well."
Tyler smirked.
"By MY standards,"
He gestured to Kaori and Malico either side of him,
"Or yours?"
Kaori and Malico looked at each other, as Wulf now felt a FAR more potent respect for this brazen Warrior.
"Wow, Malico. He really HAS become smooth."
"Indeed he has Kaori. So, how shall we respond to this latest stunt?"
"How will we indeed?"
Tyler was smiling as Wulf then picked up on the silent jab, and he fumed inwardly at this kick to the balls. He then sighed.
"Well played. I hate you, but well played. I'll let you decide should you meet her."
Tyler smiled again.
"Fair. Okay, Raylik is a two day ride along the road."
They all looked at the map, sensing the time for fun had passed for the moment. Wulf nodded.
"It is. But, as for bandits? They DO hunt the roadways, but given just how intimidating you all are, they'll leave you alone."
"Well, Wulf, if I'm honest, the prospect of fighting bandits is actually quite appealing to me. Easy skillpoints, money, items, and practice for skills and things we can't use usually."
Kaori nodded.
"Plus, if we aid in clearing out bandits along a road like that, our good name and reputation will start to spread. Which was our original goal."
Tyler looked at the areas surrounding the road.
"If we start on bandit clearing, we can start building our case for the king after the first wave to clear our names."
Malico was silent as she listened to the pair lay out plans. Tyler tapped a few places.
"Okay, this part here, it goes straight between these two hills, that's a prime ambush point for caravans, this one here, near this blind turn, perfect for lone riders, while this stretch through this small patch of woodland is perfect for an ambush/kidnapping."
Kaori tilted her head.
"Why'd you have to add that last piece?"
He smiled.
"When predicting the movements of prey, try to get inside their heads. Right now, I'm not looking at this route as a mere traveler, I'm looking at it as if I myself wish to set an ambush for some poor bastard."
Malico sighed.
"Kinda scary how easily to can put yourself in their shoes like that."
"Well, Malico, to be honest, banditry was on my list of potential methods of money making if the guild plan fell through."
Kaori sighed.
"Of course it was. Like that poor elf girl you mugged for what? 4 silver?"
Tyler sighed.
"I gave the lead boy ten as an apology."
"Wait, you did WHAT to an elven girl?"
Both Malico and Wulf were looking at him, Wulf glaring, while Malico was just confused. Tyler sighed again.
"Immediately after escaping the tower, we were hit by a gang of pickpockets. So we cornered them in an alley. By that point, we'd been running from the guard for 24 hours nearly nonstop. We were on the verge of dropping, and without a single copper between us. So, I made the choice to use the gang as a means for coin."
He rubbed his eyes.
"I scared them out of 4 silver. And this little elven girl was the one that forked em over, and a further piece? She had 8 originally."
Wulf was glaring at him.
"Are you aware what that girl had to do to get that much?"
Tyler then fixed him with his own glare, his new Demon's Glare, and it chilled Wulf to the bone like a frigid winter wind.
"I am WELL aware of what that poor girl had to do, Wulf. I did not do it because I WANTED to. I did it because I HAD to."
Wulf was shaking with fear at the look in this teenage boy's eyes. Tyler sighed then.
"I ran into the lead boy of their little gang what? A day later? We'd made some money and I gave him ten silver. So, there's that."
Kaori patted his hand.
"Desperate times."
Tyler looked at Wulf,
"I do NOT regret my actions, Wulf. I will do whatever it takes to keep kaori here alive. Malico as well. If I deem it necessary, I will do it. You have a problem with that, your horse is over there."
Tyler's voice was firm, flat, and was resolute. Wulf sighed.
"As much as I hate the act, I can respect the will to do must be done sometimes."
"The world is not a kind place."
He sighed again.
"No. No it is not. Very well. I'll let this lay. It serves no purpose to argue over past deeds."
Tyler then looked back at the map. Tyler tapped a spot directly east of them.
"Okay. We'll sleep here tonight, and we ride two hours after waking. Malico."
She looked over at her name.
"Yes?"
"That pouch you have with the spell in it, where do you hide it?"
She gave a secret smile,
"I am a very sneaky pussycat!"
Tyler and Kaori looked at each other.
"That works."
"If they're going THERE, then they are after something else entirely."
Tyler patted her on the back.
"Good place. Just tell NO ONE it's there."
"I won't."
Tyler then looked at another piece they'd need.
"Okay, we need to bait a bandit attack. Let me see."
He looked at his group,
"If we put a hood on kaori, get her tunic dusty, and have her hunch over, she'd pass for an old woman alone on the road."
Kaori was about to smack him, when.
"Well, I guess that wouldn't work, Kaori looks FAR too good for that one to work."
She forgave him right there. Tyler sat back.
"If I were to hide Oblivion under a cloak, put a hood on, and WALK along the road, I KNOW I can pass for a poor traveler. Or a lone wanderer that bandits love. Another trick is to make camp, light a big fire, and make it seem we're out cold drunk. No straight bandit could pass that up if Kaori and Malico were seemingly helpless on the ground with mugs in their hands."
Kaori had a thought.
"I think you over thinking this. A decent band has about what? Twenty men? If just the four of us ride along as if ignoring our surroundings,"
"We can bait them with FAR too tempting prey. Nasty, Kaori. Min risk, high rewards. We'll go with that. And since paralytic agents and spells have no affect on me, we don't have to worry. Plus my Demon's Wrath will be available for use tomorrow as well."
Wulf looked at him.
"Demon's Wrath?"
"My special ability. Sorry, Wulf, but while we may be traveling together, you still haven't officially joined our party, so I'm afraid we can't tell you, for safety reasons. I'm sure you understand."
The experienced ambassador did indeed understand.
"I do. And don't blame you in the slightest."
Tyler smiled.
"Okay, we have our plan. I suggest we spend the rest of the day stocking up on herbs, meats, and trade goods. I'll stay here and fletch arrows since we're nearly out."
Wulf tilted his head.
"What will you use for shafts and tips?"
Tyler had a nasty smile.
"Shafts will be drake bone. Tips the same. As for flights? I'll scrounge a few hawks up. I've been seeing nests everywhere. Since we have the pouches, we have the storage space to make sure it all gets used."
Wulf looked around the trees surrounding their camp, and spotted easily ten in a few seconds.
"My advice? Use Owl or Eagle plumage for flights. Strong, and nearly silent."
"Can't top archery advice from an elf. Kaori, I'd like you to focus on hunting, you're the best at it, Malico, can you handle the plants? Wulf? Hmm, Whatever you can do?"
"Sure, I saw a game trail a little over that way."
"I'll go flower picking."
"Whatever I can do? I'm an ELF in a FOREST."
"Nuts and berries then."
"I believe the word from your world to use in this situation is prick."
"Slick. But at least I'm teaching you something useful."
Wulf just sighed as the ladies smacked him.
"I'd say you get used to him, Wulf, but I'd be lying."
"Infuriating, isn't he?"
Tyler closed the map and stored it in his bag as he pulled the fletching kit out.
"Okay, Protective warning and Tranquil waters are up, and now extend for 150 meters in all directions, so try to stay within that please."
The foraging trio nodded, Tyler pulled the pouch of bones over.
"Annnd break!"
The trio were off, Kaori putting her skills to use tracking animals with her bow, Malico making good use of her plant knowledge to good work, as Wulf went after edible nuts and berries. Tyler set himself by the fire as he used his dagger to crave the drake bone into nearly perfect shafts for arrows. The strong material would give their arrows a decent retrieval rate and add an extra bit of umph as well. He also had maybe two hundred teeth of the perfect shape to use as arrow heads. He would set up a pile of shafts before heading after birds for flights. He worked in silence, tying off shafts and heads while every now and then feeding the fire, listening to the trees creak and groan in the breeze. He had his own bow beside him with an arrow nocked in case he got a surprise visitor, but for the most part the trees were silent. He set the hundredth arrow on the pile went Wulf returned with a large offering of blackberries. Tyler smiled.
"Nice haul, here, we got some jars."
The elf smiled as they filled the small jars with the fruit. He looked at the pile of shafts and was impressed.
"I've only been gone what? A half hour? Yet you have nearly three full quivers ready for flights."
Tyler smiled.
"Flights are the hardest part."
Wulf nodded in agreement.
"I agree fully. Need a hand? We have plenty of berries now."
Tyler was grateful for his aid.
"Sure, Wulf. Nothing like an arrow made by an elf."
The two men set to it, as a large crack was heard off to their right. They looked, and saw the massive brown bear that had visited the hotspring that morning. Tyler smiled, and took the lid off a jar of black berries.
"Hiya big guy, got black berries this time!"
The bear sniffed as Tyler poured the jar out for it, as Wulf just gazed at the creature with a mixture of fear and awe on his angular face. The bear ate the offering, and laid beside the fire and watch them work. Tyler smiled at the stunned Wulf.
"That the bear you were talking about?"
HE nodded dumbly at the sight of the imposing creature.
"Lady Juniper."
The bear rumbled, but ignored him. Instead, the beast seemed fascinated by what Tyler was doing. So he explained.
"I'm restocking our arrow supply. All we need are decent eagle or owl plumage."
The bear lifted it's head and gestured with the large trunk sized head towards a set of trees to the south of camp. Tyler marked the spot.
"Thanks Juniper. I'm making Lisk for dinner if you wanna join us."
The bear got up, and adjusted the way she'd been laying to get more comfy before curling up in a mound of fur with her beady eyes looking at him. Tyler got up and picked his bow off the stone, loading his quiver. He then looked to Wulf.
"I'll go get me a bird or two. Keep an eye on camp."
Wulf gulped at the prospect of being left alone with the hulking creature, whereas Tyler laughed. The man passed Juniper's bear form and gave her ears a passing scratch, getting another snort as be passed. Wulf then was left alone with the Spirit's Apprentice in her most dangerous form, and gulped. The bear for her part just watched him.
Tyler moved along the forest floor with all the ease of a hunting tiger. The trunks being as massive as ten feet across and soaring hundreds of feet tall, and the floor being surprisingly easy to navigate making it easy going. He had his fingers on his bow string as he moved along, ready to take a shot. He was walking along a open area, when he heard a snarl off to his right. He looked, and saw a large wolf looking at him. This wolf not the same size as Juniper, but a still respectable husky. He was about to raise his bow, when he saw it was bleeding pretty badly from a wound on it's flank. He sighed and lowered his bow and crouched down.
"Alright, C'mere."
The wolf snarled at him again, and he just sighed.
"Cut the shit and lemme see that wound."
The wolf was still suspicious, but limped over to allow him access to it's flank. The wolf's beautiful grey and white coat on it's left side was bleeding from an arrow that was lodged in it's flank. Tyler sighed as he laid the animal on it's side.
"This is gonna suck for you, but just shut up and bare it."
The wolf whined as Tyler pulled the shaft loose. He placed the thing to the side for inspection after, and held his hand over the animal's flank. He'd gotten a spell from a dead mage that healed animals, and so he got his first chance to try it.
"HEAR ME SPIRIT OF THE FOREST, FOR ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN LAY INJURED. LEND ME THE POWER TO HEAL YOUR CHILD: NATURE'S GRACE!"
His hand flared up white and brown, since the spell was of the Brown path, and since it was a healing spell, it resonated with his White, thus making it twice as potent. The wolf's labored breathing became much easier as the hole in it's flank, and the infection raging within it were healed like new. The spell even cleaned it's fur. Tyler sighed as he finished.
"Well? How it feel?"
The wolf got up and did a few tests on it's body before coming over and licking his face in thanks.
"Hey! You're welcome! Tell Juniper I said hi if you see her before me."
The wolf barked before trotting off happily. Tyler smiled as he watched his favorite animal head off. He then picked up the shaft he'd taken from the wolf's flank and inspected it. The head was two inches across, was a vicious triangle with serrations along the edges, and reminded Tyler of a shark's tooth. HE sighed deeply,
"I hate people."
He then noted the metal was roughly beaten, and black. He placed the rogue arrow in his quiver. Quiver I'll get Wulf's opinion on the thing. Giving me a bad feeling. Tyler stood and sighted a beautiful golden eagle sitting in a tree. He lifted his bow with all the noise of a shadow, as he aim and fired. Taking the bird in the eye and out of the tree. He went to the fallen bird and was shocked by just how massive it was. The damned wingspan was 15 feet across! Standing the thing was 4 feet tall! It had all the brown, white, and yellow markings of a golden eagle, but DAMN that thing was huge! Tyler shook his head at the magnificent creature.
"Now I kinda feel bad. I'd love to see that thing soar. Well, least we won't need feathers for a while."
Tyler lifted the 50 pound bird on his shoulder and set off back to camp.
Wulf was still alone with the massive bear, and would constantly shoot nervous glances in her direction, just to be sure she hadn't moved. Then Tyler came striding into camp with the massive bird and Wulf was again shocked.
"Where'd you find a KING eagle?"
Tyler laid the big bird out as he looked at him.
"This thing's called a King Eagle? Fits don't it. I found it after I healed a grey wolf that managed to escape a hunting party. Hey, Wulf, whaddya make o this?"
Tyler tossed him the arrow as the bear growled. Wulf took one look and sighed.
"This is an Orc Arrow. Those vile creatures love these kinds of arrows."
The bear was on it's paws in an instant and was looking at Tyler with an angry glare. Tyler smiled.
"Lemme grab my blades. Wulf, guard the camp."
The elf nodded as Tyler grabbed his swords and slung them over his back. Tyler then looked at the bear, and it glowed before transforming, with a disturbing sound of grinding bones popping joints, into the white wolf. Tyler nodded in the direction and they ran off together. Wulf was now sitting with his back against the rock with his own bow and blade out as he opened his elf senses to the forest. Kinda scary how comfortable that guy is with such a dangerous creature.
Tyler ran beside the wolf as he led her to the spot he'd healed her sister wolf. Once reaching the spot, the wolf went around sniffing, looking for a trail. It snarled, and Tyler was right behind it as they followed the scent trail of the invaders of the forest. The duo were silent as they approached a loudly bickering set of voices.
"Bitch the ell ya mean ya lost it? I sticked it meself with a death shaft!"
"Well if ya ad better eyes we'da had em by now!"
"What ya say Glorg?"
"What? Ya deaf as well as blind?"
They had nasally voices Tyler didn't like already and they had left a mess of the forest floor, with trampled ferns, brush, and scars on trees from a bored swing of a weapon. Tyler and the wolf melted into the trees as the approached the party. That was when Tyler got his first real look at a Lectis Orc. The things were 5 feet tall, had sickly pale skin, pointed ears like an elf's, pointed noses like a rats, and had tails like a rat. Their armor was all mismatched pieces of metal with visible rust, raggedly leather, and no shoes. Tyler counted maybe twenty of the beasts, and took note their weaponry were mostly bows, arrows, nets and spears. He saw no staves indicating mages or many long blades. HE looked to the Wolf and she was looking at him with a look of intent. HE smiled and placed a finger to his lips as he pointed to the center of the bickering group, made a circle, and made a bursting motion with his hands. The Wolf grinned, if a wolf CAN grin, and Tyler channeled his mana for a surprise WaterBurst. When a taller creature strode into view with a knocked out Kaori and Malico in it's arms. The Orc all started dancing at the sight of the two women, and they were dropped into the center of the group. From what Tyler could see, their clothing was still intact, indicating a lack of rape, and the lack of other injuries told him a complete surprise. He sighed quietly as he and them were outside the range of Protective warning.
"I've seen this one before as well."
The wolf was looking at him, and he patted her head, and smiled. He altered his plan to drop WaterBurst on the ladies, as it would both protect them and heal them. So, as the Orcs closed in for their play, a massive sphere of water enshrouded the two girls and formed a barrier between hem and the orcs. Tyler counted to three on his fingers, and the water burst, sending the spikes outward impaling several orcs and filling the ten foot tall beast up nicely. Tyler had his long Magicite blade out and surged into the clearing to slash through 8 with a single swing, before binging the large blade to bear on the now roaring beast that towered above him. The thing swung a large club at him, but Tyler merely cut the legs out from under it and let it get split in half by his sword. Kaori and Malico had awakened by now, and spotted their blades in the dead thing's belt. The now enraged ladies grabbed their gear and pounced on the now diminished Orc party. Out of twenty, only four were left standing. Seeing this, they threw down their weapons and surrendered. Tyler walked to where Kaori and Malico were wiping off their blades.
"You two okay?"
The pretty blonde sighed.
"Yeah, I feel really stupid. But yeah. Bastards baited me with a wounded animal."
Malico snorted.
"Same here."
Tyler rubbed his eyes.
"Was it a wounded wolf?"
They looked at him.
"How'd you know?"
He looked at the creatures.
"Bastards tried that on me. But since I used a brown and white spell, they musta backed off once they saw they were out matched. Musta had TWO wolves."
Tyler lifted his sword.
"Soo, no issues on an execution this time, right?"
Malico snorted.
"For Orcs? Tch, kill em all."
"Yes Ma'am. Hey! Juniper! Those idiots are yers!"
The Orcs screamed as a massive bear came in roaring like an avalanche as she dove onto the Orcs. Tyler then looked to the big guy it's split in half.
"So, just what the fuck are you?"
The thing was ten feet tall, had stone grey skin, with a bald head with a flat face and clad in a loin cloth. Malico had a disgusted look on her pretty face.
"Ugh, a stone ogre. Nasty, I can't believe it touched me."
The bear had finished tearing apart the orcs and was happily rumbling as Tyler patted the beasts head.
"Remind me never to make my favorite teddy angry. Nice work Juniper."
The bear nudged his chest with clear affection as he praised her kills. Tyler then looked around the battle site.
"Should we even bother looting these things?"
Malico was still grossed out,
"I need a bath. I feel dirty now. As for looting? With Orcs you're nearly guaranteed a few coins, potions, poisons, and maybe something interesting."
Tyler noted the look of profound disgust on her face. He then looked to the Bear.
"Could you escort the ladies to a stream or something, please? I feel like they need to get the touch of that thing off their skin."
The bear huffed.
"Yes I'll give you more Lisk meat."
The bear rumbled and nudged Kaori and Malico to follow. He smiled.
"I'll meet you back at camp, ladies."
They waved as they vanished into the wood. Tyler sighed as he looked at his task.
"Great. I hate orcs."
He spent the next hour looting the site of everything useful. Including the arrows, as he felt they would make for a nasty surprise against humans. He came up with a mere 32 copper coins, two lesser healing potions, and a rather potent poison that would kill in under two minutes. He straightened up from the last one.
"Gods I hate these nasty things."
He looked around the small clearing of bodies.
"Kinda tempted to burn these things."
He heard a twig snap behind him, and was rolling forward into a stance bow raised with a shaft drawn back, only to find himself aiming at a beautiful woman in a long gown of leaves with a twig crown upon her flowing mane of golden hair that put even kaori's tresses of gold to shame. Her eyes were of the brightest blue, her skin a glowing fair, and her feet were bear. Her bust was large and her smile warm. Tyler kept his shaft trained on the newcomer as he spoke.
"Shouldn't sneak up on people like that miss. That coulda been nasty."
Her smiled widened and he saw her teeth were purest white.
"I will remember that the next time I use this form."
Her voice was akin to a relaxing breeze in a summer forest and warm as sunlight. Tyler understood who he had encountered and lowered his bow.
"Sorry for the arrow, Milady Forest. Been jumped way too many times like that."
She chuckled and it reminded Tyler of a bell tolling. She waved her arm and the bodies were swallowed by the ground.
"They will feed my forest."
"They won't give your forest indigestion will they"
She smiled again, and stepped into the clearing with all the grace of a goddess descending to her child. She came to stand before Tyler, and he found she was just a few inches taller then him. HE didn't have to tilt his head back to look her in the eye, but he noticed it. The Lady of the Forest spoke again.
"You have done my forest yet another service, this time of your own volition without any prompting or request on my part. I wish to offer you a gift for your service to the forest."
He gulped.
"So you're aware, I kinda already promised my first to Kaori."
That made her laugh this time, and Tyler noticed a light breeze rustled the treetops as she did. She then looked at this most fascinating human.
"I am aware of this. But, I feel like I should inform your lover you just turned down a chance to lay with a forest spirit. Most men would kill for the chance."
Tyler shuddered.
"Yeah, and the heaven of laying with you would pale in comparison to the hell Kaori would subject me to for it."
She laughed again.
"Okay, I'm telling her that you chose her over me."
"If you do, use that form, it'll drive the point home with a hammer."
"I'll be sure to."
She then held out her hand, as if offering him to take it.
"Hold out your hand, young Warrior."
He placed his hand under hers, and she placed a ring in it.
"That is a Ring of The Forest Spirit. As long as you are within a forest, and you bear that ring, no predators native to that wood will attack you or your companions. Plus, any resource you seek to collect will be half as hard to procure. It will also signify to other forest spirits that you and your companions are true friends to our homes, and are to be aided. Plus, should you ever find yourself under my trees again, my homes are yours to use. Long as you clean up after your done. I will also bestow one upon your two companions, and a title upon your guest."
Tyler knelt before the Lady of the Forest.
"I thank you for your generosity. We'll guard these dearly, and the next time we are within your woodland, we will make it like we were never here. And if your home is ever threatened, feel free to call for us, as we'd be happy to help."
She smiled.
"That is an extra function of the ring. Should the forest have need of it's heroes, a teleport spell will appear. Just touch it, and it'll transport you to the Lisk clearing. Once the trouble has been resolved, it will teleport you back to where you were. Now, rise my friend."
Tyler rose and the Lady smiled at him.
"My name....is Slyvien, Keeper Of The Dark Forest."
He smiled.
"My name is Tyler, Slyvien. Nice to put a face to the voice."
She laughed again, before stepping to a tree, and placing a hand on it's trunk. She looked at him for a moment.
"I'm most curious if the Lady kaori would allow a tryst after she's had your first?"
She stepped into the trunk and was gone, leaving Tyler mind blown with a nuclear warhead. He stared at the tree with a twitching eyelid as his gears ground to a screeching halt, then broke. Then a breeze came through the clearing and with it her laughter, and it jerked him out of his stupor. Well, looks like I've lived a full life. Tyler looked at the ring and placed it on his finger, and found it to be rather…..weird to wear a ring. He shrugged.
"Should get used to accessorizing."
Then he looked it over. It had a band of branches that felt more like metal then wood, on the top was a large green stone that seemed to glisten wetly as he looked at it, and the stone was held in place by antlers. He waved his hand around a few times as hard as he could to make sure it would fall off when he wasn't paying attention. Nope, stayed put. Kinda figured it would, but ya know, paranoid. He set off back to camp, with his bow ready in case he got a nasty surprise. He made it back to camp to find the bear was happily resting by the fire with kaori and Malico looking at their new rings as Wulf looked over his new forest friend title. Tyler walked right in and pulled some meat from his bag.
"Hiya Ladies, enjoy your dip?"
Kaori got up and came over to him, and she had a rather….intense expression on her pretty face. Tyler froze and stood as she got right in his face.
"I'm sorry?"
He was now nervous as the blonde was mere inches away from his face. She had a very intense light in her eyes, and he gulped.
"Your prettier?"
Malico and Wulf snorted.
"Worth a shot I guess."
"right?"
Tyler was now getting really nervous, as she hadn't said a word.
"Kaori, yer scaring me here."
She was still staring into his eyes, and in spite of himself, his gaze flickered to her lips, as he found he wanted to kiss her right then, and he gulped again.
"Barbie? You in there?"
She smiled a little at that before right back to staring. His gaze flickered to her lips again.
"Fuck it."
he planted his lips on hers, and she squeaked in surprise at this attack. Malico burst out laughing as Wulf found himself both respecting this guy, and hating him too. Tyler for his part was loving kaori's soft lips against his own, and was sad when he had to pull back. The blonde beauty was blinking as she breathed a little heavier. Tyler smiled.
"Still love kissing you, Kaori."
She hugged him then. And he wrapped his arms around her.
"Are you okay now?"
She snorted.
"I was wondering when you'd kiss me."
"Like I said, you were kinda scaring me. Last time you looked at me like that, you beat me with a pipe."
She chuckled at the memory,
"That's what you get for rigging a noise bomb in my underwear drawer you perverted bastard."
"And I told you a million times Kazuma put that there! I don't have a deathwish!"
She laughed and hugged him tighter.
"You think he took it alright?"
Tyler stroked her hair.
"Knowing him? Probably called bullshit."
She pressed her head in his chest.
"Will he be okay?"
Tyler pressed his head into hers.
"They can't kill him. They need him to fight the waves with us. As for okay? He won't break, I know that much. Dude may have been an infuriating optimist, but he's still a tough bastard."
She sniffed, and pulled back to look at him.
"If he's in trouble, and we're strong enough…"
Tyler kissed her again.
"If we can help him, we will. Bastard's always had your back, and mine a time or two. If the opportunity arises, we'll get him."
She looked into his eyes.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
She smiled,
"I just needed to hear it. Speaking of hearing. I heard your conversation with Slyvien."
He went rigid.
"Okay?"
She laughed.
"I love you too."
He relaxed.
"Oh thank the gods."
She then looked at him.
"Just so you know, after our first...well…..don't get your hopes up."
"Wasn't planning to!"
She smirked as she walked away, and Tyler felt a little nervous.
"Seriously! I wasn't! The hell!? Kaori? Come on!"
Malico and Wulf all laughed at the sight of Tyler being made to feel absolutely worthless with a single smirk by the blonde beauty. Wulf just shook his head.
"That lady has him on pins and needles."
Malico smiled as she watched Tyler steal a kiss off kaori's lips and get smacked.
"We may be together as a group, but she holds the biggest place in his heart by far."
The busty catgirl smiled as kaori finally let him off the hook and sat beside her as Tyler set a round of burgers on the stone to cook by the fire. Malico nudged her friend.
"That was a little mean."
She smiled as Tyler got to work with Wulf plucking the eagle and flighting their arrows.
"He deserved it. My poor heart nearly stopped when he turned that Spirit down before she even spoke. Twice!"
Malico hugged her.
"Good for you, kaori. I see his merging gave him some much needed confidence."
The blonde smiled as she snuggled into the hug of her cat friend.
"it gave him courage to just go for it."
The ladies smiled as they watched fire dance and flicker while the meat sizzled while the trees high above them rustled in the early night breeze.
Tyler and Wulf finished flighting the arrows for their quivers just as the meat was ready. The warrior tossed four hunks to where the bear was watching them go about their tasks. She devoured them with gusto and yawned hard before settling on her paws. Tyler handed the food out on plates of stone and they all dug in with gusto as well. Loving the juiciness and tenderness of the Lisk flesh. Once the meat was gone, the ladies started yawning. Tyler smiled.
"That's the bell ladies."
They nodded, as Wulf looked to Tyler.
"I'll take first watch."
Tyler placed his hand on the ground.
"Hmm, don't bother. Protective Warning and Tranquil waters are still active. They stretch out a hundred meters. We're set."
The elven ranger shook his head.
"I see. Well, alright."
Tyler and the elf went into the tent and Tyler laid between Malico and kaori. Wulf near the entrance without a cuddle buddy. Again he found himself both admiring Tyler and being extremely jealous of him as well. Outside the tent, the massive bear took a spot just outside the main tent flap before setline down again. Tyler smiled as Kaori and Malico laid their heads on his chest.
"G'night ladies and Wulf."
The alone Elf grumbled, and the girls giggled. Then they all drifted off into peaceful slumber.