No objections were given and thus their day began with mining some rocks and felling some more trees, at the end of the morning the group had already made the foundations for the forge and only needed to complete it slowly. It was estimated that it would take a week if all of them helped build it in the morning.
The morning had passed and as such it was time for their daily hunt. The group gathered with Galen and the other 4 men-at-arms at the front with their steel knight braodswords (Rank 1 low). Eldric and the other civilians followed afterwards with various weapons, but most were crudely built axes and spears.
The group trudged through the woods around the lake first to see if they could see some small animals to hunt. They traveled slowly and after a few hours almost everyone had some type of animal slinged over their backs. Mostly wild beasts, some pheasants, mountain rabbits and fowls that were scattered around the arehe area. Lachlan had the biggest hual so far as he killed two wild iron boars by himslef. Most of the small animals were left for the new people to gain some experience points.
But after a long afternoon they decided to travel back towards the House, as it was getting late and no one wanted to be caught out here in the dark. Not long before they decided to return the group ran into an enemy that they had never faced before.
A Stoneback Black Bear Dire Beast Cub emerged from the underbrush, surprising the group. As their eyes locked with the cub's fierce gaze, a mixture of determination and fear flickered across their faces. They knew that facing a Dire Cub was a formidable challenge, even for a group such as theirs.
"Prepare yourselves! It's a Dire Cub!" Galen shouted; his voice filled with urgency. "We must protect the others! Eldric, run to safety!"
Without hesitation, the knights sprang into action, their weapons at the ready. Cael, a burly man with a battle axe, stepped forward, his eyes locked with the cub's predatory gaze. "I'll take the lead! The rest of you, cover me!"
"Careful it is a Mid-stage Dire Cub" Galen shouted quickly.
As the cub lunged forward with a ferocious growl, Caelen swung his weapon with all his might, aiming for the cub's exposed flank. "For honor and glory!" he bellowed, his voice filled with determination.
Lachlan and Solen, both wielding their knight broadswords, moved in tandem, skillfully coordinating their attacks. Lachlan parried the cub's claws with precision, while Solen struck at its vulnerable spots. Lachlan had parried the attack but was also sent flying by the sheer power of the beast. He landed heavily against an old oak tree with blood dripping down from his mouth.
"Keep it off balance!" Galen called out; his voice edged with intensity. "Don't let it get a chance to strike!" While jumping into the fray.
Meanwhile, Evander took a defensive position, his eyes scanning the cub's movements. He barked orders to the others, his voice steady and commanding. "Watch your flanks! Stick together!"
Evander called out. "I'll provide cover I'll keep it distracted!" he called out, his voice focused yet tinged with a hint of urgency.
The battle raged on, the knights using their training and teamwork to hold their ground against the cub's relentless attacks. They fought with both skill and valor, their voices intermingling with the clash of weapons. Yet with every clash between them and the Cub one would end up injured.
The cub fought back fiercely, its claws slashing through the air with deadly intent. The knights dodged and parried, their movements swift and calculated. But the cub's strength was formidable, and the struggle seemed unending.
The group pressed for their advantage, exploiting the cub's momentary lapses in defense. They struck with precision, aiming for the cub's joints and exposed areas. Each blow landed with a resounding thud, eliciting snarls of pain from the cub.
After what felt like an eternity, the cub's movements began to slow. It let out a final roar of defiance before collapsing to the ground, defeated.
They had finally killed the beast. But at quite an expensive cost. All the weapons were broken and what was their makeshift armor were destroyed long ago, they were ridden with injuries, slashes across all over their bodies and puncture wounds where blood still seeped." The only reason we are alive is due to the fact that it seems the beast had only just advanced to mid stage and its realm were unsteady otherwise I am afraid we would have been sent to Avalor." Galen said with a sigh.
"No time to rest, quickly grab the beast and retreat to the House. The night is upon us, we don't know when another dire beast may spring about." Evander quickly said.
The group quickly gathered all that they could carry and rushed toward the House.
< Meanwhile in the House >
Eldric had arranged for the group to store everything and gather around the gate in preparation if they failed. He waited anxiously for them, and a flood of memories flashed by his memories spent with the small group of five. The cheerful banter and stories around the campfire, the first knighting ceremony and so on. 'Please be safe' he thought inwardly.
As he was praying for their safe return a sound echoed in his head.
*Ding*
Galen advanced to Tier 1 Level 6
Solen advanced to Tier 1 Level 6
Cael advanced to Tier 0 Level 5
Evander advanced to Tier 1 Level 5
Lachlan advanced to Tier 1 Level 4
When he saw the notification Eldric visibly relaxed as he sighed in relief. 'Thank goodness, looks like they killed it.' he thought. Eldric and the group waited for around 15 minutes before a few shadows could be seen walking out of the woods. Eldric saw that they were limping and the number of wounds they had. "Quickly get some water and a few beds, they're injured." he shouted.