"Damn it, why would it happen like this to us?" - Darvic pants
"It is not like anyone here wants hungry wolves after our flesh and blood" - Mawra calmly speaks
"I don't want to fight! I don't want to fight!" - Tiary cries
"Save your breath! I think we can outrun them there" - Polwil signals
The four jump into a cliff. The wolves are smart enough not to chase them further. They seem to be afraid of something. The party relieves but then,...
The sight of wrecked carriage, the corpses were torn and only barebone left. It reeks of a stench. The foul smell that will forever haunt them. Not because it stinks, but rather the horror of some skilled guards being killed by unforeseeable and unknown beasts. Claw marks on the wreckage, on the armors and on the wheels. There is nothing worth to be carried back, they gather all the tags and hurry digging a mass grave. It is not the most solemn way to do it but at least, the victims are now resting.
"To think that nobody reports this back gives me such horrors what happened to missing people in the town lately. Especially now we have found what is left of the daughter of the church and her guards here after a year since announcement."- Darvic prays
"A year? Something does not add up here. I have not yet seen the fourth person here" - Polwil glares
"Truly, the escort consists of 5 but we only have seen 3 so far. The wreckage seems intact but yet no one loots it is the strangest fact" - Mawra writes down
"No more monsters! No more monsters!" Tiary breaks down.
"Staying here will not help them any further. We must return." Polwil looks around
"We must watch our back and drag that whimpering cat of ours" -Mawra looks at Tiary
Darvic holds Tiary's arm and drags her. Polwil goes ahead of the party. Mawra is ready to cast a spell.
The path is still the usual sun and greenery. But yet, unknown lurking dangers haunt them. Nobody would know what terrible fate awaits the survivors.
When they get to the gate, the four look gloomy. The most depressed one is Tiary. Polwil submits the cores for valuation and Mawra hands over her note to a receptionist. Their reward is 5 gold coins for the information about the carriage and some silvers for the cores. The announcement is written on the board right after. People are wary about the northern side.
"Drink to forget it, Tiary" - Mawra hands over the beer
"Please don't put me at the front again. I am scared" - Tiary finishes it in one go
"At least you slayed 3 of them in one swing. What makes you afraid of killing? Tell us about it. We have been together for years" - Darvic looks worried
"I once saw someone was inside the stomach of a monster but yet, from what I heard is that he was killed while being inside of it by an arrow. I am scared" - Tiary mutters
"That is one way of dying but it is quite abnormal to speak of. I think what you saw was evidence of an attempted murder. Because I know that case," - Mawra taps on the table - "it was my uncle who died"
"Now you two are telling me this? For so many years, I did not know why you wouldn't harm a single hare let alone monsters, Tiary. Answer me, why did you go with us then?" - Darvic glares
"Because I want to be a helping hand, I don't want people to die like such fate. I can't help but to remember the face of him being inside of a monster and being killed by his comrade. I don't want to accidentally kill someone like that" - Tiary cries
"Feeling strong now, tough guy? Making a girl cry is not a manly way to do it. But I would say this. Tiary, even if we might be inside of a monster, it is as good as dead. Don't hesitate to kill it. In the end, you can save more people by killing it." - Polwil lifts Tiary's chin up.
The four spend their time at the bar. Hoping it is not their last night together. When they head back to their inn and in their room separated , Polwil reads books alone, Darvic carves a statue of the god, Mawra throws darts and Tiary sleeps and knows that it is not something she should be afraid
The next day comes, a new challenge awaits at the west side.