"First thing, we must have the supply road to the southern dungeon. Then there will be more support on your way." - The princess points at the map
"What kind of support will we get?" - Darvic is curious
"Use your brain, brute. Can we survive without eating that long? Can we survive without tools to disarm the traps and surprise spells? Can we fight for that long?" - Mawra slaps on Darvic's head
"She is not wrong but however, anything valuable can be exchanged quickly if the route is secured. We will also bring vendors and replacements over." - The princess grins
"You said that you wouldn't abuse your power" - Polwil glares
"I haven't done anything to force those merchants. I just asked them nicely and they agreed upon that you four must clear the way, then the workers can build a quick road" - The princess smiles
"I hate your royals sometimes for absurd requests but it must be done. What is the reward? What are the supplies?" - Polwil frowns
"Rewards are that you four can take full command of the operation, my royal kiss upon your hands even if they are dirty and best of all, a favor from me. The supplies will be on the wagon which is yours to do whatever." - The princess stabs the table with her dagger.
"You better keep the promise, even if our hands are dirtied by monsters' insides or weird fluids" - Darvic smiles
Narva smacks Darvic
"Hey! Don't you think that is too disrespectful to her highness? She said it in the metaphorical way" - Narva frowns
When the sun rises, the four go to the wagon to see the supplies. The supplies are many days worth of food for the four, torches, camping equipments, sharpening stones, barrels of spirit and lastly tools to clear the rubbles.
The Black Sheep members hop onto the wagon and Darvic whips the horse. The way is rough as it is not tamed by humans, the four get used to the motion sickness and the sky is clear. The trees hide the danger lurking around, the silence masks the intention and the wind is as deceiving as ever.
"I wonder if fate is cruel to us or planning something grand?" - Tiary glances around
"You asked something so futile. What is good for a mage like me? Why not ask the fortune teller instead? The desert folk know better or perhaps those senile forest elves on drugs or even the best, why not ask the ancient dragon after beating that old man to pulp already?" - Mawra sighs
"As if we are on good term with desert folks nor the elves willing to share the secret trades nor we can beat that dragon" - Polwil grumbles
"Almost there, you three. We just need to head back after 3 days of surveying." - Darvic looks at the map
When the wagon approaches the entrance. The gate is made of stone slabs with ancient civilization words. No one can tell if they are not taught linguistics. The darkness looks ominously. What waits in the dark is wanting their flesh. Looking around, they have found a piece of armor. The Ahib kingdom letters on the piece, this is not a good sign. The four must not let the army come back for reports.
Torch is lit, the path is bright and the rattles of the armors of the desert folks. Luckily, there is now no supply line for the army yet. This is just a group of scouts. Every footstep, every draft and every fork are telling them to go back.
The Black Sheep has encountered a part of the army. Swords and bows are ready at hand. Two swordsmen, one archer and one snake tamer.
The enemies yawp a strange word. It must be a signal for attack. Mawra quickly deploys the barrier, the arrow is stopped. Tiary quickly throws her mace at the tamer, but the girl quickly dodges the blow. Polwil bellows thunderously, it shakes the ear drums of the swordsmen and Tiary quickly lunges forward to break the formation, Mawra quickly imprisons the tamer with her barriers and Darvic hits the head of the archer with a throw of his spear. Tiary quickly pummels both of the swordsmen to their death, Mawra quickly squeezes the tamer to her death by decreasing the size of the barrier prison and Darvic picks up his spear.
After the battle, the four pick up what is needed and walk slowly as they know that the bellow alarms the army ahead. The Ahib's army is not the only concern, it is what they are chasing. A beast that is capable of breaking such durable armor, it is not a big surprise to the humans but nonetheless, it will not be an easy fight.