At midday, Herald and Clantis again took a detour alone through the neighbourhood, reminiscing about the past and telling tales of adventure. Suddenly, Herald stopped Clantis quickly. Clantis stopped immediately and stared at Herald.
" I've seen sand particles like that before, Clantis. I'm afraid it won't be that easy."
"I know you're experienced, of course, but what exactly is it about this sand?"
"Take a closer look at this sand."
"Ordinary sand, no matter how you look at it. Wait a minute, it's special, wait a minute, it can't be! Fucking hell! Those bastards..."
"Yes, Clantis, it's definitely them, I've seen them twice now, I can't forget this sand."
"Wait! Twice?"
"Yes, the last time was ten years ago. I have a feeling they were the masterminds behind the attack on the village where Daniel lived. I discussed it with Duke Eldsem three years ago when I escorted him from the capital to Karol City, and then gathered all the core members to organise his journey from Karol City to the capital of Gaea. Now everyone is thinking about what to do with them."
"Did Daniel ever ask you about your strange disappearances and secrets? Or told anyone about them?"
"No, the boy keeps his mouth shut, maybe that's why I like him, even though he tries to pick on me for my ignorance of various things. I used to pretend that I was uneducated, but now there really is a point where he surprises me too much with his ideas. I didn't tell you this, but when he was five years old he started making notes about the different creatures on the road in this mountain range, and when he was nine he started crossbreeding, and I told Duke Eldsem about it, and he offered to send him to the capital, but I wasn't morally ready to part with him. I only told him the day before I left, and you should have seen the scene he made! Even though I made up all sorts of excuses for my own selfish reasons, the boy can definitely see that I was hiding it from him, that I was just getting attached to him".
"Yes, you mellowed..."
"Who says you're running around with that little lady?"
"That's different! Oh well, what are we going to do?"
"If it was in the past, we'd do it, but we have to get back to camp, organise a guard around the two ladies and Daniel, and then leave before it gets dark."
"That would be fine, Herald, but you know yourself it's going to be an early night."
"Damn! We're screwed, no wonder they chose this time. The animals will attack us at night as well as the humans, and I have a feeling this night is going to be a very long one."
The two men went to the campsite.
There the ladies ate in a place specially set apart from all the others. The fourth lady showed with her whole appearance that she was above all these guards. Meanwhile, Melissa watched as the guards set up the camp and cooked food on a cauldron from the animals they had caught here, which was why the supplies from the city were being used up very slowly. Everything was cooked from the meat of wild animals, but spices and vegetables from the city were used up regularly. The smell of the camp, the freshness of nature and the bright aroma of food, made a lasting impression on Melissa. Now she felt adventurous, but something was missing....
It was then that she saw a boy her own age whom she had noticed on the road. He was crouching near an anthill, looking at it, adding various herbs to it and then writing something down in his notebook. Just then he turned to face the two men who had entered. Melissa glanced over as well and saw their scowls. She figured they were tired and this boy went over to them and told the guards around them that something strange was going on. They took his words seriously, for he had some authority, and they all knew that he was the adopted son of Gerald, who had walked these woods with him for ten years.
"What are you saying? What kind of trouble can there be here, boy? Don't make a fuss, sit down and eat and don't disturb the adults!"
Everyone was already used to their mistress's reckless behaviour, so they just ignored her remark to the child and went to the heads of the mission. Many warriors had already gathered there, and those who hadn't come up were keeping an eye out for the two ladies and the boy, all of them realising that an unforeseen situation had arisen.
At that moment, Herald saw that everyone was quickly distracted and waiting for his words, so he began to speak immediately.
"Everyone here has been in combat, so we're doing things in an organised manner. Ten men are already defending the ladies of the Aqua Family and Nameless. We have to clear the area around the camp of tall trees, otherwise we won't be able to see the enemy at night and they will come at us like moths from different directions, we have to clear away all the dishes and food, otherwise the animals will come out of hibernation at night and want to eat, so we have to avoid becoming their food. The enemy is very dangerous, I can't say who it is, but the old mercenaries might remember an incident from ten years ago. So this ambush is going to be terrible, we need to get a lot of water, everyone gathers into squads, just like in the old days. Those who have never met them, just gather around those who command different tasks, they will assign you. We have two hours to get ready, everyone to your stations!"
Everyone dispersed and Herald and Clantis looked at Daniel, who began to look at them with a misunderstanding look. They hadn't expected him to find out so soon... ....