The vine forest to the north was 15 kilometers away, marking the boundary of the desert where the outpost was situated.
It took Hob and the other three almost four hours to arrive at their destination, trekking through the sandy plains of the desert. Once at the boundary of the forest, Hob signaled Amy to look for any potential threats around them in the forest, and once she signaled that it was safe, they moved forward once again.
The Vine Forest lived up to its name, as from a glance, one could see rows of trees covered with vines, some of which were barely standing under the weight of the vines they carried and looked on the verge of collapsing. There were many insects, some of which were mutated as well, but they didn't pose much of a threat to Hob's group as long as they were careful.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, they decided to set up camp in a small clearing surrounded by dense vegetation. The clearing provided enough space for them to work and rest, while the thick vegetation provided natural concealment and protection.
Hob took on the role of protecting the perimeter, ensuring Amy and Friz could work undisturbed. Amy climbed a nearby tree with her spyglass, using her elevated position to keep an eye out for any approaching dangers.
Meanwhile, Friz took charge of setting up the camp. She efficiently directed the placement of their supplies and the construction of a makeshift shelter using the vines and branches around them. Geld, without a proper weapon, helped by collecting materials from the surrounding area, bringing back useful items for Friz to incorporate into their camp.
Hob maintained his vigilant watch, ready to defend the group if necessary. Amy, from her vantage point, scanned the surroundings, occasionally reporting her findings to the others. On some occasions, she saw some monsters that could be hunted or must be avoided and noted down the directions they were heading in for their own hunt.
Once the camp was set up, they gathered around to discuss their plans for the day, ensuring everyone was clear on their roles and responsibilities.
With the camp secure and the afternoon still ahead of them, they decided to make the most of the remaining daylight. Friz suggested they start by gathering more resources and scouting the immediate area for any useful materials or potential threats.
"I'll continue keeping watch from up here," Amy said, adjusting her position in the tree with her spyglass in hand. "I can signal if I spot anything unusual."
"Good idea," Hob agreed. "Geld, you and I can gather some firewood and check for any nearby water sources. Friz, you can organize the camp and make a list of anything else we might need."
As they dispersed, Hob and Geld ventured deeper into the forest, collecting dry wood and other useful materials. They marked their path carefully to ensure they wouldn't get lost.
"Keep an eye out for any signs of movement," Hob instructed. "We need to know what we're dealing with out here."
As they moved through the dense vegetation, Geld pointed out some large tracks in the soft ground. "These look fresh. Maybe we could follow them and see where they lead."
"Good idea," Hob said, examining the tracks. "But let's be careful. We don't want to startle anything."
They followed the tracks cautiously, eventually leading them to a clearing where a group of large, mutated deer-like creatures grazed. Hob signaled Geld to stay low and quiet.
"Look at those antlers," Geld whispered. "They could do some serious damage."
"Yeah, and those things could feed us for days," Hob replied, marking the location on their map. "We'll come back here later with the others."
Back at the camp, Friz reinforced their shelter and organized their supplies, ensuring everything was easily accessible. She also set up a basic cooking area, using some of the firewood Hob and Geld had gathered earlier.
As she worked, Amy called down from her perch. "Friz, I think I see something moving towards us from the east. It might be nothing, but we should be ready just in case."
Friz looked up and nodded. "Keep an eye on it, and let us know if it gets any closer. We can't afford to be caught off guard."
By the time Hob and Geld returned, they had gathered enough wood to last them through the night and had identified a reliable water source. Hob shared the details of their scouting trip as they worked to build a fire.
"We found a stream not too far from here," Hob said. "And some tracks. We marked the spot for later."
"Great," Friz replied, stirring a pot of boiling water. "We'll need to be strategic about this. We can't take on those creatures without a plan."
As the sun began to set, they worked together to build a fire. Friz prepared a simple meal using their rations and the water from the stream, while Amy reported no immediate threats but noted the movement she had seen earlier.
"We should take turns keeping watch tonight," Amy suggested. "Whatever I saw earlier might come back."
"Agreed," Hob said. "We'll rotate every couple of hours. Let's make sure we're all rested and ready for tomorrow."
With the fire crackling warmly, they settled in the camp. Amy, from her vantage point, scanned the darkening forest with her spyglass. "Still nothing out there," she said, her voice reassuring the group.
"Let's stay alert," Hob reminded them. "We can't afford to be careless."
Friz nodded. "We also need to think about how to take down those deer, if we do. Those antlers look dangerous, according to what you two said. We can't just charge in."
"Maybe we should set traps," Geld suggested.
"Good thinking," Hob replied. "We'll plan it out in the morning. For now, let's take turns keeping watch and get some rest."
After changing shifts a few times, the night passed uneventfully.