The both groups had decided to give themselves some time to recuperate before they continued on their intended imp rescue mission.
Currently they were all sitting round a fire as they prepared for their next course of action.
After their battle with the trolls Gale, Rose and Emerald who had the worst of injuries were treated and stitched up by Violet who had been a healer before she took up a more violent occupation.
Gale started the conversation as he struggled to stand with the crude ice walking stick that Lee had provided for him. "Unfortunately for us all, the troll fight has not given us any leads or information about their numbers or location". "What did you think would actually happen? It's not like we could even think of taking one of those beast's captive" Diamond interrupted Gale leaving the latter frowning for he himself knew that they were even lucky to all come out of that skirmish alive.
"I might be able to track their scent" Okuagu said; pointing at the corpse of the trolls that they had piled up together. "That might work, but still we can't just waltz into the place without having idea of the troll's numbers" added Rose.
"So does anyone here have any battle experience or knowledge about trolls aside from some old grandma fairytale? She further asked for if the fairy tales were really true, those trolls would have been far more stupid than that.
A deep silence followed her question before Boaruss finally spoke up: "I have never actually faced a troll before now but from what I have heard from hunters in the northern mountains; it seems like they rarely form groups that are more than ten. Also they sometimes have a leader and in reality are not as dumb as they are portrayed to be in the fairy tales though they're still not extremely bright. "So if these trolls are a little bit under ten or at worst up to fifteen, we should still have the number's advantage though I'm pretty sure that anything above seven might be quite a handful for us. "Very well how do you suggest we go about it? Rose asked Gale that was now sitting down on an earthen stool.
"I will say that we follow their scent and try to get as close as possible to the trolls without detection.
Okuagu's gift will hopefully be enough to warn us of any incoming danger" Gale replied while he cursed at the slight pain that he was currently feeling in his chest.
"That is quite a good plan, you all should really consider being mercenaries, I can assure you that the pay would be much more than what you will receive as hunters" Rose said for she could already foresee what a great addition their squad would make to their clan.
"Our answer would be a no, believe it or not humans are much more dangerous than many of the beasts we could ever hope to encounter" Gale said in response to Rose's proposal for he for one had had his own fill of fighting and killing for people's selfish gain". Rose shook her head in disappointment "Well there will always be another time".
. "Then all that remains are for me to burn their bodies" Okuagu said out loud as he created a small ball of flame in his palm. "Why would you want to do that? Catherine asked in horror for how else would they get the troll's scent. "Well we wouldn't want the remaining trolls to smell their dead comrades and plus I will keep a piece of flesh in order to track their scent".
"NOOOO! Gale shouted as he struggled to stop the advancing Okuagu from reaching the bodies. "Why? Asked everyone in unison for Gale didn't seem like one who would respect the corpse of a human not to even mention that of trolls. "You actually want to bury them? Boaruss asked his face showing surprise for this was seeming a little bit strange.
"No you fool their teeth and eyes will be worth a fortune on the black market" Gale replied as he limped towards the corpse. "Your greed will be your undoing one day" Diamond said with a sigh. Okuagu on the other hand seemed to have either not heard Gale or had just decided to go ahead with his plan. The corpses lighted up with bright orange flames that tore through the corpses as though they were dry twigs. "NOOO! Gale cried out as he limped towards Okuagu; anger written all over his face. "Calm down miser the teeth weren't burnt" Okuagu said laughing at the red faced Gale.
"Wonderful now who wants to help me harvest them? Gale asked as he continued to walk towards the pile that was now reduced to bones and ashes.
"Knock yourself out" Okuagu chuckled while the rest of the group laughed at Gale that seemed to have forgotten about his condition as he used his gift to clear the ashes.