Arin led Reus and his men into his residence as he locked the gate behind them. He then led them to the counter as they stared around the place.
"Please have a seat". Arin brought his guest back to the present as he gestured to their seats and went inside to bring more chairs.
"Thank you". Reus said as he took a seat followed by his warriors. Arin returned quickly and brought the chairs. He went in again and came back with a jar of wine and several cups, he sets it down on the table and he drank a cup full to show his guests that it was poison free.
"The worst thing you can do is poison me but I will still drink the wine". Reus joked as he order his men to drink as Arin smiled. Reus drank a cup full and dropped his cup, he wiped his lips as he stared at Arin who sat opposite them ready to start their conversation.
"On behalf of my men, I thank you for your hospitality". Reus said.
"On a serious note, we were sent by the Marshall of the northern territories to guard Greenhaven town from increasing monster incursion into human space". He added.
"I am well aware of that, there is presence of more monsters in this parts recently". Arin said.
"Yes, we've noticed it". Reus remarked.
"That's why we would like you to be our guide as you are more used to this parts." He further said.
"It's alright, when do we start, now or tomorrow?". Arin asked.
"Anytime is convenient". Reus answered.
"How about now?". He inquired.
"It is fine by me". Reus replied glancing at his retinue.
"Alright then, I will go and prepare." Arin said as he got up and saw Dean who appeared from the backyard.
"Meet my son Ryder". Arin introduced Dean with another name.
"He will be accompanying us". He added.
Dean nodded at the men in greeting as Reus led his company to the gate.
"Don't use your Mana anytime under any circumstances." Arin whispered to Dean the moment the soldiers were out of earshot.
"I understand". Dean said as he nodded in understanding. Unless a mage reaches the fourth tier, he can't use elemental magic only pure mana.
Reus and his men waited in front the gate as they all thought of their first meeting with the 'Arcane hunter'.
"That guy is powerful, I can't sense his mana at all". Malcolm said.
"It's true, even I can't sense it, that means he is very powerful person". Reus who is the most powerful warrior in their midst said.
"What is such a powerful person doing with his son in such a lonely place?." Malcolm wondered.
"Dunno, but did you notice that he had an aristocrat's air around him maybe he was a prominent person". Another member of their midst, Malen answered.
Reus pondered over what Malen said and after a few seconds, he stared at the house in realization - the person he was tasked to find.
Soon afterwards, Arin and his son came out fully prepared, Arin wearing a leather armour with his sword in a scabbard tightly wrapped around his waist. On their other hand, Dean wore less clothes with just an ordinary silk shirt and trousers, a quiver filled with arrows and bow sling over his shoulder.
"Let's go". Arin called as he activated the enchantment that locked the gate as he and Dean led the group to the pass where the soldiers would start their patrol.
"We will go on foot as flying is very dangerous in this forest." Arin reminded.
They walked through the forests as Arin showed them many landmarks that would make sure they don't get lost. Arin led them to one of the mountains that demarcated the forest borders from the inner dangerous part where more powerful monsters resides.
As they arrive at the mountain, the company climbed the steep mountain through a shortcut that they were shown by their guide Arin. They walked along a narrow pass that they have to walk carefully on lest they wall.
As they walked Arin glanced backwards and noticed Reus looking at him with a funny look as Arin pondered over it. They arrived at the summit in few minutes as they were not weak mortals. On reaching the summit they all stared at the endless forest in the horizon.
"We should all head back". Reus said eager to go back and deliver news of his recovery to his backer.
"Yes, let's get going". Arin agreed. They left the summit and journey back in silence and walked for a few hours in silence until Malcolm, who was known for his talkativeness asked.
"If I may ask, why do you live so far away from civilization?". Referring to Arin.
"For solitude and a retrieve, away from people". Arin answered.
"Solitude!!!, with your strength you will easily be an influential person in the capital." Malcolm shouted in incredulousness as his comrades gave him weird glances.
"That is the main reason, to get away from people and their schemes". Arin added.
"Whoa, watch out!". Exclaimed a member of their midst as he stared ahead.
In their path stood a breed of an eagle and a horse, an upper body of an eagle and lower body of a horse, a Gydën. With exceptional speed, wind magic and powerful hunting sense, It is a powerful monster from legend known to reach godhood if it survives the competition. It radiates a fourth evolution aura as it stares at the group with its crimson eyes.
Reus and his men quickly armed themselves with their weapon as their mana churned in readiness while they prepared a battle formation.
"Don't attacked". Arin quickly said before it escalates.
"What should we do then, do we stand and watch this monster?". Malen countered.
"Listen to him Malen". Reus said in an authoritative voice.
"Lower your weapons, no threatening movement". Arin advised. The warriors does so reluctantly but all stare at the Gydën in stalemate.
The Gydën watches the group and it's gaze lingered on dean. It threw a last dismissive glance at them and flew off with lightning fast speed.