Ethan lay on his back as Wendy and Lucy held him, concern clearly outlined on their faces.
"Hail, will you be okay."
"Squee, we are here for you."
The vehicle rocked as it moved forward. Ethan blacked out for a second, and then he felt something on him.
Maple had bounced, landing on his stomach as the vehicle turned onto the dirt road. They bounced in the back as the car navigated the rough terrain, Ethan's size keeping him slightly stable. The women, on the other hand, were all over the place. Hands grabbed onto his robes, and they held on for dear life. Soft bodies landed on Ethan as the vehicle navigated the road.
Sophia spoke in Ethan's mind as Lara landed on his face, her peaches smothering him.
"Alas, there is a vehicle following us at a distance."
Lara rolled off Ethan, her face red.
"Sorry about that."
Before Ethan could speak, Maple landed on his face, and Wendy crushed his nether region with her elbow. He gave a muffled grunt as the trip from hell continued. He turned his head to the side as Grace's lips pressed into his, and then she bounced away. After an hour and forty-five minutes of travel, Sophia spoke in Ethan's mind.
"Alas, the vehicle had turned down another road towards the west."
Ethan lifted Lucy off his chest, sitting up to see over the side. The vehicle in question had turned and disappeared behind trees. The chill wind cut through Ethan, and they would need to sleep warm to prevent everyone from getting sick. He lay down, stretching out his arms, grabbing the women, and pulling them closer. He placed his feet against the sides, anchoring himself.
Wendy and Lucy were on his chest as he held Grace, Maple, and Lara by their dresses. They still bounced on the mattress but did not move from their spots. The sound of the road changed the vehicle motions, becoming smoother as time passed. The streets around the villages were paved with bricks so the farmers could deliver their goods.
The vehicle stops, and Bellatrix slaps her hand on the side of the door. Lucy and Lara jump over the side. Grace hands down their gear to Lucy and Lara. Ethan takes Grace by her arms and gently lets her down, followed by Maple and Wendy. Ethan jumps down with his backpack, which is secured on his back. The girls equip their gear and backpacks while looking at the pickup drive away.
Ethan stands before the guard at the gate. He recognises the man from Ghost Flower Village.
"Alas, Burt, how are you today? How long will you be stationed out here."
Burt looks up at Ethan, his face lit up with a smile.
"Thank my lucky stars, it is you, a friendly face. Five more days to go, and then it is back to civilised areas. Be careful; this village has the meanest people in this realm."
They pay their copper coin entrance fee each. Burt waves at them as they enter the quiet, eerie-looking village. The streets are empty. Ethan cannot understand how this village keeps going. A third of the businesses are closed, and most houses along the road look empty and neglected. The women have their leather coats on as the late afternoon cold settles in. At that moment, Ethan would have given a silver coin for hot tea and scones with cream and strawberry jam.
Terry sat on a blanket on the side of the street, his team not looking too pleased. Five men were staring into the air. Grace stopped before Terry.
"Come, let us go search for a camping spot. Time to feel sorry for ourselves can wait until tonight. Let us have a good hunting trip, guys."
Terry stood grunting as his legs looked stiff from sitting in the same position for a while.
"Grace, easy for you to say. You have soft, warm bodies that Ethan over there will enjoy tonight. We have no women to keep us warm."
Grace blushed, taking a step back.
"I do not know what you are speaking of. Let us go."
Grace walked towards the gate, Burt cheering up again as he saw the party approaching his station. Burt warned them of the beasts and monsters in the area. He pointed to the abyssal forest, telling them about the dire wolves in that area. Burt explained that the farms that reside closer to the abyssal forest are the best fertile soil for growing record crops. The farmers to that side of the village were hardened people who did not take kindly to strangers.
Burt gives them directions to an area where adventurers camp when in the area—warning them that they should be vigilant. After ten minutes of walking on a small path winding into the forest, they find a gated enclosed area. The gate had a complicated opening mechanism, but Wendy figured it out quickly. Terry pointed to the left side of the camp area.
"We will set up here, but you can set up on the opposite side. And please keep the ploughing noises to a minimum. We are only men."
Wendy stepped forward and inhaled a deep breath. Ethan clamped his hand over her mouth before she could speak.
"Alas, I will plough them as softly as possible."
Grace, Maple, and Lara looked up at Ethan.
"Alas, let us set up camp and get the fire going. Soon, it will be dark and cold."
Lara spotted a pile of wood in the corner, and the bear kin collected wood as she did. Lara opened her backpack, and she started a fire in no time. Lara kept busy for half an hour as Maple collected water from the well. Maple got the cooking pots and utensils from her backpack. Grace handed her the monster meat she had prepared. Maple soon placed it in the pot after baking flatbread on the fire. Terry's team had their camp set and pots cooking quickly.
Wendy and Lucy sat by Ethan with their gear near the piece of leather Lara had placed on two poles, weighing down the opposite ends with rocks. At least they would be dry if it should rain. They needed that tent, he thought. Branches broke outside the fence, and everyone looked toward the sound. It was a reminder that they were now in a monster-infested forest. Wendy spoke softly.
"Hail, I heard the villagers at the gate speak of firedog terrorising the outlying farms."
"Squee, I heard them ask why the hogs would leave their area to come to this area."
"Alas, if this is not their territory, something must have driven them here."
Lara sat next to Ethan.
"I overheard your conversation, and we could see if the guild has a quest."
"Alas, that sounds terrific. We will seek out the guild first thing tomorrow."
Something moved in the forest to their left; it sounded big. He knew it would be a long night, but the fence protected them.