A few days had passed since the events within the secret building, Yaren was putting on a set of leather armor he had recieved from the arrival gift he go for completing his first quest.
A few knocks sounded in the door of the hut Yaren had be given to stay in. "You awake Runt?" A familiar voice came through the door. Yaren open the door to greet Skrid. "Since Fragnir isn't around to train you today I figured we could relax. After all that guy has really been working you." Skrid said as he examined the minor injuries covering Yarens body.
Yaren sighed as he swung his shoulder in a circle, " Yeah, I'm relieved to have a day to relax. I'm pretty sure I almost die from exhaustion everytime I'm with him." Yaren said as he grabbed two war axes and hung them from his waist. Skrid looked at the dark grey axe hanging from Yarens side. "I still can't believe you found that axe sitting in a stump." Skrid let out a sigh as he leaned against the open door frame. "Char Iron is pretty rare in this part of the country. Very rarely will traders have some with them, and it's usually gone by the time they reach Norn City." He explained. "Sorry about breaking the other axe during our fight, but at least you found a new and better replacement". Yaren nodded his head in agreement as he was grateful for receiving an axe from bonus reward. He broke a stale roll in half, taking a bite he asked "So what do you got planned for today?"
Skrid smirked as he turned and head out out into the Circle. "Fishing." He said as continued into the road. "Fishing?" Yaren said with raised eye brows. He shrugged his shoulders as he accompanied Skrid outside, locking the door behind him.
The two followed a lush dirt path out of the village, Skrid had two hand fashioned poles over his shoulder as he whistled as tune. A few minutes later they reached a small river bank hidden behind dense foliage. "This is my secret spot." Skrid said proudly as he set down the fishing poles. "Dig up some bait for us while I set the hooks."
Skrid was rotating a few fish over a small fire, "Todas was a good day. We caught enough for a few days if we smoke'em."
Yaren was laid back with his hands behind his head as he enjoyed the peacefulness of the moment. Skrid kicked his foot and handed him a perfectly roasted fish skewer. "Here, try it out. The Red Gilfish the the Urus Midlands are considered a delicacy in places further from here."
As the sun was beginning to set Skrid was gathering the fish he had tied to a line in the river. "What the..." Yaren looked and saw Skrid closely examine the water with narrowed eyes. As he looked for himself he saw that there was a small portion of the river that was running red. Skrid suddenly turned around, grabbing a large stick as he retrieved something floating down the river. Pulling in his catch, it turned out to be a small pack. Grunting to himself, Skrid climbed back to the bank of the river, tossing the pack onto the ground. He emptied the contents on the ground thoroughly checking for any hint as to the owner. "What do you think happened?" Yaren asked. "I don't know, but the river hasn't diluted the blood very much. That means whatever happened isn't to far from us." Skrid replied with a sigh. He packed the items back into the small satchel, standing straight as he patted the dirt from his legs he looked at Yaren with a determined expression as he fastened his sword to his belt. Before giving Skrid the chance to say anything else, Yaren stretched as he nodded towards Skrid. "I'll come with you, I've been wanting to explore a bit more, and who knows, maybe we can help someone." Walking over he placed a hand around Skrids shoulder as he said, "don't worry about it to much. The Chief said a lot has been happening around the Village lately. Maybe it was just an accident caused by one of the adventurers sent by Norn City."
Skrid sighed as he nodded solemnly.
The two cautiously made their way down the edge of the river bank, Skrid occasionally giving a disgruntled groan as he navigated the overgrown vegetation. Skrid paused as he noticed a few pieces of torn cloth caught on a few twigs having over the edge of the water. Skrid slowly pulled his sword from its scabbard as he motioned to Yaren to prepare himself.
After moving forward a short distance they heard faint splashing and the strained grunt from a man in pain. Inching forward as silently as possible Skrid peered out of the brush to see a man who appeared to be attempting to clean some wounds.
"Be ready for anything, I'm going to try to talk to him first." Skrid whispered throwing a quick look Yarens way. He took a steadied breath before he slowly emerged from the brush that was concealing him.
Upon discovering someone approaching him a startled look flashed across the mans face before he noticed that Skird wasn't human. "Stay back monster!" He yelled.
Attempting to appear as amicable as possible Skrid stopped some distance away from the man, he raised his hands up hoping to show the man he came peacefully. The mans eyes turned into slits as he saw that Skrid held a sword and had a full set of equipment. His words came a slow deliberate pace, "Seeing how well geared you are I'm assuming you're a higher tier monster." He said to Skrid in a language Yaren couldn't understand. Throwing a cordial smile the mans way Skrid sheathed his sword as he continued to talk the man. After a few minutes Skrid whistled, turning and waving towards where Yaren remained concealed.
Skrid and the man talked for awhile as Skrid helped bandage the mans wounds. Yaren studied the man, surprised at how young the man seemed, he caught sight of numerous scars marring the man's body. The man noted Yaren looking at him and spoke a few words he didn't understand. Seemingly a bit unnerved at the lack of response he had recieved the man then spoke a few words at Skrid. Skrid glanced at Yaren as he said something and shook his head with an apologetic smile.
Once things were settled the three were sitting around a small fire enjoying some if the fish they had caught earlier. The man must have been starving as he devoured nearly half the stock of fish they obtained. Yaren rested his eyes as the other two held a seemingly easy going conversation. Yarens eyes shot open as the man yelped in surprise. Upon closer inspection, Skrid held a badge in his hand as he stood defensively facing the man. The man stammered In a hushed tone, anxiously looking around him as if he was hiding from something. "Be on guard. Keep a close on him. If he makes any aggressive movements knock him out." Skrid said under his breath in the language of monsters. The mans face dropped as he saw Yarens hands settle on the handles of his war axes. Yaren gave the man a devious grin as watched him closely. Seeing the two wary and ready to act the man dropped to his knees and plead with Skrid.
Skrid stood with Yaren a short distance away from the man as he explained the situation.
"This young man, barely more than a boy is part of a group that hunts monsters for their valuable parts. The kids story isn't what I expected though. Apparently his mother suffered from an illness, seeking help from anyone who would listen. A high ranking member of an organization called the Red Silk Group made a deal with the boy. He would work for them and they would supply his mother's medicine. Sadly, she passed away. Afterwards they claimed the boy still owed a large debt and forced his sister to work in one of their "businesses". After roughly a year, the group started to make suspicious movements, afraid he would lose his chance he made a plan to escape with his sister while the stronger members went on a expedition."
Yaren listened intently, digesting the unfortunate story while casting a sympathetic look at the man. "If he's here, then they managed to escape somehow.. but what of his sister?" He questioned.
Skrid shook his head, sighing softy.
"They were on the run for about a week, but I guess these Red Silk guys hired a tracker. Sure enough they found the two, but apparently they had a stroke of luck. During their attempt to capture the two, the people hired pissed off a mother Gravel Bear. Hearing the sounds of the two parties clashing they had time to prepare. A couple of thugs went past the Gravel Bear so that young man, Warren, stood against them as his sister escaped. Apparently the only option she had was to enter the river." He gave a somber look towards Warren, the young man clearly exhausted from his journey.
"Gravel Bears are notoriously hard to deal with for a second evolution monster, the party sent was caught off guard. Seeing the girl escape the two confronting Warren turned to help those fighting the bear. Using that chance to flee, he followed his sister into the river hoping to catch up to her. The gods showed mercy sparing his life, but luck did not guide him to his sister. He paused here to clean his wounds, that's when we found him."
Yaren rubbed the fur of his chin as he gazed into the sky. "So what's the plan now?" He asked Skrid.
"I'm going to bring him to the village to help him recover his strength. We're there closest settlement down river from Jacktown, where they ran from, so maybe she already made her way to the village."
"You might be right.. I suppose he can only be hopeful."
Skrid nodded in agreement as he patted Yarens shoulder. "Let's head back to the Village, it's getting late. I told Yewbed I would be back before the sun set fully. I don't want her to raise any alarms and have the dreadful Hound looking for us." He said with a laugh as he moved to inform Warren of his plan.
Warren remained quiet as the trio were forced to make their own path towards the trail they took from the village. "Fuck." Skrid growled. "I didn't think we went that far down the edge of the river. How far is the damned path!" Yaren chuckled as he continued to clear the vegetation with his axes. After what seemed much longer than it actually was they finally broke out onto the road.
"Finally!" Skrid exclaimed as his feet settled on the road. Yaren couldn't help but have a few small worries of being lost, but relief washed over him as they joined Skrid.
The group didn't take more than a few steps before the sound of hooves clamoring down the path caught their attention. Warren slid to the side of a tree as Yaren and Skrid stood motionless, waiting for the arrival the people on horseback. A minute later, two men on horses that were slightly taller than average, yet their frame was noticeably less sturdy than a war horse. The sleek body had evolved to decrease the resistance at higher speed.
"Tantivy steeds?" "Those are quite rare in these parts. Only important messengers or bounty hunters of some sort would ride one in the Midlands." Skrid thought to himself as he narrowed his eyes. The uneasiness of the encounter already caused him be on alert. Making a small move with his hands hoping that Yaren would catch the signal He slowly eased his sword out as the two figures approached him. Wearing hooded cloaks with red masks covering their faces, they looked far from the part of messengers. One was a woman, he could tell by her figure, yet he could barely make out anything besides the yellowish tint to her skin. The man flipped his hood off as he looked down at Skrid, his bald head reflecting the dim moonlight that had appeared a few hours ago. His bushy eyebrows wiggled as he looked at the two Gnolls in front of him. They couldn't see the mans face, but the both knew he had a broad, arrogant smile as they felt that he was looking down on them.
Skrid was about to address the two when a crossbow bolt abruptly soared from the treeline, striking the horse the man was sat on. The bolt hit the horse in its vitals, the fatal hit causing the horse to whine and stumble. Before the horses body hit the ground, the man leaped from the saddle. Pulling a mean looking two handed Mace off his back the man glared at the two in front of him.
"I would expect no less from a group of monsters". The man spat, his voice laced with venom.