The morning sun was high and unrelenting as Eleanor returned to the group, her confident strides drawing everyone's attention. She held a small pouch in her hand, the coins inside jingling softly.
"Well," she said, tossing the bag toward Marcus, who barely caught it, fumbling slightly. "This is what one beast crystal gets you. Fifty bronze coins."
Marcus opened the pouch and peered inside, his jaw dropping. "Fifty for just one crystal? These people are idiots! Why didn't we kill more beasts yesterday?"
Eleanor smirked. "Before you get too excited, I used ten coins to buy this." She pulled out a carefully folded map from her bag and spread it on a nearby rock.
The group gathered around, their eyes scanning the map. It was old but detailed, with markings that clearly indicated the route to Arthalon. Liam knelt beside Eleanor, studying the path.
"What's the catch?" he asked, already sensing there was more to the situation.
Eleanor sighed, her finger tracing the forest drawn on the map. "This," she said, tapping the shaded area, "is the problem. The road to Arthalon is one of the most dangerous routes in the region. Bandits, monsters, you name it. People avoid it unless they're traveling with heavily armed mercenaries."
Sophia frowned, leaning closer to get a better look. "Why would anyone willingly go through this?"
Eleanor shrugged. "Sometimes, they don't have a choice. Kind of like us."
Marcus groaned loudly, rubbing his forehead. "Of course, it can't just be a straight ride. Why does everything have to involve near-death experiences?"
Liam straightened, his face hardening. "We'll go anyway. Dangerous or not, we don't have the luxury of staying here."
Sophia gave him a skeptical look. "What about supplies? Weapons? We're not exactly equipped to fight off hordes of bandits or monsters."
Eleanor nodded in agreement. "She's right, Liam. Even with this map, we're going to need more than just horses."
Liam paused, considering their options. "We'll have to make do with what we have for now. Eleanor, take the remaining coins and buy three more horses. Speed is our best weapon right now."
Marcus crossed his arms, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, sure. Let's ditch the carriage. Who cares about comfort? Let Jason cook under the sun while we ride away in style."
Liam glared at him. "The carriage is too slow, Marcus. It's also loud, which means every bandit or monster within a mile will hear us coming. Do you want to be ambushed?"
Marcus muttered under his breath but didn't argue further.
An hour later, Eleanor returned with three additional horses, followed by two stable hands leading the animals. The horses were sturdy and well-fed, their coats gleaming in the sunlight.
"These are the best I could get with what we had," Eleanor said, patting one of the horses.
Liam nodded approvingly, but his attention shifted when Eleanor pulled something else from her bag.
"Sophia!" Eleanor called out, tossing a sleek bow and a quiver of arrows in her direction.
Sophia caught them easily, her face lighting up as she examined the weapon. The bow was finely crafted, with intricate carvings along its limbs, and the arrows were perfectly balanced.
"This is... amazing," Sophia said, running her fingers along the bowstring.
Liam smirked. "Back to being the world-famous sharpshooter, huh?"
Sophia nodded confidently. She was known worldwide for her deadly precision with a bow, and holding one again felt like reconnecting with a lost part of herself.
As the group mounted their horses, Marcus grumbled again, adjusting his saddle awkwardly. "This is going to be a nightmare. I'm not built for long rides."
Jason chuckled. "You'll survive, Marcus. Try not to fall off."
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of glowing eyes watched from the shadows near the stables. Grogath stood silently, his massive frame blending into the darkness. Behind him, a group of Orcs loomed, their heavy weapons glinting faintly in the light.
"They're leaving," Grogath growled, his deep voice carrying a menacing edge.
The Orcs grunted in acknowledgment, their hands tightening around their weapons. They were enormous, each one as large and powerful as their leader.
Grogath turned to them, his scarred face twisted with hatred. "We'll follow them. No mistakes this time. I want Liam and his friends dead."
One of the Orcs stepped forward, his voice a low rumble. "They won't escape us. Not this time."
Grogath sneered, his determination unshakable. "Good. Let's move."
The group of Orcs moved silently, their steps surprisingly quiet for creatures of their size. They began to track the horses, their movements like shadows in the fading light.
The group rode away from the inn, the sound of hooves filling the air. The forest ahead loomed ominously, its towering trees casting long shadows across the road.
Liam took the lead, his eyes scanning the path ahead. Behind him, Sophia and Eleanor rode side by side, their weapons at the ready. Jason and Marcus brought up the rear, the latter muttering complaints under his breath.
"Stay alert," Liam called back to the group. "We don't know what's out here."
Sophia tightened her grip on the bow. "Let's hope we don't find out."
Unbeknownst to them, danger was closer than they realized.