The burnt wood hissed as fire slowly engulfed the timber that Servus 132-X fed it with. It''s been a while since he felt this warmth. It''s been too long since he remembered the warmth and coziness of the campfire. At the distance, he saw the other ves, setting up the final strings and poles of the tent.
His gamble worked after all, and now they wait for a reply from the capital. He took out the nket provisioned to them by the 5th Batallion. After all, he technically brought their freedom from a single piece of rock and an borate n to get more of it. He wrapped himself with the nket, expressing his delight with a sigh of relief.
There is still a lot of things he needs to n ahead. This has been the third day since he brought themselves out from death, but they still hadn''t found a good strategy to enter the burrowed holes left by the Giant Centipedes.
He recalled the meeting they have in Lord Prestonheim''s tent.
There were arguments as to how to go about it. Servus 305-M had a heated debate with Lord Prestonheim. The red-haired ve wanted the knights to go and scout the deep levels of the hole to let them survey the area. On the other hand, Lord Prestonheim saw this move to be too risky, especially without the approval of the A.R.T.E.R.I.U.S.
" I would rather let the ves survey it first!" Lord Prestonheim''s eyebrows furrowed at the suggestion of the ve, " Remember this, the contract is still underworks, therefore, unofficial!"
" You would rather get the ves to go there and die?" Servus 305-M scoffed at Lord Prestonheim''s stubbornness, " You know, we ve cannot use magic, remember? This ve''s cor suppresses that! You should know any better!" the ve leans forward across the long table.
" I cannot risk my men! I have already few numbers--"
" Few numbers?! How about those ves?" Servus 302-M pointed out Servus''s 132-X group " Tell me now, this could bring a new age into the emp--"
" That''s what you said about those aetherite stones…" Lord Prestonheim massage the space inbetween his eyes by his thumb," ...and now, look! We have a prince in line for the throne, obsessed in making glowing rocks!" He spat at the ve.
The mood suddenly changed. Lord Prestonheim looked like he said something that he shouldn''t have. His face became remorseful after throwing the spiteful words to Servus 302-M. The ve, on the other hand, became somber. He''s looking at the table as if there was something to find there-- there was none.
" It looks like we are at an impasse." Lord Prestonheim sighed as he continued to massage the bridge of his nose.
" Indeed, we are." Servus 302-M walked out from the Lord''s camp into the sweltering heat of the sun.
That''s when Servus 132-X knew, that his gamble, might still end up in shambles. The logs cracked at the burning mes. He snapped out from the hopelessness his mind tried to y with him.
"Sorry…" the tattooed ve came out from nowhere, " Can I sit here?"
Servus 132-X looked at the man''s hair-covered face. " Be my guest," he offered the seat adjacent to him.
As the tattooed ve sat by the fire, his features became more prominent. His unkempt hair that covered his face became a see-through veil of his face. He had a scruffy beard, a long-bridged nose with deep-seated eyes that is covered by his furry brow. He had the sharpest canine Servus 132-X had ever saw.
His features gave him a feral appearance, but despite that, there was a warm aura surrounding him. He had a strong sense of humanity, at least that''s what Servus 132-X''s thought. His eyes gave him that idea. The ve''s deep green eyes looked delicate and innocent, giving him a shred of humanity despite his untamed appearance.
" Ummm... They''re making supper," the tattooed ve pointed at their tent where the elf was stirring a pot. " I mean she...Where''s the dwarf?"
" Right here, ya blind beastman!" The dwarf popped out from the shadows.
" Oh there he is…" the tattooed ve awkwardly pointed at him. It was clear to Servus 132-X that, this ve wasn''t used to conversations. "W-where have you been?"
" Ya still sound awkwerd there,d," the dwarf crinkled his nose as heughed. " I went to pee, there," he pointed at the dark area near the gate.
" Why would you go there?" the baffled beastman scratched his head.
" Lad, ya need to know about manners," the dwarf said as he sat next to Servus 132-X.
The ve dwarf cozied himself by the mes, rubbing his hands together to get more heat.
" Ya know,d, we haf ady with us." the dwarf blinked at the beastman.
" Well she does seem to--"
The beastman got interrupted by the elf who they never sawing. She brought with her a tray with bowls filled with their supper and slices of bread.
" Thank you,ss!" The dwarf hastily took one of the bowls and a pair of bread slices. " Wus so hungry just looking at the food. I had to get ''un," he smiled at the two.
Servus 312-X took his share as well and thank the elf.
That elf sat beside the beastman who looked stiffed and fidgety. She passed her his share of the soup and bread which he hesitantly took from the elf.
The baffled elf took a nce at the dwarf and gestured to him the words she wants to convey to the beastman. Her hands moved gracefully, as each of her fingers danced to the rhythm of her unspoken emotions.
" Oi! Beastd! Thedy wants to know if you are doing okay." the dwarf iterated thenguage.
" O-of course I am!" There was a hint of nervousness in his voice. The beastman ate silently, trying to avoid the elf''s concerned nces.
" He say''s his fine,ss."
" I know that, I can hear you." she signed to him while pointing her long ears.
The dwarf chuckled.
The brief banter made Servus 132-X reminisced a memory from his past. It was during his 10th reincarnation, during a castle siege. He recalled his allies Gallofiel the elf and Umberius the dwarf doing the same thing.
" I heard you the first time, Umberius. There''s no need to shout again."
" Yah bettar heard me! Or what good are those long ears for!"
Just remembering it made himugh so hard that his soup ejected through his nose and mouth.. He coughed violently whileughing at it--the fun times.