《Behemoth hunters》


 chapter 1: Drake-lings v2

    Drake-lings


    The four Behemoth hunters enter the small room, it''s poorly decorated with only a cheap looking desk, an even cheaper looking filing cabinet and a small bookcase, not really what one would expect from the mayor''s office.


    Arc comes forward since he joined the group a few years ago, he has been the one dealing with clients, at least those you aren''t nobles. People often consider that only a lunatic would choose to become a hunter and Arc found that using a brash and sassy attitude to fit the image made it easier to obtain good terms.


    Arc walk toward the small man with a scornful look on his face while the others take a sit. Afraid, the mayor cannot stop himself from gulp before addressing the tall lean man.


    - Thank you for coming, it''s already been two weeks since we sent for help, we were getting really desperate. (mayor)


    - Don''t sweat it, we weren''t far that''s all. Now, why don''t you tell us what it is about instead? (Arc)


    - Drake-lings, they... (mayor)


    - Are you messing with me, you called use there for some bloody drake-lings? That''s militia''s job, have them deal with it! (Arc)


    - There are hundreds of them! They''re everywhere! (mayor)


    - Then that''s army''s job, what do you think we are, pest exterminators?! (Arc)


    - Wait a minute Arc, why don''t you calm down an instant and think for a change. (Dalene)


    - WHAT?! Sorry, what do you mean? (Arc)


    - Why are there so many? (Dalene)


    - Don''t know, over breeding, famine, forest fire, whatever, who cares? (Arc)


    Chris and Dalene shake their head while Belina let a long sigh.


    - There are simply too many of them. The packs should be killing each other by now or trying to overrun this place. There are only two things that can incite a pack to prudence, fire, and behemoths. (Dalene)


    - Now, a forest fire is not exactly discrete, at least not one capable of driving this many packs away, do you remember seeing a giant plume of fire lately? (Chris)


    - Oh, right, that''s... Hey, did you send scouts? (Arc)


    - Impossible, I can''t give an order like that with all those drake-lings. (Mayor)


    - Damn, that''s what full armor are for! (Arc)


    - Well, assuming there really is a behemoth, the drake-ling won''t trouble you for long. (Belina)


    - [snickering]Talk about meager consolation. Alright, I am willing to take the job, but you pay us for time spent, even if nothing comes up. Okay? (Arc)


    - Absolutely, but only if you hunt the drake-lings near the fields. (Mayor)


    - Seem reasonable, what do you say guys? (Arc)


    - I don''t like how we are going blind into this. I am against the idea, for all we know we could have a whole family of behemoth knocking at the door tomorrow. (Belina)


    - I agree with Bel on this, but we can''t go losing another frontier village. Seen the price of food lately? (Dalene)


    - The walls are serviceable, I saw some decent ballistas and catapult. Seems defensible, I am sure that if whatever it is was to come tomorrow we could still repulse it. (Chris)


    - Three out of four! You''re in the luck, the Quickhatches are willing to take the job. (Arc)


    Belina grumble


    - We will need some helpers to set our equipment, and I will need someone to show me where the pits and traps are. (Belina)


    - There are a few apprentice craftsmen and some youth from the militia who can help. But everyone''s else too afraid to go anywhere near the forest. (Mayor)


    - Either they help or we go, simple as that. (Belina)If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    - I will talk to them. (Mayor)


    - Tell them we will protect them, as long they don''t screw up and run away at first sight of a drake-ling''s tail they should be safe. (Belina)


    Belina is the group engineer and the oldest member, her no-nonsense attitude coupled with her sharp gaze often cause those around her to act all meek and bothered, like kids facing their teacher. The one receiving the end of her ire is currently directed at two militia-men who are giving them a tour of the facilities.


    -What do you mean there''s no pit? It''s a damn frontier town, how can there be not pits?! (Belina)


    - We were clearing the forest and expanding the field when a family of Petodon attacked, we did not have time to dig new pits, then the resident hunter got promoted for their kills and left. We didn''t know where to put the new pits and... (Militia-man)


    - You did not know?! Anywhere is better than nowhere morons! (Belina)


    - I am starting to think it wasn''t such a good idea, what about you Dalene? (Chris)


    - It is like setting a new village, we did that in the past. (Dalene)


    - [Mockingly]Yeah, with the help of the army and dozen of hunter teams. Really, what could go wrong? (Belina)


    Dalene think for a moment then say:


    - It does not change the situation much, the city is defensible and... Well, we cannot let it fall, too many frontiers villages and cities have been lost recently. Why? Because neither the army nor hunters want to take a damn risk! My position doesn''t change, I want us to stay. What about you Bel? (Dalene)


    - I think we are all going to die, but whatever still beats starving to death. (Belina)


    Chris look at each of them in turn, then kick Arc''s leg making him fall.


    - Hear that Arc, I am not going in the forest to die, if anything happens, I am running back here and leaving you behind. Understood?! (Chris)


    Being the youngest and having only been in the group for three years Arc is often put through some small abuse like this to remind him that in this job, there are no second chances.


    - Alright, alright... You didn''t have to kick me you know? (Arc)


    The forest is dark, hot and humid with ancient enormous trees and lianas falling from the incredibly thick bough and limbs. Although the tree density is low, the ground is littered with dead leaves, vines and all sorts of plants. Arc and Chris are both wearing a full set of metal reinforced leather armor, covering them from head to toe, a necessary precaution when dealing with a new environment where anything can toxic or poisonous.


    - I''ve got an idea, can''t we just burn the bloody forest and be done with it? They said the intended on expanding their fields after all. (Arc)


    - Burn this humid forest with five meters wide trees? Not a bad idea, I am sure it will work like a charm if you stay behind blow on the fire. (Chris)


    - You think so too? (Arc)


    - Shut up, do you hear that? (Chris)


    - Drake-lings? And something else... Want to get closer? (Arc)


    - I don''t, but I will. (Arc)


    Both hunters walk slowly, careful to make as little noise as possible while readying their bows. As they get clearer, the sound become clearer and easier to identify.


    Chris whisper:


    - Bears? (Chris)


    - Ya, I think so too... But, what a voice. (Arc)


    Arc point his finger to the sky and Belina nod in acquiescence. both of them climb up the nearest trees with any ease hard to imagine for someone wearing full armor, reinforced leather or otherwise. From their higher position, they move from branch to branch watching their surrounding until they find what they were looking for.


    Down on the ground, thirty or so meters away, two gigantic dark bears are facing dozens of drake-lings, protecting two smaller bears already red in blood. While each of their attacks spells the end for one or more drake-lings, it also exposes them to the bites of their brethren, who attack from all side. There is little doubt that it is a desperate battle, one they have no chance of winning, it is literally their last stand.


    Arc make signs, signaling Belina he wants to go, but Belina disagrees, there is nothing to gain by intervening now, better to wait until one side crush the other and deal with the other. Seeing her refusal, Arc draws nearer and whisper to her:


    - Come on, we have to do something. (Arc)


    - We will, as soon as they are finished I will throw a burning gel flask on the corpses. (Chris)


    - What about the cubs? You are going to let them die, just like that? (Arc)


    Chris looks Arc in the eye, unable to understand his point.


    - Obviously, we wait till the drake-lings win then deprive them of their prize, standard tactic. (Chris)


    - But, they belong to this place, they are part of its ecology. (Arc)


    - First, I don''t care. Second, don''t repeat Dalene words when you don''t understand them. Third, you wanted to burn down the damn place! (Chris)


    - Ah... (Arc)


    But things do not go as Belina predicted, more Drake-lings come to join the fray attracted by the smell of blood and their brethren cries, fighting each other and the Bears. For the four animals, it seems like the end is near, but it the fight attracted something else, something enormous, a bear so enormous it towers over the two adults just like they dwarf their young. With a quick movement unimaginable for its size, it crushes many of the attackers.


    Seeing the newcomer as the greatest threat, the small invaders immediately stop their quarrels to target the giant, jumping on it from all side, bitting it with their small pointy teeth... Too small to inflict any real damage on the newcomer, but with this many of them, things might still work out in their favor.


    That is until the other bears arrive and the drake-lings run in the wood, weary and defeated. Seeing the scene Arc show a smile and say:


    - Isn''t it good that the forest is doing our job for us? (Arc)


    - I don''t see what is nice about having an army of giant social bears. This job is more trouble than it is worth, between the lizards and those things trapping the forest is going to be hell. (Chris)


    - Damn, I forgot about that. (Arc)


    - Yeah, I know, color me surprised. (Chris)

 Naturalist notes about drake-lings

    First and foremost, drake-lings are cold-blooded colonial four-legged oviparous lizards, living in the southern part of the continent. Adults can measure up to two feet while their young start only a few inches long.


    Observed average lifespan in the wild is of about two years, but it is unknown how long an individual can live in perfect conditions because drake-lings constitute a major part of a lot of predator diet.


    They occupy in the south, the same niche as rats do in the north, but unlike their furry counterparts, they have proven impossible to raise in captivity due to their feral nature.


    Just like rats, they are true omnivores, acting as scavengers, carrion, predator or herbivore depending on number and opportunity. Despite their frontal pointy teeth, the arrangement of the jaw is indeed that of an omnivore and they will regrow teeth many times in their short lifespan.


    While they can appear as social animals, their behavior is more mindful of insect that rats for example. Individual self-preservation is low and older and weaker specimens will often sacrifice themselves for the colony, assuming they aren¡¯t eaten when food becomes scarce.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    It is a well-known fact that large colonies will often attack bigger animals, but because it has been confirmed that the smell of blood will often drive them in a frenzy, it might be a response rather than a choice.


    Then again, considering their habits of getting rid of extraneous members of the colony, it might simply a move offering great reward a little cost for the colony.


    The subject of their intelligence is wildly debated, some argue they are a true example of collective intelligence while others say they simply offer a mechanical response to their environment. Sadly, their aggressive nature makes testing their intelligence almost impossible and to this day, no one has been able to establish a testing method.


    Drake-lings only truly fears fire, and while they will generally flee behemoths, it¡¯s not a fear response like it is the case with fire, indeed there have been cases of colonies fearlessly throwing themselves at some old and weakened giants.


    A warning for those out there who think that their cold-blooded nature makes them easy target at night, just like many species of nomadic ants, drake-lings will gather together to create a living structure, allowing them to keep warm even during the coldest times.

 chapter 2: Time to scout

    Time to scout


    With the pit ready, it was high time for the two vanguards to do some real scouting, get a feel of the region, plot the optimal path and set traps.


    - It is rare to get a terrain so advantageous, with trees this size, even the biggest behemoth will have to go around. (Chris)


    - I hope the previous group didn''t dismantle everything before going, I get the feeling things aren''t going to stay this quiet for long. (Arc)


    - Do they ever? (Chris)


    - I''ve got a question about Bel, what is she so adamant about being a four men team? I mean, considering how much she hates the militia, I just don''t understand why she refuses to expand the team? (Arc)


    - It''s mostly about tradition, the Quickhatches has always been a team of four and you''ve seen how she is? You''ve been with us for four years and she''s only starting to consider you a team member now... [Snickering] It took only two years for me though. (Chris)


    Arc take a long look at the forest then ask.


    - How do we go about it? Do we go together or separately? (Arc)


    - Separately, but for today we''re not going too far in... I''d say we start with one-quarter of a league deep, you take riverside and I take the other. Call if you find anything left behind by the old team. (Chris)


    - The same thing goes for you. (Arc)


    - Obviously (Chris)


    They both enter the forest and start walking in opposite direction, Chris as very little expectations of finding anything in this direction, but it as to be done anyway. She hopes that some accomplishment, however small, will give Arc a much-needed morale boost and help him get over his break-up.


    He''s at the age where the idea of settling down start looking attractive, and in the near future he will learn that until they are needed, hunters are ranked pretty high on the unpopular list, right behind soldiers. Parents worry their children will receive bad influence and officials about the cost.


    She stops, something caught her sight, those plants look like pepper. Because she doesn''t know this variety, she takes a waterproofed leather bag a put them inside without touching them. Best case scenario, they are worth their weight in gold, worst case scenario they are too hot and their powder is poisonous or can only be used as an irritant, in any case, it''s still a good find.


    On his side, Arc as reached the river without finding anything and is now moving deeper in the other direction. So far there has been no sign of drake-lings and that fact worries him. Although a pack rarely attack preys they cannot beat twice, at least one scout should have been dispatched to make sure of his intentions. Arc continues, more wary of his steps, certain that somewhere around here, is something that spells certain death for the drake-lings...


    After two hundred steps he stops and gets is tree climbing gear out of his bag. Right in front of him is a tree with an abnormally smooth surface and what looks like to be cable imprints ten feet above the ground. After a short climb, there is no more doubt, he as found what he was looking for.


    He continues climbing until he reaches the first arm, and sit on it, assuring himself a good position and a good view before giving the signal, a high pitched whistle.


    A good while later, Chris arrives near the tree and signal her position with her own whistling. A small voice answer.


    - Over there! (Chris)This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Chris looks in that direction, see the smooth trunk and Arc, waiting for her. While he climbs down she starts asking him questions.


    - Did you ear any drake-lings while you were here? (Chris)


    - None. (Arc)


    - Sound bad. (Chris)


    - It gives me the creeps. (Arc)


    - Did you find the mark to go with this one?


    - Yes, it''s on that tree over there. (Chris)


    - That''s pretty far for a trip cable. (Arc)


    - Remember? They were dealing with a Ptedon family right before they moved, there are other cable marks higher in those trees. But from up there I found a disarmed deadfall and the remnants of a tension trap. (Chris)


    She smiles.


    - Well done, we''re on the right path. (Chris)


    - Thanks. What do we do, do you want to go further? (Arc)


    - Bow or dagger? (Chris)


    - I''ll use my steel arrow and you should do the same, there''s something out there. (Arc)


    No hunter like using a steel arrow, its only use is when one has his bow out yet is in danger of a melee attack. The problem is that it is mediocre both as a melee weapon and a ranged weapon while costing a lot more than a regular arrow.


    - That bad? (Chris)


    Arc nod, waiting for her arrival has only made him more anxious.


    - Ok, let''s go. (Chris)


    They walk side by side, each trying to cover as much terrain as possible with their sight but who knows what is hidden in those trees or under the thick layer of leaves. Suddenly both start walking slower while narrowing their eyes, in front of them the pattern of leaves is too regular.


    Both of them make the sign of retreat at the same time, what is in front of them are not leaves but a giant snake with green and yellow camouflage. Those creatures rarely care to eat small animals, preferring boars and deers over skinny human, but when famished or guarding eggs, they can be very aggressive.


    As soon as they put enough distance between them and the reptile, they start talking again in a muted voice.


    - I hate snakes, whatever the size. (Chris)


    - Want to kill it? Please, say yes! (Arc)


    - I want to, but since we''re not getting paid for this one, I want to speak with Dalene first, to see what is worth selling. (Chris)


    - Good point, if we kill it now it''ll have been devoured by the time we''re back. (Arc)


    Seeing as they are nearing the edge of the forest, they run for the city without a care for the noise they make. At this time Dalene should be helping Belina and the worker assembling the cheval de frise.


    They enter the warehouse calling loudly.


    - Dalene are you there? (Chris & Arc)


    Coming down from a pile of large wooden stake, Dalene answer.


    - Yes, I am. You don''t have to shout. What is the hurry? (Dalene)


    - Sorry, there''s a giant snake, green and yellow, it looks like a constrictor. Is there any part worth anything? (Chris & Arc)


    - No, and you shouldn''t kill it. (Dalene)


    - We obviously need to kill it, it''s a snake! (Arc)


    - I don''t want to go anywhere near this place while this thing is alive. You better be very convincing if you want us to leave it alone. (Chris)


    - Mark its nest and you have a perfect snare trap. (Dalene)


    - They don''t move around? (Chris)


    - They do, but they always come back to their nest. Also, unlike venomous snake, they don''t use their tongue much, so there is no problem if you mark it with a smell. (Dalene)


    - Apart from getting killed you mean? (Arc)


    - Again, they are unlike other snakes, they can only move fast on a very short distance, just what they need to capture prey that comes near their hiding spot. (Dalene)


    - If it eats me, I''m coming back to haunt you. With snakes, every night! (Arc)


    Chris gets the leather pouch to show Dalene the ''peppers''.


    - Do you know what these are? (Chris)


    - Looks like a southern green pepper? Not very hot, usually preserved in oil. Costly. (Dalene)


    - How costly exactly? (Chris)


    - You will have to ask a merchant, but I remember it tastes better than black pepper and can be used as food preservative. (Dalene)


    - Come on, trust a merchant? Give me a minimum price at least. (Chris)


    - With what you have there, maybe 10 copper or... I don''t know, ask to buy some and see how it goes. (Dalene)


    - Damn, that''s easy money. (Chris)


    - If it''s what it looks like. I never said I was sure. (Dalene)


    - Thanks... Oh, right Arc, we''re leaving the snake for now. Tomorrow I''ll make a dung arrow flask and we''ll stink the hell out of this thing. For now, money is calling me and it sounds beautiful. (Chris)


    Arc wait until she''s out of sight and asks.


    - How sure? (Arc)


    - Six out of ten, why? (Dalene)


    - Because I thought they looked a lot like bitter peppers, they go around two copper for three. Want to take a bet? (Arc)


    Dalene narrows his sight then answers.


    - No, I don''t think I do. (Dalene)


    Arc walk back to the inn with a big smile.

 chapter 3: Daily life V2

    Daily life


    Coming back from a scouting session, Arc enters the inn''s common room where he finds the three other arguing.


    - Hello BCD, what are you talking about?


    Because of their name, Arc often jokingly call their group the ABCDs, mostly to infuriate Belina.


    - The arctodus, we cannot agree on how to face them. (Chris)


    - Why do you want to face them, everyone''s been telling me they don''t come out of the forest, ever. Leave them be. (Arc)


    - You are what, around 26? (Chris)


    - 25, thank you. (Arc)


    - How long have you been doing this job? (Chris)


    - 9 years? (Arc)


    - I''m amazed you survived this long with this mentality. (Chris)


    Chris look him right in the eyes until she''s got his full attention, then proceed to explain him her vision of the job.


    - A hunter must plan for all eventuality, you don''t get another chance with this job. You go prepared or you go down, that''s all there is to it. (Chris)


    - Come on, I know my job too, I''m just saying we don''t have to plan for their annihilation when they don''t pose a threat. (Arc)


    - Yet, they don''t pose a threat yet. And we are not preparing to wipe them out, just strategizing in case we have to. (Chris)


    Belina grumbles, sit back in her chair and exclaim:


    - You don''t, and that''s the problem. Dalene, being a zoologist, you should know better than anyone that when the environment changes, the behavior changes too. From now on we have to assume those bears are going to come out of the forest and prepare for that. None of my equipment is meant to fight an army of small bears... And from what you told me, the big can order the small ones around. We have to take it down while we''ve got the initiative, it''s too risky! (Belina)


    - The mayor won''t pay for that, the whole city thinks that giant arctodus is some sort of forest guardian. (Arc)


    - Dalene and I are with Arc on that, planning how to deal with them is one thing, going out there and putting everyone at risk is something else entirely. There are at least twenty of those things including the young! They move fast and can climb trees! (Chris)


    - In the end, they are just bears, a bit of asphyxiation poison and they''re down. (Belina)


    - I''m not wasting my poison on those bears, I don''t mind using it on the big one, but it cost ten time its weight in gold. (Arc)


    - That reminds me Dalene, is there any plant or fauna we can harvest for useful poison in these parts? (Arc)


    Dalene closes his eyes to think for an instant then take a book from his side bag. After reading for a while, he answers Chris'' question.


    - There are a few plants and fungi that can be used to make compounds similar to asphyxiation poison, but it''s in minimal amounts and hard to extract without the right equipment. (Dalene)If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    He rock and his chair for an instant then continue talking.


    - There are animals who eat them and make a reserve of it, the most common is a nocturnal monkey. There are also frogs with a powerful poison that can stop a deer''s heart in a few minutes and some rivers snake with powerful toxins, one which liquefies the blood while the other clots it. But considering they are from the same habitat, and the bears are at the summit of the food chain around here, it is quite possible that for them to be immune to any if not all of those poisons. (Dalene)


    - So? (Arc)


    - Harvest all you want, but until you''ve tested it, using foreign poison is safer. (Dalene)


    - Can''t we use the gas then, they are not as costly? (Arc)


    Chris look at Arc with an air of exasperation:


    - Too windy for that. (Chris)


    - I''m not that dumb, I did not mean to kill with it, just to slow them enough to deal with them normally. (Arc)


    - Sound doable, but I''d keep that for a worst case scenario though. Make use drawings and description of what to look for, it''d be a waste not to collect free stuff while we''re here. (Chris)


    - That will have to wait for later though, I need an escort for the digger. (Belina)


    - I''ll take the flame-gel thrower. (Chris)


    - Eh, I don''t want to carry the anti-fire powder again! (Arc)


    - Don''t worry, I''ll have one of the workers carry it, you take the vials. (Chris)


    - Come one, that''s not a weapon, let me take a pole-arm at least. (Arc)


    - I don''t mind, as long you take the vials too. What do you expect to do against drake-lings, with a weapon? They''ll run around you and go straight for the workers! (Chris)


    - Yeah, you''re right, it''s just I don''t feel safe if I don''t have a weapon. (Arc)


    Later that day, the sun is going down and they walk back toward the city, escorting the digger, as they are nearing the city they all start relaxing asking each other about their plan for the night.


    - What about you Chris, are you gonna meet your drunk again? (Arc)


    Belina cut in angrily.


    - Better than your tavern wench, you should get rid of that thing before you end up in debt. (Belina)


    - She''s not a prostitute. (Arc)


    - You''re right, she''s worst, a jobless gold digger. (Belina)


    - How is she any worse than her boy? (Arc)


    Chris whisper to him:


    - Shouldn''t have involved me, asshole. (Chris)


    Then louder.


    - Easy, mine''s got a job, and he has never gotten more than dinner and drinks from me. What about yours, how many trinkets did you buy? (Chris)


    - Come one, she''s a bit childish but she''s not a bad girl. Why are you all against her? (Arc)


    - Just saying, I don''t care what you do with your money. Just remember this, the minute you are in debt it becomes our concern too. And since there is no way we''re staying here till you can pay, that means you''re out, understood?! (Belina)


    - Yes, ma''am... (Arc)


    - Good, as for her kid, he''s a pretty good worker, he''s helping me set up the ballistas and disk launcher, pretty good with his hands, and not just in bed. If he wasn''t so old, I would not have minded taking him as my apprentice. (Belina)


    - So old? He''s like 19. (Arc)


    - Old enough to get stuck in his bad habits and losing the ability to learn and adapt. I started engineering when I was 8, and my teacher when he was 10. Plus he''s a drunk, not a trait you want when you work with siege weapons and dangerous materials. (Belina)


    Arc shiver thinking about what could go wrong while Chris let out a laugh.


    - The good thing about our job is that the bad ones don''t get old enough to become a menace for their teammate. (Chris)


    - I like her though, she''s cute and funny. (Arc)


    - Till you''re out of money. What? You want to settle here and marry her? (Belina)


    - Sometimes I think about settling down, becoming a resident hunter or something. (Arc)


    - We all do, from time to time... Did you ever see an old vanguard? (Chris)


    - Don''t know, don''t think I did. (Arc)


    - That''s because we can''t quit, it''s always ''one last hunt'' and then we die. The way of the world, no one can settle with a boring life after doing this kind of job. (Chris)


    - Is that why you''re never getting a man, Bel? (Arc)


    Surprised by the silence, Arc looks at Chris and seeing the horror in her eyes, realize what he just said.


    - What I meant is...(Arc)


    - I know perfectly what you meant. What I think is that you''ve got far too much time on your hands, so tonight forget about your wench, you''re helping me prepping tomorrow''s equipment, I get to bed early and you save some money, everybody win. (Belina)

 chapter 4: Almost ready but... V2

    Almost ready but...


    The first pitfall trap is almost ready and the workers who are not working on reinforcing the wall are preparing the cover and crossing platform. What was once an anti-flood embankment has become a massive hill reinforced by logs, overlooking the pit. Although it is not really anyone''s fault, just badly timed chain of events, Belina can''t stop herself from criticizing the current state of the work.


    - The earth is too loose, there''s no way to put my weapons there... And building foundation is not an option either, not without giving the earth some time to settle. (Belina)


    She looks at the worker angrily, while it is true they are not directly responsible for the current situation, the citizen lack of initiative is what lead to this botched work.


    - You nincompoop, is there any way I can procure some large stone slab? Or some heavy wood panels? Anything I can use to fix my weapons. (Belina)


    - Sorry Ma''am, let me run back to the city, the masons and carpenters should have what you need. At worst, I can ask the stone cutters. (Worker)


    - Do that. See, you louts? That''s what initiative looks like, why don''t you try to commit that to memory for next time?! (Belina)


    The man runs away smiling while the others watch him go enviously. What she said is true, next time they will be the one to speak first and win a chance to get away from that crazy bitch.


    On the other side of the pit, standing as far as possible from their angry comrades as possible, the two vanguards are keeping a lookout for incoming threat, ready to ring the alarm and intercept.


    - She dumped, as soon as I told her I was getting short on cash, she found went back to her previous man. (Arc)


    - Not like you weren''t warned. (Chris)


    - Is it so wrong to live the dream? It''s not like I didn''t know we were going to separate eventually, but it still pisses me off that she was faking it. Do you know what she told me before leaving? (Arc)


    Chris let a long sigh then answer nonchalantly, with a very faint hope that he''ll get the message.


    - No, but I''m sure you''re going to educate me, whether I want it or not. (Chris)


    - I don''t want to date a dead man walking! (Arc)


    - Clever... I revise my opinion, she''s a clever tavern wench. (Chris)


    - Still a wench? (Arc)


    - I am not going to call her a prostitute, that would be giving her too much credit, she''s clearly not that professional. (Chris)This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    - [Laughing] You''re evil. (Arc)


    - Thank you. (Arc)


    The rest of the day pass without accident, and as everyone is preparing for their return Chris catch glimpse of movement in the distance.


    - Looks like the little buggers are finally coming for a visit. INCOMING DRAKE-LING, AT LEAST 50. (Chris)


    Arc set his helmet visor down.


    - Get to the other side and tell them to retract the plank. (Arc)


    - Thank you captain obvious. (Chris)


    She runs to the other side, leaving Arc alone to act as bait.


    - Come on little critters, papa Arc is waiting for you. (Arc)


    A dozen drake-lings are running in front of the other, four of them jump on Arc while the other ignore him to cross the makeshift bridge. Too bad for them, the workers and militia-men seeing the lizards running at them, let go of plank, which immediately falls it the pit with its unwilling passengers.


    On the other side, the small invaders find themselves incapable of biting through the metal reinforced leather armor, and Arc not bothering to draw his dagger, dextrously catch them one by one, strangling them or breaking their spine.


    Seeing their comrades die helplessly, the pack ignore Arc to run around the pit and up the hill, toward the other preys, those with soft skin. But once again, they are foiled by the hunters. Indeed, Chris uses the burning gel thrower to cut their path and the little carnivore, growl and snarl angrily at their preys, too afraid to cross the fire but too famished to leave.


    Bad decision though, Chris use their indecision to cut their retreat, drawing an arc of flame behind them. Upon realizing their situation, the small creatures go crazy, running in a circle and attacking each other. A few courageous souls manage to jump across the fire, suffering minor burns and run toward the water but for the other, it is already too late, for Chris, with her targets so close to each other, deliver the finishing blow is just a matter of slowly pouring gel other the pack.


    As the creatures scream in agony, Chris tells Belina.


    - That''s 3 half-silver of gel wasted on those creeps, they better reimburse us for that. (Chris)


    - Don''t worry, Arc''s deal with the mayor included all our expense, he might be rude and arrogant when he negotiate, but he always gets us the best contracts. (Belina)


    - I must have gone crazy from the fumes, I think I heard you say something nice about Arc. (Chris)


    - He is a good negotiator, too bad his attitude is going to get him killed pretty soon. (Belina)


    - And now you''re worried about him, that''s it, I must be delirious. (Chris)


    - Not about him, about us, one mistake can lead to one entire team death. (Belina)


    - Just like our mistake killed his entire team? (Chris)


    - Gregor was too old, I regret not forcing him out. (Belina)


    - Retirement would have killed him just as surely. (Chris)


    - But at least he would have died alone. Make sure to teach him well. (Belina)


    Chris laugh.


    - It''s Arc, why are you assuming he''s capable of learning? (Chris)


    Belina stares silently at Chris until she answers.


    - Ok, I will. But I assure you his usual attitude does not reflect on his work, he''s just as professional as anyone we''ve worked with before. (Chris)


    - And yet they''re all dead. Put things into perspective, right? Damn, I really need to look for an apprentice, I getting too old to handle all this by myself. And the militia is no help when it comes to mechanics. (Belina)


    She watches Arc who''s coming to join them and yell.


    - Since you''ve got nothing better to do this evening, come help me! I''ll even pay your tab afterward. (Belina)


    - You''re kidding, right? Miss miser is going to pay? Count me in! (Arc)

 chapter 4.5: The Beast

    The Beast


    The beast was angry, It was hurt, It was starving, and it was all the fault of some mere preys. Individually, they were nothing, just slightly harder to kill than the other, but they were never alone. Worse, they had taken hold of the only source of water and attacked anything the considered a threat on sight.


    After suffering a few defeat to mere preys, It had no choice but the leave its territory in search of water or die of dehydration. Thankfully, It was fast and there was an ample amount of smaller preys in the more humid regions.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    At least, until they fled to the forest in fear of the beast. Since then it all spiraled down, It could not hunt properly because of all those trees blocking Its way, It was forced to flee and nearly lost an eye to the flying ones when it attacked their nest only to get almost strangled to death by a serpent.


    Now, he was angry at the world, It wanted to kill, It wanted to eat, but all fled before It and It could not find, could not catch up to them.


    Maybe It could survive a bit longer eating fishes, but it was meager food and would not sustain It for long.

 chapter 5: Bird-footed lizard

    Bird-footed lizard


    Over the last three weeks, the local militia had finished setting the Frisian horses and spikes, it was arranged in such a way that anything bigger than a human would be forced to travel through an arranged path, well in the range of the engineer siege weapons.


    Obviously, this path was constructed with an ideal situation in mind, but it was not rare for the behemoths to see through the danger of a straight narrow path and some creatures would navigate through the maze of pointy objects using their agile bodies while the particularly ferocious ones would simply force their way through the obstacles by smashing or throwing them away.


    But this too was accounted for, every second spent on an obstacle, was a chance for a siege weapon operator to adjust the aim and end the threat. If it wasn''t enough, giant bolas and net could stop the monster long enough to deal a mortal blow and if for some reason, none of this was enough, there was always the pitfall.


    The failing of the system was that intelligent behemoths would observe and learn from the failures of their brethren and for this reason, it was important to never leave any survivors, which was much easier said than done.


    Today was a maintenance day, a time for the vanguards to maintain the various traps in the forest. As usual, Arc was complaining about the task.


    - I swear, if those damn monkeys have messed with the traps again, I''m going to hunt them all! For free! (Arc)


    - I would not condone killing them all, but it would not be such a bad idea, some of them have some valuable poison in their pouches. (Chris)


    - Don''t you have enough money? You''re making a killing with those vines of yours. (Arc)


    - I don''t understand why you stubbornly refuse to harvest them, the pharmacists say they''ll buy it, no matter the amount. (Chris)


    Chris pepper turned to be worthless just like Arc thought, but she soon after found a precious vine, used by doctors and veterinarian all over the kingdom to put their patient in a state a deep sleep.


    - You''re the one who found it, and you''re already donating one-quarter of your gain to the team. It just pisses me off that who made more than my entire life-saving in three weeks. (Arc)


    - I did not expect you to save money, how much. (Chris)


    - A bit over two crowns. (Arc)Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Chris was taken aback, that was more than her own saving before she found the vines.


    - And here I thoughts you were blowing all your money on girls... That''s because you never say anything that Bel think you''re an idiot. (Chris)


    - Come on, no one would be dumb enough... Okay, maybe that''s going too far, but there should not be many idiots ready to spend all their hard earned money on a random girl before marriage. I was only spending most of my daily income on her, you know, for the dream. (Arc)


    - That reminds me, did you see the change in attitude recently? (Chris)


    - Yeah, now that we''re done with the first site, people are starting to think we overstayed our welcome. I wonder if resident hunters have to deal with that... (Arc)


    - I''m sure they do, but most of the time they''re local, it helps soften the frictions. And, with all the building and digging, the expenses are piling. (Chris)


    - Whose fault is that? (Arc)


    Both vanguards shut up, they are nearing the border of the forest, not a place where one wants to be noisy, lest he wants to be prey. Slowly and carefully, they go through each of their trap, always on the lookout for a sign of dangers or Behemoth''s activity.


    Looking at one of the deadfall trap, Arc whispers.


    - Damn monkeys, they did it again. (Arc)


    Chris answer just as softly.


    - No point getting furious, next time we''ll put some snares around the traps, that should teach them not to approach them. (Chris)


    - If only it were that simple. (Arc)


    - We need to refresh the stink bomb on the serpent. (Chris)


    - Yeah, I know, two of the worst possible tasks in one single package. (Arc)


    A stink bomb is made by fermenting animal excrement, it allows to easily find a target no matter how well it hides without, but it only lasts for a limited time. In the case of the serpent, it has the added bonus of not making the other animals warry, helping it in its hunt.


    As they approach the source of the smell, Chris takes a well-packed flask from a sealed pouch in her side bag. Then take a special arrow from her quiver and fix the flask on the special head, shaped like a screw.


    But on their way to the smell, they find traces of devastation, something enormous fought here... No two enormous things fought, and neither of them won judging by the absence of corpse and the two trails, one leading deeper in the forest and the other straight to the river.


    Chris point the direction of the smell and Arc acquiesce, confirming the state of the giant serpent and renewing the smell bomb comes first.


    Seeing the state of the ophidian, it appears that it was the victor, for while there are many claw and teeth marks on its body, there is no deep wound either. After renewing the scent, both hunters go the other way to follow the other trail, but this time, they go up the trees before reaching the river. Indeed, going straight into an unobstructed area when there is a behemoth on the loose is nothing short from suicidal.


    Observing from afar, they find their target, a gigantic bird-footed lizard with yellow and black feathers. There''s a long gash near its left eye and seen stains from coagulated blood can be observed on its side and tail. The giant beast is crouching in the water, probably trying to cool its numerous wounds.


    The hunters look at each other and make the retreat sign at the same time. That''s trouble, big trouble. While they themselves have never fought one of them, its reputation is one of hunter-killer.


    At least, not everything is bad news, the beast is built for speed and power. Its natural hunting ground should be in plains, not forest which means there is a way to take advantage of that. Just as silently as they came, the two hunters go back to the city.

 Naturalist notes: the plains’ tyrant

    Also known as the saurian king, it is the greatest of the many bird-footed lizards populating the southern part of the continent.


    It is a hot-blooded two-legged oviparous lizard with a height of twelve foot and a length of over forty. Despite its weight, this massive beast is as good a runner as the smaller specimens. Usually sporting brown-red feathers, its feet are composed of three strong fingers, and a smaller claw, reminiscent of birds.


    Despite its massive size and strong jaws, it usually acts as an opportunistic hunter, and will often steal smaller animals¡¯ preys. Normally, it will form a lifelong couple, raise its young then move to another area, leaving its old territory to its progeny.


    It¡¯s a very territorial animal, and will not stand for competition within its domain, although chat it usually considers competition are similarly sized predators and whatever targets its preferred preys. Solitary tyrants are much more aggressive, and will often challenge their own kindred for no other reason than to show their dominance.


    Its intelligence is subject of many debates, some states its ability to adapt to human traps and tactics as a sign of its intelligence while others say it¡¯s due to its passive and cowardly nature. As for me, I think the later are idiots who¡¯ve never faced the mighty behemoth and should keep their uninformed opinion for themselves.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    When young are born, they will be trained by the parents to hunt smaller preys and maturation can take up to twenty years, this training period makes parents with young very dangerous because they will target smaller preys they would otherwise ignore.


    It is unknown how long the behemoths can live and the very idea of keeping them in captivity is laughable at best.


    Their weaknesses are few, unlike most animal they show little response to fire, their scales make them almost impervious to arrows and bolts unless they are fired from short distances. So far, the only successful methods have been to use pit traps with spikes, siege weapons, attacking their fingers and lower articulation with pole axes and obviously shooting them in the eyes.


    Like many great behemoths and bird-footed lizards, in particular, its bones while hollowed and without marrow, show very high resistance to forces applied laterally, and longitudinally.


    Here is a final message of an ex-hunter to his younger kindred:


    ¡°The beast¡¯s name of hunter-killer is well deserved. Do not engage unless you have the support of the army or a well-fortified place, and always stays cautious, no matter how well things seem to be going and how prepared you are.¡±

 chapter 6: Bird-footed lizard : part 2

    Bird-footed lizard


    part 2


    As soon as they reached the city, Arc and Chris rushed to Dalene to tell him what they found and what he knew about it.


    - Bird-foot lizard, are among the mightiest land predators, but just like any animal, they have their weaknesses. They run two to three time faster than a human but lack stamina, cannot deal well with obstacles and uneven terrains, their scales hide are thick and very resistant to piercing and slashing, but their hollow bones make them comparatively weak to heavy blow from the side. (Dalene)


    - Comparatively? To what? (Arc)


    - To bones with marrow, mind you, their bones are massive so there''s little chance for a human to actually break them. But if you can them to trip or fall, there are higher prospects of fracture. (Dalene)


    - So, what tactic should we use? (Chris)


    - Poison is out of question unless you hit them in a soft spot, it is very unlikely for an arrow fired from a short bow to penetrate. (Dalene)


    - Damn, just as I feared. (Chris)


    - From what you said, it''s already hurt, and that''s a good thing. They are intelligent creatures in normal circumstances but are easily overcome by fury when hurt. (Dalene)


    - Easy to lead then. How do you propose we attract him? (Chris)


    - Acid or burning gel should do the trick, in normal, although being this near from a water source, it''s very likely it''ll simply get rid of the gel in the river. (Dalene)


    - What are our chances of getting through its hide with a longbow? (Chris)


    - High, but you will only have one chance to shoot, do you think it is worth going through the forest with cumbersome bow and arrows for a single shot? (Dalene)


    - I don''t really feel like leaving my precious longbow behind to run. It was more about once it is out of the forest. (Chris)


    - You''re two are the baits, there won''t be any chance for you to fight... Unless everything turns horribly wrong. (Dalene)


    - Classic harassment tactic then? (Chris)


    - Yes... But when the beast gets enraged... Well, there is a good reason it''s called the hunter-killer, it can be very intelligent when calm, and completely unpredictable when hurt. It''s only interested in meat, it would be wiser to attract it with some animal carcasses and engage it from the walls. (Dalene)


    Belina, who had been listening from the back for a while without saying anything suddenly speak up.


    - Either we kill it soon, or we pack up. What do you think will happen if we suggest dealing with it from behind the walls? Now that the first site is done the citizen are already questioning the need for our presence. Unlike the previous group, we are all strangers and there is no good will toward us. (Belina)


    - We''ve been paid to deal with drake-lings and incoming behemoth while we help them build their defenses. We''ve got a contract, it''s like being paid to catch a cat only to face a tiger. (Dalene)


    - People don''t care. They''ll say "You''re behemoth hunter, it''s a behemoth, deal with it! That''s what we''re paying you for". And if we say no, they''ll simply get someone else to do it. (Belina)Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    - Then what is this contract for? (Dalene)


    - For getting paid. This contract is between us and the mayor anyway. I thought you were old enough to understand that there is no point in expecting rational thinking from a terrified mob.


    - So... We all agree it''s dumb and suicidal but we''re going to do it anyway? (Arc)


    - Damn it... (Dalene)


    - Aye! (Chris)


    - Aye! (Belina)


    - And aye by the way! (Arc)


    The plan was the usual harassement tactic, one hunter shoots the target and leads the beast through the prepared course, relying on the traps and obstacles to slow it down, or with good luck, kill it. The other hunter follows a parallel path, ready to attract the behemoth attention with its own arrows if he gains too much ground.


    Arc was thinking, I don''t know who said "no plan survives first contact with the enemy" but he was right. It was only thanks to the tripwire that Chris had survived this long because the bloody monster was running through everything else like it wasn''t there. The deadfall and tension trap only made it madder and Arc had already gone through all of its flasks, including the fire gel one with the damn thing giving him a single look.


    Arc understood full well how deserved its title of hunter-killer was no, it was clear to him that if they had confronted the beast on a plain they''d both be dead by now.


    The prey was running and It was running after it, that''s was all there was, the chase. Soon, It would catch up, eat, deal with the pain, then eat the other one. It was too hungry to think about all those obstacles that got in its way, they only served to make It hungrier and angrier.


    Chris was running, she had no time to look behind, all her concentration was on finding the optimal path and activating whatever trap she could without slowing. From the noise, she could get a good sense of the distance and it wasn''t good, despite everything, it was still gaining ground on her... How much was left till the Cheval de frise? Two hundred steps? What was this idiot doing? Why...


    No! She had to concentrate, the only thing she could do was running.


    Belina could already hear the beast coming.


    - Get ready!


    The militia-men, Dalene and Belina started adjusting the sight of the long-range ballistas. Here she is, Chris comes out of the forest and pass between the Frisian horses followed a few seconds later by the giant beast who ram into the stakes. It is bleeding, but nothing fatal, despite its rage, it seems like it managed to slow itself down.


    Furious the behemoth bite into the Cheval de frise and try to throw it away, but the first rank is heavily weighted, to prevent just that. Furious It looks around and finds another prey, but this one is also behind those annoying pointy sticks. Suspiciously, there''s only one path, and if it had been in any another occasion, the beast would have listened to its instinct.


    But right now, It was hungry, It was tired, It was in pain and there were many preys right before It.


    The beast gets on the path.


    - Fire at will.


    The bolt flies in parallel toward their intended target but it crouches and falls, barely escaping its doom. It gets up again, slightly confused by the shock.


    - To the disk throwers.


    The disks fly much lower, normally being targeted at smaller target or groups. Belina hopes to cut its leg or at least some sinew, but once again, the behemoth avoids the attack by ramming itself in the spikes. The net won''t do for an animal this size, and the is little chance the giant bolas will work after this display but she orders it anyway.


    - Bolas launcher.


    Indeed, the beast dodges it in the very same way it avoided the previous attack, only taking some blunt damage to its side and head.


    Now, the bird-foot lizard is bleeding from both side and walking rather than running, but it is still coming for them.


    - Get uphill, wait for orders.


    There is no time to reload, the only defenses left are the small ballistas uphill and the trap pit. Both vanguards are already traversing the planks over the pit and running for their weapons.


    Chris takes a longbow, while Arc chooses a halberd. The beast right behind them walk on the cover and fall, everything could have ended now if they had put spikes or stakes in the hole, but the worker had refused, fearing for their lives, not without any good reason because falls had occurred during construction.


    Once again, the behemoth shows incredible reflexes and good thinking, shifting its weight to fall on its side, saving its legs in the process, but it is not enough to save its life, soon after an arrow pierce through its left eye and a blade cut deep into its neck. While the monster tries to focus its remaining eye on its attacker, its life is suddenly ended by a bolt through its neck. Thus end a mighty beast, driven out ou its territory by preys only to die at the hands of even smaller and defenseless preys.

 chapter 7: Celebration and worries

    Celebrations and worries


    The whole town was ecstatic and the militia-man who delivered was carried around town like a great hero. It was understandable, they had just defeated one of the most feared behemoths without a single injury let alone death.


    The hunters though had a slightly different opinion. Dalene for one chose not to say anything about the talon marks he saw on the behemoth carcass, a sure sign of ptedons with young. From his point of view, there was no indication of where and when it was wounded and he did not want the vanguards to be sent on a suicidal scouting mission to find the nest.


    - I understand why they are happy, and they certainly deserve to... But despite the fight being so heavily stacked in our favor we still struggled to take it down. (Chris)


    - They are getting overconfident and that''s bad news. I think we should hurry our work and get the hell out of here. (Belina)


    - I concur, staying here is gonna get troublesome, I don''t want to die from some stupid irrealistic demands. (Dalene)


    - I tried to explain the mayor and the other officials that the behemoth was hurt and malnourished but they are turning a deaf ear. (Belina)


    - It should not be too hard to get a little more help and equipment with the current state of affair. I propose we recruit more people, even if we lose some money in the process. Which remind me, is the carcass worth something? (Chris)


    Dalene thinks for a moment before answering.


    - The hide is worth a considerable price, but considering the damages, we can''t expect anything better than two third of the normal price... The meat tastes horrible but we might be able to sell it for a few half silver because there are tons of it. (Dalene)


    He smiles then add.


    - The glands, hearts and some of the other organs can be sold for a small fortune though. If we desiccate it and sell it ourselves in a powdered form, we can expect at least six crowns... Although, if we do that, we will have to pay a pharmacist every single time we want to sell to prove its origin. (Dalene)


    - Goddamn thieves! (Arc)


    - If we sell it directly to the pharmacists, three or four crowns at best. (Dalene)The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    - I propose we gift the meat to the city to garner some goodwill, recruit more workers, hurry the rest of the project and scram as soon as the contract end. (Belina)


    - I concur. (Dalene)


    - Agreed. (Arc)


    - The sooner the better. (Chris)


    Success could be dangerous, it easily leads to overconfidence and the Quickhatches all lost precious partners to the hubris of small times nobles. It wasn''t hard to see what was coming next, the citizen would ask to reclaim more forest land for their field, disrupt the ecology even more and before long, there''d all sort of pests and hungry behemoth roaming the place. It was just as stupid and dangerous as Arc previous proposition to burn the forest down.


    - You were right about Gise, Dalene. Now I regret telling we should kill it. (Arc)


    - Gise? (Dalene)


    - The giant serpent. (Arc)


    - You really have the worst naming sense ever. (Dalene)


    Luckily for the hunters, there was no major incident during the next part of the project, only having to deal with a drake-lings that somehow managed to get into the walled fields and eat some goats.


    The team was currently speaking with the mayor.


    - Here''s your due. Seven crowns as per agreement. (Mayor)


    Overall it was a lucrative contract, besides the bonus for the finished contract and their daily wages, the team got six more crowns from selling behemoth parts. Although they had to spend a whole two crowns to speed up things, none of them regretted that choice. And the reason was...


    - Are you sure you don''t want to become our resident hunters? (Mayor)


    - Quite sure, we like our current lives, and settling down is dangerous. When the work becomes routine, you lose your edge and then you die. (Belina)


    - I''ve learned I wasn''t ready to take a wife and settle. Maybe when I am older and wiser. (Arc)


    - That''s too bad. At least the militia learned a lot, and the sites you designed are perfect. (Mayor)


    - There is no such thing as perfection. My sites are designed with forest dwellers and flying behemoths in mind. You should really think about putting grates on the river unless you want more drake-ling incursions in the city. (Belina)


    The suggestion disturbed the mayor quite a bit, the walls had been constructed in a hurry when the town was first settled twenty-four years ago since then it had only seen minor maintenance. Putting decent grates in place would mean rebuilding the wall in places, or creating a second one, two very costly prospects.


    - I will think about it, we will have to pay taxes soon, and after paying you we don''t have much margin anymore. (Mayor)


    - Understandable, the taxes get heavier every year while the army is nowhere to be seen. (Dalene)


    - You said it! (Mayor)


    The mayor calls for the army intervention have been ignored all this time, and most frontier cities he has a connection with are suffering from the same problem. The initial settlement had been financed by the Crown, but the new king had been cutting costs wherever he could. Frontier cities with constant threats and low taxes income were not in his list of priorities.


    Dalene had some theories about that but for the moment he did not want to worry the others by sharing them, things were already hard enough without brooding over things they couldn''t change.

 chapter 8: The most dreaded time of the year

    The most dreaded time of the year


    The four Quickhatches were traveling northward toward Hypnos the provincial capital of Nyx. Their encounter with bandits and the prospect of collecting reward did little to alleviate their mood for indeed, it was this time of the year.


    Arc looked at the bag of heads.


    - I hope at least one of those idiots was worth the trouble. (Arc)


    Chris looked at him and answered.


    - I doubt it. Who in their right mind attack a convoy of wagon protected by heavy repeating crossbow with crude melee weapons? They must have been refugee down their luck or peasant who could not pay taxes. (Chris)


    Taxes, the word that was weighing their minds. Years after years the taxes kept increasing if the trend continued they''d soon be paying as much tax as a normal small business.


    - We can''t even skip taxes anymore with all the reforms that asshole put in place. (Arc)


    - Careful with your words. (Belina)


    - Come on, we''re alone here. (Arc)


    - Just be careful, habits sink in easily, I don''t want to pay fine or worse because you mouthed the King in the wrong place. (Belina)


    - Oh, come on, I play dumb because your reactions are amusing but I am not suicidal. (Arc)


    - Oh, you''re playing dumb? You''re so natural at it I thought it was the real you. (Chris)


    While the group was exchanging quips, Dalene was thinking about the recent trend, little did he know that at the same time, far north, someone else was agonizing over the same matter.


    The young king Leopold cursed his father foolishness, his grand reclamation project had more than doubled the kingdom size but at what cost. Many rejoiced over the fact that the newly acquired territories had led to tremendously increased in food production which in turn led to an increase in population but Leopold was not among them.


    Because of this grand project, the kingdom had more almost doubled in size, and the cost of defending the new territories overshadowed the tax revenue. When he forced his father to step down five years ago, the army was four-time bigger as it is now and yet he still has trouble paying them.


    Despite the multiple budget reduction and taxes increase the national debt was still half of its current income, and it would take at least ten years for the new generation to become old enough to pay taxes and by then, so many things could go wrong.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Leopold attempts to push the cost of maintaining the army to the feudal lords was met with fierce resistance, and in the end, he had to abandon the idea due to the parliament sound, but selfish arguments.


    He remembered the scene as if it was yesterday.


    - Due to the centralized nature of the army commandment, its ability to respond to external threats has become less and less efficient. This is why I propose for each province to raise and maintain its own army. I know it is not something that can be done easily, this is why the Crown will lend you commanders and troops until you can raise your own, or delegate their command should you chose this option. (Leopold)


    It was his only possible move if he wanted to continue defending the border towns while keeping a sensible budget, although he''d still have to raise tax for a while until he could repay the state''s debts.


    The feudal lord''s delegate walked to the podium and the King did not like the look on its face.


    - My lord, I am honored by the trust you show us. Your proposition to divide the army, one of the regalian function of the state, among your feudal lords show just how much trust you have in us, but sadly it is not one we share. We fear that letting lords keep their own army will induce rebellion. Even now, many small lords use the guards as though they were their private armies, not to promote the law, but to ensure their privileges... (Delegate)


    Even if his real motives were transparent, he was nonetheless right. The King shivered at the idea of facing a rebellion, losing taxes while maintaining a war wasn''t something the state could afford.


    Since then Leopold had attempted more reforms and set up a more efficient tax collection system but it would take time to see results, time the frontier towns did not have. The future was grim, if too many of those town fell, then the kingdom faced famine and refugee crisis, but if kept increasing taxes to pay for the army then he risked facing rebellion before long.


    He was stuck, he did not have the coffer for massive reform nor the income to sustain the current state of affair and all of this was because of those greedy noble and his stupid father.


    Before heading to the central office, the Quickhatches dropped by the guard station to see if there was a bounty on one the bandits'' head, but just like Chris had predicted, they were new to the job and instead ended up spending hours explaining themselves until the news of a merchant convoy getting attacked by the same bandit finally exonerated them.


    - Next time we kill amateur bandits let''s just leave them on the side of the road. (Chris)


    - Can''t say I don''t understand the guards, but it sure is annoying getting attacked then having to prove yourself innocent. (Dalene)


    - I''m not sure letting anyone come and go with cut heads is a better prospect. (Chris)


    - Let''s go to the central office and get done with this tax business. (Belina)


    Whenever traveling hunters went to an office in search of works, they would have to produce a receipt proving they had paid taxes and cheating was no longer an option because nowadays, there were receipts for every single type of transactions.


    After paying both the team and personal taxes, the hunters were finally free to look for work. Three requests caught their eyes, the one for a ptedon family of four or five, just twenty leagues south-east of their previous mission was no surprise for them. The other two were for a group of giant gorillas and some two-legged lizards resembling a small scale version of the bird-footed lizard.


    All three of those missions had the same annoying trait, they were creatures that hunted in groups.


    - Out of the lot, the gorillas should be the easiest to find. (Dalene)


    - But also the most dangerous to fight, those bastards are known to use projectiles. (Belina)


    - The other two have much larger hunting grounds, but since they tend to go after farm animals that should make thing easier. What do you say? (Dalene)

 chapter 9: Not a monkey

    Not a monkey


    In the end, after debating for a while the group decided on the Gorillas'' hunt despite the higher risks, because it was a much shorter mission. After all, all three mission involved social animals with group hunting tactics, but the Gorillas were the ones with the smallest territory.


    Now, the group was discussing the targets'' weaknesses and habits.


    - Other apes have limited endurance compared to humans, but looks can be deceptive and while they cannot run for long they are faster than human. (Dalene)


    - We know, but that''s the same thing with the feathered lizards and the ptedons anyway. (Belina)


    - But feathered lizards can''t crush your bone with one punch, or throw rocks 150 feet away. (Dalene)


    - With terrible accuracy. (Arc)


    - Accuracy is not that a problem when they can throw a handful of big rocks with enough strength to knock a horse. (Dalene)


    - From what you are saying, I gather they are far too agile and numerous for the usual tactics to work. Can''t we use fire to control their path? (Chris)


    - Not unless you want to burn the forest and fields. (Dalene)


    - What a damn nuisance. (Arc)


    - Hit and run tactics are good and all, but even if I am a decent shot on horseback, I lose so much range and accuracy that I''m not sure it''s worth it. (Chris)


    - How much? (Dalene)


    - First, I can''t use my longbow on horseback... Well, I can but there is no point since I''ll shoot at a slower pace with less precision than if I use my short bow. And even then, expect something like 120 feet at best. (Chris)


    - As for me, expect 80 feet or less on horseback! Don''t look at me like that, when do you expect me to train? (Arc)This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    - And on foot? (Dalene)


    - I can reliably hit my target around 400 feet, and sometimes up to 600. (Chris)


    - Reliably up to 250, and with one out of three at best over that range. (Arc)


    - The heavy repeating crossbow has a range of 800, but the accuracy is terrible over 100... The goal of those weapons is piercing power after all. (Belina)


    - Well, what if we shoot them from max range with the crossbow, have the wagon retreat when they charge while we change for bows, and as soon as they get in throwing range we use the horses to flee and restart from afar? (Chris)


    - It sounds doable, but thinking about the cost makes me sick. (Belina)


    - Almost everything is harvestable in giant gorillas, we can easily make 1 crown for each. (Dalene)


    - Not if we use poison, and how else do you expect to down something this massive? (Arc)


    - We can use muscle poison, the risks are minimal, even with wounds in the mouth. (Dalene)


    - I have one flask, what about you? (Arc)


    - One flask too, that''s enough for forty arrows if we are conservative. (Chris)


    - We''ll need a lot more than that... How much does it cost? (Dalene)


    - Around one silver per flask, it comes all the way from the west after all. (Chris)


    - What about serpent venom? (Belina)


    - Like with any venom, there is no certainties they''ll work. (Dalene)


    - Doesn''t matter, we can try, it''s cheap and we can renew our stocks ourselves. (Belina)


    - I''ve bought lot of hallucinogenic in the last town, high doses can be mortal for animals and human. From what I heard people use it as drug and slight overdose cause nightmares, paranoia and violent behaviors. Since monkeys are similar enough, we might see some good infighting if we''re lucky. Plus it''s cheap as hell. (Arc)


    - They''re apes. (Dalene)


    - And it''s not like every arrows and bolts we shoot will be lost. (Belina)


    - Guys, I don''t want to get ripped apart by monkeys, the mission pay crazily well, let''s buy a few flasks just in case. (Chris)


    - They ARE APES! (Dalene)


    - I don''t want my eulogy to be killed by monkeys. (Arc)


    - You''re right, getting slaughtered by monkeys right after hunting a bird-footed lizard would the epitome of ridicule. (Belina)


    - THEY ARE BLOODY APES AND YOU KNOW IT! STOP DOING THAT JUST TO PISS ME OFF! (Dalene)


    All three together.


    - It''s because it pisses you off that we''re doing it.

 Naturalist notes about giant gorillas

    The giant gorilla shares very few traits with his smaller counterpart and can be considered a completely different animal.


    They are solitary animals who only cohabitate during mating season, with the females commonly using violence to drive males out of her territory as soon as her estrus period end. As one would expect, the female raises the young alone, until it reaches maturation, at which point she¡¯ll stop recognizing it as hers and chase it out.


    Giant gorillas are omnivorous mammals, with a preference for fruits and nuts, and will not actively hunt other animals.


    Nevertheless, they will often kill smaller animals and brethren challenging them over their territory, in which case, they will eat their kills.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The life expectancy of the behemoth is estimated to be around fifty years, although that is in the wild, where they rarely see a natural death. Like most mammals, they fear fire and are weak to a wide variety of poison and diseases, some of them shared with humans.


    There are many reports of tribes forming in the wild, but so far, it is unknown whether it is due to exceptional specimens, or because they are from a different species.


    Their intelligence is without surprise, debated among scholars. Most think they are at least as intelligent as apes, while others point the lack of social gathering to be proof of their lesser intellect.


    While many scholars have pointed that the formation of tribes in certain regions might be due to cultural differences, they have been mocked by the usual so-called academicians who dare to call themselves authorities on every matter, despite the fact they never left the heart of the kingdom or seen any of said animals.

 chapter 10: Not so simple after all

    Not so simple after all


    As soon as they arrived in the frontier town of Bakthiyo, the hunters met with the mayor and the leader of the militia, and from the content of their conversation, it soon appeared things weren''t going to be as simple as they thought.


    - We lost half of the militia in an ambush. I know what you think, we got overconfident after our victory at the walls then acted foolishly but it wasn''t like that! They used normal gorillas as bait to draw us to a farm then proceeded to bombard us from afar! And when the second platoon came to break the encirclement, they used their smaller brethren as meat shield to run away.


    - That looks more like raiders than animals.


    - Exactly, and that''s not the worst part since that incident we all changed our equipment to longbow and used carts with wooden sides and arrow slits. And what happened?


    - Did they run?


    - Exactly, now whenever we come in pursuit, they simply run away.


    - You must understand we did not call for hunters but for the army. The lord is the one who decided not to turn our request to the army. Both us and the damn gorillas have forced into hit-and-run tactics for weeks now and unless we get serious numbers, it''s never going to end.


    - Sorry about that. You are quite right with your assumption, with the size of our team we are also limited to hit and run tactics, and if the enemy flees whenever threatened, it will take months to get them all.


    - Exactly, I am not criticizing you there, but we have no need for a small team, we need hundreds to deal with this situation.


    Belina point at something on the map.


    - Just one question, do they cross this river?


    - I know what you want to say. Yes, the fords are surrounded by too many obstacles to guard the places properly.


    - Have you thought about using a boat?


    - It''s too shallow and rocky for that, the river can only be navigated by barges for most its length, and here and there it is so shallow it can be crossed by foot.


    - Apart from calling the army, the only plausible solution is to construct guard posts on the fords.


    - Oh, and how exactly do you propose to do that?


    - We build them here and use barges to transport them. In fact, we only need to refit some barges and ground them on the shallow parts of the river.


    - That sounds plausible, but the cost... I mean, not only we lose two barges but we also have to pay for the refitting.


    - You can also wait for the army and deal with their raids until they come.


    - It''s not just the raids you know, those animals are crazy, they kill and eat everything. Just as you said earlier, they are like raiders pillaging a region then moving on to another.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    - So we can assume that just like raiders if the risks become too high they''ll move somewhere else.


    - Did you identify a leader?


    - Absolutely, but there''s no point in targetting him, he never gets anywhere near the danger.


    - You were right, they clearly are not monkeys, they act just like humans, all the worst parts.


    - Then, do you agree with our idea?


    - I don''t see what choice we have... But do you really think a wooden structure will withstand their attacks?


    - Did you ever use anti-fume masks to fight?


    The construction took Belina and the carpenters almost three weeks, during this time the two vanguards ran patrols around the farms shooting the apes from afar whenever they encountered them, with almost no casualties among the raiders. But their actions were not in vain, it helped reduce the numbers of attacks and forced the giant gorillas to act more carefully.


    It was finally time for the floating keeps to be deployed. Because of the flat bottom, they were designed with low incline roofs, covered with spikes and arrow slits on all side. One each side, there were larger opening with tubes, it was the hunter''s secret weapon in case the primates chose to attack the boats rather than flee.


    But there was one last problem to solve, guide both barge to their destination. Indeed, the tree density along the river did not allow the use of sailing, meaning the only solution was to use draft animals or people.


    Even with the help of shield bearers and the protection of the floating fortress, it was still a very dangerous task, and the hunters could only hope that the constant threat of arrows over the last weeks had made the giant beast warry enough.


    The vanguard and the best shots in the militia are walking bow and arrow in hands and all around them are the strongest men, holding tall shields ready to form a wall at any moment. They are leading four small yet muscular horses, wearing an unusual harness, the tow-horses, both critical components of this mission and its most uncertain element.


    Indeed if those farm animals were to catch the smell of the giant gorilla, they would immediately panic and flee the area beaching the barge, probably damaging it in the process, and no amount of people protecting them will change that. This is why, a militia-man is standing near the animals at all time, ready to cut the rope.


    - How much more?


    - Two leagues.


    - That means we will reach our destination in around one summer hour right?


    - Roughly yes.


    - The tension is killing me.


    Another militia-man ask.


    - Can''t we change with the guys on the boat?


    - No, we can''t, they are the best with sieges weapons! Now stop asking stupid questions, you coward.


    - I''m a coward? Let see how you fare carrying one of those goddamn shields for hours!


    - Will you all shut-up, we''re detectable enough as we are, there is no need to scream our position as well!


    - Sorry ma''am


    - If you can''t carry your shield anymore, put it on your back, better lose time setting it up than dropping it at the worst moment.


    - Yes, ma''am, I am so nervous it makes me lose strength.


    - Just do as I said.


    Arc and Chris were both mad at the men talking out loud without a care in the world, did they forget where they were? Arc whispered in Chris hear.


    - Damn fools, it''s not like the primates are the only threat in the forest.


    - They just might be, considering the way they consume and kill everything.


    - Strangely, that does not make me happy.


    They reached their destination, and now their mini floating fortress is barring access to the nearest ford from the city. All hoped that the primates, rather than use the second ford much further south, would simply choose to leave the area entirely. As for the hunter, they were confident in their secret weapon and wished for a fight, the most lucrative option of all.


    There was one last option, one none of the people involved wanted to consider because it meant they''d be stuck there for a while. Simply put, for the ape to go the long way and continue their raids. If that were to happen, the second armored barge would set in a week, bringing supply before moving to protect the second access.


    Its task accomplished, the escort group minus the vanguards said wished good luck to those remaining and returned to the city.

 chapter 11: A game of patience and a waste of money

    A game of patience and a waste of money


    <ul>


    <li>They¡¯ve come again. (Arc)</li>


    </ul>


    Chris narrow her eyes for an instant then answer.


    <ul>


    <li>I can see them, but I can¡¯t take a shot from this distance, those bastards are far too prudent. (Chris)</li>


    <li>Just judging from the fact that they have come three days in a row, we can deduce they don¡¯t know about the second ford. (Belina)</li>


    <li>I hope they don¡¯t, I don¡¯t want to spend weeks in that box. (Arc)</li>


    </ul>


    Initially, when they reached the site, the group was hyped, weeks of massive apes walking this path pulling their game had left the area beaten and clear of vegetation, a perfect environment for a ranged fight.


    But, after three days guard without incident, the group was weary, both vanguards more than anyone, they weren¡¯t used being cooped up for so long.


    <ul>


    <li>I hope those stupid animals lose patience soon and come at us. (Arc)</li>


    <li>We can only hope. (Chris)</li>


    </ul>


    <><><>


    The next morning, their wish was almost answered, almost. A few of the normal gorillas are being pushed toward the boat, hand full of stones and ordered by their slave masters to launch them on the boat.


    Quite evidently, the stone shower as little effect on the reinforced wooden boat, and soon, the animals abandon their fruitless activity.


    <><><>


    Later, around midday judging from the sun, the giant apes come again in mass, accompanied by ten normal gorillas. From afar, they can see the great apes menace and hit their smaller counterpart until they run at the boat.


    For the defender, there is no choice now, they must fight, a normal gorilla is still a massively strong animal and left alone there is no doubt they will tear the boat apart.


    <ul>


    <li>Only use your lances for the moment, we want the others and the boss to get at shooting distance if possible. (Belina)</li>


    <li>Yes, ma¡¯am! (Militia-men)</li>


    </ul>


    And so, the battle begins, the poor apes rush the boat, trying to tear it apart only to be met by the defenders¡¯ long lance poking from the loopholes. A few animals, looking for a way to avoid the deadly opening, try climbing on the roof, soon after screams resound and the animals come down heavily wounded, little did they know that the roof was covered in small spikes.


    Their masters, seeing the battle proceed without the use of ranged weapons, decide it is safe to approach and order to bombard the boat with small stones from as far as possible. A stupid tactic which not only shows no good results but also hurt their own forces.


    <ul>


    <li>Wait, don¡¯t shoot yet, let their leader is come closer! (Chris)</li>


    <li>He¡¯s at least 700 feet away! (Arc)</li>


    <li>Just be patient, we aren¡¯t at risk anyway! (Chris)</li>


    </ul>


    The leader is enormous, Chris is almost sure she can hit him if the come in her range, but to achieve that he must not know of the ranged weapons in the sheep. Since its previous encounter with archers and the city wall ballistae, the great ape has show excessive prudence, never coming under 500 feet range from bowmen and avoiding artillery at all cost.


    <ul>


    <li>As long as we don¡¯t use the ballistae and bows, there is a chance it will come near enough. (Chris)</li>


    <li>I sure hope so (Arc).</li>


    </ul>


    They had confidence they could take on the whole group with their secret weapons alone, but as long as the leader got away, it would still count as a loss. Gorillas are intelligent, and giant gorilla even more so but not to the level they are currently displaying. For Dalene, there was no doubt this ¡®leader¡¯ was the source of that abnormal display of tactical shrewdness, which meant that as long they let him go there was a risk it could come back with stronger strategies.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The chief gorilla let a great yell, and the others come running at its side. The normal gorilla left alive, freed from the pressure of their captors, see this as an opportunity to flee do their best to swim across the river. The boat occupant let them go, from their perspective the poor animals are no real threat, certainly not one warranting a show of their ranged weapons.


    The giant apes having finished their ¡®discussion¡¯, disperse into the forest and come back after a while with rudimentary clubs, mostly big branches and small trunks with their twigs removed.


    <ul>


    <li>Damn, they evolve fast, they have already reached that level. (Dalene)</li>


    <li>I wouldn¡¯t be surprised to see them use those as spears, I am sure they learn from observation. With their greater size and long arms, they must believe themselves capable of attacking us from outside our reach. (Belina)</li>


    <li>It is frightening, we cannot let that monster go. (Dalene)</li>


    <li>I concur, he must die today. (Belina)</li>


    </ul>


    The giant apes come at them again, but this time simply waiting it out is no longer an option, they must destroy them all, even if it means they will have to hunt the leader on foot later.


    Just like Dalene had expected, they wield their crude weapons as if they were lances, and clumsily as it may, it is still very much a threat.


    Chris and Arc still observe, waiting for a chance to strike at the leader, they know they won¡¯t be able to delay their response much longer.


    <ul>


    <li>Come nearer you damn monster! It¡¯s dancing around the line, as though it knows our range. (Arc)</li>


    <li>Look at him, something is different, get ready! (Chris)</li>


    </ul>


    Indeed, the leader has stopped moving, it¡¯s looking at the boat fixedly.


    - Did it find a weak point? (Arc)


    Suddenly it runs toward the boat letting out strong yells. Its subjects stop fighting a take a few steps back to look at him.


    <ul>


    <li>Everyone shoots at the leader until it dies! (Belina)</li>


    </ul>


    Hunters and militia-men drop their weapons to man all available war machines while Dalene prepares light some torches. They all fire at once, bows and crossbows letting bolt after bolt, arrow after arrow toward the chief gorilla.


    It dies in an instant, and for its subject, the initial surprise soon turns into a powerful rage as they run back toward their great leader¡¯s killers.


    The defenders continue shooting as fast as they can until Dalene¡¯s order come.


    <ul>


    <li>Put on your masks, close the hatches. (Dalene)</li>


    </ul>


    Time has finally come to use the secret weapon. While everyone in the ship is busy closing every opening, the ape, on the other hand, are doing their best to open new ones, and it is only a matter of time until they do.


    But for them, time is getting short. An instant later toxic fumes come out from the tubes burning their skin and lungs of the giant animals. Inside, the humans look anxiously for any trace of smoke coming in, ready to abandon the ship at any moment using the hermetic covers prepared by Belina.


    The amount of precaution alone shows how terrifying the fumes are, it¡¯s a special blend of tree bark, sap, and stone powder, each of them already a potent poison on its own.


    <><><>


    The group prepares to get out of the ship.


    <ul>


    <li>Do not touch anything without gloves, though it might lose potency after being exposed to air for a while, it can still cause such damage to your skin that you¡¯d wish you were dead. Now follow me, we must dig a pit for the corpses, we can¡¯t let them in water. (Belina)</li>


    </ul>


    Belina couldn¡¯t help but be worried about people downstream, in theory, there shouldn¡¯t be any risk once diluted by the river, but there is always a ¡®what if¡¯ plaguing her mind.


    Chris, Arc, and Dalene look at the bodies disgustedly.


    <ul>


    <li>What a waste, there¡¯s easily eight crown worth of materials there. (Arc)</li>


    <li>You know it was the best solution. (Chris)</li>


    <li>That doesn¡¯t make it any less of waste¡­ At least we can still harvest the leader¡¯s body. (Arc)</li>


    <li>A meager consolation. (Chris)</li>


    </ul>


    <><><>


    Some times later, the group has finished burying the remains and changing clothes and although complaints echo everywhere, no one dares touch the garments now residing on the pile of corpses.


    <ul>


    <li>Yet another waste, I know the base pay was high but that pisses me off nonetheless! (Arc)</li>


    <li>You¡¯re such a pain, the clothes are hardly worth anything. (Chris)</li>


    <li>That¡¯s still a meal worth of cloth you know¡­ (Arc)</li>


    <li>What¡¯s a meal for you? With all your saving, you don¡¯t need to get this cheap. (Chris)</li>


    <li>It is because I am cheap that I have savings! (Arc)</li>


    <li>Moron! (Chris)</li>


    <li>Prickly bitch! (Arc)</li>


    <li>Tight-arse! (Chris)</li>


    <li>I know right, look how beautiful and muscular it is! (Arc)</li>


    <li>Was it all for that repartee? (Chris)</li>


    <li>But it was absolutely worth it, and you cannot deny it! (Arc)</li>


    </ul>

 Chapter 12: Lack of choice

    Chapter 12: Lack of choice


    After putting the ship back in the water, the group let the currents push them back to Bakhtiyar.


    - Honestly, the speed at which the learn frightens me, left alone, in a few decades they could become serious competition for humanity. (Dalene)


    - I am well aware, I¡¯ll ask the mayor to war the lord, but don¡¯t expect anything from that man, unless it directly impacts his own business. (Militia leader)


    - On our side, we will warn the central office, hopefully, it will reach the army and they will make a priority to hunt those damn apes to extinction. (Dalene)


    The militia¡¯s leader grunt.


    - I don¡¯t remember the last time I¡¯ve seen a soldier around here. Even if the crown pays for their wage, the province must offer food and support when the army is mobilized and our good Lord will never spend a dime unless he can get two in return. (Militia leader)


    - Aristocrats all have their faults, but this is getting ridiculous, how can someone like that rule a province! (Arc)


    - He doesn¡¯t, and that¡¯s the problem, long ago his ancestors received a lordship and some tax exemption for his business for their accomplishment, and since then, everything they have done has been to enrich themselves further. (Militia leader)


    - How to hell do you know about this? (Belina)


    - Everybody knows, that bastards how half the shops in the province and crush all the other business because he pays neither tax nor tariff. (Militia leader)


    - Why are telling us all of this? (Belina)


    - Do you know how there are two jobs no one is doing? (Militia leader)


    - Yes, it involves behemoth and animals with very large territories. It can take forever to find the target, and the daily wage is terrible. (Belina)


    - Both those jobs come from the lord and nobody takes them on purpose. (Militia leader)


    - Well, we weren¡¯t really interested in the first place. (Belina)


    - Good, you¡¯re pretty nice guys, you went extra steps to preserve our lives when you could have made a lot more money by not using use poison. You chose to do the right thing over making money. (Militia leader)Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    - And? (Belina)


    - If you take those jobs, everybody militia-man, every shop keeper, everybody in the province will do his best to ruin your lives. (Militia leader)


    - Can¡¯t the lord use conscription? (Chris)


    - Oh, but he did¡­ (Militia leader)


    He gives a mocking smile.


    - I see¡­ So, it¡¯s best we just leave the province right after getting paid. (Belina)


    - Exactly. (Militia leader)


    - The Ptedon¡¯s territory goes well into Erebus province though. (Chris)


    - I wouldn¡¯t know¡­ If it impacts the people over there, then I can¡¯t blame you if you take it. It¡¯s your job, you do what you have to do. Just don¡¯t work for the lord around here, or people will make you pay for it. (Militia leader)


    - Point taken. (Belina)


    He nods then add:


    - Sorry if I¡¯ve come a bit strong. I¡¯ve got nothing against you, it¡¯s just a friendly warning. (Militia leader)


    In a rare case for Belina, she actually smiles when answering the man.


    - No offense taken, thank you for your warning. (Belina)


    <><><>


    Other than that conversation, the travel ends up being long and boring, and just as promised, as soon as they get paid, the group leave toward Erebus¡¯ capital Hemera. Dalene and Belina, you are initially from there have mixed feelings about getting back ¡®home¡¯ and are very vocal about it.


    After listening to them for the umpteenth time, Chris snaps


    - If it bothers you so much, just avoid them, how hard can that be?! (Chris)


    - But they¡¯re our friend. (Dalene)


    - How can you call them your friend if meeting them makes you sick?! (Chris)


    - They don¡¯t have bad intentions, they just don¡¯t understand. (Dalene)


    - Then stop complaining, or just tell them you¡¯re married, whatever! (Chris)


    Dalene jumps on the proposal, everyone, apart maybe Belina knows he sees her as far more than a friend and colleague.


    - That¡¯s a good idea. There are a lot of peddlers who work as a couple. (Dalene)


    Belina narrows her eyes, thinking about it.


    - That might work¡­ But won¡¯t we get caught pretty fast if we fake a relationship? (Belina)


    - What happens, happens. (Chris)


    Final freed from that insufferable conversation, Chris if finally, free to concentrate on the roads and the surroundings. As they travel through villages and small cities, it soon appears that unlike Nyx, this province as very little bandit problems and is overall much richer, although they hear a lot of complaints about the ptedons.


    Dalene though, is not very concerned, judging from the time the demand was first posted, it won¡¯t be too long before the young become adults, at this point the parents not having to feed their you will become a lot more discriminate in their choice of food and won¡¯t travel so far from their nest. If they time it well, there is a good chance they will be able to take on two extremely tired parents and two solitary young, a much easier hunt altogether. The only problem being, that every hunter knows that and it will be a matter of who find them first.


    That night, Dalene look at his maps, and the many circles he as drawn, confident he has found the parents nest and the best place to set up a trap. Tomorrow, they will be at the capital, after that, it¡¯s only a matter of how fast they can get in place and how many people figured it out.

 Chapter 13: Is it a bird?

    Chapter 13 : Is it a bird?


    The next morning, Dalene explained his plan to the others. Expecting a lot of resistance from them, he dad come out with all sort of strategy to persuade them.


    - You actually want to take the ptedon request?


    - I¡¯m certain I have pinpointed the position of their nest. While we were making our way here, I¡¯ve asked questions in every village and cities and adding what I already gathered on Nyx¡¯s side, I am one hundred percent certain I am right.


    - I don¡¯t doubt you, I know you are good, but you are not the only one¡­ All hunters know the young are about to leave the nest, we¡¯re going to have a ton of competition.


    - It takes five days to go from the capital to the place I have marked on the map, a worst we will be gone one fortnight.


    - We won¡¯t be able to take all the carts with that kind of terrain, which means we will have rent some space with an animal keeper and some guards. That¡¯s not cheap.


    - It¡¯s seven crowns per ptedon¡¯s head, and there four of them.


    - Ptedons have no useful resource though, so there are no other benefits.


    - Think about it, twenty-four crowns for two weeks.


    - That¡¯s twenty-two if you account for the cost of travel and the rental fees.


    - The commander was right, it¡¯s an open job with no daily wage for this job, the guy who put the request was a cheap bastard. Even if you do not account for his reputation, it¡¯s no wonder no one took the request until now.


    - I¡¯ve accounted for everything, we only need to use one cart and two horses. We use one of them as bait while using the nets to protect ourselves and¡­


    Arc interject.


    - Like hell, you¡¯re using our horse as bait!


    - I agree, they not war-horses, but they are still horse trained to keep their calm around danger, they are not cheap.


    - Same here, that¡¯s a stupid idea, really not worth it.


    - I am thankful for the support, but¡­ What I meant is I¡¯ve had my horse since before I joined you, I like that horse! Next year, I intend to put him with to some guy I know you take care of old horses. Dalene, you¡¯re not getting near Horsy ever again.


    - Horsy is the dumbest name for a horse.


    Slightly vexed.


    - I¡¯m not the one who named him.


    - Anyway, there¡¯s less risk in buying a new horse then reselling it afterward, if it survives.


    - Agreed.


    - Whatever, we use one of the horses as bait and use the net with some green to hide and protect the cart and ourselves. When the ptedon come to attack, we use a net. If it fails, we¡¯ve also got the chained bolts and contrary to birds, they need some space to take flight.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    - We don¡¯t disagree with your plan, just with the fact that no one else thought of it before.


    - I¡¯m not telling you we must absolutely do it. Just to think about it, if there is no other job, we¡¯ll be losing money anyway.


    - True enough, I only heard about exploration and scouting request on the way here.


    - Well, better wrap up thing fast, dawn isn¡¯t far away.


    They hurry to finish their meal and prepare the cart but because they lost so much time talk, by the time they are finished, the sun is already up.


    - Don¡¯t blame us, you¡¯re the one who slowed us down.


    - I know, I know, it¡¯s just there isn¡¯t a lot of margins, to begin with.


    <><><>


    Hours later, the hunters separate in two groups, one takes the horses and cart to a hostel with guards and animal keepers while the other takes care of accepting the request. Turns out, coming there was a waste of time, as there was no need to register and one only need to show proof of the kill and wait for verification of the kill to receive payment.


    Later, when the groups rejoin Dalene is pleased to hear that the others are now agreeing with his plans but not so much that they have come here for nothing.


    - It¡¯s not for nothing, I wouldn¡¯t trust my stuff to some random inn.


    - True, but if we went right away, there would have been no need to put them into a stable in the first place.


    - Don¡¯t start with that, you finished recouped the information yesterday, and you couldn¡¯t have done it without going through all the villages and cities anyway. It¡¯s starting to feel like you are complaining for the sake of it.


    Many times, Dalene open his mouth like he¡¯s about to talk, only to close it right away. After going through the motion, he sits in the back of the cart, sulking.


    Chris approach Belina, asking:


    - What the hell is wrong with him, he¡¯s been acting weird ever since we talked about coming here?


    - How should I know, he¡¯s always weird when we aren¡¯t on a job, and that¡¯s been the case since we first met.


    Suddenly Chris realizes something.


    - Something like having difficulties talking to you? Getting red-faced?


    - Yeah, why?


    - No reason.


    She gets in the front with Arc who¡¯s currently in the driver seat, leading the horses.


    - I know why Dalene is so adamant about this job?


    - Really? What is it about, he¡¯s been acting weird recently.


    - Last time you were in the front, so you didn¡¯t hear them complain about their old friends.


    - Again? If they bother them so much, they can just avoid them, right?


    - Whenever they come around here, they get asked when they are going to settle down.


    - Argh, that kind of conversation. My folks used to do the same every time.


    - I got raised by my uncle and he was a hunter, so I wouldn¡¯t know¡­ How did you make them stop?


    - They died.


    - Sorry.


    - It was a long time ago, in a way it¡¯s funny, most of the folk in the village got killed by a behemoth a few days after my parents asked me to quit because it was too dangerous.


    - How did that happen?


    - The army didn¡¯t answer a request¡­ They lacked the budget apparently. Or maybe they so used sitting on their lazy asses they couldn¡¯t get up, I don¡¯t know, I think it¡¯s the second option though.


    - I know you don¡¯t want to hear that, but you¡¯ve seen how the lord was acting in Nyx? Moving an army isn¡¯t cheap.


    - Keeping an army that doesn¡¯t move isn¡¯t cheap either. Let¡¯s stop talking about that, it infuriates me. What about Dalene?


    - They were pissing me, so I told them to act like they were married.


    - For Dalene, it¡¯d be like a dream come true.


    - I think that¡¯s why he wants the money, he wants to ask her for real.


    - He did spend a lot of money on book and equipment, I don¡¯t think he¡¯s got a lot saved¡­ You might be right. That¡¯s going to be hilarious.


    - Until he starts pouting because she rejected him again.


    Having a hard time stopping himself from laughing.


    - You are harsh, she did not reject him, she didn¡¯t have a clue what he was talking about and told him to stop wasting time.


    Chris look at the sky then say.


    - It was about time it happened again, it¡¯s been at least six months since last time.


    - I¡¯m looking forward to it.


    <><><>


    It¡¯s been four days, and the team is approaching the site designated by Dalene, so far there¡¯s been no sign of hunter, which is encouraging, but also no sign of ptedons, which is not.


    For the last few days, every night, the scouts have looked around for leftovers from a hunt without seeing anything. At the same time, Dalene and Belina, who were staying at the camp have been collecting tall grass and other plants to put on the net as camouflage.


    Although Dalene seems confident the place they are heading too is in the flight path of the feathered flying lizards, the two scouts are starting to fear it¡¯s all been a great waste of time and money.


    It is while they are entertaining such dark thought that they see a long shadow passing by. Excited, Arc who¡¯s guiding the horse again ask Chris who has her field-glass with her:


    - Is it a bird?


    - No, it¡¯s a young, Dalene was right

 Chapter 14: Time well spent

    Chapter 14: Time well spent


    The two vanguards turn to the cart passenger to tell them what they just sighted. Dalene open his mouth but before Dalene has time to say anything, Belina cut in:


    - Well, here I thought we were wasting our time with yet another of Dalene¡¯s whim but for once, you¡¯re right. (Belina)


    - What do you mean for once, I¡¯m rarely wrong. (Dalene)


    - You tend to make a lot of mistakes when you get sulky and weird like you¡¯ve been for the last few days. (Belina)


    - Am I being weird? (Dalene)


    - Totally! (Arc)


    - Seeing you like that is a bit disturbing. (Chris)


    - Let¡¯s stop wasting time on useless banter. We can¡¯t get ourselves detected, which mean we have to set the trap tonight or we¡¯ll really have wasted our time. (Dalene)


    - At this speed, we¡¯ll get there one hour after dark. (Arc)


    - Can you go faster? (Dalene)


    Arc shakes the reins in Dalene¡¯s direction.


    - Sure, if you think breaking a wheel is a good idea, then sure, go nuts. (Arc)


    - I was just asking. Why are you all so touchy? (Dalene)


    <><><>


    As soon as they arrive at the destination, Belina and Dalene start reassembling the weapons while the other two draw the net and put the collected greenery on it. In barely three hours, the wagon and the net thrower are ready.


    The heavy crossbow ammunitions have been changed to a different type, it looks similar to those used in naval battle to destroy the enemy¡¯s sails. Unlike ships though, they only have small weapons and cannot afford to throw multiple chains per shot.


    The bolts have an unusually large head with small chains attached, due to this it lacks precision but as the combined advantage on ripping wings and getting stuck in the target.


    As for the two vanguards, because Ptedon have no valuable parts they are both starting with a bow and poisoned arrows, and in case the targets come at them directly, they also have maces with long shafts as a secondary weapon.


    Looking at this Dalene comment:


    - You are using the mace too, Arc? I thought you¡¯d use your favorite polearm for sure. (Dalene)


    - I¡¯d love too, but it¡¯ll be a pain getting it out with that net over our head. (Arc)


    - You¡¯re not going to fight under it though. (Dalene)


    - In theory no, but you never know what can go wrong. I¡¯d rather have a less versatile weapon and carry no risk of getting it stuck. (Arc)


    - You aren¡¯t as hotheaded as I thought. (Dalene)


    - You¡¯re creeping me out, that¡¯s just a backup weapon, why are you making so much out of nothing. (Arc)


    - It¡¯s just¡­ That hunt is important for me, I¡­ (Dalene)


    He pauses, unsure.


    - Want to buy a ring and ask Belina¡¯s hand again. (Arc)


    - How do you know?! (Dalene)


    - Chris figured it out, and it¡¯s not the first time you try to ask her out. (Arc)


    - Does Bel Know? (Dalene)


    - I doubt it, she hasn¡¯t taken a hint in twenty years, what do you expect¡­ I think she still wouldn¡¯t get it if we spent half a day explaining. (Arc)


    Dalene gives a desperate look, he can imagine all too easily.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    - For now, just think about the hunt and go to sleep, you¡¯ve got the third round of watch. (Arc)


    - Thank you. (Dalene)


    Softly, Arc tells Chris


    - I bet he¡¯s going to fail horribly again. (Arc)


    - There¡¯s not a bet when there¡¯s only one possible outcome. (Chris)


    <><><>


    The first lights appear in the knight, a sign that soon the sun will rise. Belina who had the last watch leads the horse to the chosen spot and tie it up before waking up the others.


    They get ready in a hurry and get in position. They know that despite their preparations, there is still always a high risk of failure when hunting flying creatures. They stay in place, barely moving for hours, waiting for their targets to come.


    And a bit after noon, what they have been waiting for happens, one of the Ptedon begin circling the sky, eyeing the horse. Arc who was the first to see it make a small noise to attract the others¡¯ attention then points his finger toward the flying lizard.


    Each of them observes the animal with their field-glass, his attitude shows he¡¯s seen the prey but is waiting for something. A few minutes later, another creature joins it, then another. The three Ptedons circle around the horse from high up, while the horse terrified do his best to break free from its restraints.


    Suddenly, one of the feathered lizard dives and the hunter prepare to strike, but just as suddenly, the Ptedon interrupt its dive and regain some altitude. The horse is completely panicked now, it tries, in turn, to kick out the stakes it tied to, and cut the cords with its teeth, to no avail.


    Arc, feel disgusted at himself looking at the poor animal, but keep himself sharp. The other on the other hand care nothing for the cheap draft horse, it¡¯s bait and nothing more.


    After a few more dive, the Ptedons decide to come down for real, and in an instant, the deed is done. The scene is just like a raptor hunting a small mammal, the behemoth dives from behind the poor creature and uses its powerful and razor-sharp claws at its neck.


    Blood splatters, in a few seconds the animal dies, its neck lacerated multiple times. The hunters stay still, waiting for the others to come down.


    The biggest of the three flying lizards dive a few times, but every time, it rises again. It¡¯s not a common practice among animals so only Dalene who studied many books understand what the beast is doing. The one who came down is a young, and it is probably its first kill, so instead of coming down, as they would usually do, the two parents are staying up there, trying to frighten potential predators.


    Dalene thinks for a while, circling may not be very tiring, but diving and regaining altitude is, there is no way they will continue doing this for long.


    On the ground, the young eats voraciously, using its claws and sharp teeth to rip apart its victim. From time to time, it lets out small cries of satisfaction.


    <><><>


    It has been several minutes now, and finally, the two adults come down. Seeing its enormous parents dive, the young takes some distance from its prey, messing the hunters¡¯ plan.


    Right when the last adult touch ground, Belina use the net launcher while Dalene man the heavy crossbow, targeting the young. As for the two vanguards, they let arrow after arrow at the parents, indeed, with their sharp teeth and claws, there is always a risk of them damaging the net.


    In ten second, the two adults are dead, and the young, his wing ripped, runs clumsily, trying to take flight. His clumsiness makes targeting him with the heavy crossbow even harder.


    - Don¡¯t bother, I have him. (Chris)


    Both vanguards walk out of the camouflaged area, bow in hand, take their time to place themselves then let one arrow each, and just like that, the last Ptedon dies.


    The last? Not really, the fourth one they had not seen yet dives at them from behind, and judging from its size, the couple they killed earlier was not both parents, but one and an unusually big young.


    - Behind you! (Dalene)


    Reflexively, both hunters jump and roll in opposite directions, and while it saves their lives. The giant flying creature having missed his first dive regains some altitude, now that it has lost the element of surprise, it has no chance to kill either of its targets. It flies around screaming angrily at the two murderers, showing its intention to dive, but never going through the motion.


    It continues for a while, then suddenly it dives again. Did it lose to rage? Is it a suicidal attack to avenge its family? The two vanguards do not care, Chris uses her bow without success while Arc prepares to intercept with the mace.


    - You¡¯re crazy! (Chris)


    - Like I¡¯m going to hit him if you can¡¯t. (Arc)


    Just like earlier, Chris jumps and roll to the side, but Arc jumps backward sideways to the Ptedon path smashing his mace into the flying behemoth. The impact is violent, the wings break and Arc is knocked down while the mace is sent flying. Unable to maneuver the behemoth crash into the ground, breaking its legs.


    Now an easy target, Belina and Dalene finish him while Chris runs at Arc to see if he¡¯s still alive.


    Seeing her coming he says:


    - I can¡¯t feel my arms. (Arc)


    - You¡¯re a moron (Chris)


    - I won (Arc)


    - We¡¯ll see. (Chris)


    She palpates both his arms then get him up.


    - It doesn¡¯t seem like you broke anything. Can you move your arm? (Chris)


    - No, I can¡¯t muster any strength. (Arc)


    - I think you unhinged your shoulder, let Dalene have a look at it. (Chris)


    She resolutely looks somewhere else, and a few minutes later a scream indicates that Dalene is done.


    Arc is on the ground, screaming.


    - It hurts. You crazy asshole, it hurts! (Arc)


    - You deserve every second of this pain, don¡¯t do that ever again. (Chris)


    Tears in his eyes, Arc answers.


    - It would have run away. (Arc)


    - Then let it run, three out of four was enough. (Chris)


    - It was enraged, but it wouldn¡¯t have lasted, you took unnecessary risk and paid the price. (Dalene)


    - Twenty-four crowns for eleven days of work, good job Dalene. (Belina)


    As usual, Belina shows little interest in what the others are going through. Or maybe not, she takes something from her pouch and gives it to Arc.


    - Drink that, it¡¯s good for the pain. (Belina)


    He drinks a bit then showing clear difficulty to articulate, try to say:


    - You are right, I don¡¯t feel the pain anymore.


    But before he can finish the phrase, he falls asleep.


    - Good, he was really too noisy. (Belina)

 Chapter 15: A noble merchant

    Chapter 15: A noble merchant


    After cutting the Ptedon¡¯s head and putting them into bags without any preserving agent, the team head back to the province¡¯s capital. As usual, Arc and Dalene grumble about the smell.


    - I really wish they allowed preserving agents. (Arc)


    - You know full well why they can¡¯t. (Chris)


    - Still, they should think about the people who have to travel weeks with rotting corpses. There are methods to mark a corpse before preservation, to show it was caught fresh. (Dalene)


    - But that doesn¡¯t really solve the problem. (Chris)


    - It could if we date the kill every time put our mark. (Dalene)


    - That¡¯s too much trouble for the central office, it¡¯s much easier to judge the freshness of a kill from how rotten it has gotten. (Chris)


    Dalene swears, then don¡¯t touch the subject anymore.


    <><><>


    Five days later, when the Quickhatches enter the central office to claim their reward, they are met with a very bad surprise.


    - We¡¯ve come for the request put by the lord of Nyx about a family of Ptedon, we got them all, a whole family of four.


    - Good job, that makes you the fifth group coming to claim the reward, but so far, you¡¯re the ones with the most kills.


    - Fifth?


    - With yours, that¡¯s nine Ptedons in total.


    - The request was about a family of four, we got them all.


    - The request was indeed motivated by a group of four, but the reward was per head, we sent a demand to the client asking how we are to deal with the reward. Also, because it was in the request, we need to wait until the client has confirmed there are no more sighting of the behemoths in his territory.


    - Is there any job we can take in the meantime?


    - I wouldn¡¯t recommend it, if you¡¯re not around when the answer comes, we won¡¯t be able to pay you afterward.


    - That¡¯s bullshit!


    The receptionist gives him a tired look then answer.


    - Sorry, but we cannot go against the wishes of a lord.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    - That means we have to stay in town until the answer come, how long is that going to be?


    - The first group has been waiting for nine days already.


    - And the second?


    - Seven.


    - We¡¯ve been had!


    The tired receptionist speaks in a very hushed voice.


    - That¡¯s why no one takes the Nyx¡¯s lord requests.


    Then louder.


    - Please tell us of your lodging, we¡¯ll send someone for you when the time comes.


    <><><>


    Later that day, at the hostel, the team is discussing the situation.


    - What do you think is going to happen?


    - I just hope the lord isn¡¯t going to make us wait until we¡¯re out of money and have to leave.


    - If he does that, no hunter will work for him ever again, but I am certain we aren¡¯t going to get paid the full amount.


    - That¡¯s a nice scam he has going. What an asshole, we should have listened to the militia¡¯s leader warning.


    <><><>


    Three days later, a messenger comes to warn them the client has answered and a solution has been reached. The officer welcomes all the hunters, and explain them the situation.


    - As some of you already know, we now have seven groups with twelve Ptedons total claiming the reward for one single request. The client fears some hunters went far out of their way to hunt creatures but he cannot punish those who answered the request faithfully.


    The hunters face hardens and cries of outrages sound all around the office.


    - For this reason, the lord decided to divide the prize between the participants depending on the number of kills.


    - That¡¯s goddamn theft!


    Scream someone.


    - Please, remember you are talking about a lord! We know you are angry, so we will ignore it once¡­ Since the division is impossible, the lord has offered to pay a little more than the initial offer, so that it can be rounded up. Which is why the reward will be two and a half crowns per head.


    - That¡¯s below minimal, a Ptedon should be five crowns plus daily wages.


    - We are sorry, but due to the nature of the request and the demand of the client, we cannot offer more.


    <><><>


    The various hunters congregate at a nearby tavern to discuss the recent event. One of them says.


    - That was a complete set up, right?


    - I¡¯ve asked around a bit afterward, the lord only lost two heads to the Ptedons six months ago, then he moved his herd north.


    - So, he had us killed the beasts preemptively before he had to move his herds south again.


    - Make sense, if you know about Ptedon and hunters, you know in advance none of us will take that kind of job without a daily wage, in which case we¡¯ll wait for when the young are about to leave and the parents exhausted from raising them.


    - Half price and no daily wage. The worst is we jumped in the trap ourselves out of greed.


    - I will be sure to make him the worst reputation wherever I go from now on.


    - Not sure it¡¯ll be enough, in fact, it will probably make thing worse if the hunters passing think they are the only one working for him.


    - Damn schemer.


    - The officers aren¡¯t too fond of him either, but they are confident the son will end the lineage by spending everything on prostitutes and alcohol.


    - Good riddance and at least some of the money will be coming back to the people that way.


    The hunters spend more time discussing and venting their frustration before separating. While they go back to their room, Arc takes Dalene apart to ask him:


    - Will you have enough for the ring?


    - I already had enough, I just needed a bit more the ceremony and to keep some saving. You know how she gets when people are broke.


    - How wouldn¡¯t I? And I wasn¡¯t broke at all¡­ Do you really think she cares about getting a ring?


    Dalene stays silent for a while, then answer.


    - I know what you think, and you¡¯re probably right¡­ She probably won¡¯t ever answer my feelings nor understand them. But you can¡¯t stop yourself from liking what you like. If I could I would have abandoned or left this team long ago.


    - You¡¯re probably right. Good luck, I think you¡¯ll need a lot of it.


    - Thanks.

 Chapter 16: Gluttonous

    After what happened and considering there weren¡¯t any interesting job, the whole team agreed to go west, and as far as possible from Nyx. First stop would be Tartarus province¡¯s capital, Typhon, an eight-day trip with carts,


    This morning, while the group was verifying one last time the carts and their load, something caught the two vanguard eyes, Belina was wearing a ring on a necklace.


    - I don¡¯t believe it, she accepted!


    - Don¡¯t jump to conclusion, that¡¯s Belina we¡¯re talking about, there must have been some sort of misunderstanding.


    - We have to ask right?


    - I really want to know¡­


    Unable to resist their curiosity, the two ask her.


    - You¡¯re wearing jewelry, that¡¯s rare.


    - That? Just like you said, playing the part of a couple worked like a charm, none of my old acquaintance bothered me with marriage talks.


    - That¡¯s nice, and Dalene?


    - He obviously played the part too.


    Arc and Chris looked at each other, that was beyond unnatural on her part to keep wearing jewelry after it served its purpose.


    - Well, we¡¯re ready to go whenever.


    - Yup, just waiting for the signal.


    - Alright, Dalene says the roads are pretty narrow around these parts, so once we are on the road, we won¡¯t be able to change the order. Chris, you take the front with our light equipment, Arc, you take the back with the food and water, me and Dalene, we will be in the middle with the heavy stuff. Is it alright with you?


    - Perfectly fine.


    As soon as they separate, Arc tells Chris.


    - She¡¯s being polite and SMILING, it has to be a doppelganger!


    - I always had my doubt, no one can be that obtuse. She¡¯s happy, I don¡¯t know If she accepted his demand, but she¡¯s clearly happy about it.


    - It¡¯s either that or Changeling.


    - Who would have thought the day would come when Belina would be wearing something as impractical as a necklace?


    - A smiling Belina looks so fake.


    A smiling Dalene appeared behind them.


    - Stop wasting time, we¡¯re going.


    <><><> This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    After four days, the team reached a small village, it had nothing special about it apart from an unusually high amount of tiny fishing boats being docked. A kid looks at the carts, and upon seeing the heavy crossbow he suddenly runs screaming:


    - Mister mayor, mister mayor!


    Chris immediately signal a stop, it¡¯s too noisy for being a trap and it¡¯s unlikely the kid mistook them for bandits, but there is no reason to take any risk either.


    - What is it?


    Ask Belina from Behind.


    - Not sure, either they are in need of hunters, or there¡¯s been trouble with hunter impersonators.


    - That¡¯s rare, but not uncommon.


    She calls the two behind.


    - Man the crossbows, prepare for combat.


    It¡¯s unlikely it will come to that, but better be prepared than sorry.


    <><><>


    A few minutes later, an aged man runs toward them as fast he can, screaming.


    - You¡¯re hunters, right? Are you free? We¡¯ve got a request.


    - We are free, but whether we take your request or not will depend on its nature, and the pay.


    - Yes, obviously¡­ Do you want to talk here, or do you want to follow me to my house?


    Upon hearing this, they all think, house, not office, they must be really poor.


    - We will follow.


    <><><>


    The house is almost empty, a pot, a fireplace a bed and a table.


    - Sorry for the lack of accommodations, if you want, we can¡­


    - Cut the chase, what¡¯s the problem?


    - An eel-shaped behemoth, at first it only attacked solitary boats, so we started moving in groups but that wasn¡¯t enough. It jumped out of the water and swallowed a kid whole, a fisherman managed to hit it with a fishing spear but it jumped back in the water and got away.


    - Continue¡­


    - Since then, it has become almost fearless and we haven¡¯t been able to fish properly. It attacks boat from under, capsize it, steal the fishes or attack the man, then swim away¡­ There¡¯s nothing we can do.


    Dalene looks worried.


    - How are the fishing grounds?


    - Not very different from usual.


    - Did you hear anything about that behemoth from other villages?


    - They didn¡¯t see it, but they lost some fish traps, and then some goats and dogs disappeared.


    - What color was it?


    - It looked like mud.


    - Did you see if it had legs?


    - Sorry, we don¡¯t know, it¡¯s always covered in mud.


    - How frequent are the attacks?


    - In the beginning, it was Every three or four days, now it attacks whenever it can.


    Dalene swears.


    - I see two possibilities, one is a sort of aquatic serpent and the other is an amphibian. Both have the same mud color and hunt by staying hidden in the riverbed until a prey come near. The serpent can only stay out of water for a limited time, but the other can walk on land.


    - Normally serpents don¡¯t eat that much.


    - Unless it attacks to protect itself. Normally serpent will eat twice or thrice a week depending on the size, but what it eats isn¡¯t enough, there is a possibility it will eat more often.


    - Why did you swear?


    - The hunting pattern is abnormal for either animal, I fear it¡¯s a displaced animal that never learned how to hunt properly. I fear it learned to get it sustenance by depending on human settlement, but now that it¡¯s been attacked once, it¡¯s become aggressive.


    - You wouldn¡¯t be swearing if it was only that.


    - It¡¯s also prudent, it shows some level of intelligence, catching it might impossible unless we drag the river.


    The mayor pales.


    - We can¡¯t do that with our tiny fishing boats, and there¡¯s a regulation on the fishing net size, we could get sentenced to prison if we...


    Dalene cut in.


    - Don¡¯t worry, you won¡¯t be the ones using them, you only need to provide us the nets, we¡¯ll drag them using our carts.


    - The carts? Why not use the horses?


    - Because we don¡¯t know how strong the creature is.


    - Good point.


    - Now, the most important point, payment. How much can you offer?


    The mayor looks worried, then answer.


    - Six copper a day each, and two silver for the beast.


    Arc and Chris explode in laughter, but the mayor adds.


    - If you present a note written by me at the office, the lord will pay for your trouble.


    - Will he? How much are we talking about?


    - The rate is two crowns, it¡¯s the same rate everywhere in Tartarus.


    - That¡¯s pretty low.


    - It¡¯s better than nothing.


    Belina think then add a condition.


    - We will be risking our carts, we¡¯ll accept if potential repairs are taken care of free of charge by your people.


    - Agreed!

 Chapter 17: Gluttonous part 2

    Rather than modify their own nets, the villagers modified and sewn together multiple nets to create new ones. Although the nets and the act of dragging the river were illegal, the hunters would be the one doing it and all fishes caught would be released afterward.


    It did not stop the villagers from being worried about the damage to the river habitat, but it still beats leaving the monster alone. The next problem was the lack of militia, with the village being small and barely self-sufficient, the only figures of authority in town were the mayor and a single official doubling as bailiff and guard. Because of this, a few men with knowledge of how to operate carts were conscripted for the operation, leaving the hunter free to operate the weapons or engage the behemoth.


    With all things ready, the operation is about to begin, but Dalene, the one who came up with it, know there are some very obvious flaws to his plans, mainly due to the lack of manpower.


    He looks at the wires, they do seem solid, but from what the mayor said, it jumped back in the water with a spear stuck in its body and got rid of it. If the beast has a lot of flab or extra layers of skin, it might just ignore the damages and rip away the barbs. What if it jumps over the net and flees¡­?


    He sighs, there is simply nothing he can do about it. He calls the other.


    - We¡¯re starting, get in position.


    <><><>


    After separating by about half league, the two groups dragged the river using the carts to pull the nets. Now they only a few hundred feet away and have yet to see the beast. It took a lot longer than they had originally estimated, due to the necessity to free the fishes caught on a regular basis. After all, killing the fauna isn¡¯t really the goal, and worse, it could get them arrested.


    <><><>


    One hundred and fifty feet and still no sign of the creature, it either means it is avoiding the net or was outside our range, to begin with.


    <><><>


    Fifty feet, Arc and Chris are walking of both sides of the river, ready to intervene if the beast comes out. Belina and Dalene are at heavy crossbow, ready to shoot. Due to the wire, they will have to reload manually, so more than ever, every shot count.


    Suddenly something pulls the carts away, and despite the drivers immediately operating the brake levers and the horses, they are still moving backward. It stops just as suddenly as it started and something jump out of the water. It has a mud-like color, just as the villager said, and despite its appearance resembling that of an eel, it has stocky legs and a head similar to that of a catfish.


    It immediately attacks Chris who is armed with a spear, she throws a stab, but its movements are neither those of a four-legged creature nor a snake, making them hard to predict.


    Instead of piercing right into the neck, the tip of the spear slides on the side of the head doing no visible damage.


    - There¡¯s some sort of mucus, it¡¯s very slippery.


    Scream Chris.


    With the carts are secure, Belina who had enough time to reorient the crossbow, shoots. The bolt penetrates the flesh and the behemoth jump to the side, before rolling on the ground.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Despite the monstrous fish ripping the bolt, there almost no blood seeping from the wound. It is just as Dalene had feared, the behemoth heavy layer of flab is protecting its internal organ.


    Dalene changes its target to the creature¡¯s neck and the gill-like opening. It might not be enough to deal a fatal hit to the monster, because it probably has two respiratory systems, but at least it won¡¯t be able to remove the barbed bolt without damage.


    Dalene shoots but the animal jumps toward Chris, who use the opportunity take a swing at its eyes while jumping to the side to avoid the charge. During that time Belina has almost finished reloading and Arc is halfway done crossing the river.


    Once again, Chris attack has failed, the damage only extended to some sort of membrane protecting the monstrous fish¡¯s eyes. Nevertheless, the creature is trying to keep an eye on Belina and Chris at the same time, it has clearly understood the danger posed by the crossbows, but dares not leave an opening to Chris by charging at the cart.


    It changes its tactic, rolling to the side while trying to hit Chris with its tail. Due to the unpredictable attack, the vanguard finds herself forced to jump over the creature and lose her footing. It does not escape the attention of the monster who use this opportunity to run toward Belina¡¯s cart, apparently, it has decided it was the greatest threat.


    To bad for it, the crossbow has already been reloaded, and the straight charge makes it an easy target. Belina unsure of the creature anatomy decides against shooting the skull and instead target its open mouth. The bolt pierces right through the lower jaw and digs itself into the ground.


    The pain combined with the wire imbalance the creature, and it crashes into the wagon. The violent impact throws Belina down on the ground.


    From the other side of the river, Dalene us the temporary stillness of the eel-like monster to shoot it in the gill. Now pierced by two bolts, it has become impossible for the creature to retreat, unless all four carts along. Although, not knowing that, the monster makes an attempt at fleeing, rolling once again to get rid of the pesky bolts.


    Bad move though, because it becomes entangled, losing even more mobility.


    But the behemoth has learned, now it faces Chris with its mouth closed, only attacking her with its tail or by attempting to ramming her. Arc attacks from behind, judging that in his current position he won¡¯t be able to cut deep enough in the creature¡¯s neck, he chooses instead to use the blunt side of its polearm to deal a heavy strike on the top of its head, hoping to at the very least, concussion it.


    But without a line of sight, the creature manages to dodge the attack by a hair, and instead get cut slightly by the polearm spear point.


    Now that they are getting a good look at its face, it appears the behemoth has two pair of eyes put close together, probably to allows it to look over and below the surface while it swims.


    Chris tries once again to target the eyes but end up giving another glancing blow due to the slippery skin and the creature low profile.


    But it¡¯s only a matter of time, with each move it becomes more entangled. Belina has gotten up, and is right beside the cart, looking for something among the fallen baggage. The driver, on the other hand, is nowhere to be seen, having run away a long time ago. She takes out a flask of burning gel but Dalene who knows her well scream from the other shore.


    - It¡¯s an unknown creature, don¡¯t burn it!


    Enraged, she put the flask back and kick the cart to vent her frustration, then takes out a small repeating crossbow, load it with heavy bolts and wait for an opportunity.


    The behemoth is getting tired, despite it four eyes and its great peripheral vision, it cannot keep all four enemies in sight, and every attack aimed at one target become an opportunity for the other three.


    Desperate, it tries to jump at Belina, which he assumes to be the least dangerous target, forgetting how untangled it has become. Instead of jumping, it falls flat on its belly and before it has time to move away, the blunt side of the polearm hits it hard on the skull, giving it a concussion.


    It is enough of an opportunity for Chris to stab it right in the eye.


    - I finally got you bastard!


    Dying, and despite having its brain pierced, the creature still manages to throw a tail sweep at Arc, who jumps back but lose its footing due to the slime covering the area. Belina who has been unable to shoot until now, use that last attack has an excuse empty the whole crossbow reservoir in the dead creature¡¯s face despite the others calls to stop.


    Tired, the hunters sit down and relax, waiting while Dalene calls the drivers back.

 Chapter 18: Concerns

    Chapter 18: Worries


    A few minutes later, Dalene comes back with the drivers, turns out they had not fled, but hid some distance away to observe the course of the fight. As soon as they arrive, Dalene and the men unfasten the nets from the carts, free the horse and pull them near the dead behemoth. It takes some times, but with the strength of eight human and four horses, they finally managed to load the foul beast on one of the carts.


    - I didn¡¯t realize how bad it was because of the fight, but damn, it stinks¡­ Do we really need to transport the damn thing to the capital?


    - I never heard of a beast like that, so yes, we do. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll do my best to preserve it and seal it, so it shouldn¡¯t stink as much.


    - Wait a minute, aren¡¯t we going to lose our pay if you do that?


    - Maybe, I¡¯ll have the mayor and bailiff write legal documents regarding that matter but I cannot say for sure we will get paid.


    - Then let¡¯s forget about it, it¡¯s not worth the trouble!


    - It¡¯s three crowns for proof of discovering a new species, two more for a specimen, and up to ten if it¡¯s well preserved. At this point, the contract¡¯s pay barely matters anymore.


    - I never heard of that.


    - Neither did I.


    - It¡¯s not like you would have had the opportunity, discoveries are pretty rare, I haven¡¯t heard of anything major since I started.


    - That long? I mean there¡¯s been a lot of exploration going since the great reclamation, I would have thought there¡¯d be a lot of new species sighted.


    - That¡¯s to be expected, it¡¯s not like the kingdom expended very far either, it¡¯s been like fifty leagues at best.


    While they were discussing, the group has come in view of the village, and Judging from the way the villagers are all waiting outside, the news of the hunters¡¯ victory already reached them.


    - Wonderful sight brave hunters, you felled the monstrous beast. In the name all present here, let me thank you.


    - We simply fulfilled our part of the contract. More importantly, I would like to buy some alcohol, the purest the better.


    He gets a book and shows the mayor a page with drawings of plants.


    - Also, is there a way to procure these?


    The mayor and the people suddenly look gloom, it seems they understood the team¡¯s desire to preserve their prey from the short exchange, a prey the hungry villagers were looking forward to eating.


    Dalene who is just as capable of reading the mood takes the mayor apart to explains the situation to him, and although the man nods, there is no heart in it. Seeing he¡¯s getting nowhere like this, Dalene changes his tactic.


    - From my early analysis, this beast is probably inedible, its body contains an unhealthy amount of fat, and under its skin, there are small organs that produce a slimy substance that expand in contact with water, and eating it would probably kill you. Also, remember it ate a child just a few days ago.


    That last sentence is enough, after asking the bailiff to help gather the necessary ingredient, the mayor leaves Dalene to speak with the villager, and soon, they are either going home or getting ready to fish.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Obtaining the necessary ingredients cost Dalene two and a half silvers, which is more than what they got from the reward, and for the local merchants, the first profit they made in days.


    Due to this and the fishermen¡¯s haul, by the time nightfall, the villagers are in a much better mood and the tension from earlier seems like a lie.


    <><><>


    Later that night, Dalene, who is the only one with the right knowledge, works alone on the enormous body. With the help of the locals, he managed to make a crate waterproof enough to contain the corpse and the altered alcohol and all that is left for him is to close the crate and seal it with tar.


    But why is he working alone despite the others offer to help? The answer is simply because of how he felt when his beloved Belina was in danger. Coupled with his earlier failure to see through the noble trap, Dalene has spent his day self-loathing.


    Dark thoughts rarely come alone, and now he is wondering if the creature really was a new species, asking himself if he¡¯s just spent the villagers'' reward to destroy their chance to earn the true recompense.


    He hears some noises behind him and turns around, Arc is standing there, looking tired. He asks:


    - What are you doing there at this time, I thought you went to sleep.


    - I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, you look pathetic.


    - I don¡¯t see what are you talking about¡­


    - The thing with Nyx lord wasn¡¯t entirely your fault, and we made a profit anyway. Now, I¡¯ll admit if this thing ends up being a known species and we don¡¯t get paid I¡¯ll be pissed, but you cannot know everything! You know, besides Belina, you¡¯re the one with the costliest job, but unlike her, your expenses aren¡¯t shouldered by the team.


    - So what?


    - Even if you bought every book in every city, you still wouldn¡¯t be able to keep up with what¡¯s going on at the scale of a country. Give yourself some slack!


    - You may be saying that now, but you admitted yourself you will be pissed at me!


    - That¡¯s how things are, we get angry at people for things outside their control, then we forget and move on. Don¡¯t get your stomach in a knot, we¡¯ll deal with it when the time comes.


    Dalene looks at Arc for a while then answer:


    - That¡¯s the worst pep talk ever.


    Arc laugh


    - I know right, that was the complete opposite of encouraging. I tried dozens of sentences in my head before coming here and forgot everything at the last moment.


    - I should at least thank you for trying¡­ And offer you some books, you really need to do some reading.


    - Thanks for the offer but, when do you expect me to read with my daily routine?


    <><><>


    A few days later, at the capital¡¯s central office, the staff is far more accommodating than anyone would have expected. They soon discover there are two factors to the staff attitude. The first one is the director, being a former naturalist himself, he always pushes toward the acquisition of new specimens. The second, is the lord, a severe yet generous individual who is as feared by the wicked that he is liked by those in need.


    - How interesting, what you describe resembles a known animal, but known specimens are only three feet long, not twenty. What did you say were the creature peculiarities?


    - It secretes a gelatinous substance, it¡¯s very slippery and grows many times in volume when in contact with water. It¡¯s four eyes, capable of looking over and below water at the same time and its body has many layers of fat and skin to protect it from attacks.


    - It¡¯s very different from the small ones indeed. And you say it devours its prey whole, just like a snake?


    - I haven¡¯t seen it myself, but the villagers say it swallowed a young child whole.


    - Interesting¡­


    Realizing what he just said, the man corrects himself.


    - Tragic, really tragic obviously. What I meant to say was that this creature looks and act like a hybrid of multiple animals and fish. Tell me more about the way it fought, and everything you learned from the villager.


    Dalene recounts the events once more, giving a wealth of details he skipped over the first time.


    - I would have never expected such a level of intelligence and adaptability from a creature like that. Understanding the nature of projectiles weapons despite encountering them for the first time, using humans to procure its food. I am convinced this Behemoth must be put on the list of dangerous creatures to be exterminated on sight.


    The director whispers:


    - Don¡¯t you feel like the Behemoth have shown clearer signs of intelligence of late?


    Dalene answer in kind.


    - I do, I heard that big predators who used to rush at the hunter¡¯s traps now start with attempts at intimidation before fighting humans. You must have heard of the giant gorilla? The one we encountered recently were using slave vanguards, feints, and crude weapons.


    - I am glad to see I am not the only one thinking that way, most of my peers look at me like I am going senile. I fear the army wasn¡¯t thorough enough during the time of the reclamation. They underestimated behemoth, thinking of them as mere animals, and now the survivors have learned and adapted.


    - I pray we are wrong.


    - So, do I, so do I.