《Ostera》


 Session 0: Mira

    "Quiet, quiet!" Varen Omerra exclaimed as the children quickly huddled near the morning fire. "I promised you a story, now lets see what we can come up with." Her eyes landed on Mira sitting in the back row furthest from the fire.


    Mira was grown now, almost ready to be out on her own. She was older than both her sibling had been when they left. Varen could sense the hesitation in Mira. She had the desire to leave, but was so unsure of herself and her magics.


    "Here in the Land of Ostera, different gods created different beings. There are many thoughts on what happened at creation. Some say that the gods built cities of gold and beauty for us to expand, most say that the gods simply placed us here and left." Varen''s eyes gazed over her crowd of on lookers. "Very few have ever been given the chance to speak to a god. Even fewer tell the world about their experience."


    Mira had heard this part of the story hundreds of times. It was common knowledge that the gods of Ostera had abandoned their people here long ago. She was waiting for Varen to add to the story. Hoping new light would be shed on the situation in the Arid Wilds.


    "Tell us about the prophet, Varen!" Drell exclaimed from his place by Mira.


    "Yeah! Tell us about the prophet!" The children exclaimed.


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    Varen smirked as she began to shift the the stones around her. "The continent of Ordish has been experiencing a "peaceful" time. Then just a few days ago the earthquake shook the world." The stones around her shook violently and smashed to the ground. "Out of the rubble rose a prophet." The stones shifted again and appeared as a person. "Not much is known of the prophet yet, her location is unknown." The whole group released a sigh. "But reports of her being seen near the Arid Wilds have spilled throughout Ordish. Finding this prophet is a task. One only meant for those who can endure it." Her eyes met Mira''s yet again.


    Mira rolled her eyes in response pushed herself away from the tree she had been leaning on. She began to walk away from the fire back toward her tent. Drell followed quickly.


    "Are you going to go searching for the prophet?" He asked. "Maybe she''ll know what is happening to you?"


    Mira furrowed her brow, "Why do you say that?"


    "I heard the elders talking last night..." he smiled. "They mentioned that the prophet was proclaiming herself for Otara!"


    "Otara?" Mira huffed. "You really think a prophet of the goddess of life is going to help me? I''d probably have better luck communicating with a god of death..."


    Drell frowned, "It''s worth a shot Mira."


    "Maybe I''ll find Kestas and Lathiss too," Drell could hear the sarcasm in his friend''s voice. "It''s not worth it Drell. No one can fix me."


    "Because there is nothing in need of fixin''," An older goblin woman stood in front of Mira''s tent, a warm smile on her face. "How many times do I need to tell you that, my dear. There is nothin'' in need of fixin'' here."


    "Thanks Tidbit," Mira sighed as she stepped into her tent. She froze as she glanced around the small space. Her pack was sitting near the tent flap and her bedroll was tucked tightly against it. "What''s going on?"


    Tidbit''s smile didn''t falter. "You are leaving the grove to find the prophet," she stated. "Varen believes that you are best for the task."


    Mira''s eyes widened, "That can''t be..."


    Tidbit laid her hand on Mira''s hand, "The answers you seek can not be found on the same path you have taken year after year. To find your answer you must forge a new path."


    Concern flooded Mira''s face, "I''m not ready..."


    "Find Uni," she smiled. "Find Kestas and Lathiss. They will help you find your way."

 Session 1: This one time we found a cat

    Finally, the town of Carta. A small village a few days out from the dwarven city of Purntel. Mira had been traveling for months just to get this far. She had received word that her good friend, Unicus, would be stopping here for a resupply. She hadn''t seen Uni in a little over 2 years.


    Mira walked through the dusty small town trying to find their tavern. Even though it was only midday, she was almost guaranteed to find her friend looking for food or drink. After passing by a few small hovels, she came across a lovely little one story building with a sign on the door, "The Broomspider". She opened the door to see a mostly deserted tavern, a lone man sitting in the back corner, and the barkeep absentmindedly cleaning the same cup over and over.


    She cleared her throat as she stepped up to the bar. The dwarven man blinked and glanced at her. He furrowed his brow as he placed the cup down on the counter.


    "Do you need a healer?" He asked and she furrowed her brow, "We don''t heal those types of ailments here. That would be the medicinal tent a few doors down the road."


    Mira shook her head, "I promise I am not ill." He did not seem convinced. "I do not need a healer. I am just passing through town. I am looking for a friend."


    "Oh," his eyes lit briefly with intrigue.


    "Have you seen a dragonborn female come through town?" Mira raised her arm slightly to measure out Uni''s height. "About this high, white crystal scales with flecks of green? A scar over one eye?"


    "And why might you be looking for this dragonborn?" He asked. Mira could tell that the barkeep was bored and in need of a little fun.


    "She, she is a dear friend of mine." Mira sighed, "We haven''t seen each other in years."


    "Was the parting, on bad terms?" He asked as he picked ip the cup yet again.


    "Not too terrible of terms, but also not the best..." she frowned. "I was told she may be in town, and I need to make things right."


    "Oh! Of course!" The man smiled. "She came into town last night."


    "Do you know if she is still in town?" Mira asked.


    "She has a room for another night," he stated. "I would assume she would be staying in town then, not much else around these parts."


    "Well thank you for the information," she sighed. "Hopefully I will be able to find her in town and be able to make things right." She winked.


    Mira found herself back out in the open air. She followed the road down toward the center of town and then wrapped back around toward the farms and larger plots of land. She suddenly hears a very familiar shout from down the lane. Mira followed the sound to find Uni pulling a billygoat by the horns back to his shepherd.


    "Sorry about that," the shepherd sighed. "Charlie is a wild one they say." He chuckled as he pulled the goat away from Uni. "Now Charlie what have I said about..." the man''s voice trailed off as he walk further and further away.


    "Mira?" Uni questioned as she glanced at the younger woman watching the scene unfold. "Just had a little run in with the billygoat..."


    Mira nodded, "Charlie, right? I saw..."


    Uni nodded and clapped her hand on Mira''s shoulder. "It''s good to see you."


    "Likewise," she stated. "Happy to have someone to travel with at least for a little while."


    "Where are you headed?" She asked as they began to make their way back through town toward the tavern.


    "To find the prophet..." She sighed.


    "What''s a prophet?" Uni asked as they approached the tavern.


    Mira''s eyes widened as Uni went to open the door, "Oh shit..." she muttered pulling Uni''s hand back. "I may have convinced the barkeep that we were a thing...and that I came here to find you to fix our broken relationship." She smiled awkwardly. "So be cool, ok?"


    Uni rolled her eyes as she opened the tavern door. Sure enough the barkeep''s eyes lit up when he saw Uni and Mira entering the room together. He gave Mira a look and then a quick smile.


    "Do you need a room for the night, Miss?" He asked.


    Mira smiled, "I think I will be sharing a room with my friend if that is alright."


    "There is only one bed in the room ma''am, do you need other acoommodations?" He had stopped cleaning the cup and began perusing the list of rooms available.


    "The room she has already will be fine, thank you sir." She smiled.


    "Well of course, ma''am. And if you need anything just let me know."


    Mira stopped as Uni began walking toward the job board at the back of the tavern, "Is food included in our fair?"This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Why yes it is," he stated. "We have soup, stew, and chili right now. The chili is actually a vegetarian option if needed."


    "Is it a beef stew?" A voice caught Mira''s attention and she turned to see a small man standing behind her.


    He was much shorter than she was, but taller than the dwarven barkeep. He had dark skin with soft freckles across his nose. His dark black hair in dreads pulled out of his face in a top-knot bun with loose dreads going just past his shoulders. He wore a nice coat with clean boots and a pair of khaki pants. His accent was unfamiliar to Mira.


    Mira must have missed something that the man had said because he tapped her arm as she stared at him.


    "Are you ill?" The man asked. "I believe there is a medicinal tent just up the road."


    Mira sighed, "I''m fine." She looked back at the barkeep who was again very intrigued in the situation. "May I have the soup?" She asked politely. "Does it happen to come with a bread bowl?"


    ...


    Mira and Uni sat near the job board as they ate their lunch. The man that had approached Mira with the strange accent was sitting at the table across the room in the opposite corner with an older man that appear to be "sleeping" in the the booth. The man appeared to be human, in his mid 50s. He wore a stetson hat and a bolo tie. His shirt and pants were weathered, but whole. Mira glanced over at just the right moment to see the man sipping from his own flask under the rim of the hat.


    As they ate, a young dwarven girl of maybe ten entered the tavern with a sign in hand. She had tears streaming down her cheeks as she posted the sign on the job board. Mira glanced at the sign quickly. "Missing cat, Jennifer. Reward 20 GP." With a lovely hand drawn picture of a calico cat. Mira perked up and pointed the sign out to Uni. She hopped up to get it, but didn''t have a chance before the man in the bolo tie grabbed the notice from the board.


    Mira frowned as she watched the man walk out of the tavern followed closely by the small man with the funny accent. As the door closed Mira hopped up and followed the men outside. She didn''t see them immediately as she called forth her familiar.


    "Well good afternoon, Honey." Mira smiled as her familiar appeared in front of her. Uni''s brow furrowed and she grimaced slightly as she gazed at the cat standing in front of them.


    "She''s looking a little mangy.." Uni stated as the cat stared up her, her back arching and what was left of her fur standing on end. "Sorry, Honey...You look...amazing..."


    "Ok Honey..." Mira smiled, "we need to find Jennifer the cat. You want to help?" Honey stared up at her and began to groom herself. "Come on..."


    "That''s my cat!" Mira turned to see the bolo tie man running toward Honey, his arms outstretched.


    "I wouldn''t..." She tried to warn him but was a little too late.


    The man grabbed Honey and she let loose. She hissed and flailed, scratching the man''s arm ever so slightly as he released her once more. Honey then climbed up Mira to sit safely on the young woman''s shoulder. She purred softly from her perch.


    "Nasty thing..." the man muttered causing Honey to hiss. "Alright, alright guess I got to find this cat the old fashion way." He began to walk away toward the center of town, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty..." The man with the funny accent followed bolo tie and they disappeared into town.


    Eventually, Honey hopped off Mira''s shoulder and started meandering through town. It took a few minutes for Honey to catch a sent and then she began booking it to a barn near the edge of town. Mira watched as the cat ran up to the front of the barn and began scratching at the door.


    "I bet Jennifer''s in there," she turned to Uni who nodded in agreement. "The barn is locked though, and I doubt the people of this town would appreciate us breaking into the barn to find the cat."


    "Looks like they are already doing it..." Uni smirked as she watch the man with the bolo tie climb the back wall to the second floor open window. "I''m going to get the cat first!"


    Mira watched as Uni''s white crystal wings opened and she leapt into the air. "Be careful!" Mira called after her as she examined the barrels and bins lining the wall.


    "I could give you a boost," the man with the funny accent stated hesitantly. "It might be beneficial if we team up to find this cat." Mira glanced at him hesitantly. "I''m Jasper by the way. D''Jasper Probincrux III. It''s a feminine junior..."


    "Mira," she stated. "Alright, give me a boost."


    "Just Mira?" He asked.


    She took a deep breath, "Just Mira." Jasper helped hoist Mira onto the tallest stack of bins. She reached down and helped him onto the bins and they repeated the process to get into the barn.


    "Mira, are you sure you are feeling alright?" Jasper asked as she pulled him up into the barn. "You look to be quite ill."


    She rolled her eyes, "I''m fine. This is just what I look like." She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the barn window. Her gnarled branch-like horns peaking out from her dull blonde hair. Her ashen skin had begun to sink over the last few months, making her appear more and more ill.


    *"Nothing is wrong with you..."* She could almost hear Tidbit''s voice repeating the phrase over and over. If only she could believe it.


    Mira was still crouched near the window when she heard the skittering noise to her left. She glanced over to see beady red eyes staring back at her. No cat in sight.


    "Shit..." she stood just as the rats swarmed her legs. She took her staff and swung at the swarm. The rats scattered and she watched as a cute calico cat bolt into the rafters. "Uni! Up there!"


    Uni wasn''t the only one to see the cat running through the rafters, bolo tie man leapt onto the rafters and made his way quickly down toward Jennifer.


    "Master Memo, I think we should all work together here." Jasper called to the man running in the rafters. "We can split the reward." Mira watched as Jasper, the small man, broke the necks of multiple rats with his bare hands.


    The rats scattered as Mira swung her staff once more hitting a few rats and sending them flying. Her path was clear and she ran forward toward the other side of the barn where Uni and Master Memo had gone.


    "Here girl, here girl..." Master Memo called. "I know that those rats threatened you. I won''t let another soul hurt you. Come now. Let''s get you home."


    Mira could see where the man was heading but she couldn''t see the cat.


    "Here kitty, kitty..." Mira tried but didn''t even seem to get a response.


    Finally, the cat rushed forward toward Master Memo. He scooped the cat into his arms and then glanced around looking for a way down. Uni floated up to the man.


    "Split the reward with us and I''ll get you down from there..." she offered.


    The man thought for a moment and then nodded. "This one time..."


    Mira tried to make sense of the man''s story as they made their way out of the barn, but his story seemed to be going round and round. As they walked toward the address listed on the flyer she watched as Jasper was writing the man''s story word for word.


    "Well that is a fine story, Master Memo." He stated as the older man finished up his story.


    "Do you know what the point of that story was?" Uni whispered to Mira as they stepped up toward the small home.


    Mira shook her head, "Not gonna lie...I don''t know what he said after ''This one time''."


    The door in front of them opened, "Is that Jennifer?"


    ...

 Session 1: This one time we were hired guards

    Mira sighed as she followed Uni toward the community center at the center of town. The cat had been a bust. The little girl had stated the reward was her entire life savings. Mira could not take that from the child. Uni did...but that did not mean that Mira had to. She had immediately handed her portion of the reward back to the child.


    Mira caught a glimpse of the medicinal building in town as they walked. "Uni, I''ll catch up with you..." Mira sighed as she turned toward the building.


    "Need me to come with you?" Uni asked.


    Mira shook her head, "Just find us a job." Uni nodded and head toward the community center.


    The door to the medicinal building was plain, but the vines that grew around it were gorgeous. A few vines fell just so in the doorframe, Mira had to slip past them without touching them. Even though she hadn''t touched them she watched as a few lengths of vine began to wither.


    "I''m sorry, I''m sorry..." she muttered to the vines as she made her way into the build. Her breath caught when she saw the room filled to the brim with plants. She moved around expertly trying to avoid getting to close to any of them.


    "I''ll be with you in a second..." a lovely feminine voice called from the opposite side of the room. "Just weeding the flowers." She glanced up her smile quickly falling when she saw Mira.


    "Hi." Mira waved awkwardly.


    "Oh my..." she frowned. "Do you need medical attention? I fear you may need something more than I can..."


    "I''m fine," she stated yet again. "I heard that you are a druid..." The woman nodded hesitantly. "I am also a druid. I am looking to find a druid that may know what is wrong with my magic."


    "Oh, I see." She stated. "May I ask what is happening with your magics?"


    Mira shrugged and walked up to the nearest plant, holding her hand close and watched as the beautiful flower quickly began to wither. "This is what happens."


    "Oh, oh no..." The woman quickly pulled the plant away from Mira and began to tend to it. "How long has that been happening?"


    "As long as I can remember," she stated sadly. "It has gotten worse lately. But it has always been like this."


    "Did you grow up in a grove or circle?" She asked hesitantly her mind still obviously focused on her dead plant.


    "The Grove of Beginnings," Mira stated. "They couldn''t seem to figure out what was wrong with me."


    The woman clicked her tongue, "Well their expertise is much higher than my own. I''m sorry but, I do not know what is causing your...ailment." She glanced around the room quickly and then grabbed two vials. "These may not heal you, but they won''t hurt. Drink them when you need a little pick me up."


    "Thank you," Mira smiled. "I''ll try not to hurt anymore of your plants on my way out."


    "I would greatly appreciate that." The woman smiled warmly.


    As Mira left she sighed. Another bust in a long list of busts. She added the vials to her pouch and began to make her way over to the community center. She passed the small man, Jasper walking back toward the farms on the edge of town. He was carrying what looked to be a few quilts.


    Inside the community center there seemed to be a market of sorts. There were many vendors set up with clothing, sample fabrics, dyes, dyed fabrics, quilts, and even a good size alcohol section.


    Mira glanced about finding the bolo tie man, Master Memo sitting in the drink section. He appeared to be playing his harmonica for a small group of engaged listeners. Mira spotted Uni in the section of fabric samples. She strode over to her friend to see if she had found anything interesting.


    "What are you looking at?" She asked causing Uni to glance away from the fabrics.


    "Do you see how the light catches on this one?" She asked. "Something is different here."


    "Why you have a good eye," the dwarven merchant smiled. "That would be none other than Cartan Wool." At their looks of confusion the man continued. "That wool comes from the sheep in the valley. The fabris itself takes many years to create as the spring that the sheep are found by imbues the wool with magic." He handed the small fabric square to Uni. "Here, hold this and I shall show you." Uni held the fabric and the man attempted to stab the fabric with his dagger, but the dagger just bounced off the wool. "The wool requires specialized tools and handling to create this fine fabric. It is the pride of Carta."


    "How much does this square of fabric cost?" Uni asked.


    "Oh that piece not for sale," he sighed as he took the square from Uni, "and unfortunately our current supply is already claimed by the guard of Purntel."


    Uni nodded in understanding and took her leave. Once they were out of earshot from the merchant she leaned over and whispered to Mira, "I got us a job. I think we are escorting a merchant group with that fabric." She nodded toward a taller dwarves woman with short white hair. "That is Sanzier. They lost the last two shipments of fabric heading to Purntel, and the group of merchants that were accompanying the merchandise have not been seen since."


    "That''s not good," Mira stated.


    Uni shrugged, "Two gold per day, per person." She eyed Mira.


    "Well we should probably go get some rest," she stated.


    "I''m not sharing that bed," Uni chuckled. "You are more than welcome to sleep on the floor." They wandered through the community center one more time before making their way back to the Broomspider Inn.


    ...


    The mid-spring air was refreshing as they made their way back toward the community center in town the next morning. Mira sighed when she saw the men from the day before standing near the carts. The older man was saddling up a very frail horse, while the younger man sat nearby eating his breakfast.


    "Master Memo," Jasper started, "you really should eat breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day."


    "I''ve got my breakfast right here," he stated pointing to his flask. "Never ate breakfast a day in my life. Won''t start now."


    A look of shock fell over the younger man''s face, "Master Memo, you are missing out on some very important macro nutrients that will help your body remain healthy."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Mira watched as Memo took a swig from his flask. "All the nutrients I need, right here." He stated not turning away from his horse.


    "Well now that we have everyone," the dwarven woman smiled. "I''m Sanzier, for those that I have not met." She glanced at Mira. "It should only be about 3 days to Purntel. The goal is to get the fabrics there safely and hopefully without issue. As promised you all will receive two gold each per day of travel."


    "Any extra if we run into trouble?" Uni asked. "You mentioned that the last two shipments have gone missing."


    Sanzier nodded slowly, "If we run into trouble and still make it to Purntel safely...we may be able to arrange a bonus of sorts. Hopefully, there will be no trouble."


    "Of course," Uni stated.


    "Well if no one has any other questions," she nodded toward the merchants, "we should really be on our way. Do not want to delay this trip any longer."


    The road out of Carta to Purntel was well marked and well traveled. Mira stayed up near the front of the caravan while Uni stayed near the back. Jasper and Memo were in the middle chatting with the merchants and Sanzier for most of the day. Every so often Mira would catch bits of their conversation, but she was trying to remain focused on the path ahead.


    "Sanzier," Memo started as they were stopping for lunch. "You mentioned that these roads are well traveled, and that there have been no reports of people being attacked. Do you have any idea what or who is taking your cargo?"


    She tilted her head to the side clicking her tongue, "We assumed the first group was hit by robbers and that everyone perished." She nodded toward the merchants. "The caravan was almost exclusively made up of merchants. We had never had any type of trouble before. We make this route regularly, about once a month. After we got word that the second group did not make it to Purntel we got a little worried. Hence the reason you all are escorting us to the city."


    Memo nodded, "A little extra safety."


    "Exactly," Sanzier smiled. "But we are hoping that it won''t be necessary."


    The remainder of lunch was fairly quiet. Many of the merchants kept to themselves. Mira didn''t mind the quiet. She found it quite soothing. As they packed up and continued on their way, Mira started to notice that the scene around them was beginning to shift. Instead of grasslands and hills they were heading toward a mountain path. It was still a ways off, they most likely wouldn''t make it to the mountain by nightfall.


    Toward the evening Mira started to see birds circling in the distance. Vultures. She kept an eye on them for a while marking their direction and placement in their path before pointing them out to Sanzier and the group.


    "Probably just a dead animal?" Sanzier offered. "We won''t make it quite that far tonight. It should be fine."


    Mira nodded in agreement, "You''re right. It is probably just an animal."


    They walked for another hour or so before setting up camp for the night. The night was dark and quiet. Mira fell asleep quickly, accustomed to sleeping on a bedroll under the stars. Memo woke her for her watch and she joined the dwarven merchant near the fire. She made a few patrols around their camp, but there wasn''t much to see. About halfway through her watch the dwarven man tapped her lightly on the shoulder.


    "I think we have company," he whispered as he pointed toward a rustling bush.


    Mira squinted, it was hard to make anything out beyond the light of the fire. She grabbed a torch, lighting it with the fire and walked forward. The light casted ominous shadows, making her gnarled horns appear larger and her frame menacing. As she reached the edge of the fires light she finally saw the reflective eyes of the fox. The creature glanced up at her as it slowly stalked forward. Mira raised the torch slightly and her shadow grew. The creature shuddered in the bush and then hurried away.


    "Just a fox," Mira sighed as she made her way back toward the merchant.


    The remainder of her watch was uneventful and quite. She woke up Uni for the third and final watch and fell asleep.


    The next morning while the group was working on breakfast, Mira noted the vultures circling just a little ways off the road. She made her way over to Uni and pointed them out.


    "Maybe we should check it out?" Uni offered. "It''s probably just an animal."


    "Or it could be the last caravan..." Mira offered. "Might find another...bonus...if we can get them answers on their missing cargo or merchants." She whispered.


    "Hey!" Uni called, "We are going to go see what those vultures are about." She nodded toward the direction and began walking.


    Memo raised a hand, "Hold up...we should come with you."


    "Yeah," Jasper added. "Safety in numbers and all."


    Mira shrugged, "It''s just some vultures. It''s probably best if someone stays with the caravan."


    Sanzier glanced at the men and then Mira and Uni. "I can stand guard for a little while." She patted her side where a weapon hung. "I am fairly capable if need be."


    Memo nodded and started following Uni. "We''ll be back in about 20 minutes. Should give y''all plenty of time to get ready to move."


    Mira led the group off the path and through the trees. Within a few minutes they came to a clearing. It was immediately apparent to why the vultures were circling. A mutilated deer. Mira grimaced as she stepped closer to examine the wounds. She could see a trail of blood leading from the ridge nearby. The wounds on the deer were not consistent with an animal attack, rather they appeared to be caused by an uneven weapon.


    She furrowed her brow, "I think we need to head back."


    "I agree," Jasper stated glancing toward the ridge. "I do not think that animal was attacked here in this clearing...there is not enough blood."


    "That is not reassuring..." Uni sighed.


    They made their way back to the caravan. Jasper and Mira went to Sanzier to give her an update.


    "Well, that is less than ideal..." she frowned. "And you are sure that it was a weapon and not an animal?"


    "Positive," Mira stated. "It looked like they were ''playing'' with the animal before they took the final blow."


    Sanzier''s frown deepend. "Let''s keep an eye out, I do not want to worry the rest of the group if there is no need."


    "Of course," Jasper and Mira said in unison.


    Mira stayed in the front of the caravan again. The day was quiet, almost easily quiet. As they traveled further and further away from Carta, the general nature sounds became less and less. During the break for lunch, Mira noted that she had not seen or heard a single bird or animal in some time.


    "It is awfully quiet..." Memo muttered as he took a seat next to Mira. "Don''t you agree?"


    She nodded, "Unnaturally quiet." She stood from her meal. "I am going to do a quick perimeter check." He nodded in understanding.


    Mira didn''t stray far from the group on her perimeter check. On her final circle, she noticed a singular track in the mud. She knelt down to examine it more closely. It seemed to be a dwarves foot, or at least a partial print. She glanced in the direction the track went, but there was nothing there.


    She made her way back to the group, her brow furrowed as she tried to ignore out how there would be half a footprint with no additional tracks.


    "We should try to make it through the forest before nightfall," she said to Sanzier. "I have a weird feeling about this path."


    Sanzier nodded in agreement, "We should get back on the trail then." She pulled out a map, showing it to Mira. "There is a nice spot to camp right here. Think we can make it by nightfall?"


    Mira measured out the distance and glanced toward the sky. "Shouldn''t be a problem. We will just have to be quick."


    The group packed up their midday meal quickly and head back out on the road, Mira again in the lead. The forest grew thicker and thicker as they traveled. It was hard to see if there was indeed anything off the path other than the trees. Noises had slowly returned to the forest. Birds here and there, but it was still way too quiet.


    Mira watched as a lock of birds scattered up into the air about a mile ahead.


    "Did you see that?" One of the merchants asked, worry evident in his voice.


    Mira nodded, "We should expect trouble." Sanzier nodded.


    "Keep your heads up," she stated. "Keep in mind, whatever is up there thinks it has the advantage over us."


    Mira and Memo stayed about twenty feet ahead of the caravan with Jasper walking alongside and Uni in the back.


    "Roads blocked," Memo stated as they came up to the fallen tree.


    "Should we move it?" Mira asked.


    "Take too long," Sanzier sighed as she joined Mira and Memo. "It''s much too large."


    Memo smirked, "Aww man...What a conundrum we are in..." He said loudly as he walked toward the fallen tree. "This would be a wonderful place for an ambush. How about a nice little chat instead? Would hate for this to get messy."


    Mira froze as she saw the bark shift ever so slightly on a nearby tree, whites of eyes just barely visible. Mira turned back to Memo just in time to see a dwarves man step out from the fallen tree behind the cowboy. His body seemed to merge with the tree making it very difficult to tell where one ended and the other began.


    Memo turned slowly, meeting the dwarvan mans gaze. "How about a parlay?" The dwarven man seemed to consider then nodded ever so slowly. "What I would like is to ignore bloodshed all together. Why don''t you tell me why you and your friends," Memo gestured to the trees surround them, "set this little trap for us."


    The man''s mouth parted revealing yellowed teeth with bits of flesh in between. "We encountered something of great..." The arrow pierced his throat and blood began to bubble from his mouth.


    ...