108 And all it took was just one seed (2/2)
Staring at the room one last time, the cadre of the White Hand could only have suspicions. Even if the situation was weird from one angle, it could also be perfectly normal from another one.
”A pacifist cult has many members disappearing, managed to build this place without us noticing, summoned two liches and an undead army rarely seen but no one is found beside the founder, who is dead.” Looking at the ground, he saw the traces of a chair being pulled many times.
”Or, an event happened, that we don't know. Slowly corrupting the original cult. Dwindling into madness, they sacrificed themselves to invoke two liches and give them power. Only for the old man to succumb after the ritual. Which one is the truth?” Only silence answered him and even with all the agents under him, he could not be omniscient. Shaking his head, he left the cave. ”Burn it!”
At the same time, a very large man was running away, in fear. Around him, five mercenaries were injured but still protected the man. The only other person present was a frail woman, that had her dress slightly destroyed and her left arm in blood. None of them had expected to end up like that, but they could only look behind, remembering the terrible spectacle.
They were part of a convoy ordered by the plump man. They were departing from the frontier with Pankow and were heading to the capital of Massalia. They were mainly tasked by the crown to supply the frontlines, and therefore, their convoy was nearly empty. Even it had been normal times, the merchant wouldn't have employed more than those five mercenaries.
But because, recently, a lot of rumors were spreading, he engaged the double of the usual number. He was so glad that he had this idea. Shortly after heading North, toward Ronta, to join the main road, they were ambushed by monstrous wolves. In his entire life, he had never seen such massive beasts. The ten helpers that worked with him for many years and the other mercenaries were slaughtered.
He could only escape with his wife and the few survivors. The three wolves did not follow them, but that didn't prevent the humans to still run as fast as they could. Who could know if the monsters didn't change their mind after tasting human flesh? Because they had chosen a random direction, they ended up in a small hill, void of any trees.
Out of breath, both the merchant and his wife sat on the ground, not capable of moving at all. The fighters that were more used to this kind of activities could only stop, otherwise, they would not be paid. They still took the opportunity to slightly patched their wounds and take a rest. They also took care of the injured woman, stopping her bleeding temporarily.
”By all the gods, what was that thing? What are those monsters? Shouldn't this region by one of the safest?” The plump man could only lament since none knew anything about those wolves. It had been a very long time since anyone entered the huge mountains in this region, besides the Organization. So, the common populace had forgotten what terrifying things were lurking in the frozen summits.
”Oh my dear, are you alright? This ... this ... don't worry, they will take care of you.” All he received was a deadly stare, which quickly shut his mouth. It was not that he truly abandoned her, for he was not close to her when the attack started, but he didn't wait for her either. If not for her luck being close to one warrior, she would have died too.
Just as she was beginning to argue, the only archer of the group called everyone. Because they did not look behind the small hill, they had no idea what was beyond. But as everyone gathered, they couldn't help but be shocked. Mixing with the fresh and green grass and all the beautiful flowers, a red disease was spreading.
Carefully approaching it, they couldn't help but notice that the unusual plants were all thorny. Even their very leaves were filled with little spikes like the plant was trying everything to not be picked up. It was not in a large area, but there was still at least dozens of those red plants.
”Does anyone know about this?” The archer looked at the merchant that starred at it, dumbfounded, but it was his wife that approached it carefully. ”Dear, I think ...” ”Shut up! And someone, give me a glove.” She harshly rebuked him but faced with such an authoritative tone, one of the warriors gave her what she asked.
Slowly plucking out a red flower, she looked at it from all side. She didn't dare to sniff it since she knew that this would be the dumbest way to die. But as she turned it again and again, she still had no idea what it was. In the couple, she was the one that mainly dealt with medicines and potions when supplying the troops. So, in that regard, she could be considered as knowledgeable.
”Drop everything that you don't find in your bags. We will compensate you for your losses. Also, don't touch it with your naked hands or directly sniff it. We will bring this back with us. Also, don't talk about this to anyone, otherwise, you will lose a lot of gold.”
Her last remark was meant to the mercenaries. She was certain that if anyone offered something for the location of this place, they would have sold that information without even thinking. This was a pure bet from her since she couldn't know if this plant was useful or not. It could be sold for not even a bread or more than a jewel.
As they began to gather a few of those, they could also see some insects that had very strange forms. Scarabs with spikes on its chitin, ants with additional legs, a bee with another pair of wings. In majority, they were also much bigger than their counterpart, and one of those deformed ants was feasting on another one. The moment he saw that, the merchant stepped back, in fear, but looking at his wife, he shut his mouth. ”She was trying to salvage their losses, who was he to oppose that?” He couldn't help but also think that it was just flowers and tiny insects, there was no danger with that.