Chapter 23 Visitors from the forest 1 (1/2)
late afternoon the eleven patrol led by Alvin was close to reaching the foot of a mountain all the members of the patrol had slightly tense as they all knew they were getting close to the source of the mysterious smoke column but still hadn't seen any signs of a human or beastman army in the area as Alvin held up his hand and sent 3 quick hand signals meaning 'target close', '500 meters' and 'prepare for combat' stopping the group as they all quickly gathered with their backs against each other as they all prepared for combat while keeping watch over the forest, they all had tense expression though the most relaxed looking elf was Rex that still carried a old man smile on his face with but they one's that had known him for some time would notice his remaining eye had turned somewhat cold
Alvin was running battle simulations of the upcoming confickit in his head while he looked over the blade on his sword and dagger with a tense expression as he knew this might be the toughest battle in his short career before he gave a look at the young daughter of the village chief Chloe that was the most tense and was even trembling slightly, as he had known her almost all his life and he knew why she was so tense and lightly scratched his head before he sighed and spoke up in a low voice
”worst case scenario Chloe most return to the village alive”
hearing his words Isabel and Rex nodded silently but Chloe was not so understanding and asked
”so you mean i am the only one not allowed to die?”
”yes that's right”
hearing Alvin's dry cut response Chloe was about to argue further before Rex put a hand on one of her shoulder calming her down before he spoke
”you know what it would do to your dad if he lost you too, especially if he lost you to the humans”
hearing Rex Chloe calmed down but was still unsatisfied to still get treated differently even while she on a mission and sulked slightly before Isabel spoke up
”it makes perfect sense Chloe, so don't make that face”
”what do you mean it makes perfect sense? i am sick of always getting treated like some fragile piece of glass”
hearing Chloe's outburst Isabel gave a gentle smile and spoke slowly to sooth her
”it does make sense, Alvin is the captain so he has responsibility for us, Rex is an old elf that should have retired long ago and i am a widow past her prime with no kids”
listening to Isabel's words Chloe calmed down and regained her calm with a sigh and spoke up again with a slight smile on her face
”so Alvin what is the best case scenario?”
hearing Chloe's usual confident voice Alvin gave a smile before he spoke up
”best case scenario all of us return to the village safe and i get a new shiny medal”
hearing Alvin usual talk all the members of the 6th barrier forest patrol squad laughed quietly before Alvin gave the command to move on
”let's go”
the tense and professional atmosphere instantly returned to the group as they continued to move in formation for a couple of minutes until they reached the target and Alvin gave a command more as he silently drew his sword
”Isabel draw sword with me, Rex and Chloe cover”
hearing the command Rex and Chloe took their bows of their backs and went to the right and left side both agilely climbing trees quickly disappearing from view and Isabel drew her sword and moved up to the side of Alvin and gave him a quick nod
”let's go”
Alvin waited 20 seconds in the edge of the forest for Rex and Chloe to get in position and moved with Isabel out into a area that had been cleared off trees, moving a little forward Isabel crocheted down and torched a stump with her free hand
”...Alvin there is tool marks on theses stumps”
after Alvin looked around confirming there was no threats in the cleared area he spotted a cave entrance with logs piled up beside it putting on a stern face he came to a conclusion
”...humans or maybe a single human did this”
Isabel looked up at Alvin and gave a little smile before asking him even though she fully knew the answer to her own question
”what makes you say a single human did this, it is a lot of work to fel this many trees is it not?”
”...i might be wrong but”
as Alvin spoke he pointed his sword to a pale white ax that stood leaning against the log pile while giving a slight smile
”if there were more than one there would most likely be more tools, besides i don't see any claw marks so we can rule out the beastmen”
while feeling proud of her little brothers growth Isabel gave a smile and stood up as she asked him
”then what is our next action captain?”