Chapter 302 (1/2)
Simon frowned. “You want us… to head south and east, looking for the Wild Hunter? Isn’t he… more to the North...?”
Thea shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line as she loaded bags onto Chrysanthemum’s back. The bear laid still, seeming to be as tense with the whole situation as her soulbound companion was. “No, we believe that the movements of the East End Village and the Skeleton Knight will have driven them away from their usual spot. Our scouts reported rapid movement, and we are trying to keep track of them as best we can. The three of us will head Southwest, circling around the Dungeon, before curving back North before The Refuge. If we haven’t found anything, we will stop in there. Hopefully the East End Village moving with make that asshole commit to a side in the Champion’s battle...”
Simon’s frown deepend. “Dauntless does as best he can. That group-”
“Yes, yes, I understand their population is a bit… unique. His struggles are his own.” Thea interrupted, clearly annoyed. “But that doesn’t justify turning it into a whole tribal barbarian thing.”
Glancing to the side, Simon took in David, who was still slowly savoring more of the Mending Fluid had had provided for him. He seemed rather unconcerned with conversation, but focused instead on the bear, watching its side rise and fall.
“Well my real problem is what we are doing is dumb, and-” Simon began, but Thea whirled to face him.
“We were given orders. Although its preliminary, you received a class from Star Crossing. That comes with certain responsibilities.” Thea said with a glare. “Even when you dislike your orders, even when you think they are foolish and misguided… you obey them. Or you leave. Make your choice.”
As she stomped away, Chrysanthemum standing beside her, a low voice interjected.
“Thea.”
She spun around, her eyes bright and dangerous. “What? Are you going to be a little bitch too?”
David’s face remained impassive, although his mouth twitched. He pointed to Chrysanthemum. “You tied the straps wrong. It’s gonna wear through the leather like that.”
Simon covered his face with his hands, trying his best not to laugh. Thea’s face went white, and then red, and then she hurried over to Chrysanthemum to correct the issue. David just turned away, looking at the horizon, a small frown on his face.
“...thanks.” Thea said awkwardly, and without a word, the three of them departed.
****
Simon froze, his eyes glued to the large komodo dragon type creature that was making its way across the meadow. They had been traveling slowly through the countryside, “searching” for four days, although from how bored Thea seemed, it wasn’t like they were searching at all.
At any rate, these past few days, the variety and the strength of monsters in the surrounding area abruptly increased. The most impressive of which was this Komodo dragon the size of a compact car, Level 28, an absolutely fearsome foe.
Noticing where his gaze went, Thea gestured Simon over towards her. Chrysanthemum crouched down, remaining silent. David seemed completely unphased, stepping so quietly that Simon didn’t even notice him when his gaze was away from the man. Compared to that, Simon felt like a drunk bison, just stumbling over every tree branch.
“This…” Thea seemed worried. “That monster likely won’t attack. It’s one of the species that I’ve seen around the Wild Rider. I had no idea that they extended this far South…”
“Isn’t that a good thing? That means we might actually find the Wild Rider.” Simon said excitedly, even as he looked at the beast and couldn’t ever imagine defeating it. But if he used his imagination, he could imagine him up there on his back, riding him… Having a lizard mount wouldn’t be bad. He wondered if there was some sort breath attack that it could use.
“Well… yea…” Thea said lamely, motioning for them to turn away and head in a different direction. Almost as if it sensed the movement, the lizard perked up, turning its head to look directly at them. Even Chrysanthemum seemed to crouch lower to the ground, afraid of attracting its attention.