Chapter 666: “Cut the sad story, I’ve heard plenty." (1/2)
”As asked of us, the news has spread. Time is short till Glenda succumbs; shall we dispatch the merchants?”
”Whatever,” said a somber figure, ”-the town must fall, tis all I ask.”
”Your wish is our command.”
Matters pertaining to Ritenoot now handed to Alta, focus turned to a grossing matter. It may have deluded the issue, still, the subject of the true unification remained steadfast. The trio of Haggard's next-generation gathered underneath a grand tree on the outskirts of town. Hardened dirt path climbed over plenty o' ups and downs till the other villages.
”I'm glad we started the orphanage,” commented Julius. Standing around would do naught. The prince boldly sat on the dried grassy plane; the shadow sure gave much-needed rest.
”What of it?” silvery hair flowed.
”The children have a place to stay, I can't ask for more.”
”And we shan't ask for more,” interjected Igna, ”-have you relayed the information to Aunt Shanna?”
”I haven't, should we?”
”Obviously.” A meaningless glance into the marketplace showed Alta and her relaxed expression. '-She's on the hunt for potential targets.'
”-I want food,” a startling ravenous growl gave gasps.
Time sped, Igna and his party were lost in the daily hassle of duty. Julius deeply wanted to care for the children, in a way, Eira felt compel to help. Igna sufficed to say, wasn't interested. The goodness was much to be desired. Until the Faction was readied to capture the capital, they would be stuck in Glenda. Herein, the Viscount of Glenda left for the field of adventure.
A deathly tunnel stretched forth, he walked slowly protected by a cloak. Echoes were scary, growls were scarier. Level 5, read a half-present sign. The maimed remains of an adventurer died beside the post. 'Broken legs,' he crouched and examined, '-sapphire,' he pulled the tag, the path diverged into three. Left, right, and center, extremities bore the lecherous redden glare of famine beasts. 'the only way ahead is forward.' *Snap,* whiteish flames burnt the body, '-may thee rest in peace.'
Prospective grew, the dimness of the entrance paled in comparison to the inside. Here was the rest area of dungeon crawling, level five, a relatively unused area. A blueish crystal ceiling reflected the light spirits. An unimaginable grandeur filled the pale nostrils of red, lush green ground and a pool of crystal-like water.
”Someone else made it here?”
'There're people.'
Four warriors camped around a gentle flame, ”-Yo,” gestured a fatigued man, ”-where's your party?” the question repeated around the fire.
”Don't have one,” he replied coldly.
”Are you alone?” asked the same man.
”Not really.”
”No use asking questions,” said another, ”-come on, sit with us, the fire's great to recover from fatigue.”
”I appreciate it, thank you.” The knees clicked to a harsh land, the cloak unraveled and a bag dropped.
”You're not an adventurer, are you?” inquired a tinier profile, ”-the outfit and bag don't scream menace.”
”Right, I'm a wandering chef.”
”Wandering chef?” laughter echoed, ”-new one,” they laughed till tears, ”-too bad buddy, there's no pray to be cooked here.”
”On the contrary,” *snap,* prepared goblin meat fell onto the ground, ”-I ought to ask.”
”Go on?”
”Is your party from the Deer's guild?”
”How did you know?” the eyes squinted.
”My job's easier,” a makeshift cooking station built, ”-I've come on behalf of the guild leader. He expressly said to bring the guild members, alive or dead. Level 4 is very hard to traverse without supplies. The burning hounds attack suddenly, not to mention to Aedric bears, and finally, the level boss, five evolved hobgoblins.”
”Food, finally,” said the tiny figure.
”What's the ranking for our quest?”
”Tier-4 Bronze.” Bowls after bowls were readied in haste, ”-eat before it gets cold.”
”-We haven't had food in two days,” complained the smaller figure, ”-I should have hired higher-ranked adventurers,” a shiny guild-tag showed his allegiance. ”-I'm cutting the pay. No quest, no money.”
”Someone's rather confident,” snickered Igna, ”-a member of the trader's guild?”
”No,” he interjected, ”-I'm part of the merchant's guild.”
”Is it not the same?”
”No, the trader's guild is under Haru, while the Merchant's guild is ruled by distinguished merchants, we control part of this province's money, without us, there would be no advancement.”
Obnoxious flaunts of a higher position, the escort party leader didn't so much stare wrongly. A fight against strong foes, until the safe zone. Once replenished and healed, the party set to climb out the dungeon. '-I found my target. An influential merchant, I sure hope he doesn't have an accident.'
”Worthless idiots!” he cried, ”-stay in front and protect me, my supplies are worth more than your lives.”
'So much for letting Alta scheme, I unknowingly got involved. Damn quest posting, should have never scouted the jobs requests.'
”Monsters ahead.”
”On guard everyone.”
”We're surrounded, watch the back, chef.”
A heavy aura rocked the ground, pebbles shook. A god-awful stench permeated, ”-ON GUARD! IT'S THE WHITE HOUNDS.”
'Just about time.'
”AHHHHH,” gnarls and howls flung, swords swung, guns fired, blood splattered onto the walls. Five hounds circled and attacked, the party had no chance of survival, ”-not on my watch,” the leader jumped to shield the merchant who had dropped in fear, *bite,* the right shoulder plate buckled, ”-g-get off,” he stabbed the beast in its belly, regardless, the fiery thirst for blood didn't cower. The bite strengthened until *Mana Control: Wind Element Variant: Wind Blade.*
”-Are you well?
”Chef,” he fell, ”-I'll live, what of the others?”
”They died.”
”Dam-” consciousness faded.