"Are you sure this is the right way, Balthier?" Fran asked skeptically, pausing when the far away shriek of some unknown beast reached her ears. She didn't like traveling through this forest very much, there was too much mist and too many strange sounds, but she trusted Balthier and if he said this was the right way then it probably was.
"I'm sure, I've been this way many times." Balthier replied, looking over his shoulder to make sure his Viera companion was still coming. "Surely a Viera isn't afraid of a forest, especially one so like Golmore .. Are you?" He asked in a teasing manner, he was always teasing her even in the most serious of situations, much to Fran's annoyance. And he knew it annoyed her, which was why he did it.
"No." Fran said, sounding a bit offended. She quickened her pace to catch up with Balthier, not wanting to get lost in this forest. And even though her race had enhanced senses of direction this place was definitely somewhere that getting lost was possible, and likely, if you weren't traveling with someone who knew the place.
There was a few minutes of silence were neither of them spoke, until Fran said something after the third time she heard a loud howl in the distance, each time she heard the howls they sounded a little closer.
"It sounds like it is coming closer," She said, looking around and trying to pinpoint where the sound was coming from, then clarified what she was talking about, "the howling."
"Yes, I hear it." Balthier nodded, his hand straying down to the holster of his rifle even though he knew it wouldn't be very useful in this heavy mist.
"Sounds like a Coeurl. I don't think that it will come after us, though." He sounded pretty confident, but he wasn't as sure of himself right then. Coeurls were nasty to deal with when in packs, and they had the ability to paralyze you if you weren't careful.
"I know where we are." Fran suddenly announced, "Follow me, this is the way to Golmore jungle." She changed her direction, heading down what appeared to be a deer trail, she remembered this place now. She had been here before, at least to this part. They were very close to Golmore jungle, she had come here many, many years ago with a group of other Viera to see Vorpal Bunny, though they never did get to see it.
Balthier didn't question her, Fran only spoke when she was sure of herself. He followed behind her closely, still keeping an eye out behind him for any monsters to suddenly come charging out. Though none did.
Only the crunch of leaves and small twigs rustling and snapping under their feet could be heard.
They had gotten off lucky to not have to fight anything, but he doubted they would be so lucky next time⦠After all, it wasn't an adventure worth having if there weren't any risks, in Balthier's opinion anyways.
