Dusty pulled out a red scarf and wrapped it around his head, now only his nose and green eyes were showing. Cadrn had pulled out a black wool mask that belonged to Roses Dad. Only Cadens teal eyes showed. Dusty was still rummaging through his backpack and his inventory. He spoke.
"I'm really sorry Rose. I left my cloak and blanket back at the house. I thought I brought it with me."
"No Dusty it's fine, I-"
Something heavy covered her back and draped over her shoulders. Caden had put his own grey jacket over her. Caden stood and said.
"Let's keep moving, I'd rather not stay out in the open."
The three then continued North, hoping to find a village, or hopefully another person. As they walked, Rose couldn't help but blush, even though Cadens jacket was rather heavy, it was warm and kind of comfortable.
Soon it was dark again, and the three had no luck finding anything or anyone. Then the sun was about to set behind them. They were out in the open, and it put all of them on edge. The tempratures were dropping fast, and everyone was getting cold. So Dusty decided to build a ditch just large enough for three people. It was about two blocks deep and the blocks that were dug out were used as a roof with an opening to let them in. Caden found some wood in is inventory, rubbed two sticks together, and made a small fire.
The three sat around the fire, Caden looked around, as if spotting for something out in the wide open.
"You know, in a way it's kinda funny," Said Dusty, looking into the fire. "When I was a kid in the Ocelot scouts, we would sit around the fires roasting meat, singing songs and telling stories."
"Well I don't need you telling another one."
Said Caden, Dusty rolled his eyes saying.
"Alright Grey-Skin, you tell a story then."
"Fine."
Caden sat next to Rose and began.
"Back home, this story is not only true, but it's a gem. Though it's a dark story. It's called the Wanders.
About roughly fourty-years ago, a group of soldiers were traveling back to their camp from an unsuccessful battle to discuss strategy. For them it was a miserable trek back, especially when they're carrying their injured and dead comrades. They were traveling through the forest in the thick winter snow. As they traveled, one of the injured men pointed to the direction deeper in the woods shouting.
"Skin men! Skin men! They smell the blood and they're coming for us! Sharp teeth sharp teeth trying to bite us in the neck!"
Some of the soldiers did their best to quiet the injured man, thinking he's suffering from his head injury. While a couple of the guys go to investigate, and when they come back, the soldiers report nothing was found in woods. Finally, they make it back to their camp. The injured are placed in a large tent to be treated. The General and the officers discuss in another tent arguing what next strategy they should make.
One of the soldiers named Gust is patrolling the perimeter with other men. It's nighttime and it's snowing like hell. But out in the distance, he spots a man wearing some furry coat. At first he's on high alert, but then a heavy wind blows snow in his face and when he looks again, the person is gone. Leaving him to think he was just seeing things.
Not much longer, the man with the injury starts yelling again.
"They're here! They've come to hunt us! They surround us and want to pick us off one by one!"
The doctors force the guy to drink a sleeping remedy. And that's when another man shouts.
"Man down!"
Gust rushes to aid but finds one of the patrol-men dead in the snow, a huge chunk of his neck missing. Blood staining the snow. Gust hears a growling sound and turns to find a man wearing a wolf fur coat dragging the raving injured soldier out of the tent. The man is screaming as he's being dragged by the leg through the snow. The person taking him away is dragging him with his teeth. The General orders everyone to go into their tents and arm themselves with whatever weapons they got. All they have are swords and knives.
The moon was just barely light enough to show the shadows of creatures outside. Distant shouting could be heard. And those shouts grew louder. Gust could hear the General shout orders.
"Fight for your lives!"
In corner of Gusts eye, he spotted one of the humanoid creatures heads poking through the tent. Making no sound as it opened it's mouth to attack one of Gusts comrades. Gust swung a sword at the monster, slicing it on the side of its face. Gust and his comrades attacked and slayed the demon until it was still. Then they fled from their tents, only to realize that their kill alerted the other creatures. Who began running right at them! Gust, with hells wind on his back rushed and dodged past the biting snarling beasts! In that moment he had an idea, if he could lure the monsters away from the camp, and hopefully make it to the enemy line. He could have them both attack one another.
So he ran, and by the Gods he ran. He prayed to the Gods hoping he'd make it, asking them to help him get there. As he ran, he carried his sword and swung it at the creatures if they got too close. As he ran, he heard them snarel and even howl.
Miraculously, he made it past the enemy line, and to their camp. Where he collapsed out of exhaustion. Last thing he heard were shouting, and roaring. No one won the battle."