CHAPTER 2- Scouts

"So then Leanthra, how about we put that little quarrel yesterday behind us and start a fresh, agreed?"

"Agreed Sir Gazla," said the Mithra

"Woa Woa please just Gazla will do thanks," exclaimed Gazla.

The two adventurers found themselves in a baron landscape with clear scars of war littered here and there. A dark cloudy sky blocked out the sun and the land was filled with sadness.

"Come on lets keep moving. Stay on you're guard, there are much worse things than Goblins that will aggro you here." Exclaimed Gazla. Leanthra Nodded and closely followed Gazla occasionally doing 360° turns making sure nothing were behind them.

"soooo" said Leanthra "Are you ready to accept I'm right and your wrong about that secretary business?"

"hahaha I knew you would bring that up sooner or later. One day we will settle that once and for all, deal?"

"Deal!" replied Leanthra

As the two carried on walking through the Barrows of the Batallia downs, hey began to notice something strange. There was no sight of Beastmen anywhere, not one Goblin could be seen and that was very unusual for these parts.

"Hmmm this sort of activity was reported near the other cities as well," said Gazla

"I know, it's as if they have disappeared off the face of Vanadiel." She said

"Yes indeed but there have still been sightings here and there...and yet the Beastmen count here is that of nothing so far. What's going on???"

"I don't know and I don't like it" she replied.

They continued to search for clues or anything resembling Beastmen activity in the area. After another 40 minutes of searching, the two of them decided to head back to Jeuno. On the way back, they had once again engaged in conversation.

"In my opinion, Windhurst Waters is the best fishing spot" Leanthra said. "I usually ride there to fish, because the San d'orian waters are all murky and all you ever catch is Moat Carp.

"I agree with you on this one. Windhurst is so relaxing and the fishing is just....

"Shhhhhhh.... you hear that??" whispered Leanthra interrupting Gazla. "I heard something, it came from over that brow over there." swords at the ready, they both crept over to the small hill and peaked over to find a Goblin Pathfinder smooching around.

"That's strange...Goblins never travel on their own." said Gazla

"Maybe he's lost" Leanthra thought.

"Perhaps but that's a Pathfinder, see the way he's sniffing the ground"

Suddenly the Goblin became aware of their presence and jumped up looking at the two with a look of horror on his face. He turned and ran off to the West.

"Stop right there!!" demanded Gazla, but the Goblin carried on running. Eventually they lost sight of it. "Let it go Gazla" Said Leanthra. "Lets go back to Jeuno and report what we saw." Gazla nodded and they both headed back to their embassy.

They told the Elvaan Ambassador there what had happened.

"So all you saw was one Goblin?" questioned the Elvaan.

"Yes sir a Pathfinder and he didn't aggro, he ran when he saw us." Explained Gazla. A second Elvaan standing by the wall stepped forward. "There's no doubt about it that the Goblin was a scout. The Beastmen are planning something"

"But what" replied the Ambassador in bewilderment? There was a brief silence for a minute, which was broken by Leanthra. "Sir what are our orders?"

"Oh yes you are dismissed for now but prince Pieuje is expecting the same thing tomorrow morning."

"Another scouting mission?" replied Gazla.

"Yes indeed. Good job today and don't tell anyone of what has been said within these walls, you understand?"

"YES SIR!" announced the two adventurers and they left the room.

"Well looks like I'll be seeing you again tomorrow Gazla" Leanthra said.

"Yea..." As they both began to walk off Gazla stopped and turned round.

"Leanthra!" he called. She turned and slowly walked back towards Gazla. "Yes Gazla?" she asked curiously. "Are you doing anything tonight? Well it sounds like I'm asking you out but I'm not, I was just wondering what you were doing because I have no plans and well I'm gonna be sitting on that chair over there" he pointed to a chair with a view of the gardens "and if you wanna join me, it would be nice to have some company" Leanthra smiled and gave a small nod and then walked off towards Upper Jeuno. Gazla turned back and whispered to himself "I promise I won't get emotionally attached...It's just work."

Meanwhile back inside the Embassy, the Ambassador is talking with his assistant.

"Ok sir I'll just get back to sorting these reports out and...Sir? Sir, are you ok? The Ambassador was sitting in his chair looking at the closed doors in front of him, clearly lost in thought. He turned his head to his assistant and softly murmured,

"Fear grows in my heart Radeivpart, I fear we are in danger."