Chapter 22 - Intersecting Paths
The night air blows coldly past the dark forest. The nearby wolves contribute further to the eerie atmosphere. Their cries through the trees indicate their threatening presence. I, however, only feel my blood rushing within my body.
My exhale formulate a frosty mist as I catch my breath. I gaze up at the starry skies while reflecting on my days. The bright moon seemingly stares back in acknowledgement.
The journey has been great so far. The path to Hoarfrost Hollow is somewhat molded by years of passing merchants and their carriages. And the map is a major contribution to my not getting lost.
It's been two days since I departed.
I'm glad I did.
Because I would not have relived the exhilaration of ripping out the living soul of Fomors.
Ahaha...
I missed this feeling.
The feeling which reminds me, I have to finish this.
The gnoll laying beside the campfire howls in excruciating pain. Its belly was sliced open. Its intestines had been shattered on the ground. The scene of a nightmare is dyed red from its scattered flesh. My bloodstained dual blades remain cold and heartless in my steady grip.
I calmly walk towards the severely injured. And... I crush its skull with a loud stomp, putting it out of its misery just like the rest of its party lying dead. The initial resistance of skull cracks away underneath the tremendous pressure of my foot.
I wash off the remnants of battle splattered on my equipment off at a nearby river. While I'm at it, I also quickly devour a portion of my food supply.
Feeling rejuvenated, I grab a campfire base as a torch and continue my journey through the dark and towards Hoarfrost Hollow, walking along the history paved paths from previous travelers.
This has been my routine ever since the first day when I encountered a campsite filled with several gnoll scouts. Needless to say, I engaged them directly. They didn't shy away from combat either. After the battle ended, the remaining few had fled when they realized they had no hopes of killing me. They must have alerted nearby patrols as they somehow tracked me down distances away. Thus I've been in numerous firefights with the straggler gnolls that appear out of nowhere.
I'm not complaining either. I long for these times of danger. Boring Colhen would never have these risks of attacks as the town is well protected by experienced mercenaries.
The cries of wolves sound nearer. The smell of blood must have attracted the hungry wolves because I soon find myself surrounded by a whole pack of 10. Their alert golden eyes slowly gauge the level of danger in the human standing before them. As soon as they deem me of low threat, they pounce forth simultaneously.
And I engage in another life threatening battle. Of course, my swords flash white in their predatory eyes. With lightning speed, I have already cut one of them down.
I'm not going down without a fight.
As if some stupid wolves are going to do me in.
Heh.
Meanwhile, back in Colhen, quite a few mercenaries have gathered within the Outpost, coincidentally including Fiona and Evie. As the only two girls in the room at the moment, they got along well and were chatting away in their own world, oblivious to the conversations around them.
"The Perilous Ruins have been considerably quiet these days."
"Well it should be. We have a constant stream of mercenaries patrolling the area and suppressing gnoll activities. Ever since we defeated the gnoll chieftain, the gnolls have been laying low."
"Not to mention the number of missions expanding into the Perilous Ruins."
The mercenaries were discussing the recent events in the Perilous Ruins until Ellis enters the Outpost with a message from Rocheste. He immediately reports to his commanding officer, Gwynn.
Ellis: "Gwynn, Riordan sent you a letter."
Raising a brow, Gwynn peeks over at the cadet in training. In order to complete his training, he has been following Gwynn ever since she was stationed at Cohen to monitor Fomor activities.
Gwynn: "Did he? Give it here."
She takes the letter from Ellis. As she reads it, a flicker of embarrassment crosses her face. Aodhan hushes the nearby mercenaries to quiet down and listens to the Rocheste commander.
Gwynn: "Hmph. According to this letter, a document stolen from Fobellow Prairie has ended up in the frozen caverns. The Royal Army has received an official order to look into this matter. I want the Crimson Blades to investigate it further."
Upon hearing her command, Marrec flashes an unpleasant look under his helmet. But no one can really see him under his helmet anyhow. Though it was no surprise to see several nearby mercenaries slowly backing away from sensing his anger.
Marrec: "Why don't you go search the area on your own? You're almost done investigating the Perilous Ruins, aren't you? Why are you still here, anyway? We're not here to do your dirty work."
Aodhan responds as soon as Marrec finishes.
Aodhan: "We will investigate the caverns."
Marrec: "Captain!"
Aodhan: As far as I know, the superior authority is vested here in this letter. Although we are mercenaries, we've been hired by the army in Rocheste. Hence, we must do as she says."
Marrec is speechless by his captain's compliance and falls silent.
Gwynn: "Thanks for your understanding. It is just as your captain says. In this letter, he's ordering me to investigate the area more thoroughly with the aid of the Crimson Blades. Since we haven't finished with the Fomorian Emblem, we will be staying here with you for a while."
Marrec: "...Pfft."
Marrec's scorn of hatred is ignored by Gwynn as she merely crosses her arms. However Ellis is slightly shaken by Marrec's visible anger.
Gwynn: "I want you to investigate Hoarfrost Hollow. I will be waiting for your report."
Having finished her duty of passing off the mission to the Crimson Blades, Gwynn and Ellis both leave the Outpost for Aodhan to sort out the rest. Aodhan picks up where Gwynn left off without a pause.
Aodhan: "Shaykard, you are the leader in this operation. Form a party and head off immediately."
Aodhan eyes a rough looking man in the midst of the mercenary crowd. Appearance wise, he doesn't stand out in particular. A head full of short black hair, strong body build, and carries a vibe that says "I won't fuck with you if you don't fuck with me." He is not armed like any other typical mercenary. His exception of custom load-out made him very noticeable. Bombs stored in a pouch on his waist belt, chain hooks dangle from the other side of the belt, throwing javelins attached on his back, two daggers strapped to his legs, and a gnarly sharp sword that holed in the center. Shaykard looked more of a hunter more than anything of a mercenary. Nevertheless, his menacing look and remarkable skills earned him his position in the Crimson Blades Mercenaries. With years of experience and his achievements in the Perilous Ruins of leading the western platoon, he has gained Aodhan's absolute trust.
Aodhan spots Fiona and Evie on the side. His eyes twitch for a split second when he discovers Lethita is nowhere in sight. He sighs silently.
Aodhan: "Also take the rookies with you. They need the experience."
Evie screams in her excited heart.
'Yes!'
Shaykard: "Yes sir!"
Outside the Outpost, Shaykard gathers both Fiona and Evie.
Shaykard: "Listen, I know the captain looked at you two when he said the rookies but he means Lethita as well. I know neither of you may be close with him. I just want you two be looking out for him. None of us veterans have come into contact with him and the closest he's got within the Crimson Blades are you two. Don't blame him for his coldness. It's understandable that he's this way."
Fiona and Evie look at each other as if to affirm Shaykard's words. Shaykard continues after seeing their brief exchange.
Shaykard: "Deaths come soon and instantly for many. I'm sure you know this. Lethita is actually a lot better now compared to when he first arrived to Colhen."
Shaykard chuckles.
Shaykard: "I found him lying on the side of the road during my patrol back then. He was badly wounded and barely alive. I can't imagine what the poor boy gone through before reaching here. His lifeless eyes screamed 'kill me and end the misery.' Such hardships befalling onto a boy barely of age pained us greatly."
Shaykard sighs as he looks over the distant mountains.
Shaykard: "Over time, he eventually regained what used to be of him. But he carries a great deal of sorrow inside him. It's easy to tell when you've been in this profession for as long as I have. His anguish will drag him down some day. Please help him when the time comes."
Seeing how neither rookie wanted to speak after a long moment of silence, Shaykard scratches his head and decides to dismiss the meeting.
Shaykard: "Okay that's all I wanted to say. We are moving out tomorrow morning. Get well rested and I shall see you back here tomorrow.
The two of them watch Shaykard as he walks off in the distance, presumably gathering necessary preparation for the mission. The two girls look solemn as they intake everything Shaykard had said.
They realize what they must do.
After 3 days, these restless nights filled with screams in the dark forest.
After 3 days of relentless battle, I've carved a bloody passage from Colhen to Hoarfrost Hollow.
I finally arrived at the Hoarfrost Hollow. I'm not usually one to complain but it is freezing cold here. I haven't even entered the caverns yet.
Shit, if I had realized that the "frost" in the name wasn't an exaggeration, I would've prepared thicker clothing.
Well, it's too late now. I quickly built a fire using nearby twigs and nestle a warm body to escape the cold.
The only option I have is to head in. The faster I finish, the faster I leave.
I take a deep long stare into the frosty caverns. The ominous entrance would probably scare any travelers into scrambling to get away.
Without further hesitation, I head in.
The icy floors hinder my movements greatly. The natural curvature of the tunnels does not help either. One slip will lose my entire balance.
Like this, step by step, I slowly progress in the Hoarfrost Hollow.