Chapter 21: The mystery acts in the forest
A group of halflings rode swiftly atop their contracted beast , like powerful purple tiger, and some just use normal horse bu the purple tiger is a rare contracted beast known for its unmatched speed and ferocity. They had just finished a successful raid. Now, they set their eyes on a new target.
And behind them there a carts loaded with spoils and Goods for the village.
Halfad, the leader, looked around and said, "We've hunted a lot. Thanks to our last leader—he did a good job last year by his Wise decisions ."
Murad, a red-haired halfling, gave a half-smile. "So, you agree with what I did last year? Choosing not to hunt the gazelles and other animals let's them to multiply more?"
Halfad brushed his hand on Murad shoulder and nodded. "It was a great decision you did make ."
Murad looked thoughtful. "I wanted to let some of them go, even into the hyenas' lands… But unfortunately, they're still being used too much. There's no sign of reason behind their actions lately ju greedy something i wonder why they just not make they're environment better."
Halfad's voice turned serious. "I'll go investigate with them once we reach the village they location is close to us ."
Another halfling perked up joyfully. "The kids will be so happy with what we've brought to them!"
Yet another halfling came closer to Halfad and Murad, speaking quickly. "I saw Gin and Gon in the forest, far from the village. We should meet them in a few minutes on the road. They looked like they were fighting something—but they seemed calm. Just a few wild monsters."
Murad raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, Bothelmir?"
Halfad narrowed his eyes. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Murad turned quickly. "Bothelmir, come with me. The others should guard and make sure they reach the village with what we hunted. We're the only ones who have a faster contracted monster."
Halfad, Murad, and Bothelmir spurred their tigers into a running and dashed into the forest, to gin and Gon direction.
In the Forest…
A young halfling grinned. "These wild hyenas are no match for us."
"Yes, Gin," Gon replied, his dark hair tied back. He wore practical adventurer clothes and carried a small sword—just like his twin.
Gin, also dark-haired and similarly dressed, pointed forward. "There's another group. Let's hunt them too, then go back."
With a few fluid movements, the twins dispatched all the wild hyenas.
Gin crouched next to one. "Aren't these hyenas larger than usual? More fur… and longer fangs what you think Gon ?"
Gon squinted. "Now that you mention it—yeah. But they're still no match for us, so it doesn't matter. Let's go back don't think much of it Gin."
"True," Gin said. "Let's move Gon."
But suddenly, a strange spell activated. Gin turned to his brother. "Gon! Notice that aura—it's surrounding us!"
Before they could react, the magic engulfed them and transported them far from the village.
Gin hit the ground and gasped. "It was a transfer trap! But we didn't get sent too far… We activated our skills just in time."
They both stood up and dusted themselves off. Gon said let's go back faster Gin said Jina and Arif and even Lily in the village, along with many other halflings fighters they bee fine.
The twins began walking back through the forest and soon found the road.
Gon pointed. "Isn't that Halfad's contracted tiger?"
Gin pouted. "I want my own contracted beast too, but they keep ignoring me…"
Gon nodded. "And Murad… even Bothelmir."
In no time, the group reached them.
Murad rushed forward. "What are you doing here?"
Gon quickly explained the situation.
Halfad's eyes widened. "Hyenas shouldn't be able to use a trap spell with that good conditions... Let's move faster!"
Murad and Halfad took off at full speed.
"Big brother!" Gin and Gon shouted behind them.
Bothelmir turned to them. "Come on, ride behind me. Let's go. It's not your fault—you did great. I can sense the spell still lingering on you. If it were anyone else, they might've ended up on the far side of the forest."
The twins hopped onto Bothelmir's tiger, and they raced ahead.
Back at the Village…
Halfad arrived first and found Arif waiting at the entrance.
Murad caught up, out of breath. "Nothing bad happened, right?"
Arif gave a long sigh. "Not bad…"
Murad frowned. "What a relief."
"But not good either," Arif added.
Murad grunted. "Continue your words in one sentence, old man."
Arif stroked his beard, chuckling softly. "Pardon me... The hyenas did to us what they've already done to five other villages in the forest they think them self smart bu i make a decision I let them go it's your turn know discover what happened with those hyenas."
Halfad looked around at the nearby children. "Not in front of the kids."
Arif's voice turned hesitant. "They've seen it all already. We did not teach them the laws of the forest yet, our duties as a blessed village. They've seen the dark side first this will impact them."
Murad spoke with shock. "My son is reckless… We need to act."
Halfad sighed. "Do I look like I'm in a better situation? Halfy is even more reckless."
Lily, a black-haired halfling, stepped forward. "They are. If I hadn't stopped them, you two would be getting investigated by the forest guardians—the elves."
Murad's hand brushed Lily's arm. "Thank you for that. I won't forget it. I've already been investigated by them a few times."
Bothelmir smirked. "And whose fault is that?"
Murad narrowed his eyes. "Did you say something?"
Bothelmir shrugged. "No, it's just the wind."
Gin and Gon stepped closer. "Where are the others?"
Lily answered, "You two came back faster than other did... The others went to handle the monster attacks after they hear it. But they haven't returned yet. I've been working hard, and I even sent out an expensive magical bird to locate them sorry for that harfad we in financely bad situation."
A shimmering blue bird landed on her shoulder.
Lily smiled. "And here he is."
She opened the magical message. "This is from Bascal and Jiny. They said they got stuck in a magical trap and were transported near the Wolf Forest, after fighting off a bloody bear."
She looked up. "They'll need a few days to get back. The same happened to the others."
Gin and Gon glanced at each other with smug grins. "We made it. Now they can't tease us anymore and we will make fun of them as much as we can ."
Bothelmir tilted his head to his brothers. "Did you say something ?"
The twins replied in unison, "No, must've been the wind."
Halfad looked ahead. "Let's go. We'll start investigating once the others arrive."
Halfy and Redly came charging in.
Halfy shouted, "I'll catch them with my axe!"
Redly rolled his eyes. "Stupid! Use a sword—we'll move faster!"
Halfy grinned wickedly. "No, I want them to feel the pain."
Murad and Halfad exchanged shocked glances, looking toward the others.
Gin and Gon bolted away. "We need to clean the house!"
Bothelmir laughed. "I'll leave to ensure nothing important is missing."
Murad and Halfad turned toward Arif, the wisest among them—but Arif was no longer there.
Only a copy remained, slowly vanishing with a sly smile.