The next morning, everyone woke up like any other, only Zale and I knew of the troubles that had happened last night. But both of us were in the same mind that it wouldn't do any good to worry them over something that had already happened.
However, with the stress of knowing that there was a strong monster lurking somewhere in this forest, Zale and I decided to hurry everyone along. So, even though we were estimated to arrive around lunchtime, we managed to see the village in the distance around mid-morning.
Luka seemed to become restless and wanted to rush as soon as he saw his village. However, he seemed to remember how dangerous the roads were, this far east. This was the last settlement before reaching the realm of the elves, after all.
An hour past before we got close enough to see the villagers going about their day. As soon as we were spotted, we were met with suspicion and were completely avoided, some even ran into their homes. 'I should really get used to this kind of reaction.' I smiled dryly as I remembered my first day in this game.
Luka ran a few steps ahead of us, seemingly looking for someone, or to let the villagers see a familiar face. Either way, people who recognised him ran off themselves, probably looking for the same people that Luka himself was looking for.
"Luka! Is that you?" An old man called out from off to the side. Turning towards the voice, I saw a small old man. He was thin and small, as if he had shrunk in his old age. His clothes, hair and moustache were well kept. But his weathered, wrinkly skin was proof of many years of hard work.
"Grandpa!" Luka yelled in return as he spotted the old man. His voice cracked under the emotion he felt from seeing this old man.
He broke into a sprint towards the old man. I was concerned that at the speed he was going, that he might barrel straight into him and cause an accident. However, this seemed to be a regular occurrence, as the old man stepped to one side at the last moment, making Luka lose his balance and land onto the floor.
"How many times do I have to tell you, boy? Be more aware of your surroundings." The old man rebuked.
A moment of silence spread throughout the village square, were by this time, many onlookers had gathered. However, the silence was soon broken by Luka's and the old man's laughter. The other villagers also shared a laugh as well. Something told me that this was a common occurrence between these two.
I turned around to look at Zale and the other elves, as I wasn't really one for loving reunions. I noticed that the elves all looked quite uncomfortable to be around this many humans, who by this time, many of the villagers had taken notice of them and had started to whisper.
"We can either spend the night here and stock up on supplies. Or, seeing as it's still early, we can hit the road soon." I suggested. I was mainly talking to Zale as the other elves didn't seem comfortable with interacting with any other than her.
Zale peeked at the three over her shoulder. She seemed to be struggling with coming to a decision as constant travel was hard on the body, especially when it was winter. But before she had time to speak, another voice spoke.
"So, I hear that I have you and your friends to thank for saving my grandson." The old man spoke, as he had made his way towards us in the time I had been talking to Zale.
"Well, it was a happy accident, as I was assisting the lady with her mission." I replied, careful with my words not to offend anyone or reveal too much information.
"I see. Well, it still doesn't change the fact that you are his saviour." He replied, only being momentarily enamoured with the elves in front of him.
"May I ask you a question?" I asked, as I cast my gaze over the village.
"Of course." He replied with a smile.
"Have you heard anything about a group of bandits in the area?" I asked outright. The old man seemed to be blindsided by the sudden question.
"Thankfully not. Living out here on the frontier is dangerous enough with all the wild monsters. If we had to contend with bandits on top of that, I doubt we would even survive a season." He replied with a smile.
"Of course, that would make things difficult." I joined in with his jovial smile with a laugh.
He joined in with my laugh as we both stood in the village centre. Anyone who saw us would have thought that we were old friends the way we were laughing.
'He's lying. I've met my fair share of liars in my life to know that this old man was skilled at it.' I kept my thoughts to myself.
"Well, it's a happy day that Luka managed to get home safe. We plan to make the most of the light and head out. We'll leave you to your reunion." I smiled as I spoke. The old man, however, was taken by surprise.
"A-Are you sure? It would be rude of us to let someone we are indebted to leave without so much as a thanks. How about you stay for the night at least." The old man spoke with his voice shaking slightly.
"Any other time and I would have accepted. However, these ladies are a little anxious to get home and I'd be loathed to miss out on the rest of the light." I remained firm on my decision, as my gut was telling me that something was off.
"I see. Well, that is unfortunate. To tell you the truth, I was hoping to hire someone with a little issue we had, and you seemed capable, as you saved Luka." The old man added. The more he spoke, the move it seemed like he was trying his best to keep us here.
"Ah, well, I only take one request at a time and as you can see, I've gotten my hands full at the moment. However, if you still need assistance on my way back through in a few days. I'd gladly assist." I replied with carefully placed courtesy. However, the old man's brow seemed to become moist with sweat.
"Yes, yes of course." Was the only thing he could say.
I bade them farewell and walked past them towards the east side of town, the elves followed behind me. Though at some point Zale walked up to my side.
"You seemed rather adamant to leave." She remarked. Though, she looked rather relieved. I wasn't sure whether it was because we were leaving or that she didn't have to make the decision.
"Yes, well my gut was telling me that something wasn't quite right." I replied, just quiet enough for her to hear.
"What do you mean?" She asked, slightly taken aback by my comment.
"He was lying about the bandits. Plus, he seemed too eager to keep us here for the night." She started to understand what I was getting at.
"Also, there is no way a group of bandits could operate this far east without supplies. And this village is the only one for miles, but it doesn't look touched by monsters, let alone bandits. My guess would be that they have a deal with them." I voiced my thoughts to her, and I saw her gaze become ice cold.
"Then, they were probably planning to capture us while we slept and hand us over to the bandits." Zale concluded my thought.
"I can't say for certain. But I think while the possibility is there, it would be safe for us to keep moving." I said, and Zale nodded. She wanted to eradicate those who took her kin away, but as a trained soldier, she knew that for now, we needed to get the others to safety. And it was best to act on solid evidence and not speculation.
"I'm thinking we increase the pace drastically, once we are away from prying eyes. Do you think your kin can manage it?" I asked, as it had only been a few days since their rescue and did look more healthier, but still a little frail.
"Ha, I'm more worried about such a scrawny mage like yourself." Zale scoffed in a boisterous tone. It surprised me for a moment. But then I remembered that she and I had gotten fairly close, these past few days.
"Oh, don't worry yourself too much, soldier lady. Or this scrawny mage will leave you in his dust." I returned her boisterous tone with a wide smile as we continued through the village and soon arrived at the outskirts.
Just outside of the village was the edge of the eastern forest. It connects to the country of the elves and was even more perilous than the forest we just passed through.