Chapter 11:A New Friend In Our Group

"Do you want tea?" Kirby asked Jayden and I

"Yes please" we both replied

Kirby poured tea on our tea cup and also poured his own tea cup. I looked around the view and also the big walls of the village.

"What a wonderful day, such a fine view" I said

We are outside of the village and outside just near the entrance of the Mystical Forest, we saw a lonely tree in a tiny hill just as I said just near the entrance of the Mystical Forest, there are tables and chairs near the lonely tree and decided to make tea there and eat some food.

Who even doesn't want a break? Yesterday was protecting the merchant and fought some 2 giants, the three of us decided to take a break from the guild for 3 days.

"*Sluuuurp* ahhhhhhh, the tea is very delightful" Jayden said after slurping his tea

"Such bad manners, in British manners, you MUST NOT slurp your tea, it is a bad manner" Kirby said to Jayden

Yeaaah, we were just here on a big table with a lot of seats, sitting and having tea while talking in British(I hope this is not considered as mocking Britain accent)

We are just having such a wonderful day, drinking tea and eating biscuits. I looked behind me, looking at the Mystical Forest, an idea came into my mind.

"After this tea party my lads, wanna go explore the Mystical Forest?" I asked Jayden and Kirby

"Well, that's a good idea my lad, there's nothing to do after this tea party" Jayden said

"Didn't they say that that's where the warlock was seen and called it as a forbidden forest?" Kirby said

"Well, Aldric said that there are good and bad warlocks, if the warlock in this forest is bad, I mean there are the three of us, of course we can beat that guy, and to add it all up, Anthanisia didn't die from the warlock so it is a high chance that it is a good one" I replied to Kirby

He nodded and we continued our tea party while talking about our stories.

"Ahhhhh, what a rest, ready to go?" Jayden stood up and said to us after a long rest from the tea

"Okay" Kirby replied

We all stood up and cleaned the table.

"Alright lads, let's go" I said to the three

I picked up my helmet from the ground and wore it and we entered the forest. As we ventured into the forest, the air grew thick with the scent of the flowers around us, birds chipped on the trees.

Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the moss-covered ground. We marveled at the beauty that surrounded us, our senses alive with the sights and sounds of the enchanted forest.

Suddenly, a rustling in the underbrush caught their attention, and they beheld a family of deer gracefully bounding through the trees, their antlers crowned with blossoms of vibrant hues.

"F*ckin hell, I thought that was an enemy" Kirby muttered

We continued our journey, the three of us came upon a shimmering pool nestled within a grove of ancient trees, its surface rippling with reflections of the surrounding flora. As we approached, colorful fish darted beneath the water's surface, their scales glinting like precious gems in the sunlight. Jayden knelt by the pool, his hand trailing through the cool water as he marveled at the tranquility of the scene.

"Wow, I didn't know this forest is that beautiful, wonder how beautiful the other forests are" Jayden said

Further along the forest path, we stumbled upon a meadow ablaze with a riot of wildflowers, their petals swaying in a gentle breeze that carried the sweet scent of nectar and honey. Butterflies flitted from bloom to bloom, their delicate wings painted in hues that seemed to defy the imagination. I laughed in delight, my eyes alight with wonder at the natural beauty that surrounded us.

We continued our journey, suddenly, we stumbled upon a cabin, it looked like the cabin that Aldric mentioned, newly built and clean.

"I think this is it, the warlock's house, maybe" I said to the two

I looked around the cabin, smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and the scent of a hearty stew wafted through the air, we closer. With cautious steps, they approached the cabin, its wooden walls adorned with intricate carvings that spoke of a bygone era.

I peered through the windows, I glimpsed a warm hearth crackling with flames and a table set with a feast fit for kings. A figure emerged from the cabin, their features obscured by a hooded cloak, and beckoned the us inside with a welcoming gesture. Intrigued yet wary, the three of us exchanged glances before crossing the threshold into the cozy interior of the cabin, their hearts brimming with anticipation.

I opened the cabin door,

"It's not locked" I said to the two

We entered the cozy cabin, we were greeted by a figure cloaked in the shadows, his features obscured by the hood of his cloak. The air in the cabin crackled with an otherworldly energy, and the three of us exchanged wary glances, unsure of the intentions of the enigmatic resident.

I heard two daggers behind me unsheathed, I just kept my cool.

"Uhhhh, are you a warlock? This is our first time seeing a warlock" I asked the guy who is in front of us

"Well yes, you are correct, I am a warlock, my name is Marc" the warlock replied and introduced himself

"And what are the three of you doing here?" Mark added

I heard 2 swords sheathed behind me, they think this is a good warlock.

"Well, we are just venturing into this forest just like taking a vacation, it is indeed beautiful and as we ventured in deeper, we saw your cabin" I replied to Mark

"It is indeed a beautiful place that I want to share this place with the people from the nearby big village, but they feared me because I am a warlock but I see that the three of you don't want to kill me, it's been a long time since I interacted with people" Mark said to us

"Oh right, I remembered a girl a long time ago came here, he just looked at me, screamed and ran away, I'm not sure why" Mark added

I'm pretty sure he's talking about Anthanisia.

"Ohhhh, if you're a warlock, can you show us your powers?" Jayden said and asked Mark

"Follow me outside then, I will show you my powers" Mark went outside and we followed

"Okay, there are many types of warlock powers but mine is called Pact of Weapons, I can summon crossbow, sword, spear and axe, that's all, let me show you" Mark said to us

Mark snaps his fingers, a beautiful blue glowing sword pops up on his left, it floats, wow.

"This is a sword, well, it seems magical but doesn't cut anything in one shot, well it's a good weapon to scare enemies for how magical look it is" Mark said to us

He controlled the sword around with his hand, the sword moved around as Mark ordered, he swung the sword to the tree, the sword got stuck on their tree, Mark got it out by ordering. He snaps his finger, the sword banished.

"Wooow, that's so cool" Kirby said to Mark in amazement

"It is also similar to the other three, they can float but doesn't do one shots" Mark said to us

"Now for my second power, well not really much of like a power like it's just a friend that accompanied me, a familiar" Mark added

He snaps his fingers, a familiar pop up in front of him, it is small and a different animal, it flies around the air and to the ground, it has the body of a lion and a head of an eagle.

"Is that what they call a Griffin?" I asked

"Yes" Mark replied

The griffin danced gracefully around, Mark whistled, the griffin flew towards Mark and stopped in front of him, Mark snaps his finger and gone.

"And that is a familiar, they can aid us in various ways, such as scouting, delivering items, or providing assistance in combat" Mark explained

We just looked at him in shock, I felt a tap beside me.

"Hey, I want this guy in our group, our group needs magic bro" Jayden whispered to me

Yeah, it felt like I wanted Mark in our team but, would he accept it?

"Aherm, ummm, I know this SOUNDS very differently but do you want to join our group?" I asked Mark

Mark looked surprised, he looked around him and looked at his house.

"Well ummm, to be honest, I am ready to leave the place I have been living a long time because it is lonely, yes, I would be glad to join in your journeys" Mark answerd

Hah, hell yeah, the three of us are overjoyed, Mark literally just accepted our request.

"Well, before we go, why don't we go inside for a meal and my last final meal at this house" Marc said to us

I looked at the sun, it's setting now and it's dark, we're going back to the village at night. We cooked the available ingredients in this house, we made a dish.

"Okay let's eat" Jayden said as I placed the cooked food on the table in front of him

We all enjoyed the food, and feasted, we talked while eating.

"Or right I forgot to ask but, where are the three of you live?" Marc asked us

"Well, we lived at the big village near this house, not our own house but we are renting, don't worry, I'll pay for your rent in just one night, you'll pay it by yourself when we earn money" I replied

Marc suddenly stopped eating

"In the village? Won't people kill me there if they saw me?" Marc asked

"Don't worry, I'll give you this armor if we get there, they still haven't seen my real face so they won't ask us who is in the armor if I'm not in the armor, well buy you clothes when we get there" I replied

"Oooohh, good thinking" Jayden joined in

We continued eating again, we finished our food, Marc said he will gather his needed items around the house and pack it, we waited and rested.

"Okay, ready to go?" Marc asked us

We all stood up, I took Marc's lamp and lit it, Marc killed all the light sources inside his house, the three of us have lamps, only Marc is carrying his things.

We started going back, Marc looked behind, he made one last look at his dark house and followed us, we followed the trails where we came from.

*Awoooooooo*

We heard a wolf over yonder.

"Ready your guards okay?" I said to the two

We followed the path, we walked and walked and walked, saw the light of the village.

"Okay we're here" I said to Marv

I removed my armor and gave it to Marc, Marc wore it. We walked to the entrance, the guards let us pass, it went smoothly. We went straight to the store, I went around the store to find a mage clothes.

I called Mark to go to the changing room and wear the clothes, I didn't know the shops had a changing room, but the one that covers the customer is rag but unseeable.

Marc is finish and I went in to wear my armor again.

"The clothes will be 350 Gold coins sir" the lady on the counter said

I paid the clothes, we went straight to the inn, I asked the girls if there's an extra room while Kirby and Jayden went to their room to sleep, they had an extra room, I paid for Marc, Marc went to his room.

I also went my room and removed my armor and a jumped on my bed to sleep, I felt excited that we have a new friend that has power of magics, haha, tommorow will be exciting.