Early omen

We - Kaya, Mayy'k, and I - moved at a brisk pace, staying ahead of the camp and then some. After about an hour or so, we lost sight of the group trailing behind us. With Jarrem leading, there's no need to worry about the group losing track of us.

 ight now, I shouldn't be concerned about them; we are the ones facing greater risk. I need to focus; Jarrem isn't here to take charge. It's up to me now to ensure out safety.

Our plan is to head for the river north west of here. There, we'll rendezvous, refill our bottles, spend the night, and then follow the river continuing north towards the outpost - unless we come across something unexpected or concerning.

While I'm skeptical about this Hamel place being a kingdom ruled by humanity, I don't doubt it's existence. It would not be the first of its kind to lure humans into working for them. I recall a conversation with an adventurer about a city far west that employed humans as labourers. He said they numbered in thousands and were overseen by Devas. Hamel would likely be such a place.

"Hey Sol, don't you think you're being rude and shameless to Sir Jarrem and Sarah?" Kaya, who is to my left, interrupted my thoughts.

As I was about to answer, Mayy'k on my right piped up. "He IS rude. That's what happens when you don't get disciplined by your father. You become arrogant and disobedient. I reckon Sir Jarrem is only putting up with you, Sol, because you are somewhat useful despite your intolerable personality. I've seen others just like you, and let me tell you, It didn't end well for them. If you knew better, you would-"

"Man, what!? Mayy'k, I didn't know you thought of me like that... Is this what happens when you're born too short? Fuck, that's sad!"

"Hahaha, seems like he's holding a grudge against you. What did you to him, Sol? Seriously, though, you know Sir Jarrem was a mercenary, right? Why do you keep poking Sarah like that in front of him? Heck, he beats you up almost every week and justifies it as training. Do you enjoy getting beaten, my friend?"

"You don't understand, Kaya. He's already approved of me! And that's training! He's preparing me for when I have to defend our family in the future."

 We don't need words; real men speak through their actions! Jarrem hasn't stopped me yet, not for a long time now, anyway.

"'Our family'? I mean, sure, but why does he use a wooden sword during 'training' while you're barehanded? To better train you?"

"Good question, Kaya. Let me answer for Sol: its his way of trying to correct him, obviously! Sir Jarrem is a respectable and generous man. Who else would teach Sol how to be a proper person? It falls to Sir Jarrem himself, no matter how unfortunate it is. How does it even make sense for Sol to be the only one receiving his teachings? That wouldn't make sense at all! You know what else? I bet Sarah only feels bad for you; otherwise, she wouldn't entertain your nonsense."

"... Don't listen to him Kaya, I think his sister gave him a hiding again. Poor guy; he'll settle down once he gets some sleep."

"Me?! Beaten up by my sister?! Don't be ridiculous! You know what, Sol? I've had it- hey, you! Are you listening-"

Alright, I should just ignore him at this point. I do feel bad for him, but I have to wonder what he even does to provoke his angel of a sister.

"Well, to answer your question, Kaya, he said I'm hopeless with a sword. Heck, even in general combat. However, he thinks it's a waste if I don't make use of my sturdy body. Jarrem believes it's a better strategy for me to overpower people rather than out skill them. Our sessions mostly involve me figuring out ways to close the gap and disarm opponents - preferably without losing a limb.

"Spoken like a brute."

"Ok, I'll believe you. Onto my previous question, then: don't you think you're being rude and shameless?

"Shameless, yes. You know I had to beg for food growing up, right? I wouldn't be here if I hadn't developed a thick skin. Rude? Nah. Jarrem is just strict with me; its his way of looking out. As for Sarah, well, she hasn't told me to take a hike yet."

Not that it would stop me.

"Fair enough. Well, Sol, do you think he'd train me if you asked him for me? I tried asking him last time to teach me the sword, and he just laughed at me and said no - it was sad."

"You? Learn the sword? HA! You'd swing that thing and break your own bones! Wow, I never-"

"Shut up, shorty. Listen, he probably didn't laugh because he thinks you, of all people, wanted to learn the sword. If I were to guess, being completely honest here, with how thin and tall you are, you'd need all of our camp's food and some to build your body up! You'd suck our group dry of supplies! Why don't you ask him about something else instead? I heard he knows a thing or two about sewing! That way you'd learn a skill from him, and I get to spend time with Sarah while he's occupied."

"Oh, go fuck yourself Sol!"

= * =

While bantering, we continue heading northwest.

We didn't stop, and if we did, it was only to drink water and grab a light snack. So far, throughout the whole way, we haven't encountered anything of concern - until now, anyway.

"Tracks, Sol. Looks like others were here before us."

"Yep, looks like it - northbound. Hmm, around 10 pairs of feet, give or take."

"We also found livestock tracks. Check these prints out - just one from the looks of it. I wonder if they have anything to do with the outpost we're heading toward."

"Maybe they do, maybe they don't. Hmmm..."

"What's wrong?

"It's very similar to the one we passed: their numbers, varying depths of prints, a single possible mount, their behaviour -"

"Behaviour?"

"Yeah, something about the way, ahh... I'm not too sure how to explain it. Something about their walk being carefree or lazy? Look, almost like they are dragging themselves as they walk. It's too good to be a coincidence."

"Maybe they're patrols from the outpost."

"Unlikely. Jarrem and I already ruled out the possibility that they're soldiers. Also, we're roughly a week away from the outpost. Two patrols this far from their outpost makes no sense to me. What are they protecting at that point?"

"You have a point. So maybe bandits. You think they have a hideout nearby? Maybe they're looking to intercept travellers going to Hamel."

"Then they'd be the most attentive group of bandits I know."

Also, why not set an ambush instead? We're in a forest, after all. And where did these people come from? There were no tracks leading here. It's almost as if they appeared here out of nowhere.

"Like I said, we don't know for sure. Also one more thing, Mayy'k! Could you go around the area and look for where these people came from? Check for traces but prioritize your safety."

"...On it."

"Oh don't be so glum, I forgive you for your earlier transgressions! Kaya and I will follow their tracks - we'll come back in an hour. If we don't, return to the others as quick as you can. Tell Jarrem everything; he'll know what to do."