Orange Armored Bug Monster!

We started to get closer to the coast and I could smell a slight smell in the air. Tim had told me that it would smell salty as we got closer to the water, and I was interested to see it. Our carriage took a turn around some trees and then I was hit with a blinding light.

The sun was going down and the reflection from the endless rolling water was burning into my eyes. I put my hand up and got a better angle to see and the view was breathtaking. For a person that had only ever seen lakes and rivers, it was hard to describe what it was like being able to look out across the water and not see the other side.

I turned myself and let Lesha lay back against my chest, and I wrapped my right arm around her waist. She put her head back beside me and pressed her cheek into mine. Then taking my other hand in hers and wrapping it around her waist. This was nice, and the two of us stayed like that until the road reached the water.

From here, we would travel for a day along the coast, then head back inland to stop at Corbit's parent's farm. The boys had gotten back up top, and Gloria and Mei were both sleeping, Mei was cuddled into Gloria's chest, using her breasts as pillows.

I heard a tap come from up top and I kissed Lesha before getting her up, then I shook Gloria's knee to wake her. The girls had got about three hours of sleep, so they would be on the first watch with Mark and Kevin. After Lesha, Tim, and I would take the second watch and sleep in the carriage tomorrow, well we would.

Tim hardly ever seemed to sleep, but maybe it had something to do with his eye. Now that I thought about it, I don't think I had ever seen him sleep. Maybe I would ask Corbit later, but for now, we had to get out to help get camp set up.

We had chosen an open place not that far from the water but far enough off the main road that we wouldn't be spotted if we kept the fire small and shielded. Tim told me it wouldn't matter, there were already people watching us. He had told me not to look around for them, but I found it hard not to look. Still, even with my enhanced eyes, I couldn't find anyone.

"They are gone now, they will be back later when it's our shift. Don't worry about it, as I said before, anyone who is in this trade isn't very good at their job. The best we can hope for is that they see the size of our party and decide to leave us be, but fat chance," Tim said, helping Gloria and me with our tent.

"Or the Werewolf eats them, that would be okay as well. Maybe then she would be full for a while," Gloria said as she drove the last stake into the ground.

"Do werewolves normally drink blood?" I asked, genuinely interested.

"Not normally, but they do it to recharge their bodies if they are seriously injured, but most of the time they just eat meat or the same as us. Vampires, on the other hand, must drink human blood, animals won't work, but I don't know if they can drink humanoid monsters' blood. I have never heard of a vampire going into a dungeon but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened," Tim explained.

"Maybe the two have been fighting? I need to get them both reigned in before one kills the other. Plus I have two monsters I have never heard of before hunting me and that isn't what I would call appealing."

"Hey, they both are women, could be worse, am I right, haha!" Tim joked but I leveled a look at him that made him stop laughing, but not smiling as he turned back to the fire Kevin was at preparing a stew.

Kevin gave Tim a look, but didn't say anything or try to get away. I wonder what made him change his mind?

Lesha came over to me with Mei, and grabbed both Gloria and me, dragging us to the shore. Waves were rolling and crashing onto the sand that was covered with strange shells and smooth rocks. Lesha let go of Gloria and Mei took the lead, dragging Gloria with her up to the water.

"Isn't it nice? You have never been to open water like this, right?" Lesha asked standing beside me, holding my hand.

I didn't answer right away, I held onto the moment. There was a light breeze coming from the water, and the smell of salt was a lot stronger here. The sun was gone now, and the twilight was fading.

"No, I haven't, but I am really glad that I can be here with you. Thank you for finding me."

"Finding you? You saved me, K. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you either! I am really happy to spend this and more with you," Lesha said as we turn to each other.

The light had finally faded and now the night was setting in. I pulled Lesha into a kiss, feeling the wind pulling and tangling our hair. After the kiss, I put my forehead to hers and brushed my hand on her cheek.

I was about to go in for another kiss, but then Mei yelped out a loud, OwO, and both of us turned quickly. Gloria was trying to get a weird-looking big orange bug that had an armored body off Mei's finger. It had grabbed her with one of its armored claws; was that a monster outside of a dungeon?

Gloria finally got it off and threw the beast in the water, and the two of us ran over. Mei's finger was just red and a little scratched, but Gloria wouldn't let me heal it.

"What? Why not? That little monster could have some kind of poison or something! I have never seen something like that!" I said with concern.

All three girls looked at me, even Mei, and started to laugh.