14 Chapter 13 - The Adventurers.

In the coming weeks, the land was silent and the only things alive were the twittering birds and creatures.

Chittering as they peck upon dead bodies and parts left strewn upon the ground, in what used to be the Stoxwood now remain whats left of the kingdoms.

Away from the man eating giants and hunters that sought to capture them, their numbers wealthy but their supplies were low. Settling in the middle with newly made huts from the deadwood, a nice warmly lit fire that wasn't dangerous around these parts anymore.

The creatures that roamed this place spread when the Capitol fell, fleeing to the corners of the realm in all directions...making Aspendria a lot more dangerous than it used to be.

Not too far away from the camp, two figures walk the path in the blazing sun; its heat warming their brows as they walk towards the camp, the clunking of their armor pieces resonated throughout the quiet woods.

The charred black trees sway stiffly planted in the summer winds, the gust of wind trailing up their armor and through their hair.

A familiar Orc and Knight shuffle their feet, their faces rough and tired while their armor stained in dried blood, seeing the camp as Albert's eyes light up.

"Guess those merchants were right, there really is more than one human camp around here" He says inspecting

"Not to mention creature nests, we shouldn't stick around for long" Rodahn begrudgingly says, his stubborn brow creasing as he looks around.

Noticing the humans racing into their homes once they catch light of the Orc, shunning away with fright as he scoffs.

"Typical humans, terrified over nothing" He mutters, Major lifts his brow at his remark.

"Not all of us are milk drinkers, though you could stand to smile more...you do look a little hungry"

"What do you expect? we've been on the road since the Capitol and the last time we ate was the Valley"

The two cease their banter as they reach the middle of the camp, people gazing from poorly made windows and mud walls.

A lot of them wearing royal colours and robes, covered in mud and dirt.

"What do you want?!" One asks from a far, Majors brows creasing in concern as he lifts his hand in a peaceful way.

"We're just passing through, but we're also open for trade" he admits.

"Do you have food?!" Another shouts as they slowly begin emerging from the huts, a fair group of people gather around the two, offering jewelry and gems of all kinds.

The two look at the heap of gems and treasure in front of them, and begin searching in their knapsacks for any food they had. Apples, wheat and some seeds to start a farm with what little they already had, it wasn't much but it was enough for them.

Taking the food gratefully as they all rush to feed their children and themselves, few left on the outside enjoying the breeze as they go back to normal.

The children were in good spirits, but the older generations spread a fast moving desperation, depression ravaging the camp in all aspects.

"Do you really think Caspia is our best bet?" Rodahn turns to Major with still eyes, his tone was unsure but it didn't sway Majors mood.

"Its was his home...my home as well, if he retreated anywhere its there"

"I just hope you're right, those merchants were in a hurry to get far away...do you know what happened after you left?"

"You saw that army...all of its people are dead, I'd be surprised if anything else was there but a deserted kingdom" he admits looking down at the floor.

His memory shifting to Camilla whenever he thought of Caspia, her sweet smile with her lovely red hair pouring from her head.

Remembering some of the last words he spoke to her before they went in for battle.

Rodahn was also stuck in his feelings, failing a promise to an Orc is like having your heart ripped from you, it makes you less of a living being in their culture.

And he was feeling the brunt of it, the scar he made for Endar had stung since the day the Tower fell, his hand tracing it with a mournful gaze looking up.

Caspia's spire could be seen through the trees, but the rest remained a mystery.

"Lets stay here for the night, we have no idea what or who is in there..." Ro exclaimed as Major continues to eye the camp.

"Fine, but I'm going to look around and scout the area...can never be too careful"

They both nod to each other before splitting, Major moves to the edge of the camp as he slowly circles the circumference of the camp with his hand planted directly on his holy sword.

Rodahn was occupied with his weapon, using a whetstone to sharpen it as a little boy approaches him, watching him intently with big curious eyes.

The Orc didn't pay him much notice, until he sits next to the towering figure with great bravery. The size difference was a large gap as one strains to look down while the other strains to look up.

Their eyes meeting and the boy suddenly takes off, Rodahn's stare was held by the little boy until he disappears into the shrubbery.

His brows creasing in concern, while Major continues to secure the perimeter. His armored boots could be heard over the crackling fire of the camp, his holy sword quietly humming in its scabbard while his eyes flit out into the Stoxwood.

Who knows what stayed and what left, These woods stalked Caspia for centuries with its monster raids and every so often there would be peaceful nights, but most were full of blood and death, and it stunk Caspia out with its stench. The few times Major saw shadows in the trees he shrugged off, the one thing that couldn't move in this forest was the blackened wood.

Returning back to his friend with a quickened pace and sits next to him on the log he sat on, the two of them staring out into the tiny settlement with neutral gazes.

"So far the place is pretty safe,but if they were to get attacked they wouldn't stand a chance" Major says as Ro continued to survey the small crowd of humans trying to get by with what little they have.

"Why haven't they taken refuge in the castle?" he asks, wondering why'd they stay so far out from it, he stands and approaches one of the men standing by one of the huts, sheathing his war axe on his back when he stands in front of him, the sunlight casting a large shadow over the tinier man.

"C-can i help...you?"

"Yeah, you can tell me why you and your people haven't gone back to your kingdom...whats wrong with it?"

He looks to his people with saddened eyes, then back to the orc in an awkward silence.

"Most of the men that were here with us left to see if it was safe..."

"And they didn't come back, how long?" Rodahn probes the man as his face scrunches up in discomfort, looking back up at him in fear.

"A week ago..."

Rodahn grumbles to himself as he strolls back over to Major, his glare was determined and major could see he had a plan.

"The people have tried searching the castle, but none of them have returned...I suggest we go see whats inside" he proposes to him as Major smirks.

"I'm sure you and I can handle it, when we doing this?"

"Now, while its still light"

The two nod to each other as they ready up, giving farewells to the civilians while they stroll towards Caspia, leaving the camp with their armor shining bright rays of light throughout the dark forest. Major may not wear the crest anymore, but Caspia will forever be him true home, not with the hunters or in the Capitol, here is where he found love and honor.

Rodahn didn't feel the same, when Caspia helped rally against the monsters when King Jerrod was in rule, he sided with the hunters, strengthening the Stag Kings army.

Major was in the process of protecting the king while his army fought the war, there was no clear winner, but the hunters ran and over time monsters reigned over the land, some just wanted to live peacefully and live their lives, while others were dead set on the extinction of humanity.

Over the years after, many were killed, while the hunters were nowhere in sight, the land a wreck then, just like it is now.

"I hope the Castle is still intact, there might be useful supplies and weapons we can take for our hunt" Major admits while the walls of Caspia grew closer with each step, soon standing beyond the main gate, or what was left of it...smashed to bits by Camus when he and his army charged towards the Capitol.

But in the time that has past, Peculiar looking vines and plants had overgrown inside, even though its only been unoccupied for over a week.

"Well, at least it isn't Demons or Ogres" Ro sighs reassured he didn't have to tank such difficult foes, but Majors eyes remained worried.

"Yeah...but i have a pretty good idea of what it is, if there is anybody in there alive, they're really good at hiding"

"What do you mean?" Rodahn asks in concern.

"HELP MEE!!!"

A blood curdling scream echoes from inside the walls, Major and Rodahn rush inside past the vines, leaves and trees covered the entire inside of Caspia, the wooden structures and homes were covered head to toe in shrubbery and flowers and in the middle of it all scrambled a girl, rushing in the direction of the two.

They grab a hold of their weapons in anticipation when she sees them, slowing her sprinting as her feet scrape against the hard floor, her body was scratched up and bloody, she had leaves and and dirt covering her matted up hair as she cries out to them.

"Stay away from the trees!"

As she yells it, the creature she was running away from catches Up to her, turning the corner as its jagged movement twitches its head in the peoples direction, its head sprouted up into a tree canopy, attached to its fore head, its entire body was made out of wood, carved eyes and mouth that bore into a dark and black abyss.

A distinct clicking sound came from is mouth, its pointed arms and legs twitch forward, propelling itself at the girl with its sharp pointed arms aimed at her back, Rodahn acting fast hurls his war axe at the creature, barely missing the girl as sticking into the creatures wooden flesh, the wound inflicted burns from the inside of its chest.

Its body turning to ash after its final breath, the girl stunned by what she just witnessed.

Cautiously approaching the two as they both stare at her with stern brows.

"What the in the hells was that and why did you lead it straight to us?!" Rodahn inquires as she takes a moment to catch her breath. looking up from the ground with a grateful smile.

"Thank you so much, I thought it would kill me for sure mi'lords" She says, her accent showing once shed calmed down, shaking both there hands with enthusiastic gratitude.

They both look at her strangely, noticing shes wearing a worn kitchen apron and her clothes were covered in more than just blood, spilled foods of multiple kinds stained her maiden dress. Major steps forward as his face shines more in the sun shining through the plant life.

She doesn't recognize him, but her heart fluttered in her chest so bad she felt weak in the knees, immediately taking his side once he begins speaking, she looks on at him with flabbergasted eyes.

"That's a wood nymph in its true form...they must have infested Caspia while no one was here, and they've been breeding by the looks of it" he says separating from the two as he inspects its remains.

"So much for a simple search and rescue"

"Come on Ro, lets do what we do best and root them out"

The girl shines brightly at their determination.

"You can help me and the kitchen staff, they're locked in the castle by the plants I barely made it out myself"

"Whats your name?" Rodahn asks her as she answers back.

"Tabby..."

"Stick close, and stay away from the trees"

The three venture deeper into the infested jungle through the streets once known as the market place, Heading straight for the castle steps. The jungle around them shift ominously, a living mass of green that kept the trio on edge...heading into the nest with their heads held high, not a single bone in their body was afraid.

And with that, they journey inside, disappearing into the massive castle in search of any survivors, their only hope rests on their skill and wit, but will it be enough...

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