Chapter 43

Astaroth and Lalitha departed Ravenspire that day, their hearts brimming with anticipation. They bought some light camping gear before they left, the expected journey to Sanactavia would take two weeks on foot.. As they ventured beyond the borders of their homeland, Yosnad, their destination beckoned—the mystical land of Sanctavia, nestled in the eastern reaches. It held promises of breathtaking vistas and untold wonders awaiting their eager souls.

Sanctavia, though smaller in size than Yosnad, possessed an undeniable allure. Its landmass, though not vast, pulsated with life as fervent as their own nation. The populace teemed with devout inhabitants, their faith interwoven into the very fabric of their society. Sanctavia thrived, its prosperity rooted in the unwavering devotion of its people. It was a world where the ethereal and the earthly converged, a place where miracles whispered on every street corner.

It would be a fifteen-day journey on foot. After presenting Magnus' letter to the border guards, the gates of Yosnad creaked open, granting them passage. The guards, their voices filled with caution, warned the duo about the perilous monsters lurking in the land. They advised sticking to the well-traveled paths frequented by merchants, assuring them relative safety.

"What do you wish to do now, master?" Lalitha asked Astaroth as they had traversed a considerable distance from Ravenspire. "If we were to employ our magic to transport ourselves to Sanctavia, we could ensure our secrecy and avoid detection."

Astaroth scanned the surroundings, his piercing gaze taking in the vast expanse. With a wistful smile, he replied, "Indeed, Lalitha, your suggestion holds merit. However, the weather is splendid, and there is something alluring about exploring this place on foot. Let us continue our journey a while longer. I yearn to immerse myself in the essence of this land."

They pressed forward, their footsteps echoing through the lush wilderness. The air was laden with a tantalizing blend of scents—a symphony of fragrant blooms and earthy foliage. Rays of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting an ethereal glow upon their path. The forest seemed alive, its whispers rustling through the leaves, as if sharing long-held secrets. Although they did not use any magic but the speed which they navigate through the forest was quite fast and soon they exited the forest.

As they emerged from the verdant embrace of the forest, their eyes beheld a captivating sight. In the distance, a group of adventurers rested, their figures silhouetted against the backdrop of the setting sun. Each one bore the garb of a seasoned explorer, their attire adorned with signs of daring escapades and arduous journeys. Yet amidst them stood a figure that stood out from the rest—a mysterious man whose attire betrayed his identity as a merchant, his garments embellished with intricate embroidery and exotic trinkets.

The merchant, as if sensing the duo emerging from the dense forest, swiftly turns around. His eyes widen, taking in the sight of the adventurers, and the muscles in his face tense for a brief moment. The seasoned adventurer standing beside him instinctively places his hands on the hilt of his sword, ready to defend against any potential threat. Meanwhile, the rest of the men in the vicinity, their senses heightened, form a defensive perimeter, prepared for the sudden arrival of Astaroth and Lalitha.

Lalitha, realizing the tense atmosphere, quickly raises her hand in a gesture of peace, her eyes reflecting sincerity. "Fear not," she says calmly, her voice carrying an air of reassurance. "We are merely passing through. Today, we embarked on a journey from Yosnad, but alas, we took a wrong turn and found ourselves entangled in the labyrinthine depths of this forest. It took us countless hours to find our way out, but we mean no harm."

The adventurer, his grip on his sword relaxing slightly, steps forward with a skeptical gaze. "If what you say is true," he retorts, his voice laced with caution, "then I suggest you continue your journey onwards. We are taking respite here for a short while, and the last thing we desire is uninvited company that would force my men to be constantly on edge."

Lalith nodded and continued walking alongside Astaroth. As they passed the group, the merchant suddenly coughed, drawing their attention. "Hey, it's alright if you all want to take a rest too," he said, addressing Lalith and Astaroth. "Don't you think we should also be moving on soon, Marcus?" he added, turning to the adventurer named Marcus.

Marcus chuckled and replied, "Oh, you should rest a bit longer. My men and I need to give our weary feet a break after rescuing you from that ferocious manticore. Besides, be wary of other travelers on this path, you shouldn't be too kind to other people as there are bandits lurking about, disguising themselves as adventurers, waiting to rob unsuspecting victims." Marcus shot a mischievous grin at Lalith while speaking to the merchant.

Lalitha frowned at the comment from the adventurer, but she decided to ignore it. It was obvious that Marcus was merely teasing his employer. However, deep down, she couldn't help but wonder if there was some truth to their claims of saving a merchant from a ferocious manticore. If these men truly possessed such skills, then a few bandits would be no match for them. Determined to continue their journey, Lalitha and Astaroth pressed on, leaving the group behind.

Suddenly, Astaroth's voice broke the silence, startling Lalitha. "Do you think there's a manticore lurking in these parts?" he asked, his voice laced with both curiosity and caution.

Lalitha pondered the question for a moment, her eyes scanning the surrounding woods. "I highly doubt it," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "If there were any manticore sightings, the knights would have embarked on a hunt long before I left the tower. They were well aware of my search for rare materials for my spells. Surely, the king would have assigned them the task of acquiring a manticore's essence."

"If there were no manticore, then the entire group must be fabricating the tale," Astaroth pondered, his voice tinged with skepticism. "However, that man insists they saved the merchant from the clutches of the beast, and the merchant didn't deny it. Perhaps they merely encountered something else and mistook it for a manticore... or worse, they themselves could be the bandits," Astaroth added, a mischievous chuckle escaping his lips.

Lalitha, raised an eyebrow and met his gaze. "It's none of our business, Master Astaroth," she replied, her voice laced with caution. "But if there truly is a rare and formidable monster lurking in these surroundings, I must admit, the thrill of capturing it does entice me."

"I don't think it will take that long for us to find out if there is a manticore or are they bandits. They have been following us from a distance. "I don't think it will take long for us to discover whether we're being pursued by a menacing manticore or a band of ruthless bandits," Astaroth stated "We'll unravel the truth tonight, once we've established our camp. However, we must find a suitable resting place swiftly."

As they ventured further along the path, the sounds of nature enveloped them. The rustling leaves, the distant hoots of nocturnal creatures, and the gentle trickling of a nearby stream created a serene atmosphere, belying the dangers that awaited them.

After a while, they stumbled upon a small clearing nestled between towering trees. Astaroth's keen eyes scanned the surroundings, ensuring there were no hidden threats lurking in the shadows. Satisfied with their findings, he signaled to Lalitha.

"We shall make camp here," Astaroth declared, his voice filled with determination. As they made camp and rested their weary feet, a group of men caught up with them. Marcus called out to them, "Hey, what a coincidence! I had assumed that with only two of you, you would have left this place long ago. I see you have set up camp. Do you mind if we camp here with you too?" Marcus shamelessly asked Astaroth's group.

"Go ahead, don't mind us," Astaroth smiled at Marcus. "Oh yeah, there is something you should know. We are on a hunt, so if you suddenly get too close to us in the middle of the night, we might mistake you for our prey..." Astaroth's words lingered in the air, leaving Marcus uncertain if the man in front of him was issuing a threat or simply joking. He turned around and ordered his men to set up camp at a distance away from Astaroth.

The night settled in, enveloping the surroundings in an eerie stillness. The flickering campfires cast dancing shadows upon the faces of the weary travelers. Astaroth and Lalitha sat together having a simple meal while the other camp was making a lot of noise, they seem to be enjoying themselves.

"Well, the merchant must be paying them well, do you think we should be the bandits and rob them," Astaroth turns to Lalitha and asked her. Before Lalitha could reply, Astaroth raise a hand to stop her, his eyes narrowed. He sensed that they were not alone in this desolate place. There was a presence lurking, waiting to strike.