Chapter 10 - Map and Information

Adrian looked up from his work as the hunters and their wooden companions approached his camp. He had been expecting them and had prepared a small fire and some food to welcome them.

As the hunters looked around the camp, Adrian could sense their curiosity and amazement. They were clearly impressed by the structures and tools that he and his puppets had built.

Dan looked at his friends, and they looked at him. These exchanges of looks decided who was going to talk with the leader of this place. It was naturally decided to be Dan's turn to talk.

Adrian and Dan looked at each other, and Dan looked at Adrian with the wood mask.

"Your camp may be small, but everything here is made with the hand of a master," Dan commented.

Adrian nodded, acknowledging the compliment.

"I am Adrian, leader of this camp, and these are my men. I wanted you people to come here so that I would learn more about the world and surrounding places."

Dan nodded and felt a sense of relief. This man he talks to, despite the weird clothing he is wearing and his wood mask, is not an erratic individual.

"I would be glad to share my knowledge with you."

Adrian nodded again and smiled behind the mask.

"Please, make yourselves at home," Adrian said, gesturing toward the fire and the food. "We have enough for all of us. In the end, my people do not eat anything."

Dan remembered the words "my people don't do anything," and he began to be more respectful toward Adrian.According to his words, these people who have taken them back home are his creation, and this reality makes him some sort of mage and creator. These reasons are enough for him to respect him even more.

The hunters and their puppets settled down around the fire and started eating.

Dan and two of his friends liked the meat they ate and knew that they were eating wolf meat, which was tastier than usual.

Together, they discussed the challenges of life in the forest, the importance of teamwork and resourcefulness, and the ways in which they could all learn from each other. After all, the small talk was over.

"Do you have a map on you, by any chance?"

Dan nodded and pulled a parchment and a map from his leather bag and gave them to Adrian.

Adrian took the map and gave it to Pan, Leader of Puppets, and ordered.

"Make a copy of this, using wood; it does not need to be very accurate."

At that time, ten more puppets came to the camp, making Dan and his friends a little bit cautious—not because they were afraid, but because the camp was bigger than they thought.

Dan thought in his mind.

"If I do not count Adrian, there are more than twenty-five humanoid creatures, all capable of using bows and arrows. These people are already a small team. Why are they here and what are they doing here?"

Dan pondered these questions in his mind. At that time, Adrian took the map back from the puppet and started inspecting it.

"I see; I know what to do for the time being. It seems like I have to leave this place."