Searching for civilization (Part 3 - Hunting Cabins)

This was precisely what happed, though often he needed to go around an area when he discovered a beast or monster drinking. Never wishing to move too close and be discovered.

Another week later with his stomach grumbling, Edvard wondered why he had not encountered any monsters for days. Beasts were still everywhere, but normal animals were becoming more and more common, normal even. Normal not meaning he recognized them, but rather their speed and attitude was like that of normal animals.

A few steps later, Edvard stopped and stared at the smoke coming from a chimney, his mind not understanding how such a thing could be in the forest. In a forest filled with deadly beasts and monsters like orcs and those massive beasts whose size betrayed their speed.

He had never dared light a fire for fear of attracting attention. Seeing the hunting cabin so near to the danger caused him no end of confusion. It took him quite a few minutes to realize that it must mean that the area is in some manner kept safe.

"Am I finally safe?" He questioned, his hunger causing him to not be fully convinced. Ilvisar had truly given him very nutritious food, but not nearly enough for the long journey.

'Don't be reckless now,' Edvard told himself as he found his body wanting to move towards the cabin. Stopping himself, he instead scoped the area out first.

The cabin was in a small clearing of trees, tanning and drying racks at the side and back. Three children playing outside. Their carefree playing indicating that this area must be safe.

Finally, Edvard decided to go into the open and talk with them. Upon coming out of the forest the children screamed and ran into the forest. Catching Edvard off guard until he looked at himself. 'Right, I am still covered in mud and leaves. I probably look like some kind of monster to them.'

Shortly, a woman rushed to the door. Her right hand hidden behind her back, slightly trembling.

"Who are you?" She asked in a language Edvard did not know the name of, but he understood.

Her tone was guarded and her stance defensive. Before this, she had been busy cleaning as such her clothes were covered in dust and her hair a mess. Upon hearing the shouts of her children, she had rushed to the door and grabbed a nearby knife. Fearing a beast, but what she found was even worse.

A stranger.

"Sorry to disturb you," Edvard replied, his accent heavy and the words coming out muddled as this was the first time he spoke it. "I lost my friends in the forest and got completely lost. If not for the river I would have likely died."

"Who are your friends?" The lady asked, warry because of Edvard's strange accent and his ridiculous appearance. Though the latter actually put her slightly at ease too, as it was something one would do only in desperation.

Filling all gaps between your skin and clothing with leaves and flowers was certainly not comfortable. But it would keep your smell from attracting beasts. Though if you aren't careful you could poison yourself, or attract certain beasts.

It was more the accent that caused her to worry, it was like none she had heard before. Though all she had heard was that of the nearby villages. Having lived a secluded life in a small village until she had met her husband and moved to an even more secluded cabin.

"We are… Were... Nobodies, simple merchants who had hoped to negotiate with the Vespes of the forest. We were too foolish; we had not made it even halfway before we were onset by orcs. Those brutes had attacked us at sunset, outnumbered and defenseless we had all run for our lives… I fear... Only I survived."

Hearing this the woman relaxed, it explained his getup and it mattered not where he had come from. In the depth of the forest, surviving was already an amazing feat. It was likely true that Edvard was the only one to make it out.

The bards would often share tales of foolhardy people wishing to go to the elven forest. Unknowing that there were nearly a thousand kilometers (621mi) of monster-infested forest before one would reach the elven realm. And even then one was not welcomed, arrows would be your prize for making it so far.

Though hearing this was not all good to the woman, as it meant that the monsters could likely become active again. "Why have you come here then?" She asked with worry, hoping that this stranger had not led the orcs right to her family.

With her husband not home, she knew they would stand no chance even if just one orc came. Though if this stranger had any strange thoughts of her body, she felt confident she could defend herself. His fatigue was clear to see, his rumbling stomach traveling through the air made his situation also clear for all to hear.

"I wish to confirm where I am, if you could point me to the nearest town or road, I would greatly appreciate it," Edvard answered without missing that her guard had slacked and her anxiety had grown. Confusing him, but not enough to question it.

Hearing the stranger not asking for food nor housing, the lady became much more at ease. At least he would not have strange thoughts if that was all he asked. While she was ready to act, the horror stories she had heard still worried her.

"Follow the river for another four days' travel and you should come to a small fishing village." She replied while looking at the forest with worry, hoping her husband would come home soon.

"Thank you very much, I will be on my way then." Edvard bowed a little to show his appreciation and left. Leaving the lady quite surprised at his abrupt actions. She had not expected him to leave upon receiving such little information.

After leaving, Edvard first headed to the river and caught himself some dinner. Knowing that the area was safe enough for children he no longer cared as much for staying quiet. Taking a bath after filling his stomach with raw fish.

Before moving further he decided to finally make himself a spear. A bow was a bit too hard to make without anything, not even animal parts. It would take too long, thus the spear would suffice. With it made after just an hour or two, he set out again. During the following days he encountered two more such cabins before reaching the village the lady had spoken of.

The forest also became thinner and thinner, the trees stayed about the same but the vegetation was clearly being culled in this area. The useful herbs were all being harvested by the hunters and village.

He was surprised by the lack of defenses of both the cabins and the village. More than once he had seen an agile feline creature that could certainly easily kill a child. An adult might be out of its reach, yet the danger was there. It seemed these creatures knew not to cause trouble.

The village was nestled a short walk from the river, a much larger clearing having been made to bring sunlight to everyone inside. There was even a number of fields being tended to by the people of the village.