Rest

Returning to the camp with our bounty in tow was a swift endeavor, the deer, rabbits and Goblin Ears all being carried by myself, which - while heavy - wasn't too hard to do, leaving Paci to let her wound heal fully while Alessia guarded us as we walked through the forest.

Thankfully the mana inside your body made you a bit stronger than a normal person, and while I wasn't the most strength based person in the world, like I had come to learn over my many years of playing games, technique could overcome strength deficits, and I had learned how to deal with a large encumbrance thanks to the few tank based classes that I had played in other games.

Walking with heavy plate armor covering your entire body and doing any form of attacking with another heavy weight - maces and axes in my case, and that one time that I had used a gigantic Kanabo when I went for a blunt damage only play through - made you learn how to deal with the weight and how to work with it.

When we returned to the camp we got to see all of the progress that they had made in our absence, the soldiers of Qingrad turning the area from just a gathering of tents on some grass with a fire pit into a real basecamp meant for the battles to come.

Logs had been lodged into the earth and sharpened to a point, standing tall and providing protection for the camp, while another layer of sharpened stakes had been set up at a 45 degree angle to prevent anyone from getting too close without risking damage to themselves.

The gate leading into the camp was already guarded by a soldier, who was staring into the forest with a determined gaze as they protected their comrades, who were still setting up the log wall on the other sides of the camp, creating a proper fort for us to inhabit over the next week.

Seeing us return, the soldier grinned and stepped forwards, accepting the deer from me and walking into the camp with us, shouting "Talonmaster Alessia has returned!" and bringing everyone from their positions over to us.

The bonfire had been stocked with branches, bark, leaves and logs, ready to be lit and maintained over the course of the night for our comfort.

"Alright, listen up! If you are EVER in the forest, be doubly sure to keep an eye out. When we were hunting, a Goblin hunting party snuck up on us and ambushed us. Paci got wounded, so just be careful! Double check everything around yourself and make sure to be safe. We can't afford to lose any of you at all."

 The assembled soldiers all nodded and stared at their Talonmaster appreciatively, knowing that the Dogkin meant what she said and wasn't just saying it out of an obligation like other superior officers might in this same situation.

Trania nodded as well, the quiet, serious Catkin observing her fellow Talonmaster and appraising how her words impacted the soldiers, who returned to their tasks after Alessia shouted "Now just 'cause I don't want you to get hurt or die doesn't mean I'm going to take it easy! Get back to work you slugs! Or no food for you tonight! Let's get this place secured and begin to prepare for the excursions tomorrow!"

The Catkin approached us as stared at the bounty we had brought back, listening as Alessia turned to me and said "Kira, do you know how to skin and butcher game? Or cook?"

"I can cook."

"Alright, good. Paci, start with that deer, and I'll handle the rabbits. Hey Charles! Get that cauldron and fill it with water for me! Trania, start the fire and regulate it for me please."

We got to work quickly and began to prepare the animals for consumption, working in silence and getting everything done in only a dozen minutes, the rabbits getting chopped up and grilled as they were prepared for the stew that Alessia wanted to make, while the deers were getting bled and ready to be butchered for steaks and chops.

The supper came together slowly but surely, the blazing inferno of the bonfire giving the meats a nice char that added flavor outside of the rudimentary herb seasoning that we managed to put together, while the stew was simmering on a smaller fire next to the bonfire cooking the rabbit even further and adding some flavor to the broth.

Everyone stole glances at the meal as time progressed, the setting sun leaving the camp in shadow that was only cast away by the fire, and only once the wall was put up did they stop working, making sure the logs were sunk deep into the earth and shored up by our Earth Mages and by myself as well, wrapping some roots around the bottom and making sure our protection was as good as it could be.

When the food was ready, everyone streamed towards the fire and took the bowls they were offered alongside the skewers of venison that had been perfectly charred before sitting down around the bonfire and digging in.

To no surprise for myself, I was accompanied by Alessia, the golden haired Dogkin resuming her stories from earlier and entertaining me as we ate, all while she sat closely by my side, close enough that I could feel her breath on my cheek whenever she looked at me.

It wasn't a surprise either to the soldiers, who just glanced at us with smirks before chatting amongst themselves, a few of them mirroring us and pairing off, while some of them finished up and turned in early.

Trania spoke quietly to a few and had them nodding as they got set on a rotation for watching over the camp, gathering their gear and moving towards the gate to watch the forest nearby.

But, that was no concern of my own as Alessia got up and brushed off her pants, smirking at me and nodding towards her tent, the question in her eyes rather obvious.

Just like my answer was rather obvious as I followed behind her, joining her for the night.