Chapter 15

The next day Raoul and I had found a job collecting medicinal herbs in the forest beyond the walls. Everyone being locked up in the walls meant supplies were running out; and with that, a steady increase of high paying jobs to collect supplies, where no one else was willing to go. We were going to be paid 50 gold coins to collect as many herbs as we could. While we could settle for the bare minimum I decided the more we gathered, the better the completion will likely be later.

We decided to go to the opposite side of the forest, from where the orcs were, and began the search for supplies. Raoul had Freyja scout the area around us, informing us of any dangers lurking in the area. Which was going to be helpful in my search for a strong ally/ pet in the future.

"So are you going to tell me why you wanted to come out here so bad?" Raoul looked like he was eager for an answer.

"You're right I should probably tell you but, you got to trust me a bit here when I tell you this." I didn't want to worry him but he definitely deserved to know.

"In 5 days the orcs are going to attack and I don't know if we'll be able to make it out alive. I chose to come out here to look for a beast to tame, much like your own; as well as a sword to aid in the fight for our home."

It was as if Raoul had been struck in the stomach as he let out a low breath with shock covering his face "how do you know?" he asked.

I definitely couldn't tell him how, so I asked again "please just trust me."

He nodded in response and we continued looking for herbs while he had his wolf continue the search for beasts in the area as well as any caves, which could possibly hide a treasure trove of sorts. Given her small size she was a surprisingly good scout for the time being, while in the future she would be a great ally due to her strength. But, for the time being she would not be doing any fighting.

2 days were spent in this way; of coarse we had enough provisions, such as food and water, to last us this whole time. And while I no longer had the daily quest, I noticed I was still completing my daily exercise and eating the correct food proportions from before. We had come across many beasts over the time we had been searching but all of them were to weak to tame, while hoping for any difference in power, let alone complete the quest. That was until we heard a howl from Freyja alerting us she had found something.

We went to her location where we found a clearing in the forest with a graveyard decorating it. There was no distinct smell here and the only notable thing was, although it was in a clearing the shade from the huge trees surrounding it created a dark atmosphere with only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. In the center of the clearing was a small stone building, which had a staircase leading underground, visible inside of it.

We carefully walked over there while our nerves set it. While I can't be sure if it was because of the spooky atmosphere, or due to the stories we had heard as children of the different monsters that came from a graveyard, hell even earth had its stories of such, but one thing I knew for sure is we were both highly alert, ready to bolt at first notice. Thankfully we made it to the center area where the stairs were without a hitch and we began contemplating the risk reward scenario of searching inside of it.

Raoul turned towards me "well this is what we were searching for, chances are theirs a strong monster down their, as well as some good loot."

"Well only one way to find out. But, you should probably leave Freyja up here to avoid her getting hurt and left behind down there. Plus she can let us know if anyone, or anything comes in after us." I turned towards the stairs and began the decent, with Raoul just behind me as he watched Freyja run into the woods to hide and observe.