Tales of Revenants

Chapter 17 – Village Chief

The party had noticed a nearby cavern when they reached the end of the forest.

It's somewhat connected to the mountain up ahead, down below the hallow formed a cave that is big enough for an animal to hibernate.

Only one idea that popped up Eirisse's head when she saw it; a polar bear's blood. They entered the cave and saw an old man taking rest. He also had a campfire set up, some tasty looking meat, and his tent is just behind his stuff, presumably an adventurer.

The old man peeked to the people who are entering the cave which is Laken's party while he's sitting pretty on his wooden chair, waiting for the meat in the frying pan to be cooked.

“Judging from your equipment, you guys must want polar bear meat, am I right?” The old man speaks guess and it hits the mark.

“How did you know?! Are you some kind of fortune-teller?” Xenon exclaimed spilling the beans.

“Well, I know this sounds ambitious since we just met, but please stop hunting down animals in this region. Their population already dwindled after the Dark Wars, especially the polar bears here.” The old man is working to protect the welfare of the Pine Forest.

“Hmm... There's nothing we could do about it. Then we'll stop.” Laken told. Everyone agreed except for Eirisse.

“How about my drink? I'm thirsty I'll die of drought.” Eirisse whined. She badly wants to enter the cave and search for anything she could suck blood with.

“Slake your thirst with some of this deer's blood.” The old man threw a bottle where Eirisse catches it.

“It doesn't have any sleeping potion isn't it?” Eirisse's doubting. She just can't accept a stranger's offering without hesitating.

“I'm planning to sell the blood on the black merchant for extra income, but my life is important. I'm expecting you won't attack this old man, so it's yours now.” The old man wants safety.

A pureblood vampire could see the eyes of a liar. Eirisse never saw any malice or desire to harm in his heart. She immediately drank the bottle of deer's blood to quench her thirst.

“Refreshing!” Eirisse chuckled. She sounded a drunkard who downed a cask of alcohol.

“Does Eirisse extends her force Metamorphosis when drinking blood again?” Luciella questions.

“No, it doesn't. Theoretically, it might even lower the time, but I'm not sure myself.” Xenon replied.

“Since you're kind enough to let this old man's request granted, here's some roasted venison.” The old man offered them the meat he's roasting on thin sticks. The scent made Luciella's stomach grumble. They all tittered that cause her to feel embarrassed.

“Thanks for your kindness. If you insist.” Laken thanked the old man properly. They all received a stick of roasted deer meat that is already heated.

“If you want more, don't be shy to take second servings,” The old man grinned, he appears to be happy he had someone to accompany with temporarily.

“Wow! This is so delicious.” Luciella forgot her manners from the taste of the meat.

“Not bad. But I want more drinks. Do you have more blood old man?” Eirisse asked bluntly.

The old man had no choice but to give her the remaining container of deer's blood he's supposed to sell.

“Thanks again, old man!” Lillith calmed down a bit after taking her favorite liquor.

“What brings you here to the Pine Forest? Did you know there's a strange creature here that devours polar bears whose head is a snake and a body of an Ursus?” The old man questions.

He threw some woods to the fire. The party peeks at each other, referring to the Nightbeast they brought down.

“You mean the Nightbeast Ursus? We took care of it.” Xenon simply answered. He took another stick of the roasted venison.

The old man was surprised when they said they took down the beast, “If your party is strong enough to kill the rampaging Ursus... Does that mean you're on your way to the Frostsiege Valley?” The old man worriedly stands up.

“We received a quest to kill a unique monster in the Frostsiege Valley. The request came from the Grayfrost Village chief's wife.” Laken implies.

The old man suddenly knelt down in despair. He started mourning for something he had experienced.

“I'm the chief of the Grayfrost Village, Dunkan.” The old man revealed himself as the missing chief of the Grayfrost Village. Everyone was astonished. They sat near the bonfire to listen to what he has to say.

“No matter what... I ask you not to go near that area. That place is death itself; the whole village is doomed.” Dunkan shivers just remembering what happened.

His demeanor drastically changes of that a coward when he's trying to forget something that occurred.

“Keep calm Dunkan. Tell us what happened. Our group promised to finish the quest and bring you back alive.” Laken suggests.

The frightened Dunkan calmed a bit as he shouldn't act that way over his juniors. He's also not to blame.

“If my wife already told you what's happening, I departed to complete the quest by bringing the strongest mercenaries around the village. Yet, when I arrived at the Frostsiege Valley...” Dunkan groaned. He must have witnessed a dreadful scene.

“The monster is a thing I can't explain in a few words. It annihilated my entire team. I was so afraid I ordered them to retreat. But..." Dunkan was hesitant.

"But what?" Laken asks.

"The monster chased us down, and now I'm the only sole survivor... I couldn't even go back to the village to tell them how failure I am.” Dunkan tried to act strong, but his weak side was shown.

He was stuck in this cave because he couldn't face the families of the deceased mercenaries. The image when Dunkan sees he's the one to blame was enough for him to decide to never go back to the village again.

“No, the village needs you. That's why you must return.” Luciella's trying to convince Dunkan to not blame himself.

“Let him be Luciella.” Eirisse butted in, “He had seen the demise of his comrades. If you're in his shoes, do you think you can still return to the people you promised victory?” Eirisse blurted something harsh to her. Luciella crouched gloomily. She silenced herself in blues.

Eirisse even felt she slightly overdid her words. She couldn't console Luciella during her Metamorphosis.

“Hey watch your mouth, Eirisse.” Xenon told Eirisse off, “No, she's right.” Laken simply said.

The cavern's mood turned totally silent for a while. Only the burning campfire logs and crisping meat on fire filled the air. The old man Dunkan took the roasted venison to a plate before they become burnt.

“It's my fault that I'm weak. I won't blame myself anymore so cheer up lady.” Amidst such a condition, Dunkan offered Luciella the meat to brighten up the mood.

The party stayed at the cave to warm up and refill the energy of going all the way to the Pine Forest. The old man Dunkan gave them food and water to sustain their adventure.

They asked about what the monster could be. Dunkan couldn't properly describe it himself since he stated that the monster's silhouette is the only thing he saw because of the thick fog around the valley.

Now with their condition's back to regular, Xenon's energy is above fifty percent. They are now ready to venture to the Frostsiege Valley without worrying about resources, thanks to Dunkan.

“Your party looks strong enough, but I want to at least watch you all, as the village chief I must go back once more.” Dunkan insisted to at least see them fight.

Laken grinned, he agreed. Their task is to bring back Dunkan and finish the quest. For them, they have hit two birds with one stone.

“We'll definitely finish the quest, so don't make yourself a burden old man Dunkan,” Laken told.

“Of course. Such high spirit.” Dunkan sincerely said.

The group now ended their little detour. They are now directly sprinting towards the Frostsiege Village together with the chief. In order to finish the quest they started.