Encounter

The way on the first day is only interrupted by minor skirmishes. Safrim attributes it to my presence, which keeps most smaller critters away. I hope the army will progress as smoothly without me, but I doubt it.

We say our goodbyes as the bulk of the troops break for the night in the ruins of a small, unnamed farm—barely recognisable through the rampant growth, which has reclaimed the grounds. I manage to reconstruct some barns and a stable, so there is at least a little bit of shelter, but most soldiers will have to camp outside regardless. I still wonder how the structures remember what they once were.

We walk into the early night, horses left behind with the troops. Even though there was more security with everyone around, I feel better with just my party. My party, huh? I still think of Safrim as our leader, but it is the party I built. I glance at Karina. Redistribute her skills, huh? Anyone’s skills, for that matter. It feels wrong.

The further we go, the wilder plant growth becomes. Where there were roads to follow before, they now disappear into the undergrowth. We leave magic waystones for the army scouts to find, wherever we come across an easier path though the jungle, or a potential resting place. If we’re doing this alone, it might as well help out the ones who follow.

It still baffles me that the supposed demon lands are this lush and vibrant. Upon asking again, everyone just answers that it’s always been like that. Everyone except Nono. Maybe she’ll tell me if I ask. But what do I do with this knowledge? What if it puts more in question than it answers? Do I stay ignorant and faithful, or do I search for the truth? I know myself. I will look for the truth sooner than later. But for now? I just want to get these people to our destination safely.

Finally, we can’t progress further since darkness is well and truly falling. Finding shelter in a reconstructed wayside hut, I fall into an uneasy sleep.

——

It’s been five days and we haven’t run into any sort of enemy. The only creatures out here are animals: Birds, deer… even the occasional predator, who ignores us completely. The only background noise is that of the jungle, as we walk mostly in silence.

When asked, Safrim says that these lands don’t need guards, because historically, humans haven’t broken through the borders this far. Not in a long time, anyway. And if summoning demons takes as much effort as we’ve seen with Din, it makes sense those important units are on the frontline and not aimlessly wandering where they aren’t needed.

“If I look at the army, I think they would’ve been able to defeat the centipede and advance on their own, with a few acolytes to help them,” I muse. “Of course it would’ve been difficult, but…”

“They’re capable of many things, but after being forced into the defensive position some decades ago, the people of Atol have long been content with keeping their lands instead of advancing. Even that is hard, and doesn’t always work. The soldiers of today have never seen an attack forward like this. They wouldn’t know where to start. Any commander, sending their people into a potentially deadly excursion, would be shunned,” Safrim sounds defeated as he speaks, but then smiles at me. “Turns out all they needed was a push. I don’t know if this will turn the tide, but it’s the best chance of my lifetime.”

“And if we do nothing, Atol is lost anyway,” Karina adds.

“There’s that too,” Safrim says with a nod.

“I’ve longed to not only protect the city that gave me a home, but make it thrive again,” Poru says. “I feared I might live to see the downfall of Atol, since a dark elf’s natural lifespan exceeds a human’s.”

If nothing else, at least I was able to give these people a chance at life.

I open my mouth to say as much—and in the next moment am pulled down to the ground by someone’s hand as a loud explosion in the distance shakes the ground. There is nothing amiss in our direct proximity, but a movement strong enough to be felt, all the way out here, must be something threatening.

Karina’s hand is still around my wrist, where she pulled me. Along with everyone else, we take cover beneath the large leaves of a flowering plant, which emits a sickeningly sweet aroma.

“What was—”

I am interrupted by another explosion. The plant leaves shake like they’re afraid of the implications.

“We’re in the middle of the demon lands. Who could possibly…”

“It must be Char’s army! They’re advancing much faster than we thought!” Karina says.

“It can’t be. They have to fight the jungle, just like us,” Safrim counters.

“I’ll have a look. Wait here,” Nono says and she’s off before anyone can respond.

I watch her disappear in the thicket, then see a flash of red where she jumps up into the trees. If I trust anyone to come back unscathed, it’s her. She can probably just order the demons to leave her alone. Then again, she’s never shown skills that were overpowered. She must have them, though. I still can’t read all of her stats.

Poru mumbles something under his breath and his clothes briefly shimmer bright. I’ve seen him do this before.

“You’re expecting a fight?” I ask.

“Better to be prepared.”

He blesses both Safrim and Karina—even Gale. Then Nono returns.

“It is Char. All of them. They’re fighting demons in a nearby valley. They’re surrounded, but it doesn’t seem that bad for them.”

“Is their hero with them?” Safrim asks.

“They’re too far away to tell for sure, but there is someone who radiates fire like a stoked furnace, sweeping through the demons like they’re mowing down a field of wheat. I can’t imagine it’s anyone else.”

“Alright. They’re who we needed to find. Let’s help them,” I say.

To their credit, everyone agrees.