For Whom the Bell Tolls

The foul smelling ichor from the bait vial oozed down the tree, and the Biloko were nearly upon it. The bell ringer had finally come into range for Robina to see it, and it was shuffling its way closer. ‘I don’t think it’s seen me yet… but it might soon’ Thankfully she was still well hidden but she was uncertain of how much time she had before they knew of her location. From her position she could see that the group of three moss-men had made their way to the tree and were lapping at the bait, angrily clawing and biting at the tree trying to eat what they could. Clang, clang, clang… the bell began to glow a hazy green.

Robina looked down at her short sword, “You better get me through this.” All she had left to trust in was her own hand, and steel. A soft breeze shook the branches of the trees and stirred the smell of all the creatures around her.

The bell ringer was drawing ever closer, and it began sniffing the air in a snake like fashion. It looked across the treeline trying to find the source of the smell. The bait seemed like it was having no effect on distracting the bell carrier, it was focused on something very different… the scent of a human.

Her skin crawled just looking at it, the first time that she saw one it seemed to be ordering the others around with its bell… something she was presently weary of. ‘It’s getting closer… can I beat it?’ She positioned herself to be ready for when it was under her, as it got closer to her tree it slowed its pace. It looked up at the tree she was in, but her dark clothing obscured her in the canopy. ‘I guess it’s now or never!’ she gripped her blade tight in her hand and leapt from the tree! Her blade, now bright with her channeled energy, was bought down as she fell through the air! The Eloko had a look of terror on its face as it finally realized all too late that it was being attacked! As she pierced it, it let out an awful screech that alerted the nearby Biloko! Their horrible little eyes locked on to the red haired attacker, and they flashed their fangs before charging at her.

As Robina withdrew her weapon, green flowed from the monster's wound. It fell backward in a slump, surely defeated. She turned her attention to the new attackers coming her way. “Three on one huh?! Cowards!” she took on the stance that Kennedy had shown her earlier, hoping that her hasty training would be enough against her vicious opponents. She took a few steps forward, but then she heard the sound of the bell again! Looking back she saw another Eloko had taken it up, ‘the fourth one!’ She panicked at the sight of it! It rang the bell again and a pulse of energy was projected at the teen. “What the?!” she felt a sudden surge of sleepiness hit her, her grip was weakening on her weapon and her knees felt like they could collapse. “...n-no” the words barely made it out as she felt her voice growing weaker.

Suddenly, the shrieks of the other three rang out in succession! And as she turned to see what was going on, she spotted someone.

“Robina!” Kennedy exclaimed as he hurriedly made his way to her defense! The new bell carrier growled in defiance, but after seeing its fellow monsters felled so easily it turned and began running off into the woods. “Sorry, lass. I didn’t know there were bell carriers this close!” He looked at her apologetically.

Barely able to stand, Robina took to her knee. “Y-you… jerk” she growled through her teeth. She pushed herself back up as she felt the effect weakening, “You should have told me they could use magic!” she glared at Kennedy with deep disapproval in her eyes. “What took you so long? I almost died!”

“One of them snuck up on me… it delayed the plan a bit, but look at you! You took down a bell carrier!” He was brimming with pride over her accomplishment, but the look of confusion on her face showed that she was ignorant of the significance. “As you just experienced, the ones that carry bells can use Psyki. But that extra danger makes them worth a bit more!” He seemed oddly excited about the whole ordeal much to Robina’s dismay. “Its also much safer for the village when fewer of them are about. So, I thank you for that.”

“You’re kinda the worst, bud…” she rolled her eyes at him, “What about the one that ran? That one used Psyki, right? Should we go after it?”

“Hmm…” he looked up at the darkening sky, “I think that’s a job for another day…” he rubbed his chin. “It is troubling that another one was able to use Psyki… I’ll have to report this when I go back to Brush.”

“Brush? Is that a place?” She questioned. Kennedy told her that Brush was the closest town that had Adventuring Company outposts. It was a small logging town that also specialized in being a major hub for travelers, and as such it was also filled with inns and eateries.

“Well, we better collect proof of our work.” Kennedy pulled out a pair of pliers and went about extracting fangs from the felled creatures. Robina was disgusted by his actions, and looked like her face might start turning green as she covered her mouth and looked away. After he was finished. They began to make their way back to the village.

The sun was hanging low in the purpling sky when they finally arrived back at the inn at which they had met, Margo greeted them cheerfully as ever. She also ushered Robina to the Baths at the inn, encouraging her to wash away the stress and terrible smells of a hard day's work. Robina and Kennedy sat down for dinner. They discussed how the pay would work. Kennedy told her that they’d have to go to Brush to turn in their proof, and receive their sum from the outpost. He insisted that she keep the short sword as part of her compensation. But the next step was clear, the following day they would head to Brush.