When the Light Fades

At first, Tracey and the others had been careful to avoid being seen, out and about in the middle of the day as they were, but it soon became apparent that the locals had deserted the area, clearing out well before any Human 'monsters' arrived, which made their journey easier and quicker.

It still took a while to reach the first of the more treed areas, and leaving the clearer farmlands behind, Tracey figured they'd come across somebody soon, as the sun started to dip low.

They passed by a small hut, which apparently had someone remaining inside, for now, as Dale caught sight of movement within, so not sure if they were lingering locals or not, and not wanting to waste time to find out, they took cover and snuck by.

Only another kilometre or so away, they soon came across another smaller group, a rag-tag lot of seven, just sitting near the road's side, who'd not been too watchful, as Amanda's voice caught them by surprise, and made them spring up as they approached.

"Hello there - we're here to talk... so hold..."

One of the waiting men, with a fur coat and wild eyes, started yelling gibberish as he ran straight toward Tracey's group, with his sword raised.

He charged right at her, blind with an overwhelming battle rage, and recklessly right for Tracey, who stepped forward to intercept him.

A swing of her sword drove his harmlessly away, and a light sidestep to her left, while leaving her right foot extended, saw him trip over and plunge into the dirt, chin first.

His following companions, who'd rushed to follow him, faltered, as they slowed right up, before any of them realized.

"They're Human - like us?!"

They stumbled to a stop as their obvious confusion took hold.

"We said to hold, you pack of idiots."

Amanda blasted at them, making a few back step from her angry words.

"What part of that didn't you comprehend?"

One of the braver men spoke up, rather hesitantly.

"We assumed..."

The still wild one who'd charged them, attempted to get up behind Tracey, but Dale stepped on his back, as he scrambled to get a hold of his lost blade after his big crash.

"Eric... calm down!"

One of the others called out, and only then did the crazed man under Dale's foot settle, finally.

"Sorry about that... I'm Henry Onslo, I'm in charge of the scouting parties, or what ones we have left..."

The short, but healthy looking guy with shabby hair and dirty clothes and skin sounded very tired, while his fellow men looked somewhat exhausted and just as unclean around him.

"We were just about to make camp... near here, as it's not safe to travel in the dark..."

He looked toward the falling suns glow, through the thicker forest of thin trees.

"You're welcome to stay with us... we have some food."

Tracey flicked her eyes to Amanda, who gave her a little nod.

"Sure then..."

Following their brief trudge back to a small cleared spot, another five were already busy making a small fire and only took note of the newcomers briefly, as they got on with their duties.

They too appeared unkempt and lethargic, except one, who wore a mostly clean vest and simply seemed to linger about, while being ignored by the others as he perhaps watched the surrounding forest for threats, but that one very average appearing man gave Tracey a unnerving feeling, with his vacant blue eyes.

I don't know how well I'll sleep with these people about...

While everyone settled in to a place, Henry had started to explain to Tracey's group what had been happening to them, and continued as some passable food was distributed.

He apparently wanted to impress upon them just how difficult their journey had been, starting from the beginning when they first crossed the border. Everyone knew the borderlands was a un-ruled place, according to the Empire, as savagery and ruin lay in the overgrown region, filled with Beastmen who caused chaos and ruin for every Human that dared to enter the area.

Tracey had talked it over with Amanda, prior to their own low key crossing, and they'd concluded that it was most likely a long standing detachment from Alama's main army, who purposefully made the area a disaster zone, to keep the Humans from the Empire at bay - so a place best avoided.

Apparently the larger group to enter this 'wild-lands' had been spared, at first, but then their equipment was sabotaged, their supplies ransacked and then their scouts went missing. But the group pressed onward, and finally left the area behind, hoping to meet with those who also got through, but none were found.

Eventually they sort replacements for their lost food and water, before pillaging an already abandoned village, before moving on to the next. Along the way, during a raid from the Beastmen, their leader, Goff Tusk; a overweight noble and former Imperial officer, had some medical episode and died in his carriage without an enemy laying a finger on him.

Then the very land apparently turned on them, as landslides, poisoned fruit and their last horses became lost, everything took a toll, but they still pressed southward, to eventually get word that a larger force had burned out a large section of the wild-lands and begun constructing a well guarded road. They were told to wait for assistance, as a part of Alama's proper army would soon arrive near Kibble, and try to stop their advancement.

I'm really glad we were sent the way we went now... from his telling, their path has been a true disaster...!

The stillness of night took hold of the forest around them, while Dale said he'd take first watch, to Tracey's relief, as it was slightly misty and very quiet, the perfect setting for something bad to transpire, so she was more than restless.

But when Tracey got up and went for a little, and often routine walk about the camp, that usually calmed her down, she wasn't comforted at all.

Something... doesn't feel right... and there's one missing now...

A quick recount saw all of her white and blue clothed members accounted for, and then she realised that the average and quiet one, that seemed a little off, was indeed missing. After stepping further away from the small flickering campfire, she thought she spotted a mysterious figure, walking alone up the darkened road.

Curiosity set in, and without letting anyone else know, Tracey set off after it, staying in the more shaded parts from the light moonlight, she definitely determined it was a single person that was now heading toward Kibble.

Who... and why are they going this way...? In the middle of the night too...?

Tracey silently closed the gap, but suddenly the dark figure turned and slipped through a small wooden railed fence, toward the small, isolated hut.

Tracey lost sight of them, once she reached the same spot, but decided to lightly leap the fence and get closer to the house, that had darkened windows, and then detected some slight movement once she'd drawn closer.

She found the modest guy had crept to a small window, and had already gently started to slide it open.

A purposely made sound from her foot made him spin his head and freeze.

"Little missy, just go away..."

He showed and sounded no emotion, and confirmed to her that he was obviously the well presented one from before, but he didn't move.

"Why are you trying to sneak into this home?"

Tracey asked, loudly enough for him to hear, but possibly not enough to disturb those inside.

"Leave them to me... I'll take care of them."

Tracey really didn't like his flat tone or his words, and her uneasy feeling grew again, so she grabbed her swords hilt.

"I figured you'd interfere, girly hero."

He knew of her, and finally stood back up, as his attention shifted to her in the low light.

"Then you know I won't allow you to harm these locals."

Tracey said as calmly as she could, since he was being particularly creepy, but it got worse with his reply.

"But that's what I do, and I'm so good at it..."