Thread: Grand Quest (Sharub & Kosmik_Khaos

Zoroail glanced over at the excited newbie as she chatted away. His face was grim and appeared to constantly hold a displeased expression. 'At least she is asking questions and willing to learn. Better than most new comers.' He thought to himself giving the young filly a point in her favor. They are made out of darksteel, it's a magically forged alloy that is stronger than regular steel so it can withstand far greater damage before it breaks. He answered, his original guess of them being made of iron proved wrong now that he was closer and could inspect them. 'And it's very highly expensive. Just who are we really working for to be able to afford ten carts of this size made of darksteel, and why do they need it if we are only going to a semi-remote forest village?' Something wasn't sitting right with Zoroail about this entire job and it had just began. They are powered by magic cores, which are stones found inside most monsters and greater beasts. You won't find them inside a mountain wolf, but you will in a Dire wolf. He explained with an example. The cores are more potent inside stronger beasts, and they are all valuable, the stronger cores naturally being worth more. They are used to power most magical technology. He was relieved when she finally went silent for a while. Keeping pace with the cart he kept his senses on alert while maintaining a look of calm disinterest. He thought about the job he had signed up for, it was a bottom tiered job, there should be little danger involved if any at all. Which made him all the more suspicious about he vagueness of the destination, the supplies being carried, and the wagons themselves. Passing through the town gates into grasslands beyond Zoroial took in a deep breath of the fresh air. He could barely stand the overwhelming cacophony of sounds and scents inside most large towns and cities. It was to much distraction, but out here in the open, he loved it. He could see for miles, would be able to hear most anything that approached and smell if something was near. This was freedom to him, the entire meaning behind doing the jobs he did. It wasn't long walking through the country side before his partner started to speak again. She introduced herself to him and he responded with a terse grunt and obvious refusal to return the favor of giving her his name. I have no need to know the name of someone that will more than likely perish within the next few weeks, nor do I have the inclination to give out my name freely to those not deserving of knowing it. Even if you survive this job the likelihood of us meeting ever again is almost nil. His eyebrow did twitch upward when she declared herself a shaman. That could be interesting to see her skills if the opportunity showed itself to them. Her torrent of questions annoyed him and he only answered a few of them, ignoring the rest as he warned her he would. Yes I am a warrior, and who's else sword would I be carrying but my own? He asked sarcasm heavy in his tone. I'm very experienced and no we will not pass a forest, we will enter into it. Ulaquilt forest to be exact. It's one of the largest woodlands in the area. Nearly a five hundred leagues across and three hundred long. It is full of beautiful and deadly life and is notorious for 'swallowing' travelers who enter it unprepared. We should reach the edge of it in two days walk if we can keep pace, and according to the caravan master it will be another two days into the forest to reach our destination. Turning to stare right into Amalthea's eyes he held her gaze long and hard before speaking again. Do not, I repeat once and only once, Do NOT wander off when we get inside the treeline. A place that old holds it's own will in a way and the Ulaquilt Forest isn't friendly to intruders. He warned holding her eyes for a few moments longer before breaking the contact. Zoroail paused whens he called for his attention, his senses going up in alert at the sight of her ears perking up and moving about to find a sound. He knew he wouldn't be able to hear as well as her so he took her warning seriously. Do me a favor horse. Trust in your instincts and feelings like you just did. It will keep you alive. When we enter the forest stay constantly aware and let me know if you hear anything, smell anything, sense anything in any way even if it is just a bad feeling in your stomach or like you are being watched. More than likely once inside all of us will have eyes on us from the inhabitants. Having said more than enough, or so he thought Zoroial returned to his quite state of being, his eyes moving over the flowing plains that were slowly starting to take on the form of softly rolling hills. After several hours of walking and listening to the excited filly yammering away at him, with his only response being noncommittal grunts and shakes or nods of his head he spotted a large hill about a league away from them. When we reach the crest of that hill ahead you should be able to see the start of the forest on the far horizon. It will get much clearer the closer we get of course. A little over an hour later they arrived at the top of the hill he pointed out and Zoroail pointed far ahead, slightly to the east. on the horizon the sky met a faint line of darker green than the grasslands they were currently on. In two days time we will be there. He said staring out across the land. The wind caused the grass the move in shimmering waves of green across the vast plains, and overhead the sky was clear with the exception a handful of lazy clouds that floated carelessly by. Reaching to his side Zoroail lifted a skin of water he had hanging over his shoulder and drank from it. Without thinking about how she would react or what she would read into the gesture he offered the skin to Amalthea. We have a few more hours of good daylight before we will settle for camp. I doubt the Caravan Master would want to keep traveling at night.