Joseph stared off into the horizon with a frown on his face. The sun was setting, yet Keith and Danielle hadnt reported back. Although Keith was annoying, and Danielle wielded her dagger way too freely around her allies, that didnt an the two of them were incompetent. When they were given a task, theyd accomplish it.
Are you worried? a feminine voice asked from the side. It belonged to the woman who was responsible for silencing Keith. She was holding a map she had drawn of the area, and the landmarks recorded on it were ones she had personally created because there were no natural ones in the vicinity.
Worried about those two? Joseph snorted and turned around. Why would I worry about them? He stomped back to the tents that had been erected as a makeshift camp. In all, they had hired close to a hundred people to help them with the expedition this ti.
Theyll be fine, the woman who had silenced Keith said, following behind Joseph. They probably found sothing interesting and forgot to report back in ti. It wouldnt be the first ti sothing like that happened. Rember the incident with the crabs?
Joseph ignored his companion and looked around. A frown appeared on his face. Of the twenty scouts they had sent out, only ten had returned before nightfall. Either they were all incapable of following instructions, or they had encountered sothing troubleso. Of the scouts that ca back, none of them reported any sightings of dangerous creatures, right?
Right, Josephs companion said. They all reported the sa thing: the landscape is desolate and brown. It really is a dead continent.
Joseph furrowed his brow. Sothings not right. If its brown and empty in all directions, they shouldnt have trouble returning to camp.
Do you think its a dragon?
Thats what were here to hunt, Joseph said and nodded. Dont send any more scouts out. If the ones whore currently missing dont co back by tomorrow night, then well have to reevaluate how to tackle this mission.
***
Keith stared at the projected image of light in front of himself with a complicated expression on his face. On the screen, there was an image of two people walking through a brown wasteland. In the background, there was a small holy dragon sneaking up on them, crouching and crawling on its belly like a tiger stalking its prey. As for how the scouts were unable to spot such an obvious sight heading towards them, Keith wasnt sure, but they were oblivious to the incoming danger. With a pounce, the holy dragon caught the two people, one in each paw. Although there was no sound, Keith didnt have to hear the screams to know they existed.
Good job, the pink-eyed goat standing by Keith said. The screen disappeared, and not long after, the sounds of wingbeats ca from above. Ramon ca down from the sky and landed behind Kozabokget. He dropped his captured scouts and gestured towards them. Danielle ca over and wordlessly cut their clothes into strips, which she then proceeded to use to bind them.
What are you doing? one of the scouts asked. His eyes were wide, and his face was pale. If Keith had to guess, the poor fellow had been dropped and caught a few tis on the journey over. Why are you collaborating with dragons to capture us? I knew the Dragon Slayers were up to no good!
Shut up, Danielle said and slapped the scout across the face. She took a strip of cloth and gagged the poor man. Her expression was dark as she glared at him. If you dont know anything, dont say anything.
Keith cleared his throat. As you can see, we were captured by the dragon as well, he said. As for why were helping him bind you, well, well be eaten if we dont assist.
Ramon picked up the newly bound scout and dropped him near a field of heads. The ground opened up, and the mans body sank downwards, leaving only his head free, adding one more head to the macabre crop field. Ramon lifted his front leg and pointed at the heads, counting them one by one. It wasnt that he hadnt counted them before, rather, he had to make sure all of them were still there. If any of them got free, then Keith and Danielle would be punished.
You dont have to count, Gloria said from nearby. She was lying on her belly, her chin propped up on her front paws. Ive been watching them this whole ti.
Ramon grunted. Its your turn.
Gloria climbed to her feet and glanced at Kozabokget. The goat bleated at the air, but unlike the previous tis, no screen of light appeared. The pink-eyed goat tilted her head and bleated again. After a bit, she frowned and looked at the two dragons. Theres no more humans wandering around in groups smaller than five.
Ramon scratched his chin. Then, were done?
For now, Kozabokget said and yawned. Its ti for a break. Well see what they do tomorrow and continue from there. Humans dont sleep for long, but they sleep a lot. They dont like moving around at night.
Gloria sat on her haunches and rubbed her stomach. Its a perfect ti for a break, she said. Im getting hungry. Her gaze swept over the field of human heads, and all of them shuddered. They stared at the ground, hoping she wouldnt look at them for too long. Luckily for them, Gloria was influenced by Vur and believed humans tasted bad. She stared up at the sky. I dont think the moon will be out tonight. Should we go back and eat? Grandma will get suspicious if we dont show up for food.
Is there still bear at? Ramon asked. The next ti Tafel cos, we should ask her to bring so more.
Excuse , Keith said. I know eavesdropping is wrong and all, but did you just say Tafel? By any chance, are you talking about a demon?
Ramon glanced at Keith. You know her?
Keith scratched his head. In a sense, he said. How is she related to the two of you?
Shes our cousins mate, Ramon said.
Keith fell silent. Danielle asked, Vur Besteck?
You know him too? Ramon asked, raising an eyebrow.
Keith and Danielle exchanged glances with one another. They werent quite sure what to say.
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