- Shari -

Our chase continues.

While there are still no real signs of our targets, I'm sure my tracking sense is accurate. It feels rather contradictory that my human mind finds it weird to move on without any actual reference to what I'm following, but at the same time, my slime instinct kinda tells me to just keep going, and eventually I'll find what I'm looking for at the end of the trail. From experience with Liqu, I know that the slime instinct is more likely to be right on this matter, but it puts me in a difficult mood, in which I need to tell my human mind that it's wrong and may shut up. Yeah, really difficult.

"You still got the trace? Or why are you looking so absent-minded?" (Peras)

Also, did I ever mention that it's kinda weird to be treated like a trailing dog?

"I still know where we need to go. It's just that they apparently got quite the pace going." (Shari)

"Strange. Why would they rush like this? If they keep going in this direction, they'll eventually reach the road. Yet exhausting themselves before the terrain gets better might be the worst possible call." (Peras)

At this, Jacob approaches.

"If I may say something, the most likely explanation would be that they believe they may reach some destination they assume is going to provide them safety." (Jacob)

"Hm. I don't like this. Can you increase your pace?" (Peras)

"Sorry, no. Keeping up my focus on the trail while walking is rather difficult to maintain." (Shari)

Liqu might be able to, but I'm not her. I still need far more practice in this. By the way, adding 'talking' to this mix doesn't make this any easier.

"Then we can only hope to reach them before they make it. Can you give an estimate in this regard?" (Peras)

Can I? Hm, the trail seems to be relatively fresh, but I have no concrete estimate regarding distance.

"So, so. I honestly can't tell. We're getting closer, but they're pushing themselves, just as you said." (Shari)

It's not like we can just bet on being faster than them. There are just too many variables. Are they going as fast as we are, or slowing down? How well can they traverse the forest? What about impeding monster attacks? I can't make a full assessment with just this.

"Ahem, I know it's probably not my station to but in here, but you got an adventurer team with you. As you said, they're rushing, so by now they're leaving enough traces to follow them even at a brisk pace." (Myra)

"Why didn't you say this earlier? Who knows how far they got by now?" (Peras)

"Well, it's been more of a recent development, and it's not exactly easy to judge when it's the best time to make the whole troop halt so you can change the approach. We aren't military, after all." (Myra)

"Fine, then please, take over. We'll up our pace, but not by much. We better conserve our stamina for what is to come." (Peras)

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Seems like the Captain wants to play this safe. This might be for the better. At least we can still run the other way if we can't handle what's ahead of us. Well, aside from me. I'll probably have to dig down in the worst case.

So we move on, till suddenly something changes. At first, it's only a small shift in the trail's composition, but I quickly realize what's going on.

"Ambush. Or at least a smaller group lying in wait." (Shari)

Certainly not all of them, which was the point that confused me so much, as the trail I'm following basically still exists, just in a weaker form.

Peras turns to the troop.

"You heard her. Vanguard, forward! We won't let them catch us off guard." (Peras)

In seconds, a proper defensive formation is established. To be fair, everyone was already before supposed to be at their proper position, but there's a difference between having a certain role on a long-term travel, and being on high alert in formation.

Nonetheless, we aren't too slow.

"Agent Shari, you'll tell me when we approach them, right?" (Peras)

"Sure. We'll reach them right about... now." (Shari)

"Sigh. I wish you wouldn't do this." (Peras)

Well, that's just who I am. Yet, I don't think there's much to worry about. There aren't many of them, and we can't be more ready than we already are.

Now Peras turns in the direction I'm pointing and raises his voice.

"We know you're there! Come out or we'll be forced to end you!" (Peras)

For a moment, there's nothing, aside from maybe the tiniest shifting of the leaves, but soon after this, there's a voice to be heard.

"Tsk, now they heard us. Fuck this shit."

Out of the undergrowth, figures emerge. Coming from their equipment, all seasoned fighters, I'd even dare to say adventurers. But the most prominent features would be those collars around their necks.

Before any orders can be given, I notice that Jacob presses forward.

"Rackal? Is that you?" (Jacob)

Acquaintances?

"Jacob? Never thought you to be so politically interested as to be caught up in such a mess." (apparently Rackal)

"Well, letting yourself get collared was probably not the smartest choice either." (Myra)

"Hah, choice. Yeah, sure. This little trinket here is my way to express my sense of fashion. Anyways, we were told to stall you. Unfortunately, they also told us they would trigger the collars the moment they notice any pursuers. So that's that." (Rackal)

"Why are we even talking with this scum?" (Lorel)

"Shh. Calm down, Lorel. Be a bit more diplomatic." (Jacob)

He turns back to the fighters in front of him.

"So I understand this right, you aren't too inclined to take this fight?" (Jacob)

"With you all-prepared? Honestly, even with my life on the line, I don't feel like giving it only to aid that asshole of a count." (Rackal)

"Count? So this is the group of Count Hovari?" (Peras)

"Sure it is. Can tell you, not a man you'd want to work for." (Rackal)

He points at his collar.

"This is what you get if you do your job to satisfaction. You don't want to see the others." (Rackal)

"To move this along, if we'd take those things off you, you'll let us pass?" (Jacob)

"If you get these things off us, I'll help you hunt this asshole myself!" (Rackal)

"Captain, would that be alright?" (Jacob)

"If we can get past this way. But make it quick." (Peras)

Seems like this is on me. I approach with all the appropriate caution. I'm very aware that I can't trust these people and that they could attack me at any moment.

"Damn, you..." (Rackal)

"If I hear now any speciest remark from you, I'll think twice about helping you get this thing off!" (Shari)

"Never said a word!" (Rackal)

At least he knows what's good for him.

"Zsch"

"Crck"

As I have some practice by now it goes reasonably fast. While at first equally apprehensive of me as I am of them, they thankfully rub their necks once I'm done. Granting personal advantages is still a good way to get people on your side.

"So now that that's done, we need to be on our way." (Jacob)

"Hey, what about the offer to help you out?" (Rackal)

"I don't think so. By all means, we can't trust you. I need to ask you to move back to Ekoras and officially report yourself there. However, as you apparently didn't actively join the fighting, we may grant you the same exception most of the other adventurers were given. Still, you might be subjected to civil service. Which is a verdict as light as you can hope for if you don't mess up now." (Peras)

"Uh, yeah. Very generous." (Rackal)

Not sure about this. They could've been helpful in a fight, and the collars were quite the indicator of where their loyalty would now lie. However, I can see Peras' point, too. More dangerous than the enemy would be a sudden surprise attack within our ranks at the most crucial moment. Though, there is this one concern I have that Peras is only so willing to forfeit any assistance because he's going to so heavily rely on me.

Anyways, for now our groups separate again, which to me means that this encounter ended on somewhat favorable terms. When he's almost out of reach, this Rackal guy turns back to us, one last time.

"Oh, by the way, you should probably hurry. The count seemed rather confident that he would be fine if he could just get enough of a headstart. At least, this killing order was only put into place for until he reaches his destination. An 'incentive to give our best' as he called it." (Rackal)

Hm, if it's like that, this Rackal probably tried to stall us either way. Stalling doesn't have to mean fighting. In this sense, an extended talk would already work. Which, on the other hand, means that there's no time to lose.

"Captain, we should get moving." (Shari)

I say so with the necessary sense of urgency.

"Yes, I'm on it. Everyone, get back on track!" (Peras)

Sometimes I ask myself if there's really any reason why I shouldn't make those calls myself. Sigh.

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