The map Erizak gave them was very detailed. Showing all the villages around. They went to the destroyed village. Bodies were charred black, not crisp but black, with water flowing from the openings, the scar marks were of claws, swords, axes and beaks. No eyes were on the bodies, with no other missing organs.
"They died before the eyes were taken out." Ribu said. "There are no children here. They must have taken them or hidden them somewhere!"
"Their souls were attacked first, which led to sudden death, then they were sucked of blood, either by a creature or by a special weapon, it's the work of some hidden force. No ordinary monster can do this!" Cloe said.
"Let's go check if there is any survivor as we wait for our magician!" Kim said.
"Yes sir!" They replied in unison.
Erizak welcomed them into his fortress city, he took them to the two survivors who had no physical injuries, they however were in no talking shape, they were unconscious.
Iron drank some potion, he cast a spell on the two patients, their heart beats stabilized. Rina cast a healing spell on them. They woke up slowly, the man was shivering, he was in real fear.
"Sooth him Rina." Kim said.
Rina had a soothing spell,she could change someone's mood in an instant. She touched the man's head, and he calmed down.
"You are in Erizak's fort, you are safe!" Rinah said. "I want to ask you about what happened, who attacked you and the others?"
"Dark elves, dwar es and gnomes, they were led by spirits, the spirits killed every one, they took the children, and the blood, they left only I and one woman, to spread the tale, they had a tattoo of a crossed sun!" The man said.
"Was it like this?" Tan asked. He was pointing towards the man's shoulder. There was a tattoo there.
"Which one?" The man asked. He touched his shoulder, rubbed it, he couldn't see the tattoo.
"It's nothing, I was joking, was it like this!" Iron asked. He had drawn it.
"Yes, it was exactly like that, all except the spirits had it!" The man said.
"Tell me, what's your name?" Kim asked.
"Devres, I was just a trader passing through that village. I lost all my merchandise, slaves and horses!" Devres said.
"Rest a little bit more, let's also go and rest." Kim said.
They left the room, went to check on the woman. She was Jes, she also had the tattoo, she was a ranger, who roamed the forests, protected merchants and did similar jobs.
The went to Erizak.
"It's not as simple as it looks, we need a magician, I have sent word to the general, but it's not a priority. It'd be better if you put in a word and a magician is sent." Tan said." We will leave tomorrow if no magician has been sent!"
"I will ask for a magician, though we aren't at good terms with him, I should atleast try!" Erizak said. "About what you said about leaving without finishing your duties, I'll overlook it, just once!"
"Trust me, governor, if am to live this town, even you can't stop me, and me staying here doesn't mean I'll help you!" Kim said.
Erizak, smiled."I didn't mean to offend you, I didn't mean to threaten you!" He said.
"Well, I was!" Kim said.
Kim went to their quarters.
"Our request for a magician weren't taken, someone prevented them from sending the message, let me go with Cloe, you two watch Devres and Jes, Iron, walk in the shadows around these two, check if they're monitored." Kim said.
He had a teleportation device, for six people, it could mark a location. They went to the Ghost General, he was seated on his throne, with a mask on his face.
"How is the West?" He asked.
"Not too bad, I need a magician. A real good one, you know my team is incomplete." Kim said.
"Your dad lined a girl for you. She's also like you. She'll be in the west tomorrow, I want you to keep your progress from the governor. He is definitely hiding a thing!" Ghost General said.
"Yes sir!" Kim said.
They went back to the west. It was nearly dawn. The hunters were all waiting. Kim told them to rest, he had business to handle, he went out, but Cloe stayed close, she had always followed him around since they were eight. Her dad had sent her after training her since she was five. He was her priority.
Kim knew of it, he also had her back, and she was his best friend, he knew nearly all about her. She walked besides him, always looking around discreetly, he led her to a food stall, he ordered for her, she ate as he watched over her.
"The magician should be here by now!" He said.
"I met her yesterday, as you talked to the general. She's beautiful." Cloe said.
"More than Zho Wi?" Kim asked.
"You can decide for yourself that!" Cloe said.
"You should dress up like a lady more often, I hate it when you are like this." He said jokingly." It feels weird holding you in such cloths, like a man!"
A black girl of around twenty walked to wards them. She put a silver badge on the table. She looked at the two of them and frowned.
"What's your deal?" Cloe asked.
"Are you from the governor?" Tan asked.
"I am Ariana, you should be expecting a magician from the general, I am the one."she said proudly.
"What's up with the badge?" Cloe asked again.
"You should be afraid, well, this isn't mine, mine is golden, I carried it to show you guys how silver cards are worth nothing to me." Ariana said.
"Why in the world did you want to show us that?" Kim asked.
"Well to be frank, I want to tell you that I'll be the one leading. I have the highest rank!" Ariana said.
Kim looked at her flaunting her golden badge, they looked at each other, Cloe who always had a cold expression smiled in a sly way.
"You may have a high rank, but he is captain!" Cloe said.
"He is your captain, it may be true, but I am a noble!" She said. "I am Erizak's niece!"
"Okay, if you want to be ranked against us basing on nobility, we shall do exactly that!"Tan said.
They walked to their quarters, it was already dawn.