Alger has seen a lot of corpses since he was reincarnated, Broken rabbits, Broken deer, an Awakened moose, and even a Broken wolf. But what he saw below him almost made him puke. Just from the odor itself, Alger could tell that it had been around a week since the wolf died.
Just what the hell could a kill shadow wolf like this!? I have to go back to warn Orchard right now! There is something in the forest. Something that isn't supposed to be here.
He ran straight towards the caravan, without even thinking for a second.
***
The sun was about to rise. Alger was only able to see it due to his high vantage point. After two hours of jumping between trees, Alger finally reached the Caravan again. He was panting; he didn't take a break in between this time.
Alger jumped down from the tree, and he slowly walked towards the caravan.
Orchard was feeding the horses, like he usually does around this time. When he suddenly noticed Alger walking towards him, from the forest between the trees.
"A-Alger?! Why are you coming from the forest?! I thought you were asleep...."
"I'll explain it to you later Mr.Orchard. But for now, we have to leave this forest as quickly as we can. Let's hurry!"
Mr.Orchard was extremely confused as to what was happening.
"What? Why?! w-wait, Alger, since when were you inside the forest?"
"I will tell you everything after we are on the move. Hurry!"
Orchard didn't press him any further and quietly placed the hay, which he was feeding to the horses, back inside the caravan.
***
After an hour of explaining to Orchard what had exactly happened, from the night he had first ventured into the forest to what he had discovered just a few hours ago, Orchard finally spoke,
"You are correct Alger... The most dangerous species in this forest is supposed to be the shadow wolf. Nothing stronger than them exists here." He took a deep breath before continuing, "Whatever killed them, it's strong. It has to be a Conjuror."
What?? Only a conjurer?! I thought it would be a Bound at least.... but maybe it's better that way. I might have a chance of defeating it if we run into it...
Ivy and Dawn were still asleep, and Orchard was planning on telling them about our situation when they would take a break, around noon.
Alger had no time to be sitting around, he was planning to act as the scout. He was going to stay ahead of the Caravan by a few kilometers, taking note of anything out of the ordinary. He had told Orchard about this, Orchard protested about it first, but after seeing how serious Alger was about the situation, he gave in.
Today was going to be their last night in the forest. They were going to leave the forest by morning and reach Stormhollow by noon tomorrow. Only one more day in this forest...
***
Alger rested on a branch, watching the quiet forest several kilometers ahead of the others. The wind blew from behind him, carrying their scent forward. If something was rotting up ahead, he would not know until it is too late.
He looked at the sky to see that the sun was directly above him, it was around noon. He was drinking the last few drops of water from the canteen he carried around his side.
Up until now, Alger had noticed nothing unusual... apart from the eerie silence.
Alger made the decision to wait for the caravan to reach him. It was time for lunch. After a while Alger saw the wooden cart drawn by two horses slowly approach him.
He jumped down from the tree and slowly walked towards it. Orchard slowly started to slow down the horses after seeing him.
After he was close enough, he heard Orchard talking to Ivy and Dawn.
"We will take a quick break here, we don't have time to waste..."
When Alger walked in frame, Orchard turned around to look at him and paused with what he was saying.
"Alger. You should take a break as well... you look tired."
It was true, Alger had been on the trees for 11 hours by now. He ventured East for four hours, and was scouting for another seven. He only took two breaks during that period... but Alger knew he was far from reaching his limit.
"A-Alger is it true? That you saw a Conjuror?", Ivy said with her voice laced with concern.
Alger jumped inside the caravan to refill his canteen and said, "No Ivy, I didn't see a Conjuror, but there is definitely something in this forest... ", he paused and continued with what he was saying.
"We'll just eat stale bread for lunch while Orchard is feeding the horses... we don't have time for delicacies..."
After refilling his canteen and putting a piece of hard bread in his pocket. He jumped outside the caravan.
He was ready to jump on one of the low branches, but before he could, the wind changed directions... and his nostrils were greeted by a smell....
The same smell... a rotting corpse.
His heart started to race a little...
The corpse was close by, only a few kilometers away.
"Orchard, stay here! Don't move an inch, there is something up ahead.", he said in a serious tone, forgetting the 'Mr.' he always uses.
Orchard didn't even notice it. He was already getting inside the carriage.
Before Alger could jump, he heard Dawn's voice behind him...
"I'll come with you, Alger."
Alger turned around to look at Dawn. "No, you can't, you're only an Awakened."
Dawn was a little confused. "You say that as you're not an Awakened like me."
Alger realised what he had just accidentally said, "No- I mean, I am, but I can stay on top of the trees, unlike you. It would be too dangerous on the ground.", He paused for a bit and continued.
"You stay here and protect Orchard and Ivy. I'll be back in no time...."
He jumped on top of the branch and headed towards the smell...