Runes - A Tale Of The Abyss 15 Chapter 15 - The Rocky Road

"Damn it kid. I can't... move... any longer."

"I can well... see that. How much more do we... have to walk."

"I don't know you pipsqueak. Let's just hope we have some luck on our side."

As the duo continued walking as they breathed heavily, they came to a clearing and decided to take a rest. They had been running from the mountain for a few days now.

'We lost count how long has it been damn it.'

They had been hunting for food as James proved himself an adequate hunter. They were constantly on the move from fear of being caught again. They had just cleared the rocky mountain path and reached a clearing of four crossroads.

"We seem to be in the highlands and the air has more moisture than before. It definitely feels hotter as well. We're definitely getting closer to Alfrum kid, I'll give you that."

"Any chance of stumbling on merchants?"

"Higher than before. If we can come across a cart we're saved. I still have proof of being an adventurer."

"And what's that?"

James pulled his guild card out and tossed it at Griff.

"I wasn't stupid enough to leave that behind. Otherwise we would be treated as criminals or even worse, outlaws. There's even the possibility of being mistaken as enemy spies from other countries."

"Damn... these cards are sure important."

"I almost lost an eye to get that back. Now give it back kid."

Griff tossed the card back at James. The duo kept on walking in silence as they neared a slightly dense forest and decided to settle there to rest and to also hunt.

"Eating snow from the mountain compensated for our thirst but any more than necessary and we would have been poisoned for sure... I don't even want to guess what kind of beasts roam on those mountains."

"What do we have left for food?"

"2 wild hares and a couple of apples we picked on the way. I'm off to hunt kid. You start the fire."

Griff nodded as he got up after having rested for a while and started picking fire wood. According to James he had used a type of magic during his blackout. His magic involved fire as well apparently but he couldn't use it. Not yet at least. He had no knowledge on how to use his magic and draw in mana from his surroundings on will.

Oh well... he didn't use it to start a fire since they escaped and had resorted to old school ways James taught him. He took out a piece of flint and a rusty piece of steel that the duo had snatched from the skirts of the mountain and started to start a fire over the fire wood.

About an hour later James returned, holding on to two wild chickens he had managed to capture.

"We are definitely getting closer to Alfrum, otherwise this forest would be infested with phantasmal beasts or demonic beasts. Well... not like you know of them but they're just pretty damn scary."

Griff blinked once... then twice... then he got up and slapped James across the face.

"And you being the idiot you are just went in there without even telling me about this?!"

"Hehe... my bad?"

Griff started to scold James like an old house wife as James sheepishly scratched his head. A few minutes later the duo started laughing crazily as they plucked the feathers off the wild chickens and began cooking them.

"You know Griff... I think I may quit being an adventurer after we reach Alfrum. This was too much for me to be honest with you. Maybe I'll become a travelling merchant or start a workshop."

Griff nodded as he replied:

"Yeah... can't say I blame you honestly. Not after what we went through. In fact, I also thought of stopping myself from becoming an adventurer but... I think I just want to try before denying it. One bad experience, no matter how horrid it is, won't stop me yet."

"Well kid... you're right. I saw some dark shit during my job as an adventurer and this just encouraged me more to quit. Don't give up yet. Don't let this traumatize you for the rest of your life. Move on. It's in the past now."

Griff nodded happily as the two started to hungrily devour their wild chicken and slowly drifted to sleep.

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'Is it morning already?'

Griff heard a weird noise as he slowly started to wake up. It was still kind of dark. From a bit afar he saw something getting closer. Was it the enemy? Those nobles? Were they on to them?!

He decided to wake up James as he didn't know what to do and he couldn't just leave him behind.

"James! James wake up! Something is getting closer here!"

"I don't wanna go to the guild mom!"

"This is not the time to be dreaming!"

Griff replied as he sucker punched James across the jaw causing him to bolt awake with a low shriek.

"What'cha did that for you brat?!"

"Look!"

James muttered, clearly pissed off, as he looked at the direction Griff pointed and saw something getting closer.

"Damn it!"

He grabbed his blade and took a stance and signaled Griff to hide behind the trees.

Slowly the figure came closer to them and James clearly heard horse noises?

It was a horse cart! A travelling merchant!

As the figure on the cart came closer, he/she used a spell to bring light to his/her surroundings.

"Well what do we have here? Why would you be camping this far from the city? Are you an adventurer young man?"

A middle-aged man with a bald head stated as he got off his cart and approached James. James immediately sheathed his blade and took out his guild card.

"Yes sir. My name is James and I belong to the adventurer guild. All my necessary information is on this card."

He gave his card as the merchant read it and smiled slightly.

"Well, Mr. James, may I ask why you're out this far without any transportation?"

"Uhm... well my team was given a mission from the guild master of the Bordertown Ange but we got separated when several bandits attacked us. I never saw them again. I didn't want to get caught so I fled."

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"Well... bandits are posing a problem lately. Want me to give you a ride? As well as that kid hiding behind the trees?"

Griff emerged from his hiding spot with his jaw open.

"How did you see me?"

"Well kid you can't travel alone without knowing how to sense others and defend yourself. These outskirts are dangerous after all. So, what do you say?"

Griff looked at James who nodded at him.

"Yes! We're thankful for your help sir."

"The name's Brock. No need to call me sir. And kid who are you anyways?"

"Well I was a newbie adventurer that was with James until those bandits attacked. He saved me and now we're here."

"Nice to see you survived kid. Well anyways. Hop on behind the cart. I have a jug of spare water there, help yourself. By tomorrow morning, we'll be at the gates of Alfrum."

The merchant, Brock, smirked as he gestured for the two to sit behind him inside the cart. The duo quickly packed up what little things they had and sat behind Brock as he whipped his two horses to continue walking.

"We're really getting there, brat. Alfrum that is..."

"Yeah... We are."

Griff replied as he gazed up at the night sky and smiled as he thought inwardly.

"Thank you... Thank you James and thank you... Humbert. I won't let this life you two saved to just be lazy. I'll repay you two... however I can."

Chapter end