Chapter 28 - The Black Snow Camp

The Black snow camping grounds, despite being called a camp ground is completely devoid of any tents. What welcomed Stian was the amount of log houses and the giant bonfire in the middle of the camp. So contrary to what Stian expected, Stian felt depressed.

Walking towards the camp and turning around the corner, Stian then felt a large force of impact transmit towards his body as he collided with what it seems to be another person.

Long silver hair and beautiful green eyes accompanied with a blooming body feasted the eyes of Stian as he look towards the beautiful young girl he have collided with. Seeing that Stian was knocked into the ground flat. The young girl then stand up and said.

''Watch where your going damn it!'' As she then run off towards a random direction.

''What was that all about?'' Stian muttered.

Stian then stood up patting the snow away from his body as he then shrugged off what just happen and as he eventually head towards the Elder of the camp grounds.

During the walk towards the longhouse which the Elder of the camp is located. Stian move his head around as he observe the watch towers and the guard around . Then touching the tip of his chins, Stian thought about the security of the are as he arrived at the front door of the longhouse and knocked inside.

Using the knuckles of his hand to knock, Stian repeated the action till a voice came from the inside.

''Who's there'' the voice inside the longhouse stated '' Do you have business to deal with''

Stian then took a step back and said ''Ah, yes I am a newcomer on this camp, so I would like to know if there is a place here for me to stay for a day or two.''

''Is that so? Then come right in so we can talk properly '' as the door opened and a muscled man appeared as he slowly observed Stian and said '' Come in ''

''Excuse me'' as Stian walk inside the long house,

Stian's eyes then surveyed the area and saw an old man reading papers on his desk as he smoke his tobacco and making a giant puff of air as his eyes then glanced at Stian.

''Sit down'' the old man stated.

'' Ah, thank you'' as Stian moved towards a chair and sat in front of the old man.

''Welcome to the Black Snow camp, I am Thorin Blacksnow, the elder of this camp and you are?''

''Nice to meet you sir, I am Stian Peregrine, and like the meaning of my name I am a wanderer and a pilgrim who is now traveling towards Snow Crest to see the Ever Winds''

''The Ever winds huh, that reminds me...'' as the old man took the tobacco pipe in mouth as then slowly place it towards an ash tray.

''Then lets not idle any longer, currently there are two log houses that can be rented around the southern path of the camp, the renting price would be eighty three coins. Would you like to rent the place?'' said the old man.

''Then I shall take it '' as Stian took the necessary coins in bag of holding.

'"Very well, then here is the key to the log house, the only thing you need to know is not to break, steal or start any trouble towards this camp and you will do fine, Understood?'' as the Old man warned said.

''I understood., then I shall go now '' as Stian then lean back and get up from the chair as he then made his way out towards the door.

Stepping outside, Stian then made his way towards the southern path of the camp and use the key handed to him to open the log house and step inside while locking the door. Then putting up his hands in the air, Stian took of his backpack, put it besides the corner of the bed as he took out his journal and started writing on it.

Moments later, Stian then rested his body as he recalled on the journey so far and then slowly closed his eyes for a nap..

Before long the sky turn black as nighttime arrives, around the camp mutters of excited travelers who gathered near the bonfire chatter.

In his rented log house, Stian open his eyes after the nap and sat down on the bed as he crack a joint and stand up as he turn the backpack besides the bed invisible as he then head towards outside while not forgetting to lock the door with the key.

Waltzing around the snow, Stian turn his head as he glances around the area looking for a place to eat. Walking around the camp, he then saw what it seems to be an a pub and decided to sat around the corner after ordering a mug of ale as he the lazily drank.

While drinking Stian then saw a glance of what seems to be guard talking towards his fellow guards as they spoke..

''Have you heard?'' the guard spoke.

''Yeah, it seems that Elder Thorin seems to have been putting the main hunters on standby ''

''Looks like those monsters are really coming huh''

''More or less, it seems the scouts have seen them approached towards the western path of the valley.''

''How many were found approaching?''

''A lot it seems, the scout didn't manage to count them all after being sniffed out by those monsters''

''Will we really be able to hold them off?''

''As long as the hunters are here, then we should be safe. Those guys are monsters themselves''

''True, but I got this bad feeling man''

''Shhhhh, better not talk about that, we don't want to scare ourselves now aren't we?''

" Your right, then lets drink this ale before its cold and leave all that matters to the hunters'' as one the guards raise the mug of ale towards his mouth.

Hearing the guards talk, it seems that there is something gonna happen to this camp soon. Though the mention of monsters seem to alarm Stian, he decided to shrug it off mainly because of it not being his business. After all it seems like its nothing to worry about since the guards seem to be confident about the hunters they mention. Stian then continued drinking as he slowly passes the time in the pub and then later on heading back towards his log house in order to take rest for the day while keeping aware of the surroundings outside....