“What are you doing, Gregor? I thought you went to get firewood.” I said sternly

“No, Hemlet is doing that. He’s better at that sort of thing.” Gregor replied while trying to explain his reasoning.

We were escorting young master Servil between the towns that his father controls. Who am I? I’m the Strafton’s court magician Dustin. I was lucky enough to get hired as an apprentice to their court magician when I was young and have been serving them ever since. Duke Strafton wanted his son to see the world a bit. Stating he couldn’t know the faintest about managing the lands if he hasn’t even visited them.

We hired a few retired adventurers who were supposedly pretty highly ranked. First, we have Gregor; he is a bit of a meathead, but he moves as if he was still in his prime. Earlier, when we were attacked by some dire wolves, he took care of them all without any help.

Our other escort for this trip is Hemlet. He may not seem like much, but he detected those dire wolves before they showed up. I believe they said he was an expert scout. I’m not sure how he does it, but he sensed the wolves long before they approached us.

“Hey, where is the young master?” Hemlet asked on his way back from the forest. Carrying an armful of firewood.

“He is already asleep.” I replied, “For the first time leaving the mansion, I imagine all this travel is a bit much for him.”

“I bet it is. Seems like he is having plenty of fun, though. Never met a kid his age with so many questions.” Hemlet said as he threw some of the timber into the fire pit. “If you would be so kind, sir Dustin.” Gesturing towards the fire pit.

“Ignitius,” I murmured; a small fire sprang to life in the fire pit.

“That sure is handy,” Hemlet said watch intently as the flame spread across the wood.

We all sat down around the fire as the sunset, letting the fresh night breeze pass by. Lightly joking amongst ourselves. I could tell these men were good at heart. They were earnestly trying to speak correctly in front of the Duke’s son as not to offend. However, when it was just us, they were letting their formality slip just a bit.

“This is decent pay for just escorting some nobles son.” Gregor chuckled.

“Well, it isn’t just some noble. It's Duke Strafton’s first son. If anything happens to him, it will be our heads on the chopping block too.” Hemlet spoke up.

“It’s simple; just don’t let anything happen to the young man,” I said, then clapped my hands together. They got a good laugh out of this as if it were that easy.

At that time, a chill ran down my spine. Emerging from the darkness was a see-through form of what used to be a man. It strode right up to the campfire and began waving its arms around. Missing flesh and parts of bone exposed. Its throat ripped out. It was a truly horrifying sight.

I was speechless, and so were my companions. Whatever this thing was, it surely meant us harm. The eerie aura it gave off it had to be evil. Grabbing my staff, I began to build mana at the tip to cast a spell.

Which spell should I cast? It was a spirit of some sort. However, I wasn’t a priest or a cleric; I couldn’t use holy magic to purify it. Undead and spirits should be vulnerable to fire. I chose a second-tier attack spell Infernium. A powerful fire-based attack spell.

I pointed my staff at the specter, forming the spell. The creature put out both hands as if inviting me to attack it head-on. A sinister smile creeping across its half-eaten face. I launched the spell, “Infernium,” I shouted, releasing the magic.

The creature didn’t as much as flinch. Standing there with both arms out, taking the spell head-on. The spell had passed through the specter and vanished. Almost as if the energy had been sucked clean out of the spell. The spirit's face turned sullen, peering downwards as it faded back into the shadows.

“Get some torches!” I shouted to the other two.

“Uhh… Uhh... On it! Boss!” Hemlet replied.

“Just what the hell was that!” Gregor exclaimed while grabbing his sword.

“I’m not sure. But it seemed malevolent, did it not?” I asked.

“I dunno, but it sure gave of some seriously creepy vibes,” Gregor spat as he continued looking towards the shadows.

Needless to say, none of us got any sleep that night except for the young master. When we had finally made our way back to the mansion, I had asked the church to send out some priests in search of the creature. To find it and purify it.

It had crossed my mind; maybe it wasn’t evil, but instead was searching for salvation. When my magic didn’t so much as faze it, it had left with a sullen expression. Sadness, perhaps, that I couldn’t destroy it and end its suffering? That is what I had thought, at least.