It was in the afternoon when they heard a low purring from the distance. Aizaban and Lanban, who hadn’t reacted until they heard the purring, reached for their weapons. Aizaban donned her shield, which was painted with the symbol of Baktu, an ever watching eye, and gripped her mace tight.

Vice Master Paul and Sir Merrick had taken to flanking Sir Harvey, who had reached back into his cloak, but he waited.

Fate’s Golden had prepared themselves too. Adam felt his die within his hand, squeezing it tight, his shield in hand. He felt so much more at ease with it in his hand, and now he could cast spells freely, without the need to worry about whether he had donned his shield and blade together.

Adam stepped a little closer towards Aizaban, daring to step towards the front. Yet, as he did, he noted how Aizaban narrowed her eyes, spotting something from afar. Moments passed, and as the group remained on high alert, Aizaban eventually placed away her mace.

There was silence for a few moments, before the rest of them started to relax too.

“What was it?” Adam asked, glancing up towards her.

Aizaban smiled. “A good fight,” she said, not elaborating further.

Adam threw a look to Jurot, who had already doffed his shield and had slipped his axe back into his belt. His eyes were slightly narrowed, his lips taut, his face full of disappointment.

They continued to trek through the forest, which was quieter than before. To their right was the hill, where it continued to loom over them.

“Isn’t that hill dangerous?” Adam asked.

“Yes,” Aizaban replied. “Very dangerous.”

“Then shouldn’t we step away from it?” Adam asked, noting Sir Harvey furrow his brows at the Half Elf, as though he had said something ridiculous.

“Why?” Aizaban replied, throwing a look towards him, raising her brow.

“It’s dangerous,” Adam replied, simply. “If it’s very dangerous, then shouldn’t we move away?”

“Paul and Sir Crimsonwood are to the right because it is very dangerous,” she said. “You are on the left, in your own danger. Regardless of where we step, it is dangerous for you.”

“Oh,” Adam said, glancing to the forest to his left. “Right.”

Aizaban smiled. She couldn’t help but wonder how adorable the young man was, asking such cute questions.

Adam felt the gaze of a predator fall upon him, and he shuddered. ‘Man, it really is dangerous out here.’

They had taken many breaks on the journey, and though sometimes they had found a clear trail to follow, Sir Harvey often snipped away various items, taking a few moments here and there during their frequent breaks.

They found another camp site towards the evening, which had taken nearly twelve hours to find. The camp was made of hardy stone, full of half walls, as were all the other camps he had noted. This one was large enough to handle them all, and another party.

Jurot and the pair of Silver Rank Iyrmen left, going off to hunt once again. Adam kept an eye out, unnerved by the low growling he had heard earlier in the day. He recalled the growl, hearing it within his mind.

The low growl filled the area, and Adam straightened up, reaching for his shield. “That wasn’t just me, was it?”

The others threw a look to Adam, raising their brows. “What was just you?” Dunes asked, staring at the Half Elf.

Adam looked around, noting how no one else seemed to be reacting. “The low growling. You don’t hear it?”

Jaygak and Kitool threw glances between one another, and the devilkin Iyrman reached for her shield as Kitool stood.

“No,” Jaygak said. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“Oh,” Adam said, keeping an eye out on the tree line. He could feel something watching him, but he didn’t know what it was.

“Are you okay?” Jurot asked when they had returned.

“Nothing, hopefully.”

The night passed uneventfully, and they continued along in their journey. Adam’s thoughts were consumed by the watchful eyes he could feel throughout his entire time in the forest.

“Hello there!” called someone from afar. Up ahead was an older man, in his early sixties or so. His hair was short, white and silver, betraying his age, with a scruffy beard beginning to form on his chin.

He was heavily armoured, adorned in plate mail, and at his back was a giant maul. The maul itself was carved out of a dark gem, black as night, and was no doubt enchanted considering how there were specks of light within the gem which shifted about like fireflies. “I hear that not many come by this way to Deadwood, not unless there’s some funny business.”

“No funny business, good man,” Sir Harvey said, squinting his eyes. “Say, you look familiar.” He was sure he had seen the man before, though the armour seemed a little different, that maul was pinging something in the back of his brain.

Lanban joined Aizaban upfront, but the pair had positioned themselves in front of Fate’s Golden, whereas Paul and Sir Merrick were flanking on either side of Sir Harvey, as they had done so thus far.

“He should look familiar,” Sir Merrick said, bowing his head. “That’s Sir Royce. I recognise that maul from a mile away. Black as night, starry, it’s the Deathly Night without a doubt.”

“Oh, you’ll be making me blush!” Sir Royce laughed, grinning wide.

“Deathly Night?” Adam asked, his eyes beaming towards the maul. ‘Sounds like it’s a powerful weapon.’

“That’s the Knight of Death,” Jurot whispered to Adam. “It seems he’s retired.”

“Knight of Death?” Adam asked. “You mean the Knight from North Fort?”

“I’m honoured that you’ve all heard of me!” Sir Royce chuckled, grinning wide. Of course, almost everyone had heard of him considering he was sometimes spoken in the same breath as King’s Sword.

“They say you’re the strongest Knight in the North,” Adam said. “Is that true?”

“Ay,” Sir Royce replied with a nod of his head. “After the King’s Sword, they say the Knight of Death is the strongest. I doubt the current King’s Sword could handle the likes of me!” He roared with laughter, unable to contain himself.

Adam glanced around, no longer feeling the presence watching him. It hadn’t for a short time, but he hadn’t realised until now. ‘Just when did it stop?’

“He’s still young yet,” Sir Merrick said, smiling. “I’m sure he will match the likes of the previous generation of great warriors.”

“Right, I can’t say I’m the Knight of Death any longer, now can I?” Sir Royce rubbed his chin, feeling the hair across his chin, something he had been shaving for years, but no longer. “I suppose we’ll have to leave it to those boys now.”

“You have retired?” Sir Merrick asked. “That’s a great shame for our Kingdom.”

“I’ve worked hard enough. I’m heading down to Ever Green now, enjoy my days with good company and great views.”

“Isn’t the previous King’s Sword in Ever Green too?” Adam asked. “Sir Merry, right?”

“That’s right. I thought I may as well retire with him. We spoke before he retired, telling me that Ever Green was still the most beautiful place he had ever seen. I told him it was a bunch of poppycock, for he’s never seen the sight of a battlefield like those in the north!” Sir Royce grinned. “I’m sure he said it for nostalgia’s sake. Lucky he left when he did, otherwise I’d never be able to confirm his words.”

“It’s a shame what happened down south,” Adam said, noting the glances he received from Sir Merrick and Sir Harvey.

“A shame?” Sir Royce asked. “Ay, a shame it was, in a certain sense. We built up thousands of soldiers near the Elvish lands, then one of our towns was completely destroyed. He thought against bringing me down there, and he paid the price of it. I’d love to have seen those Elvish bastards try it with my maul!” He laughed. “It’s a good thing good ol’ Harry was about, otherwise we’d have lose at least another town, and the King would have had to think about how warm he’d be able to keep his seat.”

“Well, that is just how the dice fall,” Sir Merrick said. He didn’t have the gall to speak so poorly of the King’s actions, so kept his mouth shut.

Sir Royce just grinned. After all, he understood that he was one of the handful of people who could speak so poorly about the King and bear no consequences. “I didn’t expect so many Iyrmen.” His eyes scanned the group, noting the Iyrmen and their positions, as well as the pair nearby.

The pair of Bans stared at him, large grins on their faces. Paul noted the look in their eyes, and realising that it was Aizaban with him, he quickly stepped forward. “It’s nice to meet you, Sir Royce. I am Vice Master Paul.”

“Oh? A Vice Master of the Adventurer’s Guild? Where are my manners?” Sir Royce stepped forward to shake the man’s hand.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Paul said, flashing a smile. “It’s my honour to meet you.”

“Is it?” Sir Royce laughed. “I’m just an old man now. I didn’t expect to see a Vice Master either. It seems I’ve stumbled onto something I shouldn’t see? Will I be killed?” Sir Royce asked, a grin on his face.

“Nothing like that,” Paul said, smiling. “We are here to escort Sir Harvey.”

“That so. Interesting to see so many new blood with so many magical items too.” Royce threw a quick glance to Fate’s Golden, seeing all their magical gear, save one who was a dark skinned Priest from Aswadasad.

“It seems they came across a great fortune,” Paul said, hoping that Sir Royce would drop the matter here.

“And a young man with puthral plate mail?” Sir Royce said, smirking. “How interesting. I’ve only seen it a handful of times, on an Iyrman with Gold Rank maybe a decade ago was the last time I saw it. How is it that a Copper Rank managed to receive such a gift?”

“Didn’t you hear?” Adam asked, smiling a cheeky smile. “I came across a great fortune.”

Sir Royce continued to glance between them all. “So, should I be friendly with you all? Perhaps I’ll come across a great fortune too”

“Becoming friendly with me may be the best decision you ever make,” Adam said.

Paul and Sir Merrick threw a look to Adam. ‘Are you crazy?’

“You sure have a lot of guts, boy,” Sir Royce said.

“Of course. I’m surrounded by Iyr-“

Adam was unable to react, seeing the blur of black ahead of him. Air splashed through his helmet against his face. He blinked, noting the mace and maul ahead of him, blocking the path of the huge maul ahead of him.