Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Lucius and Kiana soon rejoined the others at their small circle. Everyone was enjoying a warm meal courtesy of Finch and it put everyone in a relatively good mood.

"Oh, where did the two of you go?" Carnus asked. "Whispering to each other in the corner of the tent?"

"We were discussing some matters regarding our upcoming mission and checking on our supplies." Lucius replied evenly. "I hope that isn't any issue?"

"No. Not at all."

Carnus pursed his lips but couldn't say anything else. There was something about the way that Lucius carried himself that prevented the normally interrogative mercenary captain to pry any further.

It was a feeling that Carnus didn't like.

"Have you guys eaten already?" Ariana called out to Lucius and Kiana with a smile. She was nervous on how to treat Lord Asher, but did her best to play the role of someone who worked with them as part of a team.

"No, in fact, we haven't yet." Kiana replied and joined Ariana, making space for Lucius to join her. "What do we have, Ariana?"

"Well, Finch heated some of this really nice broth." Ariana said and offered both Lucius and Kiana their own canisters.

"Perfect for the cold and stormy weather." Albus added.

"Mmm… it does smell heavenly, what is it?" Harold asked. "Can I have some, Finch?"

"It's uh, just bone broth." Finch replied with a measured smile. "Nothing special. Ariana and Albus are just praising it too much."

"Is that a no?" Harold said, disappointed.

"There's not much left unfortunately." Gellor said.

Lucius sipped some of the broth he received and quickly identified that it was from the Alpha Long Claw Wolf's bones. Since they spent enough days waiting for the Plow Worm to transform, it had been enough time to make broth from its bones.

'Of course, if these mercenaries were to figure out that it came from wolf bones, they'd start to ask on how we encountered wolves along the path to Aisse territory. One can easily make an excuse, but it's better to withhold information if possible.' Lucius thought, satisfied with the outcome of the conversation.

The rest of the night was spent in conversation as they waited for the storm to disappear. The next day soon arrived and the thunderstorm reached its end.

Lucius and everyone in the mercenary groups went out to check the weather and found themselves cold.

"Brr… it's rather chilly, isn't it?" Albus rubbed his arms as he looked around their environment. "Barty, you want to give me a hug?"

"No." Barty flatly said.

"We should start a fire so we can finally have a hot meal." Gellor decided too, much of the agreement of everyone in the group.

"I'll take care of the fire then." Finch said, but then paused when Lord Asher tapped her shoulder and smiled at her.

"Well, if you'll allow me to use my gift now, I'd like to help." Lucius said. He took it as a decisive moment to make his mark as the group gathered together materials for multiple fireplaces.

Finch blinked feeling startled, but then nodded.

"O-okay."

"Good." Lucius took a step back and then cast his Fireball spell. It sent a small fireball for one bonfire and then doing the same for several others.

Carnus, and the others on his mercenary team watched Lucius create the warming bonfires for everyone and verified that it was truly his gift.

"Thank you for the fire, Lucius. You really do have a fire gift." Carnus said and clapped Lucius on his back.

Lucius smiled plainly and glanced at the mercenary captain. "Indeed, I do. Please enjoy the fire."

There was a look of dissatisfaction momentarily on Carnus's face, but everyone soon settled down by the bonfires and cooked themselves a meal.

"So, where are you guys heading after this? You guys are out to get rune crystals, right?" Harold asked Gellor as they all ate their hearty breakfasts.

"Yeah, so I don't think we'll be able to join you guys to where you're headed." Gellor said.

"That's fine. Maybe once you're done with your mission, you guys can drop by to Cutlass city and we can share a drink or two." Harold grinned. "Doesn't that sound nice?"

"Sure, if we find the time." Gellor said.

"Don't go all avoiding me, you'll hurt my feelings." Harold chuckled.

Once everyone was done with their meals, they all prepare to leave and soon enough it was time for them to head their separate ways.

"You guys are always welcome to join us once you're done with the rune crystal mission. Don't be a stranger, right Carnus?" Harold glanced at the man atop his horse.

"Of course, don't be a stranger. Everyone's welcome to visit Cutlass city." Carnus said.

"Isn't that the second biggest city in Aisse territory?" Kiana mused.

"It is." Carnus said as he glanced at both Kiana and Lucius with a smirk. "It's also where the Bergan's Band is based, but don't let that intimidate you, Miss."

"It won't." Kiana said with a tight smile.

"It's good to have the spirit. Well, we'll see you guys around. Gellor, and everyone."

"We hope to see you guys again." Gellor said.

Carnus and his men rode off and were quickly followed by Harold and his own team.

The moment that they take off, Lucius glanced down underneath the ground.

There were exactly two Bore Shrews that he made them stay with him while the Plow Worm and the other Bore Shrews moved forward.

'Go and follow the Bergan's band mercenaries.' Lucius sent the instructions to the hidden Bore Shrews, who then quickly followed his orders and burrowed after them.

"Shall we get going now?" Lucius called out to Gellor once the others went on their way.

"Yes, Lord Asher." Gellor bowed. "Where shall we head next?"

"We'll be going along this path." Lucius motioned to the eastern path, the opposite of Harold and Carnus who took the western one. They didn't need to follow the Bergan's Band members directly, but they will eventually meet soon enough.