"We, muga, are a subtle race. Not many others know about us, and that's the best for us. We have settled our lives within these woods, under the soil, inside the caves - we are fine. We were, at least. We are not anymore. This lurking menace, doomed us. We are scared. We are tired of moving in the woods all the time, running away. It follows us. It sees us."
"-What- follows you?" asked Urnyras Jael, rather impatiently.
"We don't know," shrugged the muga chieftain, in desperation. A giant, devouring us. Slaying my scouts, hunters. We never see them again. We hear the echoes of its dreadful screaming within the woods, in the distance. We tremble in fear everytime. Our spears, arrows and steel will not harm it."
"Can you describe it to me? What does it look like? How big is it? Is it a beast? What do you know about it?" Urnyras Jael asked. She could feel the fire of excitement burning inside her with such an unexpected, challenging quest.
"It is a beast, that's for sure. Red eyes, sharp fangs - the Spirits witness, the sight was so intimidating, I wish not to see it again. It is huge - even taller than what they call a kheron - and broader, of course. His body is covered with hair. It carries a talisman, too. One of the hunted scouts told so - shortly before he died of his wounds, last week."
Urnyras Jael scratched her chin, nodding. Unexpectedly, muga chieftain stood up and ran towards Urnyras Jael and kneeled, holding her hand.
"Help us, fylla," he said, with a trembling voice, peering to the gound. "Save us. Only you can save us, relieve us from this curse. You are sent by the Gods, Spirits bless you."
Urnyras Jael smirked.
"I will," she said. "But under one condition, if you wish to negotiate."
"Say it," muga chieftain looked up to her face.
"I want Beus to be released," she said. "He looks like a noble knight of Rolinbragh - he can be of help."
"The eila prisoner? He is an old man, he is weak!" said chieftain, rather surprised. "Why do you want him?"
"Him," said Urnyras Jael, "and one muga warrior to witness the glory to be bestowed upon your people. A worthy, skilled, honored warrior of your tribe shall help me, too."
"Fine," sighed the chieftain. "Your wishes are granted." He quickly screamed some words in his native tongue. Two muga guards quickly ran towards the cell she was imprisoned. Shortly after, the muga guardians brought Beus of Rolinbragh on a sedan - he was still unconscious.
Muga chieftain muttered some words, holding his hand above Beus' head. Beus stopped shivering shortly. Urnyras Jael could see his breathing returning to a normal pace.
Finally, the chieftain clapped his hands, and several muga, out of nowhere, ran to bring some food to three of them.
Shortly after, Beus opened his eyes. His bones slowly warmed by the heat of the bonfire, and Urnyras Jael was treating his old body. Shortly after the foods arrived, she asked for blankets and some water, too.
"Are you alright?" asked Urnyras Jael. "How do you feel?"
"Where am I?" asked Beus, looking around. "Am I dead already?"
"No, no," Urnryas shook her head. "Muga released you. You are a free man now - I mean, as free as I am."
"What do you mean?" said Beus, trying to figure out Urnyras Jael's words. "I don't-"
He fell asleep again, his old body collapsing because of days of tiredness.
"Let him rest," muga chieftain observed the two of them. "He will be fine."
...
Beus quickly recovered, merely in three days. The muga chieftain ordered his tribesmen to return his armor and weapons and provided Urnyras Jael and Beus the best means of accommodation.
The best you can expect from a nomadic tribe, of course.
"I can't thank you enough," said Beus. "I owe you my life. If there is any way I can repay-"
"There is a way," said Urnyras Jael, peering at Beus with a smile. "These muga released us, so we can hunt this 'menace' they are cursed by."
"What beast?" asked Beus, in surprise.
"The beast that caused our lovely muga people go tense and paranoid," said Urnryas Jael. "The source of their troubles. They are being hunted by this unknown, giant hairy beast that they are uneasy for a while now. They released me so I can hunt it down. I offered the condition that I shall do so if only they release you to aid me, as well as a brave, strong muga warrior to accompany us."
"I have seen and slain many foes in the past," said Beus, with a slight, calm smile. "If that is my life debt, of course I will aid you with my sword."
"Thank you, Beus," Urnyras Jael said. "Let's hunt it down and get out of these woods. I don't have much time to linger, anyway."
They've heard a clinging voice in front of the entrance of their tent. Urnyras Jael slowly approached the entrance, unsheathing a dagger, slightly opening the canvas cloth.
"What is it?" she whispered to the muga, armed tip to toe, waiting in front of the tent anxiously. The muga jumped with that unexpected voice, as Urnyras Jael opened up the canvas entirely.
"What is it?" she repeated.
"I-I-"
"Speak, will you?"
"I am Geju," the muga could say. "I am a warrior, I will help you."
"So you are the warrior that the chieftain assigned?" asked Urnyras Jael.
"N-no," Geju shook his head. "He didn't tell me. I am volunteering."
"Wouldn't that be a problem?" Urnyras Jael asked, as she kneeled in front of Geju.
"I don't know," said Geju, looking down, apparently shy to look at Urnyras Jael in the eye. "I am a warrior, I want to prove my worth to my people. The c-chieftain... would never assign me. Everyone thinks I am weak and cowardly..."
"Are you?" asked Urnyras Jael.
"No, no!" said Geju, in a panic, with a touch of offense as he frowned. "I am... just... inexperienced, I guess."
"Will you be able to hunt that beast with us?"
"I think I will," Geju said. "I have what it takes, I just... never had the chance."
"Let's talk to the chieftain, then," said Urnyras, standing up again. "In any case, we need his approval."
...
The muga chieftain laughed so hard that Urnyras Jael had to plug her ears.
"Geju?! With you?? To hunt the beast? I am not sure that's the best choice, fylla!" he said, while wiping off his tears of laughter. Urnyras Jael slowly turned her gaze towards Geju, seeing the poor muga with a broken pride hurt so bad in her heart, she quirked her lips, turning her gaze towards the chieftain again.
"And look at the armor he's wearing! Where did you fing it, Geju? Stole it from your sister's clothes?" the chieftain burst into another laughter.
"Chieftain, if you allow," said Urnyras Jael, feeling very bad for Geju, she had to do what had to be done. "I wish the companionship of Geju with me on my hunting quest."
"W-what?" said the chieftain, still chuckling. "Are you serious? He still doesn't have a single kill or a title, and he is older than our bravest hero, Vugre the Skullsmasher!"
"Maybe that is because he was never given the opportunity," said Urnyras Jael. "I humbly ask you to pledge his services to me."
"Granted," he said, with a dismissive hand gesture. "It's better - I won't be sparing my best warriors!"
"So, it is formed," said Beus, stepping in the chieftain's tent. "A hunting party of three companions. I am sure we will return here with the head of this beast."
"I hope you do, with all due honesty," said chieftain. "And probably with the remains of Geju!"
As he bursted into another laughter, Urnyras Jael hastily bowed to the chieftain, and led Geju and Beus out of the tent.
"I am worthless," said Geju. A lightning fell somewhere not so far away, and the rain started to fall.
Urnyras Jael, ignoring the rain, kneeled in front of Geju again.
"Look above, my friend," said Urnyras Jael, holding Geju's clumsily placed shoulderpad. "We are on a quest, and the rain will be accompanying us. Leave what you were, here, in this very camp. Leave what you were, or what the others think you were. Leave it here, dead. Lying on the soil. Leave aside everyone else's prejudices. I give you my word that when we are done with this task, you will return home, with such a great honor that your tribe will praise you every day."
"If I leave myself dead here," said Geju, "How am I to live?"
"Sometimes," said Urnyras Jael, "It is this fresh rain that makes you feel alive."
Under the heavy rain, within the chill it brought along, three hunting companions merged with the gray-greenness of the Southern Lyca'naen Woods.
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