Headed by a Snake

The Rhodok adventuring company was crossing into kobold territory.

Nine of the ten members of the tent-group had treated the news without alarm. The older soldiers were quietly sharing stories about their homelands or wives or girlfriends, only sparing an occasional extra glance at the surrounding woods.

Like the others, Justus dismissed the kobold threat. He found it difficult to be worried about a 3-fulm tall walking dog that barely weighed 50 librae.

Zehr had spoken very little.. which was nothing new. However, with the way he carried himself, Justus figured Zehr would speak only when necessary.

It bothered him.

It was an aching, nagging feeling, deep in his gut, that there may have been strong reasoning behind Zehr's concerns.

Justus had no idea what that reason could be. The Rhodoks wore military-grade Tyrion segmented armor and carried Tyrion tower shields. Even if there were twice as many kobolds as they had troops, their crude and savage weaponry would be as effective as hurled insults and strong feelings.

In his uncertainty, Justus looked over to Gianna who sat across from him, hoping to be greeted by her comfortable smile. Something had caught her eye... and Justus followed her gaze to see that it rested on Zehr.

A slight pang of jealousy crept into his heart, but he quickly shook away the thought. Simply looking at another man had no meaning, in itself. Besides, he and Gianna didn't have that sort of relationship. It felt like the entire cohort teased him and Rena as an old, married couple...

Who would like that kind of woman? ...Not him, that's for sure.

Zehr too, had his attention focused elsewhere. He was turned away, calmly observing the wagons traveling in front of them. Was a professional Munifex like Zehr really worried about a bunch of kobolds? Or was he really just trying to sound important like the others were saying?

Everyone in their tent group knew what Decanus Caelistis thought. The man spoke his mind until spit drenched his fuzzy goatee, and none of what came out of his mouth was flattering. Zehr stood and calmly accepted the beratement until Cael threw up his hands in exasperation and a few choice curses.

The Decanus hadn't spoken a word since. Justus (and likely the others in the tent group) silently thanked Zehr for his selfless sacrifice.

"Flame, guide my holy bolt..." Rena quietly whispered a prayer. She tapped her finger against the metal tip of a crossbow bolt in her opposite hand. Holding it up, its tip glowed a silvery light, like the sweet guiding flame of a nighttime candle.

The one member of their tent-group shocked into a state of frenzy was Munifex Rena. Her Class was Holy Bolter, and she was preparing additional enchanted bolts in the unlikely case of enemy attack. Dark circles were beginning to form underneath her eyes from mana fatigue.

When he and Rena were children back in Leopardon, she cried when she found out she wasn't a Holy Swordsman like he was. From that sun on, they called him the Hero of Leopardon, destined to bring fame and glory to the countryside town. And her...

And from that sun on, Rena worked tirelessly on improving her skills. By the Flame's guidance, she gained her own Class, able to stand on her own by Justus' side. The little crying girl grew up, if only a little bit. However, with all that time being familiar with his childhood friend, he knew Rena was nearing her limit.

"Hey, Rena... That should be enough, don't you think?"

Rena looked up at Justus abruptly, the silvery glow on her finger growing bright before fizzling out.

"By. the. Flame!!" Rena cursed, tears of frustration forming at the corner of her eyes, "Thief!! Triple-thief!! Give me back my mana, Justuussss!!"

Justus turned away, "Y-you're the one that used all that mana."

He hadn't meant to disrupt her concentration... but he didn't want to give Rena the satisfaction of an apology. She would lord it over him for the next moon-- probably longer.

"But seriously," Justus continued, "Don't pass out. I'd probably end up having to carry you somewhere."

"Pshhhh!" Rena rolled her eyes and groaned, "You'd probably enjoy that, pervert."

Justus twisted his lips and shrugged, "The feeling of a man's chest on my back is not my idea of a good time."

"Why you!!"

"Miss Rena," Gianna offered a polite smile, "You probably are overdoing it. You have rings under your eyes."

"I-- what?!" She pulled out a polished knife to see her reflection, "Flame take you, Justus! Why didn't you tell me?!"

Justus thought better of responding to the Witch of Leopardon while she was holding a knife. He copied Zehr in looking away at the forest... There was nothing, not even a deer or rabbit.

...Though the fact that there was nothing was suspicious, in itself.

The bubbly brunette placed her knife back in its sheath and let out a long sigh. She slumped back in the hard seat of the wagon, trying to melt into the wood.

Gianna voiced her concern, "What's wrong, Miss Rena?"

Rena pouted, "It's just... I heard that kobolds... you know. They capture women and then they do... unspeakable things to them in their lairs!"

Gianna frowned with a newfound worry, "Is that really what they say?"

Justus furrowed his eyebrows, "I think... you're thinking of goblins, Rena."

"No, they're the same thing!!" Rena exclaimed. "R-right?"

Gianna pursed her lips, "I think that's a goblin thing."

A veteran soldier glanced over, "It's a goblin thing."

Decanus Caelistis turned to look over his shoulder, "Goblins, Fish."

Rena adjusted her seat position and crossed her arms, "Fine. But still! I don't want to get left behind and captured by kobolds!"

"Nothing's gonna happen, little Fish," Cael groaned.

"But Decanus!? We're in enemy territory! Can't you guys... you know, be at least a little bit worried?" Rena complained.

Justus widened his eyes in understanding. He had been trying to understand why he felt like he was tottering on an edge, even if the logic to it made no sense. Regardless of the size and shape of the enemy, the effects of an ambush would be several times greater than a head-on attack.

"We're always gonna be in someone's territory, Fish. It is what it is," Cael raised his arms in a shrug.

No... That wasn't something to just shrug off as the way it is.

Justus looked into the thick woods flanking the road, hoping he wouldn't spot eyes gleaming back at him.