Master Of None

The forest was full of life and wildly different compared to how things were before when the party had arrived. The purple slimes had mostly been eradicated and although some small places still showed some of the darker rot, there was more new growth everywhere the party went. 

They were still in their formations but every once in a while there would be a glimpse or the sound of a nearby enforcer patrolling the area. Walker knew this was the way for the queen to send them off safely and also had the feeling that Sierra would have personally volunteered her squad. 

"Hey, bury those piles of purple slime body. We can't just walk by them without doing something." Su had been on a keen look out for such places as they went. They were few and far between but every time there was even a drop of purple slime they would stop to cover it. They knew just how fast a small slime could grow in to a massive problem. 

"Have you noticed there are almost no signs of any grey haired spider anywhere? I bet most have moved to the goblin and spider village by now." Gil had been worried that they would need to fight some. But luckily there had been no sign or even a single thread. 

"That is a good thing. They will reach their own race sooner with more to help them build and grow. I just wonder if any more goblins have come." Walker had been worried that the spiders would take over the village due to their larger numbers. 

"I expect there were other goblins hiding away like Kroll was. It is to be expected that they will find the courage to come out and join their brothers." Su said this with such confidence that not a single one of them doubted this. 

With everyone at ease, there was not much else to say other than wonder what their plans were for getting to the dwarven kingdom, "Are we stopping at home between here and the dwarves?" Remey was the one who wanted to stop the most. She was just itching to tell the old master alchemist all about their discoveries and the alchemy guild. 

"I don't think we should. We spent more time in the elf city than I expected and we need to get to the dwarves sooner than later. If their slime problem is growing as fast as the elves then I have a feeling that they may need some assistance." Walker really wanted to stop himself and deliver his own gift to Alice. But he needed to stay focused. 

"I agree with leader, the dwarves could be in much worse shape than the elves were. They may have taken a heavy loss to their own people by now." Sui knew that the dwarves rarely left their underground city making the state of their well being very hard to guess. 

"As long as we can let loose and see what we can do with our new levels I am all for it." Remey had been wanting to stretch and get in to some proper fights. Shre had some more hope that they would encounter some more monsters in the forest on their way out but with the enforcers not so secret escort, there was a slim chance they would see even a single monster. 

"Since we are passing the city we will be able to see it. But we will remain to the east of it and stay north. When we are at the base of the mountains we will be able to find the smaller city at the surface which will lead the way to the underground. Remember we will need to greet all three of their kings that work to govern the dwarves." Walker wanted to be sure everyone knew the plan fully. 

The fields shouldn't have many horned rabbits left by now, but if there are any I will use some of the new arrows I got." Gil was also excited to try to use the different elemental arrows that they had created. He knew that there would be an improved version in the future but right now the ones he carried were very dear to him because of the work that he and the elves had out in. 

"What!? No! You aren't allowed to fire your arrows at everything before they get here. How will Midnight and I show off our strength." Remey spurred Midnight to give a huff with her. The two wanted to team up again against an opponent. 

"Do not forget me. I will show my size and take down any enemy that tries to lay a finger on you." Onyx did not want to be left out and was falling for Remeys' words. 

"Come on, you have Onyx starting to sound reckless too now. Don't corrupt him." Gil attempted to scold Remey but only received a hit to the arm for his trouble. "I should have put all those points in to defense!" 

Gil was rubbing his sore arm while looking pitiful. But Walker knew too well that he would be fine in a few minutes. "Leader, do you think we will need to be worried about the orcs? We will pass by the river this time and they are known to live near the waters in the fields." Su made a good point. 

"I might not want to fight orcs. I hear they are ugly and pig like. If they are like that they definitely smell." Remey was already backtracking on her words. 

"I think there is a high chance to encounter them. The summer had gone on long enough for them to need to gather by the water in larger groups. If I remember right they travel in groups of ten or fifteen looking for food and fights." Walker recalled a book he had read in the library. This was the warning that it stated at first. 

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