Master Of None

Walker was thinking and left Remey in silence for a minute. Her patience ran out and she tapped his arm with her fist slightly. "What are you thinking about? Tell me what the deal is." She looked like she was going to actually try and hit him if he kept holding it all to himself. 

Walker Wanted to hold off a little more to tease her but was a little wary of her next real punch and the force that might be behind it. "The bull is called a furry tainted bull. It comes from over the oceans in a place called a savannah. The spots of red were it building up to a skill that doubles its attack due to its anger." 

"So it would have become totally red? That sounds like it should be called a red bull or something. Hmm, I guess its white fur is tainted by the red." Remey was caught on the name but found that it was more fitting than she thought. 

The two looked at the white bull a few more times before they realized that the red had completely faded from the fur. "I think Herder might have a pretty interesting story to tell when it comes to how he got his partner." Walker was sure that he could ask about it while they ate and was looking forward to it. 

"I am surprised Gil didn't say anything about it. He is usually the expert for us when it comes to these things." Remey was looking at Gil and Su who were talking ahead of them. The party had always let Gil explain the things related to farming and related subjects. Him not knowing the details and catching that the white bull was not a monster from around here was a surprise. 

"I am sure he would have said if he knew. But he seems like he was more focused on hunting and plants than herders. He is learning just like us." Walker easily explained the why and how of why Gil would be on the same situation as them. It just made sense since his farm didn't have animals at all. 

Remey and Walker kept up their conversation for a little while longer before they decided to try and patrol around the herd as well. This brought the party face to face with a few more horned rabbits throughout the day but nothing other than that. They had more than enough horned rabbit to roast on the fire for anyone that needed a hot meal later. 

"Leader, the bridge is coming up soon. It looks like there are a significant number of travelers and merchants waiting by it." Su reported this to Walker as soon as it came in to her view. There were easily twenty or thirty people camping out on one end of the bridge. 

"That can't be normal. I doubt many would stop there all at once." Walker was looking for any indication that there was something wrong while they walked toward the bridge. 

The river bend that the bridge was built over flowed fairly smooth and none of the party could see the bottom. However, the water was strong and could easily sweep away any orc or even larger monsters that tried to cross. This was why it was more common to see them crossing the river down stream where the water thinned out in to rapids. 

"I see a lot of merchants that are held up here in camps. The guards are blocking the gate on the bridge too. Should we head over there and check it out?" Gil was already looking around to search out the issue as well and decided that the guards should have the best answers for them. 

"Yes. We can go and see what the issue t. I have a feeling that there is a good reason for them not to allow us to cross." Walker waved to Remey and Midnight to come over. "Herder, we are going to see what is going on at the bridge. We will start roasting dinner after!' 

Walker made sure to include Herder since they knew he would be staying with his herd of cattle and settling them. The party pushed their pace ahead passing the snow white sheep and finally noticing a man wearing a powder blue cloak and carrying a carved wooden walking stick in the middle of the sheep. Walker waves as they passed but didn't stop to speak since they were of to do something first. 

The shepherd raised the walking stick in greeting and showed a bearded face full of age. The man looked like they had been wandering with sheep for generations. However, Walker saw that there was a great amount of energy within his eyes. They may have had the same color as the sky which made him feel that the shepherd was the freest person here. 

The guards noticed the party approach ahead of the hedrs of sheep and cattle. They had expected those guarding it to stop and check in. However, they were genuinely surprised to see a silver tier party taking such an escort quest. "Silver tier adventurers. Welcome to the bridge. It is unfortunate that we can not allow any to pass at the moment. There are multiple groups of orcs beyond the bridge that have been hunting the road." 

This was what Walker had expected to hear in some form. It was clear that the guards would not block travel for no small reason. If there were multiple orc groups then it was way too dangerous for even guarded merchants to travel through. "Hello, and thank you for the warning. We are not crossing here but those we ran in to on the way will do so. If you would like we can try and clear the way a little for you?" Walker did not hesitate to propose this idea. The guards stopped to think for a moment. 

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