V2Ch107 New Troupe

Aquila had her own backpack hiding behind the corner of the building across the street. She must have been waiting to scalp some customers off of the other guys. I didn't mind. It meant that I could leave sooner. I felt like she was not the lying type. Though, I was wary of my pockets.

We made small talk for the first few days. After that, It started to rain. Aquila had her own tent but, it wasn't as water-resistant as mine. She stayed in our tent during those nights. I think I caught her staring at me early in the morning on occasion. I even saw her pawing her way through my backpack, twice. She might have been observing me in order to see if she could "lighten" my carrying load.

So far, she has only been taking a few silver every time I caught her. I'll just keep that in mind before we part ways. The important parts are hidden deep. She would have to empty out the backpack to find them.

Even after the rain stopped, she continued to sleep with us in my tent.

The third day after the rain had stopped, we were following her as usual when I saw movement up ahead. This wasn't like the road between Reinstorm and Heiarch. There were no other travelers crossing paths. This was something different.

"Someone is up ahead."

I warned the group.

"Oh shit. It's probably da guys you were originally looking for. If they see me, I'm dead."

"Like. Dead dead, or just get your ass beat, dead?"

"What does it matter!?"

"It matters because it will change how I react to them."

"Shut up! Hide!"

She ran behind a nearby hill that was just high enough to crouch below the ledge. I reluctantly followed. I just laid my backpack down next to my spot and laid down as if I was resting in the grass on a nice breezy day. Babur moved my pack and laid down next to me.

"What are you doing? This isn't some lover's vacation."

Aquila whispered to us.

"What does it matter. As long as they don't see us, we are good. Right?"

"Shhhhh!"

I could hear their footsteps now. It sounded as if they were about to pass. I saw Aquila pop her head up to take a peek. I grabbed her shirt and pulled her down. The shirt was so rotten that it tore.

The sound was very audible.

"What was that?"

"Why did you do that?"

She whispered.

"Because you were being too obvious. It would have taken just one glance this way to see you. I guess I gotta deal with these guys now."

I stood up and lifted my pack. Babur followed my example.

"Come on."

I lifted Aquila by the elbow. She looked like she hated my guts right now.

"Who in the skies are you?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Why is she here?"

There were seven griffons. They all had swords. One of them had traces of blood near the opening of his sword sheath. It was used recently.

"We are just headed this way. Don't mind us."

I pointed southeast.

"With her? Why are you going that way? Did she tell you she would take you to the border? That's our job. She is stealing our customers."

"Yes yes, dey took er jerbs. Maybe if you had left someone back at the office, I wouldn't have to rely on her to take me where I wanted to go. So, if you think about it, It's your own fault for leaving your base unmanned. Bye."

I turned to leave. They weren't having it. A dagger landed in the ground by my feet.

"You don't wanna fuck with me. Just saying."

I gave them a nasty look.

"No. Don't. They will really hurt us."

Aquila tried to warn.

"Not with me around."

Another dagger was sent flying. I caught it between my fingers.

"Babur, I want to play. Could you keep our guide safe, please?"

"Okay! Nya!"

Babur grabbed Aquila and made large bounds to put a great distance between the group and themselves. I sat my backpack down and dug deep.

"Here it is."

I stuffed it into my pocket and left my backpack behind as I approached the griffons.

"Who's first?"

Every one of them pulled out a sword or two. They circled around me.

"I have nothing to fear. Death himself couldn't touch me. What makes you think you can do it?"

"Tough talk. Once you are dead, we can take everything you have and chase down the others. Just like all the other people that we guide to their deaths."

"Ah. So it was a trap. Is the girl part of your troupe?"

"Hah. We are gonna skin her alive for trying to take our mark."

One of them charged at me. He was slow and clumsy. I was able to dodge with ease. I hopped up and leaped off of his head, forcing his face into the ground while landing outside of their kill circle.

"Too slow. How do you manage to kill anyone?"

"GET HIM!"

They all started to charge. It was time to play. I pressed down with my thumb in my pocket.

Half an hour later, every one of them was naked and had sand flying at their faces. I also swapped their swords with tiny branches in their hands. I took all of their swords and safely packed them in my backpack. I hoisted my bag up and was ready to undo the time cubes effects.

I pressed the button with my thumb once more and watched the chaos. The first thing that happened was the sand hit their eyes. They were all immediately blinded. Some of them swung the branch aimlessly, not realizing that the weight and handle were... different.

After they were done rubbing their eyes, they began to notice a breeze. I had seen a large familiar bush along our travels. Luckily, there was one nearby. I purposefully left many large leaves from this bush on the ground. Perfect for covering one's privates. They had done just that. They picked up the leaves and covered up before turning tail.

I couldn't help but smile. Those leaves were poisonous. Similar to poison ivy back on Earth.

Oh, the fun times these guys are in for.

I met back up with Babur and Aquila. Aquila seemed both impressed and bothered. I tried to get her to talk but she was mute for the rest of the day.