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"Everyone listen! This is merely a minor setback. Look around you, there are other places besides this that we can claim. But first, we need to plan out and start foraging so we can recuperate our supplies, and we'll be forming hunting groups for food. We'll organize scouting parties in all directions so that we can prospect for better areas to build in. Do not worry, I will work harder than ever before. For now, we must set up camp at the last place with a solid even ground. Sir Arthan, lead the way. Captain Caleb and all the scouts I will meet with you on the morrow."
There was a cheer, although this wasn't a sentiment shared by everyone. Some of the men and women were echoing the feelings of Father Galvan, who was filled with concern.
It wasn't easy for them, they still had the idea that going back to Galedon was a valid option.
Janus didn't want that. He would rather die trying to survive in this lush and beautiful landscape than go back.
They formed their camp at the base of the hill. This time it was quicker, as they already knew what to do from the night of the storm. Another cow was slaughtered for the feast that night to lift everyone's spirits up and get back their energy. Barrels of wine were also opened to increase the men's morale.
Janus went back to his drawing books. Along with the stewards and Yvaine.
They had formed a plan. First, there would be food-gathering parties. Janus had copied field notes of all the edible fruits and vegetables in the land. That was something an eruption couldn't completely erase. He will be distributing these to various groups who will spread out to search for food, this group will be comprised mostly of women and children with guards accompanying them.
Hunting parties were also formed which were comprised mostly of men of five. They had slings and bows and traps. Janus was looking forward to having wild boar or deer.
Scouting parties had a more important role in their quest. They were to scatter around the forest in groups and look for suitable places to go, they had plotted the distance based on the view from the hilltop. They scanned areas of land with less vegetation, which would get them a better chance of finding a suitable place to start. The overall plan was to create a central town and branch it out to reclaim the land around it. Distributing it to the citizens as they went.
Everyone was eager to fill their roles and they started immediately the next day.
Janus didn't want to be left out, so he took his favorite pair of boots and placed his club in his belt. He was joining Captain Caleb and Cedi along with three other guards to scout the north.
The trees were denser in this part, that it seemed to Janus like a rainforest. He was impressed at how diverse the biomes were in this area. They were only at the edge of the Forest of Mist, but slowly a fog was enveloping the area, and impeding their visibility. They spotted birds and monkeys in the treetops during their search, as well as tracks of wild boar and deer. Captain Caleb had hunting experience during his earlier days, and he led the party with a calm demeanor.
"Prince Janus, Captain... come over you have to see this." It was Cedi, who was scouting ahead of them.
"What is--"
"Shh!" Cedi hunched down and gestured for them to come slowly.
When they got to him he pointed northward and gestured for them to stay low.
"Look, there's a cabin right there. And I saw someone chopping wood." He said.
"Really? We're in the middle of nowhere. How many of them are there?"
"Only one, and it's just a small hut."
"A hermit perhaps?" The Captain said.
Cedi shrugged.
"Still we should be careful. Everyone hide your weapons. We shouldn't spook this man, perhaps he can tell us more about this place." Janus said.
Janus took a peek from behind the trees, and indeed there was a small shack in the middle of a clearing. The house was as small as a room and could not have housed more than three people. The roof was thatched by straw and leaves woven together in a haphazard way. The house was serviceable at best. There were stumps of trees all over the house. At the very least, this man had an axe.
Janus and his men slowly approached when he saw small shadows creep up from behind the house and revealed themselves from the mist. Out came large muscular beasts with snarling teeth and raised ears.
They started barking, and the sound echoed across the trees. Birds fluttered from the canopy and they heard the sounds of the dogs running.
"No, we come in peace!" Janus yelled.
"It's no use sire. Run!"
Janus looked back and saw that everyone in their party was running back except for the Captain who was beckoning for him to follow.
"But--"
Janus tripped on a root. An arrow whizzed past his ear and hit the trunk of a tree just beside him. That was all the convincing that he needed.
He sprinted as he'd never had before. The barking drowned out his senses but he didn't care. Every rock and every tree blurred passed as he ran towards the direction of the camp. A few minutes later the barking stopped, and he found his men panting ahead of him.
"What do you think Prince Janus?"
"We need a better plan of approach. Did anyone of you get a closer look?"
"I saw him, your highness, he was an old and bearded man carrying a crossbow, but he looked strong and capable. I counted around nine dogs."
Her name was Astrid, one of the younger housemaids who is now volunteering as a scout. She had blonde braided hair and was dressed in leather trousers and tights.
"Good, thank you, Astrid. Let's get back to camp and bring some supplies. Maybe that would appease him. If we can get information from him we wouldn't need to run around in circles in this place."
Janus went back and ordered a small pack of grain, oats and beans, and two chickens. Perhaps that would be enough for them not to get chased. He also asked for a shield to protect him from the possibility of getting shot. A voice came from behind him.
"Janus, what are you doing?" It was Yvaine.
Janus explained the situation.
"I'll come with you."
"No, its dangerous. That man has a pack of dogs and he is armed." Janus said.
She sighed and rolled her eyes. Janus regretted what he said immediately.
"I think you misunderestimate me. I've been working as Father's diplomat since I was able to speak. I trust that I'll have enough bodyguards around to take an arrow for me. Perhaps it could be you." She said cheekily.
"Very well then." She was right. He looked at his party of scouts, they all shrugged.
"And you're making the wrong bribes, that man doesn't need grains. Get a brand new axe for him and some arrows. Wrap it in a cloth, so it does not look menacing." She ordered some of the guards and gestured for Astrid to lead the way.
When they arrived at the scene, everyone crept in slowly, wary of the dogs, except for Yvaine who simply walked in like she owned the place. Astrid and Cedi were behind her all the time, ready to defend her with a bow and a sling if it came to that.
"Hello good afternoon! We come in peace. We brought you gifts of food and tools. All we ask is you provide us information."
The dogs appeared from the house yet again and circled her cautiously. Surprisingly enough, there was no barking. A man emerged from the mist. He was tall and was as almost as tall as his hut, with shoulders as wide as an oak tree. He thought he might be a troll or a giant, but he was carrying a crossbow on his back and looked normal enough as he came closer.
The man had long hair that was as thick as his shoulders were and had a full beard down to his chest. He looked to be in his fifties, but maybe more.
"As hairy as a dwarf. But three times as big." Cedi whispered.
"Aye, was it you back then who came this way? What business does a band of men and women have in this forest? Yer a hundred miles away from civilization."
Yvaine spoke and signaled everyone to lower their weapons. The dogs calmed down, with some laying down while one crept up to smell her. Yvaine petted it and it immediately eased up on her. Unbelievable, it looked like a mix of a husky and a mastiff to Janus. He wouldn't dare come close.
"We're here to form a new settlement, and I suppose we're a little lost right now. My brother's maps are outdated you see. And we need any information you can give us about this land."
The man beckoned them to come in. Janus gripped his mace harder, just in case.
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