Chapter 130 - Dark Lands Part 4

"Unload the supplies after we will enter the fort. We will rest here for a while," Said their Captain. The guards then halted by the gates and waited for the carriages to enter.

"Open the gates!" The Captain shouted at the tower guards.

"The Captian! It's the Captain! Open the gates!" Shouted their Tower guard.

The gates opened wide. Making the Captain enter first. The hooves clatter as they entered the gates. Carriages entered one by one and Joan duplicate saw a glimpse of the fort. As he was in the furthest from the exit.

The gates were closed after they entered with a bang.

They exited the carriages one by one and the newbies were amazed by the fort. The fort was huge enough to be a castle despite it was only made of wood, it has barracks, headquarters, training grounds, towers, and sleeping quarters. Stables were there too with a huge haystack.

Joan roamed the place and it has ample space for you to jog around. The fort was made of wood and it has a square size. The fort has been built beside the road and the road to pass through was even built with walls and gates. Two towers adjacent to each other and was guarding the way.

Joan went to the guard of the walls and saw that the trees were withered and the fogs were thick. Some wails were heard and so Joan went back to help the others unload the supplies.

They prepared to cook food and their supper was a porridge of vegetables and some slices of dried meat. Eating while still hot. The adventurers told stories of their past missions on the Lukarian stronghold. Of the different beasts there and their slain foes. They even contested about how much they killed from before. The mood was light as they talked beside the campfire. Talking for many hours while some were singing in a bard's songs. Others laughed and others were praising the one who sang.

Joan was silent all the time as he observed the others. They continued happily with their jolly mood. He hastily ate then went to the walls. Walking towards the stairs of the walls and then saw the surrounding forest. Fogs were being blown by the wind and his hairs went up when the gentle wind caressed his skin.

The moon was being blocked by the dark clouds but Joan recognised that it was there behind it. Just as he was watching the moon, he saw a flying creature above. Flapping its wings but has a body of a beast. It doesn't have horns and its hands were elongated. Only has lower clothing and has a tail. Solitary and just passed by the fort. Joan was then approached by one of the guards and then greeted him.

"Hello, adventurer. You are pretty young for your profession. Despite being young, you have a steel badge. Making you cut above the iron rank adventurers. You are the youngest one I have seen despite my years here watching adventurers pass by," He said to Joan.

"Haha, I am the youngest? By the way, you've seen that creature pass by?" Joan duplicate asked.

"Ah that one, our large crossbows can't reach it by that distance. But that creature was none other than gargoyles. Creatures of the dark lands. Maybe it is just a lone scout," He said to Joan duplicate.

"Ah, I see," Joan duplicate replied.

"But, a lone scout brings bad tidings young one. They say one will bring many, you got to be careful from now on. You don't know what would happen," The adventurer warned him.

Joan then was surprised, the thing that a scout was seen flying from their location was a bad thing. It could mean a lot and Joan doesn't want to overthink. But the chance of being the bad omen will come true was also a possibility.

"Thank you for warning me, I will keep it in mind," Joan said to him.

"Nah, never mind that. I have seen much more frightening creatures than that. And it was when we were just starting to venture into the dark lands. The King made the Lukarian stronghold despite many enemies tried to thwart its construction. The fort was then made as a resting place before the dark," He said to Joan.

After a few moments, many eyes on the darkness were seen by Joan and the guards. Joan gulped his saliva on the process.

"You see those eyes in the dark? We named them night stalkers. They were staring at you at night and will attack you if you stray in the fog. That's why we built this fortress just for them. You see, they were like gargoyles but they didn't have wings and were a frightening existence when it comes to combat. The night was their time to hunt and many were killed in the first mission of the King here. Did you hear it when the king almost gave up on the mission?" The guard said.

"Ah yes, I heard it," Joan said to him.

"Many died in the past and I hope you all will make it safe to go there. Well, that's it, you should rest in the sleeping quarters for now. You will travel when the first light of the sun has risen. Though the dark clouds are a problem. Hehe, only the Child of Hope can remove it. Do you know about the Seeds of Evil? Legend says that only the Child of Hope can remove it. I hope he comes one day," The guard said to him.

"Ah, haha. He will come someday, I am sure of it. Well, gotta go and sleep," Joan said to him.

"Haha, we guards will take it from here. Do rest well!" He said to him.

"Joan! My name is Joan!" Joan said to him.

"Ah, Ulrik. Ulrik is my name," He said to Joan.

It was then, Joan went to the sleeping quarters. The place has beds and many adventurers were already wasted. They were sleeping and Joan took one bed and slept in it. Morning came and the first light of the day has arrived.

"Rise and shine adventurers! Let me cut your sweet dreams short this time," The Captain shouted.

It was then, they all jolted and then moved to the carriage. Sitting in the same position as in the past. Joan then felt like it was his favourite sitting spot. Making him sit comfortably there. The carriage then started to move and the gate towards the Lukarian stronghold was opened. The whipping of horses sounded and they started their journey.. Others praying that everything will be fine.