Vol.3 Ch.203 A Storm is Coming

Vol.3 Ch.203 A Storm is Coming

Douglas and his men had ridden on ahead to scout the area as they stopped for lunch. Rya had gone into the woods to relieve herself, while Dalia and Nieren followed to stand guard. The wolfkin couldn't help but notice how quiet the wildlife was.

"You guys notice how quiet the woods are?" Dalia asked.

"I mean, it does seem quiet but I wouldn't know if that's normal," Rya answered as she was finishing up. 'Hmm? Did I piss on my dress? No? I think I'm good... Man, I love dresses, but they do require a lot of attention. It's not easy being a woman sometimes.'

"Woody? What do you think?" Dalia asked.

"Maybe there's a monster hiding around these parts. But I've never ventured this far east to know if there are any dangerous creatures in these woods," Nieren said.

"So, we should keep an eye out," Rya concluded.

"Probably. It's best to err on the side of caution. That's what I had to do when I was an adventurer," Nieren replied.

"Were you a solo adventurer?" Rya asked.

"Yes and no... I mostly quested alone so no one could find out that I was an elf. And if I did join a party, I tried to hide my ears and pretended to be a human. Then we would go on our separate ways after we would split up the reward," Nieren replied.

"Well, if Dalia's instincts are correct. We probably should stay on guard. Hopefully, General Douglas and his men can handle it. But it's probably best to warn the others," Rya said.

"Agreed. And I can smell rain in the distance," Dalia said.

"Really? Agh... So, we are going to get ambushed, aren't we," Rya muttered out.

"Huh? Why do you say that, Rya?" Nieren asked.

Rya shook her head, 'Because this has all the makings of an ambush. Dalia's on edge, rain is coming, and Quin's crazy uncle wants him dead!... This is so like a fantasy story. It's kind of scary. Like a cliche. Ugh, this isn't real, is it?'

Rya pinched herself as she cried out, "Ouch! Okay, it's not a dream. Dammit..."

"What's wrong, Alpha?" Dalia asked.

"I'm getting a sickening feeling that we're being watched. And I was making sure that this wasn't my imagination," Rya answered.

"Why are you acting so strange, Rya?" Nieren inquired.

"Nieren. When was the last time you felt like your life was a cliche," Rya asked.

Nieren rubbed her chin in thought, "Well, maybe when I was a child running away from my fallen kingdom. I always wished that the stories I read came true. They mostly revolved around a handsome elven prince who would come to save me from my predicament. But once I started getting older and realized that I wasn't going to be saved, I became an adventurer to help my mother with paying the bills... But what does that have to do with anything?"

"It's hard to explain but this feels like a situation out of a suspense movie or a novel. And it's starting to creep me out," Rya said.

"What's a movie?" Dalia asked as she tilted her head.

"Um... Sorry, I keep using terms that only Quinus knows. It's like a play in a theater," Rya stated.

"Oh, you mean like a performance? But I've only seen operas or dances in a theater. I don't recall seeing any performance that involved a story," Nieren said.

"Really? You don't have plays or musicals that have a plot?" Rya asked.Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

"W-Well, maybe they did? I was very young when I saw a play for the first time. And I never attended another performance since. Maybe it's different in this kingdom," Nieren said.

Dalia was looking at the two elves talking about a subject she didn't have a clue about.

"Uh... What is a theater?" Dalia asked.

Nieren and Rya looked at the confused wolfkin with a blank stare. Rya thought about it and then smirked at Dalia which made her panicked.

"Well, once things calm down after dealing with all the politics within the nobility. Then I'm sure there's a theater in the capital of Fiafyr. And if there isn't one, then we'll create one. Then we can show you what a play is... How does that sound?" Rya asked.

Dalia blushed, "O-Okay? If Alpha thinks it's something I should see, then I'll go."

"OH! Can I join too? I want to see a performance again," Nieren begged.

"Of course, you can come along. The more the merrier. Besides, it's a great way to bond and get to know each other better," Rya replied.

"Oh, yes. That would be nice," Nieren smiled.

"Rya took the words right out of my mouth... Plus, I'm used to it at this point in my life... Frankly, it's gotten weird not having someone plotting behind my back over this last month... It feels like things have become boring," Quinus added.

Rya reached out and took a few pieces of sliced fruit and some roasted nuts.

"Mm, these are good. Want some, Nieren," Rya asked.

"Wha!? Why aren't you offering me any food, Alpha? That's so unfair," Dalia whined.

"That's because it's nuts and fruit... You told me that you hate both of them so I didn't offer," Rya said with a confused look.

Dalia flinched, "B-But... I'm still hungry, Alpha."

Rya sighed and just ate her food.

"I believe there's some dried meats in the basket," Yuliana said as she pointed to the basket underneath Rya's seat.

"Oh Yea~ Hmm, this one's nice. Here you go, Dalia," Rya said.

Nieren was sitting next to Rya and was watching the wolfkin devour her food like a ravenous animal.

"Does she always eat like that," Nieren asked.

"Pretty much," Rya replied.

"Oh, Woody... You'll understand when you're older," Dalia replied.

"Don't speak with your mouth full," Tayna scolded the wolfkin.

Dalia blushed, "Sorry..."

Rya smiled and turned her attention towards the window. She saw Quinus talking to Sir George, Percy, and Johan about being prepared for an ambush. They all nodded as Johan, Percy, and Quinus all came into the carriage and then took their seats. Sir Bart and Lady Rachel came over to the carriage with Quinus' and Rya's swords in their hands.

"Thank you," said Quinus and Rya at the same time.

"I have also brought everyone's weapons, just in case," Sir Bart said as he gave Nieren, her bow and arrows. At the same time, Lady Rachel gave Johan, his sword.

"Thanks... Try and stay dry out there," Johan said to the knights.

"We'll try our best, sir," Lady Rachel replied before shutting the door to the carriage.

Tayna looked at everyone who had their weapons in hand.

"Am I missing something? I thought it was just a storm," Tayna asked out loud.

"Bandits may have taken notice of the caravan, and are planning an ambush," Nieren replied.

"Eh!? B-But aren't we going to be safe with General Douglas and his men protecting us," Tayna panicked.

"It's hard to say, Lady Tayna. We'll have to see," Nieren replied.

Rya could sense that the young woman was starting to get nervous.

"Don't worry, it's probably just some cowardly bandits and they won't be a match for the Royal Knights," Rya assured her.

Tayna was trembling a bit, "R-Really?"

Rya was about to reply when a flash of lightning illuminated the dark forest. Then thunder could be heard rumbling above them.

"Yeah, we'll be fine," Rya said to the worried woman.

"T-That's not reassuring!" Tayna stated as she moved closer to Johan.

"Hehe... I love the sound of rain and thunder... Makes me feel sleepy," Dalia giggled.

"You're such a weirdo, Dalia," Nieren laughed at the wolfkin as the wood elf tried to make the atmosphere in the carriage a bit lighter for Tayna.

"Hehe... Well, at least I'm not shaking like a leaf," Dalia teased Tayna.

"HEY!? I'm not a warrior so shut it!" Tayna retorted.

With that, the rain started falling soon after, and the wind picked up as the carriage started moving. The sound of thunder was heard after lightning flashed through the windows.