Chapter 21: Failed Mission
Throughout the shuffling of leaves and snapping branches around the forest terrain Teus' sentiment remained resolute.
He closely observed the two people in front of them. The axe wielding man had bandages wrapped around his chest and shoulder, the archer woman had a scar covering her right eye that still looked fresh, and both of their clothes carried a wear and tear of recent battle. They looked injured as well, albeit nowhere near as bad as Teus and Mister Fluff and Puff were.
Teus could not put his finger on exactly what had happened to them yet but he figured that it was because of the forest.
While turning to look at Mister Fluff and Puff, thoughts were still tumbling through his head.
"This…this looks bad…but also kinda good! Sure they look beat up too, but at least we ran into a group of travelers who can help us out! Judging by those two appearances, they're both warriors wounded by whatever battle happened here in the forest. We just need to make it out of here and to a hospital, then we're all free!"
Synthia made her way down the hill as the scarred bird gave a disappointed snort before following the bearded axe wielder back into the bushes.
"I'll help ya bring him up the hill. That old fella has a bulky look to him, I bet he's heavy." She replied quickly while grabbing him by the legs.
"T-thank you!" Teus blurted.
As they were about half-way up the small mount another man with short cut hair and a handful of healing ointment and bandages met them and quickly began applying them to the worst of the old man's wounds. Teus made sure to memorize his face, it also had scratches and minor bruising, apparent signs of battle.
"This must be that Lewis guy that he was referring to earlier…"
The old man's breathing began to become more steady and relaxed, giving Teus a sense of relief.
Once the three of them had finally carried Mister Fluff and Puff up the hill, beyond the bush held a sight that Teus had never before seen.
A group of travelers spread out in a clearing in the forest floor, at least eight or so surrounding a horse drawn wooden carriage, all attempting to recover. Laughter and chatter filled the area as the warriors casually tended to their wounds and other duties. Some were hustling around a carriage attempting to use healing items on one another, others taking a rest near their weaponry, there were even some gorging themselves with food over a small campfire. Teus confirmed his suspicions to himself.
"Yeah something definitely happened here…"
The boy knew that there had to have been a battle, but it was hard to tell if they had won or lost. Judging solely by everyone's demeanor it seemed as though the endeavor had been a success, even if just barely.
Interrupting the line of thought, he heard a resonate voice call out to him.
"Looks like you got destroyed out there too, huh?"
Teus' head turned to the direction of the bearded axe wielder, who was now walking towards him, emerging from the crowd with a small gourd of water. Once close enough he handed the gourd over to Teus, he reluctantly accepted it as though unsure as to how he would repay the kindness.
The axe wielder grimaced at the old man before returning his gaze to the boy, his words being short but laced with concern.
"Crap, it looks like you really do need a hospital. I'd rather not have to make the journey back to Lamelia right now, can the old man hold on until we get to Thorinihl? It's along the direction that we're headed in…"
Hearing the words made Teus flinch. He backed away a couple steps, still fiercely holding onto Mister Fluff and Puff.
"W-we can't go back north!..."
The axe wielder stared at the child with a puzzled look. Teus blurted out his next words in a frenzy.
"...It will take too much time! He'll be dead by then!"
After a little longer of the bearded man looking at Teus with unbelieving eyes, it only took one more glance at the old man's state for him to relent in his position.
"Argh, fine. It doesn't look like we have much of a choice."
Synthia's voice rang through from across the camp.
"I swear Quan, you can't even manage with the simplest of tasks. No wonder you'll never be commander!"
Sparing her an indignant glare, the axe wielder's words grew bitter.
"Maybe if you could manage your tasks you would have both of your eyes…"
"Ack!"
Synthia staggered through her speech before she stared daggers through Quann. Lewis quietly chuckled in the background.
"Oh, yeah? It only takes one of these eyes to shoot!"
The cloaked woman immediately took an arrow from her back and pointed it towards Quann, her eye acutely fixated on his chest. The axe wielder eyebrows quickly furrowed as he quickly raised his axe against his team mate, ready to throw, his words began a heated exchange.
"Seems like you've gotten a big head but your brain is still the same size!"
"Careful who you're talking to, I won't miss and I can kill you in the blink of an eye!"
"Let's see if you can do it before you're missing your other eye!"
As the two continued to argue Lewis frantically got in the middle of them and pushed his hands out in an attempt to stop any more casualties from befalling the group.
"H-hey calm down! Now's not the time for this!"
Synthia violently kissed her teeth before walking away in a frustrated rage.
"I'll get more ointment from the carriage for the big fella, he still looks like he could use it…"
Quann silently watched her leave before sliding his fingers over his forehead, almost to soothe a headache.
Lewis looked back at Teus with a sheepish grin.
"I'm real sorry about this. They're not so bad when you get to know them, I promise…"
Teus stared in disbelief.
"I somehow doubt that…"
He mustered up the courage in his voice to ask his next question, his head directed at Quann.
"Uh, can we please speed up to get to the hospital?"
Quann snapped his head back around to Teus before remembering the urgent predicament.
"Ah, right! We'll load him in the carriage immediately."
He looked back towards the rest of the members all meandering around the campsite before promptly giving a loud whistle to capture everyone's attention. His orders were swift.
"Alright everyone get up, we're heading back to Lamelia! We have someone who needs a hospital!"
A slightly frightened look appeared on the people's faces. Though once they heard Quann's words they quickly began to put out the fire and prepare themselves for the journey. A wave of hushed tones made its way throughout the small crowd.
"Curses, we're going back?"
"Did we not get enough product or something?"
"The commander is gonna be angry if we don't have enough, so I guess it makes sense…"
Quann looked at Lewis, who quickly responded with a dutiful nod. The axe wielder gestured to the old man.
"Get the carriage and bring it here, this one can't walk."
Without another word Lewis went in the direction of the carriage.
The axe wielder looked back at Teus.
"It should be here soon, when that happens I'll help you load the old man onboard."
Teus was amazed. It seemed like the whole situation took on a completely different tone.
"Wow..T-thank you…"
Teus kept his words short, finally feeling a sense of ease, he took a sip from the gourd. Quann looked at him and confidently smiled.
"Of course, anything for the Barracuda tribe!"
The eyebrows began to furrow on Teus' forehead, he almost choked on his drink. He had to forcibly stop the words from falling out of his mouth and retain them as just thoughts.
"What the hell is the Barracuda tribe!"
More panic began to settle in his head as the questions continued to flow from his mind.
"...Is that why they've been being so nice to me? Should I ask them about it? Will they stop if I tell them I'm not a part of the tribe?"
Quann's voice interrupted his string of inquiries.
"Oh, by the way! I hope you don't mind me asking, but how did you guys fail the mission that you were on out there? You guys are in some seriously rough shape and you didn't even manage to bring back any product."
Teus swallowed a lump down his throat. He had no idea what to say.
"M- mission?"
The axe wielder looked at the boy with a confused glare, slightly tilting his head backwards as his eyes narrowed.
"Well yeah, what did you do? Hit your head on the way back or something? How come you don't remember any of this?"
Before Teus could answer, the sound of wheels coming to a screeching halt, resounded throughout the camp as the carriage stopped just a little distance before him. Through the dust cloud, Lewis emerged before giving Teus an inquisitive look.
"Now that we're talking about it, Quann, I don't think the commander said anything about a child recruit."
Quann snapped his head back at Lewis, rolling his eyes as he did.
"Oh please, the commander said that we would have new recruits and a mission happening up north. How else would they be walking through the woods banged up like this? I'm sure they just ran into some Beast Breakers while they were out."
He quickly turned to Teus and Mister Fluff and Puff, giving the two an affirming nod.
"I bet that's what happened to you guys right?"
Teus was still paralyzed to make a decision. He was slowly putting the pieces together until now but, there was no escaping the reality of his situation at this point.
"Okay, so they think me and Mister Fluff and Puff are members. Members of an organization that would fight with the Beast Breakers? And go on missions to collect whatever this 'product' is…? Yeah, whoever these people are… they're most likely criminals. Damn it all!"
The situation was tense, at this point not just Quann and Lewis, but everyone's attention was focused on the boy and the old man, including the big bird that was leering at him. His next answer was going to quickly sway the outcome of today. Teus felt the pressure and began to sweat profusely.
He tried not to stammer over his words.
"Well, we did have an encounter with them…"
Feeling relieved, Quann looked back at Lewis with a beaming grin.
"See?"
The apprehension in Lewis' expression began to slowly fade.
"I guess you were right… That kid's got some real fight in him though if they went toe to toe with a legit Beast Breaker, no wonder he was recruited."
Teus inwardly panicked.