Turns out scouting in thick, mountainous woodlands is not an easy thing. Fortunately Mirax not only ran like an ostrich, he climbed trees like a monkey as well. Following his directions, the squad spent the first day going east, towards the tallest mountain.
On the way they met countless treasure hunter squads who tried to make sense of the world they arrived to. Most of them, from the looks of it, were following a rare bird in the sky, maybe an eagle, or maybe a hawk, it was hard to tell from such distance.
Apparently their tactics was to wait out and see where the birds will land, but Lee couldn't blame them for such silliness. No one taught the children the art of hunting after they were kidnapped, and everything was learned by their own experience.
For example, Lee's group also met a bird. A big one.
They didn't look for it, though – it found them. Lee didn't know how Throax sensed the danger, but at one moment the guy suddenly lifted the shield he was carrying above the head, and with a loud roar smacked something that was coming at them.
The bird that that dived at the group was twice as big as human, with the wingspan of at least fifteen yards, but got caught by surprise and impaled by the many spikes the shield had. Klavax did a good work by covering it with the quilled pelts and now, even though a bunch were broken off, the huge avian lie convulsing in agony.
With a glance Lee could tell it was strong. The whole group was knocked off their feet and scattered around like lifeless dolls, except, contrary to the bird, they started getting on their feet after the attack, although dazed.
"A spark!" The two devils immediately reacted, and rushed to kill the bird off, but Lee was more interested in what that thing actually was.
Besides the humongous size, it had four legs. They weren't those of a lion or something else found in ancient mythology, but actual eagle legs, armed with sharp claws that could rip anything apart. It was a strange stroke of luck it failed in its last hunt, but if there was one such monster, there were surely more.
"Mirax, get up a tree and take a look at the sky whether there are more like these." Lee said, "But be careful!"
"Yes! Try to draw their attention and bring them here!" Thorax excitedly said, "I'll be ready in a bit!"
Fortunately fear in Mirax's eyes clearly indicated the guy wasn't about to follow his instructions. He probably had enough of PTSD after the last escape.
The wind spark the four legged bird had was actually of a high quality. The two brothers in all seriousness began to discuss how they could turn this experience in actual hunting tactics, and no persuasion from Lee's side could calm down their excitement.
Unlucky for the devils, giant avians were not common pigeons and the group didn't met any for the rest of the day.
Contrary to the sky, forests were full of wildlife. They frequently came across rabbits and small-sized deer and Lee was surprised by the results of his training. While he was well trained for a young boy back in Sunwell, he surely couldn't easily catch a wild rabbit a year ago. Now, though, before the sun set behind the mountains, he carried five, impatiently waiting for the opportunity to roast them.
During the dinner he was presented another gift.
The devil brothers announced that they would rather starve for six days than eat something so disgusting. Of course, neither had to starve yet since they still had leftovers in their waterskin bags, which they drank sparingly. Jiraxa and Mirax also only nibbled on their roasts, thus Lee happily could wolf down all five.
His actions were curiously observed. Back in Ashland brothers were confused why he borrowed a couple of peculiar stones from Klavax, but when Lee made a fire using them, the things became Arax's and Thorax's favorite toys.
While he was eating, they lit up and extinguished their own small campfires, giggling like children playing with matches.
***
To the great disappointment of the two devil brothers, the next day they didn't encounter a single bird. Of a large size, that is. After walking over half a day, all five were exhausted, and Thorax, for obvious reasons, more than the rest.
On the way they found a rocky stream and Lee finally could drink to his fullest. He didn't even question the quality of the rapid mountain water and barely resisted the urge to plunge in with his clothes on. While the ice cold water could be considered refreshing, but he didn't want to take chances and loose his questionable cover.
A couple of miles higher up the stream they were greeted by a picturesque view. Already from a distance one could hear the waterfall, but when they arrived at the lake below it, Lee regretted to not have a paper and at least a pencil or a pen on him.
His artist's soul sang at the sight of the thin, but tall waterfall cascading down the cliff, tiny water droplets creating a long rainbow on the way. Underneath it, in the middle of the crystal clear lake, there was a flat rock that was almost inviting everyone to set up a table for a romantic afternoon glass of vine.
"Crap! Haonians!" Thorax's words shattered the beautiful picture. In excitement he grabbed Lee's shoulder and pointed at the top of the cliff, next to the waterfall.
"It's only four of them." Arax snorted, and Lee had to resist the urge to smack the back of his head. Obviously more natives were around somewhere.
"Looks like there's a hut, maybe even two behind them. Let me get up a tree and take a closer look!" Mirax immediately confirmed Lee's suspicion.
It was only logical for a village to be located at their spot – it was perfect from the strategic point of view. There was a cliff with the waterfall in the south from where the squad arrived, and a steep wall covering the west side. If there were other natural or man-made fortifications, the place was basically a fortress. And the presence of water made it ideal for a settlement.
"Do we have to climb the wall?" Thorax was visibly puzzled.
He threw worried looks at the hundred yard tall cliff and the shield next to him, as if weighing his chances to carry the thing up.
"We'll go around the east side." Lee said, ignoring him, "But in the morning. This is the perfect spot to camp for the night."
***
Turns out that climbing the wall would've been incomparably closer route to the village than the one they chose, although, judging by the long spears the Haonians had in their hands, none would've made it up the cliff alive. It took until noon for the squad to arrive at the village entrance between two rock walls, but the almost eight feet tall people, covered in bright scales, weren't particularly happy to see them.
Exactly like Tycen reported, they were tall and thin, but so thin their proportions made Lee feel they were suffering from anorexia or some other eating disorder. But despite their statures the guys were clearly strong.
The spears they held were primitive, but longer than them and thick as a grown man's arm. And the spearheads were even more impressive. Lee wasn't certain whether he could've carried a single one more than a mile – they were made of long, sharp stones, probably over half his weight.
Seeing the locals weren't responding to his polite smile and wave of hand, Lee thought for a bit, and got an idea.
"I want to try something, but that will involve the two of you staying behind." He said to the devils.
Their expressions turned sour, but with Lee's next words, even angry, "And the main role will be played by you, Jiraxa. Are you up to it?"
"Is it safe?" She asked.
"No idea." Lee honestly said, "But you're the one with bright scales similar to theirs. Of course, you're from a different race, but I have a feeling they might find you incredibly beautiful."
"She is incredibly beautiful." Arax said.
"Mhm. She is." Thorax confirmed.
"I think they are weary of our red skinned brothers. After all they are the strongest and carry strange weapons." Lee explained, "If you two wait and let us go in, we should be fine."
"Why do you want to do this?" Arax asked, "They have long and heavy spears – we found out how they fight the birds! We got what we came for, we can go now!"
"I feel like there is something interesting about this place." Lee said, "I really want to take a look."