Just as I expected! The Decay was really stretching toward something. The way it was spreading and its direction were not random. I wondered what attracted the Decay? What gave this awful phenomenon a reason to move further?

I made a few steps and, hearing twigs snapping behind me, stopped. A few moments later I could distinguish Berg’s voice.

“Bale! Bale! Everything’s fine! Come back!

His timing was really bad… But I expected this to happen. Now I had to choose if I would take everyone and try to find out what Decay’s goal was, or if I would hurry after the treasure, hidden by Bon’s father. I decided not to reveal what kind of treasure might be hidden there so as not to get upset if the part of Zurtan really wasn’t there.

What were the pros of checking out the area with the others? There were none; there were just my curiosity and desire to get my hands on new information. However, information was also a valuable thing; it would be silly to squander it. Yes, the Followers of Rugus and Berg were now my allies, but that didn’t mean that I had to share everything with them. I’d rather visit this place alone and investigate at my own pace. I could easily teleport back to the cemetery if I needed to.

Also, we didn’t have much time at the moment. Although we did have a head-start, we could easily lose it. We definitely shouldn’t underestimate the baron of Leronta, who seized the reins of power in the big town for the sake of getting a piece of the Zurtarn.

One moment the voices would sound near and then they would be far away again — the guys didn’t know exactly where I was and were moving in circles. I hurried to the sound, not wishing to reveal my exact location to them. I soon noticed four riders: Una, Berg and two men I didn’t know, dressed in dark-purple, hooded cloaks, were moving through the underbrush in my direction. One of them was holding the reins of the fifth Mueskan race horse. For me I supposed.

Still hiding from my temporary allies, I identified the strangers.

Jerome

Level 91

HP: 4010/4010

Hulne

Level 90

HP: 3890/3890

It was hard to distinguish one from the other with their cowls pulled over their faces, especially from afar. Hulne’s figure might’ve been a bit bigger.

I hesitated for a moment and then started toward the group. They noticed me and came closer. Una introduced us to each other, and her companions revealed their faces. With a thick beard and shoulder-length hair, Hulne reminded me of a grim Viking. I would have thought that Einar or Bers, the Gods of Military Valor and Bloody Battles respectfully, would suit him better than Rugus. Jerome turned out to be a scrawny guy with a neat haircut — a typical sorcerer’s apprentice depicted in games and movies.

“What were you doing there?” the girl asked once we were done with getting acquainted.

“I went for a walk,” I answered.

“You should have taken some rest,” Jerome lectured me with obvious dislike in his voice.

I frowned, trying to understand the reason behind his behavior. Was he acting against his God’s will? Was he displeased by Rugus’s decision to help some gloomy fellows?

“We’ll have a rest on the way.” I replied.

“Hmm, do you think you’ll have time for that?”

“Jerome,” Una said in a low voice; the guy flinched. The sorceress turned to me. “I also think that it would be good for you get some rest. But, on the other hand, you can’t get enough sleep in one hour. There’s nothing we can do but sleep in our saddles,” she chuckled and shook her head. “I don’t like that at all…”

“As if anyone does!” Hulne chuckled, dismounting. He tied the reins to a branch of the nearest tree and approached me. “We’ll give you some new clothes, fellow. You look really pathetic.”

“Don’t forget to praise the Great Rugus for his generosity!” Jerome grumbled, glancing sideways at me. “His Followers paid for the equipment with their own money,” the guy turned away and spurred his horse. “I’ll check the area,” he curtly said.

“Don’t pay attention to his tone, Bale,” Hulne said, materializing a pair of heavy leather boots and putting them on the grass before me, “he’s a little bit upset about what’s going on. It’s hard for him to come to terms with the fact that, instead of taking the powerful relic personally or telling his Disciples to get it, the Great One ordered us to help strangers in getting it,” he dumped a pair of thick pants and brown gloves, made of thick, scaly leather, onto the grass. Looking at them, I thought how even a German Shepherd Dog from the real world wouldn’t be able to bite through them. Though, I wasn’t so sure about the high-level predators in this dark game…

I was surprised to find out that the mighty Disciple of Rugus was so honest. What game were the three of them playing? I had to keep my eyes wide open around them. The minions of the God of Control couldn’t be simpletons.

A picture suddenly came to mind — a beautiful girl’s severed head lying in the grass. Dina… She was also a Follower of the God of Control. I don’t think that she was a Disciple, but still… She helped me. If it hadn’t been for my paranoia, I could have felt comfortable around her. And now she was gone, and I felt heavy-hearted.

Maybe I should be more open with people? Maybe I should trust them more and…

I stopped the stream of treacherous thoughts. Una had already abandoned me once and used me as a shield in order to escape. Later, when I helped Tael save the heir of Nelburg’s baron, Sir Crane also left me alone in the woods not far from the enemy’s town. Though he thanked me not only with words, but also by giving money and valuable things, the unpleasant aftertaste of betrayal remained.

I couldn’t trust anyone.

At least, not to the full extent.

That meant that I should expect dirty tricks from Rugus and his minions; even though one of them laid out a good set of armor at my feet.

“So,” I chuckled, “your friend doubts the God’s will?”

“No,” the sturdy guy retorted, taking out of his inventory a beautiful crossbow with varnished limbs, emblazoned with an intricate ornament, and a black stock. I noticed that Berg’s eyes widened as he looked at the weapon. But Hulne continued speaking, as if nothing had happened. “The will of the Great One is our law. We don’t dare doubt it. However, for those who have just recently started hearing the voice of the Great and set their feet upon the path of a Disciple, it’s hard to understand his motives sometimes.”

“The foolishness of youth,” Una chuckled. It was funny to hear something like this from her as she looked to be the youngest among the five of us. Physically at least. “They want Rugus to be the leader of the other Gods. That’s not only our Patron’s problem... Well, you know,” she waved her hand. Then she looked at Hulne. “Enough dillydallying. They are already impressed by our gifts. Let’s finish with getting Bale dressed!”

“You ruined the moment,” the man shook his head. I almost cursed again. Hulne’s external simplicity attracted; he was a smiling man who liked armor and weapons. That was great! I could see myself drinking a mug of beer with him in some cozy pub and talking about life… But I had to remember that he was a Disciple of the God of Control.

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