Three of them attacked all at once, springing from the grass towards us, shooting right towards Goldie. I could now see their full bodies. They were almost identical, maybe two meter long, their skin green and scaleless, completely smooth and glistening wet, no eyes and a toothless mouth that looked sorta like a tied opening of a sack, but without actual string closing it, which made them look like they wanted to blow you a kiss.

-Ugh - I involuntarily reacted, seeing them hit his shield with a wet sound.

-What is this… - said Goldie with disgust, wildly flailing his shield and trying to dislodge the monsters that were now stuck to his shield with their mouths. - Some kind of leech?

Indeed, they were extending and contracting their bodies like some weird looking pump, trying to suck something out of his shield.

-HA! - he tried striking them off with his sword. As soon as he hit one of them, it jumped back, like a spring bounced off the shield and ground, shooting toward his sword this time. Noticing the attack, he tried smacking it straight in the head, but it didn't even budge and just stuck to the blade, sucking it like the other two his shield.

Meanwhile, Bert was preparing his bow, and when the third one jumped back, he let loose an ice arrow aimed right at it. Right when it was about to collide mid air with its target, two more jumped out of the grass, one aimed at the projectile and another, at him. First one opened its weird mouth, swallowed the arrow whole, and closed it with a wet smack, landing in front of us. If it had an actual face, I am sure it would be grinning at us. Meanwhile, the second leech aimed at him hit his bow and stuck itself to it, similarly to those that were pestering Goldie.

-Get off! Damned thing… - Bert pulled out his dagger and started stabbing it, trying to get it off his weapon. Leech didn't even react, peacefully sucking onto the bow like it was nothing.

As he was furiously stabbing the thing, the one that ate his arrow started aiming itself again towards me and the kid, but as it compressed itself, it suddenly started…bulging? In a blink of an eye it bloated to twice its thickness.

Confused with this sudden change, the creature stopped, opened its mouth and started… vomiting. Or rather leaking, because what came out was not some gross material, but clear water, followed almost immediately by icy slush. The arrow that it ate apparently was cold enough to start freezing its insides, and since it seemed like it was full of water, it made it bloat. As it was coming out, it was freezing completely, it immobilized the creature and turned it into an icicle.

Bert noticed all this while stabbing and changed his tactic. His bow started glowing and he conjured another arrow, right in the face of the creature sucking on his bow. As in response to his spell, it started flailing wildly with its whole body, but it didn't manage to do anything more, because instead of his dagger, he stabbed it with the arrow.

This time it happened a lot faster. Maybe because it got pierced, but the creature instantly froze and fell off the weapon right away, with a loud thud, onto the ground.

-Good - he pulled his bow back and aimed at the ones that were pestering Goldie, but changed his mind and just conjured another arrow in his hand and stabbed it.

It worked like a charm - Goldie, now without an additional annoyance, nodded in thanks and turned again towards the lake, but there were no more enemies coming from that way. Still though, we could see some shapes darting all around us.

-This does not look good…

Indeed, the shapes were multiplying and circling us. Not sure what to do, we were standing back to back, waiting for something to happen.

-Any ideas? - asked Bert.- I will try shooting as many as possible, but I don't think that will get all of them.

-Use the spell you put the fire out with maybe? - I replied, trying to somehow hide behind those two and not break the formation.

-I wish I could, but I am still a bit spent, the arrows are as much as I can manage for now.

-Damn… Why I had to get stuck with people that have the mana capacity of a toddler...

The second part I didn't say out loud, but I think he heard the annoyance in my voice.

-But even if I could, that spell is way too weak. I doubt it would be able to freeze any of them. What about your fire?

-I tried, but I think my enchantments are busted after the last fight - answered Goldie pointing to his shield, no longer glowing, although I don't think the question was aimed at him.

-Call it a hunch but I don't think that fire would be very effective on something that is mostly made out of water - I said, pointing at the frozen ones on the ground.

-If you have a better idea, be my guest, time's ticking!

Indeed, as we were trying to form a plan, creatures had already made a circle around us and slowly started slithering out of the grass into our sight. We tightened our formation even closer and were now shoulder to shoulder, pressed to each other, almost crushing the kid between us, while the creatures were spreading around us and the whole camp.

After a good minute of tension, I couldn't help but notice the obvious.

-Say, why are they not attacking? It's been a while and they are just… there…

-Shhh! They will hear you! - silenced me Goldie, although he was even louder than me.

-We were talking before and they didn't attack, why would they now? - said Bert.

There was no reaction.

-Are they waiting for something?

-The hell can they wait for?

-I don't think they are waiting… Don't you think they look a bit scattered now?

Indeed, what at the beginning looked like a wild animal circling its prey, now turned into something more chaotic. Almost like…

-They lost our scent? - I finished my thought out loud.

-But how? We have not moved even a step, how can you lose track of a stationary target? - asked Goldie.

-Hell if I know… - I muttered under my breath.

-So what now? We can't just stand here…

-Let's move slowly. One by one. Maybe this way we can sneak out.

-What about the horses though?

-Fuck them, I'd rather get out of here and travel on foot rather than risk that. Also they most likely fled by now.

He was probably right.

-Fine. I'm first I guess - said Goldie - be ready, just in case.

And he started slowly walking away from us, in the opposite direction from the lake.

At first I wanted to protest and say that splitting up was not a good idea, but I stopped myself. After all, if something was to go wrong, who’s better to send than him?

It looked like everything was going smoothly. He slowly was making his way through the campsite.

-Wait a few seconds and follow - said Bert and started moving along in his steps. About five steps from us though, both of them stopped.

One of the leeches was lying right in Goldie's way. He turned to us and gestured for Bert to ready his bow.

He nodded with understanding, pulled back the bowstring, and silently conjured another ice arrow.

As soon as the spell finished and the arrow appeared in his hand, everything suddenly moved.

Like on command, all the leeches turned towards him and jumped. Bert, noticing he's about to get swarmed, jumped away and started shooting. He managed to hit a few of the creatures in the air, but like last time, the arrows got eaten, so the effect was delayed, and as the leeches were about to reach him, he started yelling at us:

-Go! Leave me!

He did not have to repeat that twice - Goldie was already on the run, and without his armor he was fast. I grabbed the kid with my only arm and started running too.

Those creatures were all around us, and avoiding the constant barrage proved a bit difficult for Goldie, so we managed to catch up to him. Somehow, most of the leeches were missing us.

-Defend the kid, you half assed knight!

-What, you can't manage it by yourself? - he replied, panting. - I thought you can take care of yourself, so why not others?

-Yes, but I am not one with a WEAPON AND A SHIELD! Also, is it fine to leave him like that?

I turned back briefly. We were already out of the immediate area without the leeches, but I could still see them zipping around towards what used to be our camp.

-It isn't but we have no choice. He told us to run.

-Wow, what an honorable knight - I couldn't help but laugh. - Ehh, I guess I shouldn't expect anything more from someone like you…

-What is that supposed to mean!? - He turned to me, enraged.

I rolled my eyes.

-Nothing, Mr. Golden Knight, Sir. I am not worthy to be in your presence.

-Of course you aren't - he sighed. - That's what I get for saving you from monsters. I guess I will just leave you to die next time.

-Come on, I know we have your number one fan over here, however I am not so sure now, because you are so self-absorbed you might just beat him to it.

-You useless...

-I… I think we should go back for Mr. Bert too… - said the kid quietly, surprising us both and stopping our argument.

Now when I think about it, that was the first time I heard him speak in a long time. During our travels, after the caravan got wiped, he always kept close to Bert, never complained, never spoke a word, so we, I mean me and Goldie, tended to forget that he was still with us. I couldn't blame him, really, having us three to keep him company, no wonder he chose Bert.

Shaking off the surprise, I continued.

-See, if you won't listen to me, maybe he will change your mind.

His demeanor changed, but the answer was still the same.

-No. No matter who and how, I can't. You are welcome to join, I can still lead us to the capital.

-Consider me not convinced. Well, I guess this is farewell. Good luck being lost.

-Do what you want.

As I was about to turn back, I felt some tugging on my clothes.

-Can I follow you? I… I can help, maybe not much but I want to help him too.

I honestly doubted that he would've been of any help, based on our last experience. But it was admirable that he had the courage to even ask to go back there after all this mess.

-As much as I hate to say that, but you better go with him.

-But…

-Listen. You saw what attacked us. I am not very good at protecting people, he on the other hand, maybe a bit better at that. Hopefully.

-I saved countless people, you useless hobo, what can you say about yourself?

-You are not helping right now.

-Hmpf.

-Anyway, go with him. Even if he acts like a total ass, together you should be fine. If everything goes according to plan, we will catch up to you. But if we don't…

I pulled out the other mana fruit that I saved for emergencies.

-Take this and good luck.

-And you… - I turned to Goldie.

-Don't worry, I will not let anyone harm him. You have my word.

-Of course you will. But you know... Whatever. Let's hope I didn't misjudge you.

-What?

-Nothing. Go.

With that, we split.

I finally got rid of the most annoying person in our group. I should've been a lot more cheerful, but I guess the looming danger of monster leeches was at fault.

Though as I made my way back, I noticed the distinct lack of them nearby. Before, they were everywhere. With an uneasy feeling I sped up and soon I was back where we had our camp. There was no one there, no people, no creatures besides a couple that were frozen solid, but from the camp there was now a path leading away, to the deeper parts of the forest. By path - I mean a large patch of grass flattened by something, most likely a bunch of leeches, glistening wet and in some places frozen. That was good news, that meant he was able to somehow run away. Well, I shouldn't be surprised, he seemed pretty able. As I followed the path, I started seeing more frozen leeches and hearing some that were slithering nearby. There was also some other noise, like wet thumps? I slowly approached the sounds and was greeted by an unusual sight.

Bert was sitting on a tree branch, perched like a cat who got chased by some dog. He had his bow at the ready, but no arrow notched. Under him and around there were, staring at him with their eyeless faces, the leeches. About fifteen of them, plus maybe ten more that were already icicles. They haven't noticed me yet, so I stopped in an earshot from this scene and waited to see what was going to happen.

Leeches were slowly creeping up to his tree. Surprisingly, they were not jumping up towards him, and as I was wondering why, another leech appeared from somewhere behind the tree. This one was apparently a lot less patient because he instantly sprung towards him, opening its mouth.

Just as it launched itself up, Bert instantly conjured an arrow and shot right at its maw, knocking it off the aimed path and to the ground, and soon it was lying there among its brethren. Others did not react.

That was not good news. They were smart. Those were not just random attacks.They were just waiting for him to wear out, launching surprise strikes from hiding. And it was working, I could see him breathing heavily. If it was true that he was low on mana earlier, that meant he couldn't last much longer.

I had to think of a plan. Luckily I already had an idea before, and seeing this scene only confirmed my assumptions. Those monsters were mana leeches.

You'll say it was obvious, with a name like this they should be easy to distinguish. Well you are right, but there is a small issue. The usual mana leeches that I know of and seen were the size of an actual leech - that is, not two meters large with a tail capable of launching them tens of meters in the air. We had a tank full of them in the lab. Officially they were bought as a testing subject for some experiments, but the crew started liking them for some reason so they stayed as a decoration, in a large fish tank in the lounge. Iloa fed them mana crystals sometimes so "they would glow with pretty colors".

Right now they were definitely not pretty, nor glowing, and most likely were deadly so I had to approach with caution. I was not intending to rush to his aid in the first place. Him being weak actually was working in my favor, so after I approached another few steps, I stopped and waited, making sure neither leeches nor Bert noticed my presence. Every now and again I saw another creature fall to the ice arrow, sometimes hearing some cursing from the tree. Every time though, the breathing was getting heavier and heavier, and the number of enemies seemed infinite. For him that is. From my point of view, I could see the creatures in the grass and realized that there were no new monsters coming to replace their frozen companions. That was very good news. Even with his constant mana usage, there were no new enemies coming, and that meant I was mostly safe.

There was nothing else to do than to wait.

It took maybe ten minutes for Bert to run out of mana. Meanwhile, he managed to freeze maybe twenty leeches. Considering he said that he was low, he either lied, or this spell was pretty efficient. Most likely the latter, since no new creatures appeared to feed on him.

He finally conjured his last arrow and as he was about to shoot towards the jumping leech, he fainted, falling down from the tree. Luckily for him, the grass and bushes below cushioned the impact.

The leech that attacked jumped towards the arrow that fell down with the bow nearby, and others finally started to move. They were not jumping, just slithering forward towards him. I sort of wanted to wait a bit more. You know, not many times you have an opportunity to study an anomalous magic creature and its behavior in its native habitat first hand.

I sighed, stood up and started walking towards them, ready to cast a spell. But, weirdly enough, nothing attacked me. Every creature was focused on Bert. One of them crawled close to him and started to wrap its body around him, like a snake. It started dragging him away from me. Other leeches were escorting it, creating a circle around him and following suit. I started moving faster, but still refrained from casting. As I approached the ring of creatures, I noticed another weird thing. Not only was I not being attacked, the whole ring of "bodyguards" started moving, creating a spot for me.

They were not only not hostile to me, they were treating me as one of their own.

That was unsettling.

I joined the circle, unsure what was going on. Leeches acted like it was completely normal. I hastened my step. They started to move faster as well, matching my own speed, including the one in the middle, dragging the wrapped Bert. This was getting more and more weird, even for my tastes.

Bert himself seemed more or less unharmed during all this march, I mean he was already out of mana and unconscious, so I decided to follow them some more.

After a few minutes we finally reached our destination. The whole group stopped near the lake, where the water was merging with a thick jungle. In front of us, there was this one massive tree, that looked suspiciously out of place, even for this forest. I couldn't tell how tall it was, but judging by the girth of its trunk, it had to be massive. The trunk by itself was at least as big as a medium house. This comparison was apparently on point, because as one of the leeches that was in front approached it, the bark started creaking and it opened itself, like a door. The whole group then proceeded to move away and slowly disperse, most of them towards the water. Soon only the one that opened the door and the one carrying Bert were left. They both looked almost identical, besides one singular thing - the new one had some sort of writing carved on its body, it was a bit far for me to see exactly. I wanted to get closer, but before I had a chance, they both disappeared inside the tree. As soon as they stepped through, the doorway started moving again and closing itself back. Knowing that I had no time, I dashed forward as fast as I could and managed to get through right before it closed shut.