*At the eastern gates*

"Is everybody here ?" A person's voice was heard, just when we reached the gates.

"The last team just came." Another person's voice was heard. This time it was a young female, that seemed too mature for her age. She looked like 14 years old.. another Michael, if you go by age that is.

"If that's all of you, then let's start, we've wasted enough time waiting for you !" A person who seemed most likely to be one of the teams leader yelled at us inpatiently.

"Come on Garv, we've just reached here too. It isn't fair to shout at them." A kind girl 'rushed' to our aid.

In front of the gate were three teams, a carriage full of items and a person sitting in front of it.

Of the three teams, ours was consisted of four adventurers, then there was the team that shouted at us, which was consisted of 5 adventurers and lastly the third team, which was amazingly consisted of only two adventurers... those two didn't seem to talk that much.

After a bit inquiring we learned that how much we were paid was proportional to the strength of the original team. Meaning, you couldn't just hire a bunch of adventurers and get more money.

Our team got 3 gold. The really talkative one got 7 gold, which was understandable considering their numbers. However what didn't make sense is, that the mute team got 11 gold... 11 good just for 2 adventurers.. I guess that should speak leagues for their strength.

" Esteemed adventurers. First of all, I want to thank you, for daring to help this lowly person on this dangerous journey. My name as most of you might know, is Impir Kir, and the reason I decided to start this mission is because, my daughter is seriously ill, and needs me by her side. Also if I leave now, my cargo won't last.. I will lose more money, than you could ever make in your whole lives. I just had to risk it.. if I do nothing, then all is lost, if I do something however, it isn't certainly impossible to avoid this catastrophe, and I can't give up on my daughter, in this time of need. I would have liked more people, but more doesn't always seem to be better. I was afraid of the monsters a collection of many teams would attract, and the money I would have to spend. We already have the carriage, which makes this journey all that more dangerous, but I believe that it will be manageable. With that said, let's set off !" Impir said to everyone here.

*At the perimeter of the Darkwood Forest*

The forest was dark. The sun hadn't risen up fully, but still it was darker than it would have been on a normal Forest.

As time passed the previous ice, which was created by that other team's leader slowly melted, and having met no enemy till now, they found opportunities to strike up a conversation here and there.

"So that's how you two met." Rachel exclaimed with amazement. "For being so silent, you sure have quite the romantic story."

"I can't say I didn't think of you two as lovers,but that story... took me by surprise." Zarth said.

After all it isn't an everyday occurrence, to meet a run away prince and princess, that grew tired of the corruption and just wanted to leave. They just so happened to meet each other in a dangerous situation, surrounded by over 10 mid ranked monsters, and managed to escape, by helping each other. From their original team of over 30 adventurers, only the 2 of them were left. They escaped with dangerous injuries, and took care of each other. Eventually they developed feelings for each other, and the rest is history.

"By the way... why we haven't met any monsters yet ??" Asked Rogu.

"We don't know.. I suspect something has happened inside the forest. Oh well, it's better for us if that's the case. Less monsters to fight." Answered Garv.

Yeaa.. that didn't last for long.

A tree's root, suddenly came to life, and tried to stab the young girl apparently named Ulian. Zarth quickly responded, by catching the root with his bare arm, and holding it back for a split second, before Rogu managed to cut it off.

"Be careful, there is an monster ambush !!!" Sarn, the man from that couple said, before getting into a fighting stance himself.

After these words were mentioned, 20 or more roots, suddenly came to life, trying to close off our exits. That wouldn't easily work, with 11 highly experienced adventurers.

There were 3 treants. One for each team. We went to the one closest to us, as did the others. Rogu rushed in front, not before getting his ass kicked by 5 roots, after which he was held back. Rachel and Zarth were right behind him, as they rushed for the kill. As the treant wasted 5 of his roots just to block Rogu, it was left almost defenseless, and so Rachel and Zarth went for the kill. It didn't go as expected though, because the treant suddenly fell down. After we looked to what had happened, we saw Ulian, holding a bow and in a stance that showed she had just released an arrow, we saw the treants body.. there was an arrow on its head.

"Hey, that's kill steal !" Shouted Zarth, before getting his response, "I just wanted to paid back the favor... I didn't mean to steal your kill, I'm sorry." Said Ulian.. immediately making Zarth anger subside. "Oh.. I mean, thanks for your help. Don't mind, don't mind."

"Well, there goes our peaceful times... Is everyone okay? " Rachel said, clearly seeing all the treants down.

"Yeap, But it's all thanks to Zarth. You saved Ulian, and gave us time to prepare." Said that kind girl, named Claire. Something we learned during our conversations. She was the one that helped us back, before we started, and the one we talked with the most.

"No- erm I mean it was my pleasure." Zarth blashed a bit.

"Your pleasure sucks, if that means I have to get attacked.." Yelled Ulian, raging inside.

"Ahh that's the reason I can't stand immature girls. You know I didn't mean it like that, and you're clearly looking to get your ass handed to you." Zarth grew angry from her response.

"Guys, girls. Stop fighting, and move on. Our peaceful times are kinda dead. It would be for the best, if we finish the travel in 2 days. I just can't help, but feel that something is off in this forest.. I mean something is always wrong here, but this time... I just can't explain it. Anyways, I think it would be better to get moving for better or worse." Sarn expressed his concerns, about the dubious forest.