The Vile Outsiders II
Emerald Forest, afternoon.
Fine snow began to fall again. The cold wind carried icy grains that wailed and swirled among the branches.
The grim, murderous air of the Winter Hunt spread through the increasingly bitter weather.
Frost crusted the heavy pauldrons of the warrior Blake. With every step, his boots sank deep into the rotting leaves beneath the thin layer of snow, making a muffled crunch.
His companions kept moving, trying to get their chilled bodies warmed up as they went.
"Damn this weather. It finally warmed up a little this morning, and now it's freezing again this afternoon. And we still haven't found any 'prey.'"
Pierrot, the mage at the center of the party, had blue-tinged cheeks as he struggled to maintain the glow of Detect Magic.
He was the least tolerant of the cold in the party. Even bundled up in thick winter clothes, he couldn't match the physical advantages of the melee fighters.
"No matter." Dylan, the rogue, rubbed his hands together and breathed out a cloud of white mist. A sly glint flashed in his eyes.
"Let's scout a little farther. If we really don't find anything..." He paused deliberately, waiting for his companions to turn their attention to him. "We could check out the 'neighbors.'"
"I paid attention on the way here. The area next to ours belongs to that two-person team, a man and a woman. Judging by their efficiency..." He left the thought unfinished, but his chuckle said enough.
The other three exchanged knowing smiles.
Stealing kills wasn't exactly honorable, but among Bronze Adventurers of similar strength, numbers spoke for themselves.
The other team should blame themselves for being arrogant enough to bring only two people.
"Shh!"
"Be on your guard!"
Blake, who was leading the way, suddenly growled.