The mountains to the north were steeper than the one surrounding Stone Raven Town.
The rugged mountain path would have been quite taxing for ordinary people, but for He Xi and his group...
After another teleportation in Fivik's "general direction," they arrived at a sheltered slope.
The moment he found his footing, He Xi's attention was drawn to the sight not far away.
Seven enormous sheep were gnawing at the bark of roadside trees.
They were as large as calves, their shoulders nearly reaching He Xi's chest. Their dark brown, slightly curly coats were long, and their massive curved horns resembled the gnarled branches of ancient trees.
"This should be the place."
He Xi studied the giant sheep, silently calculating.
At that size, one of them would probably be enough to feed Bruce and him for months... provided they turned the remaining meat into jerky, or it would spoil long before then.
They found a relatively flat patch of rock nearby to rest and wait for Gulu.
About an hour later, heavy tremors came from afar.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
A huge figure appeared atop the ridge. He first looked toward his flock, his single eye sweeping over them, and his enormous body visibly froze for a moment.
He quickened his pace, rumbling toward the edge of the slope. Extending a thick finger, he counted them one by one. "One, two... six, seven?"
"Gulu's sheep are missing again! There were nine last time!"
"Don't panic yet." He Xi rose to his feet. "Take us to where you live first."
Gulu nodded. The anger on his face was replaced by worry as he took heavy strides ahead to lead the way.
The group followed the trampled path around to the other side of the mountainside.
Following behind him, He Xi soon saw