By the time the sun was starting to set, and the forest was shrouded in darkness, Sheto heard some noises coming from the bushes.
“Solde. Did your friends, come?”
“Aye…wait here.”
Solde swiftly jumped out of the wagon and let out a clear cry towards the forest. It was likely the signal to the others that it was safe.
A moment later, the familiar dog-like faces appeared.
“You are safe! Solde!”
“We were worried! But you’re alive!”
Sheto felt a little pain in his chest as he watched. Judging by their clothes and tools, they must be hunters. Eventually, they turned their heads with puzzled looks.
“Who is that? I don’t know him.”
“He is…Sheto. Helped me, when I was caught, in the human village.”
Sheto then got off the wagon and greeted them.
“I’m Sheto. Tail of Ash Shadow Hanon, first son of Onbo and Sei. Greetings, friends from beyond the mountain.”
It had been so long since he greeted someone in the old way, that he had almost forgotten the words. The one called Adara seemed satisfied by it.
“You helped, Solde. We are grateful.”
“…Aye. More importantly, help us with carrying this.”
The kobolds were overjoyed when they saw the supplies.
“This, was it stolen?”
“Don’t worry. This, all yours. Humans won’t come.”
“They won’t? …Well, that’s fine then.”
Adara did not pry any further, and just gave orders to the others. After the kobolds took everything out of the wagon, the donkey brayed worriedly.
“What to do with it?”
“Doesn’t matter, they said. Maybe we could eat it?”
“What! Hey… You’re going to kill the donkey!?”
Fi raised his voice in protest. And then the kobolds turned to him with worried expressions.
“He, is my friend. It’s fine. Also, Fi. We cannot take the donkey, into the deep mountains. If we leave here, beasts will eat it. Would be a waste.”
“I know, but… It doesn’t feel… We came all of this way together…”
Fi gently patted the back of the donkey, which he had gotten attached to. Adara then made a suggestion.
“We have, elders who have trouble walking. It can carry them, no?”
“Aye. And the wagon will be taken apart. Can be used for something, later.”
The young dragon was relieved by this, and then the group entered the forest.
Adara was in the lead, and you could tell by his calm manner that he must be the center of his pack. Encouraged by this, Sheto decided to ask the question he couldn’t ask Solde.
“Adara. How many of, are you?”
“…A few died, this morning. Still, we are sixty.”
“That many… The food, won’t be enough.”
“Still, this is good. There is flour too. Can feed the mothers and babies.”
“And then you move somewhere, else. While hunting…”
“…Green leaves will be coming soon. Won’t be able to eat acorns.”
Adara shook his head with a serious expression. There was no guarantee that their hunting would be successful. They usually stocked up acorns during the autumn, but they had been forced to run with the clothes on their backs.
“Hey, Sheto. Do you know? A forest where kobolds can live?”
Even though it was dark, he could see the eyes of the other kobold shining with expectation.
“Sorry. The village I’m from, no longer exists.”
“I see… You’re a…survivor then. From the look of you, thought there might be, settlement. My apologies.”
“It’s nothing. More importantly, the mountain where I lived, short while. Quite good. Trees with fruits, mushrooms, birds. Lots of them.”
While the effects of what he had left would be disappearing by now, humans would likely avoid that place. And if they spent one winter there, perhaps they could travel farther south.
When he talked about the Elephas mountains, Adara’s eyes lit up.
“Thank you. You saved us.”
“Only normal, to help those in need…Ganari. It must have been…hard.”
He looked surprised by Sheto’s words, but then smiled with a nod.
“Our chief…died when escaping. Now, I have to protect, everyone.”
“I see…”
While he was tired, he also looked proud. Sheto smiled. Here, there was also someone who was working to protect something.
“…What is it?”
“No, nothing.”
“Hey! Adara! Solde!”
He then saw several faces appear in the forest up ahead. From the bushes and shadows of great trees, the kobolds ran and tumbled out.
“Ahh…”
Solde was surrounded by the warm hugs of the others. Adara then had them unload the food and distribute it.
“Hey! All of you! This is Sheto! He saved us!”
Before he knew it, Sheto had been pulled into the center of the group and all eyes were on him.
“He helped the captured Solde! Also, all of these supplies, brought by Sheto!”
“Ah…um…uh…”
Without delay, the kobolds threw their arms around Sheto. And he felt himself relax at the warm greeting.
The warmth of a pack, which he had not felt in a long time.
Bonus chapter courtesy of Photo! Thank you so much!!