"Everyone ready?"
"Fasten the straps!"
"Check the provisions again!"
"Why is this bag so heavy? The horse is protesting!"
There were about forty people gathered on a large square at the foot of the mountain. They were preparing a bunch of tall, black horses for the upcoming expedition. Rey stood in the shade coming from a building a few meters above, together with Oru. They observed the preparations. From time to time Oru would yell a few commands, startling all the workers.
"Are you really sure you don't want to bring more food?"
Oru lightly shook his head as Rey asked this question again. This was their greatest point of disagreement while planning the mission. Oru believed that Rey was still judging things from the perspective of someone who hadn't travelled the Boneplains for twenty years. But since then, the Boneplains had changed a lot. The level of danger had increased considerably. Now, when people travelled into the Boneplains they would rather prioritise fast travel even if it meant rationing food.
Ultimately Rey was the one being hired. She couldn't forcefully change Oru's mind. She just hoped that they would be able to hunt something in the Boneplains, or she might really go hungry.
Gradually the preparations came to an end. More members of Feathered Blade appeared one by one, making sure their personal belongings were secure before joining Rey and Oru. The addition of more people didn't make the atmosphere lively, though. The Feathered Blade members all wore solemn expression, some hiding their faces behind masks. Everyone knew that the upcoming mission was as important as it was perilous. Stabilizing one's mind could save one's life. There was no room for jokes.
Soon, the entire group had gathered. Rey sighed inwardly. She had got to know all the members of her escort yesterday, after which she could only lament that Feathered Blade had really declined too much. Except for the elders and perhaps the likes of Oru, they really didn't have many impressive warriors left.
Oru noticed Rey's gaze, but he didn't share her opinion. Feathered Blade had not always been powerful. Their warriors had to go through hardships to grow. Only because they were momentarily in a slump didn't mean that the next generation couldn't soar to new heights.
In Feathered Blade, Oru carried the honourable title Mountain Crusher, earning him great respect from the younger warriors. As he walked around and gave some last-minute advice everyone listened earnestly.
"Good! Young ones, the organization counts on you! I count on you! Your comrades count on you! I don't want to lose anyone of you out there!"
Everyone nodded solemnly and with determination in their eyes. Oru was satisfied. It was finally time to set off. The group approached their valiant black steeds, jumping on their backs. There were more horses than people, but this was no problem. These horses were trained for expeditions outside the city. They were fearless and loyal, good at carrying people as well as supplies.
Finally, the group got moving. Feathered Blade had made sure that there were no hostile people around. This was not too difficult. In this chaotic city everyone had learned to be vigilant. Just causing some explosions would prompt most people to run away and hide. There were no government or police who would come to investigate.
After a short travel through narrow streets the group arrived in front of the towering, dark city walls. There was a gate in front of them large enough for three horses to pass through at once. The gate was guarded by a few warriors dressed as soldiers. From the symbol on their chests, they belonged to an organization called Blood Rose. But this was only a front for Feathered Blade. Blood Rose controlled the gate in their name.
Rey nodded inwardly. At least Feathered Blade could still control such a large gate. The number of gates an organization could control was a sign of their power and influence.
Fortunately, Rey didn't ask Oru about any other gates or the old warrior would have to admit that this one was the last gate controlled by Feathered Blade.
Seeing the group stopping in front of the gate, the guards didn't ask questions. The rattling of chains could be heard as the heavy stone gate slowly swung open. Immediately a chilly breeze hit everyone's faces. Rey stared outside and her eyes finally showed some seriousness.
Barren rocks, grey fog, howls of beasts. Those were the Boneplains, one of the most hostile regions in the entire Black Galaxy. Yet amid the deadly dangers there laid valuable treasures which had produced many legendary warriors.
"Let's go!"
Oru took the lead, and the group left the city. Immediately the atmosphere changed. The harsh coldness of death enveloped everything. Despite knowing that there was little danger this close to the Capital City, everyone couldn't help but be tense.
The surroundings were deathly silent. Only the sound of the horses could be heard as the group started its foray into the Boneplains. A breeze pulled on their clothes.
Suddenly Rey looked to the left. The fog limited her vision after a couple dozen metres. But she could feel that something was there. Rey remained patient and soon a small black bird came out of the fog, somehow not creating the faintest stir. No one except for Rey seemed to notice it. She reached out with her arm and the bird approached without fear, sitting down on her fist.
"Rey? Did you see something?", asked Oru with a subdued voice.
"Yes. The first ghost has already appeared. Despite us still being so close to the city…"
Oru furrowed his brows, but he was not surprised.
"I will send it to scout.", said Rey as she waved her hand. Only she could see the bird, which was now drawing circles around the group, looking out for any dangers. Some of the warriors who didn't know Rey before glanced at her with mixed feelings. They could only trust that she really had lasting control over the ghost.
Oru on the other hand wasn't worried. This was exactly the reason why Rey was one of Feathered Blade's favourite cooperators. Turning the dangers of the Boneplains into allies.
The city slowly disappeared from view. There was nothing else but the bleak Boneplains around. A few minutes later the black bird returned and flew up and down in front of Rey. It was just a minor ghost, barely able to communicate. Rey only understood the basic information.
"There is someone upfront."
"Mhm.", acknowledged Oru. "According to our information there is a relatively recent permanent rift here. We don't know for sure who managed to occupy it. Let's walk around it."
After the brief explanation Oru pushed his horse to the left. Due to the Boneplain's danger, usually there would be no fights between groups meeting on the road. However, it was always better to be safe than sorry. No need to create the possibility of a misunderstanding. Thus, the silent journey continued. Minutes turned to hours, but the Boneplains barely changed. Suddenly Oru spread a warning:
"We are approaching the Yellow Forest. Stay alert."
Everyone nodded lightly, increasing their vigilance by a level. Since monsters rarely dared to approach the city, the Yellow Forest was the first dangerous area. From now on the group had to expect an attack at any second. Even the horses noticeably adjusted, subduing their presence even more.
After a few more steps trees suddenly appeared at the edge of Rey's vision. Yellowed branches and twisted stems, completely without leaves, these were the trees of the Yellow Forest. Even the ground took on a brownish colour.
On the way Rey had recruited two more ghosts, both looking like some kind of demonic dog. She sent her three helpers ahead to scout, probing the Yellow Forest.
Suddenly, just as the group was about to set foot in the Yellow Forest, Oru looked back sharply. Rey also noticed something. There was a tremor spreading through the floor behind them.
"Watch out!"
Oru's warning came just in time as a monster suddenly broke out of the ground, sending dirt and rocks in all directions. The person at the back on the group was Sonos, whom Rey had met when she arrived at Feathered Blade. The comparatively young warrior showed no fear as he jumped from the back of his horse, pulling a great sword from his back, and facing the monster in mid-air.
A bang could be heard, and both were pushed back. Sonos landed on the ground, groaning as he took a few steps back. But the monster was not much better off. Rey got a good look at its boar-like body with a broad, armoured back and short hindlegs. It had a sharp, squarish face without eyes and a ferocious maw which was now bleeding lightly.
"It's a tunnel demon. Sonos, Gal, you take care of it."
"Yes!"
Oru nodded faintly. This was a good chance to let the younger warriors gain some experience. Although this wasn't their first time exploring the Boneplains, training never hurt.