We waited for a day and there was no information.
"Let's look around since we have nothing to do." Miss Hertha suggested. She spoke little and only when it's necessary. Uncle agreed with the intention of picking wild berries for me.
We separated from the others who also decided to wait.
The path leading to the mountain was surrounded on both sides by tall trees. Because it wasn't frequently used, a lot of beasts inhabited the forest. Normally, they won't peak their heads until their habitat was disturbed.
We made sure to avoid anything like that as we went ahead.
"Where are you two from?" Uncle asked the gentle yet extroverted Garth.
"We are from the southern kingdom. We came out to sight see and decided to explore more, turning ourselves into adventurers."
"You sound like a scholar."
"Life is unpredictable." Garth paused before continuing. " Does being a scholar spare you from pursuers? We were chase out by our family when our parents died. I just attained recognition to work in the Half Flower court when mishaps occured. My position was suspended. I left with the title 'suspended minister ' it's embarrassing though." He shook his head with a dramatic sigh.
Miss Hertha pursed her lips when her brother recounted the story. I am guessing that incident left a huge dent on their personalities.
While we walked, we chatted on about anything that came to mind and were distracted by a roar. A huge white snake was entangled with a boar.
"Quickly move away, don't catch their attention." Uncle voiced anxiously. We hurried to hide behind a huge tree. Wait, there was one missing.
Hertha stood there as if everything is on pause. Her eyes glittered in an unnatural way and she released a sickening kind of energy.
"She's a battle maniac. That's how she was born. Until you take her away or the battle comes to an end, she won't move."
"What do we do?" I asked worry in my voice.
"Hertha look out!" Garth shouted when the serpent swung it's tail towards her.
Uncle retrieved a dagger and prepared to aim when a figure flashed by carrying Hertha with him.
The speed was very fast and they landed right beside us. He was dressed plainly in a blue top and grey pants. The legs of the pants disappeared into the knee high boots he wore.
Another came out from behind the bushes dressed in a similar fashion but his top was red with the chest area untied revealing a pale expanse of meet.
He had delicate features he looked more feminine.
"That was a close call." He said and walked towards us.
"Thank you!" Garth expressed towards the one holding Hertha.
"I'm sorry." Hertha looked towards her brother.
"I'm Kandel and this is my brother Jarl." The feminine guy introduced.
"I'm Neraid, this is my nephew Rosa and our friends Garth and Hertha."
"Are you guys heading towards the mountain. I wonder if we could join you. We are from far away and don't know our way around here."
"Gratitude must be paid back. You can join. We were out to look for berries and will be going back to the foot of the mountain."
I told them we could go back and that I was not even hungry. We turned back and walked towards the foot of the mountain.
Jarl
When we finally stepped into the land of our destination, we took out our necklaces and completed the process.
Kandel suggested we visit one of their taverns and gather information that's when we found out about the Green Tear. I knew it was a useful gem for the lunarians and a weapon for the vampires. I've never seen it before so we decided to also head towards Mirage Mountain.
For the reason why we ended up in the forest, it was Kandel's idea. Me saving the lady was a coincidence and the scheming Kandel used that opportunity to get us companions. It's not bad to travel in a group.
At the foot of the mountain, we heard news of people who rushed to battle the beast and we're instantly subdued.
"Let's go up and take a look." The youngest suggested. Everyone agreed and so we started moving.
To get to the top of the mountain, one will need at least a day and half.
Kandel and I walked at the end of the group.
"Their group is special." Kandel said.
"Why do you say so?"
"Instincts. My gut feeling never lie. I knew it when we saw them."
I looked at him and smiled. Though he's annoying sometimes, he's also sincere and fun to be with.