Rene figured that it was finally time to get up. His strength was returning and his neck didn't seem to hurt that much. He sits up and looks around, seeing the moon shine at its peak. He saw that the base of the river was situated next to a water mill and was happy to know that he was close to civilization. But he hears clicking in the bushes as he frantically searched for his sword and shield to protect himself. But Rene witnessed a tiny creature jump from the bush, an ant about the size of a house cat walked out and crawled towards him. Rene took a closer look and realized.
"It's you! That little ant from the nest!" Rene shouted in realization.
The little ant jumped in joy as it went closer to Rene and climbed his body and went onto his shoulder. Rene noticed that it had a little object in its mouth, a berry, and it seemed to be offering it to him.
"For me?" Rene asked, pointing to himself.
The ant gave a nod and a click of approval. Rene then took the berry and said.
"You have my thanks, little creature." Rene said with a nod.
Rene consumed the berry with relish, it had been hours since he had his last meal. He then felt a small sting on his neck as he saw the ant spraying acid onto his wound.
"What are you doing?" Rene asked, as he tried to glance at the tiny ant.
The ant gave Rene a few clicks in explanation.
"You're... cleaning my wound? With your special chemical that you secrete?" Rene said slowly, attempting to clarify what the ant was telling him.
The ant gave a few more clicks of agreement.
"So... you were actually here some time ago and sealed my wound?" Rene asked, before feeling his neck, feeling no wound but rather a scar. He turned to the creature and asked. "How did you... do it?"
The ant then clicked as it walked to a collection of herbs, spices, and assorted plants lying next to Rene. It then took a piece of herb and went to Rene's neck and started rubbing his wound with it. Rene nodded in approval, this creature was very useful and deserved some form of recognition.
"I cannot begin to express my gratitude for what you have done for me." Rene said with much sincerity.
The ant gave a few abashed clicks, as it scratched its face, as if it were embarrassed.
"I just realized that you don't have a name." Rene smiled while petting the little creature. "How about Anne?"
The ant jumped in approval and nodded, showing that it liked the name.
"Well Anne, let's find a way out of this forest." Rene said while slowly standing up, sheathing his sword and shield. He then grabbed his helmet and decided not to wear it at the moment.
The ant gripped on to the shoulder of Rene as he walked through the forest. As they walked through the forest, Rene saw a torch light and ran to it, finally making it to a dirt oath. He then put on his helmet and hailed the guard. He shouted.
"Guard!" Rene called out.
The patrol turned around, putting a torch at Rene to get a closer look. Though Rene was surprised to find that the guard was a woman. The woman then firmly asked Rene.
"What do you require, traveler?" she asked.
"Er, I was just wondering which kingdom I'm in." Rene replied politely.
"There's only three kingdoms at this point." The guard mused. "You happen to be in Dragundaala territory."
"Oh okay, thank you madam." Rene said while saluting. "I'll be on my way."
"Actually l need a little pick-me-up if you know what I mean." The female guard said with a wink. "And you seem like a strong, young man so..."
"Sorry ma'am, but I'm in a hurry." Rene said, ignorant of the implications of her statement, before running past her and towards the city, which was barely visible in the dawn light.
Nola inhaled the cloth again, feeling pleasured by the scent as she breathed it in with much pleasure. She then stops inhaling for a moment and embraces the cloth as her face blushes.
"God, even his scent is so intoxicating... I miss him so much..."
Nola motioned her hand down to her nethers as she pleasured herself while smelling the sweaty cloth left by Rene.
Oswald then rode on his horse, scouting the area by himself in the heavy rain. They were in Black Dog territory so he had to check for anything, but what he found was staggering. He saw a horde of Black Dog monsters walk through the valley, towards an army of the Anthrosaurs he had escaped from a few days ago. It seemed the two armies had stopped as the Anthrosaurs then began to roar and growl out at the opposing Black Dogs. Both armies ran forward and clashed, with giant monsters fighting another. The Black Dogs had a grotesque, tentacled, worm-like monster crawl towards the opposing monster, a giant reptile with a frill and horns. The Anthrosaurs had fierce infantry but the Black Dog numbers seemed too much for the reptiles as the Anthrosaurs were soon pushed back and routed.
But Oswald's observations are cut short by an Anthrosaur jumping out of the bushes to ambush Oswald. Oswald dismounted his horse in time and dodged the attack. The lizard in particular had a strange, wooden club with spikes and wore skeleton armor. Oswald growled as he then charged, first deflecting a strike from the lizard with his shield, before kicking back the monster. The Lizardman roared back as both Oswald and the Anthrosaur prepared to clash. But the sound of maniacal laughter stops them both in their tracks, as Oswald and the Anthrosaur saw that they were surrounded by numerous monsters of the Black Dogs. Both were back to back as they were ready to face down the horde.
"I'm not sure if you understand me, beast, but if you do, then you and I seem to share a common enemy."
"Don't get cocky ape, I can understand you perfectly."
"Then let's waste no time and get to it."
Both then nodded at each other, indicating a temporary truce before they braved the incoming charge of the Black Dogs.