Tyson was still staring off when he spotted something that seemed off. He squinted and saw that a small group of lizardmen were patrolling the area. He moved back and asked himself whether they were native to that part of the forest. He pulled out his pouch and took out his book. He flipped through the pages until he found it. It was a page detailing the location and habits of lizardmen. They were native to the southern part of the forest. Monica saw this reaction and asked him to know whether anything was off. He told them the situation and they were immediately alert. Rocks walked towards Tyson and asked him whether he had a plan of action." I only saw three of them but I think we should investigate this before it brings a real problem to our doorstep. What do you think?" Tyson explained.
" I think we should, but how are we doing this?" Rocks asked.
" Monica and I will follow them to see if they will lead us to their camp while the rest of stay here and keep the camp safe. Rocks keep the princess safe," said Tyson and they all nodded in agreement.
Monica grabbed her already ripped cloak and staff and followed behind Tyson. Tyson's eyes radiated a nice shade of blue as they went down the cliff. They got down there in time to see the lizardmen pair inspect the remaining parts of the red viper corpse. One of them put his finger in the blood and put it to his mouth. He then nodded at the other and started to cut up the flesh. Monica was staring in awe as this was her first time seeing lizardmen and she was curious at their behavior. Once the two had cut up enough, they started heading back to where they came from. The duo followed but Monica stepped on a twig which removed a sound that echoed across the forest. The lizardmen turned around and fired an arrow. Luckily it missed Monica by a whisker and hit a log. The lizardmen had already reloaded their bows and had them poised at our pair. They slowly approached and Tyson's claws started to grow in length preparing for a fight. Then a hate ran past them and into the Frey. It jumped out of the bush and that calmed the lizardmen. They laughed it off and continued on their way. Monica gave a sigh of relief but Tyson was not risking it again. He picked he up and carried her on his back. She was about to contradict when Tyson signed her to keep quiet. She surrendered to her situation.
They followed the reptiles for a while until a village came into view. A large wall made of tree trunks surrounded the small village as an even larger door stood at the front. It slowly and creakily came open as the scouts walked in." Looks like this is as far as we go," said Tyson.
" No, keep going. I have a camouflage spell we can use," said Monica as she started to chant a magic spell.
Tyson walked out of the bushes as he disappeared from the human eye. Monica's spell was active and with that, Tyson took off for the gate before it closed. They luckily entered just as the gate was closing and stood there in utter shock. It was a small civilization of lizardmen living together in a civilized manner. They walked around giving themselves a tour when a scream echoed in the air. They turned to see the gates open and reveal the second team. Rocks was beaten to a pulp, having bruises and cuts all over his body. He was also knocked out. Audine and Priscilla had some minor scratches but otherwise doing okay. The women were in chains as they were dragged in by a group lizardmen. Monica was exhausted by the sight because she had a premonition about this. Tyson, followed them as the trio was led to a large hut at the center of the village. It had a door made from the skull of a cobra, a large one. Inside sat an elderly yet muscular lizardman who had two female lizardwomen and a young if not child lizardman. A family of them having a meal together. Then the elder looked at the new arrivals with a shift in mood. He ordered his children, the child and one of the females, to move to the side as the injured trio was plopped onto the floor before him. He sat there cross-legged with his wife behind him and asked the question," What have you brought to me today?"
" These humans were outside the gates snooping around," said the reporter.
" Really...," said the elder when his wife said something in his ear," You in the back. The two humans using magic to hide from us. Are you acquainted with these three?"
" Looks like the jig is up," said Tyson as he placed Monica down and the magic was dispelled," So your wife can perceive mana."
" Yes, she is our village priestess," said the elder," So, mind telling me why you humans are here?"
" As soon as you tell me why you lizardmen are within human territory. Aren't you supposed to be living in the south?" Tyson asked.
The two looked each other in the eye as air of mana clashed. The air between these two seemed to clash like two rhinoceroses." So you know of Indra?" The elder asked.
" What is Indra?" Tyson asked.
The couple looked at each other in shock before saying," Forget about that. It's not important. Anyway sit down we have a chat young one," said the elder.
" I first want to know what happened to my companions," said Tyson in anger as his eyes entered crimson.
" Look, relax. Captain, can you explain what happened with these three?" asked the elder.
" With pleasure. We found these three being under attack by a swarm of komodo dragons that were violently attacking them. We helped them fend them off but they still were not trusting of us so we had to chain them and bring them here for treatment," came the explanation.
" Oh, thank you for helping them," said Tyson," please tend to their injuries."
The trio was dragged out as Tyson sat down before the lizardman elder." Now, young one, mind telling me what exactly you are because you are no human?" The elder asked.
" How did you know?" Tyson asked calmly.
" Humans can't speak our native tongue," said the elder," Only higher beings can speak a language such as ours so fluently."
He turned to look at Monica who was so perplexed it could compare to a lost child. He got his answer." I'm a VAMPIRE."