Chapter 42: Troublesome encounters
Irwin grunted as he jogged after Daubutim, the pain in his back dull and annoying. Still, he knew that the fact that he was up, let alone running, was incredible.
Now, if only it weren't this cold, he thought, shivering.
The heat from the fire that had suffused him rapidly faded in the cold, while the wind blowing through the orange and red-leafed forest contained a crisp, dangerously chilly scent.
A scream of fear echoing from up ahead ripped him from his moment of contemplation, and Irwin looked up. In the distance, he saw the edge of the forest and a dozen or more moving shapes chasing something. Daubutim changed course and slowed down until he ran beside him.
"I count nine, and I think they are Imps. They're chasing someone. If we continue like this, we will intercept them..."
Irwin looked up to see Daubutim stare ahead in confusion, starting to slow down. It seemed like more than nine, but Daubutim hadn't been wrong about these things before.
"We should help, but we need to get to my father," Daubutim muttered, the frown on his head deepening.
There he goes again, Irwin thought as he clenched his teeth.
He understood why Daubutim was conflicted, though. They could get killed if they just ran over there without knowing what was happening to save someone they didn't know. Are you sure you don't know them? a tiny part of him asked before adding that nine wasn't that many more than five.
No, it would be best to leave…
If only he didn't think he knew the voice. As bad as he was with remembering names, he'd always been good with faces and voices. Who could even be here?
Nine Imps. Would they flee again if he ashed some? He rolled his shoulders, the pain in his back still there, as was the cold. The wind blew through the dozens of rips and holes in his ruined clothes, but he made up his mind. Steeling his resolve, he continued forward slower than before.