The group's walk through the forest was short. They quickly found a paved walkway less than half a Kilometer from where they had fought the Giant. The three humans led the way, with all her followers trailing behind Bree.
Doren looked back at them; Bree smiled and waved at him when Daisy spoke up.
"Wherever it is we are going, it's not the place we were originally going to," She said as she looked around, "Our destination was due east; we're currently going southeast,"
"All good," Bree said with a shrug, secretly jealous Daisy seemed to know what direction she was facing at all times, "A village is a village, so long as we can get some meat samples and identify where they came from, we should be good to start sending out hunting parties,"
"Did you hear that?" Doren demanded, "They're looking for meat samples, they're going to attack, we must strike first,"
"Fool," Olu said simply. "If that was their goal, then we are all the meat samples they would need. They must be new to the area. Maybe settlers from across the Lunar Sea who don't know what kind of animal is readily available and what is low in population. Maybe we should offer a map with a few good hunting and gathering spots marked as thanks?"
"Of course," Winnie realized, easily overhearing the humans talk. "That is what the map was for; while Mistress Bree may not need a map, the Axol-Mights would so they could hunt and gather in the area,"
"I don't like the look of the bird," Doren muttered, "It's up to something,"
"Doren," Jaden said in a calm but irritated tone, "stop trying to think of a way to pick a fight with a group of monsters that saved your ass, then killed the beast that was thoroughly kicking it in the first place," Olu punctuated Jaden's statement with a slap to the back of Doren's head.
"I agree; stop trying to get us all killed; I plan to die of old age, thank you very much," The group walked on in silence for around twenty minutes before the town of Greenwater came into sight.
Bree figured the name must have come from the lake next to the town, the water glistening an oddly pretty yet venomous-looking shade of green.
"I do hope you don't mind me asking," Bree looked at the lake curiously as she spoke, "But why is the water green?"
"About fifty or so years ago, the King and his men came down here and turned it green with a magical artifact, something about tourism; all it achieved was making people think the water was poisonous or cursed. In the end, the King cut his losses and sold the town off to the town's local hero, Gregory Belin. We are now a tiny private nation, and we accept anyone cast out of their homelands, within reason."
"Like young Doren here," Olu said, patting him hard. "Fool that he is, I'm sure he'll find a place, assuming he can get over his bias against monsters,"
"There is no bias," Doren replied confidently, "Monsters only live to serve or die; a Powerful Monster should serve a Powerful human master, not a de-formed bug-eyed hag who can't even find her way out of the woods,"
"My, how very rude," Bree noted merrily, "And you even went out of your way to mock my eyes," She chuckled, "I shan't make the mistake of saving you again,"
"I had that Giant right where I wanted it," Doren shot back, "And I bet that Harpy of yours was using some spell to increase your speed, just like when she used magic to blast the Giant back, so don't pretend like you're anything but a weak little lady surrounded by strong monsters,"
"Olu, could you smack him again for me?" Bree asked politely. He said nothing and obliged with a slap. "Thank you," Bree continued walking calmly but could feel the anger from her followers building up at Doren's words. "Don't mind him; he's not worthy of your time," she informed them.
"I am aware, my Lady," Winnie replied, "I will not kill him unless he attempts to kill you, just as you told me,"
"Right," Daisy, Boris, and Orion all confirmed.