Zectas Volume V: The Sequestered Seminary of Sawtorn Read Free Page B

pride are so hurt that it takes them that long to recover."

The three of them continued on their trek of the plains for another hour. The noon sun was confirmed by the grumbling of the two OrkElves' stomachs.

"We have arrived," said Esper, and she pointed over to a smaller group of pomegranates trees in the middle of nowhere.

As soon as they entered the pomegranate trees, a notification window popped up.
 
    + Entered Natur Spring

  This spring in the plains of Geparden has been made into a temporary home by several OrkElves
    'So, even the game does not recognize this place as a village,' he observed.

With only a few meters in, they were greeted by several OrkElf children. Smoke counted at least fifty of them.

They had lighter skin tones and pointier ears than the older OrkElves, and looked more like WoodElves or HighElves. The only defining OrkElf features were their brownish skin and strong chin. Smoke surmised that the OrkElf appearance must become clearer when they grow older.

Smoke was flocked by the children as it was their first time seeing an outsider come to their make-shift village.

"Hey, Mister, what are you doing in OrkElf Haven?" asked a boy from one of the younger OrkElves.

"OrkElf Haven?" asked Smoke.

"Our village," explained the boy. "We call it OrkElf Haven. Although, I did hear one of the newcomers say that there was another OrkElf village by that name and I know that there's even an OrkElf Heaven, but we are the real OrkElf Haven."

Smoke nodded seriously, trying hard to assure the young OrkElf of his claim. "I see."

"Come, Faux, this way," said Esper. "Faux, Faux. Oi, Faux!" she yelled out when Smoke did not respond.

"Yeah?" said Smoke suddenly turning around. It had been more than two weeks, but he still was getting used to the alias he picked out for himself.

"I said this way," grumbled Esper. "You wanted to stay in our house, right?"

"Yes, yes, I'll be right there," answered Smoke. He quickly faced the children, and gave them small chocolate pieces that he bought from the city. "I'll be back to give you some more."

The children curiously looked at the chocolate pieces and stared at it blankly. This was their first time seeing it.

Smoke took another piece from his bag and ate it.

The OrkElf children followed his lead. Their eyes widened with delight as soon as the sweet chocolate melted inside their mouths.

Smoke quickly followed after Esper and Colere. Before he could walk farther away, he heard the children screaming with delight and chattering at their first chocolate experience.

Shortly after, in the middle of the pomegranates, he found a medium-sized spring. Some trees had a few sand cheetah pelts thrown in their branches, while other trees had even more. Yet, there was one tree who had the most sand cheetah pelts. It was then that Smoke understood that these were their houses. The monster pelts served as their roof and walls at the same time.

Then, Colere stopped his cart in front of the pomegranate tree with the most cheetah pelts, and Esper sat under it. "Well, this is it. Home sweet home," she said with a smirk.

'I expected far worse than this. At least they know not to make the water contaminated with their filth,' thought Smoke to himself.

"This is very quaint," he said to Esper. "Your house seems to be the biggest one in this village."

"Well, Colere has killed the most sand cheetahs," she answered passively. "But it is still nothing to brag about."

"Why don't the two of you gather all of the other OrkElves here, and I'll whip something up for you," said Smoke suddenly.

"Huh?" Esper said, confused.

"Just go and call everyone here," repeated a smiling Smoke.

After Esper and Colere left, he quickly went to work. He raised a large pot from the ground, and placed in all of the ingredients for an ancient bison stew. He thought a good broth should liven up the OrkElves.

In less than twenty minutes, all of the OrkElves were gathered in front