[I] Goddess curse me...[/I] It has been seven days since the last time Arco could count anything as a meal. One day for each of Arco's companions lost in the woods. Penance in its truest form. Yet, the Draconian Paladin couldn't help but feel like salvation was just around the corner. It was a gut feeling but it didn't feel so baseless as a hunch. Still, there was nothing but forest in sight and the dredges were on the hunt. They have been ever since Arco split from the group but only now did they finally catch his trail and began nipping at his heels as he ran. Seven dredges by his count. Cursed indeed.

Dredges were a bit like feral hounds save for the rotting skin and exposed bone. They were also considerably big, measuring up to the largest of dogs. Also unlike dogs, they aren't at all natural but instead are the product of magic. They are the result of a rather lower tier incantation of summoning but incredibly useful if the magic wielder needed to hunt down anything living, as long as they didn't need anything alive of course. What did this anonymous summoner want with a Draconian Paladin? No idea. Probably for sport.

"Alright come on, Arconia... A sign or something that I might make it out of here alive would be nice." Arco muttered to himself as he leapt a fallen trunk, overgrown with other vegetation. The dredges soon followed, snarling and snapping as they chased. Weaving in between trees and leaping obstacles could only buy time but every man has their limit and Arco was getting tired. The Draconian scanned his view for any sign of his salvation and thankfully, the little fluttering glitter caught his eyes. Rye. 

Running past the miniature figure, Arco shouted, "Which way?!" The timid and scarred pixie fluttered up and over Arco's head and dropped her altitude to match her protector's eyesight. She point lazily to the right, signaling something was that way but what remained a mystery. That casual point was enough for Arco and despite really only knowing his winged friend for about a week now, he still trusted her to save both of their lives. "Alright lead on!" The pixie nodded as she knifed her flight to the side and soared in the direction she pointed. Arco followed and judging by the growls and cackles of the monsters behind him, they weren't too far off either. Whatever Rye found, it had better be worth it.

Minutes seemed to pass as Arco followed Rye and the beasts followed Arco. Nothing significant came to pass until a sudden flush of light met Arco's green eyes. It was almost blinding but he could make out where they were. A forest clearing and dead ahead... a building? Whatever it was, there were others, living and breathing. Suddenly hope and joy sprung on Arco's being as he made headway for the building shouting. "Hey! Over here!" He waved one of his arms in order to attract attention. Hopefully someone would come because a sudden sting on his left leg turned into searing pain as his body realized what just happened. One of the dredges had grabbed ahold of his leg, sinking its teeth into his leg. "Arrrooo!" He howled as he fell onto the trimmed grass.

He turned quickly and slammed his mace on top of the dredge's extended neck, crushing it with the sheer force of the blow. Some of the dredges came to a stop while the others pressed on towards the inn. Four half rotten corpses made headway for the inn, hoping to score easy prey.