Dozens of stories, tales, and ballads had begun to circle that described the wide variety of reasons why doubting his abilities was a bad idea. Still, as he trudged on in silence, he did have a few moments where he wondered how much of what he’d heard was fact and how much was good storytelling. He hadn’t walked very far, however, before he heard more footsteps ahead of them, breaking branches, and the crunch of dry leaves.
Skharr had said that the only creatures that moved about and made that much noise were those that didn't worry about what else was out there.
There weren't many humans who would feel that way in these woods, and Brahgen wasn't entirely surprised when he saw the barbarian standing on the other side of a bend in the road.
He was covered in blood and sucked in deep breaths as he looked around the forest like he was annoyed over the necessity to work a little harder than he intended to. Claw marks were visible across his shoulder, back, and legs, although it was difficult to tell which of the blood was his and which was that of whatever owned the claws that had left those injuries.
Although he also favored his right leg a little, it wasn’t enough to suggest that the wound was deep.
"So you had a fight of your own, did you?" the dwarf asked as he approached the barbarian. Despite his relief at seeing his travel companion, he made sure to sweep his gaze continually over the forest around them in case something still lurked, determined to attack the man.
Skharr shrugged and scowled into the forest as he walked to where Horse had come to a halt and showed no sign whatsoever of having missed him.
"It was a little bloody," he explained as he took some cloth from his pack, doused it with water, and began to clean himself. "If you are bored, it is certainly a good way to get the blood flowing."
"There are ways to accomplish it that don't involve charging into a cursed forest without so much as a second thought."
"I did have second thoughts," the warrior admitted. "And third thoughts, if the truth be told. It was about the time that the fourth thoughts started that I regretted having gone into the forest."
"You think a lot, don't you?"
"I do. It is a pity that it usually comes after I've put myself in a position where thinking might have avoided it."
"The kind of thought where you realized we could have dealt with three attackers without you braving the forest?"
Skharr grinned and nodded. "Even so, you acquitted yourself quite admirably against them. You might not need me to keep you safe for very long."
Brahgen chuckled and shook his head as they began to move again while Skharr continued to clean himself. "So, will we stay on the path from this point forward?"
"All things considered, I think that would be best, yes."
That admission seemed a little unlike him, but the dwarf chose to not argue with him over it as long as they stayed on the move. The sooner they were out of this godsbedammed forest, the better.
"So," he said once the warrior had changed his shirt for one that was not ripped or covered in blood, "what did you think about the fight? I thought I did rather well, all things considered. But what the hell were those…plants that ate the men once they were dead?"
Skharr shrugged. "Fucked if I can tell. There are far too many dark and horrifying monsters in this place to keep track of. We might be the first humans to have seen them at work and survived."
"Ah." He wasn't sure why, but the knowledge didn't appeal to him as much as it might have. Knowing there were plants out there that were as dangerous as the monsters was a terrifying thought given that they were surrounded by the damn things as far as the eye could see. "What do you think we'll do the next time we are ranged against a group of humans?"
"You mean aside from heading out into the forest?"
"Naturally."
The barbarian tilted his head. "Next time, I think we should simply kill them from afar."
"And if they are civil? Not hostile?"
"We shouldn't have to guess once they state their purpose. They'll have to walk into the range of my arrows and we can discuss whether or not they have a mind to kill us and take everything we own. I feel that would bring out the most honest part of their natures."
The youth laughed at that and Jenny nudged him gently in the back. "And if they were to be a problem? And were too many for you to handle alone?"
"It's a good thing I don't travel alone, then."
"Do you honestly think I would be any help to you if we were engaged in a skirmish?"
"I'd say that I have a better chance of surviving with you than without. You have a weapon and the willingness to use it. All you need is training and tactical direction and you'll soon be in a position where you would be able to bring your strongest talents to bear."
"How do you mean?"
"A large barbarian can be the center of the attention and take the brunt of the attacks. Of course, I won't be there to do so for you in the future, but if you are in a situation where you need to fight, you must know what your strengths are and apply them effectively. You won't be the burly warrior type. You could adapt your combat skills to that particular day but for the moment, for survival, fight as you are, not like what you wish you were."
"And what am I?"
"Quick, for one thing. A sharp eye and a quick hand allied to a keen mind are difficult to beat."
"Would I be able to beat you?"
Skharr grinned and shrugged. "Perhaps one day. Although I would say your keen mind might tell you to back away if you were ever to find me as your opponent without any support."
Brahgen nodded, drew his dagger, and flipped it smoothly over his fingers. "What kind of weapons would you recommend for one my size?"
The barbarian thought about it for a moment. "Well, I would say you could handle a spear rather well. With fast, deft strokes, you could use it as a staff as well, which would allow you to take advantage of your dexterous hands and sharp eyes as well help with what you lack in…well, range."
"Are you calling me short, barbarian?"
After a second, Skharr realized that the dwarf was joking and shook his head. "If you're looking for something a little closer and tighter than a spear, I would suggest possibly a falchion of some kind—a well-balanced one that could be whipped around with all the speed you could muster."
"I like that idea. I could be the first pirate dwarf to sail the seas."
"Is that something you’ve considered?" Skharr asked and narrowed his eyes.
Brahgen shrugged. "Why the fuck not? The whole world is before me."
"Right. But for the moment, you'll need to find out how to keep yourself alive on dry land."
The dwarf grinned, flipped his dagger from his left hand to his right, and tried to thrust it toward his companion.
His eyebrows raised sharply when his companion’s hand snapped down to catch his hand before it had traveled more than an inch.
"You're not the only quick one among us," Skharr said and chuckled. "Another strength of mine is that many who see me underestimate how fast my hands and mind are. It’s something to keep in mind. Folk generally have thoughts about what dwarves are like. Some are true and some are not. You can always find some way to put yourself in an advantageous position by using that kind of thinking."