We headed towards Landodo to rescue our fellow bandits who were captured by Garuda.
Finally, the group stopped after leaving the valley and traveling through the wilderness for a while. After all, the shaking was making us feel sick. Ahead of everyone’s gaze, another large valley appeared. No, it would be more accurate to call it a gorge rather than a valley. In the deep gorge, rocky pillars rose here and there, and on top of them were turrets built with wood and mud. Birdmen with wings flew between them.
“This is Garuda Valley. They say this is where they take shelter from the heat and sandstorms.”
The boss dismounted from Landodo and gently peered down. We were at the edge of the settlement, and it seemed no one had noticed us yet.
“Now, what should we do? First, we have to get down.”
“Sharin, Arisugawa, and I will go. Boss, please wait here. It would be troublesome if something were to happen.”
At Sharin’s words, the boss closed his mouth, which he had started to open. What she said made sense. If the Garuda attacked, there would be no escape route in this valley. We decided to borrow ropes and descend. We wrapped one around ourselves as a lifeline and used another to climb down the wall. The bandits above held the lifeline, supporting our weight. Even so, holding the rope was hard on our hands.
Being careful, not looking down. Or rather, how long has it been? The ground hasn’t gotten any closer for a while now.
“You two, hang in there! Don’t worry, if you fall, Piyo will save you.”
“Damn it, carefree as ever. It must be nice to be able to fly.”
Piyo giggled behind me as I descended, trembling. I was desperately trying to hold on. By the time I finally touched the ground, my whole body was drenched in sweat. And, as expected, Sharin was already there.
“Alright, let’s go. Be careful.”
“Pant, pant, can’t we rest a little?”
The two of them started walking as if nothing had happened. No rest, huh… fine, fine. However, their progress was soon halted. Two Garuda Tribe members suddenly swooped down in front of us. A large birdman emerged from the dust cloud that had been kicked up.
“You guys are companions of bandits, aren’t you? Did you really think you wouldn’t be found out?”
“Yes, I am Sharin Blackpaw, a member of the bandit group. I have come to negotiate for the release of my companions.”
One of the Garuda smirked, curving the edge of its beak.
“Negotiate? Hah, unfortunately, we’re going to kill your companions as a display. It’s perfect, I’ll show you at the very front.”
“Wait, can you please let me speak with the Chieftain just once?”
The two exchanged glances. Then Sharin removed her dagger and offered it to the other. I also discarded my weapon. The Garuda man took them.
“Hmph, well, I suppose I’ll allow it once. But don’t think you’ll return alive.”
“Thank you for your generous consideration. We are grateful.”
We were escorted through the town. The piercing gazes felt like we were prisoners. Piyo, scared, hid close behind my back. Whispers of “thieves,” “dirty garbage,” and “stupid gnats” could be heard from everywhere. They were probably saying it deliberately loud enough for us to hear.
“Get out of our settlement, you vagrants!”
Suddenly, a stone flew at us. It narrowly missed my head. That was just the beginning as insults and stones rained down on us.
“That’s right! Go home, thieves!”
“It’s defiling our settlement!!”
I hid Piyo under my cloak. Sharin finally covered her face with her arms. The stones, thrown mercilessly, hit our bodies. Ouch, damn it, why are we going through this? Not just me, but Piyo too. It wasn’t Sharin’s fault, but I should have left the bandit group sooner. Why do we have to resolve this?
“We haven’t done anything…”
The escorts didn’t even stop us or look back. Thoroughly pelted with stones, we somehow managed to reach the Chieftain’s house. We were pushed inside. Inside the building, there was an old Garuda, and next to him sat someone who seemed to be his assistant.
We knelt down before them.
“So, you are the intruders? I presume you are companions of the bandits.”
A hoarse voice echoed. When I looked up, I met several angry eyes. The executive sitting beside him looked ready to kill us.
“I am Sharin Blackpaw, a companion of the bandits you captured. I have come to ask for their release. We are still inexperienced and did not know enough about your people.”
“Hmph, what are you, a bandit, saying? We know that even if we let them go, they’ll just come back. We can’t trust your words.”
Well, that’s true. It’s probably better not to delve any deeper and anger them. I signaled Sharin with my eyes.
“Please, we implore you. We are at your mercy.”
Sharin put her hands together and bowed her head deeply. It was a complete prostration, a dogeza.
