4

Talon eyed the suspicious figure sprawled on the dirty ground. The burlap bag over its head was suffocating to look at. After giving the person one last glance, she turned to the men in her front. They are the typical men you can find anywhere in the district. Judging by their actions, they must be from District 5. Those people don't care about anything but acquiring women, hence, they are doing almost all illegal things.

"Please, save us." said the one who was the quietest among the group. She was observing their exchange from the start. Their presence inside the main island is already bothering her, and if she had to guess the reason, it must have to be exploration. The standing agreement never sounded like a joke at this moment.

They did not have any huge bags with them to store whatever valuables they could find. No saw for cutting things or anything. The group is also small, and with a liability at that. It must be exploration, and her deduction was proven with the mention of the map.

Maps were not something rare to possess. The only problem with them is that they are not a detailed map. It increases the chances of running into misfortunes. Suffice to say, she is the only person that knows the main island like the back of her hand. It took her years to explore the massive island on her own.

"Should I? You venture this far in the main island. I'm sure you can find your way out." she said with a little hum in her voice. Her face remained expressionless as she watched what they were going to do next. The three of them shared a look.

Finally, the one named Lucas spoke with hesitation in his voice.

"We are lost." Lucas admitted.

"I knew it." added Henry with a glare.

"Why are you here?" she asked, wanting to end the meeting short. The years were kind to her but she could not muster enough kindness inside her for the people like them living outside the main island. They had different beliefs compared to hers. Nonetheless, she also met a lot of people that she took a liking to even with the difference in their outlooks.

"We only wanted to explore the main island. I don't understand why the district head wasn't willing to entertain the idea of living here. There are unlimited resources." Lucas coupled it with a hand gesture encompassing the vast forest.

The effort it took her not to scowl was commendable. She only heard and read about this kind of person. As the years went by, she was afraid that the kind of mindset he has was slowly creeping its way into the rest of civilization. These people have time to be greedy when the population is on the brink of extinction. This kind mindset is making a comeback.

"You will understand the reason once you stay for a few more days." she smiled at them. However, they could not see it with the head cover she wore.

The wide-eyed one looked at her with fear. He must have thought she might do something to the group. She scoffed.

"Don't worry. My energy is only for survival, yes? Spending it on killing you people, isn't worth it. I'd rather hunt for some wild pig." she explained. Grabbing her bag with precise motion, she rummaged through the contents and procure a heavy pouch.

For a daredevil, these people are quite easily shaken. Definitely a bunch of fools. She glanced at the form sprawled on the ground once again before tossing the pouch to the ringleader. The latter caught it with a question in his eyes.

"Leave. A few more days in here and you'll be dead. The district council preferred to keep their people alive than rotting corpses decorating the main island's floor. It's already a surprise that you all reached this part of the island. Cougars roam in this area and they are in a hunting phase."

"What is this?" Lucas asked but proceeded with opening the pouch anyway. He did not even hear the last of her words.

"Gold coins!" and he exclaimed.

The monetary system uses gold and copper as the primary coins for trading. Gold being the highest currency. One gold coin is almost the same as buying a house and lot with more to spare. She gave them at least twenty coins. It is more than enough to buy the prostitute they brought with them.

"For the prostitute." she nodded her way to the slumped figure on the ground, still unconscious.

"Well, we really plan to offer the prostitute to you as a payment." Henry said with a twinkle in his eyes. There is nothing more blinding than gold it seems. She doubted they thought of that awhile ago. They would probably bring the prostitute home and brand the person as an escapee.

"I don't receive anything for free. Take the coins and leave the prostitute. I'll guide you out of this island."

Lucas nodded, swiftly stuffing the pouch in his bag. The eyes of the other men followed his every action. As if checking the safety of the gold. Greedy lot. She could not help shaking her head in disappointment. Talon got this strong feeling that the gold coins will return to her somehow.

"Good choice, Sir. Staying in the jungle must be lonely. A companion is always welcome, isn't it?" Lucas nodded in understanding with a sleazy glint in his eyes.

"He is a good prostitute, albeit picky with protection and whatnot." Mattias chimed in looking down at the prostitute with a bag over its head. The person looked more like a hostage instead of a prostitute.

"Troublesome prostitute." Henry nodded in agreement.

Talon did not dare to acknowledge their comments and instead tucked her fingers under her tongue and whistled for her animal. A series of gasps and screams filled the area as they watched a huge wolfdog appear from behind the trees.

Weapons were quickly unsheathed from their scabbard and raised high to fend off the incoming attack. It did not come.

"It is truly a wonder how you all survive this far. Those screams could summon the bears." she commented in wonder. Their eyes almost bulged out of their sockets as they heard her words. Swiftly, they closed their mouths shut, quaking in their heels. Bears were massive entities you don't want to spawn.

Rain, the wolfdog, stopped beside her while keeping his eyes on the intruders. He made a show of showing his long-sharp canines scaring the wits out of them.

She didn't know if she should laugh or thank the heavens that they are easily spooked. If they are indeed cowards, then it is good news of her and the entire island. These greedy people won't be invading the tranquility of the forest for a few more years.

She reached out to scratched Rain behind his ear. The good wolfdog leaned against her touch but still kept up with intimidation.

"This animal will be your guide out of the island."

"What?" Lucas asked with a quake in his voice. His shifty eyes were staring at her and the huge animal at her side, horrified.

"You will follow the animal quietly. You will not do anything that will anger the animal. Be quiet and keep up with him. He is not a patient animal. Do anything to harm him and your blood will not be on my hands but his claws."

She looked at the men one by one, meeting their gazes in a warning.

"Y-You're not going to guide us?" Mattias asked, tripping on his own words.

Damn right, they should fear the wolfdog. He might be docile to me but he could rip the bulky men in shreds in a blink of an eye. The animals on this island did not evolve their survival instinct for nothing.

"I don't have the luxury of time." She looked up at the sky and saw an ominous cloud in the western direction. Those clouds meant threat. While she was on her way to find these intruders, she spied the clouds lurking. Her safety considered, she has to go back to her dwelling and find shelter.

"Move it. The longer you take the bigger the chances of you being a fodder to animals." she taunted. She patted Rain's back, signaling him to move.

With a lot of second-guessing, hesitation mingled with fear, the three men followed behind the large animal. They were sticking close to each other not even giving a glance to the person they dragged around the forest for selfish reasons.

"Before I forget, the animal will only take you as far as the clearing. After that you're on your own. Remember to walk straight until you reach the land bridge." she informed the men who were only half listening to her words.

Shrugging her shoulders, she watched them disappear among the trees before she turned her attention to the person on the ground.

Pause.

"They are gone. Get up." was all she said before turning away.