Chapter 36: Cremation

With the help of gestures, Joan finally managed to make the gray pouch beast understand his question, and to his relief, Grey gave a positive answer.

“We need to throw the lizardmen’s corpses into the fire and burn them completely, so as not to leave any clues that might draw more pursuers. Besides, we can’t stay here any longer; you’ll need to find a new place to live, preferably far from the lizardmen’s tribe.” While instructing Grey, Joan casually tossed the leather pouch of the lizardman shaman into the flames.

Grey nodded, half-understanding, and imitated Joan’s actions, grabbing the lizardman shaman’s body and throwing it into the fire, then dragging over the bodies of the two lizardman warriors and tossing them in one by one.

Seeing the fire grow fiercer, Joan urged Grey to leave the island quickly. Grey reached out, picked him up, and placed him on his shoulder, just as he had done before, striding swiftly away. Within ten minutes, they had left the island behind.

Joan looked back at the island engulfed in roaring flames, recalling the moments he had shared with Grey there, and could not help but feel a pang of melancholy. Yet compared to abandoning this home, he was more grateful that he and Grey had escaped the pursuit of Chud and his companions. Silently, he prayed that the fire would burn even stronger, reducing the three lizardmen’s bodies to ashes and erasing any remaining traces.

“Grey, for the time being, we’ll both need to keep out of sight and can’t meet again for a while.” Seeing the pouch beast’s reluctance, Joan patiently explained, “Don’t forget, that female crocodile who witnessed us accidentally killing the lizardman shaman, Cohen, is still alive. The lizardman tribal leader can learn our features from her, and with Chud and the others gone for good, they’ll surely send out more lizardmen to hunt us down. For safety’s sake, I must leave the swamp for now and avoid their search. You should also find somewhere outside their reach to hide. Once this storm has passed, we’ll find a way to meet again.”

As for how long they would need to hide, or how they would reconnect, Joan had no answers, only able to take things one step at a time.

Grey’s mind was simple, but his instincts were sharp. He could only understand a small part of Joan’s words, yet it was easy to sense Joan’s concern through his demeanor and actions, and so he agreed with the decision.

“Grey, take care of yourself.” Before parting, Joan resisted the urge to cry and embraced the pouch beast tightly. “I hope this turmoil settles soon. Someday, we will meet again.”

Grey nodded heavily, tears welling in his eyes as he watched Joan’s figure slowly recede, until it vanished into the endless reeds swaying at the edge of the swamp. Only when Grey had opened all three pairs of eyes as wide as possible and still could not spot Joan did he finally accept the reality of his departure. He wiped the tears from his eyes, took a heavy step, and turned toward the now unfamiliar and perilous great swamp.

Filled with reluctant sorrow, Grey looked back one last time, and the fiery sunset caught his eye. Yet in that moment, he was thrilled to find the small, thin figure returning, once again appearing in his sight.

“Mort!” The pouch beast cried out with joy, bounding toward the familiar figure.

“No matter what, I can’t bear to leave you behind.” As he returned to Grey’s side, Joan’s face no longer showed the panic from earlier, but was filled with unprecedented calm and resolve. “The lizardmen’s influence spreads throughout the great swamp. You won’t find a real refuge here. Come with me; I’ll take you somewhere absolutely safe.”

Grey was happy as long as he was with Joan, whether in the swamp or elsewhere. Without the slightest hesitation, he accepted Joan’s suggestion and followed him away from the swamp.

Dusk was gathering as Joan led Grey north along the Delin River, quietly approaching the vicinity of Delin Town under the cover of the woods, without alerting any local residents.

Joan knew well that the residents of Delin Town would never welcome a creature as fearsome as Grey. If he were to bring Grey directly into the town, it would surely cause an uproar, and in the end, either Grey would be driven out by angry militiamen, or both he and Grey would be banished together.

Joan had no intention of trying to persuade the townsfolk to accept Grey—it would be a futile effort. He waited patiently in the woods until nightfall, when the town’s lights were extinguished one by one and the streets were empty of any passersby. Only then did he turn and gesture for Grey to follow.

Joan was born and raised in Delin Town and was intimately familiar with the surrounding terrain. Rather than risk going through the main gate with Grey, he circled under the cover of the woods to the hills behind the town. After crossing a ridge and sliding down the slope, they soon reached the woods owned by old Guillaume Terrell.

The backwoods were dense, and now in mid-February, snow still lingered, and townsfolk rarely ventured here. Joan planned to temporarily shelter Grey in the woodland cabin. The forest was rich in game—besides the ever-present rabbits and grouse, as the weather warmed, wild boar, black bears, and badgers also became active. Grey’s skills would easily allow him to hunt enough to eat in the deep woods. As for any beasts that could threaten him… In Joan’s experience, there were none; Grey was truly at the top of the food chain.

But plans never keep up with change. Just as they were nearing the cabin, a sudden burst of urgent barking came from ahead, followed by a swaying light moving toward them.

“Jamie, did you find another wild boar?” A girl’s voice called from behind the bushes.

Sensing danger, the pouch beast suddenly clenched his fists, all six eyes flashing with alertness, and lowered his massive body into a defensive stance.

Joan hurried to stop Grey and called out to the other side of the bushes, “It’s me!”

“Joan?” Conti stepped out with surprise, holding a wooden staff topped by an orange magical orb that lit the dim forest around them.

Jamie, the half-blood winter wolf, leapt after Conti and, upon seeing Joan, let out a joyous cry, rushing to his young mistress, casting wary glances at Grey and remaining on guard against the hulking newcomer.

Behind Conti came a soft rustling, and little tree sprite Mila stood in the bushes, her branches shielding her naked body as she watched Joan and Grey curiously. Perhaps frightened by Grey’s robust and fearsome appearance, she quickly ducked behind Conti when their eyes met.

Joan knelt to pet Jamie’s fluffy ears and gently introduced his new friend. Jamie, lively and clever by nature, held no prejudice against appearances. Encouraged by Joan, he approached Grey, growled a friendly greeting, and raised a forepaw in welcome.