Walker looked at Herder who appeared wide awake and ready for the day. "You know we are ready. This is adventuring at its'' finest. We are adventurers to help those in need and you need to be able to cross that bridge safely so we will help." Walker answered him perfectly which got augh from Herder as he grabbed some roasted horned rabbit.


    "In that case, I will let you do your job and make sure the path is safe. Just let me get some action so I won''t be bored." Herderughed even more as he ate.


    "I am going to wake up Gil and Su. Hopefully Onyx is somewhere around here too." Walker left the fire and snake don his own piece of meat for breakfast. He did not forget to pull some fruits from his inventory before heading away though, he knew they would need more than roasted rabbit to make it through the day.


    Walker nudged Su and Gil until they were both up and getting ready for the day., They made their way to the fire easily but Walker could still jot see Onyx anywhere. His eyes drifted toward the sheep where he could see the shepherd standing tall above the herd.


    "Good morning. Have you seen the little ck serpent that was with me? His name is Onyx and I want to tell him that we are getting ready to head out." Walker made his way to the sheep that did not pay him any mind at all. once he had made it there he called out softly to the shepherd as not to bother the herd of sheep.


    "Brother, I have been speaking with my new friend. He says it has been years since he was able to have a proper conversation." Onyx had found a spot on the shepherd''s shoulder and had been speaking with him for who knew how long.


    "I am d that you managed to find a friend. If both of you are hungry feel free toe over. I wouldn''t mind hearing more about the sheep your friend has herded." Walker was very happy to see Onyx befriending others and making it possible for the shepherd to have conversations even though he was mute. It was a heart warming moment.


    "We will be there in a few moments. He said that he will dly share what he knows so that you can properly befriend all the sheep you meet in life." This was a nice proverb to live by for s shepherd. Befriending all sheep sounded like the exact goal that woulde with the shepherding system.


    "Leader, did you find Onyx? Remey said you didn''t know where he had gone." Su was worried but knew that Walker would not havee back without finding Onyx anywhere.


    "He had made friends with the shepherd, apparently they have been talking for a while. I bet the shepherd will have plenty of stories to share after being mute his whole life." Walker confused Herder since he did not know that Onyx had a skill that let him speak within someones'' mind.


    "Onyx canmunicate with anyone through their thoughts. That is why Walker said the two have been talking so long." Gil realized theck of information and readily shared the important fact.


    "That little snake can talk? Well then." Herder was understandably surprised at this as well.


    "Oh, he just looks small now. He is much bigger, just check out his shadow." Herder looked over at the shadows around the approaching Onyx and shepherd. His eyes grew wide at therge shadow stretching out behind him.


    "Ehm, yes, I see. Your party is very interesting. I didn''t want to say too much because it was already strange to see a dragon but, now it is another level of strange." Herder was finally speaking out about how odd he found the group.


    "This is just how things ended up for us. It is all a long story. I''m surprised you didn''t askst night. Although, It sounds like you didn''t want to be rude so, thank you for that." Walker realized the reason already but still felt like speaking out and telling a little of their story. By the time breakfast was over and they had all prepared Walker has shared some of the partys'' history and Walker had also learned more about the shepherds'' sheep herding experiences.


    "We will lead the way and cross the bridge first. It looks like there are other travelers who saw us speak to the guards, or maybe the guards told them that an adventurer party showed up. Anyways, we will have more people behind us." Walker could see the many that were watching them and already packed up as well.


    "Leader, we should take this more seriously if they are following behind us. They will be at risk." Su was sure to remind Walker. He nodded and looked at Gil who readied his bow as they started to near the bridge.


    "We are here to start off the trail clearing. Is there anything your captain may want to say?" Walker found a guard at the gate of the bridge immediately so that they could do a final check before heading out.


    Like he was waiting on them the guard captain approached. "Good morning. I wish I could send some guards with you but we are not able to leave this post. The only thing you should watch out for is the group of orcs with the one carrying a piece of stone as a club. It picked it up from the end of our bridge and now has it as a weapon."


    The guard looked a little embarrassed that the orc was able o steal a stone from the bridge and no less, use it as a weapon. "Thank you for the heads up. We will be off then. I think we will have many following behind us after the herds. Good luck." With that, the guards opened the gate on the bridge and the party began their crossing.


    …..


    ….