Page 10 of Simon

“I already brought some. Can never be too prepared.” He held up a bag. “Now leave the human bean alone. Give the poor thing some space.”

Elmira blinked several times. “Bean? What do you mean, bean? Who is a bean?”

I giggled. “I think he means humanbe-ing.”

Sugha’s face turns a deep shade of green. “Ah, right.Be-ing. I am still learning the human sayings. My apologies.”

Despite him being a green man—male—and larger than the shifters, I felt better with themonsters, as everyone in Bergarian seemed to call them. Even Durz, with his habit of smelling and his aggression over Dutton, I found comical.

The idea that an animal or another being covered themselves in yellowcress meant that we were being watched, and it unlocked a new fear inside me. Something was out there, watching, and it did not want to be found. With the fibers in my hand, I knew I had to figure out if it was really an animal that was particularly smart or something different entirely.

“It’s no matter, a large group like us won’t have any problems dealing with whatever it was,” Dutton said. “As long as Lucy adheres to the rules, there should be no problems.”

I gave a slow nod. It wasn’t like they could go after whoever was hiding. There was no scent, and splitting up now would not be wise. The light sources were setting, and as long as I stayed with at least two or three shifters or an orc, I should be safe.

The group worked quickly to unload most of the supplies. Despite leaving a lot of my gear in the wagon, I retrieved a rudimentary microscope, one that was easy to travel with and not completely electric like back on Earth. I had to make do withno electricity and use a small candle to use as light to see through it.

When the bonfire was at full roar, I unfolded my small worktable and got to work with the strands I still held tight to. I didn’t have much to work with, and I would not lose them.

I placed the five that I had between the glass slides and carefully slid them under the microscope. My heart raced with the prospect that I could find out what animal that was staring at us from the bush.

I closed one eye, and my tongue poked out at the side of my mouth. It was a terrible habit, but it was the only way to get the microscope to adjust just right, so I could get it into focus.

I clicked my tongue. Huh.

I wasn’t looking at just animal fur or hair.

It was both.

Human hair is pigmented evenly and has a greater density towards the cuticle, while animal hair tends to have more centralized pigmentation and a higher overall density.

My hair color was similar to the fur. Did I somehow contaminate my sample? I plucked some hair from the top of my head and pushed it under the microscope.

The color was close to identical.

I let out a puff of air and shook my head.

Possible cross-contamination.

That meant it must have been an animal because an animal couldn’t have both. No worries about a being trying to hurt us, then.

I heard a loud smack, and Dutton jumped over the fire to run away from Elmira, who was rubbing her butt. She let out a playful growl, and her claws lengthened as she chased after him.

Hmm, yes, strange courting practices.

The soft, setting light sources cast a warm, golden glow over the shaded area, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink.As I stood there, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing melody. The delicious aroma of food wafted through the air, inviting me to indulge. However, a shadow hovered over me, and I stared up to see Sugha smiling down at me. “Lucy, why don’t you come eat? The exploring hasn’t even started yet, and you’ve started working.”

“Right, sorry. I was trying to figure out if it was an animal or person that was in the bushes.”

Sugha hummed thoughtfully. “I’m sure it isn’t anything to worry about. Besides, with two orcs at your party, I doubt they would even try to come close. Whatever it may be. Animals stay away, and if it was an ogre, they’d make themselves known.”

Yes, ogres. Ogres are large, smelly creatures and, luckily, are loud. We should know when they were coming. They have a taste for humans specifically and want to ‘use’ them in not such wholesome ways.

I wanted to throw up at the thought of that.

Ogres aren’t too bright though, so outsmarting them would be my best way to evade them. I was not worried.

“And with two orcs here in the party, that won’t cause tension?”

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