"why are these mosquitoes so annoying" Sophie said in a annoyed tone sitting on top of Duke.
"Because we are in their territory" Alen replied.
They were Moving through marshy terrain with green trees and plants every where, the leaves were dripping water from the rain that happened few hours ago and it was full of insects and their predators.
They have covered around 50 km from Alen's hometown, the good evergreen forests has quickly transitioned in swamp made up because of a river flower near this area.
"This Area is know for its poisen element beast, most common ones are snakes and spiders. These beast usually don't hunt but wait till the prey is their territory" Alen was reading something from his smartphone.
"So what does help does this knowledge provide" Sophie asked in annoyed tone.
"It means we can safely pass this area and no harm will come to us until and unless we enter some beast's territory" Alen explained.
As Alen was explaining this suddenly a snake pounced on Alen, he grabed his blades and cut the snake into two.
"Look like we have been to someone else's territory * Alen said and suddenly they were hearing hissing sound from all over the place.
Suddenly countless snakes attacked Alen and he started killing snakes one by one blood was spilling all over the world Alen.
Five minutes later there were death bodies of several snakes lying on the ground. Alen was covered in blood, suddenly he heard a loud hissing sound.
"Ok we need to be alert I think this is a war beast of snake type, I will need you water element to Attack it whenever it tries to jump" Alen said to Sophie.
It was indeed an snake beast around 5 meters in length but was thick enough to swallow a human easily, his green scales were shining in sunlight, it's red eyes were like ruby and it was looking at Alen like a predator looking at it's prey.
"Hey listen, let us pass this land we will not do any harm any beast" Alen tried to use word so they can leave without any harm.
Snake was not in mood for talking it spited acid out of his mouth towards Alen which he evaded but the tree were acid fell was sublimated.
"Ok Sophie I also need you to use your water element to nullify acid by changing it's direction" said Alen to Sophie
When snakes did other acid blast, Sophie used a water ball so the acid and water both collided with each other.
Suddenly Alen concentrated lot of dense thunder energy and blasted it all together towards the snake. The snake was in concision for a second which was enough for Alen to do the job.
He used his blade concentrated a lot of fire energy in it so it start becoming red and used his legs and slashed the neck of snake.
"That was a hassle" Alen said in relaxed tone .
"Yeah it was my first time defeating a beast in a forest usually we have training areas specifically for type of beasts we want to defeat." Said Sophie trying to flaunt his powers.
"Yeah I know know you are rich and your family is powerful etc-etc." Alen said in annoyed tone.
Alen started doing his regular job he skimmed the skin in snakes took it's fangs and stored his soul and blood.
"Ok, now use this blood as a lotion so that no other beasts attacks us." Alen said to Sophie.
"Eww, this smell is too bad" Sophie said while making bad face.
After fifteen minutes more of walk they found a dirt road which had many people
using carriages and horses. There were some people in rag with farming tools most probably they were farmer.
"Ok now we are near are first stop and sun is about to set too so let's follow these farmers to the village." Said Alen.
"Yeah some rest will be great" Sophie said looked tired.
"First clean us using your water magic" Alen said to Sophie.
Sophie used her water magic to clean them and Alen used his fire magic to dry them up. Now they were looking fine and somewhat clean.
Alen started walking near the farmers and one of the farmer asked "Are you two kids travelling Alone."
Alen answered "yes, we are going to bluewood village."
"So you both are mages" The old farmer replied
"How do you know ?" Alen used his back hand to grab the slit of his blade so that in case of some unpredictable situation he can quickly kill the other guy. Alen thought the guy can be on side of the guys that are trying to harm Sophie.
"It's common sense, young kids, alone usually go to bluewood training to absorb souls of beast and train as blue wood forest is very famous of it's wide variety of beasts." Old farmer explained.
Still Alen was on Alert he asked "Are you a local ? "
"Yes, I am a farmer in this village." The old man pointed.
Alen was so lost in old man that he was not wary of his surroundings, when he looked towards the finger of farmer it was their destination.
After a few more minutes walk they entered the village, it was not a normal village it had too many blacksmith shops to be called normal shop.
"Why are there so many blacksmith shops, there is no forest or fortress adjacent to this village." Sophie asked to
Alen out of curiousity.
"First let me tell you more about where we are going" Alen started explaining
"The bluewood forest is largest forest in this whole world, it is like a seperate from rest of our world. It has mountain, rivers, green forests, swamp and also a large lake in its centre. The empire and all of the big families tried to investigate the depth of forest or types of beast here but no one was successful." Alen added.
"But it is strange because beast here never attack any civilizations just they don't care whether you are human or beast when you enter the forest. If you are weaker you are prey and if you are stronger you are predator they follow simple rule."
As Alen was explaining they found a nice looking inn and Alen bought a room and told Duke to go to stable. Even though Sophie was shocked when Alen asked for one room but then she remembered that it's not their first time.
Alen opened the gate of room and started explaining again. "So Bluewood village is the only settlement near Bluewood forest and it's well known for the large buisnesses of inns, they accommodate a large number of mages who come to forest for their purposes".
As Alen explained he started removing his shirt micig towards bathroom.
"This is cold iron village which provides all equipment and their repair that's why they have so many blacksmiths." After explaining this he went to bathroom to take a bath.
After he took the bath he said while lying on bed " you should take a bath too and rest we will leave as soon as sun rises."
"Yeah, I will." she said while blushing.
After bath Sophie came out of bathroom in a white bath towel to see Alen's reaction but to her surprised Alen was already sleeping in his boxers which made Sophie angry and excited at same time.
Next morning.
"Sophie, wake up its time to leave" Alen was try to wake up Sophie who was sleeping in a thin night gown clinging to Alen.
As soon as Sophie wake up and found herself clinging to Alen in bed, she pushed Alen and he fell on floor.
"Now you have to take responsibility for what you have done, just marry me" Sophie said trying to look helpless.
"I was tired not drunk so I know I was just sleeping. Don't try to frame me." Alen said putting his clothes in bag not taking Sophie serious.
"Fine, let's go. You will regret it when I will become a beautiful and powerful mage in future." Sophie said making a annoyed face.
"Let's go or you are gonna regret being late when we have to spend a night in forest." Alen said mocking her.
As they went to the end of village they saw a large group of armed men guarding a horse carriage.
One of the guy came to Alen "Are you both mages ?"
Alen replied "yes we are, is there any problem."
"No it's a good thing, if you are going to bluewood village then join us we will pay you just have to protect our young miss in the carriage and these men will help you too." Old man said smiling while pointing at some armed men.
Alen looked there and thought there are seven guards all are equipped with weapons and armours but none of them are mage. It would be good to join them atleast no best will attack. If situation becomes dangerous we will just leave.
"Ok we will accompany your young miss but this friend of mine who also is a very strong mage she will accompany miss inside carriage while I will be in the front."
Alen said in a authoritive tone.
"Yeah it's fine" the men replied smiling.
Alen went to Sophie explained her everything and his plan if situation becomes bad.
Then he went to carriage to meet young miss. She was about same age as Alen with beutiful black hairs and blue eyes, with fair skin tone.
"Hello miss, my name is Alen, I will be guarding you till your destination, " Alen said while he was trying to capture all beauty inside his eyes.
"Hello and thank you for taking this task. You can call me Daisy, I think we are of same age, don't be formal please" Daisy said with a polite smile.
Daisy was fazed, she had only read about knight in shining Armor protecting princess in stories but this is reality. Alen was more handsome than the prince mentioned in the stories.
"Ok Daisy, this is my friend Sophie she will accompany you. She is a strong water mage so if something happen you can rely on her." Alen said pointing towards Sophie who was on Duke's back.
Daisy looked at Sophie then at Alen. Even though Sophie was using camouflage but still she was looking decent and her clothes were looking expensive so first thought that came in Daisy's mind was are they dating.
But she did not ask that, she greeted Sophie with respect and kindness because making a mage enemy was never a good choice and when you are in middle of nowhere make it worse.
After sometime they started moving they used classic strategy. One guy was driving the horse carriage, two of them were on right side, two of them on left of carriage while two at back. Alen was riding Duke and was moving in front of carriage using his eyes to look at minute details.
"Ok I hope everything goes smoothly" was only thought in his mind.