Arguing with a Husky was a great description, because that's exactly what Belle's wolf form looks like. The same Grey and white soft fur, the same distinctive pattern. She's even the same size, smaller than Cain had expected a wolf to be, but not by too much. It suits her human form's short stature though.
They've made their way out the East gate to the spot where the last remnants of the force with the siege weapons fled from. Even to the untrained eyes of Cain and Misha, this part of the journey is easy. The ground is heavily trampled and the direction of travel in the ravaged field is clearly evident.
They set out at a walk, not being in any particular hurry, and not wanting to miss any signs of trickery or diversion. Clearly this trip will get more difficult if they have lost the Elves chasing them so many times in the past.
The head out into the jungle, the retreating Ogres traveling as one group for about an hour before Belle smells that a single powerful Ogre has broken off from the group. That seems like the most suspicious and probable lead to Cain, surely everyone else who tried could track the main army.
There are no foot prints, or broken branches to follow, the trail erased by magic according to Belle, but she can still smell the Ogre on the surrounding trees. They move steadily onwards, trusting her nose despite the lack of evidence and eventually come to a stream. The perfect spot to wash away a scent trail.
"Magic was used this way. I can still feel the traces." Elmira calls from a few dozen meters downstream. Pixies are very sensitive to magic usage, so the Ogre they're chasing must have needed to renew its spell, or use extra mana to erase the deep foot prints an Ogre would have left in the mud.
Only a few meters from the hovering Pixie, Belle picks up the scent again now joined by a second scent, a goblin of some sort that either walked very slowly or traveled this route twice. This makes the trail easier to follow, but Belle is still focused on the Ogre, worried that the second scent is diversion.
The concern seems justified, as the trail soon crosses the path of the second group of survivors and the goblin breaks off, before something starts obscuring their trail. The Guild continues following the lone Ogre, wondering where it is going when the scent trail suddenly dead ends at a cliff face. Searching the top reveals nothing, so it didn't go around, and it doesn't seem to have gone back.
Elmira comes to their rescue again, pointing towards a large rock that makes up a portion of the shale cliff and saying she feels magic behind it.
Cain and Cixelcid each grab a side and pick the Boulder up, moving it aside and revealing what is cleary a dungeon entrance. If they didn't have a Pixie along they'd never have noticed the dungeon hidden behind that rock. looking at the shape, and then at the portal behind it, they realize that if you have arms long enough to reach a meter and a half into a hole in the rock, you could touch the portal and enter the dungeon without moving the Boulder. Just right for an Ogre. Their opponent is a smart one.
"I'm going to step inside and see what the dungeon is like, then come right back." Cain says, looking at the Dungeon entrance.
"Be safe. We'll be right here waiting." Misha smiles, knowing that of anyone here he's the safest to go exploring the unknown.
[Welcome to the Trial of the Ogre Kings Raid]
[Guild Group confirmed: Preparing Trial]
[Quest available: Clear the Trial] Grants Competion Reward, Guild Title, Guild Experience, Members only Item drop.
[It's an Ogre Raid. Trial of the Ogre Kings. I think the reason they've never found a huge Ogre army is because it didn't exist. The King must have a method of bringing all the residents of the dungeon under his command and walking out of the dungeon with them to attack Sunnybrook.] Cain sends in Guild chat. That would also explain why they didn't find the survivors, 24 hours after a dungeon is cleared it resets, so the Ogres taken outside most likely simply disappear.
[Is there a Quest? I love Guild Quests, they always give us something really cool, like Guild Wide drop rate bonuses] Mythryll sends back.
[We get a drop rate bonus?] that would be Belle, guess the sleepover chat didn't cover the topic.
[Yes, for the Guild, and many of the members have their own Iron Man Titles that give a party wide bonus.] Misha responds.
[Should we do that now? The Ogres usually only attack every few days.] Lickity asks.
[Might as well, everyone follow me into the Dungeon, and put the Boulder back near the original spot in case the Ogres come out before us. I don't want to be ambushed on the way out.]
A minute later the stone is placed and the entire Guild is inside the dungeon. Belle looks a little nervous, having never fought along side them before, but she does at least have a vague knowledge of their ability, having lived in Sunnybrook and assisted in the defense multiple times, though most days she was forced to grind in the dungeon all day along with four other unfortunate souls to cover the expenses from her contract.
Cain calls out all the summons, ignoring Kone's plea to swap the Supporter clones of her for one of Belle, so she'd have a puppy to cuddle.
"After the dungeon. Cuddle your bear, or the Giant Lynx, or the real Belle if she'll let you. For now we need the extra healers." Cain tells her and Belle gives a barking laugh before shifting back into human form.
"She really is as obsessed with Fluffy things as they said." The Ranger laughs.
"Maybe I spoil her too much, but she's a good Healer." Cain shrugs and Kone sticks out her tongue at him.
"You'll get used to them, they're all a little odd." Char stage whispers and Lickity laughs.
"So says the reborn Empress who is only marginally less fond of fluffy things than our Druid."
Belle bursts into laughter at their antics, no way will life be boring around this Guild, and they seem to treat everyone pretty well.
"Enough play time, let's get things moving." Cain says, stepping forward with the Wrath Bringers in the vanguard.
[Guild Quest Accepted]
