Chapter 27: Ashes Beneath The Chapel

The difference in appearance between a Drowner and a Swamp Hag was substantial enough that they ought to have been reproductively isolated.

However, the Saint Hael Records of Dresden preserved a curious hypothesis:

that a Swamp Hag might in fact serve as the mate to multiple Drowners.

Rumor claimed Swamp Hags disguised themselves as old crones to lure travelers into their nests. In Lannor’s eyes, though, only drunks too far gone to control their own limbs would fall for something like that.

Even a blind man could smell the stench rolling off a Swamp Hag.

Lannor’s gaze sharpened.

Because now there was even less chance that he and Bernie could withdraw quietly.

Years spent living in the water had ruined the Drowners’ eyesight, leaving it clouded and dim like cataracts. A Swamp Hag, however, possessed far greater combat ability than a Drowner and none of that weakness.

Its senses far surpassed theirs.

The moment Lannor leaned out and observed the clearing, Mentos had already finished analyzing the situation. One glance was enough.

Lannor lowered himself again and paced lightly back toward Bernie.

Facing the old hunter’s hopeful stare, Lannor explained the situation with chilling calm.

“Forget sneaking away. There are only seven Drowners nearby, not many, but there’s a Swamp Hag with them. One wrong move, and if that thing starts screaming, every Drowner around here will come after us like rabid dogs.”

“We have to fight. But this time I need your help. The two of us together might have a chance to walk out of this forest alive.”

It should have sounded hopeless.

Yet beneath Lannor’s steady tone, Bernie found himself strangely calm.

“Tell me.”

Bernie swallowed hard, tightened the straps on his long leather gloves, and pulled the bow from his back.

Lannor spoke quickly, but every instruction came clear and orderly.

“I’ll handle the charge and close combat. Once you hear the Drowners start screaming, you can reveal yourself.”

“When you do, you’ll see an obvious target. Humanoid, bigger than a Drowner, covered in folds and warts. That’s the Swamp Hag. Shoot at it, but don’t rush the shot. Wait until it bends down to pick something up from the ground, then interrupt it.”