Watching the trees, Althea pulled out a small thin whistle and blew lightly. Despite there being no audible sound, the reaction in her surroundings was immediate.

Shuah!

Shuah!

Tttta

Shua!

Fhwump!

Robed figures appeared in the small clearing. Wearing various coloured robes, their only similarities were the badges on their chests. They were all inner disciples of the various sects within Dragon City. In appearance, they ranged from being young teens to their mid-thirties. Quietly, they arranged themselves into a straight line in front of her. Soon, a total of eight patrollers were a.s.sembled.

"Anything to report?" Althea asked.

Someone came forwards.

It was a young man wearing the same uniform as her, the black robes of a Star Cutting Sect disciple.

"Yes, Team Leader! One hour into our s.h.i.+ft I noticed a disturbance in the demon beasts. Many were fleeing into my territory."

Althea shook her head, "That is quite a common occurrence. They may have been chased out by a rival group or have been chasing their prey."

The young man shook his head.

"That was what I thought too until I noticed an extremely large pack of unfamiliar, low-level demon wolves moving through the area. They moved quite quickly in one direction and were not interested in the demon beasts around them at all. It seems suspicious."

"You did not investigate?"

The young man from the Star Cutting sect turned slightly and looked pointedly at someone in their midst.

"They were moving within someone else's area of responsibility, so I did not."

The word 'someone' was stressed so heavily, and the look so pointed that one could hardly miss the message.

She turned her gaze to the edge of their formation. A young man with long blonde hair with a sleepy look on his face was patting a small golden monkey on his shoulder. As she watched, he opened his mouth wide and let out a prolonged, gusty yawn. When he noticed her gaze, he blinked his watery blue eyes and sent her a flirtatious wink.

Althea crossed her arms, unimpressed, "Do you have anything to report, Dieter?"

The young man tucked his hands into the sleeves of his green robes and tilted his head, considering. The small golden monkey aimed a look of expectation at its owner.

Long seconds pa.s.sed.

A crow cawed in the distant sky above.

Dieter opened his mouth.

Everyone leaned forwards, their curiosity piqued.

Why was he hesitating for so long?

Had he seen something out of the ordinary?

"…Nope. Saw nuthin'."

Someone fell over.

The golden monkey on Dieter's shoulder buried its little face in its hands.

Althea frowned, her dark brows drawing together. She really didn't know how to deal with Dieter.

Though his capabilities could not be doubted, as he was an inner disciple like her, but he was so ridiculously unreasonable!

The last time another team member attempted to intrude into his patrolling area, he had lured an enraged Trumphant into their territory, causing a mess that took days to clean up. Countless complaints from the sects had ensued, bitter and resentful that their disciple training excursions had to be cancelled.

Just remembering the stacks of paperwork and the countless number of placating speeches she had to give were giving Althea a bitter headache.

She narrowed her eyes and inspected Dieter's expression. His fair eyebrows were relaxed and his eyes half-lidded as if he were on the verge of falling asleep.

"What about the demon wolves were seen travelling through your patrol area?"

Watery blue eyes blinked slowly.

"Do you think the migratory habits of a few low-level demon beasts are worth reporting?"

Althea's frowned, "Are you doubting my competency?"

"Are you doubting mine?" Dieter asked archly, an eyebrow raised.

Althea didn't know how to respond.

Dieter continued nonchalantly.

"What would I report? That they decided my patrol area was nice to live in?

I'll be honest, it's a nice little spot. There's a little spring I like to visit occasionally, plenty of small game and a nice hillside for sunning on. If I were a demon beast, I'd live there too!

It's not like wolves hunting in packs is anything out of the ordinary. For all we know, they could have been chasing a rabbit."

Dieter paused and spread his arms. He turned to the rest of the patrol team.

"Does anyone NOT from the Star Cutting sect think that this insignificant event is worth further attention?"

There was silence in the clearing. Other patrol members averted their gazes. Indeed, they had seen a few demon wolves here and there occasionally in the last few weeks. Like any other wolves, they chased after their prey in packs. Obviously, they had decided that they were nothing worth reporting. No action had so far been taken, and so it was evident that other patrol teams had thought the same.

Who knew that their new leader would be so detail-orientated and cautious?

The team members glanced at each other, wis.h.i.+ng to save some face for themselves.

Finally, a young girl wearing the light blue robes of the Zephyr sect stepped forwards. With an apologetic tone, she spoke:

"That is… um… well, traditionally patrol teams only report or interfere with things that might affect our sects' safety and reputation. You know, like preventing fights to the death, or tracking the movements of the really strong demon beasts…" She trailed off, "I think… this kind of thing is a bit small to be investigated further…"

Althea's sect mate had an ugly expression on his face. Like Althea, he was new to the patrol teams. How was he to know that the reality of their operations was different from his expectations?

He had pointed the wolves' movements out because he wanted to expose Dieter's lackadaisical ways – how could he have known that this would backfire so spectacularly. Not only had he lost face, but Althea and the Star Cutting sect had as well!

He glared daggers at Dieter's back, p.i.s.sed off but unable to vent.

Althea smiled stiffly. She turned an unhappy gaze at her sect mate. He ducked his head, avoiding her gaze.

"It seems that it is our Star Cutting disciple's mistake."

She waved a hand. When she spoke again, she had regained her professional demeanour and tone.

"Our next patrol s.h.i.+ft will be in three days' time. As usual, we will gather here for a briefing before and after the change of s.h.i.+ft. Latecomers will have their sect contribution points deducted and their hunting rights suspended until further notice."

"You are all dismissed."

____________________

Three unkempt figures emerged into a small forest clearing.

Van could be seen first, naked except for a large leaf that conveniently covered his bits. He walked up to the tree and casually pulled his axe out from the tree he had been working on. He heaved it onto his shoulder.

Behind him, Hans and Freya walked into the clearing. Their faces were pale and dirty, but at least their robes were still intact.

Van handed them a small gourd he had just filled with water and made them wash their faces. Then he instructed them to fetch some clothing for him.

"Remember the consequences if you disobey me," he warned.

In front of him, the duo nodded solemnly, hearts heavy. They thought about how just two hours ago, they had chased after this fellow with high spirits and sprung their trap. They were clearing standing in the same s.p.a.ce they started in, but how had the world changed so completely in so short a time?

Now they were bound to Van's every word and whim by his mental brand in their minds. Disobedience meant instant death! Or so said Van.

However, neither were foolish enough to test Van's handiwork. They nodded stiffly and left the forest.