Kausur

Kausur is a small fishing village built on the coast of the Camal Sea. Sheltered by a thick forest on the landward side, the inhabitants of Kausur tried to stay out of the normal Arali politics and the rivalries that formed between the other Arali and the Narsi. Unfortunately, this could not save them from the energies and baleful magics released by the Devastation. Although the land around Kausur has been restored, the town is still a desolate, empty place.

“‘All those paths must lead somewhere’” mumbled Stefin dragging his feet. He repositioned his shield on his shoulder and pulled his spear from the muddy ground before continuing along the thick, forest path. “We must have drawn a very short straw for this duty. I don’t know why Grayson sent us on such a wild trek.”
“You’ll refer to him as Captain Grayson, Private,” spoke the taller, man in a gruff, annoyed voice, “and if we get sent to see what hides at the end of these paths, then that’s what we’re going to do! I don’t care if you’re happy with the task or not, it’s an order.”
“Sorry Sergeant. Yes Sergeant.” Stefin said apologetically. He kept quiet and continued onwards in case Sergeant Trevis found something else he was unhappy with. He didn’t want to have to dig the latrine pit again because the job always came to that same person to fill it in again. He had a feeling that comment would cost him more than just latrine duty this time.
The patrol had been cutting its way through the forest for the better part of a day now, following the same path marker stones that his keen eyes had picked up earlier. He wasn’t sure if the scout group had noticed them. Occasionally they wandered off the marked path into the deep forest but they always deviated back, as the underbrush was so thick in any other direction.
Now though, he had been waiting for the group ahead to correct itself. They hadn’t. And he grew uneasy. There was something about the forest that made him unsure. The trees grew thick and bushy, their branches stretching up to the light above. The leaves underneath were scattered around the thick vines that threatened to block their way. He could hear the birds far behind him chattering and he was glad that the sounds ahead were quieter so he could hear what else was out there.
The scout group called a stop. Now he knew what was bothering him. Ahead of him it was too quiet. There were no sounds except for the scouts and his own breathing. No birds in the surrounding forest. No insects chirping.
And then he heard it. A low, guttural growl that echoed through the forest and seemed to emanate from the trees. Fear held him like a vice. The deep grumbling noise seemed to emanate from everywhere. Something was stalking them, toying with them. For the first time since he was face to face with the Theocracy those many moons ago, he felt a trickle of urine down his pant leg. And he knew he was going to be in more trouble than Sergeant could ever deal out to him.