The Black Swamp

It's already two in the afternoon and the fog started to envelop the tree where a man perched.

He's breathe made wisps of clouds as he exhaled.

Garbed in a leather armor, he scanned the area looking for his prey.

Wolly boars, at least thirty of them wallowing on kneedeep water. Their snouts can be heard as they chomp in the water looking for their food.

The man readied his bow and arrow. Aim, release!

Zing! Zing! Zing! Three arrows!

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

Eeik!

The largest boar screamed in pain. Three arrows punctured its body. Two on the right side of it's belly and one between its eyes. It did not have a chance to run away. It lay lifeless on the water it stood before.

The rest of the herd ran scampered to safety.

The man descended on his perch.

"Get this on the barracks" He said.

Two men emerged from the base of a large tree.

A beast man, red fur, and ears that resembled a fox. At least six feet in height. He's wearing a loincloth and a big sword on his back. He's also wearing a silver colored neck ring.

The other man looks like a normal human. Long black hair, tied in a bun. He's also wearing a loincloth, a leather breastplate and a short sword on his waist. He too wear a ring on his neck.

Both men have muscular bodies, depicting strength.

"I win on the wager Simon, I told you the warden need only three arrows for that boar" the beast man said followed with a laugh.

"But you still owe me at least a hundred dark pearls Grande, I lost only fifty" Simon replied.

"Tsk, you're gambling again?" The one called warden scolded them. "Hurry up, It's getting more foggy, we need it safe before the sun sets".

The other two immediately obeyed the warden.

They tied and strung the boar between poles. It's a big boar, like a baby elepant. Aside from looking like a normal boar, it has a thick soft white wool and a pair of tusks, at least longer than a foot.

After a while, the three people started angling their way toward an island.

Atop the island is a hill where you can see three buildings. The big one in the center is a stone fortress. The other two, beside were made of wood. It's a log cabin, but larger and shaped like a warehouse.

The two men carrying the wolly boar entered the left side building.

The "warden" get into the fortress.

"How's the hunt?" A smiling dwarf greeted the warden as he entered the hall. He's wearing an apron and cooking something on the fireplace. This one too, wore a ring in his neck.

"We scored a big one this time, we shouldn't have to worry about meat for now." The warden replied.

"Warden, how about bread, we only have a week worth of flour this time. When will the next supply come?"

"I don't know Pete, it's been two months since I sent the messenger. Until now, still no answer. I've even sent our last two pigeons, but still nothing" He sighed.

"Anyway, we just have to do what is available for now give me a coffee after I finished my bath"

"Sir, even the coffee…"

"How about tea?"

"Tea is still available Sir"

Sipping his tea as he's overlooking the area, Ryven Ash the warden looked at the sun setting on the west. Its reflection can be seen on the water below, that resemble a flame dancing atop. The fog had cleared earlier. You can see now the surrounding area.

This is the Black Swamp. It's a large swamp. It stretches from the east where the river Klar dumps its excess water to the swamp to the west on the shores of Myriad Sea.

To the north is the Balak Mountain Range. And the south is the hill of the Red trolls. Beyond that is the mysterious uncharted Southern Ocean.

Black Swamp is situated in the southernmost continent of Elvenar that is mainly occupied and governed by Elves. As of this time, The City of Three Town administers and governs the area.

Of the place you most not venture into is the Black Swamp. It is the most dangerous place all over Elvenar. It has the most vicious monsters you can imagine, that even adventurers fear. Unpredictable weather, hard terrain are just of the few unfavorable conditions if you ever entered the area.

Technically, it is a prison.

In all of Ravenal ( the name of this world) this is the most secured prison. Why? Because, if you were imprisoned here, there is no escape. In all of its existence, no one has ever escaped from here. Except one..Ryven Ash the current warden.

According to history, after the Great War or Great Swarm of the West ended, the four majority races Humans, Elves, Beast men and Dwarves unanimously agreed to make the Black Swamp a prison for those who rebelled against the four major Kingdoms of Ravenal.

"Sir, time for Dinner" an elf woman named Alda approached the warden. She too, wore a ring on his neck.

He rose up and followed the woman.

The table is now set a smoking pot was at the center.

Three people sat, the beast man Grande sat beside Simon, they're having a conversation.

Pete is setting the plates.

Alda is holding chair meant for Ryven. Waiting for him to sit down.

Beside the door are two soldiers on a stand by.

"What do we have for tonight Pete?"

"As usual Sir, we have hard bread. Wolly Boar stew with potatoes, and some left over of the broiled giant eel Simon caught the other day"

"Okay, everyone, before we dig in I need a report." The warden motioned everybody on the room to sit including the two soldiers guarding the door.

After a series of talks and reports they started to eat silently.

Ryven sighed when he chewed on the hard bread.