As much as I'd like to possess the beast's body, Carim insisted that I go back to Gren's body. People in the next town are wary of monsters and they won't hesitate to kill if they saw one. As I was returning to Gren's body, Carim did the finishing blow and beheaded the monster. He placed the monster on the hook on his belt, dangling it and spewing its putrid blood everywhere.
Carim saw me looking in disgust but he assured me that the blood will dissipate by morning, leaving a wrinkly head that they can submit in the next town's hunter guild. It'll fetch a few coins that will aid them in our travels.
Before leaving, we found that the other horses in the barn aren't illusions. Carim attached a brown and white stallion at the front of our wagon while releasing the others. That'll lessen the load from Smithee's horses and we can sell the horses we got in the next town.
---
The way to Belfiore took about three days. In that time, Carim taught the art of sword fighting. His style roots from the deep south. Somewhere in the desert lies the art of the flaming Karimbo, a style that mains on broad fast strokes with imbued elemental power. Gren's sword isn't enchanted but Carim taught me nonetheless.
There were misconceptions I've done during our training. You should never use your sword like a fence. So no stabbing or raising your sword. Doing that results in Carim kicking you in the shin and spewing me out of Gren's body. Going in with Gren's raw painful balls is a pain I'll never forget.
Carim also taught me the basics of the eight slash directions. Up, Down, Left, Right, and directions in between. Master these eight directions and master the time and place to use them, and it'll start my journey in the art of the sword. He wanted to teach me the basics of parrying or turning a block into an attack. But by the time he willed it, Belfiore could already is on the horizon.
It's a quaint old town bordering an expansive forest. The architecture is a mix of stone and wood (mainly wood). There are lots of people, most of whom are trading things in the town center. Carim and I took a lodge near the marketplace. It's sweet and cozy inside and there is no more monster trying to kill us. By the next day, Carim left me to my own devices. I could come with him and find a contact in town. But he leaves the decision to me.