Chapter 127

                                    

                                          
Back at the camp, Noah and Oliver were sitting around the fire waiting for Ann to return. 
The other members of the Nero mercenaries had gone off to talk with the Tullus mercenaries while the two trouble makers were left alone on their own.
It has been four hours since Ann left the camping site after throwing her birthday present at them and disappearing into the forest. It was unlike her to disappear for hours without saying a word.
Moreover, Eldom forest was a well-known hunting ground for ogres and monsters alike. It was said that they are especially active during the full moons. 
They were starting to get worried. 
"It's been a while since she left" 
Noah muttered, adding more wood to the pit while Oliver adjusted the fire on the other side with a stick.
"It is very quiet. I'm afraid for the monsters in the forest"
"Yeah... Poor monsters"
They were worried for the safety of the monsters in the forest while Ann was roaming free unrestrained.
"I'm bored" 
"That makes the two of us" 
"Haah..." 
They sighed, longingly gazing at the fire. 
It was starting to get dull without Ann. Usually, by now, they would have made up and moved on to the next thing without moping about old fights. 
Even if they wanted to apologize. It was impossible. Since she was nowhere near the camp.
"Psst!"
Noah's ears twitched.
"Did you hear that?" 
"Hear what?" Oliver raised his eyebrows. 
Seeing that there was nothing, they went back to playing with the fire when they heard it again.
"Psst Guys! Over here!"
"Yeah... I think I'm also hearing it" 
While Noah and Oliver were staring into the trees anticipating the sound again, stones came flying from the darkness between the trees hitting them in the back of their heads.
"Over here, you idiots!" 
Ann was poking her head out of the shadows, calling out to them. She signalled them to come closer without attracting attention. 
"That hurts!" 
The twins complained, with tears in their eyes as they made their way towards her.
"Guys! We have a problem!"
Ann whispered sneaking glances at the surroundings. After affirming that the coast was clear, she removed the jacket covering her head and revealed her hair.
"Wha?!" 
Noah and Oliver's eyes widened in shock.
"What happened to your hair?" Noah asked, checking her hair for any abnormalities. 
It was surprising to see her natural hair revealed as there were months to go before the dye fades.
"The dye dissolved in the water. Stop pulling my hair!" Ann replied, smacking his hand away.
"What water?" It was Oliver's turn to question her. 
The dye was waterproof, thus unless it was dye dissolvent it would be impossible to remove the color with normal water.