Fantasy Terryal: The First Age of Man

Raz was rather flabbergasted. She was the only person he had ever met that was actually nice to him. Most were scared, or simply hated him, or had no say. Even those ones tended to stay away so they did not receive the fallout of others who did feel strongly. The young woman took his hand and poked it gently. It was true, his hands were different than the others. His palm was much like his animal counterpart. It was soft and padded, but still was much like the skin of a Hume.


He fully listened to her story. Raz found it interesting and was really surprised she seemed so open with him about things. Actually as she continued to talk, it almost seemed too easy. Was this just all his years of being betrayed? Was it his instincts? But as his eyes scanned her over, somehow he found himself wanting to see more of her.


“Mah name is Rammie”


Her name snapped him back. “Rammie?” Raz repeated slowly. It didn’t roll off the tongue like Amras did but it was still smooth to pronounce. He released his breath slowly as she took a step back. Heart racing, and even his legs felt a bit weak. He, himself took a step back as well. Having a spot near him with a log, his rump sat down upon it. Looking back at her and listening to her complete her story about nightly flowers.


His tail waved around a little more erratically than normal. Maybe because of his excitement? Raz seemed more enthralled by their conversation somehow, ignoring the others around them. “Mah job is, is what most like meh do. Simply ‘nother edge ta aid Sur Airrow seek, uh, you justice? Vengeance? Revenge? Ta each dere own. Though I dun really know sertin skills. I jus do well 'n survivin’ and makin’ coin doin’ it fer others. So I does it, and hur I am.”


Changing back to the other subject, he asked her about what she said earlier. “Nightly flowers? Sounds like dey wood a’ been fancy 'n all fer someone ta be lookin’ fer dem, but how ‘n all didja find’em in da' dark? Wouldn’t da others seen yer flame? Guess it’s jus good dey din’t go ‘n jus kill ya."


He slanted his head back and laughed out loud. The subject suddenly turned again for the worst and this was his nervous way to change it right fast or maybe throw it off. Neither of which Raz was sure about. Baring teeth and tongue in a slightly obnoxious manner. Raz didn’t mean to call her out on anything, again his brain was just over thinking the situations. He always tried to pay attention, but in his goals, Airrow did not seem like he had a final goal that could be easily exploited by others. At least not currently. Slapping his hand down on his leg. His words quickly changed to more questions.


“So den, wha kinda things do ya do wit dem herbs ya find. Potions 'n Elixers? Do any of’em actually work? Surely if ya been 'n apprentice in all, yer skills aughta be purty honed by now.”


His eyebrows changed, and his eyes staring sharply with interest wanting to know more about the subject that he had never heard much of. This trip had already been worth it. Not only was he in the company of a lovely young lady, but she also had a skill that could help him learn more and possibly help others in the future. While at first being devoted to only Airrow, he could see himself sticking with others for an extended period. For once in many years, something grasped inside of him other than darkness and pain.

Ramya pretended to take no notice of the beastia's otherwise surprised state. Her persona of Rammie was a rather intrusive one, and overly friendly, overly energetic. Her taken persona was something that was quite the opposite of her true thoughts and motives. It usually worked in her favor, especially with so many signs stating a pleasant fee for her capture and death.


This Armas doesn't seem to be a simple man, she thought, figuring that she would have to watch her actions more-so around him. He had taken a more than average interest in her, from the way he seemed to examine her.


He took a step back from her, sitting on a nearby log. She glanced about the camp again, her eyes not staying long on any one blurred object. She only spared his rather erratic tail one glance before looking at the others. When he spoke, she kept his eyes on him for most of the time, but her eyes did wander, as if she couldn't concentrate on one thing at a time.


"Ma always told me dat revenge,vengeance, and justice were all de same. Dey meant ya kill for tha blood of 'nother, and killin' is killin' regardless,"she grinned. "She said those be pretty words for doing deh same another be doin' to yah, and ain't no fancy words gonna cover de blood stains." Her eyes seemed to look into the distance as if she were remembering something. In reality, she was concentrating on keeping her face pleasant. Her eyes squinted a bit with a smile as he questioned her flower search.


She pointed towards the sky and giggled. "There was a moon out, wasn't dere? I was a usin' the little light from dat to spot the flowers demselves. They be mighty awful bright things too," she said. "Torchlight hides them tho. Like dem glow worms in caves, ya know?"


His laughter was strange, and his words said more than his laughter could cover. Yet, she grinned widely at him, encouraging his laughter while her nose gained a whiff of his breath. She hummed a chuckle with the beastia, in attempt to hide her cough from the scent. Her eyes snapped to the man's hand as he slammed it down and she blinked before her smile re-emerged.


"I do all potions and elixirs of sorts. Though most of our things be curin' illness, so dey more like dem remedies. I also got somet'in dat will be numbing the pain a wounds and deh like. Most my mixes can cure just 'bout any ailment if I got the right ingredients. My Ma also perfected her own love potion too, if yer knowin' any sort dat'll like that bit of fun,"she winked and a tooth-filled grin spread across her lips.


With that she took a deep, unnoticeable breath, and plopped herself next to the man. Hidden under her cloak, she moved her tail opposite him, so that if he were to somehow hit her with his own tail or such, he would not notice how very non-hume she was. Her eyes searched the grounds in front of them, the movements of the others nothing but shadows and limited colors in her vision. When she appeared to be satisfied with her examination of the camp, she looked up at the beasita. Her eye glinted in what seemed to be an almost smile.


"What has yah so interested in the mixin' a herbs?"she asked. She took slow breaths, rubbing her nose again as if it had an itch in order to cover Armas's scent.

Kalhalar listened as she spoke, a mixture of surprise and gratitude adorning his face. It wasn’t often that someone would actually pay attention to and take an interest in him upon first meeting Kalhalar. He admitted to himself, though, that a friend of Airrow’s wouldn’t be likely to brush him off or ignore him. Even Gyro had been willing to start up a conversation back when they had first met. He chuckled quietly at Faelynn’s suggestion of giving him a new name for every city that they visited along their journey. He could almost imagine it getting quickly out of hand. He was half-tempted to agree with the idea, but something in his mind told him to hold his tongue.


He paused as he heard Faelynn call him wise. As far as he could recall, no one he had ever called him that. Could he really be considered wise? He didn’t get to ponder over himself for too long, though, as Faelynn handed him a piece of bread and cheese, then told Kal to tell her more about himself and the adventures that he’s had. For someone that had travelled around as much as Kalhalar, the request should have been simple to fulfill. A part of Kalhalar was unwilling to reveal too much about himself, and so he fell back onto the same words that he was sure many others had used to describe him, if those others had ever decided to pay any attention to the mage.


“There’s… not much to tell,” Kal said as he reached back to grab his basket. “For a lot of my life, I traveled. I was always… watching; I never took part.” It was always easier to let people think that he was nothing more than a traveler going from town to town. “Things are different when you’re just an observer. They look different. If I truly am wise, than maybe that’s the reason.” He hadn’t expected to say that much. The words had just kind of tumbled out. But now they were out, and it was impossible to bring them back in. Kal took a small sigh before he resumed speaking, “Of course, I suppose I have been doing a bit more participating since I met Airrow. I was the one who ended up releasing the dr-“ He stopped himself. That was something he was sure the church didn’t want other people knowing. He looked over to see if the priestess was paying attention, but luckily it seemed that she was busy talking to Ruger. He did, however, notice that the Sage of the group had approached, though she didn’t actually seem close enough to hear the conversation, hopefully. Still, it would be better to not take any chances. “Actually, the story isn’t very interesting,” he lied, hoping that Faelynn wouldn’t try to continue that particular train of thought; Kalhalar wasn’t entirely sure if he could actually deflect the conversation.

“You are much welcoming, Arrora.” His thick accent prevented him from sounding the name properly, and he had to strain previously to mimic the intonation she had provided. Now that both of them were acquainted, he did not think it necessary to enunciate her name to the very last detail. Trivialities were for politicians and law practitioners, not mercenaries looking for coin. She seemed very uncomfortable with standing there, Ruger noticed. So much that she had to turn away to cast a gaze at the Faelynn girl, whom he reasoned might have made friends with her earlier, as if looking for someone to lean on for support in this conversation. Ah, if only Ruger was not the one who was speaking to her now. He would readily offer his shoulder for her. Alas, he seemed to be dispensing enough waves to cause her to feel discomfort. Her face had flushed red earlier when he offered her the compliment, a concept which he was not foreign to, but it stood to logical assumption that he had created this atmosphere of awkwardness now that was impossible to wave away, especially if they kept standing around here.


Thankfully, she started up another conversation topic. Namely, the shield he just bought. He thought he caught a glimpse of annoyance directed at herself flash across her face when she said that. Ruger chortled, his mirth never ending. “Yes, yes! Ruger bought from store at market. Very good price for very good shield. Does not look like it, yes? But this shield is strong like farm ox. You are wanting to try to hold it? As they are saying it, be guest!” Ruger picked up the shield, held her hand lightly and closed her fingers around the grip. He did not release the shield just yet. “It is quite a loading. Are you good to hold it in hands?”


His eyes glazed over as he held her hand and the shield together, his mind mulling over the words she spoke to him. Without considering, he spoke slowly, in a low voice. Though his eyes looked into Aurora’s own, it seemed as if he was elsewhere, lost in his thoughts. “You see, Arrora, shield and sword are not heavy only because of metal. They are heavy because living depend on them. You are right to be afraiding of hurting people. Anyone who take up blade is already hurting someone who love them, even if they are not to be knowing.” For a moment, he stood there, buried deep within his memories, before he stirred, and the bright life returned to his eyes, and he released another burst of jovial laughter. “But is okay for Ruger, because now, Ruger is having this shield to protect you and everyone! No more dying, Ruger promise! Come, do you want to try holding shield?”

Rammie had made a point. Killing was killing no matter how you put it. Blood often covered his fur afterwards and that blood was still the life of another. But for him, he took no joy in killing. It was always done for survival. Now that she had put it in such a way it made him challenge if what he was doing was right.


As she continued, he kind of wandered off in thought. Could he kill someone who might be innocent if Airrow called for it in the name of revenge? By first appearances, he seemed not to be that type of person. But what if?


He chuckled a little trying to shurg off his thoughts for the moment and then contemplated her question to him about being interested in herbs. “I know ‘nuff 'bout dem herbs ta know dey kin be used fer lotta tings. Seems like dem woulda been fun ta explore ‘n help odders. Then, Someday 'n maybe seddle down inta somedin not so dangerous; start ah shop er somedin” Shifting on the log a little, he turned back up to her. Paying attention to her, but not with any detail now. It was just nice to look at her features and her femininity.


Raz was pretty invested in their conversation. Rammie reminded him so much of her. Back when they would spent all night in the fields, and when he would watch her from the windows, as she hung out clothing to dry and many more of her other chores. Was it even possible that someone else in this world might be similar to her. It had been so long since he had companionship like that, so long since he had anyone to trust, and Rammie, well she seemed like she could easily be trusted but regardless, even Raz knew not to so freely give.


“Ya know? I aughta help ya some night. Deese eyes see more inna dark dan ah mere humes can. Especially on nights da moon shines bright as day.” His chin came to rest on his palm and he casually stared up at her, to watcher her be fluffy and giggly. Raz decided for now, he liked her.

Ramya pretended to think about what the bestia said while she exercised immense control to keep her pleasant expression. His scent wafted towards her nose when he moved or spoke, and she occasionally scratched her nose. It looked like a normal-enough gesture, as if it were a nervous twitch or habit.


She vaguely wondered about how she could keep the rest of the scents covered, as she knew traveling with others was an otherwise smelly endeavor. There would be days if not weeks were none would have a bath. She considered making her favorite traveling position behind the rest, if the wind direction were willing. If not, she would have to remain as stocked with her purest of her more perfumed herbs. Most days, her nose for the smallest of scents was a godsend, but when surrounded with other beings, it was bothersome. She didn't blame her own nose, rather, she blamed the beings that couldn't keep their smells to themselves.


She nodded to the man after his explanation. Her eyes searched his for a moment, as she appeared interested in some thought that might be behind his gaze. He was at least two times her size, and possibly another three with his fur-covered muscle. If she were to fight him, the easiest way to overcome a man of his size, as she had overcome others as large as him, was to distract him, and be very quick, very precise in her own movements. She doubted she would have to worry about such matters presently, but it was always wise to plan a method of action should the occasion arise where violence was needed.


"Dat would be mighty nice, Mista Armas,"she grinned wide. "Maybe I could teach ya the trick to pickin' out de good herbs as well, seein' as they be a tad hard in gettin' some of 'em good samples,"she said as her eyes traveled back to the blurred camp. "It is mighty hard to see at night and all. And I am always needin' a friend to help with the pickin'. Ain't nuff hours at da nighttime to be gettin' all dem samples I be a needin'."The lies slid off her tongue easily enough. Her only trouble with seeing at night was that her eyesight was just as limited during the day. She could see neither better or worse with or without a sun or moon.


She placed her hands on either side of herself, clutching the log as she leaned backwards to look at the sky, keeping the beastia in her perfieral vision. She had a wider range of sight, even though she couldn't see very far in any direction.


"Ye ever wonder what it'd be like to fly? To go just anywheres with no worries a how? Sounds rather fancy, don't cha think? Ma always said such fantasies were just silly fancies that won't ever be ahappenin'. Pa would tell me afterwards dat Ma just didn't want me getting big ideas, sayin' dat such things weren't possible for us nomadians. He said I should be happy with collectin' and continuin' the family business. I am mighty happy with collectin' and making our mixes, but man, what would flyin' be like, ya know?"she rambled and finally looked back at Armas.


He had laid his head on his palm, and while he wasn't concentrating on her as much, she figured she should distract his thoughts away from her. She couldn't help making Rammie an interesting, rambling twit, but if she kept herself from being suspected, it was for the best. Maybe she could even convince the beastia to think of her as weak, and as long as she kept the katars in her gloves hidden, he would be any wiser. Playing a victim would be difficult, but she hoped that a situation wouldn't arise where she would have to prove herself capable of protecting herself.


If such an occasion did arise, she would have to make sure to keep her actions coordinated, but not suspicious. She turned her gaze towards the sky again. What a predicament she had gotten into. Though, she did wonder what had brought such vast amounts of people together. Did this Airrow have such an influence? The promise of money was a wonderful one, and she did like having money. She might have to put off her current client in order to join this escapade, but only if the pay was worth the time it was taking away from her other jobs. And that was a question for the boss, and not his beastia minion. Then again, she thought, this minion might have slivers of information.


"Yer boss said somewut bout some mission ya'll be goin' on. Some quest a honor or such? Will ya'll be doin' the same such as what happened to the lady and fella in the woods?"she made herself shudder, as if the thought of death bothered her.

From the slightly jilted way that Ruger spoke the common tongue, Aurora had concluded he was either a touch simple or still learning the language. There was a third possibility that he chose to omit certain articles of speech to appear simple, trustworthy, and likeable- but Aurora did not even consider this for she chose to believe in honesty. The gravity of his words when he spoke of the weight of weaponry dispelled any doubts about his wisdom and intellect. Though he laughed and jested, she found Ruger to be a profound man in his own right who tried to see the beauty of his world. The warrior realized the consequences of killing another but yet also tried to grasp at the importance of those that need to be saved. Aurora tried not to judge others regardless of their sins, and as a healer in particular she was far from inflicting harm, but were she of his profession she would hope she could be of a similar outlook. All of these worldly folk had a kindness beneath their worn exteriors that she had hoped for but not expected in such abundance.


Belatedly she realized that he was still holding her hand with the shield and waiting for her affirmation she could hold the metal implement alone. The radiant heat of his grip was stifling but not due to an actual palpable heat- rather, it was a reflection of her projected awkwardness. Had he never voiced any sort of flattery she would have thought nothing of the touch. Ruger had spoken of romantic interest, though, and so these interactions were painted with her inexperience and naivety. What did she say? What did she do? Her lips parted a couple times before they managed to eke out a semblance of sound. "You can just call me Aura if you like. Aurora can be hard for some native tongues to pronounce, so some of my friends called me Aura," she said smoothly. The priestess was both impressed by her smooth and air of composure. If she had not known better she would have thought herself unruffled by the contact.


With a deep breath she tried to focus on less silly things than her hand. Even if she wished to change the subject after speaking of his burden, Aurora felt compelled to alleviate the duress it caused. "I'm far from the best healer in Terryal, but I have already made up my mind to stay with your group. I believe that Sultra led me to all of you for a reason- more than just healing Faelynn. I will do all I can to help you keep your promise, Ruger," she stated with more humility than was truly needed. So far none of the party had recognized her. The priestess was notable but mostly within the church itself due to her young age and swift climb in zázrak. All of these persons- from hume to bestia- did not ask many questions and welcomed with open arms so long as there was no hostility displayed. She was not certain it was a respect for privacy or pure kindness that ran thick in this crowd.


Aurora hesitated. The more she thought about it the more she considered that she had about as much strength as a housecat and trying to hold this huge shield was probably going to be comical at best and pitiable at worst. Trusting in Ruger, however, and the protection of Sultra, she tried to steady herself and take in easy breaths. Didn't many of the men of this company have to bear armour? Why should she not get a taste of what weight it added to them? This was much simpler than other things, was it not? "Yes, I'll give it a try! What is the worst that could happen?" she laughed brightly.

It was nice to have Faelynn around, or rather someone who could break the ice when it came to a few cold strangers coming together. No one really seemed content on breaking the barrier of co workers until they reached town. Airrow was happy, at least, for that. It kept from him having to be the counsel and only friend of every singular person, but that wasn't true still. The groups seemed to have arrived in droves, and they stayed together in droves. Aesriel and Yurt had known each other, as well they seemed to be acquainted with the children from before. Now with friends like Faelynn and Ruger, going about and happily breaking the mold between all the members, it made it so Airrow could have some peace and some privacy from the others, else they'd bombard him like they had done when they originally joined on. Luckily everyone separated off, even if only some were better acquainted than others, they were making friends with one another and that would this trip go by easier. The best part was the rare chance Airrow had to lay back and calmly enjoy some time alone. But these moments were short and teasingly pleasuring as Airrow would only peek over to the side to see his next counselee. Aesriel stood a bit off from the three, watching Airrow and waiting. It was sign enough for Airrow understand what she wanted.


Airrow scooted away from Faelynn and Kalhalar, not wanting to interrupt the rare moments of Kal's socialness. He sauntered over to Aesriel, sending a warm smile before slipping an arm around her waist to direct her away from the everyone else's conversation. After clearing a small distance of a one or two yards, he removed his hands from her side and proceeded to allow her to speak her mind.


"You seem quite lonely, Aesriel, something bothering you?"


Aesri had been rethinking her approach when Airrow turned her way. She could not overhear what Faelynn and Kalhalar's discussion, but the older man's posture declared he was concerned about eavesdroppers. Perhaps Airrow had the same thought, for he ushered her away. Aesri was surprised at the familiarity of his touch: enough that she flushed slightly. His words when they stopped did not help, either.


"Lonely?" she echoed with uplifted eyebrows. "I…" she paused and shook her head, suddenly second-guessing her decision to raise the topic at all. "I wanted to speak with you. In town…" Her gaze flitted toward Yurt, then to Whisper, and finally back to Airrow. She smiled nervously. "There is nothing for you to be concerned about, but … you should know: I was recognized."


What was she thinking? This was coming out all wrong.


So timid, as a women that Airrow has seen as mostly dependent and lone standing, seeing her like this made him feel queezy, almost enjoyably so. She sure wasn't very clear though.


"You were recognized for your beauteous smile? It must be bothersome to attract so much attention with your wondrous apparel." Hopefully he lightened the mood slightly. "Hah, perhaps Ruger has been rubbing off on me. Now please, Ms Fletcher, explain what you mean. Were you recognized as a fellow from Zephyr? Perhaps a person of this campaign?"


To her surprise, he responded by flattering her. She flushed slightly, embarrassed that she had clearly given the wrong impression about why she needed to talk to him. Then, slowly, it dawned on her that he was joking. Maybe. She chuckled when he jested about Ruger rubbing off on him, mostly because it was what was expected of her but also because it was funny. "Please... Call me Aesri. Or Aesriel." Not only did she prefer that he not be so formal, but it also reminded her of her teaching days. Normally that might be bittersweet, but at the moment, it seemed doubly dangerous. "And not from Zephyr. From before the Hunt." She took a breath and sighed softly, leaning on her staff as she tucked her hair behind her ear. She continued in a softer tone, glancing around periodically to ensure no one else was listening. "I taught at The White Hand in Ashland. You may not know the name, but ... suffice it to say that the school fell - quite literally - from grace. I did not expect anyone so far south to recognize me. I was wrong. And I fear it may become more frequent as we move north. I do not want you to be surprised. The people who were affected are justifiably upset and may attack. This time, it was nothing, but ..." She shook her head, then stood a little taller, meeting his gaze evenly. "If you prefer not to have me on this quest, I will understand. Although I will be disappointed."


The white hand, it was not something Airrow recognized, thought he was not familiar with a large amount of things in the north. Sort of why he needed a guide. Instinctively, Airrow glanced over to Yurt, sitting by his lonesome after returning from town with Aesri.


"Well, I would assume that if you were recognized simply for something that happened at the school, that this fall was quite harsh. While I wish not to pry, I trust that there was nothing too dangerous that befell you or came from you during this event. And as this is so, I assure you, I will not be bothered by a past that troubles you, if this load is too heavy upon your shoulders, please allow me to carry the burden with you." Airrow had not realized this, but he began to contemplate the idea. Perhaps Aesri and himself were quite similar in difficulties. It seems she has felt this trouble for much longer than he has, but they have both been scorned for a failure and now both find themselves here. It made him wonder why she was so intent on coming along on this quest.


"I would not leave any behind, as I had searched for Faelynn in her time of need, I would for you as well, good Aesriel." He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, making sure her eye contact with him was not broken. "Fear not the future, I will be here to lift whatever weight pressures your shoulders, and protect you when need be. I am your leader, but I would much prefer to be your friend for if we are to die by the end of this, at least it would be amongst friends."


Holding her breath as she awaited his reply, Aesriel nodded in agreement with both his statements about the school's fall being harsh and her not being a party to it. The full circumstances still eluded her; although she had suspicions, she could not confirm them given the school's destruction and the townspeople's attitude toward anyone who had taught there. She started to glance downward, relieved and humbled at his resolve to take on her problems. That was the last thing she wanted: he had enough on his mind. Before she could look down, though, he cupped her cheek, effectively preventing her from doing so. His words brought tears to her eyes, although she manged to keep them from spilling onto her cheeks. There was a reason he was their leader. She placed her hand over his and nodded slowly. "Thank you. You can surely count me a friend, and I am with you to the end. For both our fathers and all others lost in Zephyr." She could not remember if she had told him of her father being in Zephyr, but it was of little consequence now.


After squeezing his hand gently and releasing it, she nodded again and cleared her throat.She kept her voice soft as she continued, "I would appreciate it if you did not share this with the others. People quickly fear a condemned Sage." A soft chuckle followed. "Sometimes with good reason, but they need not fear me. Yurt did not understand why I walked away..." she shrugged. "Of course, he also tells of the North, where we all may be skinned or worse if we are not ready to fight at a moment's notice."


"Right, and I will respect your wishes, I am sure Yurt will also. His reclusive nature worries me though, I wish I could find some way to get his mind away from battle for once. I am happy that at least you two can speak, for he rarely speaks to me. Please, if you can think of some way to bring his mind at ease, do tell me and I will help where I can. Until then, we should continue our journey." Airrow grabbed Aesri's hand that had held his a moment ago. "If you do not find anyone to sit with while we travel, consider sitting with me on the cart. Kalhalar and you may be able to converse about mystic techniques, as well Aurora and Faelynn should be sitting with us. I'd like to attempt talking to you about less serious things." He released her hand, gave her a small bow, and went back over to the cart.


"Alright, daylight escapes us! We should prepare to move out. Saddle the horses, mount up, and ready yourselves for the mountains."

Faelynn studied the Mages face as he thought of what to tell her. He certainly seemed to go through a few emotions as he prepared what to say. His face switched from shock, gratitude then finally, on reluctance as he gave a short answer that there was simply, “not much to tell“. There was a pang of disappointment in hearing the short coming of his tales but she continued to listen, becoming once again fascinated by the fact that he was a traveler at all, oh the thing he must have seen an observed! Life looked so fruitful on the outside when all your life you're confined to a small place. She found herself leaning in at he mentioned something about releasing something while on an adventure with Airrow. her eyebrow quipped at the stutter of the first two letters.


“Dr-?“ She caught herself whisper, her blue eyes growing wide, until she realized he would go no further and she stiffly sat up, beginning to believe Kal was better at teasing women than most professional male prostitutes. She watched as his eyes nervously flicked from Aurora to Aesriel before hastily claiming that the tale wasn't very interesting. Faelynn narrowed her eyes and exhaled through her nose but decided let the man have his secret. Perhaps, if they were ever alone, she could get the rest of the tale from him, for now, she just gave a small half-smile and continued talking.


“Well, I for one, have never had any adventure before being swept into Airrows group. As much as I hate Fox, I will admit that if it wasn't for him forcing me along, I would have certainly chickened out of signing up on my own. All my life, especially as a child, I was the type to dream of seeing the world and making my own adventure but, when I became sixteen, my fate was decided for me when I was sold to the brothel. Do not mistake me though, I don't resent my life as a whore, I am good at what I do, and I became more of a sister to the other girls than I was to my own blood, but I never learned useful traits that a traveler needs, like cooking or fighting, or hunting... I'm afraid I am more of a burden than anything.“ She said with a little wince as she nonchalantly played with a strand of long strawberry blond hair over her shoulder. She gave a small sigh and looked back up at Kal just as Airrow announced that they were to set back out on the road again.


“Oh! Well, looks like well have to finish this conversation later I suppose, I hope you'll sit near me on the cart. i think in the next town well call you, Kalhallar the great cat-wrangler of the East, well let the townspeople decipher for themselves just what that's supposed to mean.“ She gave a wink, and another smile before jumping up, stuffing the rest of her piece of bread and cheese in her mouth and grabbing the bag, before taking it onto the cart and passing it to someone who knew where to place it.


She took her seat on the cart and looked out into the direction they were to head in, in the far distance she could see the mountains peaking through thick clouds, standing ominously like a sign that dared them to challenge it. with it, she felt a spike of excitement along with a sinking feeling of nervousness and fear for what was to come.

They were burning daylight. The group followed Airrow's orders, perhaps more slowly than he would have preferred. Getting such a disparate and diverse group of people moving in one direction presented a challenge.


After some discussion around logistics, safety, and general preferences, Aesriel joined Airrow, Faelynn, and Kalhalar on the cart. Aurora preferred to ride, but promised to stay close to the cart and check on Fae often. Logic dictated that conversation should have been difficult, but Fae's vibrant personality and refreshing honesty, coupled with Airrow's loquacious nature and Kalhalar's randomness, made it surprisingly easy and full of laughter. Aurora participated in the conversation as well, although Aesri did not know how much the healer appreciated Faelynn's teasing. Apparently the healer had taken a shine to Ruger, and Fae not only took note of this but also dispensed unsolicited advice that even caused Aesri to blush twice. She felt for the priestess, yet could not help but smile and chuckle along with the others. On the second day, Aurora joined them on the cart. Aesri suspected easy access to Fae's teasing mouth to be the primary motivation for her change of heart.


For her part, Aesriel listened as best she could, occasionally riding beside the cart to rotate the load for the horses. She watched the behavior of the others, beginning to feel that this collection of relative strangers familiar. Of course, Yurt still remained the one she knew the longest and perhaps the best, but time on the cart in conversation broke down several barriers and provided a sense of kinship, however tentative.


Kalhalar in particular proved an interesting individual. At times he spoke lucidly, even sharing wisdom; others, he seemed to have lost his senses. While it was fairly common for Sages and Mancers to prematurely age their bodies in the practice of magic, she had heard stories of Mancers whose bodies remained relatively whole at the expense of their minds. These were the bogeymen for young students, standing as a warning for those students believing themselves invincible and immune to the cost of tapping into such power. While she did not ask him overtly (that would be rude), it did cross her mind that he might reflect the principle of the stories. Either that, or he was simply old and beginning to lose his faculties.


Over the next few days, the landscape changed subtly but surely: dense forest thinned out, with the trees standing further apart as their trunks and branches also thinned. The trail they followed grew more treacherous, for the mountain pass, though utilized often, was not owned by any one lord or township. The incline of the path increased and the footing became less certain, slowing their pace somewhat. For her part, the lack of any further attacks on their group rejuvenated Aesirel's mood. Hopefully those horrid bird creatures had been a one-time attack and were not related to their hunt for Crimston.


Looking up to the mountains ahead, she found herself filled with an odd mixture of hope, anticipation and dread. Airrow's words rang true: they would likely face their deaths in this endeavor. That should have scared her, but instead it inspired an odd serenity of mind. Perhaps she was the one going mad.

Their new relocation was swift, but right on time, as Pav had just finished fletching all the arrows he needed for the next part of the journey. The rest of materials that remained unused he placed in his satchel for a later time. Also, his fingers ran quickly through the contents of the bag for the obsydian stone that he bought for the fair maiden Aesriel. It was still there, wrapped in a piece of beige linen cloth. Placing his newly crafted arrows in his rather large quiver, he took a glance at the 5 "special" arrows, all of them having crimson feathers at the back, while the others were colored a verdant green. Despite having already purchased the required reagents for crafting his own, and owning the recipe for the final product, he was slightly frightened to try concocting it by his own. Maybe he would ask for help from one of the two magic-users of the group, but now wasn't the time to debate such trivialities.


Saddling up Stormrider, Pauvel stepped on the left stirrup, as per his habbit, and pushed forcefully, lifting him up on his faithful companion. He grabbed the reins and gave him a quick and painless whip, to get the purebred stallion moving. As the others were installing themselves on the cart, Whisper and Stormrider were riding on the side, a bit to the back, with his hood on, of course. He might've seemed calm, but his eyes were scouting every inch of their surroundings, his bowarm at the ready. At some points, he would see some wildlife roaming around the premises, but his urge to hunt was restrained, as he knew he shouldn't part too much with the group.


Towards the end of their journey, although, he knew that they would most probably stop and rest, to regain their forces, for travelling the mountains would be no easy task, and so, naturally, they would require nourishment. Nocking and loosening a couple of arrows, he brought down a deer that was innocently watching them from a distance, while savouring water from a pond that most probably formed overnight. Rushing Storm to go and fetch it, he strapped the body of the animal on the back of his horse, retrieving the arrows while he was at it. If they were going to journey over the mountains, they should conserve their current food rations as best as possible, for it was unknown when they would reach the next town to ressuply.


As they finally reached the foothills of the mountain, Pauvel stared up at the magnificent peaks, that stood proud over the clouds, braving the winds in their eternal vigil. They would need to steel their hearts, to be able to survive the trek. After trying to determine a viable and relatively safe route to walk, he shifted his gaze towards the group that was now getting down from their transportations. There were quite a lot of them which seemed to have been through swords and fire, but then again, there were some still virgins when it came to the real hardships and perils of life. This quest was not going to be an easy one, not that anyone ever said it would be, but for some reason, Pauvel didn't feel the grip of fear squishing his heart, but rather the thrill of anticipation. He was most curious to see the outcome of their struggles, and maybe he would even attain redemption in the progress, for all the people that put their hopes in him and, in the end, were dissapointed.

Aurora had believed that she was not nearly so interesting or obvious for her little chat for Ruger to be noticed by Faelynn- but that was wrong. She turned vibrant red through most of the suggestions that were so casually made but did not argue with nor try to shush Faelynn. Part of her wanted to know how these fabled relationships really worked and another part was so horrified and embarrassed that it hoped silence might end the ordeal more quickly.


Ruger was charming but part of that she was incredibly hesitant about the notion of (as they put it) "making a move." Aurora believed herself a little ill-suited for the courageous warrior on many levels as she would be with any man. Many wanted to come first in the hearts of their beloved rather than sharing the top tier with Sultra or being placed second to her. Added to that was the fact that Aurora was also divinely blessed and acted upon the compulsions granted to her. More important than either of these reasons was that such a social gesture was infinitely intimidating to her. It was much easier to smile and patiently wait to see what course this adventure took. She did not yet understand all the complexities of the links between members of this group.


It was nice to travel with others. While she could certainly find a certain amount of serenity in solitude, she much preferred the presence of others- and what variety! They spanned ages and races, professions and interests. When she closed her eyes she pictured a beautiful stain glass mosaic that was a singular window, yet every colorful shard gleamed with its own brilliance as it came together to form a picture. Even though they might not all care for her presence, she enjoyed watching and listening to them greatly. It was in its own way humbling to hear their different viewpoints and see how her own was slightly more narrow and simple than she would have liked. With any luck she would become more enlightened as they traveled north through the treacherous passages that had been mentioned briefly in quiet discourse.


She did not wish any harm to come to her new companions, but in the event it should she hoped that she would have the strength to aid them.

The trip was long but entertaining, especially when it came to Aurora's bright red face with every joke and innuendo made by Faelynn. She enjoyed taunting the young woman with exaggerations of how couples acted, knowing very well, the priestess didn't know much about how couples were supposed to act.


When they finally stopped, Faelynn ended her taunting with a smirk and a friendly hug around Aurora's shoulder's before hopping out of the wagon and into the cold ground at the foothills of the mountain. She took a deep breath of air and marveled at the beauty of the rising mountains that seemed to cut the clouds with its peaks. She shivered at the biting cold that left chills down her spine. She let an excited giggle mixed with the shiver escape her lips before whipping around and throwing a dazzling smile at the group behind her.


"Check it out guys I get to climb a mountain!" she said, showing just how sheltered she was. She stared up the rocky length and tried not to think about the horror that could come to them as they traveled the mountain, Of the lives that could be lost as they ascended the path that led eventually to a God that had taken so much from most of them.


She turned back to the wagon and started grabbing bags to help carry. She looked to Airrow, walking up beside him to catch his attention and gave a small smile. "So do we camp here, or are we going to hike awhile?" She asked, wondering what she should do next.

“Kalhalar the great cat-wrangler of the East” Those words stuck with him longer than they should have. Even with the conversations that happened on the way to the mountains, which were made considerably easier to have thanks to Airrow and Faelynn, he remembered the title. Perhaps it would be because they would be introducing himself with that title for no other reason than to simply have fun. Still, even the idea of just joking around and having fun brought back memories both good and bad. The uncovering of those memories caused Kal to determinedly lose himself to the conversations on the cart. The banter between Faelynn and the priestess Aurora proved to be amusing enough in its own right, though he began to suspect towards the end that his words and Airrow’s reactions to them were also a source of laughter.


Despite the lightheartedness of the conversations, Kalhalar noticed the gradual change of the landscape. The almost lush forests became much less so, and the trail itself grew to be increasingly less tamed. It was almost as if their surroundings were reminding the group of just why they were traveling and what their goal was.


They soon reached the foothills of the mountains; while most everyone else stared up at the peaks for one reason or another, Kal kept his gaze forward towards the sloping ground. Briefly, he wondered if any others in the group had experience with traveling in the mountains. He was broken out of his thoughts as he heard Faelynn’s exclamations about getting to climb a mountain. Whether that excitement was good or bad, though, Kalhalar didn’t know. He reached back to grab his basket as he overheard the lady asking Airrow about whether they would rest or hike onwards. A “Hmmm…” escaped his lips as he thought about what Airrow’s answer would be before he also decided to get off the cart, his basket in hand. He also found himself wondering if Airrow would answer of his own accord, or if the man would ask the opinions of others first.

The sound of movement rustled the underbrush. A group of assorted members stomped, slid and moved effortlessly atop the fallen leaves from the canopy above. The leaves were in the colors of change as brown red and orange littered the floor with natures boon. One of the members stomps was accompanied by a heavy click of metal armor and rustle of steel buckle taught from their leather straps holding them in place.


“Cent we've been walking for ages what kind of short cut is this?” The armor clad avatar spoke through the grate in her plate helmet. Her helmet letting out a tin pop moving her gaze to look at the young man.


Cent kicked the leaves lightly with each step almost like he was dancing in the rain. His hands anchoring the back of his head. A childish smile adorning his face. Cent moved about the group expelling an unusual amount of energy searching for the larger piles of leaves to kick and strew into the air.


“Cent...” Noelle spoke out


Cent's eyes half opened lackadaisically and with a couple of blinks he turned to look towards Noelle his expression of who me painted plain on his face. Mouth half agape Cent stared at the shiny surface that was polished to a degree that would be fit for a narcissist. In seeing his distorted reflection on the plate helm Cent began to swivel his head back and forth making the colors blur and move in the refraction.


“Cent about this short cut the man told you. How long did he say it would take?”


“The old man said only a couple of hours after the left at the fork.”


“Left at the fork?”


“Left at the fork?” Um finally chimed in to the conversation her face underneath the confines of a fluffy hood. Her oil black colored hair pouring out like an ink well that had been dipped with to much force.


“Hmmm?” The Erajatii Samuran gurgled deep from his throat. The group looked quizzically towards the young man.


“Hey... Cent what fork we never came to one?” Um winced as she already knew something bad was about to come from her companion's mouth to which she would ultimately take blame for.


“YEEESSS WEEEE did.” Cent stress the yes and we to make his point even stronger against them as if the louder you spoke the more correct you were.


“No we didn't.” Noelle spit back mimicking siblings arguing about a trivial matter/


“There was a fork in the road I swear.”


“Cen-.” Um spoke up more


“I mean it was a little rusty, but it was right there in the road. I cant believe I spotted it flubbilin on the side of the road.”


Samuran and Noelle's heads began to pivot with shaking jerks of annoyance and anger looking straight at Um. Avoiding their eye contact Um looked towards the floor in a defeated gaze with her party members feelings bearing down upon her.


“WE'RE LOST!”


“I agree.”


“Let him try! It will be fine! RIGHT?! UM?!”


“We'll I mean...”


“UGG. This is the last time we allow him to do something like this. Give him responsibilities. treat him like everyone el-” Noelles voice trailed off as she moved about trying to get her bearings.


Cent's head tilted mimicing a puppy reacting to its owner speaking towards it. Watching the woman in armor her hands on her hips angrily trudge about the brush. Cent's eyes clicked on over to watch Samuran whose head tilted back and looked towards the sky to get a gauge on something to lead him north east towards the mountains their initial destination.


Um's face absorbed the embarrassment as her once snowy fair skin now became touched with a blush of second hand embarrassment. Cent moved towards her his hands stuffed nervously in his pockets thumbs pressing and rubbing the fingerprints of his index and middle finger. Wondering what had happened and if at all he could fix it.


“Hey Umi... Did I screw up again?”


Um quickly looked up at Cent his face painted with nervousness. Cent's eyes flickered to objects around Um avoiding any eye contact.


Um's right arm lifted from her side slowly rising higher towards his face. Past his face even higher it raised to the top of his head, before it fell atop his hair. Um giving it a slight pulse of scratching she pet the top of Cents hair.


“It's fine." Um smiled warmly up at Cent. "Alright?”


“k.”


Cent slid his body back removing himself from Um's attempt to console him. Watching her hand descend to her side once more, where it swung back and forth then to a soft idle. Um's eyebrow raised curiously watching Cent turn around and sulk over to Noelle. Noelle looked between trees peering into the layers of the forest trying to spot landmarks or a road.


“Noelle.”


“What Cent!” Noelle roared out spinning to turn towards the man who infuriated her. Then realizing who she was addressing she changed her demeanor.


“I mean... What Cent?”


“Did I screw up?”


“Yeah. Cent, you did.” She replied back letting a light huff from her nose to release some of her tension.


“Oh.”


“Thats it?”


“hmm?” Cent became puzzled staring at the curved armor that held Noelle as the torso pivoted to its right hip.


“Theres no, Im sorry for being an idiot?”


“Im not an idiot. I'm smart...”


“Cent you cant do the simplest things that’s the very definition of idiot.”


There was a long pause Noelles words seeping into Cent his mind wrapping itself around her claim.


“... Sorry for being an idiot...” Cent huffed out softly enough barely anyone could hear.


“What? I couldn't hear you.”


“Sorry Im an idiot.” Cent spoke up louder for all of the group to hear.


Samuran ears flickered his head quickly facing the two people arguing.


“Stop do not do what you two always do.” He spoke out to the two companions. His words were lost though as Noelle spoke over him.


“I CAN'T HEAR YOU!” She yelled a bit louder than Cent. With her coaxing words Cent breathed in deeply.


“Cent! Noelle!”


“I'M SORRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYY!” Cent roared the voice bouncing off the trees amplifying the noise as it pierced deep into the forest.


All sounds ceased around as Samuran let out a heavy sigh that came with a slight shoulder slump.


“Do not yell in these woods you fools we do not know what lay beyond our gaze.”


Underneath her heavy helmet Noelle bit her lip, as she knew right after she was accosted by Samuran that what she did was wrong.


“She started it!” Cent yelled back pointing at Noelle. “She is always MEAN to me!”


“Thats because you're and idiot.”


“Am not!”


“Are too.”


Samuran waved his hands around in the air slightly losing his cool expression he always wore.


“Enough, I do not care who started it but I am finishing this.” His low gravely tone poured out from the bellows of his red neck.


Cent and Noelle huffed and looked away from one another.


“You guys come on Cent was only trying to help.”


“The only help he would be is if he got himself killed and rid us of his stupidity.”


“Oh yeah! Maybe I will just go die then!” Cent retorted back “Besides I wont have to smell you anymore. You smell like a used bandage in that armor.”


“I What?!”


Samurans hand rose to the bridge of his nose messaging it then dragging his fingers down his face.


The red creatures ears flickered once more his head moving to look up seeing birds above beginning to swarm and flee. A low rumble came from the forest around them. A tree further in snapped and broke the loud crash interrupting Noelle and Cent.


“What was that?”


“Obviously we can't see it so how would we know, so why even ask us? Wow and you think im dumb. pff.”


“Cent!” Um responded back to end the argument with the final word. Then changing tones and looking towards Samuran


“Sam what do you think it is?”


The Erajatii took what felt of a tiny blow, as Um used his nickname that Cent so blessingly placed on him.


Another tree crackled closer to them.


Squinting his eyes the yellow iris's contracted trying to lock onto the presence ascending upon them.


His brow raised in surprise and fear. He was not equipped to fight this beast nor did he have the appropriate hunting party for said battle


“Dragon. We must run and hide.” Sam I mean... Samuran spoke out. 3 out of the 4 members looked at one another and with a slight head nod took off running to the right of the forest.


Cent breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes still closed tight from when Um yelled at him.


“It's fine it has been well documented that dragons can not see you unless you move. So long as we remain perfectly still we will be fine.”


Cent's eyes flickered open so he could witness his party members gasping at his awesome knowledge only to be met with nothing around him.


“Um guys?” Cent peered around the trees for any hint of his friends.


The trees around surged with new life the ground around vibrating, tiny pebbles hummed against the bed of rocks.


A large brown dragon of the mountains rumbled into the small clearing towering over Cent. Its giant chest slowly heaving with each monumental breath it took. Its legs flashed in the sun overhead as the scales splayed the light and tinged the dragons hide a rich copper color. The large amber eyes blinked from the side once with one eyelid then once from above like a humans. The pupils fluctuated absorbing the light around to get a better view of its prey that stood motionless staring at the dragon.


Cent breathed out little machine gun like breaths his body slightly shaking as he froze his pose like a statue.


The dragon's neck rocked side to side slightly, a low rumble emanating from its mouth.


“RUN CENT!” A young girls voice boomed from the confines of the woods


The dragon roared Cent's mind snapped back into focus as his crotch became stained in a new found wetness.


His legs kicked from under him extending in a wild and violent display of movement Cent galloped into the forest.


“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Cent screamed through the jungle as the large dragon smashed into each and every tree in an attempt to feast on human flesh. The light trickle of gold escaped from the rim of Cents pants as he ran with all his might. The giant beasts mouth opened sucking in a furious amount of air in order to keep its blood pumped appropriately. With each giant drag of breath Cent could feet his jacket and hair being pulled slightly towards the jaws of death. His running was replaced with frantic leaps and bounds to cover the most distance.


Cent's face became battered as each shrub that stood in his way was just another huddle he had to jump over. Each stick and branch smashed against his body like cat of ninetails smacking against his skin. The stain of red on his skin became vibrant from each assault and battery by mother nature. The low pines caused Cent's flesh to itch and tingle. Tears began to slink out of the sides of his eyes and streaking down his face staining his cheeks with a glossy surface. The boogers from his nose tainted the top of his lip and mouth as he began to cry furiously as he ran.


“AHHHHHHHHHHH-HAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA” Cent continued to cry out heaving more furiously than the beast behind him as hit smashed the earth around it. The ground around Cent became more rocky as the levels in earth changed. Cent's feet slid and planted on each rocky surface as furiously sprinted across each one. Like knuckles popping the sound came with each monstrous placement of the dragons foot caused the granite to shift or splinter from its steel like claws.


Cent watched his runway become shorter and shorter while he pressed on to the edge of a low cliff. A large pine tree in front of him stood at least 15 yards away from the edge. Cent cried harder.


The large dragon began to slow down its head lurched forward as the stones and peddles around its claws began to take the momentum and fling and bounce around the rock face. The dragon heaved out a foul smell of rotten eggs from its mouth as the air became toxic. The heavy exhale caused Cent's nose to percolate. Cent's head began to swivel as he continued to run to the edge. The large dragon's teeth clicked with a golden flick the air around him the air snapped into a firey blaze as it ate the oxygen and gas breathed by the dragon in a quick line towards Cent. The frantic runner turned back to his front. 10 yards from the edge, 5 yards, 1 yard the temperature around him began to ascend. Kicking his legs out from under him Cent flew into the air his arms flailing chaotically around. His mouth closed tight as Cent knew the pain he was about to feel was going to be something not even a masochist could enjoy.


A loud SMACK echoed out Cent smashed into the large trunk of the tree. Then gravity did what gravity does best. With ragdoll effects Cent began to descend the trunk in a free form dive that changed each time he hit a branch beneath him. It was grotesquely beautiful. Cent's eyes opened from the adrenaline watched the flames engulf the mid section of the tree. Then a loud thud as Cent fell into large conveniently placed bushes beneath the tree. Cent felt as though his chest seams had burst open his heart now smashing as hard as it could against a drum. Cent's head began to ring and his flesh was ablaze in a tingle. Letting out a heavy gust of air Cent began to laugh happily his fingers moving frantically over his body to check and see if he was in one piece.


His vision darkened an eclipse blocked all light from his eyes the golden rays searing the outline of a winged beast. “AWWW COME ON!” Cent cried out climbing to his feet and began to run again. His legs no longer had feeling his left arm was flailing like a flag in heavy wind behind him. The dragon's raid was not over. Like a meteor it smashed through the trees head first snapping with a loud thunderous clap from its jaw as it took a bite overhead at Cent.


It smashed and slid onto the ground its legs sporadically placing for a grip on the floor as it transferred its flights momentum to forward motion. The forest was denser here the soil softer slowing down the beast with more obstacles it clashed its massive husk against.


Cent flurried on in movements that rivaled a puppeteer with parkinsons making a puppet dance.


The air stunk once again of rich rotten eggs, this time there was no where to jump. Cent quickly rushed behind a large oaks trunk. Snap sounded off the air around sucked in pressing against Cents chest as it vacuumed to the explosion of heat. The flames spilled over the ground and trunks racing towards Cent his body tucked behind the only wall he could think of. Like water being split by stone the flames poured around the large old trunk. The serpent tongues of the flames lapped at Cents face with a painful searing tinge. The wood crackled and slip, loud pops burst out as shrapnel of bark burst around. Cent lept and smashed against the floor chest first his sword belt pressing against his back. The fire ceased around as the ground below was stained in red embers and black soot. Cent slowly rose to his feet to see the dragon 18 yards away from him its mouth sneering violently as drool fell from the hinges of its jaw. Its gigantic lungs pressing against its throat chestial area with a violent fervor. Cent began to whimper his right hand shaking as it moved to his sword behind him. Clutching the handle he pulled it from its leather strap.


“N-no-now! You face the greatest swordsman who ever lived! Prepare yourself you oversized dragon!”


Cent twirled the blade in hand, his left arm still lay limp as he took his battle stance.


“Dragons chest are the hardest part of their bodies since it touches the ground the most. Making it rough and callous. I need to slice its back.” Cent talked himself into the fight his feet sliding to widen his stance.


The dragon shot forward clasping onto the ground its giant claws smooshing into the heated muddy surface. Cent waited the monster getting closer and closer. Then with a little hop Cent raced towards the beast sword in hand.


“Slice its back!” The two only a few yards away began to make their final moves to assault one another. Cent pressed his shoes into the ground and with a heavy force of muscle strength exploded from the ground into a high jump in the air. The dragon slammed both of its front appendages into the mush below its palms slick with mud slipped against the warm mush causing the dragon to slip. Like an arrow from a bow the dragon shot forward at a ludicrous speed. The dragon saw Cent leaping into the air and trying to claim its dinner finally it launched its large head upwards to try to catch him. The speed of the slide and jerk from the dragon was miscalculated. The gigantic face smashed into Cent's small body. Cent's breath escaped him violently from the sudden impact. His hand still gripping onto the sword as the motion transferred to his frame. The dragons long snout acting like a catapult launched Cent in an arch to a roadside clearing.


“FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-” Cent trailed off.


...


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..............................


........................................


Cent burst through the tree line


“CK!” into the open road his body falling from the sky with little to no grace as it smashed against the dirt. His body tumbled his limbs smashing and flailing as he rolled, tumbled, jumbled, and slid across the surface. Cent called out a body part with each painful clash of flesh and earth. “Head!” his face slid across the floor as his leg kicked over his body, “Leg!” The low thump of appendage battered the ground, trying to stop Cent tried to brace himself with his arm not knowing which way was up he slammed his elbow to the floor “Elbow!” with his last tumble his arm flung in a full ark and smashed to the floor “ARRRRRRR-HHHARRRRM!” He cried out in pain throbbing in pain. Cent's vision was blurred with a cacophony of colors that swirled together in a toxic mixture that made him want to vomit.


"Oh, man im hurt, oh im in pain, please stop oh please oh please oh please." The world around him swirled back and forth. The sight of a large group of people down the road came into his vision (Arrows Group). The dirt from below clung to his tearful face in a light layer of crust. As he tried to yell out the words help me he was only met with a painful cough. Cent could hear the crackling of trees snapping from his previous destination.


The dragon was coming for dinner...


Cent just began to tear up uncontrollably. Letting out a high shriek of crying.


"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.HHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Half choking on his screams.

Airrow gave a smirk in response to Fae's jokes, but of course found himself wondering about resting or moving forward. If it was perhaps just him and a few others, he'd push on further. They could make distance faster as a smaller group traveling across the mountains. This group, though, was not a group prepped to struggle through the mountains in a hurried rush. It made sense to make camp, allow everyone to rest, then go relentlessly into the wall.


He would have complied with the declaration of rest, but the curious outcries of distress came streaming from the trees accompanied by the quaking of the floor beneath them. Something was stomping their way towards them, and amongst the sudden moment of confusion, a boy came hurling out of the treeline, throwing himself in front of the group.


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It left a heavy ringing in the ear, even more so as the noise seemingly found its way closer and closer to the group. Airrow, for a moment, was stunned and unmoving. It had taken him a few dire moments to send a quick glance to Kalhalar to reassure of what he believed it to be. In a moment of hysteria, Airrow lunged out for Faelynn, hefting her back into the wagon.


"Take the wagon as far up the path as you can. When it narrows, only carry with you your packs." He instructed as he kicked the horse leading the wagon into a trot. The horses were frightened enough, with the ferocity of oncoming beast.


With hope that everyone would be following his instructions to begin an even more hurried ascent up the mountains, Airrow went for the boy who had been sending cries of help towards him. Airrow sprinted to the boy, taking no moments to be gentle with him, and swept him over his shoulder.


From there, it was a mad dash up the mountain path, as the great creature came crashing out of the woods. The creature was sprawled on four legs, each strong with great talons ripping at the ground with monumental grip. Its body was long tubular shaped, yet slender so its colossal wings, which spanned out from its shoulders. Upon its long slender neck, the vicious head with a finned spiked mane, sent a burrowing gaze upon the group down its long snout. It examined its prey momentarily, searching out its primary and most vulnerable targets, before launching into a dash towards the mountain's path.


In hope that someone would understand, Airrow waved for one of the horses to be released from the group, and would hopefully distract the hunter away from the main group.





 
The trip was mostly uneventful for the eccentric sword-for-hire. He had spent his time ignoring the proceedings around him, whistling an oddly catchy and jaunty tune as he trailed beside the group, though his eyes were cast far away, as if wondering about something, or someone, else. Maybe family, friends, or someone closer. Maybe of times long past and of friends long gone. Whatever it was, it was clear he wasn't giving much attention to the path ahead of him, often tripping over his own feet, much less the uneven road. He laughed it off to no one in particular, and then continued gazing off into the distance as if nothing had happened. Once in a while, however, he would cast a furtive glance at Aurora, and his expression would morph into one of momentary worry. Before she or anyone noticed, though, he defaulted back to his careless stroll. He hadn't finished talking to her the day before, and for some reason, he felt a little annoyed at it. He wanted to speak to her some more, perhaps now inquire more about herself. She was not like the others, he had realised. She was a pure being, and she was no combatant, and certainly not any other woman. He was drawn to her not because she was interesting or unique, but rather because she was not as interesting and unique. Because of this, she, inversely, was the most intriguing of them all. She was a beauty on the outside, and a beauty on the inside, a blooming flower in a calm, emerald meadow with cerulean skies. She was, how does one put it?, 'refreshing'? Ruger was fine with any woman, as long as she was willing, but for her, he saw her in a different light. He did not want her as a bedwarmer, rather, he wanted her by his side for the rest of his life. A blush crept onto his cheeks, as his lips curled into an almost child-like smile. He thought about breaking from his little stroll and making his way towards her, to talk to her again, to hear that voice of hers, to see those eyes of hers again.


Alas for the poor swordsman, he was interrupted by a cry for help, followed almost immediately by another most familiar cry that chilled him to the bone. Dragon. He had heard that ear-rending shriek once, and he had seen the owner and the destruction it wrought. It was not a memory he wanted to remember. The sound alone drove spears of fear into the boisterous young man, and he shook involuntarily. Fear was part of being a mortal, and he told himself that it was natural. A dragon, however, was not a natural enemy. He gave a look at Airrow, pleading him to reconsider his next move. He was duly ignored. Airrow was a brave man, Ruger realised as he watched the man sprint forwards after ordering the group to quicken their pace. But bravery was but seperated by a hair's breadth from foolishness. Ruger was proud to live and die by the sword, but being red paste on a nearby rock was not dying by the sword, as far as he knew. He shook his head, and ran after Airrow, a man he had sworn his sword to. He was but a few metres behind when ahead of him, Airrow had retrieved the one who had called for help and continued his ascent. Ruger cursed the man's chivalry. Every one life was important, but was one life worth sacrificing for the lives of many others? Damn him and his insistence! Before them, the owner of the second cry revealed itself, sending splinters of destroyed trees flying all over the place. Instantly, Ruger's attention shifted to Aurora, and then to Airrow. Is your fault, Arrow! We are to dying of dragon claw because of you! Ruger wanted to yell at the crimson-armored man, but stopped himself in time. There was no point in blaming Airrow now. He was a knight, he was made for brave and courageous, if stupid, acts. Ruger was born a farmer, and grew up a mercenary. Bravery and courage was not in his dictionary. Money was. Airrow made some motions towards the rest of the group. Ruger looked on puzzlingly at his directions for a moment, then at the horses, then back at Airrow. After a moment of hesitation, he drew his sword and brought the steel down on the reins of one of the horses and brought the flat of his sword on the horse's rump, sending it into a frenzy and on its way elsewhere.

Faelynn bounced around happily as she awaited Airrow's response to her question, but stopped short with a little gasp as suddenly this guy flew out of the forest, screaming and landed in front of them a few feet down the path. She blinked and found her mouth hanging open before suddenly a great screeching roar filled her ears and shook the forest around them. Faelynn jumped, nearly dropping one of the bags over her shoulder.


For a moment Fae was frozen to the spot, until suddenly, Airrow swept her off her feet and pushed her into the wagon. He barked orders at her to take the others up the mountain and Fae barely had time to nod before she gave the reins a heavy whip. for a moment the horses whinnied and began to panic and Faelynn feared they'd buck and try to scatter. With shaking hands Fae did her best to call out and control the horses and within a few seconds that felt like eternities, she had them off and racing in the direction Airrow told her to go.


"Hang on!" She called over her shoulder to those still in the wagon as she gripped the reins and looked over her shoulder to watch Airrow, Ruger, and the stranger all grow smaller behind them.

When the lad tumbled down the hill, Aurora was moving before the dragon even entered her consciousness. It was not an easy feat to ignore a fucking dragon but she was so completely focused on the injured male in need of her assistance she remained willfully ignorant of the crunching of claws, the snorting nostrils, or thundering crash that hallmarked an ominous presence nearing their vulnerable party. Had she been aware she would have more carefully considered her next course of action with the wisdom and intellect so thoughtfully laid upon her person by her ancestors and deity... and possibly done the same damn thing.


With the wagon still in motion as the scene startled the horses, she quickly untethered her steed from the back and then made a leap towards the saddle. It was what should have been an impossible jump. While she had plenty of experience with horses from her time on the farms, she was no agile warrior used to this sort of delicate maneuver. Airrow had just scooped up Fae'lynn and unceremoniously deposited her into the wagon when Aurora made painful contact with the saddle. She was laid across it- yet lady luck was on her side once more. Her small body had survived the impact unblemished by major injury and she was evenly balanced with torso and legs so as to not fall. Grabbing her reins with her right hand, she grasped the pommel with her left. Swinging her entire body clockwise she was able to rotate to sitting properly just as a neighing frenzy heralded the wagon's departure. Hmmm. Well, perhaps this wasn't the best course of action.


Her war steed was (fortunately again) trained to be courageous. He was certainly unsettled by the impossibly large beast closing in on them, but he was meant for charging and combat- fear would not make him bolt. Prancing in place a few steps while he waited on Aurora, she paused to survey what could be done. Airrow had claimed the younger boy and Ruger had brandished his sword in what she assumed was either loyalty or bravery. Now that she was a singular horse and rider she'd move more quickly than those on the wagon and with far less panic- so who did she follow? The experienced kings of melee or the fleeing civilians? Aurora was but a priestess trained in healing. There was no chance she could possibly contribute to killing a legendary creature.


She could, however, help her friends flee more quickly. Kicking her heels in, the gelding startled into a gallop towards Airrow. "Give me the boy and I'll get him to safety!" she called out. With her small frame and no armor atop such a formidable horse, Airrow could be certain that she did little to encumber as a rider and the boy would not overly strain the animal. It was all Aurora could do to help.

As the others arrived and dismounted, Aesirel gazed up at the mountains ahead.


The jagged range of snow-kissed peaks promised the first step toward change. Whether that change would manifest in the form of death or rebirth remained a mystery, but Aesriel embraced either outcome. She could start over, of course. That option, while always available, made her weary. The current conditions of Zephyr and the surrounding areas made mercenary work a risk at best. The devastation of her father’s city increased both the desperation and depravity of the populace. Mercenaries and murderers would flourish, and one more Sage among them would not tip the scales in one direction or another. More importantly, it would do nothing for Aesriel herself.


Determined to recreate herself, Aesriel resolved to meet those mountains and the path beyond that would lead them to Crimston with her head held high. There was an opportunity here - a real opportunity, for once - to tie her name and her path to an event that would revive her good name. The smoke and snow-capped crests of the mountains promised resurrection.


A scream interrupted Aesriel’s contemplation of the mountain range’s serenely foreboding promises, followed quickly by a young man running in their direction from the woods, shrieking at the top of his lungs. Before she could process the boy’s arrival, her horse reared as a blood-curdling roar washed over the camp. She gripped the reigns tightly and attempted to get her horse under control before it threw her to the ground.


As Aesriel's head rang with the aftermath of that terrifying sound, the horse whinnied its displeasure at the bit then stomped the ground. Aesriel glanced toward the great beast that had caused them all to scatter, her heart pounding in her chest as her brain tried to reconcile what she was seeing. A dragon. She had heard of them in stories - many told by boastful mercenaries over a campfire - but never seen one. Now she wished she still hadn’t. Every fiber of her being told her to run as it surveyed the group with disturbingly intelligent eyes and dashed toward the mountains.


Unlike Aurora’s steed, her horse was not trained for combat. It would provide her little time to contemplate her direction. Her first thought was being one of the few people still mounted might allow her to make better time to the mountain pass and find a way to help the others. Out of time, she gave the horse what it wanted, loosening her grip on the reins and kicking her heels into its sides to encourage it to run. It needed little urging and took off at a gallop toward the mountains on an angle away from and well ahead of the dragon's path - for now.


Only when she saw Ruger smack the flank of another horse did she realize her rapid movement might draw the dragon’s attention and make her a tempting target. There was little to be done about it now, however; she could not easily stop the horse if she wanted to. She clung to the horse’s neck, hoping to reach the mountain pass before the others. Hopefully she could dismount there and find a way to assist the others against the dragon if it came to that. Surely there was a spell she could call upon to assist. At the moment, however, it took all of her concentration to stay mounted on the horse’s back.

As he was just getting down to skin the dear and prepare it properly to be served, Pauvel was startled by the shrieks given out by what appeared to be the voice of a man. Jumping on his feet so fast, his hood fell off, revealing his raven black hair and emerald eyes, Pauv watched as the figure of a boy rolled down a cliff.


"What the..."


His words froze on his lips as his blood chilled from the great, deafening sound let out by a beast he had only heard about in legends and elder stories. A creature so powerful, the earth trembled many feet around it whenever it would make a step. Fangs as sharp as steel in the whole word, and scales so resilient, it would break even the most well-crafted weapons. It's eyes glimmered with power that gave the impression the End was nigh. 'Whisper' knew there was no time and they had to act quick. No way would their party, as brave and diverse as they were, be able to defeat such a beast. "A dragon! Of all the bloody creatures to run into, it just had to be a dragon!".


Leaving the dear fall to the ground with a THUMP, he raced towards Stormrider and mounted him in a hurry. He had to make way towards the mountain pass as soon as possible. Already, the leader of the group rushed towards the wounded youngster, followed closely from behind by the mercenary who almost cleaved him in half on his first night as member of the group. The giant beast showed itself just as soon as they picked up the hurt boy and started sprinting away. In the meanwhile, the priestess, Aurora, if Pauvel recalled correctly, rushed towards the two fighters. Before long, the large man wielding the two-handed sword released one of the horses. An attempt to draw away the creature from the main group.


Pav waited no more, and reached to the quiver on his back, drawing one of the crimson-feather fletched arrows. Normally, the destruction force of these ones was considerable, but against a dragon, the archer didn't think it would do more than buy them a few mere seconds. Albeit, every second was valuable in this situation, and could've meant the difference between life and death. His current position was just East of the dragon, the mountains being North. The now freed horse was headed right towards Whisper. Just on feeble horse wouldn't be enough to draw away the predator from a whole group of agitated folks, so Pauvel decreed it needed a little more incentive. Nocking the arrow, he aimed at the mouth of the beast, just as a crack was forming itself between it's jaws. The arrow, unlike any of its kind, did not have a sharp end. Instead, it was equipped with a cylinder-shaped tip, roughly the width of one's thumb and the length of one's index finger.


As the opportunity showed itself, Pauvel relaxed his hand and watched as the fateful arrow flew into distance, headed right towards the dragon's face. As it made contact, a large explosion took place, smoke engulfing the head of the oversized lizard. "Well, I believe we got its attention now, Storm. Time to scram!". With a swift nudge of the reins, Stormrider turned around just his freed cousin went galloping by, which Storm joined in fleeing the scene. The dragon's roar came quickly, as a result of the surprise attack came from the former mercenary leader. Shooting a quick glance back, Pauvel could see those angered eyes gaze in his direction. "Seems like we pissed him off, boy! That'll should help the others reach the pass faster! We're just gonna have to take a lil' detour!". He was right, the damage inflicted was minimal, if anything at all. The arrow was just as effective as throwing a bucket at an iron wall.


Pav hadn't felt such an adrenaline rush for quite some time now. It felt good. Reminded him of the good ol' days, with his crew, when they were younger and more careless. Those days were behind him now. Now, he had another crew to think about, and damned would he be if he let anything happen to them on his watch.

Fools all of them. Samuran cursed the day he received the prophecy from Alasia. The Seeress could have warned him of the tribulations he would face and not all of them would threaten death. The most arduous trial was surviving the constant bickering. Um Pyr was only better by small increments but even that small difference was a gift from the gods. Samuran was most disappointed in himself, he couldn't protect them as well as he had thought. His charges had an uncanny, almost preternatural knack for attracting trouble.


Silence, all it would have taken to avoid such devastation would have been silence. Their bickering had yet again landed them in a heap of trouble bigger than he could deal with. How was he to face a dragon with naught but his bare hands and a staff? Did the gods expect miracles? The only miracle Samuran had witnessed as yet was the fact that he was still alive enough to feel the pain of being swatted by the tail of a dragon. Even more miraculous, his bones were still largely intact, though, he would feel the bruises later.


He could do nothing to help Cent, nothing whatsoever but Um and Noelle were still within his realm of influence. He would help the girls first and then try to do his best for Cent, though, only the fates could have saved him.


"Mighty Goddess above!" he exclaimed. Staring at the destruction the dragon had left in its wake. Samuran was awed, he'd never seen anything like it before. Um and Noelle he remembered.


"When you are sure it is not chasing you, run back to the trail. It should keep you two out of harm's way." He remembered saying as they were fleeing. He realised that Cent was not with them and backtracked when he was sure the girls heard him. Cent was quick for a slow witted creature, Samuran supposed that intelligence had nothing to do with being afraid. He hadn't prepared for the dragon that pursued him with equal celerity. Neither had the Erajati counted for the creature's raw destructive prowess so he was caught unawares as the dragon's tail whipped through tree trunks and sent him flying into the trees with a glancing blow.


His search for any signs of the girls was fruitless. Samuran had no other recourse except to follow in the dragon's wake and hope to find Cent heavily wounded if not dead. The toppled trees and churned earth lead him to another path, one he hadn't realised was there. The scene below might have mirrored that of his own encounter with the dragon except that there were more people. Most of the group had managed to make a run further up the trail.


While directly below him the dragon had just received an arrow that exploded directly in its face. There was no doubt it was angrier now than before. Samuran assumed that the archer knew what he was doing and that the dragon was going to hunt him fiercely. The Seeker looked about him for a way down the steep incline that wouldn't end in severe injury. He found one to his left and dug his claws into the scrabble as he slid down towards the track.


Then his mind snapped into place, there was something he could do to distract the dragon. Something that could divert it long enough to make it curious. When he reached the bottom of the incline Samuran edged around the roaring dragon. He made sure to keep watch of its lashing tail and its piercing gaze. He dug through his pack until he found a small bone flute, it was little bigger than a whistle. He placed one finger on the opening at the end opposite the reed and one on one of the two holes at the flute's top side.


The resulting sound was startlingly accurate to that of a Shram in heat. Shrams were mountain dwelling creatures much the same as mountain goats. Unlike mountain goats the Shram has a peculiar taste that dragons find distractingly delicious. Unfortunately the creatures are largely subterranean and only emerge from their cave systems during mating season. Luckily their mating call is easily replicated with the right tools.


Samuran blew on the flute, his fingers quavered slightly causing an ululating sound not unlike a shriek. At first the dragon was unperturbed but Samuran continued to play the haunting sound. Then the dragon sniffed at the air and began snuffling about. Samuran signaled for the remaining warriors to run, just as he was.

Everyone mostly followed Airrow's commands, with a few straying just slightly of what he wanted. One of the bucking horses was sent outward away from the group. Airrow's expectancy was for the dragon's hunting instincts to aim for the lone fleeing prey instead of the mob capable of defending themselves. For the most part, he left it at that and began to retreat with the boy over his shoulder, but Aurora came along striding on horseback at his side. She called for the boy, and Airrow obliged the medic, finding her to likely be more suited to take care of him. He roughly tossed the boy over the horse's side, taking little time to check for comfort or stability, he expected Aurora to take care of that.


"Ride up the mountain side, as far as the horses can take you. If I'm not amongst you, continue up the pass with the food from the wagon, send the horses back down. It may distract the beast for a longer time." He spoke quickly, not giving Aurora enough attention to hear a response. Once he was done giving his orders, he sent a flat smack to her horses hind and sent it onward.


Airrow found himself without his spear, but at least with a simple sword at his waist to ward the beast off. Pauvel had gotten its attention while Airrow stopped paying all of his mind to where the dragon's eyes were beaded. The archer began leading it off from the pass and into the wooded area. As well, the beast seemed to have caught sense of something quite dire, as its dash for a curious noise was abrupt and quick.


Airrow wanted to be sure Pauvel was safe and he was sure Pav's horse could carry them both back to the rest of the group. Beyond that, he was also curious of what was making the sound. No animal would be so quick to belch out call while the enormous noises of a dragon roared its waves through mountain's feet. At least if it was another trying to help Airrow's, then he could at least return the favor and help them next.


Airrow went after the dragon, being somewhat more observant then hurried. He was not going to be able to keep pace with the bipedal twelve foot high, twenty foot long, fire breathing beast, but the creature was much more attuned for mountain climbing as it left a easily noticeable trail behind it. Airrow could track it easily, or at least until he felt he had gone to far from the group.

Um was never one for profanity, she didn’t think it was proper for a young priestess. However, as she ran for her life into hiding, she couldn’t help but let a small word slip from her mouth. “Fuck.” Her dark brown eyes scanned the forest before her, trying to find some sort of place that she could hide. However, with the fear striking roar of the dragon, Um’s instincts kicked in as she jumped and tumbled into a shallow hole underneath the trunk of a tree.


Curling up into a small ball, Um hugged her knees to her chest, praying to Sultra that her travelling companions would be safe from danger. She tucked her head down in attempts to be smaller but her eyes looked up to peek outside of the hole.


Um was alone, having gotten separated from Cent, Samuran, and Noelle when she squeaked and ran off but when she got up and poked her head out from her hiding space to try and find the others she spotted Cent standing in the middle of the clearing, the dragon towering over him.


“Run, Cent!” Um screamed at the top of her lungs, feeling the vibrations in her throat. Her eyes widened as her knuckles turned white from gripping her coat. She watched Cent sprint away, screaming as if all hell came down upon the world. Quickly crawling out of her hole as the dragon chased after Cent, knocking over some trees with its powerful tail, Um held her breath as she cautiously made her way back to the trail.


Glancing around nervously, Um jumped when she felt the dragon’s roar shake the entire forest. “Noelle?” Um cried out as she slowly opened her eyes and looked around for the armoured woman. Pursing her lips when she found nothing that resembled the female, Um’s gaze trailed over to the path of destruction that the dragon left in its wake. “Noelle, are you there?” Breath hitching in her throat, Um took a small step forward, unsure where to go or what to do.


Thinking that her female travelling companion must have run off to hide somewhere else, Um breathed heavily, her footsteps anxiously getting faster. She was soon at a nervous pace, stepping forward only to take a small step backwards. Seeing as how she couldn’t find Noelle, Um’s nerves slammed into her as she changed her object of worry to Cent’s well being. Immediately, Um took larger steps and soon pushed off into a run in the direction of the dragon. She had to make sure the golem was okay and had all of his limbs attached to his body.


Um knew that what she was doing was absolutely insane. She wasn’t a fighter, if she came into contact with a squirrel, that squirrel would easily take her down in combat. But Um didn’t want to run away from anything anymore. She didn’t want to be a coward. Even Cent was brave enough to run away from the dragon and not immediately submit himself to the clutches of death. Um’s heart pounded in her chest, she opened her mouth to push out the breath of air that she was holding in and began to heave.


However, the young priestess wasn’t a good runner, despite her hyena traits. After a few meters, she slowed down to a fast jog, which turned into a slow jog, which turned into a tired walk. Tilting her head up to look at the sky, Um pushed her ink black locks out of her face and forced herself to breathe through her nose and out through her mouth. She heard the dragon roar once more, snapping her out of the daze. Jumping up in shock, Um lifted her feet off the ground and began to jog once more. It was better than walking after all.


Finally, she came to the clearing just in time to see Cent’s limp body get carried off on a horse and Samuran run off, the dragon now chasing him. The hybredia shot a concerned look at Samuran’s retreating form and ran off to try and catch up with the horse and Cent. She was the golem’s healer after all, she didn’t want him falling apart again. But who was she kidding? Um couldn’t keep up with a horse. But she tried anyway.


Following behind the group that rode up the mountain side, Um kept a sharp eye on their disappearing figures, her gaze focused on the unconscious Cent. Slowly but steadily she’d catch up to them, Um knew that. The horses couldn’t run forever. However, Um just hoped that Cent would be okay until she got there.

Despite it only being a few days travelling with Airrow, Yurt had noticed that everyone had already fallen into a somewhat predictable rhythm and everyone followed Airrow's orders. He was, after all, their illustrious leader on a grand quest that would probably take them into the heart of the north. The quest that would probably reunite him with his old clan if the gods willed it. Upon realizing the possibility, Yurt was stuck in limbo on what he would do. On one hand, they had left him for dead and on the other, they were still family and because of that it might still be possible to recruit some of the members to aid Airrow in destroying the pretender. He knew for a fact some of the more foolhardy and glory-driven warriors would jump at the chance to prove themselves as their god's chosen champion, but in the end they would be nothing more than meat shields for the party.


The trek through the mountains was supposed to be long and uneventful.


Keyword: Supposed.


Instead what had happened was that a few fool adventures had decided to bring a dragon upon all of them. As if the quaking earth nor the ear splitting roars were not enough of a sign. Somehow, he had felt his dreams of manipulating his own clan get dashed at the sight of a dragon barreling toward all of them. He would have relished the chance to face a dragon in glorious single combat. That would have been a tale worth retelling over and over again and bards would sing praises of him. However, the gods had already decreed him to be unarmed and not so dangerous at some point in his life. That point has come to pass and he would really much prefer it if one of those deities would see it fit to restore him in some way so that he may not only be just a "guide."


"Godfuckingshitonastick..."


Airrow was quick on his feet and began belching orders in order. One might easily translate it to this: Run like a bitch and sacrifice the horses. True, dragons were supposedly craven cowards that choose to hunt isolated prey rather than face a mob in glorious manslaughter. In which case, was a very convenient thing for the rest of them. Regardless, Yurt could not help but feel saddened that they had to let go of the horses and yet he could feel that somehow one of those horses would return to them a hero and dragonslayer, though unsung as no one would bear witness to their battle that would rage for 3 days and nights. It had made him pumped enough that he forgot he was only 2 thirds a man and wanted to fight the beast for 3 days and nights.


It was utter madness for Airrow to suggest they run up the mountain when they should be hunting the dragon, then devour it to gain its soul. The delicious soul of a dragon rumored to grant one the power of regeneration. The effect is also hastened were one to bathe in the blood of a virgin dragon and yet it was unclear just what made a dragon a virgin dragon. Nevertheless the prospect excited him and yet he found himself obeying the commands and keeping pace with the rest of the party sent up the mountain. Yurt blamed it on the fact that he was missing an arm and somehow he was softened by these southerners. Still, they had quite the unbeatable philosophy.


Better alive than dead.


Once again, he was foiled by his own lack of an arm. Surely there was a remedy for one such problem when he returned to the north, Yurt need only stay alive until then. Since, and it was spoken by the clan's elder, sometimes the remedies kill people in order for it to work.