“What or who is Balrog?” Rex asked, the name sounded quite ominous, especially if it was something that worried someone as big as Charr. “Her be spider demon who live under Mountain, make babies who boys fight to be man.” Charr said. “No one seen it in many years, but it babies are big to kill young warrior who not fight well.” “Then how do you know it lives that way?” Rex asked tilting his head a little. “No one has seen it in a long time.” “Strong warriors who go too close to that part mountain not come back.” Charr replied. “I not want eaten by spider.” “Well I have an idea” added Lizz, I know a way to get around that part of the mountain, we have to head more west, but I also know there is another problem that way, Shaitan. He is a bandit lord that constantly harasses trade caravans around eastern Bhutan.” “So, either way we go, there is a possibility to death?” Rex asked sighing a little. This prompted a little arguing between Lizz and Charr over who was more dangerous, Shait
As the companions were walking along the main road that led them alongside the mountain range, Rex enjoyed listening to Charr explain parts they saw. The mountain range was created by the dragon Ragnar and he brought his tribesman with him into the mountains and named them ‘Bohl’ which meant warrior in dragon language. “Story told by elders say Ragnar make us from ogre for strong and man for other weak things like emotion and brain” Charr said shaking his head, “Bohl no need brain, only need strong back.” This made Rex and Lizz look at each other and burst out laughing. “I no understand you two laugh at Charr” he said confused. “It’s nothing big guy, you do you and we will help fill in the gaps when strong isn’t needed.” Rex added winking at Charr. This made Charr smile and slap Rex on the back, yep, that is going to bruise he thought to himself stumbling forward from the force. A few hours later they were passing by a rocky outcrop Lizz noticed something off towards the edge of
Hearing what Fafnir said, Rex’s palms got a little sweaty. He knew he was in for a big night and hoped he was up for the challenge. ‘We don’t have a lot of time, so we will learn the basics to attacking and defending yourself.’ Fafnir said the moment Rex approached. ‘Last I knew, Balrog’s weakness was fire, so I will show you how to give her some.’ Fafnir put his hand onto the ground, brought it up and dragged a mound of dirt to use a target. “Do you mean shoot fire out my mouth?” Rex asked curiously. ‘How you use fire depends on the situation. I would have thought you would want to throw it at her, but you want to get close and personal I see, I like that.’ Fafnir said grinning. “Well no, I don’t really want to get that close.” Rex added, a little shocked. He did not want to be anywhere near an ancient demon, let alone one that was a giant spider!! ‘Hmmmrpf, fine! We will practice creating fire first.’ Fafnir said he seemed a little let down at Rex’s comment at not wanting to get
Once the voice came through the trees, the 3 companions stopped dead in their tracks and stood there looking around the woods. The sound was terrifying and felt like it came from all directions at once. ‘What have you gotten us into?’ Rex said to Fafnir. ‘That is an old trick, spread fear in the camp, try to make their opponents less effective for fighting.’ Fafnir said. ‘Yes, well look at us, seems to be working a little.’ Rex said gritting his teeth. To be honest even he was a little scared. ‘I told you we would come out victorious, trust me.’ Fafnir growled, ‘I am 100% confident at least we will survive.’ ‘What about them? They followed willingly with me.’ Rex huffed. ‘Burden of leadership I am afraid.’ Was Fafnir’s reply. “You’ve spaced out again Rex!! I really hope you don’t do that when we have to fight!” cried Lizz pulling him away from his conversation with Fafnir. “Yes, I’m here, sorry.” He replied. Looking around, nothing was moving, there was no other sound bes
“So, am I going to die?” Rex asked Fafnir. Lifting his head, he replied. ‘Between your strength and mine, it may take a while, but like I promised, you will survive this.’ Lizz and Charr both ran to Rex after he collapsed. After Balrog was rendered to ash the weight in the air of the place started to lift, they could feel the warmth from the sun start to come through the treetops, and it started to brighten up a bit. Lizz’s mana reserves started to fill again. It had seemed Balrog’s presence here had a terrible impact and now she was defeated the place returned to its original beauty. “Must stop prince bleeding” Charr said to Lizz pointing at the fang wounds. “I can cauterize it to stop the bleeding, but with his temperature rising, it seems there was also poison which I can’t help with” Lizz added feeling Rex’s forehead. Hearing they were close to the river, Charr picked Rex up and they brought him closer to the river. Well Rex turned out to be right, they were close to the river
Hearing Charr call out, Lizz dropped her makeshift spear she had for fishing at made her way quickly back up to the camp. Looking around to see what had alarmed Charr she gasped immediately. A wyvern!! A mature aged wyvern could easily kill 3 hunters if they were caught unaware and ill equipped, and they were both. “What should we do Charr?” Lizz asked panicking a little. She had only read about wyverns in the town library, and the stories she read did not end well 50% of the time. “This mountain lizard, we need one more warrior, unless you wake prince and he help” Charr said, he was able to injure it, but even Charr knew he got lucky and the wyvern would try and make him pay for that. Leaning over Rex, Lizz spoke into his ear, “Rex, if you are in there, we need your help.” ‘So if you take your fathers place, then you will be crowned…it seems they are in need of your help.’ Fafnir said looking up and cutting off his current topic. “I am willing to help, if I can” Rex said jumping
It had been 4 days since Nessa had reached the start of the Kadota Desert, she had only a few days of water left in her skin and only a few pieces of dried meat left. She was getting incredibly weakened by her wound constantly draining her strength and having already been heavily rationed for a few days with her food and water did not help her case. I need to get there soon, or I will be another victim claimed by the sand she thought to herself. She had given up looking around for landmarks 2 nights ago, the desert seemed the same day in day out. From the descriptions her mother had said during her stories, she was on the lookout for a cave that sat next to an oasis. Water in the desert…everywhere she looked the illusion of water was there! This had led her off on wild chases more than once and had led to the same outcome every time, nothing but sand, sand everywhere. If it were not for the healing magic this woman possessed, she would not would have even dreamed of coming into the d
“Wake up, we have preparation before the sun rises” Al’ik said to Nessa. Groaning she opened her eyes, it was still dark out, “I thought we were waiting for the sun to begin” Nessa said rubbing her eyes and sitting up. “Yes I am waiting for the sun to rise before I get to work but we need to prepare the wound and prepare you mentally for the day” Al’ik replied, “The longer we wait the more that will take its toll on you and you will never regain your full strength.” Standing up Nessa followed Al’ik outside, there was an altar style bed already setup just outside the cave mouth with a cloth thrown over the wooden frame. I hope this works Nessa thought to herself, the wound was sapping her strength everyday and she wanted it fixed as soon as possible. Al’ik threw Nessa some dried fruit and meat for something to eat before saying, “You should meditate before the sun rises to help clear your mind of doubt, I can help dull the pain with the drink I have been brewing, but it will still h