“This place had better be worth it,” said Mekov as they trudged down the hill. They had left town just before noon and had been walking for hours. They hadn’t been on the road for more than an hour before Dezzlin led them into the desert. Mekov had barely had time for breakfast before they headed out and was quite cranky about it. Dezzlin had promised them some great training ground not too far away. Apparently not too far away meant something different to desert dwellers.
“Oh it is, trust me,” said Dezzlin.
“I don’t trust you normally,” said Mekov. Everyone just smirked and kept walking. Nobody was bothered by Mekov’s snide comments. “If this place is good then why don’t other people come out here?”
“Because you usually have to clean it out first,” said Dezzlin. “There’s always something living it. Nothing serious, but usually something.”
“Sounds like fun to me,” said Kira.
“Everything is fun to you,” complained Mekov.
“Listening to you isn’t.” The group laughed and kept going. Dezzlin pointed to a small cave entrance.
“Just through there.”
“I’ll take us somewhere out of the sun,” said Sakien. A scav poked its head out of the cave and barked at them. “I see they think the same way.” The scav disappeared back inside, and they heard its siblings squawking.
“I’m tired,” said Mekov. “Just bomb them and be done with it.”
“I like it,” said Sakien as they approached the hole. His hand disappeared inside his cloak and came out with a small flash bomb.
“How many of those do you have?” asked Diake curiously.
“Enough to create a new sun,” answered Mekov. Sakien nodded and tossed the ball inside the cave.
“Fire in the hole,” he said calmly, and they all turned away. Their peripherals lit up as the bomb went off, and they heard shrieking in the cave. Diake led the way with his sword drawn.
“Let’s play,” he said sweetly.
The small family of scavs were cut down in short order before they even had a chance to flee. They tracked the last one to the far end of the tunnel, and Mekov pinned it to the wall with his lance and let it stay there for a moment. Cooler, moist air pulled at them. Light came from just ahead, but it was heavily obscured. Dezzlin stepped out of the tunnel and smiled.
“What did I tell you?” he said proudly.
“Not bad,” said Diake as they stepped out. It was an underground cavern. The light came from a few holes in the ceiling to allow the sun to drop in. The air was considerably cooler than outside. Both the coolness and moisture emanated from a long pool of water which had formed in the corner. It was large enough for them to sit comfortably in, and the cavern could easily fit fifty people.
“Now this is what I’m talking about,” said Mekov. “Is that water fresh?”
“Oh yeah,” said Dezzlin proudly. “Water drips down the cavern walls and collects over there. This place is the perfect home for any small creature. Cool, out of the sun, water, and bigger monsters can’t get in. The holes up top are too small and so is the tunnel.”
“Very cool,” said Kira. “How did you find this place?”
“I stumbled upon it one day when I was running away from something big. I ducked into the tunnel and stayed here until it left.”
“Good find,” said Sakien. “Let’s make camp next to the far wall near the pool.”
“Let’s get a fire going and eat,” said Mekov hungrily.
“You brought meat?” asked Kira.
“No but we found scavs.” Kira paused.
“You can eat scavs?” She’d thought they were joking about that the first time they’d met. She didn’t know what was safe to eat out here and hadn’t been taking any risks.
“Kind of chewy but it’s not terrible,” said Diake.
They collected anything that would burn and started a small fire. Kira learned that scav meat was not the greatest thing in the world, but it was a meal. It wouldn’t be the only thing she learned in the next few days.
To Kira’s greatest surprise, Mekov ended up teaching her more than anyone else did. He pulled a spare sword from inside his damaged shield and showed Kira how to fight. He pushed her time and time again, forcing her to learn how to block and stay on the move. More importantly, he taught her to really use her shield for defense. It was Mekov’s specialty, and she realized after a few good whacks that she had a lot to learn.
He even gave her what he called sanpaco practice. Mekov stood with his heavy shield in both hands and made her attack him. Just like the sanpaco, Kira was amazed at how quickly he could spin that shield around. He deflected all of her attacks and swatted her to the floor more than once.
The main thing Kira learned sparring with everyone was that none of them were afraid to injure her. Everyone here played for keeps just like the monsters did. Mekov knocked the wind from her constantly until she learned to keep her shield up. Sakien cracked her legs with the pole of his axe until she learned to jump and roll. Diake and Dezzlin both seemed to enjoy teaching Kira that just because she got inside their attacks, that people weren’t defenseless. Diake actually knocked Kira unconscious with a hard pommel strike. Dezzlin seemed to think it was funny to kick Kira’s legs out from underneath her. By the time three days had passed, Kira was more bruised from sparring than most monsters had ever harmed her. It didn’t seem to matter how much firen she drank, her friends beat her up faster.
They weren’t just picking on her either. Mekov had a black eye from where Sakien managed to punch him in the face. Sakien had a new scratch on his cheek from Mekov’s quick lance work. Dezzlin accidentally cut Diake’s hand when he had gone to disarm him. Everyone laughed when Dezzlin fell back howling as Diake managed a swift kick to his groin. Everyone managed to hurt everyone else in some manner or another throughout the days.
Kira learned other skills just as valuable as combat. All of the hunters knew the usual trade, but each had something they were best at. Kira knew how to stitch clothing, but Sakien showed her how to stitch flesh. Diake obsessively tended to his weapon. Dezzlin was a ridiculously good carver, and Mekov had a knack for cooking just about anything.
As they were sitting around the campfire on the third night, Kira looked at the strange assortment of weapons they all had. “Do you think I should learn how to use a different weapon?”
“You’re pretty good with the sword and shield,” said Mekov. “I’d stick with that for now.”
“But I should learn something else too. Don’t you all know how to use a couple of weapons?”
“Of course,” said Diake. “Every experienced hunter does. Most of us know how to use a sword. I learned long and great sword afterwards and just came to prefer the longsword.”
“Almost the same here,” said Dezzlin. “Except replace great sword for short swords. What about you guys?”
“Everyone in our tribe is taught to use spear and shield first,” said Mekov. “Afterwards we learn swords. I just prefer my lance.”
“Spear, sword, and axe,” said Sakien.
“How’d you manage the axe?” asked Diake. “I’ve never even seen a weapon like that and it seems to be a real piece of work.”
“I would’ve never learned it,” said Sakien quietly, “but it was a gift from my father. I received it just before I left my tribe.”
“It’s nice,” said Diake. “It’s probably a finer make than even my sword.” He kept the conversation on their weapons and away from their homes. He didn’t want Mekov or Sakien to get defensive and go quiet.
“What is your sword made of?” asked Sakien curiously. “I’ve been wondering.”
“Made from a few volcanic materials and dragon bone.”
“Dragon bone?” asked Kira. “You’ve seen a dragon?”
“What do you think I’m wearing?” asked Diake smugly. He handed over his heavy hide jacket. “That’s dragonhide.”
“Amazing,” gasped Kira.
“Not as much as you think. Smaller dragons are common in Iltret. I’d put me having this right up there with Dezzlin having riktor armor.”
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“I had some help with mine,” said Dezzlin.
“You still did a lot of work to get it,” said Diake. “What’s your armor made of in the north?”
“Great sipi,” said Mekov. “It’s flexible and light.”
“All young hunters have to defeat a great sipi to pass their initiation,” said Sakien. “It’s our tradition.”
Kira sat in awe of the four hunters. She still had a lot to learn and do compared to their careers. Each one had faced off against gigantic monsters in their own way and come out on top. She wondered when she’d be able to take on something like they did. Kira imagined if the training stayed this tough, it wouldn’t be too long. It would be nice to claim her own fame one day.
The group shared stories for a while until one by one they curled up in their blankets. They kept the fire going for warmth and protection. They formed a circle around it and slept soundly.
*
Dezzlin woke up and looked about nervously. There was no noise in the camp except for the crackling fire. The light in the cavern was meek as the fire and stars fought each other for dominance. It was a beautiful night out, and everything was as it should be. Dezzlin tried to close his eyes and fall back asleep, but he couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong.
He rolled his blanket off and rolled to his knees. He couldn’t see anything nearby, but that didn’t mean anything. Dezzlin grabbed a few more logs and tossed them onto the fire. Were his dreams just clouding his mind?
He almost laid back down when he saw the fire glint off a shiny surface. It wasn’t metal, but a glossy hide reflecting the light. It wasn’t moving, but Dezzlin was sure he could see it. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he realized the reptile was unbelievably long and was curving towards their camp. Where did it begin and where did it end?
“DRAW!” His shout woke everyone, but it was the sound of steel being drawn that focused them. Even Kira who wasn’t as trained came to her feet with her sword in hand. They all slept with their weapons next to them for this very reason.
A dark head rose up surprisingly close to their position. It was mere feet away from their beds, and it closed the distance like lightning. The fire revealed a gigantic snake’s head as it clamped its mouth around Diake. Diake screamed as dagger like fangs pierced his side and dropped his sword. The snake threw its head back and released him. Diake hurtled into the darkness and hit the ground hard with a cry.
The snake hissed at them and retreated with its intended prey, but the others pursued it rapidly. The light followed them as Kira snatched up a torch in place of her shield. The snake brought its head up to threaten them, flicking its tongue. It really was enormous. It must have been over twenty feet long and as thick as a man. The light danced off its beautiful black scales as its body moved. It shifted back and forth, careful to keep itself between them and Diake.
“Eels come on land now,” said Mekov as he approached. “That’s a new one.” None of them had their armor on, but Mekov’s massive shield gave him good defense against the snake. He moved his shield back and forth with its head, wary not to give it a target.
“Snake,” corrected Kira.
“A giant blanket horror,” corrected Dezzlin.
“Is it edible?” asked Sakien.
“A delicacy once you remove the venom glands.”
“Ah crap!” screamed Diake from the darkness.
“Let’s do this,” said Sakien as he moved ahead of Mekov. He swung his axe, but the blanket horror pulled away easily. It tried to snap at his unprotected head, but Mekov came in with his lance pointed high. All he managed was a small gash on the blanket horror’s head, but it was enough to make the snake retreat.
Dezzlin and Kira tried to get around its side to get to Diake, but the snake’s massive body rolled into their way. Even with its head focused on the other two, its body was a constantly moving fence. Dezzlin swung his sword back and forth, but the coils eluded him.
Its tail whipped around suddenly for Kira. It would’ve smashed her to the floor if not for Dezzlin’s intervention. He stepped in front of her and swung his longsword into the tail’s path hoping to sever it completely. The blanket horror felt the pain of the blade and quickly moved its body to the side, but not before Dezzlin carved away a clean slice of scales.
The blanket horror hissed and lashed out suddenly. Its tail snapped back across Dezzlin and Kira’s legs. The pair crashed into the sand and scrambled to get their weapons up in time. Its head burst away from Sakien and Mekov and went straight for Dezzlin. Dezzlin saw venomous fangs descending on him and knew he wouldn’t be able to get his sword up in time.
There was a flash of light and the blanket horror recoiled in agony. Kira had grabbed the first thing she could and swung it as hard as she could. Instead of biting down on Dezzlin, the blanket horror got a torch down the throat. It spat the extinguished stick aside and thrashed about angrily. The pair hopped back to their feet, and Dezzlin was about to congratulate Kira when the tail crashed back into them. Both flew back across the camp and left their weapons in the dirt.
Sakien came soaring down for its side, but instead it smacked him aside with its massive head. Before it could come down on him though, its body shuddered from a sudden piercing pain. Its dark eyes looked back to see Mekov holding his bloody lance at the snake.
“Come on big guy. Whatcha gonna do?” Mekov stabbed at the snake repeatedly and the snake looked at its human foe confused. Mekov’s shield was presenting a large problem to the beast. Mekov caught its side again with his lance and smirked. They weren’t the greatest hits, but he would wear the snake down in time.
The snake lunged in and dodged Mekov’s lance. Its giant head collided with his heavy shield and rolled off the side. Mekov went to stab it again when suddenly it coiled around him. They wrapped around his entire body in seconds, trapping his shield against him. He gasped and looked up to see the snake’s mouth above him.
“Bad,” he squeaked.
Sakien came back with his axe and dragged it as hard as he could across the snake’s coils. He was met with heavy resistance from the thick scales and heavy muscle. His axe wasn’t meant for clean cuts however but to rip and rend. Blood splattered down to the floor, and the snake instantly loosened its hold on Mekov.
In a rage and pain greater than it had ever know, it charged Sakien. Sakien barely had time to bring up his axe before the snake’s mouth was on him. By all the greatest luck, Sakien managed to get the pole between the snake’s jaws. It couldn’t bite him, but it was far too strong for him to hold. Sakien was forced onto his back as the blanket horror bore down on him, dangerous fangs kept at bay only by a thin piece of wood. Its strength was so incredible it pushed him across the sand as it tried to eat him. Sakien couldn’t even cry for help as all his strength was dedicated to just keeping the fangs out of his flesh.
Kira came back in waving a new torch, but the blanket horror didn’t care. It wanted Sakien dead and a little fire wasn’t going to stop it. It pulled back suddenly taking Sakien completely by surprise. The axe went with it and with one bite, the pole came apart. It lunged back in.
Dezzlin met it with the strongest swing he’d ever completed. His sword was still on the floor, but when he’d landed, he had noticed a beautiful one next to him. Diake’s exotic longsword was just sitting in the fire where he’d dropped it. The handle was hot and the steel shining after laying in the coals. Even though his fingers burned at its slightest touch, Dezzlin picked the blade up and charged back in.
Just as the blanket horror came back, he brought the longsword straight into its mouth. The blade steamed inside the snake, erupting five feet down the snake’s back, shearing away the top of its head and back. It crashed into the ground without so much as a twitch.
Sakien raised his head to look at Dezzlin before laying back down with a sigh of relief. “I love you.”
“And I love you,” said Mekov to Sakien as he felt his sides. First the riktor and now this, his body was never going to stop aching at this rate. “That was too close.”
“I guess this means I love you,” laughed Dezzlin as he looked at Kira. He threw the fiery sword away and put his hands in the sand to cool them. “You saved my head back there.”
“Someone come love me already!” shouted Diake. Sakien sat up.
“Oh yeah.” Kira ran over to Diake and held the torch near him. Sakien and Mekov joined her moments later.
Diake was lying on the ground with barely any blood weeping out his wounds. He looked okay other than his skin going gray and his body feeling cold. He shivered as the venom coursed through him, twitching uncontrollably. Dezzlin dropped next to him with a large bottle from his bag.
“Blanket horror venom is bad. I need to apply this antidote.” Diake opened his mouth and tried to lean forward. Dezzlin shook his head. “I have to apply it to your wounds. I’ll warn you, this is going to hurt. Hold him.”
Diake braced himself as they grabbed his limbs. Kira and Mekov took his arms and Sakien sat on his legs. Dezzlin opened the bottle and poured a bit of the liquid into the bite wounds. Diake kept his mouth shut, but he couldn’t stop his body from shaking. It felt like fire was running through his wounds and having battles with the ice. Dezzlin applied a little to each wound, making Diake shake each time.
“Flip him,” commanded Dezzlin. Diake looked at him horrified just before he was rolled over. This wasn’t over yet? “Hold him.” Hands came down on Diake’s body and Dezzlin went back to work.
“I’m sorry, but to be safe I have to get every wound.” Diake tried to pound his head into the dirt as the pain lashed through him. This was just cruel. He felt the last drop go into him and thanked the gods. He still shook but did feel a little better.
“Will that cure him?” asked Mekov.
“That and time. Let’s get him back over to the fire to keep him warm.” They all took a limb and carried Diake back to the fire. Kira wrapped his blanket around him, and he thanked her quietly.
“Good thing you had the antidote,” she said.
“Every native carries it,” said Dezzlin coolly. “Most blanket horrors don’t get that big, but once in a while you find one. The smaller ones are pretty common in the desert.”
“Do they come alone?” asked Mekov.
“Snakes are solitary creatures, so yes. There shouldn’t be more than one.”
“Let’s check out the place anyway,” said Sakien as he grabbed a torch. Mekov took another, and they headed into the darkness.
“Help me clear a spot next to Diake,” said Dezzlin. “We’re going to make a second campfire on this side.”
“For more light?” asked Kira.
“To help keep him warm all night. He probably doesn’t need it, but it’s a good precaution.” Kira nodded, and they moved away all the blankets. Kira started to drop a few logs and kindling while Dezzlin moved a few burning logs from the first fire.
“Why are they called blanket horrors?” asked Kira.
“You just saw why. They’re notorious night hunters. They like to grab creatures while they sleep, bite them, then wait for them to die. Diake got kind of screwed tonight.”
“I’ll say,” coughed Diake. “Where did it come from?”
“It could’ve come from anywhere,” said Dezzlin. “It might’ve slithered in the cave entrance, dropped down from the ceiling, hell it might’ve come out of the pool. Blanket horrors can burrow under the sand too so it’s hard to say.”
“Comforting,” said Kira as she eyed the dark cavern. Her mind filled it with imaginary creatures, and she clutched her sword dearly.
They finished creating the next fire when Sakien and Mekov came back. Mekov dropped his shield and lance and relaxed next to the fire. “Place is clean,” he said.
“My poor axe,” said Sakien. The axe head was fine, but the pole was completely shattered. He’d have to get a new one.
“Kira, come help me drag the snake around the fire,” said Dezzlin. The pair of them started to shift the snake closer. Sakien came out to help them, but Mekov stayed where he was. His body hurt all over from that stupid snake. They were almost able to form a full circle around their camp with the snake.
“I take it something on this is valuable,” guessed Kira. Dezzlin smiled and pulled out his knife and a small bottle.
“Snake hide like this could fetch a nice price. We can collect the venom too.”
“I remember you saying this thing tasted good?” said Mekov. Dezzlin grinned.
“Blanket horror meat is pretty good.” Mekov stood up next to Sakien and pulled out his knife.
“Who’s hungry?” he asked with a large smile.