Shaymus had a ravenous appetite, and she sat with the group outside around a cooking pot. The dark elves had provided them with baskets of fruits and mushrooms. Earlier, Raine had gone hunting with Cirus in the forest and was able to bring back some venison. Despite the constant twilight, the forest was rich in game. She concluded it was magical in nature that the forest was able to exist without full daylight. With her skilled awareness, she was able to learn how to track. Cirus reported she was a fast learner and an apt pupil.

Booger watched in amazement at how much food the little pale-eyed goblin could eat. Shaymus was about to eat more than him, and he was close to double her size! She was scarfing food down and eating some venison, fruits, and mushrooms.

“She has not taken a break yet!” Observed the orc prince.

“And she’s eating vegetables!” Exclaimed Nulrok.

“I,” gulp, “hear,” gulp, “you talking about me!” Shaymus said in between bites.

Gilreg and Raine ate their meals conservatively and watched the smaller goblin stuff an enormous amount of food into her mouth.

“You might have to go hunting again,” Gilreg said to Raine.

Raine shook her head and asked, “Where is she fitting it all?”

Annya and the older village elder were walking over toward the group. The green-haired Tassarion was among them. His wounds appeared to have been healed, though he did walk slowly. Shaymus stopped eating upon noticing her adversary’s approach. She dropped her food and grabbed her sword.

“He means you no harm. The Blooding Rite has been concluded,” said Annya, and Tassarion held up his hands and bowed his head.

“You have bested me. Our grudge has passed on as a leaf on a stream,” the green-haired elf said.

“I kicked your ass!” Exclaimed Shaymus.

“If I had known about your demon powers, we would be having a different conversation!” Snarled Tassarion.

“Oh, you want to go again?”

“Enough!” cried Girleg. The goblin warrior rose to his feet and stared hard at Tassarion and Shaymus. He turned his attention toward Annya and the elder.

“With all due respect, why is he here?” Asked Gilreg.

“You are making your way to the Dungeon to discover what has happened. Tassarion will represent the Dark Elves, and he will accompany you,” the elder stated.

“Absolutely not,” Gilreg said. The other goblins and Booger nodded in agreement.

“Without the Talisman, no one knows how to find the entrance to the Dungeon. Only the Dragon Elenorak knows the way. Tassarion will guide you to the Dragon. In exchange for his services, we ask that you allow him to accompany you as our representative.”

Gilreg turned to look at Annya, who remained quiet. “You promised to guide us,” the warrior said.

“We owe you nothing, goblin. You are in no position to demand anything. You want to find the way into the Dungeon? You want to seek out Elenorak? We can aid you, but the price is to take Tassarion,” the elder snapped. Annya bowed her head and avoided eye contact with the group.

“He used poison during the Blooding Rite,” accused Raine.

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“Poison on the blades is a part of our way,” Tassarion said, eying Raine with defiance.

“He speaks the truth. Poison is accepted under the rules of the Blooding Rite,” Annya finally spoke.

“Disgraceful,” Booger snorted.

“We do not question your ways, Orc!” Tassarion snarled.

Booger rose to his full height, and the green-haired elf took an involuntary step back. The orc prince glared hard at the elf, and his face softened.

“You have my apologies. Our ways are different. I should not speak ill of your customs because they differ from my own,” said Booger, with a nod of his green-tusked head.

“Those are our terms,” the elder said.

Shaymus rose to her feet and walked around the cooking pot to stand before Tassarion. She came close to him and looked up into his face with her eerie pale eyes. She had a sharp-toothed grin as her nose came close to his chin. Tassarion tensed, but from a stern glance from his elder, he relaxed his hands. The green-haired elf closed his eyes and awaited whatever Shaymus was going to do with him.

“Give us someone else,” she hissed as she stared at Tassarion.

“The lands of Elenorak are treacherous. Many of the beasts are poisonous. Many ancient ruins will curse you when you come near them. Tassarion is our most skilled with poisons and with curse breaking. Our terms remain the same. Take Tassarion, or navigate the Scorched Plains by yourself,” the elder stated.

“Curse breaking?” Nulrok asked, his spiky head perking up. He was ignored.

“Take back what you said about goblins,” Shaymus demanded with a quiet voice as she stared unblinking at the green-haired elf.

“You are not a goblin,” Tassarion replied as he opened his eyes to look back at her.

“Say it!!!” Shaymus roared.

“I take back what I said about goblins. You belong here among the most challenging parts of the Wasteland,” Tassarion growled.

Shaymus continued to glare with her eerie pale eyes at the green-haired elf. Her pointy nose nearly touched his chin. She grinned, revealing rows of sharp teeth.

“Good,” she said and added, “he can come with us.”

“No, I do not trust him,” Raine said.

“Welcome aboard,” Booger said with a heavy pat on Tassarion’s shoulder that nearly knocked the elf over.

“I’m with Raine. What is to stop him from poisoning all of us?” Gilreg asked. Nulrok shrugged and went back to meditating.

“Swear an oath,” the elder ordered.

“I swear on the Blooding Rite. Shaymus had bested me. I swear that I will not harm you and that I will do my best to defend you from harm,” Tassarion said with apparent effort.

“And teach me how to use poison,” Shaymus added with an evil grin.

“I object to that,” Nulrok interjected.

Shaymus cackled insanely.

STATS

1-2 average, 3-4 above average, 5-6 exceptional, 7-8 superb, 9-10 Magnificent, 11+ Godlike

TOUGHNESS:

Physical strength and durability

SPEED:

Agility and reflexes

MIND:

Focus and concentration

SKILL PROGRESSION

Novice (1-3), Proficient (4-6), Skilled (7-9), Adept (10-12), Master (12-15), Divine (16+)

TASSARION (WARLOCK)

Stats:

Toughness

Average (1)

Speed

Exceptional (5)

Mind

Above Average (3)

Combat Skills:

Defense

Skilled (8)

Resistance

Proficient(5)

Melee Combat

Proficient (5)

Magery

Novice (1)

Skills:

Stealth level 2, Botany, Arcana, Curse Breaking, Poisons

Talents:

1H Swords 1, Shields 2

Gear:

Good quality Leather armor (torso, Limbs), Good quality scimitar, Good quality Buckler