The sword is a truly noble weapon for the traveler. A good blade is perfectly balanced for both offense and defense and is the symbol of an honest man. A man is judged by the quality of the weapon on his hip.
- The Fanciful Travels by Beron de Laney 376 AC.
My dreams were of a different flavor this time. The tentacled creatures of the void did not disturb me. Nor did the susurrations of the cruel whispers that promised an eternity of suffering intrude upon my sleep. Instead, I endured a frustrating dream of battling, swift-moving, hooded elves that moved like bottled lightning.
I tried attacking them with my short sword, but my limbs felt like they were moving through thick molasses. Again and again, the wicked creatures would harry me, stabbing and slashing with their evil shining blades. My frustration was building up to a berserker rage until Kidu shook me awake, freeing me from my nightmare.
Groggily, I took over the watch, looking over at Elwin’s sleeping form. I was physically refreshed but mentally exhausted, thanks to my recent dream. Anger, more than fear, was my primary emotion, and a small part of me hoped to encounter those elves again, to rend yielding flesh from their delicate bones.
However, in the deeper parts of my soul, I knew that this was just an idle fantasy. If we met them again in our current state we would not be nearly as lucky. It was a humbling and abject lesson in the difference of power. Staring out across the sea of grass, I whispered to myself, “One day…” and began my watch. A cool night breeze made the shimmering blades sway softly under an argent moon in agreement with my vow.
*****
During the long hours of watch, I had busied myself by cycling Entropic Aura on and off to prove that I, and not it, was truly in control. So engrossed was I with my magic that I chose not to wake Elwin for his watch, which left me a little more tired than usual. However, as a result of my focused esoteric practice, I had increased the level of my Entropic Aura and, more importantly, was now better able to command its rebellious energies.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
The next morning found our party in low spirits. Fear stalked at the back of my mind, and I nervously looked over my shoulder for any signs of pursuit. The previous night’s encounter brought to the fore a feeling of impotence, akin to that felt when the collars were around our necks. The sun shone and the birds sang their sweet melodies in the crisp morning air, but none of this could lift the pall of our close brush with the end.
After we had a simple breakfast of lightly salted traveler’s bread, with not even a single word of thanks from Elwin, I decided to broach the topic of our next move. “Gentlemen, I believe it is time for us to discuss what to do next.”
“Well, we certainly need to get out of this forsaken wilderness. Simple travelers aren’t nearly as friendly as they used to be,” replied Elwin sarcastically, hiding the worry in his voice.
“Just a few more enemies for the tribe,” rumbled the big Hunter threateningly as he took a swig of water from a canteen.
“I say we stick with our own kind, better the devil you know. Best we make our way into the city and join up with a caravan. Or, get some supplies and gear and find a group traveling someplace else, once we get the lay of the land. Don’t know about you lads, but I could do with a roof over my head for a little bit. A quick drink would not go amiss either,” Elwin suggested strongly.
“Better to be free in the forest than in chains in the city…” grumbled the big man.
“Very well, you both make good points. However, if we are to go with Elwin’s plan, how are we to make good our entry into the city of Ansan? Our wealth is not without limits, and as Elwin wisely pointed out, it would be best for us to find friendlier climes as soon as…” I began to say, before being interrupted by Elwin.
“Leave that to me. City guards are always known for their grift, and we have a little coinage, more than enough to secure entry for three foreigners. Besides, people from all over come to Ansan, the jewel of the Grass Sea and gate to the Wilds of the Grieving Lands! What I would do for a real bed!” he interjected a little too enthusiastically, really trying to sell us on the idea of civilization.
I made a point of pretending to truly consider this, before finally siding with the Rogue. I would have to pray that my face would just be one among many. My notoriety from the arena was surely faded now from word of my supposed ‘death’ in the mines. Still, I felt a little apprehensive to be going back to the city that had enslaved me. The irony was not lost on me that it was safer to be in the city in which I had been subjugated rather than in the wilderness where I could fall prey to dark beasts and proficient, chilling enemies. At least I would be among my own species.
“We enter Ansan and find a place to stay. Sell what we can for coin, then find transport out,” I spoke slowly in the best authoritative voice I could muster.