The harpy witch came on so fast, Max didn’t have time to cast a spell. He reached for his sword, but Kaled pushed him aside and faced the harpy alone. The Sword Dancer brought his sword up, the point of the dirty blade aimed at the harpy’s chest. The harpy witch parried the strike with her talons and wheeled away. Kaled slashed sideways, and the sword did its cutting work. The harpy witch shrieked and swept off. She dropped a small bag, a pouch tied with twine, as she moved off. It landed on the ground and exploded, sending thick red smoke into the already thick fog.
“She is using smoke to hide,” Kaled said as he stepped over to Max. He held out a hand and helped Max to his feet. “We must listen for her.”
Max listened. He saw a swirling pattern in the smoke and fog. He heard a gentle beating of huge wings that belied the rough nature of the beast. Max spotted a shadow in the fog. He let the wisps of smoke form a table of the harpy witch’s stats.
>
>
> Name: Harpy Witch
>
> Status: Aggressive
>
> Attack: Heavy Talons, Summon Fog
>
> Threat level: Deadly
>
>
The shadow of the harpy witch moved away, a beat of the huge wings twisting the fog into spirals of red smoke hanging in the gray fog. Max drew his sword and stood ready to defend himself. Then came a shriek that pierced Max’s ears.
>
>
> Harpy Witch attacks Max.
>
> Max takes moderate damage.
>
>
The talons dug deep into Max’s padded tunic. The powerful strike winding him. The harpy witch pulled him up and dropped him down. Max slashed at the beast as he fell, but he missed, cutting only the smoke. He landed on the ground heavily, face up, his sword still firm in his grip. The harpy beat her wings and hung above Max, staring down at him with cruel black eyes.
Kaled ran towards a tree and up the trunk before leaping off, throwing himself at the harpy. He twirled in midair. The heavy longsword slashed through the fog and struck the harpy, delivering heavy damage.
As the feathers fluttered to the ground, Max was stunned that the harpy had not been defeated by the single blow from the Sword Dancer. The harpy rose up higher, powerful wing beats swirling the red smoke so much that it was almost completely cleared. Max rolled across the ground and backed up against a tree, the sword held in front of him for protection. He listened and watched for the attack.
Again the harpy swept in and attacked Kaled. The Sword Dancer showed his class: he pirouetted with the heavy longsword as a counter balance. He leapt into the air, spinning in an upright stance. He drew his sword in so he spun even faster and then stuck the sword outwards. The sudden movement of the sword away from his body stopped his spin and left him face to hideous face with the harpy witch. The harpy flew straight into the point of the sword and took heavy damage.
The harpy witch screeched her pain and anger as she beat her wings and climbed. The smoke and fog had almost cleared, and Max could see her in the upper branches of the pine trees. Max sheathed his sword and grabbed his catapult. He loaded a bullet.
As Max took aim, the harpy witch dropped a pouch. The small bag dropped slowly.
Kaled landed from his sword-dancing acrobatics and dived away as the pouch landed.
The explosion was silent but powerful. The blast struck Max, and suddenly, all was swathed in thick red smoke. Max couldn’t see the harpy through the thick smoke, but he could hear her soft wing beats. Then he saw a telltale swirling of the red mist.
>
>
> Max attacks Harpy witch.
>
> Harpy Witch takes minor damage.
>
>
The harpy screeched and came hard at Max. He holstered his catapult and unsheathed his sword as he moved quickly around the base of the tree to the far side of the thick trunk. The harpy witch came at him so fast, it hardly had time to avoid the tree. It beat its wings to slow its attacking move but could not avoid colliding with the tree before awkwardly landing on the trunk, talons first. Max reached around the tree with a swing of his sword.
>
>
> Max attacks Harpy Witch.
>
> Harpy Witch takes minor damage.
>
> Bonus Cold damage.
>
>
The harpy kicked off the tree trunk and beat her wings. Max watched her move off through the smoke. He could just make out Kaled in his tattered rags moving silently and gracefully through the fog, countering the moves of the harpy climbing above him, looking for an opportunity to strike.
>
>
> Max activates Sneak ability.
>
> Max hidden from sight.
>
>
Max pulled up his Hood of Sneaking and climbed. He went fast and silent, avoiding disturbing any branches he didn’t need to. He went up at least fifty feet. At this height, the trunk was still thick, but the red smoke was thin. The fog and red smoke lay like a carpet beneath him.
Down below him, just on the edge of the smoke, was the harpy witch. She was circling in wide arcs, using just the occasional beat of the two massive wings.
Max edged out onto a thick branch, hands stretched out for balance. He moved out until he was over and above the harpy. He knew he could cast a Magic Missile, but the harpy still had plenty of Health despite taking damage. His catapult was only going to deliver minor damage and would just alert the beast to his presence. A fireball would take the harpy down—he knew it—but the blast would also damage Kaled, and Max had so few friends, he didn’t want to turn a new one into an enemy. Besides, the trees could ignite and leave him trapped high up in a burning tree. Not to mention that the flame would alert the Dark Mages at the Oak Ridge camp that was less than a mile away.
His sword was his best hope for a single swing attack that could defeat the harpy.
>
>
> Max casts Strength.
>
>
The Strength spell increased Max’s Strength stat. He could feel it in his arm, but he checked to be sure.
>
>
> Name: Max Lightfoot
>
> Class: Mage
>
> Level: 4
>
> Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
>
> Health: Moderately injured
>
> Strength: 18
>
> Stamina: 17
>
> Agility: 18
>
> Intelligence: 17
>
> Wisdom: 12
>
> Charisma: 16
>
>
There it was, Strength of eighteen, as strong as Jahrod, as strong as Anita. As strong as any Warrior. Max held his Shortsword of Cold with a two-handed reverse grip, the point aimed downwards. He positioned himself on the edge of the branch. It was an intelligent use of the natural environment and his equipment and abilities, but it was probably quite unwise to attack the harpy from this position. He held his hands up, the sword raised. He waited until the harpy was in position, and then he dropped.
>
>
> Max attacks Harpy Witch.
>
> Bonus Sneak attack damage.
>
> Bonus Strength damage.
>
> Bonus Cold damage.
>
> Harpy Witch takes critical damage.
>
> Harpy Witch has been defeated.
>
> Max gains experience points.
>
>
Max had only a brief moment for elation because now he was falling. He grabbed the harpy’s feathers and clung on. He slammed into the ground, the huge harpy witch cushioning his fall, but still, it took the wind out of him.
Kaled ran over to Max, his sword held over his shoulder. He helped Max to his feet with his free hand.
“What an impressive piece of swordsmanship,” Kaled said as Max came up to his feet. “You are a waste to the Mage class, Max. You should have chosen to be a Warrior. You would have been a great Sword Dancer.”
Max sheathed his sword and leaned forward with his hands on his knees, fighting to catch his breath.
Kaled patted Max on the back and then searched the harpy witch for loot. He found a set of light clothing, short pants, and a light shirt. He ripped off his rags and pulled on the set of clothes. Then he found six smoke bombs. He tossed three to Max.
“Only right we share the loot. Agreed?” Kaled said.
Max nodded.
>
>
> Max gains 3 Red Smoke Bombs.
>
>
“All I need now is a pair of boots,” Kaled said. He started to clean his sword on his tattered rags. The blade wiped clean of the dirt and came up shining like new.
Max put the smoke bombs in his Satchel. He saw the Good Boots. He pulled them out and handed them to Kaled.
“A pair of Good Boots,” Max said.
Kaled took hold of them and admired them for a moment before handing them back. “I cannot accept these. You have Soft Boots, but I can see these Good Boots are superior.”
Max shook his head. “My Soft Boots are better for climbing and sneaking. You take the Good Boots, with my kind insistence.”
>
>
> Max loses Good Boots.
>
>
Kaled held them to his heart for a moment before pulling them on. Then Kaled pulled up a scroll from the defeated harpy. He opened up the scroll to read.
“What is it?” Max said.
“A spell scroll,” Kaled said. “This is for you, Master Mage. It is of no use to me.”
Max took the scroll and read it. A symbol of a small cloud. A spell of Summon Fog.
>
>
> Max gains Scroll of Summon Fog.
>
>
Max studied the scroll and found he could easily understand the new Level 2 spell. As he finished studying the spell, the scroll disintegrated and drifted away. He checked his Mage Book.
>
>
> Mage Book
>
>
>
> Level 1 Spells:
>
> • Magic Missile
>
> • Detect Enemies
>
>
>
> Level 2 Spells:
>
> • Strength
>
> • Summon Fog
>
>
>
> Level 3 Spells:
>
> • Shield
>
> • Fireball
>
> • Disguise
>
>
It was satisfying to see a new spell added to his book. Then he checked his active spells. He had used three Magic Missiles in his encounter with the harpies and one Strength spell in the encounter with the harpy witch. He deselected the used Strength spell and selected the newly learned Summon Fog. He would have to rest before he could use it, but it would be there ready for him next time.
Kaled buckled up his sword belt. “I will be on my way. My Sword Dancer brothers will be interested to hear my latest adventures.” He held his hand out in friendship. “Well met, Master Mage.”
“I must correct you, Sword Dancer,” Max said. “I am not a Master Mage. I am but a novice.”
Kaled smiled. “You are no novice, my young friend.” Kaled shook Max’s hand, firmly for an old man, and he clapped him heartily on the shoulder. “If ever you need a Sword Dancer, ask any Warrior in Eveirea for Kaled, and I will come to your aid.” And with that, Kaled was gone.
Max looked towards the Oak Ridge. He could feel Anita was in danger. He was almost completely out of spells. How could he take on the Dark Mages in their camp? He checked his inventory.
>
>
> Inventory:
>
> • Satchel
>
> • Mage Book
>
> • Golden Roc Catapult
>
> • Blanket of Comfort
>
> • Torch
>
> • Polished Wooden Dagger
>
> • Hood of Sneaking
>
> • Superior Bullets
>
> • Fine Rope
>
> • Collar of Control
>
> • Padded Leather Tunic
>
> • Dagger of Poison Blade
>
> • Potion of Intelligence
>
> • Flint Tool
>
> • Scroll of Summon Storm Elemental
>
> • Ring of Shadows
>
> • Shortsword of True Striking
>
> • Ring of Extra Spells
>
> • Shortsword of Cold
>
> • Pendant of Defense
>
> • 3 Red Smoke Bombs
>
>
Those smoke bombs might come in handy for the rescue of Anita. He set off in the direction of Oak Ridge, knowing he had to succeed, or both he and Anita would perish.
Max reached the slope of the Oak Ridge as night fell. The pine trees were fewer and the broadleaf trees more plentiful.
>
>
> Max activates Sneak ability.
>
>
He walked up the slope and crouched at the edge of the camp, taking a moment to catch his breath and study his enemy’s camp.
A large fire was burning at the center of the camp. Smaller fires dotted around. Max saw dark hooded figures gathered at the main fire. They appeared to be meditating. Max wished he had a Far Sight spell available. He watched the group at the central fire and saw they were standing around a Skarak Warrior that was tied to a post. The red eyes of the Skarak darting this way and that. They fought against the bonds. The Dark Mages chanting grew louder. The Skarak squirmed and squealed and then turned to black ash that drifted on the gentle night breeze.
Max felt a force tugging him as the Skarak turned to ash. Janet appeared at his shoulder.
“It’s the darkness. They are tapping into the dark portal, but because you are near, you can feel it.”
The Mages appeared very satisfied with their experiment, and they called for another victim. Max spotted a pair of Dark Mages bringing a fresh victim. A hood over their head. This was no Skarak. Whoever it was, they were much taller, taller even than Max by an inch or two. Then he saw the strips of a leather fighting skirt and a pair of boots laced up over smooth dusky skin.
“Anita,” Max said just as the Dark Mages pulled the hood off of her head.
Her hair was knotted and tangled where it was usually so soft and well kept. She was gagged, a strip of cloth pressed into her mouth. Her hands were tied behind her back. The Mages pushed her to the stake and fastened her there. She struggled but appeared to be drunk. Max guessed she must be drugged, subdued.
Max looked around for a way to take on these Dark Mages. There were dozens of them. Some were armed with staffs, others with sickles, the sharp curved blades glinting in the firelight. Others had longswords. Max knew that they were also all very powerful spell casters. Their melee weapons would be the least of his trouble.
The Dark Mages surrounding Anita at the stake started chanting.
“Danger close,” Janet said, and she faded away.
“You don’t say,” Max said, but Janet was gone. He sat and watched, desperate to figure out how he was going to save Anita. Then he heard the crunching and snapping of branches behind him. He turned to see a giant dark slug a few feet behind him.
Max moved slowly away from the rasping mouth. Slime dripped and splattered on the ground a few inches from his foot as he moved backwards across the ground.
The Dark Mages’s chanting had stopped. Max got to his feet and walked along the tree line, trying to put some distance between himself and the slug so he could concentrate on the rescue plan he had yet to formulate.
Max checked that he was still hidden from sight, his Sneak ability still active. He stepped into the clearing of the camp. He walked close to a Dark Mage, who was readying his longsword, but he did not see Max.
The slug came on, out of the trees and into the camp. A shout went up from the Dark Mages, their voices raised in unison. Max led the slug deeper into the camp. The Dark Mages attacked. Magic Missile spells slammed into the slug, searing the thick flesh, vaporizing the slime, dealing terrible damage but not enough to stop the slug. Max walked to the far side of the camp, dragging the slug behind him. Power spells rained in, and the dark slug was shrinking as spells knocked chunks out of it.
Max threw a red smoke bomb up and over his shoulder. It landed in front of the slug and burst, throwing out a cloud of thick red smoke. He ran to the stake. A pair of Dark Mages were standing guard over Anita but watching the battle against the dark slug. Max dropped a second red smoke bomb and enshrouded the area in thick smoke. He drew his sword and cut Anita free.
>
>
> Sneak ability deactivated.
>
>
“Max,” Anita said, smiling. The gag muffled her voice. Max pulled it free. She looked heavily drugged and was limp. Max put her arm over his shoulder and led her away.
>
>
> Anita casts Recovery.
>
>
A spell washed over both of them. Anita was instantly recovered from the effects of the drugs. Max recovered a large amount of Health. Anita was suddenly fully alert.
“My things,” she said, glancing around, then she saw what she was looking for. She started to run, pulling Max by the hand. Max struggled to keep up as they dashed through the camp. Anita grabbed her pack and her Spear of Fire. Then she ran to the edge of the camp and down the slope towards the Salt River. They ran down the slope at full speed while hardly touching a branch. Max started to trust Anita’s route, and he ran faster, reaching a dangerous speed as he sprinted down the slope.