The birds chirp in the forest as Alvor slowly wakes up. Raising his head, he looks around. Valisa slowly starts to wake up. Valisa coos as she sees Alvor sitting up. “Morning”, Alvor said as he raises his hand up and places it on Valisa’s scaly hide. Alvor feels her smooth scales with a sharp edge to them. Alvor sits up and takes his hand off Valisa’s scales. Yawning as the light of the morning sun rushes over them. Looking around Alvor spots the fire pit as the black ash blows away in the wind with Elenora curled up sleeping next to the fire pit.
Valisa stands up on her legs and extends out her wings. As she comes down she creates a mild thump. Elenora begins to stir as she feels the thump. Valisa brings her head around and pushes gently on Alvor’s back. Alvor stumbles forward as he catches his footing. Crazy lizard, Alvor said with a joking tone. Valisa coos in response.
Alright, get up, Alvor said. Elenora rises to her feet as she yawns. Grass catching in her chain mail and shirt. Let us get moving, we got a long road ahead of us, Alvor said in a calm but firm tone. As he walks over to the rock where his mother’s staff was located the gem begins to glow again as Alvor approaches. What secrets did you have? Alvor thought as he grabs the staff. He turns around to see Valisa sheading some scales.
Alvor rushes back to Valisa and kneels. Extending his left hand, Alvor begins to pick up the emerald scales in his hand. Finding a few good scales, Alvor smiles a bit. A few hundred gold in the pocket, Alvor thought as he feels the scales. Hearing the grass crunch as Elenora approaches, quickly looking down and seeing the scales in Alvor’s hand. Examining the scales, the scales starts to sparkle in the light of the sun. Here take one, Alvor said. Why? Elenora asked? You will need some coin when we reach a good village or town, Alvor said.
Elenora reaches out and takes a scale from Alvor’s hand. She reaches around and finds a pocket in her pants and slides in the scale. Alvor stands up and slips the rest of the scales into his left pocket. I will see you at night fall, Alvor said as he pats Valisa. Valisa Chirps and begins running forward and leaps into the air an takes off flying.
After a few minutes Valisa disappears into the sky. So, which direction are we heading in? Elenora asked. First, we need to find a road, Alvor responded. Then figure out what way to a village or town, Alvor followed. So, you do not know where we are? Elenora said with a frustrated tone. No, I do not, Alvor said. Alvor pauses and takes a deep breath as he turns to face Elenora. I have only been on this continent for two months, Alvor said.
Elenora pausing in shock, another continent! Elenora said with a stutter. No wonder why you do not have an accent from this region, Elenora said with a frustrated tone. I lost my accent a year ago, being on the run does that, Alvor said. Why have you been on the run? Elenora asked. I am not talking about that, Alvor said.
Alvor turns and walks, he holds on tightly to his mother’s staff. Elenora follows behind him as they enter the woods. Seeing him walking ahead of her, Alvor kept a strong pace. The trees roots bursting from the ground as some leaf’s fall from some sick trees. Alvor spots a branch on the ground. Coming to a stop, Elenora wonders what is ahead. Raising his right hand up and forming an illusion ring, quickly casting a spell. Illios, Alvor said. Alvor’s staff began to change into the branch.
With the staff camouflaged, Alvor begins walking again. Elenora looks displeased that he had cast a spell in front of her. Let me know when you are going to cast a spell, Elenora said in a firm tone. Trust me the sooner we part ways the better, Alvor responded! Spell tongue, Elenora said with disgust. Walking through the woods, they keep each other in sight.
A wolf howl in the distance. Animals rustling in the bush’s as the birds sang in the trees. They walk for hours until they come to the edge of the of the forest. Passing by a small pond to their left, Alvor stops as he hears something. They move quickly and reach the edge of the forest. Hearing screaming coming from the road. Both quickly get down on to the ground. Alvor and Elenora begin crawling through some grass and can see the road. Alvor spots bandits to his left, Alvor’s eyes shoot open as he sees what the bandits are doing.
Alvor what to you see? Elenora asked. Bandits raiding a wagon, Alvor said as he points to the bandits. Elenora crawling a bit ahead and spots the bandits. They were ripping and throwing trunks from a covered wagon as they separate the men and women. Seeing that there were two sticks out front for a horse.
Alvor counts at least seven bandits. Their armor was worn with fur patches all over. The weapons were rusted to the core. One had a bow with some arrows in his quiver. Alvor we cannot help them, two against seven they will win, also I do not have my armor, Elenora said. All I have is my chainmail, Elenora said. Alvor hears screaming in his ears as the scent of smoke hits his nose. He clenches his fists tightly, not again, innocents will not suffer because of me, Alvor said silently.
Alvor gets up, staying low as he walks. Moving along the edge of the forest right behind the wind. Getting closer to the wagon Alvor ducks behind a tree. Get off me you animal, A young women said. Alvor peeks his head around and gets a good look. The wagon was old with rotting wood near the driver seat. nine women were on the right and behind the wagon. Five men were in front on the left. Seeing the young woman her brown hair was braided as an old man tries to break free from the bandits grip. Another bandit coming out from behind the wagon. Alvor gauging from the look of the bandit she was the leader.
The bandit leader has long dirty red hair. A rounded face with a deep burn over her left eye. Small scars could be seen on her lips and cheeks. Her light brown leather armor had an exposed belly as her armor showed her breasts. Her skinny figure pressed against the armor.
The bandit leader walks over to the women. Stopping in front of them, the bandit leader reaches up and grabs the brown hair woman by the jaw. You will be a fine ransom after I break you, the bandit leader said. Releasing the woman, the bandit leader gets even closer and licks the woman’s face. The woman spits in the bandit leader’s face. The bandit leader looks over the other woman. I will let the boys have some fun with all of you, the bandit leader said. The bandit leader reaches up and grabs the top of woman’s dress. Ripping hard she stares the dress exposing her breasts. Bring the men around, let us let them watch the fun, the bandit leader said.
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Alvor rushes forward, forming a fire ring around his left hand. As he gets closer and stops and faces the bandits. Boss, a bandit said. The bandit leader turns around and faces Alvor. Look boys a hero, let us make this quick, the bandit leader said. Release them and I will let you all live, Alvor said. You rich bastards are all the same, you love to play hero, the bandit leader said. The bandits laugh as the wind begins to pick up. A light flapping sound could be heard on the wind. Alvor breaking his illusion and reveals his staff. The bandits stop laughing and turn their eyes back to Alvor. Hearing the bow string being drawn back as a bandit climbs onto the wagon. Alvor pulls his right hand back, thrusting forward at the bandit leader. Ignatius, Alvor said as he cast a fireball from his hand. Hearing a bolt be loose from a crossbow, Alvor sees the bandit on top of the wagon get hit by a bolt and falls off the wagon. The fire ball hitting and exploding on the bandit close to the women.
The bandit erupts into flames as the bandit leader dashes from the flames. The women begin to run behind the wagon as the men quickly jump the nearest bandit. the bandits rush at Alvor swords drawn as Elenora rush out from the woods. A loud screech came over the trees as Valisa swoops down. Valisa extending her talons and land on the farthest two bandits. Killing them instantly, Valisa screeches as she quickly protects the women and men.
Alvor switches out to a blue ring and begins pointing his index and middle finger. Pulling his hand back, targeting who he wants to hit. Alvor slams his hand towards the ground, “aquias”, Alvor said. A large circle forms in front of Alvor as Ice spikes shoot in rapid succession. the ice spikes turn the remaining bandits into pin cushions as they pierced their bodies. The bandit leader’s eyes burst in rage as she sees her gang cut down. She pulls a hidden jagged knife and flips it around.
The bandit leader rushes at Alvor with determination in her eyes and stops as she clenches something in her left hand. She throws a rock and strikes Alvor on the left side of his head. Alvor stumbles as he feels the pain in his head. The bandit leader closes the distance as Alvor regains his balance. Alvor swings the staff at the bandit leader as she slips around it.
The bandit leader slashes her jagged knife from left to right. The blade cutting through his tunic and into his left side. Blood seeps from the wound as Alvor steps back. Hearing chain mail clinking coming from his right as Elenora rushes in. Alvor swings his staff hard from the left to right and strikes the bandit in the head and causing her to stumble. Stumbling back, Elenora thrust with her sword. Piercing the bandits leaders chest, Elenora pulling her blade back and swings hard. Quickly decapitating the bandit leaders head. Blood spurts from her neck as her head falls and lands on the ground. Alvor looks around and finds the women with torn cloths. Alvor reaches up and unclips his cloak. Alvor swinging it off and holds it by the hood. Walking to the women, Alvor quickly closes his eyes. The woman covering her breasts with her right arm.
The woman had light brown hair with some red strands in it. Her soft face had a few freckles on the tip of her nose. His skin was lightly tanned as a bruise begins to form on her right cheek. Her blue eyes shining in the morning light. Her skinny body was covered in a blue patchwork dress with heavy boots.
Reaching the woman in a few seconds, Alvor extends his hand with the cloak in it. The woman looks at Alvor with a confused look. Please take it, Alvor said in a calm tone. She reaches out with her right hand and takes the cloak from Alvor. Quickly throwing it over her shoulder and clipping it on. She pulls the cloak over and covers herself. An older man walks to the woman and hugs her tightly.
The man has a balding head with some gray hairs around his ears. His blue eyes were slightly red. his thin worn body was covered in wrinkles. His tunic had several holes in it as his pants were ripped open. His bear feet were covered in dirt. Thank you for saving my daughter, he said gratefully.
You can open your eyes now, the woman said. Alvor opens his eyes as Valisa came walking over. Valisa looks down, she coos a worried tone. Alvor, your cut! Elenora said. I am fine just a scratch, Alvor responds as the red spot grows darker and wider. Alvor legs go limp as his head bleeds from where the rock hit him. Feeling his breath shorten, his vision fades. Alvor falls backwards and lands on the ground. Elenora, rushes as the men and women crowd around him.
Valisa roars as they gather around. Give him some space, the women said. Elenora looks down and finds the dagger on the ground. She reaches down and picks the dagger up in her left hand. The jagged dagger drips with a clear fluid from the tip. Pulling the blade closer, Elenora began to take a sniff of the dagger. Poison, Elenora screamed. Valisa snaps her jaws as she flattens her spikes. She walks over Alvor and lowers herself over him, covering him with her left wing. Valisa snaps again and roars.
The wagon group steps back and turns to face Elenora. What? a man said. The blade that cut him was poisoned, Elenora said. Then we need silk weed, a man said. What’s silk weed? Elenora asked. I will explain later, a man quickly picks two women and the other men. Help us find silk weed, he said. The men and picked women began to run. Running up and into the forest, Elenora follows the man. Elenora and the man run and enter the forest. Seeing the men and women looking on the ground around some of the trees and bushes.
What is silk weed? Elenora asked again. A herb that will slow the poison, the man responds. Where can it be found, Elenora asked. Normally around ponds and trees, rivers too, the man said. Elenora remembering where a small pond was, she bursts into a full sprint. Wait you do not know what it looks like, the man said in the distance.
Elenora quickly covers ground through the forest. Breathing hard as she heads into the forest. Hearing the man behind her as the chain mail clinks and clanks. After a few minutes she reaches the pond. Elenora looks at the blue water, tall grass growing around the edge of the water. The sound of a creek exiting into the pond could be heard. The man steps on a twig behind her. Elenora jumps and raises her sword ready to attack. Elenora sees the man walking up with a heavy breath and looks to the pond behind her. This is a perfect spot for silk weed, the man said. The man quickly passing her and heads down to the pond.
Elenora quickly follows him. So, what am I looking for? Elenora asked. We are looking for a white plant with six leaf is that have red veins in the leaf. The man pauses as he enters the water. Elenora stays close to the edge of the water. Rising her sword, Elenora begin cutting down the grass with a hesitant strike. Both searching around the pond, Elenora feels like she was wrong as she could not find any silk weed. Found some, the man called out. Elenora turns around and sees the man by the water and a downed tree. Elenora quickly sheathes her sword and dashes into the pond. The water spilling into her boots, the cold water begin to drain the heat from her feet. Reaching the edge of the pond, she quickly exits the water.
She stops next to the man who was kneeling and carefully harvesting the plant. His hand moves with elegance and grace as he pulls the plant from the ground. He begins to gently pull the leaf’s from the stem. Here, hold them tightly, the man said as he gives Elenora the plant. Elenora takes the plant in her hand, the leaf was soft as silk in her hand. let us head back, that may be enough, the man said. Both get up and begin moving, running back through the pond and into the woods.