Early the next morning, Parcival rubbed the sleep from his eyes, sunlight filtered through his lids. Tossing the blanket off it caught on edge of the headboard, and ripped, the air saturated with the musty rotting fabric. This must be an unused room.

Last night’s rest along with a healing potion mostly healed the wounds. Today the weather was warm a perfect day for a journey. The elder had went home the day before and the woman — Merryn was in better health. It’s time I take my leave, there’s nothing really to hold me here. She didn’t seem to need any further help.

A knock on the door. Han came out from another room and on opening the door he chatted with a young man who gave him a bundle.

Han closed the door, walked over and sat by him and placed the package down. “The people are grateful to be freed of that beast, as am I.” He poured a cup of bitter-lily tea carefully balancing the repaired handle.

Parcival slapped the scratched tabletop. “I’ll do it.”

“Do wh — “ Han’s fur bristled as turned about facing the door sniffing.

The door groaned and slammed open, the outside light streamed in. A painting on the wall swayed, fell, and crashed down. The brutish ass held a long dragon claw staff with a dire ball of water in its center, that sunlight reflected off into several streaks. “Ruin for you, I bring it.” His long dark robes bellowed past his overly muscled legs.

Nervy scorpio-rats motherless devil! What kind of a wizard was this. I’d only met skinny wizards. Something didn’t sit right here.

“You can’t just barge in here!” He squinted from the sudden light stinging his eyes then jumped to his feet.

Maxwell loomed closer and made a dismissive hand motion. “Bring her to me. Now. I’m not finished with her.” Maxwell waved about the staff and lifted him into the air.

Han hissed. “You’re making no sense! You melodramatic twit!”

“Put me down!” Parcival flailed about.

Behind, a chair groaned from being scraped back. “I’m coming!” Han leaped past his face straight at the youth, clinging to his leg.

“Get off of me, you cockroach!” Maxwell’s face twisted in pain.

“Grab the staff!” Parcival said.

Han snatched only air as Maxwell pulled the staff away; then knelt down before Han unveiling a many-fanged grin that was a bit too wide.

“That is most unwise.”

Han scuffled several steps away.

Maxwell stood, reached out with the staff, and kracked Han on the head, it flashed and he fell, becoming enveloped in a red glow, frozen.

“Don’t hurt him.” Underestimating me is your first mistake. A faint crackle of energy formed in his palms. A fast shot and he’ll be down, they injured easily if you could get past their magics. But, there’s no guarantee Han would be freed. Not every spell ended when the caster passed out or when dead.

He rolled and tumbled in the air, waiting until he was upright again.

“Do as I say; bring her here.” Maxwell jiggled the staff. Parcival streaked from ceiling to floor. As his stomach jumped, so did the bowl of stew. A gouge rose up. Hold it, hold it!

His arms dropped. I can’t concentrate like this.

“Go fetch her otherwise, this church will need a new ceiling, you a new head.” He tilted the staff once more.

Parcival fell six feet, bounced on the floor, spiraling right into the wall at the end of the hall, “ugh, oof!” The room spun he cupped his hands on his head.

The jerk pointed an index finger skyward. “Enough. Fetch her now.”

Parcival stood steadying his wobbly legs before dashing to the room Merryn slept in. At the doorway, he held his hand over the rusted knob. Opening the door, he inched over to her, jostled her feet dangling off the small bed, and her daggers left out in full view on a small chest at the foot of the bed.

A shout:

“Quit stalling.”

She rolled over, muttering.

He shook it again.

She sat straight up. “No, no, no-these chickens aren’t for eating. These are my guests,” she said.

“What are you talking about?” The ridiculousness of the conversation hit him, she must still be sleeping. “Wake up!”

She plopped back down on the bed.

He patted her cheek hard. They were less round than just the day before and dry, her sleek brown complexion replaced by an ashen undertone, the musculature still toned but reduced. No doubt about it she is ill. The sudden cold the past couple of days must be at fault.

“We need to find number four before the morning sunrises,” she whispered.

The man is bound to cause trouble soon. She’s going to kill me for this. He shook the bed until she bounced.

She fell off the cot and crashed onto the floor. “Nurrrg!” Her movements were sluggish and she struggled to stay upright.

Must be a hard sleeper. “I’m sorry. We haven’t the time, Han’s in danger, I need you alert.” It was hard suppressing a smile, the way those ears still bounced and other things. I hate my brain sometimes, this is when it chooses to become excited? He bent over, pulling her up.

She glared at him while grinding her teeth, and pointed a hand at him her face red. “That is unbecoming. Don’t try that again.” Her speech stiff and formal and her brows were scrunched.

Going to pay for that later.

The turd blocked the bedroom doorway. His presence was commanding.

This struck Parcival as unusual for one of his age. If he wanted a fight then he’d get one.

Merryn’s eyebrow cocked as she looked at the youth. She shifted. It was subtle; the youth didn’t seem to notice it.

Simultaneously, he eased a hand into a pouch on his hip. Now, the potion.

“Get out,” Merryn said. Her voice now low and even slid into harsh guttural growls of some deeper power within. She edged closer to the end of the bed.

A coldness crept up the back of his neck, as the shadow of a man’s face overlapped hers it faded as fast it came. He backed the hells away. On second thought whatever that thing is, it couldn’t be human, nor elvin, I don’t know what to think. Illness? A possession?

A flash of silver and her hands gripped her daggers tight, while she stepped closer to the youth. Her breaths short and clipped almost a gasp.

Her speed was insane it must be some Elvin magic. Parcival inched closer to the door.

“Feel like a kiss?” His eyes glinted at her.

“A kiss Max? You loony bramkle bush, I’ll give you a kiss. A kiss right up your — “ Her movements a blur of blue and silver. She lashed out at him, her arm a streak swinging in an arc.

The youth waved his left hand over her head. “Soumnus.”

She collapsed to the floor, face first, asleep.

Be she mortal or demon? He blinked. How? Just what magic was this? He backed away a step. With so much power didn’t he just kill us?

“You need to leave.” He yanked his sword out, pointed at his face.

He snorted. Waving his hand, Parcival smashed into the cot. “Stay out of this it doesn’t concern you.” He picked her up. Tossing the staff into the air, it floated nearby.

“Of course, it concerns me, she doesn’t want to go with you.”

“You know nothing of her.” Maxwell raced out of the church. He took two steps down the road, disappearing from sight.

“Arrg!” Why the hells’ couldn’t I have one peaceful day. A breeze picked up the dust, where he had been a moment before, swirling it into the air.

“That woman draws more trouble to her more than anyone I have ever seen,” Han said.

“Good, you are free. Well, let’s see now; we’ve no idea where she is. Or, who he is. Looks like we will need to go see ‘Old man’ Casey earlier than I had planned. He will be able to help us locate her.”

“Why?” Han’s ears twitched. “Just let it be. it’s no concern of mine, besides, I don’t have time for this. I’m not messing with a wizard. A good way to end up dead.” He lowered his eyes. “I have errands that are in need of doing.”

Parcival almost shouted but caught it in time. Most people didn’t have my same views, don’t push it. Too bad, he seemed more willing earlier, not that I blame him. “I’m involved now.”

Han glowered. “That’s right. You’re involved. Not me. Risk my life for you? Her? You don’t know me!”

“Didn’t you say before you were going to ‘do it’?”

Han’s tail twitched, he caught it smoothing it out. “I changed my mind.”

“Well that’s too bad, I was planning on paying you to come, and send you back with a portal, even most towns have at least one now.”

Han slammed the chair under the table. “It’s too dangerous, do I look like a novice mercenary or rogue for hire?”

His eyes closed as he crossed his arms. Don’t people work together here? I don’t need him, I work better alone, he’s too noticeable anyway.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“So where is this ‘Old man?’”

He took the hook after all. He emptied all expression, and relaxed. “Not too far from here. He is near the mountains off to the west.”

“I’ll come if you pay me.” Han held out a paw.

Happyness! He coughed. “Yes, of course.” Parcival untied a small pouch and tossed it to him. Well, there goes the emergency fund, I’ll just earn more.

Han opened it and poured out five black opals that flashed blue as they rolled into his palm. “This is too much!” He licked his lips.

“Keep what you think is fair.”

Han rolled them once more before putting three back in the pouch, handing it back.

He took it and tied it back on. Good. He grinned.

“Just a moment.” Han then went into his bedroom. Returning, he wore long boots, a satchel, and a small foil with strange lines running down it. He folded it in half and tucked it into a vest pocket.

Several days later they made their way towards the western Divided Mountains. A grassland stretched out before the twin peaks a hazy gray in the distance. Midday they stopped for a break.

Han sat on the grass cross-legged, chewing on a jerky stick.

“I’m going to look around,” Parcival said.

Han nodded, sitting down.

A faint path north led into the tall grasses, shaking them no birds or game jumped out.

A bright yellow feather was threaded in some of the grass stems. Many dead birds, mice, and other critters littered the ground. He gasped and speed-walked back to Han.

“Good, you’re back. It’s getting dark. Find anything to eat?” Han licked his lips.

“What I found wasn’t too pleasing. All of them looked flat as if the insides were pulled out, and others the less said the better.” He shuddered. The images refused to leave. I’m not going to think about it, for now. Father warned me… I thought I knew, but maybe not.

“I’m not that hungry anymore.” Han stood, his ears rotating to the northwest; his whiskers quivered.

A breeze blew over the grasses. Too quiet.

Han jumped up, his fur puffing out. “We need a better camping spot.”

“Definitely.” It was hard to see over the grasses as the last slivers of light shrunk and gave way to the night’s sorrow. He searched the area and gathered some firewood. Out if his main pouch he drew out a Firestone, rubbing it between his palms. It soon grew warm and red; he placed it on the wood setting it ablaze.

Han rested his head against a part of a broken stone building behind them.

He sat beside him, staring into the extended darkness. The lights from the faraway town doused one by one until only the light of the campfire remained. It was quiet without her, most nights her tales and jokes kept the press of night at bay. It’s upsetting she chose to be a thief! Most of the time she acted at odds with this, she’d knew the prayers for luck, those Elaema told to her devout only, most weren’t allowed to use them as it weakened her. I can’t figure this out is she mortal, immortal, a demon or possessed?

He awoke to a soft slithering near him. Where was it coming from? Just a few hours of sleep, was that too much to ask for?

He cracked his eyes open, a single Lilly creature stood at the edge of the dying fire. What are the Creepuars doing this far out from the forests?

It shuffled on its roots as it inched closer.

“Han?”

Several long roots wrapped around him, they constricted his chest, each breath grew tighter.

“Hea–auuug.” In the last half of his speech, a breathy croak trying to shout, but the roots strangled him. Just work an arm free, don’t think about anything else.

“Wake up!” The roots tightened further. A haze pulled over his vision.

“Han!” His voice strained it wouldn’t exactly be called a yell. The roots wrapped around his throat choking him.

Han fumbled around in the dark, he gasped, stumbling over. “Coming.” He blinked his eyes, the oval slit pupils widening, he froze then shook his head. “I’ll get you free, somehow.” On his knees, Han came over and pulled on the roots. He pulled and pried it off, the roots breaking one by one.

The creatures weren’t too keen on this, they hissed and shot out more roots, that tried to wrap around Han’s arms.

Han blocked them and scratched at them with his claws. He took the roots with both hands yanking them, he nearly vaulted rearward.

Parcival kicked the Creepuars that swarmed around them sent several flying off into the darkness.

Their filaments wreathed and hissed.

Han’s fur puffed out as if it was filled with static.

Fumbling around in his stiff leather vest he brought out a light potion. Scoping the area around them. The Creepuars surrounded them in a semicircle. Their discussing dripping filaments grew longer and writhed about feeling in front of them. Probably poisonous, paralyzing or worse, I’ll have to remember to come back later and collect samples for battle potions. If there is a later.

He drew his sword slashing at the abominations. “The monsters are unusually aggressive this year.”

Flowering heads whizzed off and bounced into the grasses.

His arm ached as yet another neared, and it too lost its head and others after, it became an endless swarm.

“I’m getting tired.” As more appeared they crawled over the bodies of the dead.

Han brandished a hidden saber from his vest, and shook it flipping it open. “Yes, maybe something is aggerating them.”

“Nice.” Baxters were handy, good for those that couldn’t lift a full sword.

Han pierced a Creepuar dead center and it fell down its filaments with a shrill fizz.

Nasty.

Several of them wrapped their filaments around his sword pulling him. He spread his feet and pulled back while straining to pull the sword free.

Several crawled up clinging to it and weighed it down.

His biceps ached as he swung in an arc and hammered them into the ground.

The creatures splattered and several others flung off the sword zipping past Han’s head.

The creatures turned towards Han again crawling up his saber.

Han fell down to the ground. “Ugg.”

He hurried over kicking more of them out of the way. Their shrieks held a tinny quality.

“Slimy little sacks of spit, die!” Slashing at the creatures in a frenzy until the last one fell to the ground. He bent over, drawing in deep breaths.

Han stood up, sheathing his saber. “I’ve never seen these creatures so volatile before.”

“At home, they’d come into the city’s gardens to escape the heat of the day, but left people alone.”

Parcival stood. “I’ll let the city elders know once we’re in town again.” If these backwards towns even have paper.

####

They both continued west following the mountains in the dark. The area around them brightened slightly, sunrise was nearing.

The late fall sun warmed his cheeks, he smiled. They quickened the pace after an hour Han stopped to sit and puff on his pipe. “I would give more thought about helping her.” Rings of smoke floated past his head, then faded.

He sat next to him, resting a cheek on a hand. “I have.”

Han didn’t speak, and continued smoking while staring off ahead.

####

They continued on the path. He led him to the twin mountains that were nestled next to each other, their white peaks reflected the early morning light into the valley. The light flowed through the area as it chased the nights’ shadows pushing them back with each step.

In between the mountains, the valley separated the towering sides filled with lush grasses and dotting of wildflowers. The breeze wafted with a sweet perfume. At the end of the valley where large crumbling stone steps carved into the rock face.

The steps arched upward and then curved around an ancient shrine of Olenus the god of protection, love, hearth, and in hard times war. The statue was of an athletic yet slim man, the carved marble rose seventy feet above the mountain peaks.

One of the marble water bowls carved at the base of the statue still had enchanted drinking water in it. The magics kept the water pure. Someday would have to come back here again pay proper respects.

He bent down and dipped his leather drinking pouch into the water filling it again.

“Thank you kind Olenus for this gift.” He threaded his fingers together and then clasped his hands, bowed before the statue.

Han’s fur moved about in the soft breeze.

Parcival knelt. “Kind Olenus, please give us your blessing.” Olenus nature was different depending on the areas culture, some saw him as more warlike, and others as kinder, magnanimous god. In reality he was both, so neither view was wrong.

A small sparrow fluttered before them landing on the statue’s outstretched hand; it fluffed its feathers. Of the many gods of this world he is the most active and supportive of people, tho’ father stated that once he was even more active, the plant life lusher, and some people longer lived. Maybe even gods aged after a time. He shrugged inwardly. Still it wouldn’t hurt to pray for a quick journey and that she stay safe. He bowed his head for a moment before gathering his prayer and sending them outward.

The bird chirped and tilted it’s head with a knowing eye before it took flight following the stairway down.

They continued walking along the stairway until it slanted downward to the edge of the mountain. Marble handrails on the sides of the stairs went straight down to the bottom of the mountain. They headed to the right following the mountainside.

He led Han to a simple house carved into the mountainside. Flowers dotted its sodded top they had overgrown to the sides of the entrance framing it.

A few mushrooms dotted between them. He could see that the wooden frame had new golden peace and protection runes carved into it. They glowed with a faint power.

He walked over to it, knocking on the wooden door. It would be good to take off the hot armor. The dried sweat on his back itched.

A plump middle-aged humanoid answered, at about six feet tall with red hair, a beige pigmentation and golden eyes. Some would say that he could be quite the imposing figure he simply knew of him as a friend.

“Parcival! I wondered when you would stop in for another visit.”

He bowed hurriedly before sitting down on a hand-carved chair. “Thank you, Casey! I am not here to visit this time. I’m in need of your help.” He rubbed his shoulder. Hope she’s alright, the wizard was as insane as they came.

Han scurried up on another overflowing with padded cushions and sighed.

Casey went over to the kitchen counter to the right. He came back and handed them both a cup of steaming enberry, a common drink around here.

“So, what can I help you with today?” Casey said.

“A woman, Merryn has been kidnapped. I hoped you would be able to lock on her location and send us to her.”

Hans furry ears twitched.

“If you don’t want to continue, you can go back.” I can’t blame him if he doesn’t want to. It only happened two times with rookie mages; one word mispronounced or a small mistake on a rune and wham-o-instant meat pile. And illegal. Not that Casey cared about laws.

Parcival placed his hand on Casey’s shoulder. “I know the risks, you’ve told me before, remember?”

Casey’s features relaxed some.

Han waved a paw in a short, curt manner.” The cost of it is too steep. We could hire a troll to do it, they like aging.”

Parcival said nothing.

“No. Just do it.”

Casey walked back outside and crooked his index finger.

Han huffed, muttering but followed.

“Come over here. All right, now think of the woman, and focus on her face while I start casting it.” Casey touched the tips of his fingers together into a tent shape. His body took on a soft yellow glow while he chanted.

Parcival’s hands shimmered and this spread out and over covering the rest of him, as did Han the shimmer intensified as Casey repeated the spell.

He floated in the air lighter than air and transparent and bolted out the window off into the sky. Han was beside him. He looked down, everything was so small. The landscape blurred into a green mass. He stopped, and land next to a large cave. Han a second later. It was filled with long pointed Stalactites and stalagmites of pure moonstone. Moon-rise cave. Water dripped from the Stalactites and rippled outwards.

“Quickly now.” He walked inside and followed the pathway made from long rickety wooden planks.

The pathway ended at a short ledge. Leaning over it was a mistake looking down. So deep they’d never find a body.

After making it across to the other side the old rotten ropes snapped it fell crashing into the depths.

“Now how will we get out of here?” Han’s brows pinched together.

Parcival shrugged. “Worrying is pointless. Keep going.” She just won’t leave my thoughts, the only way to find peace would be to find her. Irritating. Vexing. Damnable woman.

He pinched the bridge of nose. Damn it all.