2nd Edited chapter, let me know what you think :)
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Before exiting the tunnels to the surface for a second time, Valgrim and Brutus rested, giving the dark elves a chance to cast their magic on themselves so as to make protection from the sun. The duo chuckled, it was always funny seeing a clients first experience with the sun.
Scald had been the worst, shrieking at the sunlight and running back into the cave. His indignant cries emanated from the tunnels for awhile, complaining about the lack of warning and how glad he was that he lived underground.
Saharra and Meridia both went pale and backed quickly, following right behind him. They didn't complain at least, leaving that to Scald, which he did impressively.
The two hunters were used to sunlight; even if they had lived most of their life underground, plenty of clients had paid for exotic surface creatures/test subjects. While they didn't deal with sentient life, the business was profitable enough to warrant adjusting to the sun.
Valgrim raised his hand to his head, taking note of the position of the sun and the surroundings in front of him. The tunnel came up to the surface in a valley like area at first glance. Valgrim could see trees in front of him, and mountains behind him. On closer inspection, especially with smell, the area was actually a large swamp, surrounded and populated by trees and hills. It was the favored environment for hydra, for they loved to hunt in wet places with plenty of coverage.
Valgrim shook the sleeping giant, "Brutus, go ahead and scout out the area."
With a grunt of agreement, the large creature got up and began inspecting the land in front of the cave. He knelt onto the ground and sniffed, taking in the smells and forming a set of pictures in his mind.
Valgrim took the time to admire the set of wings on Brutus's back. Reptilian in nature, the scaled wings were a beautiful array of red colors, matching the red forked tongue in his mouth. A secret to all except Valgrim was that Brutus's life long dream was to find a way to fly in the sky with his wings, which at the moment could not support is massive weight. Still, there were razor sharp and perfect close combat weapons in a pinch. Brutus liked to admire them in still lakes when he thought no one was looking, but Valgrim knew. He had even offered to wipe them down for him, but Brutus politely refused. Some things on a man should never be touched by another man, except in certain circumstances.
His thoughts were interrupted by Brutus's return. His nose taking in the air, he signaled to Valgrim that he had something.
"Hmgh, split, 6 paths, best group-that way." He grunted, pointed toward the forest. On close inspection of the ground, tiny footprints could be seen heading toward the forest, alongside some massive tracks.
"Oh, what did the great oaf say this time?" Scald asked haughtily, peeking out from behind a rock. (Brutus snorted in response)
"He said the hydras split up to hunt, lucky us, and that the best group went into the forest." He pointed toward one of the game trails leading into the swamp.
The dark elves made their way cautiously to the entrance of the cave tunnel, this time protected by their magic from the light of the sun.
"Heh, I'm still surprised you can understand the drivel that comes from the beasts mouth. I guess all lowborn creatures have to communicate someway." The two dark elves laughed at this, Meridia staying quiet in the behind them.
Valgrim shared a chuckle with them.
'Heh, let them laugh.' Valgrim thought. After all, while the elves couldn't understand Brutus, Valgrim and any other race who spoke common would understand him just fine. In fact, Brutus was one of the most intelligent creatures Valgrim knew, and he could understand elves just fine.
'Must be that dragon blood.' he mused. 'Someday I'll ask how a dragon and a minotaur made a child....though it would probably best to ask when he's drunk."
On that thought, Valgrim shot a glare at Brutus. Yes, the giant could really tuck away food and drink, in fact, Brutus always carried 5 jugs of ale just to keep himself a little drunk. Makes dealing with arrogance easier if they look like whining pixies. Thinking about all the food Brutus ate made Valgrim mutter about finances.
He shook his head, putting aside his thoughts about gold. He smiled at the group, "Shall we continue valued clients?"
Nodding in permission, the dark elves allowed themselves to be led into the forest. Following the game trail, Valgrim and Brutus took note on the condition of the game trail, noting broken branches and tracks.
After a few minutes, they across the remains of a creature, though the use of the word "remains" was a generous term for the leftovers of a feeding frenzy. The only recognizable things left were a skull with a few bones and what looked like some organ refuse.
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Valgrim bent down and examined the bubbling organ remains. Nodding, he looked back toward Meridia, "Good news for you alchemist, its an acid head mother leading this pack."
Hydra came in a few varieties outside the normal phenotype- normal looking Hydra with element resistances, element breathing hydra, and acid breathing hydra. Normal hydras were difficult enough, with the standard strengths of a dragon-kin and they grew heads back quickly; and fire/ice hydras had resistances to their respective element. Some Hydra looked normal, but had resistances to multiple elements. Acid heads, an acid Hydra nickname, were the worst however; not only did they breath a dissolving acid that melted anything organic and some metals, their scales were the hardest out of all Hydra varieties. This made them quite a chore to deal with, but also the most rewarding.
Even with the risks involved, many had died trying to kill an acid head, for their acid could be used in a variety of potions and poisons, making it highly prized by potion makers. An acid head could also make a formidable force for any that could tame it, or at least control it long enough to get it into their enemies.
Meridia merely nodded her head at the knowledge, then gestured that they should keep moving.
"Quiet one this girl." Valgrim thought as he got up and continued. The group made their way into the forest path again, following the sign of Hydras. The further they moved into the forest, the worst the smell became. Scald and Saharra wrinkled their noses, but said nothing. The other three were fine, they were used to strong smells. Soon, they came across a fork in the smell trail.
The forest did not indicate any fork, but the scent of Hydra moved in two directions, one to the right and one to the left. Both smells led away from the swampy center, so the dark elves were keen to follow either one.
Brutus indicated that most of the Hydras went to the right, but just as the group turned to walk, an earsplitting roar was heard from the left. Bewildered, Brutus and Valgrim took a defensive position in front of their clients, who began their own spell preparations.
After a couple of roars, they realized the noise did not come any closer, in fact it sounded more like a fight was already in motion. Valgrim looked to Brutus, "I'll go investigate, you take them down the right trail." Brutus gromphed, then motioned for the elves to follow him.
Scald marched up to Valgrim and pointed his finger down at him. "Sir, do you mean to leave us in this Hydra infested forest?' Scald asked angrily.
"No my dear client, but if something is battling a hydra, it would do us good to know what it is so we can avoid others like it." Valgrim pointed out. "Few natural things can deal with a Hydra and survive to talk about it."
Scald thought a moment, then nodded. Turning away from the group, he began muttering in a language Valgrim could not identify. All of a sudden, a magic seal appeared on the ground, and a huge serpent rose out of it. It blinked twice, then slithered up to Scald, wrapping itself around him until it's head was on his shoulder.
"This is my familiar Nevian, take him with you." Scald declared, "we can share thoughts so if you die we will at least know what to expect."
Valgrim smiled and bowed to the dark elf. 'Charming thought.' Valgrim considered, than said "Okay, lets go Nevian."
The snake hissed once in acknowledgement, then followed him. They made their way through the forest slowly, following the roars and cries of battle. Valgrim took careful note of the snake, for it was rather large and looked big enough that a gnome might make a tasty snack. His cooking skills were probably the only thing that kept Scald from having his pet eat him.
After a few minutes and tense walking through the forest, the two came across a thick patch of thicket. They could hear sounds of battle coming though it. Getting on his belly, Valgrim and the snake made their way under it until their heads popped out the other side.
Observing the scene in front of him, Valgrim frowned, rubbed his eyes, and re-observed the battle. "Is that...a spiked bear?"
Yes, that was a medium sized bear covered in spiked armor. Yes, it was chewing on a recently dispatched Hydra head, then jumping back into the fray. And that was a dwarf hacking at two heads, yelling "Ye no hurt my kin, ye blasted overgrown worm!"
A hiss whispered into Valgrim's ear, " Sssss, ara ara what a sight." Apparently the snake could also talk...
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