Eroan did not enjoy much socialization, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t capable of it, or lacked social skills. He just tended to avoid it when possible. Travel with Robateli, however, make that neigh impossible. Though socially capable as well, Robateli, like Eroan tended to only enjoy small intimate social circles as well, however his thirst for new experiences often drove Eroan into more social experiences than perhaps he would have on his own. That and of course because he was a troll. Not exactly a welcome sight in most towns rural or otherwise.

Robateli had dark bluish green skin, long dirty blond hair that he wore in a mid-length braid and hung low down the side of his face in long chops that hung well below his chin. Jutting out sharply from the left and right side of his mouth were short tusks, one tip chipped slightly. His eyes a dimly glowing yellow. He was all muscle and bone. Lean and sinewy. He wore simple leather breaches, a skirt like satchel around tied around his waist, and at his hip a quiver of arrows. Across his chest a leather strap that connected to one leather pauldron adorned with a concave wooden mask. Opposite the pauldron, when not in use he carried his bow unstrung behind his back. Scars littered his body in varying stages of healing. As a troll, he healed far faster than most mortal creatures, but even deep scars could take years to completely heal for him. The cost of living such a wildlife he tended to say to those that asked.

Eroan wasn’t alone in standing out truth be told; elves did not exactly escape notice in this part of the world. Eroan was short for an elf, standing only about as tall as the average human. Silver gray hair that he kept tied back complimented his thin but full beard. His racially distinctive ears pointing out along the sides of his head. Generally wearing blue robes with a blue cowl. Both trimmed with embroidery. Around his waist a leather belt that on one hip held two small leather pouches, and one larger leather satchel. To the other hip was chained a leather-bound tomb.

Here they were though, both of them, at the center of a crowed town square of humans. Men, woman, and children, at least 50 of them in this square surrounding them. Cheers and laughter abound. No prejudice against Robateli for being a troll. No contempt toward Eroan for being long lived. No, just simple and unfiltered thanksgiving to those that saved their small town. The thanks spilled into the evening, and well into the night. The town tapped the wine kegs they were saving through the winter that remained and they celebrated the safety that returned to their lands so that they could return to their fields. Robateli and Eroan received the praise well into the evening before retiring for the night as a guest at the mayor’s own home, once Robateli offered to sleep in the stables of course, not all precaution thrown to the wind it seemed made Robateli laugh even more.

In the morning the pair woke and met for a share of bread, then thanked the mayor one more time for the payment received before departing the town of Mossbell heading north.

“Was you breakin ya back worth it for that Eroan?”

Robateli smiled toward Eroan once they were a half an hour silent.

“All that for a simple piece of parchment and a 10 gold pieces?”

“It wasn’t a normal piece of parchment Robateli you are not so foolish. You simply want me to reveal what the spell does because you can’t read it. You could simply have asked, and I would have told you. “

Eroan said slyly before breaking into a wide smile and looking at his friend.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“It is a spell for a rain shower large enough to cover about one acre.”

“All that for a spell to make it sprinkle on the field Eroan? Ho Ho Ha Ha! And you think dat da trolls be simple minded!? You’z somting else Eroan.”

Robateli placed his hand on his face and shook his head, exhaling sharply in spurts from time to time.

“It serves as a foundation.”

Eroan spoke as he repeated the action, he used the day before to summon his staff. From the void he pulled the staff out and when that magic dissipated, he began to speak words that Robateli did not understand outside of their being the incantation for whatever spell he was about to cast.

The air swirled gently on this warm spring day. The wet earth from two days prior drying now, was once again wetted as a dark cloud formed above the field beside the two travelers and a soft gentle rain began to fall.

Eroan spoke again

“From which upon, building blocks can be layered”

The rain picking up pace, the wind blew harder, and a crash of thunder rang out on the breeze. The tension loosening as a single lighting bolt danced in a flash toward the ground striking the earth with a crack.

“It’s because of spells like those that I can learn to make spells like these. This being only my first try, it was a great deal more taxing.”

Eroan sighed as his own tension released and he caught his breath.

“You really are somtin else hu? I take it back it was worth it den.”

Robateli paused for a long while as they began to walk again. The clear clouds and the bright blue sky gave the sun ample room to warm their backs. After a while, Robateli spoke up again, not realizing why he had not already asked.

“So, where we go from here? We walkin north now, you started out this way you gotta reason?”

Robateli said with a raised eyebrow as he looked down slightly toward Eroan.

Eroan frowned and looked directly at Robateli. A sad weight to his eyes so normally bright.

“Robateli my friend, were I intend to go next, is to the east. Through the swamp of sorrows. A land I know well that the Trolls fear to enter. I would not ask you to go. But perhaps, if you wanted. You could wait here near for my return and we can continue from there if that would mean we could still travel together”

Robateli stopped and put his hand to his chin and his three large fingers rubbed his face. Earon stopped just a few paces later and turned to face him, his head lowered slightly, looking back at him slightly ashamed.

“An why you goin dat far east? What’s over der uh?”

Robateli responded as if what Eroan just said missed him completely. Eroan looked up unable to hide his look of confusion. His left eye squinting slightly, and the mouths edge on that same side climbing closer together on the left side of his face. His head tilted to the left before he shook his head and regained his composure.

“Agoval…The magical capital of the humans. Where they first learned magic, and their most experienced and aged wizards tend to reside. I must go there after encountering this beast to inform them in more detail than what is possible through magical sending spells alone.”

Eroan replied heart sinking with each word as the reality of the journey dawned on him.

“It has been almost 22 years since I was last in Agoval, the journey is long but not to hard from here, until the swamp of sorrows that is. “

He paused for a moment before speaking again uncharacteristically quickly for the magi.

“Robateli I would not ask of you to go through as I said. I would very much like to meet up with you again after, though that could be several months. It will take the better part of a month for me to travel to Agoval on foot as it is so I should get started right away. So I would….”

“If I wasn’t gunna go I woulda said so da first time eh? Nah, I ain’t worried about no mumbo jumbo out der from ancient history. Ol’ Robateli be more excited to hear about this magical village you said. Agoval hu? Ain’t neva hurd of such a place. A manling village hu? You said its far, we should get started on da way, you can tell me more as we go hu? Haha”

Robateli barked out as if the entire world was listening.

Eroan’s face brightened, and he smiled from just the left side of his mouth as he nodded in agreement.

“Yes of course, let us get started”