Iris sips her morning tea outside of the house in which she had spent the night. The Druids around her stare disdainfully but she doesn’t care, the cool breeze blowing from the canyon is calming to her. As she continues to sit her mind races thinking about what she had heard the night before.

She thinks to herself, “The wraith being spoken about here is not good, the very man that sought to destroy the druids so many years before. I must warn Alo.” She takes another sip of her tea, a sudden updraft blows her white hair into her face and she quickly brushes it away. “Surely Alo will know how to proceed.”

As the morning turns into midday and then to evening once again Iris fears she might be spending another night here. She sits on the bed in her room honing her blade and testing her arrows. Heavy footsteps approaching snap her from her temporary trance as the door begins to open. Looking up from her work she sees Alo, “It's about time you got back” she says sharply “I was beginning to die of boredom.”

Alo slightly amused at her quip smiles a crooked half smile and waves his hand for her to follow. “Come, I have something for you.”

Iris quickly gathers her things and follows, “Its unlike you to give gifts, what’s the catch?”

Still walking forward Alo responds “It’s not a gift, it’s insurance. You are the one I have watching my back. I need to ensure you have the best equipment.”

Upon exiting the house the walk several buildings away to a large shack that is falling in upon itself. Alo looks at Iris “Go in, it’s the armory, it might not look like much from the outside but within lies some of the finest weapons you’ll ever see. Take whatever you please.”

Iris tentatively opens the door, the whole building creaks as if the door itself was the only thing supporting it. Upon entering she is left amazed, any weapon she could ever want either hangs from the wall or sits in a dusty case. She stepped further inside, her eyes widening as she took in the vast array of pristine weapons. Swords of all sizes, ornate daggers, and gleaming axes, all untouched by battle and perfectly preserved. Each weapon seemed to whisper tales of violence only waiting for the right hands to wield them.

Her fingers brushed lightly over the hilt of an ancient sword, feeling the cold metal beneath the layer of dust. As she moved deeper into the armory, her gaze fell upon a pedestal at the center, supporting a finely crafted hunting bow. It stood out among the relics, gleaming faintly in the dim light.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Drawn to the bow, Iris reached out, her breath catching in her throat. The craftsmanship was exquisite, the ornate snake skin wrapping all the way up the limbs looks like none she’s ever seen. The hand carved scorpions in the front look as if they could leap off at any moment and sting her. She continues to stand amazed, each detail a testament to the skill of its maker. She picked it up, feeling the perfect balance and weight. This was no ordinary weapon; it was a masterpiece, untouched by time, waiting for her hands.

Her gaze then fell upon a large hunting knife with a handle intricately carved with a spider. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, unlike any blade she’s ever seen, layers upon layers of steel creating an intricate design on the blade. She picked up the knife, feeling the weight of it and the careful balance. This, too, would serve her well.

As she marveled at the knife, her eyes were drawn to another weapon nearby, a whip made from the spinal cord of an ancient monster, its vertebrae polished to a mirror finish. Iris stood in awe, appreciating the eerie beauty of its construction.

This was a weapon forged from the remains of a creature long forgotten, its power and terror captured in each polished bone. She carefully took the whip, knowing its purpose was not for her but for Alo. A gift, a token of the past long forgotten to be wielded by someone who could harness its dark power.

As Iris steps out into the blinding light, the warmth of the sun contrasts with the chill darkness she felt in the armory. Alo waits outside, his eyes immediately drawn to the large whip draped over her shoulder. His expression shifts to one of visible surprise.

“That is an unexpected choice for you,” he observes, his voice filled with a hint of genuine astonishment.

Iris smiles slightly and adjusts the whip. “It’s not for me,” she says, letting it slide off her shoulder and extending it toward him. “It’s for you. A piece from the armory that I thought suited you.”

Alo takes the whip, his gaze moving over its intricate design with a clear sense of intrigue and appreciation. “This is impressive,” he says, his voice carrying a hint of respect. Alo’s attention shifts to the bow and knife with a more measured interest. “ And I see you’ve made your own selections. Those are well-chosen. They will aid you in the tasks ahead.”

Iris adjusts herself and whistles for her mount who bounds over, she gently rubs the giant horse's head. “We need to leave soon, the Druids of the village have spoken of the wraith and I don’t want to be here if he appears.”

Alo’s eyes harden his hand reaching for his knife “What do you know of the wraith?”