[https://i.imgur.com/LjktLXE.jpg]
So, we were going up the mountain and I had already sensed where the monsters would be.
The path was a bit steep, but Milo was used to it and followed us. He was also a bit of a warrior and from time to time he would kick his hoof as if to show that he could hunt like his father Blizzard. Although he was a herbivore he knew where to strike to protect his people.
Lex followed in silence, as if he was being carried by the wind.
Meanwhile, above the thick mist that had descended from the mountain, an ominous creature circled and sniffed.
All day long it was circling, looking for prey but also for a particular prey. Its scaly white dress blended in perfectly with the mist and its movement was silent. Like a moth.
The air slid by without a whimper.
The creature knew every corner of the forest and yet it hunted, searched, and even entered dark dungeons.
And that day, something fine and subtle touched one of its sensors on the muzzle. And, following the wind, she changed direction.
HAN
SLASH
TAPE
CUT
"Magic missile!" shouted Cedric.
"Right on target." And a bat went down.
Saphie fired her bow and wounded a monster trying to get too close, but it was met with an uppercut from Torin still holding his sword, but it was the guard that struck.
The beast seemed to get more damage from the fists than from the blade.
Saphie: "You hit hard!"
I winked at her.
Manu: "Tangle!"
And some vines rushed to catch the last creature
It collapsed with a well adjusted blow of the bat.
The 6 bats were absorbed by Lex's storage ring. It was a welcome help.
"Impressive you four. You work as a team much better than most adventurers. Real teamwork. Congratulations! You and Torin will have a great career too, I'm sure. You are already the elite youth of this kingdom. You can be sure of that.
"Nobles and apprentice knights of your age don't come close to your boot.
You, Cedric, who have mastered combat magic and know how to keep your concentration and especially without hurting your friends... few magicians do. They often use spells that are too powerful for them, resulting in drama."
You, Saphie, with your mastery of the bow and the precision of your shots on a moving target and your other qualities of hunter.
You, Manu, with your prayers and your faith know how to turn the scenery and the plants to the advantage of the team. You support the group. You will one day work miracles. I am sure you will.
And, finally, you, Torin,
I see you have Thor's blessing on you. Don't be embarrassed and be proud of it!
You have a valuable group of friends and I am sure that one day you will ride the dragon!"
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
After a pause to realize what was happening to us, we realized that we had passed some sort of test.
Even though it was a rainy and foggy day, I could feel the sun breaking through the clouds!
But our adventure did not stop there. We went to bivouac at our hunting hut.
It was very simple with a hearth, a roof and 2 rooms with a separation between girl and boy. Outside, a small roof with a wall to accommodate the logs and dry them.
A bench and some stools cut in the forest. We had done everything ourselves, or at least we had expanded what Dad had built.
It was becoming comfortable and potentially offered the possibility of living there in case of need or if we had to flee.
Of course, the location was a secret and only my real friends knew the location since they also participated in the expansion of the cabin, which looked more like a shed.
An old beer barrel served as a table outside.
From there we had a beautiful view of the hidden valley and the paths that led to this place.
We spent the night there and the dry wood didn't give off any smoke and we could sleep without arousing any suspicion. The cabin was super well hidden...
The next morning, the forest was rather silent.
I was on my guard.
" Friends, do you hear like me? "
Cedric: "Uh... we can't hear anything... can you Saphie?"
Saphie: "No... Is there a problem, Torin?"
"The problem is that it's silent!
"AH!"
The hut being high on the mountainside and also a well-protected shelter.
"Torin, I don't feel like it... Why don't we go inside?" asked Saphie...
"Yes... you're right, let's not betray our parents' fears... we shouldn't take unnecessary risks.
But... hidden further in the trees, someone was listening to us.
Hearing our words, he breathed with contentment.
Ragul had come up to observe us and especially to observe what Lex wanted. He didn't feel it but he could be wrong...
In those days everyone was paranoid. Everybody denounced everybody and the guillotine was cutting as much as the butcher...
The cemetery was becoming too small and fear had settled in the city.
The atmosphere was terrible, heavy and oppressive. This also influenced the trade, which began to slow down. And the guilds complained about the overzealous guards and magistrates.
The assassins' guild had many orders in advance... and prospered more than ever.
Guards, nobles, merchants, politicians... no one was safe, and public executions ceased, replaced by one based on vendetta. A secret war.
Lord Blackthorne had cornered himself. Being a bully does not mean being a good strategist.
The rage then of the nobles and the wealthy fighting each other fell on the little people once again.
The people were waiting for something. They didn't know it, but they hoped for a hero who would bring happiness and prosperity.
But, unlike other times, there was no target for their lament.
Before, there was Mondain, then Minax and finally Exodus... but now who? Blackthorne? He was already Lord British's prime minister...
The sheriff? The army? No... this time the evil was more insidious. Subtle, hidden and very, very intelligent. Certainly aware of the mistakes of his predecessors.
We went back down with our things and then Milo growled. Like him I had smelled a subtle and hostile smell: Wargs!
These wolves or "WOLVES" were giant and numerous.
Even with the four of us, it would be impossible to defeat any of them.
The race being impossible to say Milo: "I count on you to call for help. Take my three friends with you. I love you and if I don't make it, I'll never forget you.
Sapphie came over and kissed me on the mouth.. "Please, Torin, you have a future! Take Milo and run!"
I tapped Milo on the buttocks and he got the message. The longer the goodbyes, the more painful they are.
Milon was running downhill and... luckily they hadn't been spotted yet.
So I looked for a tree or a peak near the hut. I knew they would destroy the stones and doors... hiding wasn't an option.
Fighting wasn't an option either.
Then I saw a solid tree on top of a rock and I started to climb and pulled out the roots where these monsters could get a foothold.
Dad had seen the situation and his was not much better. He could kill 2-3 Wargs by himself but 6...
They were afraid of the sun but here the mist covered everything.
Dad decided to join me. With 1 sword and an axe, maybe we would have a small chance if they gave up.
He didn't take any risks and when I saw him, I was happy. Dying as a hero and with his daddy was better than ending up as game.
And... just as we thought, the Wargs were on us for the next 3 minutes.
They slipped and tried to climb the rock. The wetness made climbing difficult and bought us time, but at night it would be worse.
Then, even if the wargs couldn't climb, we'd sleep through exhaustion and they'd just pick us up and eat us.
Daddy then climbed up on the trough, below me.
He gored us so that we would not fall and be drawn down in case of bites.
Quickly, the infernal wolves jumped higher and higher and one of them came to the rock and watched as they bit us and knocked us off the branches.
We could smell their cave breath and their black fur smelling of earth and blood.
But it was their roars and their red eyes.
Soon a second one was at the base of the tree.
They were excellent and experienced hunters and knew all the tricks to capture difficult prey.
"You know, son... I was happy to have been your father but if we have to part one day, don't forget us and watch over your mom. I know you will make her happy too."
"But Dad. Don't jump! You promise me!"