111. Cold Summer Day

111. Cold Summer Day

Omen: 4, 9

“No wonder it’s going to take so long,” Adam said, trekking with the rest of the group, wiping his brow from the thick sweat which had gathered.

They had followed the road up to Jaghi for a little over a day before they veered eastward, keeping the forest to their right. Sir Harvey stopped often, finding all manner of plants and herbs, as well as checking the health of the plants nearby.

“It is part of our role,” Jurot said, simply. After all, they were to escort the High Alchemist, but it wasn’t just Goldarb he was looking for, he seemed to have other tasks at hand, which he did not share with the rest of the party.

They had come across a few beasts when they trekked through the forest, and even when they followed the plains, but none dared to get close.

“I thought it was going to be dangerous,” the Half Elf said.

Jurot nodded. “In a few days times, it will be.”

“What will be waiting for us?”

It was upon his words that a large number of beasts appeared ahead of them, running across their path. They were rushing northwards, towards the group’s left, bounding away as they cried and shrieked. There were all manner of beasts, from elks to bears, even wolves, all seemingly appearing at the same time.

“What’s up with them?” Adam asked.

“I do not know,” Jurot admitted, before looking towards Aizaban and Lanban.

The older Iyrmen stared at the beasts for some time, narrowing their eyes as they fell into thought.

“They’re spooked,” Adam said.

Something pinged in the back of his mind and he quickly shot his gaze upward. “Eyes to the sky!”

Perception Check

D20 + 3 = 5 (2)

The sun, which had beat down on the group, causing them to take more frequent breaks, blinded the Half Elf.

“Adam,” Jurot said, patting the Half Elf’s arm, “Dragon.”

“Dragon?” Adam asked. “Is it a White Dragon?”

“Yes,” he said.

Adam’s heart began to pound wildly. ‘It has to be them. I knew it. I... I...’

Aizaban and Lanban glanced between one another, and Paul stood between them, his brow covered in sweat.

‘Seriously! It was true?’

They all had thought the same thing, but the tone in Paul’s mind was different than the Iyrmen’s.

Their eyes fell to the Half Elf, who was standing still, frozen, deep in thought.

‘A White Dragon? Those guys are probably facing it right now, but I can’t just bring along Dunes and the others, they would die.’

“A White Dragon?” Sir Harvey said. “We should leave. A White Dragon isn’t something that we can-“

“Lanban!” Adam shouted, calling for the Iyrman’s attention. “Lead the way! You guys stay here and protect the High Alchemist!”

Lanban grinned wide. “I shall lead the way!”

Adam’s eyes fell to Aizaban and Paul for a moment, nodding towards the pair. “Let’s go.”

The four darted away from the group, only to be followed by another, the other Half Elf who had been following along.

Lanban led them forward, towards the forest, which was near silent. His Iyrman ears twitched, hearing the distant sounds of battle, which only enticed him near. ‘A White Dragon!’

Aizaban was following behind in her heavy plate mail, having donned her shield, which was painted with the symbol of Wahtu, which was flashing hot. It spurred her steps, though her feet were aching from the journey. ‘A White Dragon!’

‘A White Dragon!’ Paul thought, cursing the world. ‘I can’t believe it!’ He remained near his wife, who would probably be targeted first due to the fact she was a Priest.

Attack (Flanking)

D20 + 8 = 14 (6)

D20 + 8 = 26 (18)

Hit!

Mana: 5 -> 3

1D6 + 2D6 + 3D6 + 5 = (3)(1, 3)(3, 5, 5)

25 damage!

As it tried to leap upwards, forcing Lanban away with its wind, Vandra saw a puny creature within puthral plate mail leap up with a powerful blade. Her head darted forward to try and bite against him, since he wore such great armour and wielded such a great blade, she could at least take him away to fill her hoard.

“Who gave you permission to flee?” Adam asked, gripping his blade tightly within his hand.

As those mighty jaws snapped towards him, Adam caught her jaws with his shield, and pierced her jaw through with his blade, which flashed white hot with his Smite.

Vandra screeched as the blade struck through her neck, realising just how powerful the blow had been, as she almost fell to the blackness of death.

“No!” the dragon roared, trying to toss him off of her, but Adam kept a firm grip on the shield which was caught in her mouth.

He raised his white sword, which caught the sun across its blade.

“Sorry, but my sister’s waiting,” he said, swinging down, cutting through her neck once again, cleaving through the meaty appendage, and cutting her screeches short.

He dropped, the dragon’s head landing on top of him and pinning him underneath. The dragon fell on top of Lanban, who had swung once again to meet her, causing her entire body to shake as she dropped beside him.

The Iyrman roared with laughter, throwing his fists into the air. “Yes!” he declared. “The Dragon is slain!”

Victory

Vandra

XP Gained: +1000

XP: 970 -> 1970

Adam lay there under the head, panting for air.

‘That was easier than I thought.’

His eyes fell to the group of four, which had regrouped, and had watched as their nemesis was finally slain. He smiled and pushed Vandra’s head off of him, before rolling over to stumble onto his feet.

“Lovely weather we’re having, isn’t it?” Adam said, panting as he made his way over to the group of four.

His eyes caught Rojer’s, then Redboulder’s, who had removed his helmet to reveal a nasty scar, recently gifted, before then looking to the two women, who were humans.

They stared at him, wondering who he was, and unsure of what he was doing. They had randomly appeared, with two Iyrmen, one of whom had healed their Wizard, who had nearly fallen from Vandra’s assault not minutes ago.

“Who the hell are you two?” Adam asked, glancing at the women, raising his brows.

“We should be asking you that, stranger,” the woman in the armour said.

“I’m Adam, son of Fate,” he said, taking off his helmet to reveal his pointed ears. “I expected to meet a Lady, along with another who was partly of my kind,” he said, looking to the other woman. ‘Did it change again?’

“You’re a Half Elf?” the woman gasped, staring at Adam. She also noted the Copper Rank tag on display, which only caused her eyes to fill with more confusion.

“Yep,” Adam said, wiggling his ears. “Anyway, I was here looking for a Lady by the name of-“

“White Grace!” Paul called out, quickly rushing over towards the four.

Their eyes shot over to Paul, full of shock and suspicion, more so than for Adam. “You’ve heard of us?” the woman asked, staring at the man.

“I’m Vice Master Paul, from the Red Oak branch,” he said, extending a hand and greeting each of them.

Almost instantly, the entire group relaxed. “It is good fortune that we meet,” the woman said, shaking his hand.

“You aren’t kidding,” Paul replied, throwing a look to Adam. “You were looking for this party?”

“That’s right,” Adam said.

Paul blinked at him, and the other four stared at him in shock, their eyes quickly falling to Paul with a quizzical look.

“Don’t ask me,” he said. “I don’t understand him one bit.”

‘What just happened?’ Jonn thought.

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I have no idea, Jonn.

I have no idea.