Donoapi Tlushir

(story one) (part one) (Isksir’s first journey)

Isksir Tobor was alone. You wouldn’t usually find this strange. She had lived all her life in the village of Skatuch where she would spend most of her time in the woods reading on her own or walking down half-hidden paths.

If you were to ask her why she would rather be in the woods alone than playing with the other kids her age, she might reply, “They don’t want me nor I them!” and stalk off.

You might wonder why she was so disliked by the other children of the village. The answer is that they were afraid of her because her mother was not a human. Some said she was a witch, some an elemental, but the truth was she was a fey. Her mother had died two years ago.

Isksir’s father was a drunkard and often would beat her, so she would walk in the forest to avoid him for he was a highly superstitious man and was afraid of the forest. Isksir loved the forest. Every plant would call to her, every tree looked like a friend.

On the third night of the fourth moon Isksir woke with a start because she had heard shouts from the street. Looking out the window she saw a group of villagers with torches. One of them shouted, “There she is, the witch’s daughter!”

When she awoke, she realized that her room, and indeed her whole house, was full of plants. Ivy climbing the walls, flowers blooming from the furniture, and her bed had turned to a lush pile of moss.

The villagers broke down the door yelling, “Kill her before she curses the whole town!” Terrified, Isksir climbed out the window and ran for the woods. She didn’t stop running until tired and scared she leaned against a tree and fell asleep.

She woke up and almost screamed for right in front of her was a boy. “Hello, who are you?” He asked.

“My name is Isksir, and I must be on my way.”

“Now wait a minute!” the boy called, “Are you just going to wander off into the forest in your night clothes? For I could lend you help if you’re lost.”

“I’m not lost!” she replied. Then immediately realized this was not true. She had no idea where she was. “I suppose you could point me to the nearest village”

“Why of course! My name is Ergriff Sune, by the way. The nearest settlement is the city of Frevor Goawy.” Isksir was confused because Frevor Goawy was over a hundred miles from Skatuch.

“How far is that from here?” she asked.

“Just over two miles west,” Ergriff answered.

“How is that possible?" Isksir asked, “I was in the village of Skatuch just last night!”

“That’s impossible!” Ergriff replied, “you either are not of sound mind or moved almost 100 miles while you slept!”

A couple hours later they arrived at Frevor Goawy. The city was the largest Isksir had ever seen. As they were entering the gates a guard stopped them.

“Little miss, from where do you hail? And why are you dressed thus?”

“I come from the village of Skatuch where they chased me out in the night, so I was not prepared for the journey,” Isksir explained.

“Why did they drive you from your village, little one?”

Isksir, growing concerned, lied, “My father was an evil man and had burned down the town hall dying in the fire. The village wanted someone to blame.” The guard, having many more people to question, and not wanting to get tangled in this trouble, let them pass.

In the city Ergriff asked, “What really happened? I could tell you were lying.”

She answered, “I don’t fully know. I woke up in the night and saw that a wild magic was on the house for the walls and floor were growing plants.”

“Whoa are you a sorcerer?” he asked.

Isksir growing defensive said, “I don’t think so I have never done that before.”

As they were talking, they walked by a dark alley from which a group of humans jumped out. “Ah there you are Ergriff! We’ve been looking for you,” one of them said.

“Run Isksir!” Ergriff exclaimed as he was dragged away.

She ran. Behind her she heard one of the ruffians shout, “Run now girl! We’ll catch you later.”

Isksir Tobor was alone.

Isksir wandered around aimlessly the rest of the day. She eventually found herself in the merchant quarters of the city. Approaching a bread merchant she asked, “Could you spare some bread for me, for I am very hungry and have no money.”

Rudely he replied, "I won’t save bread for beggars and vagabonds! You probably stole your clothes from an honest girl’s wash line!”

That night Isksir cried herself to sleep. She dreamed that a voice was speaking to her. The voice was soft yet strong like wind in the trees.

“Hush child we will take care of you. The forest chose you. We will grow with you.”

When she woke up, she felt different. Her dress had ivy growing in a pattern up it. Behind her head was a moss pillow. Now she was a little scared for this was the third time in as many days something strange had happened while she slept.

Isksir resolved to find Ergriff. As she was about to start off, she saw a growth of edible mushrooms where she had slept the night before. Refreshed after eating the mushrooms and forming a plan, Isksir went to the alley where she last saw Ergriff.

The name of the alley was “Fesi Ekess N'teaz'r.”

Isksir boldly called out,” You cowards! You said you would catch me later and so far; you have failed!” Then she ran.

Inside the alley the thugs were very confused. “Who was that?” “That little idiot came back to taunt us! Let’s get her!”

Isksir, followed by four scoundrels darted towards a large tree she had seen earlier. When she was right in front of it, she whispered, “Please let me in!” she stepped forwards.

She felt the tree wrap her into itself. Outside the tree the thugs twice in one day were very confused. For in front of them was a large tree with ivy wrapping up its trunk like a design and behind the tree a solid wall.

“Where is she?” “She came this way!” “She must have climbed over the wall!” The scoundrels climbed over the wall and out of sight.

Isksir Tobor stepped out of the tree. Looking down she saw her dress had turned into a wood-like color with ivy climbing up it. She stood for a second confused, “What was I doing here?” Then she remembered.

She quickly ran back to Fesi Ekess N'teaz'r and ducked inside an open door. Inside she was startled to see a very large, mean-looking man. “HA LITTLE GIRL!” he bellowed, “I’LL KILL YOU FOR TRYING TO ENTER OUR BASE!” Then he slumped over unconscious.

Ergriff Sune had struck him with a large rock. “Isksir!” He exclaimed. Running over to her, he said, “Thanks for saving my life! I never could have escaped unless everyone had left. Whoa what happened to your dress?”

They quickly left the city. Isksir was feeling wonderful, for she had made a friend, and it only took being forced from her village to do it…

(end of part one)

Donoapi Tlushir

(story one) (part two) (Introducing Ivy)

Ergriff Sune was walking in the great forest with Isksir Tobor. He was concerned for her because strange things kept happening around her.

Just the night before he had awoken to what sounded like singing. He saw Isksir walking in a slow circle. Singing and resting her hand on each tree she passed.

Walking up to her he asked, “Are you okay Isksir? What are you doing?”

At his words she seemed to start as if she were just waking up. “Where am I?” she asked, “Ergriff? Oh, we’re outside the city.”

“What were you doing this late at night?" Ergriff questioned.

Shaking her head Isksir replied, “I don’t know what you mean. You just woke me up.”

The next morning the pair were walking in a creepy stretch of the forest. There were gouge marks in the trees, and large prints on the ground. “Watch the woods, Isksir. Something large lives here.”

A little later they started hearing footsteps. “We need to hide, Ergriff! That thing is coming!”

As soon as she had said it Ergriff was up a tree. “Here Isksir I’ll help you up!” but it was too late.

A massive bear walked into view. It saw Isksir and roared. As Ergriff watched, Isksir yelped and stepped into the tree. Ergriff was amazed. She had fully disappeared into the tree and all that was left was a cluster of ivy that slowly grew up the tree in long tendrils. Ergriff climbed higher to avoid the ivy. He didn’t trust magic.

Meanwhile the bear was furious. It roared and pawed at the tree. After a while it got bored and wandered away. Ergriff got down, careful not to touch the ivy. A few seconds later Isksir stepped out of the tree.

Her dress had changed so that it was a lot shorter and was pale green. “Isksir? What was that?” Ergriff asked.

She responded by asking, “Who are you?” Ergriff noticed that her ears were pointed, and her skin was now very pale.

Suddenly she slumped over. Her dress turned full length and white, and color returned to her skin. Now Ergriff was very worried. He grabbed her before she hit the ground. “What did you do?” he wondered.

Isksir Tobor was dreaming. She dreamed she was walking in the forest with her mother. Isksir frowned.

“What’s wrong little one?” her mother asked with a gentle voice like wind whispering over grass.

“Something’s not right. I was somewhere else with someone else. Who was I with? Ergriff!” Then she woke up.

Ergriff was quite startled when Isksir woke up in his arms.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I could ask the same of you!” Ergriff responded.

“I was walking with my mother, but I also felt that I was somewhere else.”

“I thought your mother was dead,” Ergriff commented.

“She is, Ergriff, it was just a dream!” Isksir shouted. As she shouted the ivy on her dress grew long and sharp looking.

Ergriff was terrified. “Okay sorry! Don’t get upset. Your magic is growing out of control!”

Isksir looked at her dress and noticed the sharp creepy ivy. “Sorry Ergriff, I can’t control it. It just happened.”

That night Ergriff decided to stay up and watch. He was sure something was wrong with Isksir. After about 2 hours a sweet smell filled his nose. He immediately grew tired. Just before he fell asleep, he saw light blue flowers covering the previously clear ground.

The girl woke up. “Where am I?” She asked herself. Then she thought of a better question; “Who am I?” Looking down she saw that she had ivy growing up her body like clothes. “Ivy. That sounds pretty. My name will be Ivy!”

Ivy investigated her surroundings. She was in a clearing full of small blue flowers. She started.

Not ten feet away she saw a human boy sound asleep. “How unfortunate,” She thought. “A human ruining this perfect night. I can fix that though.” She was approaching the sleeping figure, almost touching him, when she slumped over unconscious.

“Isk… Isk…,” the daughter was walking with her mother struggling to remember her name. “Momma?”

“Yes, small one?” her mother replied, with a voice gentle like water flowing in a forest brook.

“Where are we going?”

“You will see.”

The daughter was thinking, “my name started with an I didn’t it?” When her head started hurting so badly, she cried out.

“Little one! Are you in pain?” her mother asked concernedly.

“Yes! Ow my head. I feel like I’m dying! Mother help!”

Her mother’s face grew concerned. she mumbled, “You should not be hurting. What’s wrong with the spell?”

“Isksir! That’s my name! Ergriff! where is he?” Isksir asked a second before she blacked out.

(end of part two)

Donoapi Tlushir

(story one) (part three) (Ergriff’s Fear)

Ergriff awoke, he felt more refreshed than ever before. Then he remembered Isksir. Looking around he saw her face down, not three feet from him. He watched as the ivy covering her grew denser and the color faded. Not soon after her regular white dress had appeared she woke up.

“Ergriff!” she called out sitting up suddenly.

“Yes?” Ergriff replied in a suspicious tone.

“Ergriff, something’s wrong.”

“I know that much!” Ergriff snapped. “You’ve been acting strangely since we left the city!”

“What? No, I was talking about these flowers.” She gestured to the small blue flowers growing on the ground around them. “They are called ‘Dask xtirl’ or The Sleeping Sirens. And they shouldn’t be here!”

“I could care less about the plants, Isksir! What’s been happening to you?!”

“Don’t shout at me, Ergriff. I don’t know why these things have been happening,” Isksir said almost sulkily.

“Sorry Isksir, I’m just concerned about you. You have been acting like you don’t know me, and when you seem yourself, you don’t remember what I’m talking about! Earlier when I woke up you were three feet away face down with your arm stretching towards me. It was terrifying!”

“That’s unusual. To me I’m just walking with my mother in a forest. I always feel like there is something off. Last time I got a splitting headache. I’m glad I did, or I might not have woken up.”

“How can we keep this from happening?” Ergriff wondered. “I got it! This only happens when you fall asleep or touch a tree right?”

“Actually,” Isksir answered, “I think it is just when I touch a tree, For I was leaning against a tree as I fell asleep.”

“Great! So, you just need to stay away from trees.”

A strange look came into Isksir’s eyes, and they flashed green. “Oh, is that all!?” she asked with a voice that made Ergriff want to run. “Just stay away from trees. Foolish human! I will not stay away from my only friends!”

As she talked her dress changed shape, it was now made of ivy and stopped just short of her knee. Her ears became longer and pointed, and her skin paled almost to white. Ivy faced Ergriff. “Ah, human. I forgive you. Come to me and I will fix you.”

Ergriff ran. Though Ivy pursued him, Ergriff was much faster, and quickly was out of sight.

Ivy stopped. She had won. She had scared off the boy. There was no incentive for Isksir to come back. Mother would be pleased.

Isksir looked around. Only moments before she had been standing talking to… who had she been talking to? Her mother was standing by her. “Walk with me, little one,” she said.

“Where was I a moment ago?” Isksir asked.

“What do you mean child? You have always been here.”

“Have I really been here forever?” The daughter wondered. “I can’t remember anywhere else, yet I feel I was with someone else. I was mad at them, wasn’t I?”

After walking awhile, they stood in front of a giant tree. This tree was so large you could fit a whole village inside. Growing near the ground were some kind of fruit. Her mother caught one as it fell. “Here little one, try this fruit.”

“Is it safe?”

Her mother looked hurt, “Of course it is! I would never harm you!”

The daughter felt uneasy. She seemed to remember something, “I was in pain some time ago. I felt like I was dying.”

“Don’t think of those things. You are safe here. You can trust me.”

As her mother talked a sweet fragrance emanated from her mouth. The daughter almost believed her, but one thing held her back. “You died. How are you here?” As she remembered this, her head felt like it exploded.

“OWW! This has happened before!” The daughter fell to the ground.

“Not again!” her mother cried. “What’s causing this?”

“My name is Isksir Tobor! Ergriff! That’s who I was with!”

Her mother rushed to grab her yelling, “You leave me no choice!” As she reached out to touch her, Isksir disappeared.

Ergriff slowed down. He had been running for almost an hour. He was ashamed of himself. Isksir had come back to him when he needed help, yet he had just run away from her. He turned around and started back.

He was almost back to where he left Isksir, if it was her, when out of the trees fell a large creature. This creature was purple and looked like a spider standing on two feet. It turned towards him. Ergriff yelled and backed away.

Ivy heard Ergriff scream. “Why is he so close? He should have run to the next village by now. Why is he screaming?” then she felt Isksir coming back. “No!” she cried, “Why was Isksir not stuck in the First world?” she wondered. “Has mother failed? How could she?”

Isksir woke up just in time to hear Ergriff’s last shout. She rushed forward, picking up a stick, she found herself face to face with an Ettercap. She had occasionally seen these in the woods by her house, and knew to walk away calmly for fast motion made them attack.

Against better knowledge, she rushed at the Ettercap and whacked it upside the head. It was so startled it just stood there for a second before Ergriff stabbed it with a sharp tree branch. It fell to the ground twitching.

“Thanks, Isksir,” Ergriff looked at her cocking his head. “When I first found you asleep by that tree, I couldn’t have guessed what an unusual friend you’d be.”

The pair of friends walked off into the forest wondering at the strange events of the past week.

(end of part three)

The dreamer woke with a start,

“ERGRIFF!” he called.

The dream was already fading from memory.

It had something to do with a girl,

the fey,

and FRIENDS.

The dreamer wished he had friends.

Turning over he fell asleep,

and HE DREAMED…

Donoapi Tlushir

(story two) (part one) (Zivrin’s luck)

A few called ZiVrinpict EkessWerMontu DiDrekimBraneir by his full name, most didn’t bother trying. He usually went by Zivrin. Most people would walk by Zivrin on the street without looking back, but the people that had met Zivrin knew him to be the strangest person they had ever met. If you asked them to describe Zivrin they would all answer with the same first word; lucky. To give you an example most folks would tell of the story of the Orc with the Ox Cart.

One day an orc walked into the sleepy village of Drivir pulling an ox cart behind him.

Zivrin, who was known to have a snide and mocking manner to even the most distinguished village elder, called out, “Hey orc! You smell horrible! What did you do, roll in the stick swamp?”

The orc did indeed roll in the stink swamp. Annoyed He snarled back, “Shut your mouth boy, or I’ll tear off your lips.” Thinking that was that the orc turned to the other villagers.

He was about to start selling his wares to his first customer when Zivrin spoke again. “I doubt you could pull the lips of a bird let alone mine!”

Quite flustered now the orc challenged Zivrin, “I could to! Bring me any bird and I will rip off its lips!”

“Alright wait here!” Zivrin responded as he ran off. A couple of minutes later he returned carrying a chicken. “Here’s your bird!” he called mockingly, “Go ahead. Pull of its lips.”

It took the orc a good twenty seconds to figure out the joke, “But birds don’t have lips!” It took him another ten seconds to realize he was being insulted. Nearby the villagers started laughing. “I’ll kill you!” the orc roared charging toward Zivrin. Zivrin was almost in the orc’s reach when the orc stepped on the chicken.

The orc tumbled to the ground at Zivrin’s feet, his head split open by the cobble stones.

Zivrin started clapping for himself, a couple other people joining in. “Today we have witnessed a great victory!” Zivrin’s voice carried through the village square. “This brute has been beaten by shear intellect!” He would have said more had he not walked straight into a lamppost and been knocked out cold.

Most people would call Zivrin lucky, but that luck was not always on his side.

(end of part one)

Donoapi Tlushir

(story two) (part two) (a change of luck)

No one knew where Zivrin came from, or who his family was. No one knew that he lived in a cave formerly inhabited by a bog hag, who had accidentally turned herself into a toad. Within an hour Zivrin had found the cave. That day he also contracted a rare skin disease that made his skin turn blue. He considered this a fair trade.

On the third day of the fourth moon Zivrin was walking through the woods near Drivir when he heard a shout from above him. He looked up and quickly jumped out of the way as a girl in bright purple armor with a rather large sword fell from the sky and landed at his feet.

“Strange.” Zivrin asked himself, “I wonder if she is of good or bad luck.” Looking down at her he said, “I appreciate you dropping in, and you would be?”

“I am Mrith CaexSi Jaecr knight of the mountain watch. Though I haven’t seen the mountain in over a month. I would ask you who you are, and where I am?”

“I’m Zivrin, and you’re outside the village of Drivir. Do you fall from the sky all the time? Cause if I were you, I’d be like, ‘Ahhhhhh! I’m falling from the sky! Help!’ And ‘Do you happen to have a cleric because I just fell a mile vertically and should be dead.’”

Mrith looked at him her face perfectly serious when she said, “I fall from the sky all the time.”

Zivrin was dumbfounded, “Really? Why?”

“I volunteered for a test of a new teleportation rune. It was supposed to teleport me inside the mountain, but instead I’ve been skipping all over the continent. I just try to get some food before I teleport away again.”

“Huh… that’s kind of cool.”

Mrith looked annoyed, “Not when it’s been happening to you every day for the past month. About once a day I get taken to a new place. Now do you have any food?” As she was talking it appeared as if parts of her were drifting away.

“Whoa! What’s happening?” Zivrin asked.

“Oh no! I’m fading away again! That’s never happened twice in a day before.”

Zivrin looked a little guilty. “I think I know why it’s happening.”

Right as Mrith was fading away, a branch fell from a tree and hit Zivrin on the head knocking him into Mrith.

The whole world spun around him as he was carried away by the spell.

Next, he was high in the sky, free falling. “Ahhhhhhhhh! I’m Going to die!”

“No, you won’t,” Mrith was falling beside him doing front flips and summersaults in the air.

“This is all your fault!” Zivrin yelled though he could barely hear himself over the rushing wind. He knew that it wasn’t, but the other option was to blame himself.

Seconds later they fell through the tree cover and hit the ground. Zivrin was surprised, “That didn’t hurt!”

“I told you it wouldn’t,” Mrith landed on her feet beside him. “I wonder where we are.”

After walking awhile, they came across a village. Mrith walked up to someone and asked them what village this was. “Why this is the village of Skatuch! Who are you strange folk?”

“My name is Mrith CaexSi Jaecr knight of the mountain watch, and over there is… actually he never told me his name.”

“Zivrin. My name is Zivrin. Now where is the town tavern?”

“Just down the street,” the villager replied. “I hear they’re having an arm-wrestling tournament. Winner gets five gold pieces.”

Upon entering the tavern, they saw that what the villager said was true. Almost the whole village was in the tavern. Two men were at a table one of them obviously drunk. The sober one easily won the match, “I guess that’s what you get for marrying a witch! She must have put a spell on you for my daughter could beat you easily!”

“Can I go next?” Mrith asked.

“You?!” the winner asked, “You can’t be serious.”

“I think your just a coward!” Zivrin challenged, “I bet you couldn’t beat this girl!”

“I could too!” the man roared. A few seconds later the man stood, awestruck that he had lost the match.

“Does anyone else want to try? Or should we just take the prize?” Zivrin mocked.

Two hours and thirty villagers later they got the gold pieces, which they immediately spent for a very filling meal. They left the tavern late in the evening, planning to camp in the forest before they faded away.

Down the street they heard shouts, “There she is! the witch’s daughter!”

“Who are they talking about?” Mrith asked.

“How should I know?” Zivrin, who had a belly ache from eating too much, responded testily.

Down the street they saw a fire burning and heard someone shout, “Kill her before she curses the whole town!”

“I think we should leave.” Mrith said.

“Agreed”

Behind them shouts erupted, “Where did she go?!” “Burn down the house!” “No witches in our village!”

Zivrin and Mrith ran into the woods. Behind them they heard a hunting party. “Search the whole woods! And if you see that girl in the armor, get her to!”

“Wait why?” another guy asked.

“She’s obviously enchanted idiot!”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Zivrin picked up his pace.

They ran further into the woods. After another hour they saw a girl lying asleep against a tree.

“Who’s that I wonder?”

“Well, it definitely couldn’t be the witch’s daughter,” Zivrin said.

“Poor thing,” Mrith crooned. “Her whole village turned against her.” Mrith reached out to take a branch, which was leaning on the girl almost protectively, off the girl’s shoulder.

“No! Mrith wait!” Zivrin shouted. But it was too late. The world spun around them, and they were falling through the air again.

Mrith easily caught the free-falling girl. Landing on her feet she thought to herself, “I’m actually getting good at this.”

Zivrin landed face down. Standing up he asked, “what should we do with her?” he gestured towards “The witch’s daughter.”

“Let’s just lean her against this tree. The people of the city will find her easily enough.”

“Wait what city?” Zivrin asked.

“I saw one as we were falling.” Mrith answered. “It’s lucky she didn’t wake up.”

“Yeah, it is…”

So, the pair continued their journey leaving “The witch’s daughter” behind them.

(end of part two)

The dreamer sat up.

He thought he had heard something outside

But there was no outside…

Then he felt the sense of loss

like he did every time he woke up.

“That was a good dream… but now it’s gone another dream of the same place…

I wonder what it means…

Donoapi Tlushir

(story one) (part four) (the necklace)

“Here you go,” Ergriff handed the necklace to Isksir. It was carved out of a deer’s antler that Ergriff had found as they walked. He had whittled it down to a square, and intricately etched Isksir’s name into it. “Now you’ll always remember your name and won’t get stuck in that other place.”

“It’s magnificent!” Isksir quickly hugged Ergriff then continued walking down the forest path.

Ergriff, feeling a little embarrassed mumbled something along the lines of; “Course. It was nothing…” and followed close behind.

After a couple of minutes of silence Isksir started to question Ergriff, “back in the city why did those ruffians know your name?” Ergriff was silent for a while. Isksir, afraid she had pried too much added, “You don’t have to answer. I didn’t mean to be nosey.”

“No, it’s okay,” Ergriff sighed, “My father was a crafter of artifacts. I never knew my mother. When my father died, I was six years old. I didn’t want to go to the orphanage, so I started living on the streets. One day I met a man who took me in. He was an illusionist. I never learned why he took me in, cause that night the thieves guild murdered him. That was two years ago… As he died, he told me to go to the village of IrdenIsks and find a woman named Ruth. I never had a chance to try. They gave me to a small group of thugs to basically be their slave. Two weeks ago, I left the city, but as I was walking through the forest, I saw a girl asleep by a tree and then well… then lots of crazy stuff happened, as you know.”

As they walked, they passed by a traveler on the road. “Ho, there!” he called. “Where are you fine folk going? I myself am headed to IrdenIsks a two day’s journey from here.”

“Did you say IrdenIsks?” Ergriff called, his eyes growing wide.

“Yes of course! Best Brandy this side of the sea!”

This time Isksir’s eyes grew wide, “This side of the sea?!”

“That’s what I said. I’m Tarenth Longheart world traveler and brandy connoisseur!” He traveled with them the rest of the day.

Near dusk Ergriff approached Tarenth. Speaking quietly and out of earshot of Isksir he said, “I recommend you sleep in a tree or away from our camp tonight.”

Tarenth looked confused, “Why? Do you not want me to travel with you? If so I will oblige.”

“No, it’s not that we don’t want you it’s just… well watch tonight and you’ll see.”

Isksir walked over to them, “Ergriff?”

“Yes? He replied.

“Should I try to sit by a tree tonight, so we know if the necklace works?”

“What that’s a horrible idea!” Ergriff exclaimed. “The necklace is a precaution not a solution! If you end up stuck in the other world, what will I do?”

“I’m sorry I feel like I missed something,” Tarenth said “But I think you should let her try. If there is one thing I learned on my travels, it’s that ‘you’ll never progress unless you try.’”

“Thank you Tarenth,” Isksir turned back to Ergriff, “Well what do you think?”

Ergriff sighed, “I guess you should try.”

Ergriff climbed a tree he had picked to sleep in. Tarenth slept near Isksir, who was sleeping under the tree. Isksir fell asleep quickly, but Tarenth and Ergriff stayed awake watching. A little later they saw Isksir stand. She walked over to a nearby thornbush and stuck her hand into it. It seemed to twine around her fingers like a dagger. She then slumped over in the grass.

Ergriff jumped down and headed over to Isksir. Tarenth was close behind. “Is she okay?” he asked.

“Of course. She’ll wake up in a minuet.” Ergriff answered.

Isksir was in the forest with her mother. “Small one?”

“What do you want?” Isksir grumbled.

“Forgive me.”

“Why would I” Isksir asked.

“I was wrong. I tried to make you as I wanted you not how you are.”

Isksir blinked her eyes, “And who do you think I am?”

“I think you’re my daughter, you’re kind, you’re brave, you’re loyal, and I love you.”

“How am I supposed to trust you? You lied to me. You tricked me. I thought you were dead!” Isksir yelled, tears falling from her face.

“Little one, I’m sorry…”

Isksir woke up. Her hand felt strange. Looking down she saw thorns growing from her fingers she yelped brushing at her hand. The thorns fell off.

“Hello,” Ergriff said helping her to her feet. “I see that you made it back just fine. I’m sorry I overreacted earlier.”

Isksir started crying.

“What’s wrong?!” Ergriff asked. “I didn’t know you cared that much about it!”

“No that’s not it,” Isksir sniffed, “I saw my mother.”

“Oh.”

“Pardon me,” Tarenth said. “I’m not sure if you noticed but your hand was made of plants a minuet ago.”

“She knows.” Ergriff responded. “She’s a plant mage of sorts.”

“let’s go to bed.” Isksir said. She headed back to the tree and cried herself to sleep…

(End of part four)

Donoapi Tlushir

(story one) (part five) (Ruth and the Dreamer)

In the morning, they continued their journey. “We should get to the village this evening if we hurry,” Tarenth called from ahead.

Ergriff was walking next to Isksir. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked.

"Not really. I mean my mom, who tried to change me into something else, telling me that she loves me for who I am. She asked me to forgive her..."

"And you don't think you can?"

"No, I think I can. That's the problem. I want her to love me, but she hurt me. Yet I already want to forgive her..."

"I'm not sure what to say..."

"Nether am I."

They walked in silence for a bit until Ergriff turned to her again, "The necklace worked though. You never forgot who you were. so that's good."

"Yes, thank you. What will you do when we get to the village?" Isksir asked.

"Go look for Ruth probably. If she's still alive."

"Hayo!" Tarenth yelled.

Ergriff ran to catch up, "What is it Tarenth?" He asked.

"We were closer than I thought to the village. I see it through the trees ahead!"

They walked into the village. It was larger than Skatuch but far smaller than Frevor Goawy. Tarenth headed straight to the tavern calling behind him, "I bid you farewell! and wish you luck on your journey. Thank you for your company!" and with that he was gone.

Ergriff walked up to an old man on a porch. "Hello Sir. Do you know a woman named Ruth?"

"Ehh? Lad speak up I don't hear too good."

"I said, 'Do you know a woman named Ruth!'" Ergriff said a little louder.

"Lad, I said speak up! You talk so quietly!" the man scolded.

"DO YOU KN-" Isksir tapped Ergriff on the shoulder before he finished yelling his sentence.

"He's messing with you Ergriff. Let's just ask someone else."

Ergriff looked back at the man, who was smiling mischievously. "That's rude." Ergriff commented. Then stalked away.

They walked around town asking people about Ruth, but every time they asked someone that person would mumble an apology and leave or pretend like they didn't hear. "What is with these people!" Ergriff huffed as the fourth person left without answering.

The sky was growing dark, so they headed to the edge of the forest to make camp. as they approached, they saw a worn-down Hutt hidden back in the woods. "Who lives there I wonder?" Isksir asked. Walking closer they saw an old woman totter around the edge of the house.

"What are you younglings doing? she asked trodding over to them. "Hm?" The old woman grabbed Isksir's cheek, "You look familiar..." She turned and saw Ergriff. "Oh! you! You finally came. a couple years late but you came all the same."

"Am I supposed to know you?" Ergriff asked.

"Of course, boy! I'm Ruth! Please come in..." She entered her house, the pair of kids behind her. "Welcome in. I'm sorry I was grouchy at the door, it's just that the townspeople don't like me very much. Who are you girl?" She asked Isksir.

"My name is Isksir Tobor... And as you seem to know this is Ergriff Sune."

"Hmm... Tobor that's not a common name. Anyhow I must tell you both a matter of great Importance!"

Ergriff glanced at Isksir, "What is it?"

"Have you ever heard of the Dreamer?" Ruth looked at their blank faces. "I suppose not. Oh well, that would have saved me a lot of explaining... There is a creature called the Dreamer. It is a very powerful creature capable of changing the course of history, but an evil grows in the north... an Evil that would have the Dreamer be lost to this world. You have been chosen to protect it. You must get it to the Eastern Sea. Once there the Dreamer will be safe, and the evil will fade to nothing... But if you Fail this world will see a time of darkness like no other. Well anyway good night I'm going to bed."

"Wait what?" Ergriff yelled, "Your just gonna tell us the fate of the world is on our shoulders then go to bed?!"

"Yes... What did you want me to do?"

"In the books The Heroes were given legendary weapons or items to help them on their quest." Isksir states.

"I don't have any legendary weapons..." Ruth says looking ashamed.

"Well at least tell us where the Dreamer is!” Ergriff exclaims.

"That I do know." Ruth says, "He's in a large cavern on the west coast.

"THE WEST COAST!" Isksir and Ergriff Yell at the same time. "That's over three hundred miles away!" Isksir exclaims.

"You'll leave in the morning." Ruth says calmly.

That night Isksir couldn't sleep. She wanders out of the house, and down a little path into the forest. leaning against a tree she falls asleep.

Ivy Harrumphed. She was losing her power. After she failed to trap Isksir in the first world she started losing touch with this one. She wandered over to a large vine. "Just because I'm disappearing doesn't mean I can't have some fun..."

Meanwhile Isksir is sitting with her knees to her chest. "What's the matter little one?" Her mother asks, stepping out of a tree.

"I've been given a task that I don't know if I can do. It seems so hard."

"I Don't know what this task is, and I won't ask. her mother says sitting down beside her, "but I know you can do hard things."

She reaches out to touch Isksir's shoulder. "Don't Touch Me!" Isksir cries jumping to her feet. She looks at her mother and sees the hurt in her eyes, "I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled. It's just that..."

"It's okay." her mother says, "I know now I must earn your trust. goodbye..."

With that Isksir woke up.

(End of story one)

The dreamer stirred.

He liked that dream until they mentioned him.

that had never happened before.

"It was just a dream"

but it didn't feel like just a dream.

he fell into an uneasy sleep

Hoping he would have a normal dream.

he did not...

Donoapi Tlushir

(story two) (part three) (The Newt King)

Rocks collapsed all around them. “Zivrin lookout!” Mrith called but there was no answer. “Zivrin!” Then mirth saw him, or she saw his hand, crushed beneath a rock. “No! Zivrin…”

Six days ago…

“What are we supposed to do now?” Zivrin asked.

“Let’s head into town.” Mrith answered. They walked right past the guard at the gate. He was too busy picking his nose to pay attention to his task. In town they were walking down the main street when they saw a sign above a worn-down store.

“Enchantment breaker within; good prices, good spells, bad teeth.”

“Huh, odd sign.” Zivrin commented. Walking into the store they saw a little man in wizard robes. He was chewing on a carrot, but it was more like sucking because he had no teeth. “Ah, that explains it.” Zivrin said looking a little disgusted.

“Ooh ooh!” The little man called, “Come in, come in! do you want a wart removed or possibly you want a new newt?”

“What?” mirth asked.

“A newt A newt! Do you want a newt?!”

“No, we do not want any newts.” Zivrin says.

“Are you sure?” the man asked. “They are very helpful things. Make great pets and even better snacks!”

“No thank you,” Mrith says laughing, “We would like to ask what it costs to break an enchantment.”

“Ah well that depends on if you want it emotionally broken or physically broken?”

“How do you emotionally break an enchantment?” Zivrin asks confused.

“You can’t! That’s why I asked!”

“You are very strange.” Zivrin states.

“And same to you fine fellow and same to you!” The man says happily.

“Can you break our enchantment or not?” Zivrin asks tiring of the man.

“Of course! That would be emotionally broken of course?”

“NO!” Zivrin shouts, growing very upset.

“Alright what is this spell?”

“It’s a teleportation spell gone wrong,” Mrith explains. “We can pay any price…”

“Alrighty then! I will break it! You just need to bring me three newts. I ate the last ones.” he says with a loud whisper. He then falls off his stool cackling with delight.

“Where can we find these newts?” Mrith asks, helping the man up.

“Why in the sewers of course! Just look out for the newt king! If he catches you, he’ll turn you into a newt!”

“You’re kidding.” Zivrin turns to Mrith, “This guy is not worth the trouble I’m sure we could find another enchantment breaker.”

“I was joking!” The man yells, “Please get my newts.”

So Zivrin and Mrith went into the city’s sewer system looking for newts. They found the first one right away. It was right at the bottom of the ladder as if waiting for them. They continued a little further before they came to a split in the path. “Which way?” Mrith asks. Suddenly they see another newt down the left path.

“That way apparently.” Zivrin says as he heads down the tunnel. After a few minutes of walking, they entered a large open space. In the center of this space, they saw at least thirty newts. “Well, that was lucky.” Then a shadow rose from the corner. It was a giant newt.

“That man wasn’t kidding!” Mrith yells. “Zivrin grab a newt while I distract it.” She rushed at the large newt raising her sword above her head.

Zivrin grabbed the newt and turned around in time to see a blue light emerge from the king newt and strike Mrith. In a puff of smoke, she disappeared, and a bright purple newt landed where she just was.

“Great.” Zivrin said to himself. Picking up Mrith he ran out of the cavern through the tunnels and climbed out of the sewers. Returning to the wizards shop he burst in through the door. “How can I turn one of these newts back into a human?” He asked the man, who was again sucking on a carrot.

“He he. You can’t. Nope nope. Not without a wand!” He waved the wand in front of Zivrin’s nose. Zivrin snatched the wand out of the man’s hand. “Hey No! You can’t have that! That’s my fourth favorite wand!”

Zivrin placed the wand on the purple newt, who he had placed on the floor. The newt shook then shimmered then Mrith reappeared. “How did you do that?!” The man asked shocked.

“Just lucky I guess,” Zivrin said with a grin.

The man turned to Mrith, who had just stood up from the floor, and laughed. “She’s got the frillies!” He shouted falling to the floor in giggles.

“What are you talking about?” Mrith asked the man, who just laughed harder.

Zivrin looked at her “Oh… Oops.”

“What’s ‘oops?!” Mrith asked, now very concerned.

The man finally stopped laughing. He stood up and led mirth over to a mirror. She had large newt gills growing out the sides of her head, and her skin still had a slightly translucent purple tinge. “They’ll fade in a week or two,” The man said.

A loud Harumph was her only reply.

(End of part three)

Donoapi Tlushir

(story two) (part four) (The enemy emerges)

“Here take these.” The man said. Handing them two golden bracelets, he picked up one of the newts and started sucking on its tail.

“What do they do?” Zivrin asked just as mirth shouted at the man.

“THAT COULD BE A PERSON!”

The man turned to her, “So? Person or newty their tasty!”

“You. Are. Disgusting! Come on Zivrin lets go.”

“I’m keeping this!” Zivrin called waving the wand around. It promptly shot out multicolored sparks which disappeared in a blinding flash of light. “AHH! I’m gonna put that away for now.” Zivrin says rubbing his eyes.

Out on the street Zivrin turned to Mrith, “What are we going to do now?”

“I plan to head north back to the mountain. You’re welcome to join me.”

“Sure, I got nothing else to do ‘frilly.’” He laughed as Mrith turned away blushing. After walking a little down the road, they noticed something on the ground. “Hey look who it is!” on the ground before them, sleeping on a very large pile of moss was ‘The witch’s daughter.’ “She keeps showing up in odd places. It’s odd.”

“We have an old saying in the mountains,” Mrith quoted, “’If you meet someone once it’s happenstance, if you meet them twice it’s an omen. Three times it’s destiny’ I’m not sure if I believe that though.”

“That’s kind of a creepy saying. I say we move along; this seems like something we don’t want to have a part of.”

“That seems wrong, to just leave her there." Mrith Said.

“So, what do you want us to do?” Zivrin asked, disgruntled at this turn of events. Suddenly what sounded like thunder roared above them.

Mrith looked up. “Oh no. RUN!” She called and ran down the street.

Zivrin looked behind him. Swooping down was a shadowy figure with wide wings outspread. It roared another thunderous roar. Zivrin, covering his ears and shouted, “It’s a dragon! We’re being chased by a dragon!”

“That’s not a dragon,” Mrith said from in front of him. “It’s called a Denthanus! They’re evil things from inside the mountain. Why would one be here?!” she stopped in her tracks.

“What are you doing?!” Zivrin screamed, skidding to a stop a few feet ahead. Mrith didn’t answer, instead she rushed at the Denthanus and jumped into the air. Zivrin was astounded. Mrith had jumped a good ten feet from the ground. He saw a flash of purple steel and Mrith landed on the ground, the Denthanus crashing down behind her, dead. “Whoa! That was awesome!!!” Zivrin shouted.

“We need to get out of town. Other Denthanus will know of the death of this one and follow its killer.” As she spoke the Denthanus disintegrated into a small pile of dust and smoke. The dust flew away on the wind.

“Aright then, lets go.” They headed out of town. Zivrin tipped an imaginary hat at the sleeping guard. “Onto the mountains and evil dragons, we go. Yay.”

“That’s south.” Mrith said bemused.

“I knew that.” They continued walking north all that night. As dusk just touched the horizon Zivrin yawned. “Let’s take a rest.”

“Oh, alright.” Mrith says sitting down. She fell asleep rather quickly.

Zivrin though, stayed awake thinking of all he knew of the mountain. He had heard of creatures that lived there large, winged things, like what they’d fought. He had also heard of small things that broke out of the mountain in large hordes. Creepiest of all he had once heard of shadowy wisps that could take people’s bodies. Zivrin shuddered. Even with the bright warm morning around him, he still felt cold fear.

Near noon they resumed their journey. Being relatively far north they would reach the mountain the week after next. They encountered nothing for three days and would have happily continued this way, but one night after bedding down they heard a shrill screaming.

“What in the world was that?!” Zivrin yelled, jumping to his feet.

Mrith readied her sword. “A Crayiss. Keep yourself ready, it sounds like it found a host.” Suddenly a figure charged into the clearing. It looked like a woman, save for long black nails erupted from its hands and a blackened face that had no features. It screeched and charged at Zivrin. Within a second its head fell off its body and it fell to the ground. A black shadow seemed to float out of the body. “Don’t look at it!” Mrith Yelled. “That’s how they get in you!”

“Noted.” Zivrin said while covering his face with both hands. The shadow screeched one last time disappearing into the night. “That was utterly terrifying.” Zivrin turned to the body on the ground, “Hey! It didn’t disintegrate!”

“That’s because the monster didn’t die.”

“What do you mean?” Zivrin protested, “You cut its head off with a sword!”

“That’s its host. Some traveler or other. Help me dig a grave.”

“Wait. That’s a person?” Zivrin looked at the figure again. It appeared to be a young woman, maybe in her twenties, she was wearing a traveler’s backpack that had many bottles of various colors tied to it. Her face looked normal now in the glow of the campfire. “You killed her then!” Zivrin’s eyes grew wide.

“She was already gone. Once one of those things gets your body there’s no coming back. It was kindness to kill her. Help me dig a grave. Many of the victims of Crayiss turn into ghosts.”

After a few hours of work, they lowered the body into the hole. Mrith turned away to fill up the hole, but Zivrin stayed and said a few words only him and the corpse could hear…

(End of part four)

Donoapi Tlushir

(story two) (part five) (The foothills)

As day broke, Zivrin and Mrith continued their journey. In the evening the trees grew sparce and the ground became rocky. “The foothills!” Mrith spun around looking at the horizon. “And there’s the mountain! Zivrin, we’re almost home!”

“Wow, you’re very excited at this aren’t you?”

“Well yeah… if you’d been away from home for a month and just got back, you’d be excited to, wouldn’t you?”

“No.”

Mrith looked at Zivrin, “Well you will be once we get there. They have feasts and parties and competitions!”

“And constant threat of death, and possibility of possession, and death of friend. Sounds like a great time.”

“Well, you wouldn’t know, would you?! Have you ever been this close to death?!” She held two fingers about an inch apart. “Have you ever killed a possessed?! EVER HAD TO KILL YOUR FRIENDS?!” she sat down sobbing into her hands.

“Now I feel like a jerk…”

“You are!”

It then dawned on Zivrin what she had said. He sat down beside her, “I’m so sorry Mrith. I didn’t mean to insult your home. You and your kind are the bravest people in the world. I’m glad I have you with me, otherwise who would kill dragons for me?” He bumped her shoulder with his.

She smiled. “What am I doing? We’re a week from home and here I am talking about how much I miss it.” She stood up, wiped her eyes and started forward.

During the next two days of traveling Zivrin talked to Mrith more than he had talked to anyone before. He didn’t try being cocky or try to appear witty he just talked. Mrith talked too. She told him about her life in the mountains, her Commander, who had taught her all she knew about fighting and swordplay, and her fears. She told him of the day when there was the biggest breach anyone remembered, how swarms of Guulacic poured forth. How the Crayiss had taken her best friend. How he had killed many knights, and she was forced to end his life. Zivrin held her as she cried.

“Despite how tough and ready for anything she looks she really does have a tender heart.” He thought to himself.

One day while traveling they came upon a large cave. “Oh no!” Mrith raised her sword.

“What? What’s going on?” Zivrin asked confused.

“A cave. The way things from inside the mountain get out. Partway down each cave is a magical doorway that leads to the mountain. My duty as a Knight of the mountain watch is to destroy that door thus destroying the cave.”

“That’s cool!”

“It’s dangerous. You should wait here.”

“No way I can help!” Zivrin protested, raising his wand.

“You don’t even know how to use that.” Mrith felt compelled to point out.

“So? I can still help a little. Besides you can’t really stop me.”

Mrith let out a very long sigh. “Fine… you can come.”

They entered the cave. Zivrin thought it would be dark, but the rocks let out a soft red glow. As they traveled further down the tunnel Zivrin heard a skittering in the walls. “What is that?”

“Guulacic. Doesn’t sound like too many. Let’s keep going.” After traveling a bit further, Mrith pointed at a large ivory door. “There it is. Stand back!” She swung her sword and cleaved the door in two as if it was paper. Suddenly hundreds of small black crablike things poured from the walls.

“That’s not a few!” Zivrin shouted.

“Get back! Run to the exit!”

“No, I can help!” He pointed the wand at the Guulacic. A lightning bolt burst forth crashing into the wall. The ceiling rumbled and large chunks started to fall. The Guulacic crawled into the floor before they were crushed.

Rocks collapsed all around them. “Zivrin lookout!” Mrith called but there was no answer. “Zivrin!” Then mirth saw him, or she saw his hand, crushed beneath a rock. “No! Zivrin…”

Then she saw- The Dreamer startled awake. “My dream wasn’t finished.” He thought to himself. the world felt to sharp to real… he had always been more comfortable when he was dreaming. “What woke me up?” Then he heard it. Voices outside. The outside that didn’t exist. Shadows moved on the walls. He stood up, something he hadn’t done since the beginning of the worlds. He saw them. Two humans. Not in a dream but real. He recognized them… “Isksir?” he called.

“How do you know my name?” The girl asked.

(end of part five)

Donoapi Tlushir

(story three) (part one) (The Dreamer)

Isksir was at the entrance of the cave with Ergriff. “Finally, after two months of traveling were finally here!” The cave had many types of crystals that glowed softly on the walls.

“This place is amazing!” Ergriff exclaimed. Traveling further in they came to a huge chamber. The crystals on the ceiling glowing faintly as if there were thousands of stars above them. In the middle of the chamber was a large crystal. It almost looked like a throne. Lying on the throne was a creature, it sat up as they approached.

Getting down from the chair it spoke in a voice that sounded like the soft ringing of glass, “Isksir?”

Isksir was astonished. “How do you know my name?” She asked.

The Dreamer looked almost human. The height of a young boy, he wore a large cloak. This cloak was covered in wonderous patterns of stars and galaxies. His skin had the same stary pattern. It was hard to tell where his cloak ended, and he began. “I dreamed. I dreamed of you, you running from your village, you falling from the sky, you finding a friend… You saving your friend, you running from a bear, you meeting your mother, you saving your friend again… You getting the necklace, you looking for Ruth, and you crying quietly. I’ve seen your trials, and your bravery. You are my dream, and now you’re here…

“That’s not creepy at all.” Zivrin said.

Isksir jabbed him in the ribs, “Shush! We need him to like us.” Turning again to the dreamer she spoke again, “if you’ve dreamed of us, you must know why you’re here.”

“I know why you think you’re here.” He walked over to his throne and settled back into it. “Your fears are just shadows in the dark. They’re part of a dream they don’t exist.”

“But we’re part of a dream and we exist! You’re talking to us right now! How do you know the evil isn’t real?”

“Your words have wisdom… but I am not suited to this world… I already grow weak. My eyes hurt, and my ears are ringing I could never cross the continent. The journey is too far…”

“I heard you were a powerful creature, but you claim you’re so weak you can’t leave your cave.” Zivrin challenged. “How come you can’t just fly there or something?”

“A new age approaches. The legends of ages past grow weak. It’s time for new legends to arise… this evil you speak of has not been here as long as I have… yet its age is ending. It will try to regain power. If it does, this age will lose its heroes, and the world will come to darkness.

“So come with us! It’s up to you to give this age a chance!” Isksir took his hand and helped him to his feet.

“I suppose I owe it to this world to try… alright heroes let’s start new legends…”

Ergriff turned to Isksir, “Did he just call us heroes?”

“I think he did.”

“That’s awesome!” They all walked out of the cave, but their first challenge came sooner than they expected. As they stepped into the sun the Dreamer cried out and fell to the ground. What’s wrong?!” Ergriff exclaimed.

“It’s too bright! This was a bad idea. My eyes burn! It hurts to much I’m sorry…” he crawled back to the cave. Standing up he said, “I’m sorry. I’ve failed before I even began…”

As he turned to leave Zivrin called after him, “Oh, come on! The sun just got in your eyes!” He walked over to a nearby fern and tore off a large leaf. He took some twigs from the ground and moments later turned back to them. “Tada! I present to you the sun shader plant edition!” He had fashioned a headdress out of the sticks, the large fern leaf had been shaped to shade the Dreamer’s face, and two clumps of moss were tied to it by the twine he found inside the fern. These moss clumps fit into the Dreamers ears dampening the noise.

“I shouldn’t have doubted you heroes… you will make wonderful legends…” he took the sun shader and placed it on his head. “We should hurry. I would like to make it to the Stone of Sight before night.”

“The stone of what?” Zivrin asked.

“Scattered throughout all the worlds are places called Vishapakars. They are collections of magic energy. My cave is one. The next one is the Stone of Sight. I always sleep at Vishapakars. They allow my dreams to be more powerful.”

Isksir looked thoughtful, “Do Vishapakars boost any magic?”

“Yes, even those that have the tiniest spark can become adept sorcerers near a Vishapakars.

Just as the sky was turning from dusk to night they arrived at the Stone of Sight. It had tall sides but no top and was empty, it looked like a large rock bowl. In the center of this bowl was a tall spiraling obelisk. “I’ve seen drawings of something like this in the Weirding Woods!” Isksir exclaimed.

“Yes… The Weirding Woods hold one of the most powerful Vishapakars on this world.”

They all settled down for the night. The Dreamer slept in the bowl. Isksir slept right outside of it, and Ergriff, who felt a tingle in the air around him, climbed to the very top of the Vishapakars. An hour later he was still awake. He looked down. The air around the Dreamer was dark and pinpointed with hovering lights like stars. Next, he saw Isksir. She was now resting on a huge flower. Beneath the flower all kinds of plants grew. Everything from tree saplings to exotic vines to strong herbs. Ergriff felt a tingle in his fingers. He climbed down from the Vishapakars and stood in the bowl. He saw an odd assortment of objects around him settling down he started to build…

(end of part one)

Donoapi Tlushir

(story two) (part six) (Nearing the Mountain)

“Come on,” Mrith helped Zivrin to his feet, “Now that the bleeding has stopped, we should get to the mountain. We have healers there that might be able to reattach your hand.”

Zivrin looked at his left arm, which was cleanly cut off at his wrist. A little bit of blood seeped through the bandage. He retched. His voice shaking, he asked, “Can we take a rest here? I really don’t feel good.”

“I know you’re in pain, but we must move on. The Crayiss will sense your pain and seek you out. We must get as far away as possible from the source of your pain before night.”

“How come you’re so calm now?” Zivrin asked, voice still shaking. “When I found you outside the cave you were collapsed on the ground crying but now, you’re telling me to get over the pain and keep going?”

“I thought you were dead. Now I can help you the most by urging you forwards, so please let’s go! we really need to move on!”

Begrudgingly Zivrin got to his feet and started walking, holding his bandaged arm close to his chest. Near nightfall Mrith laid h

Book Dragon

--

1