by Eden Redd
Kavan pulled the spear and spun away as the second monster landed on the spot he was on a second ago. Kavan’s spear spun as the monster turned and charged. Kavan bent his legs and jumped straight up. His body practically floated as the monster moved under him. Spear turning, it stopped when it pointed down. Kavan’s arms flashed downward. The spear point penetrated the monster’s skull. The light in its eyes immediately died as it crashed to the ground. A long exhale left its body as Kavan landed and pulled the bloody spearpoint from the monster’s head.
Kavan huffed. Slitted eyes looked around to the three dead monsters. He relaxed his stance when the south gate doors burst open.
Kavan turned to see Lorta and Durzol, armed to the teeth. Lorta held a small spear. Durzol held a large warhammer. Belts surrounded their waists, several daggers sheathed in them. A sword graced Lorta’s back and a battle axe was against Durzol’s back. The orc and troll looked to Kavan and then down at the three dead monsters.
Durzol let out a long, relieved exhale. Lorta dropped her spear and rushed to Kavan. The dragonkin braced himself as the tall troll grabbed him into a bear hug and lifted his boots off the ground.
“Kavan… I thought,” Lorta began.
Kavan hugged her. “I’m okay.”
Lorta snuggled him close to her before gently putting him down. Durzol stepped closer, his expression filled with hard concern.
Kavan looked to his friend and nodded. “They came up the road. I assume they were from the forest by the beach.”
The dragonkin looked up to the sun touching the western horizon. “We’re losing daylight. If I hurry, I might be able to see what happened to them. They were cut and bleeding before they attacked. Something else attacked them.”
“I’m coming with you,” Durzol said.
“Me too!” Lorta said with conviction.
Kavan looked at the beautiful troll. “Lorta, I know you can handle yourself, but I need you to alert the mayor and the town of what happened. Durzol and I can investigate.”
Lorta’s brow hardened. “I can help.”
Kavan nodded. “I know you can, but we need to do two things at once. Please, do as I ask. We will be back shortly.”
Kavan turned his attention to Durzol, “Let’s make this quick.”
Durzol nodded.
Dragonkin and orc darted into a run. They pumped their legs, racing along the south dirt road and heading for the beach.
Lorta stood by the south gate, watching Kavan and Durzol slowly disappear in the distance.
“Be careful,” the troll whispered, then turned and rushed through the town gate.
The sun sank lower as Kavan and Durzol ran. The two friends huffed as they pushed themselves to run as fast as they could. The sun reached halfway behind the horizon as Kavan spotted streaks of blood along the dusty road. The crimson color nearly glowed, showing how fresh they were.
Kavan and Durzol slowed to a walking pace. They looked around as the light began to dim from the end of the day. The sounds of waves were a short distance away and the sea scent blanketed the area.
“I can’t smell the dregger’s scent,” Kavan said as the sea scent filled his nose.
He turned his attention to the side of the road and saw a drop of blood on a leaf. “But we can still track them.”
Kavan and Durzol held their weapons at the ready as they stepped into the woods by the road.
Inky shadows grew longer as the pair made their way deeper in. Kavan glanced around, seeing drops of blood and thick claw marks against the base of several trees.
“We might be near a dregger nesting area. They mark the trees to warn other creatures and animals not to approach,” Durzol said as he stayed low, warhammer in hand.
“Do they normally nest this close to town?” Kavan asked in a low tone.
“It depends on the year. We’ve had a few years of seeing them along the forest edges, but they tend to keep their distance from town and the farms,” Durzol explained.
“Something attacked those dreggers,” Kavan said as he pushed through the brush.
“Anything could have attacked them. The western forest from town is filled with all kinds of ferals and monsters. Dregger eggs are prized by many different creatures.”
Kavan nodded and stepped into the small clearing. Durzol came from behind and stood by the dragonkin. The pair looked down at the large, wide hole with bloody carnage strewn about.
The hole was filled with dried grass and mud. Cracked eggshells littered the area. Bright blood painted the nest and surrounding trees. Beams of daylight poked through the forest, casting the last glow of the day and highlighting the massacre across the ground and nest.
Durzol drank in the sight before him. “This is a big nest. Too big for three dreggers.”
Kavan nodded. “They were attacked and the three I killed were trying to get away.”
Durzol looked up at the sky, the stars beginning to shine as the sun faded behind the horizon.
“We should get back. It’s not safe out here for any creature after dark,” Durzol warned.
Kavan nodded as he drank in the scene as the sun sank behind the horizon.
***
Torches and lanterns glowed from a crowd gathered at the south gate. Lorta looked at the dead monsters. Rujin and Kazko knelt down by one, inspecting it and talking to each other in hushed tones.
The mayor stood amid most of the townsfolk. He and many others looked to the south road, waiting for any sign of Kavan and Durzol. Dura stood by her father, concern etched into her green brow.
Onka stood further along the road, past the dead monsters. She stared into the distance, looking for any sign of Kavan. Her hands were clutched to her chin and she barely blinked.
The goblin’s heart thudded harder in her chest as she saw the dragonkin and orc walking toward her. Onka burst into a run, darted the distance between them and hugged Kavan around the waist. Kavan’s arms moved around her shoulders and hugged her to him. Durzol smiled at the dragonkin and goblin as he kept walking toward the gathered townsfolk.
“Lorta told us what happened. Are you okay?”
Kavan nodded. “I’m okay.”
The two broke their embrace and walked side by side back to the gathered townsfolk.
“Did you discover what happened to cause the dreggers to come here?” Mayor Sunaxe asked.
The townsfolk moved closer, all ears on the dragonkin.
“Durzol and I found the dregger nest. It was empty, but filled with shell pieces and signs of a massacre,” Kavan explained.
Hynrik emerged from the side of the crowd, his long spider legs moving silently. Eyes shined as his brow made a sharp V.
“Were there any bones, or raw flesh in the nest?” the arachnix asked.
Kavan looked at the arachnix and shook his head. “No. Nothing was left except pieces of shells and blood.”
Hynrik turned his attention to the mayor. “Kogan, this is very serious. Xykks take every scrap of flesh, muscle and bone for their colonies. As long as the parts are not dead for longer than a day or two, they will use everything to feed their young. We have a potential crisis here.”
Mayor Sunaxe’s expression didn’t change as he looked at Hynrik. “We have very little proof a xykk colony is here. One shell from a month ago is not enough to cause alarm. We know xykks do not handle temperate climates well.
“It must be another monster of some kind. Xykks are nocturnal. This attack happened before sunset.”
Hynrik kept his angry gaze on the mayor. “You cannot brush this under the rug. Xykks do leave their colonies during dusk. If the dreggers were killed or captured by xykks, they will be brought to a nearby colony.”
The mayor shook his head and then looked to Kavan, “Did you find any further evidence of the attack? Did you find a shell or plate, similar to the one found on your farm with slaughtered undead?”
Kavan shook his head. “We looked it over as the sun was setting and didn’t find anything else.”
Hynrik growled and one of his legs lifted up and stabbed into the ground. His humanoid upper half heaved as his eyes stared daggers into the mayor.
“If a group of undead attacked a single drone, it would be a harder fight. But if several drones attacked the dregger nest, the dreggers wouldn’t be able to fight back as well. The xykks would have carried off their wounded as well, not leaving any sign they were there,” Hynrik seethed.
“We need more evidence. We cannot have the town in a panic over speculation,” Mayor Sunaxe said sternly.
Hynrik glared at Kavan before returning his gaze back to the mayor. “Give me a search party. I’ll investigate the area of the attack tomorrow and hunt down these monsters before they try to steal away our people!”
Mayor Sunaxe kept his annoyed gaze on the arachnix for a moment before pointing to Kavan. “It’s not your place to lead any investigation. Kavan is the town’s magistrate and he decides how the investigation will continue.”
Kavan stood as all eyes turned to him.
I better say something. It’s my job after all.
“At first light tomorrow, I’ll investigate the dregger nest with Durzol and Hynrik. We can look it over and see if there is a xykk threat or not.”
Lorta stepped forward from the crowd. “I’m coming too and don’t you dare say I’m not,” the troll said with a heated edge.
Kavan nodded. “As I said, Lorta, Durzol and Hynrik will go with me to investigate the nest and look for evidence.”
Lorta smiled.
Kavan turned his blank gaze to Hynrik, “If there are no objections?”
The arachnix fixed his padded work shirt and looked down on Kavan with a dark gaze. “No objections, Magistrate.”
The last word came out with a sardonic hiss and Kavan ignored it.
The mayor turned to the gathered crowd and projected his voice. “There is little more we can do tonight. I recommend everyone lock their doors and windows for the night. I know some of you like to stay up late, if you see anything, do not investigate it. Wait for morning.”
Shegga stepped forward and raised her voice, “And what if we are attacked during the night? Are we just going to wait until morning before we report it?”
Mayor Sunaxe looked down on the kobold with an endearing smile. “My dear Shegga, let us not forget, I used to hunt down xykks as well. They do not attack populated areas unless there is a swarm of them.
“Since they do not handle the environment well outside of a desert, there is little to no chance one or several xykks will try to break into any home. They do carry some intelligence and won’t risk themselves unless they have greater numbers. The attack happened outside of town and to dreggers. We have no evidence that xykks were involved and most other monsters cannot get over the wall. Moonvale is safe.
“I do encourage everyone to return to their homes and secure them. If you need a weapon to feel safer, I’m sure Durzol can loan one or several to all of you for the night.”
The mayor nodded to the crowd. “I must speak with the magistrate on a few further details. Everyone, head to your homes and we will see what the investigation turns up tomorrow. I will inform everyone of our magistrate’s findings.”
A murmur filled the crowd and, in a blink, everyone turned and walked back through the gate. Onka gave Kavan a long look before turning and joining the crowd. Lorta nodded to Kavan and stepped back with the crowd.
Kavan spotted Zellee as she looked at him with concerned eyes. She smiled at him before turning and walking back into town.
Hynrik stayed for a moment, eyeing Kavan with malice. When Kavan returned the arachnix’s hard stare with his own, the spider folk turned and his legs moved as he walked toward his farm to the north east of town.
Kazko and Rujin took out sharp daggers and began cutting at a dregger corpse.
“There will be some fine dining over the next few nights. Can’t let good meat go to waste,” Kazko laughed as he cut.
“Just keep cutting,” Rujin snarled next to his brother.
Mayor Sunaxe walked to Kavan’s side, putting his arm around his shoulder. The two of them walked further down the road, closer to Kavan’s farm. When they were out of ear shot, the mayor turned to Kavan with a serious expression.
“Hynrik has the right of it. The attack on the dreggers is suspicious. But he was going about it the wrong way.”
Kavan listened.
Kogan continued, “It wouldn’t help the town to stir everyone into a panic. Hynrik may have some experience fighting xykks, but doesn’t understand taking care of your own. Sending out a search party to look for a xykk colony would be a near impossible task. We don’t have enough residents to perform an extensive search. I certainly don’t want to put our people in harm's way if we do stumble upon a colony.”
The older orc lifted a meaty hand and rubbed his jaw. “It still doesn’t make much sense. It’s possible a lone drone could come out this far, but a colony out here is unheard of. They enjoy dry climates. They wouldn’t last long here.”
“Mayor, why wouldn’t xykks live or survive out here. If there is a shortage of food, many creatures will search beyond their habitat to find food.”
Kogan nodded. “It’s true, many creatures do such things. Xykks on the other hand are different. It was discovered a long time ago that they grow a certain kind of fungus. Their colonies often have chambers with this fungus. It adds as another food source and some scholars have agreed that the size of a xykk is difficult to maintain on its own. I can’t get into the finer points because it’s been a long time since I’ve hunted or fought those creatures, but wetter climates can cause the fungus to keep growing, even on xykk bodies.
“If there was a colony out here, the fungus would grow out of control. They would be covered in it, unable to move or hunt. The fungus would consume them just as it consumes what little living flesh and bones it feeds from in the colony.”
The xykk and the fungus share a symbiotic relationship. We might be able to use that knowledge in some way.
Mayor Sunaxe shrugged, “We have no evidence to support a colony here around Moonvale. All I know is we have to keep the town calm. I don’t like bending the truth, but if it’s a choice between panic and concerned calm, I’ll take the latter.”
The mayor looked to Kavan, “Search the dregger nest early tomorrow. Hynrik will attempt to make it harder than it needs to be, but we do need his eyes on this to be sure. Bring back anything you find to me.
“In the meantime, I will spend a few hours trying to come up with a plan for the safety of Moonvale’s residents. Xykk or not, something killed those dreggers and destroyed the nest. Anything you find, bring it to me without delay.”
Kavan nodded. “I will.”
Mayor Sunaxe’s gaze softened. “Thank you, Kavan. Without you, this might have been the last nail in the coffin for our town. I know everyone appreciates you guarding Moonvale.”
The older orc clamped a hand on Kavan’s shoulder. “Get some rest. You’ve earned it. Fighting three dreggers at once, even in my youth, I would have been hard pressed. But you made it through unscathed. We will need some of that luck for a time.”
Kogan pulled his hand away and bowed to the dragonkin. Kavan bowed to him.
The mayor said his goodbyes, turned and walked back to town. Kavan watched him go, the mayor passing Rujin and Kazko as they cut away huge slabs of meat from the dead dreggers.
Once the Mayor was out of sight, Kavan turned and began walking back to his farm.
Questions and thoughts stormed the dragonkin’s mind as he walked back. There were too many variables to make much sense of it. With Voldor being another realm, it only raised more questions, many of them to things Kavan didn’t know.
Viz, do you remem
ber anything about xykks, or any other monsters from the Monstar Saga MMO?
“Since I lost my connection to the Monstar Saga network, my information is limited. I have noticed information seems to unlock after certain experiences. The only way I can access information is if we encounter it for a small period of time. The method isn’t absolute, since the information presents itself when it wants to, not when I try to access it.”
It might be something we will have to remain alert for.
“If I may make a suggestion, the town library might have some information we need.”
Kavan nodded.
It’s a good idea. After we investigate in the morning and make our way back to town, we’ll stop by the library. Dura might be able to point us in the right direction.
Kavan approached the gate to his farm. He opened it and stepped through. The dragonkin glanced at the dark farmhouse. No lanterns were lit and the inky darkness gave it an unsettling gloom. Kavan looked at the barn, wondering how much longer before his new taur emerged. The bed within was prepared, complete with fur blankets. Empty bottles waited in crates. Kavan sighed to himself, thinking this was simply the beginning of bigger things.
“This is a very nice farm,” came a voice from the road.
Kavan whipped his head to the side. A dragonkin stood on the road. The silver along the edges of the black leather was all Kavan could see, and the dragonkin’s features. It gave Drayke a disembodied appearance, his body nearly blending with the dark evening.
Drayke moved to the low, wood fence, took hold with one hand and vaulted over onto Kavan’s property.
Kavan spied the sword handle over Drayke’s shoulder. His own hand reached behind to touch his spear.
“A little jumpy, are we?” Drayke smiled, showing sharp, pointed teeth.
“Can I help you?” Kavan asked with half-closed eyes.
“I think the question is, can we help each other?” Drayke said as he stopped walking and stood twenty feet away from the red dragonkin.
“It’s been a crazy day, so I hope you don’t mind that I don’t feel like solving riddles.”