by C Woodward
The old druid smiled, "And thank you for the compliment, elf. I heard your city back in the Farlands is quite a sight."
Amgati smiled, "It is, but I have never seen anything like this."
The old druid turned back to the living homes, "Oh, yes the Wucaw and a few others molded the plant life here to create suitable homes for all of us."
"Wucaw?" I asked with my head tilted.
The old druid smiled, "He is the great father for us druids. He taught us all we needed to know about life here."
A figure came up near the red drayken. The strange figure was about average human height but appeared short compared to the drayken. He had cloven hooves. He wore only a simple loin cloth and a cloak made out of ivy that also appeared to be living. The creature was white including his face. His forehead down to the bridge of his small, flat nose was brown. The underside of his nose was black which gave an obvious animal-like appearance. He had long, auburn hair that was swept back, with two deer-like ears poking out on the sides. His antlers resembled a moose and he stared at us with dark brown eyes.
"So, these are the travelers I heard about," the strange figure said.
The old druid replied, "Yes, these are the ones Milunus spoke of," The old druid turned to us, "This is our leader, Wucaw."
Wucaw stared at us oddly, his tail swaying back and forth. The tail resembled a lion’s with a tuft of auburn hair on the end of it. He finally spoke, "So, this is the Blake. Strange. Your scent is not very different."
I lifted a brow, "It isn’t?"
Wucaw shook his head, "I was expecting a scent of something, you know, unnatural." He turned and pointed to the red drayken near us, "Your scent resembles something more like his."
The red drayken towered over all of us. His dragon-like appearance was intimidating at first. He wore a simple leather kilt of studded leather strips to reinforce it. It was a few years since I last seen a drayken but this was the first red one I had seen. He had two large horns that slightly curved back and two small ones on the back of his jaw. His wings were red with a yellow in the webbing that matched his fin-like ears. The front part of his body was a similar color as his wings.
He gave me a cheerful smile, barring his large, sharp teeth, "It is indeed an honor to finally meet you, Blake!" He extended his large arm and large, talon-like claws.
I reached out and shook his hand. He made no attempt to grip my hand and I was thankful he didn't. He looked like he could easily crush it, gauntlet and all.
Wucaw smiled, "I guess I should introduce you all to Koj, here." He appeared to be distracted to the point that it affected his speech. Considering that the druid and Koj didn't react to it meant this was normal.
Koj fiddled with the bone carved figures on his simple necklace. I noticed the rune word for "luck" engraved on one figure. "What brings one such as yourself this far out?" Koj asked.
I replied, "I am planning to travel to Dragon's Back; to see the Dragon Spirit."
Koj looked almost surprised, "Our people will be thrilled to have you visit!" He almost looked nervous which contradicted his intimidating appearance. "I would be honored to show you the way but I have business down here for a while."
Wucaw chimed in, "I am sure the three of them will have no trouble finding their own way."
Koj nodded, "Even the feral ones won't give you any trouble."
Jerak looked at Koj, "Um, are you sure? Those don't exactly talk like you can."
Koj laughed, "Fear not human, the feral ones are kin. They might be a mere beast to you, but they are friendly to our kind. And Blake is kin. They will pick up his scent and know it."
Amgati laughed nervously, "I hope they are friendly to friends of their kin."
My arm was starting to get a bit tired, "Hey, is there any place we can set this down?" referring to the hanging collection of meat that Jerak and I were holding.
Wucaw was a bit distracted but noticed he was in the conversation. "Oh, that... um yes,... just set it down over there. That will be fine," he replied while pointing at a series of tables and benches.
Jerak and I marched over with Koj tagging along. He came off like a star-struck fan.
"So, drake steel armor, huh?" Koj remarked in an attempt to start a conversation.
I smiled, "Yeah, it was a gift from my wife," I let out a troubled sigh. I really didn't want to be thinking of that right now.
Koj lifted a brow, "Something troubling you?"
I shook my head, "Naw, it is just drama."
Koj shrugged, "Oh, alright. Um, this might be an odd question." He fiddled with his necklace a bit, "But if it's not too much trouble, can I have a bit of your hair?"
"My hair?" I asked oddly.
Koj rubbed the back of his head and gave a nervous laugh, "Oh, sorry! I just thought if it wasn’t much trouble, it would bring much good luck be to make a charm from it!"
Jerak laughed, "You must be big with luck stuff, eh?"
Koj smiled, "Yeah, others tend to make jokes about my obsession with it. Though they might be envious if I had a charm made from a strand of Blake's hair!"
I couldn't help but chuckle, "I don't consider myself all that lucky considering what's been happening lately."
Jerak reached over and plucked a few hairs from the side of my head, "Here you go!"
I glared at Jerak, "Warn me next time you do that!"
Koj took them and carefully placed the hairs in a small pouch on his belt. He looked almost overjoyed. He pulled out a small bone carving and placed it in my hand. The carving was of a boxy dragon sitting in a meditation pose with a rune carved on its belly.
"That rune on its belly means spirit," Koj explained. "I hope it brings you great luck," he said cheerfully.
I couldn't help but feel touched. I smiled and carefully wrapped it up in a small rag and put in the pouch on my belt to protect it. "Thank you very much," I said.
Koj showed a toothy grin that almost appeared intimidating except we knew how kind he really was. "I only wish I could guide you three to Dragon's Back but I have to inspect something east of here."
"What happened?" I asked.
Koj’s expression changed to concern, "The druids spotted a large group of shady humans between here and the Iron Mountains. I was going to help meet with some of the druids to make sure they don't cause problems."
I thought for a moment, "Were they heading north and wearing black robes?"
Koj gave me a surprised look, "Yes. I have been told they were heading north and wearing black robes. Do you know of these people?"
"They sound like Xum'gol's necromancers," I replied. "It further proves he is heading up to the Dead Sore," I added.
Koj frowned, "That is bad. There are many bones that lie there."
"Bones? At the Dead Sore?" Jerak asked.
"Yes, that is the reason why that place has its name. It was once the home of many feral dragons and other creatures due to the abundance of life from the lake," Koj explained.
I groaned, "Because of the source rune that lies under it."
Koj nodded, "Yes, but about a millennium ago, there was a great slaughter there. A large number of poachers who hunted my kind and the ferals, raided the now Dead Sore. They value the scales and blood of our kind to make their precious drake steel."
Jerak tapped me on the back, "So, that explains those Drake Guard guys and the armor."
Koj growled a little, "Drake Guard? They are the ones who caused great suffering to my people! Their old leader still haunts the remains of our old shrine from the dark days." He let out a sigh and continued, "That was when our father and master was taken from us. The Fohrne clan and several mages trapped him and killed all the first-born. The great poacher's spirit still haunts that place." Koj looked at me and gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder "At least you brought our master back! And life has been good for us once again!"
Jerak turned to me, "Didn't I heard that Fohrne name back in Lyonus?"
I looked at Jerak, "Yeah. He was t
hat butthead that attacked us. I forgot his first name though."
Koj frowned, "I was hoping that bloodline had died centuries ago. Our people are not one to carry grudges but they caused us much horror."
The old druid walked over to us, "Koj, have you got everything ready?"
Koj turned to the old druid, "Oh, sorry, yes. I am about to fly over there."
The old druid nodded, "Just be careful. We had word they might be part of Xum'gol's lot."
Koj looked at me, "Yeah. Blake had told me about it."
"Good, I don't want anyone to engage in anything. Just keep a watchful eye," the old druid explained.
Koj smiled, "Not to worry! I am always careful!" Koj grabbed a slab of smoked meat and put it in his mouth. He looked at me, "It is an honor to finally meet you Blake. I will see you when you reach my village!"
Koj took another morsel of meat and stepped away from us. He stretched his wings a bit and bent his knees even more. Soon, he made one big jump into the air, spreading his wings full as he reached maximum height. Shortly after that, he began flapping and took off over the tops of the trees.
Jerak stared up in amazement, "Man, to think you might do that someday."
"I don't know," I muttered. I recalled my little fear of heights. I had trouble cleaning the moss off the roof at home, let alone thinking about flying. I suppose having wings removes the fear of falling to your doom much like having gills removes the fear of drowning. It’s just something I never considered.
Amgati walked over after having a conversation with Wucaw. He appeared to be in good spirits. "So what is going on?"
"Xum'gol might be already heading to the Dead Sore now," I explained.
Amgati shrugged, "Wucaw mentioned some of the necromancers traveling up that way. They are not our greatest worry."
The old druid remarked, "Xum'gol might not be able to access the source rune in haste. The remains that feed the land there will become a problem."
"You think he can raise the bones of those dragons there?" Amgati asked.
Jerak and I both replied in unison, "Yes."
Amgati gave us an odd look but didn't say anything.
Jerak added, "Blake and I fought one of those years ago. Thought it was that Shaden guy. Drats! I forget his name!"
I pondered a bit, but couldn't recall the name either for some reason. Heaven knows I should, after all he tried to kill me a few times.
"Deshra?" Amgati wondered.
"Yes! That's the name!" Jerak said. He poked me, "Remember when Teltar and I made a belt buckle of his skull for you? Whatever happened to that?"
I took a deep sigh, "Yes. I have it. I keep it in a desk at back at home."
Amgati chuckled, "I need to share that story with my family back at home. They would get a kick knowing that the traitor's skull is used as a discarded belt buckle!"
Jerak laughed, "Yeah that is pretty funny actually!"
The old druid cleared his throat. He spoke in a disgruntled tone, "We have a problem with the bones over by the Dead Sore. If they are reanimated, there would be no telling the damage they could do."
Amgati eyes perked up, "Blake! When we visit with the dragons at Dragon's Back, they can help us!"
I nodded, "Yeah, I can ask them for help. The Dragon Spirit has plenty of reasons to hate Xum'gol as much as we all do. He will help with this."
The old druid smiled, "That is reassuring. I would have Koj head back to Dragon's Back, but you might be better off to consult them on the matter."
"Do you know how far Dragon's Back is from here?" Jerak asked.
The old druid nodded, "Yes, it will take you maybe four or five days. Then a few more to reach the village."
Jerak looked a bit disappointed, "How rough is the trek?"
Amgati butted in, "Are there any dangers we need to worry about?"
The old druid looked at Amgati, "Most fear the dragons to the north. We are on good terms with the draykens. But the dragons themselves are clever and unpredictable beasts. Even we cannot handle such beasts."
I patted Amgati on the back, "We are fine. They will see me as their kin."
The old druid smiled, "Yes. If they consider you one of the drayken, then they will be peaceful to you."
"But, what about the drayken's friends?" Jerak asked.
I chuckled, "I'll put a good word for you," Although I was unsure if the dragons would even react to me. Koj seemed confident, though.
"In case they don't, Jerak, be sure you run in a different direction than us. That way it can only eat one of us!" Amgati joked.
Jerak sneered at Amgati but kept quiet.
The old druid turned to me, "I will make sure the three of you have everything you need for the journey. I must send a message to Lady Milunus about your arrival and the movement of Xum'gol's forces. If you will excuse me." The old druid quietly strolled off toward one of the living buildings in the village.
"You think they have a contact stone like in the mage school?" I asked. A part of me wanted to speak to Talestria.
Amgati shook his head, "Druids are not the sort that mingle with arcane magic. He is sending a message the simple way; by bird."
I let out a deep disappointed sigh, "Oh."
"You miss her, huh?" Amgati responded.
I gave a big shrug, "Yeah. I know it could destroy me but I do miss her."
Amgati patted me on the back, "Just carry yourself forward. You can't stay rooted on problems that you can't change. Just keep walking onward."
Amgati paced around while admiring the trees and the village. He frowned a bit, "It is a shame that we have to leave this so soon."
"Wait. We are leaving already?" I asked in disappointment.
"Yes. We shouldn't waste any more time. We need to reach the draykens and ask for their help," Amgati instructed.
The druids took no time in filling our packs. The food was packed neatly. I wasn’t sure how would taste but they insisted it was packed with energy and will last. They also gave each of us a nice fluffy blanket that will make nights a whole lot more comfortable. Amgati spent this last few moments being updated on survival in the forest and the mountains of Dragon's Back.
Our brief time in the village came to a quick end as the three of us headed north. It would have been nice to spend the rest of the day there but I had a feeling that resting there for the night would hardly be different than resting in the forest. At least we had a fresh supply of goods.
"Sad we couldn't take all that meat with us," Jerak complained.
Amgati laughed, "You would just get yourself sick again." He toyed with a small clay flask.
"What is that?" I asked.
Amgati opened the flask and dabbed a little on our packs.
Jerak leaned over to sniff it. He quickly pulled his head back, "That smells ripe!"
"It is elkvian urine," Amgati explained.
Jerak frowned, "Why would you carry that around?"
"Because elkvian are territorial creatures. This will keep them from bothering us," Amgati explained.
"I rather have a small pee jar than deal with any of those things again," I said jokingly.
Jerak shrugged, "I guess the druids really do know their stuff."
Amgati just rolled his eyes at Jerak as he put away the small flask.
We were back on the move. I was glad we had Amgati along. There was no way I could tell which way was north with all these trees. This was a beautiful forest but extremely difficult to navigate through without getting lost.
Trudging along through the terrain, moving around every tree and past every fern, my mind began to wander. I missed traveling by wagon, on a road. Heck, I missed being able to see the sky. There was so much coverage, it could be raining for all we knew and we wouldn’t feel a single drop.
At night we were too tired to socialize. The blankets we got were a luxury for us. The night air could get rather cold with all the moisture, so having a big soft blanket really made sleeping easier. The dry goods the druids g
ave us didn't taste bad but they didn't have much flavor. I also kind of wished we had taken some of the meat with us. That at least tasted good to me.
We woke up as points of sunlight shined through the branches. I didn't want to leave my warm blanket and step out where the ground was still moist from the morning dew. Amgati had to poke me with the handle of his spear to get me going.
Green and reddish-brown was all we saw that day. Navigating through the terrain had gotten to the point that I could almost do it half asleep. Any novelty in this forest was worn on me. I think I was just diverting my problems with traveling now. I guess that was better. I’d rather dwell on today's tedious hike than any heartache.