The Road to Red Thorn

by Blaine Hicks

  Radley ignored the buffoon comment. He was just happy that a simple conversation could improve things between them even though his laughing had countered the gesture somewhat. He snickered again thinking of the name, Cinderella, then tried to be serious before the grendel noticed. He didn’t want to undo the small benefit that naming the grendel had given their relationship.

  That had been his last remaining prompt, so he dismissed the interface. He still needed to assign his attribute points and spell points, but he was really tired, and they were almost out of daylight again. He started to consider that he might have to spend another night in the forest. As if answering his pessimism, the solution to their problem came into view around the next river bend. It was raised over an assortment of thin stilts driven deep into the river and could have been classified as a bridge because it spanned from one bank to the other. What separated it in Radley’s mind from a traditional bridge was the nature of its construction. It was built entirely from scraps and pieces of other things. Garbage was bound together with other garbage: car doors, copper piping, aluminum siding, even wood and a few large bones. It would have seemed like a child's creation if not for the quality of the arrangement. Strangely, the pieces fit together with the precision of a jigsaw puzzle which left the surface of the bridge nearly as flat as a paved road. The crossing was several feet wide, but it had no handrails or barrier along the sides so falling into the river would be a real possibility. There was nothing else around, just a solitary bridge in the middle of nowhere.

  Radley placed an exploratory foot onto the edge of the bridge testing the integrity of the haphazard structure. To his surprise, Cinderella began projecting its thoughts behind him wistfully. I have never crossed this river. It marks the northern boundary of the sundew’s territory.

  Radley looked back at his familiar and thought he saw a flicker of insecurity in the beast’s eyes. The grendel looked past him at the far bank and continued, The sundew is dangerous, but it is also a protector for both the forest and the grendel who live there. Large creatures cannot enter without drawing its attention.

  Radley understood all too well. It had only been a couple days since he had been living under the protection of a stronger force; his mom. Losing her and leaving his home had already become the scariest experience of his life. He wanted to console the grendel but couldn’t think of much except an inspirational meme that was regularly shared on the social networks. “Do you know what a kitten is?” Radley asked.

  Yes, the grendel replied, I have eaten many kittens.

  “That’s great.” Radley mumbled. “Anyway, where I'm from there was this kitten. It had fallen from a branch and was hanging on but wouldn’t give up. He wouldn’t let go.”

  And then what happened? the grendel asked.

  “Well, I don't know.” Radley admitted. “People just say ‘hang in there’ like if you can hold on like the kitten, you’ll be okay.”

  That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.” the grendel grumbled. “Do not fall from the tree and you will not have to ‘hang in there’...but I would not mind a tree with kittens hanging from the branches. It would be my snack tree.

  Radley shook his head in frustration. “No you’re missing the point. I don’t know what's over there.” He pointed across the river. “I don't know if it's safe or if we’re going to die, but I promise you that whatever we find, we’ll face together.”

  I would rather have the little kitten with me than a little bird.” the grendel said gruffly ignoring the heartfelt sentiment. “You are more likely to get me killed than save me.

  Radley had been trying to say something nice and the grendel had thrown the offering away. “You just told me that I saved you from the star-creeper! Could a kitten do that?”

  The grendel snuffled. A kitten would not have led me to the river on this quest. With a kitten, I would not have needed the help.

  Radley huffed back at the grendel’s logic but said nothing. The grendel also let the subject drop. Radley turned back towards the bridge. The river narrowed here so the current was fast and rough. A few large boulders dotted the heavy current downstream and would be hazardous if someone fell in. The shorter span was probably why the site was chosen for the bridge, but it also made crossing here risky.

  Scary or not, Radley wouldn’t find a better crossing, so he forced himself to step forward. His hands were shaking as he put his full weight on the bridge. It bobbed and swayed with each step but like a hanging kitten, Radley didn’t give up; right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. When he was almost halfway to the other side, the bridge was really sagging hard. The supports started to creak and groan like they were reaching the limits of their construction. Radley started to panic and turned around to go back but ran into Cinderella. The grendel was casually only a step behind him. Radley nearly lost his hysterical grip on his sanity despite his boosted willpower. “One at a time Cinder! One at a time!” he shouted.

  Cinderella took a step backwards but didn’t return to the riverbank. With no way back, Radley had to finish crossing instead. He was terrified that his gargantuan familiar would bring the whole thing down into the river. It didn’t. Radley reached the far shore without incident. He collapsed to his knees once he was safely on firm ground.

  Cinderella crossed the remaining length of the bridge after him. This time it was the grendel’s turn to laugh. To Radley’s ears it sounded like a dog snuffling, almost like the grendel had a cold but no tissues. Through their mental connection though, the grendel left no doubt that it was mocking him. Ah hah hah! Are you scared of bridges little bird? Are you scared of the water? Cinderella asked. The familiar toppled to the ground and snuffled some more.

  Radley could dish it, but he didn’t like being teased. “No.” He said sharply. “I’m not scared of all bridges but that one isn’t safe and I’m actually a pretty good swimmer…AND YOU TOLD ME THE WATER WASN’T SAFE!!”

  Oh, maybe you are a little duckling and must learn to swim? The familiar asked sarcastically.

  Radley had had enough. “I’m not a duck and I’m not a bird. I am an elemental mage and an immortal adventurer, and I am your master. You will treat me with the respect I deserve.”

  The grendel wasn’t listening anymore. He was still laughing at his own clever jokes. I will teach the little duck to swim...

  CH. 30 Enter Eventide

  On the north side of the river the trees were smaller and grew further apart. It was still a forest, but the trees didn’t radiate strength and power like those in Elderwood. A clear trail led northward from the bridge into the forest and beside the bridge, a pristine sign faced Elderwood indicating it was a zone. Radley looked back and read the description of the forest he had just left:

  ZONE: The Dark Forest of Elderwood

  Boss: Great Forest Sundew

  Skill Recommendations:

  Solo XP: Level 70

  Boss Raid Group: Level 200

  Zone Info: Elderwood forest is a large zone that bisects the eastern peninsula from Torgus Bay to the Eastern Sea. It is known for deadly plants and dark elves; neither generally entertain guests. Travelers heading south are encouraged to by-pass this zone by sea.

  Points of interest in this zone:

  Avernus Gate

  Emerald Caverns

  Razor-Peak of Bhan

  Forbidden Tree-City of Bats

  Radley snorted at the recommended levels. It was no wonder he’d been running for his life for two days straight. Elderwood was no place for a noob and he was glad to finally be free of the zone. He looked up from the sign and was surprised to see two shadowed forms standing just inside the treeline of the dark forest. He was sure it was Edensu and the nameless beauty. They meant to catch his attention, but it wasn’t a friendly gesture. It was a warning that they had been watching him the whole time. It was a warning not to come back. That was fine with Radley. He hoped never to return to the dark forest. He hoped instead he could fix things and go home to a normal house in a
normal world. He looked over at Cinderella. The powerful beast had grown quiet. It was also looking over the river as if saying goodbye.

  “Come on,” Radley said, trying to distract the grendel “I want to find somewhere to sleep tonight.” The familiar didn’t reply but followed obediently.

  They stuck to the path moving silently northward. It conveniently pointed directly towards Radley’s beacon. After another half hour of walking the sun was setting and the smell of faint woodsmoke began to permeate the air. The forest was growing too dark to see clearly until Radley remembered to flick on his thermal vision. He instantly stopped in his tracks. In the contrast of the augmented vision, he could clearly see a crowd of glowing white shapes ahead of them. There were dozens of them, waiting beside the path in ambush, hidden in the trees and bushes on both sides of the trial. He couldn’t tell what they were, but he knew they weren’t star-creepers. They looked humanoid but were not human and obviously up to no good.

  Cinderella trotted up beside him and could tell something was wrong by Radley’s stiffness.

  “What is wrong little bird?” Cinderella asked cautiously.

  Radley almost shushed him but realized the question, like all the grendel's words, had been along their mental connection and made no sound. He responded in a whisper, still not quite grasping mental communication, “There are thirty to forty creatures hiding ahead of us. I think they are planning an ambush.”

  The grendel peered ahead, ears twitching, but could not detect the danger. Finally, the familiar said, I cannot hear them, but I smell fear.

  Radley flicked his tongue to see what fear smelled like but quickly wished he hadn’t. With Cinderella panting beside him, all he smelled was hot grendel breath which was akin to rotten entrails and onions.

  If they hadn’t been facing an unknown danger, Radley would have probably vomited and sent the grendel back to the river to rinse its mouth with muddy water, but now was not the time to worry about hygiene. Instead, he motioned for the grendel to back away enough that he could breathe again and wait.

  The hidden shapes were growing restless, possibly because they realized that something was wrong with their ambush. Radley was still close enough to be heard, but far enough away that any attack would only come from his front, so he spoke to them in a loud clear voice. “I don't know who you are but I’m not looking for a fight. I want to continue through these woods in peace.”

  He paused and waited for a response, but none came. The figures in the trees shifted restlessly as if unsure what to do. He tried again “I can see you, crouching in the trees. If battle is what you seek, I’m sure my tame grendel can accommodate you.” This was mostly a bluff, since he had no idea what manner of creatures he was up against.

  The bluff seemed to work, and a whispering began among the creatures like the sound of rustling wind. Finally, a central figure pushed its way through the brush and onto the path directly ahead of him. At the same time, the mob of creatures began to reposition themselves, fanning out into the forest and slowly flanking Radley’s position.

  The central figure stood slightly crouched as if very old but held a shield and pitted short sword as if still dangerous. It wore a tattered ringmail vest mismatched with leather vambraces and greaves that were nearly worn through. Even if it hadn’t been hunching over, Radley was pretty sure he knew what it was. He selected the blinking magnifying glass icon at the edge of his vision to be sure.

  Stone Mace Goblin: Lieutenant

  Ruckus Dustsweeper - 480 HP

  Goblins are a common race of short, sentient, humanoids. They are cunning and greedy. Like many creatures of darkness, they are driven by a lust for wealth and riches. The Stone Mace Goblin clan lives in Eventide Forest. They are industrious workers and savage fighters.

  Battle consideration: This goblin is level 36. You are welcome to fight it but you wouldn’t like the outcome.

  Radley’s heart sunk as he read the description. Even with the power of his grendel and his own elemental magic, this did not look good. Three dozen Level 30+ Goblins could easily surround and kill both him and Cinderella. The tactics of striking and running away wouldn’t work this time since the enemy could just surround them. He was sure the goblins knew this too, so why weren't they attacking already?

  The goblin lieutenant just stood in the path staring back at him. Finally, Radley asked “Who are you?”

  There was another long pause, before the goblin answered in a low raspy voice “Call me Ruckus, you can. First lieutenant of Black Fang Platoon; first lieutenant I am.”

  Still, the goblins didn’t attack. Instead the lieutenant spoke again. “You are far from home snakeman, far from home. We want reasons, yes...we just want the reason you are here.”

  Radley detected true curiosity in the goblins voice but wasn’t sure why the lieutenant was engaging in a conversation. It reminded him of his encounter with the dark elves and even though he hadn’t gained any information, he had left with his life. He decided to just ask, “What do you want to know?”

  “We want to know why you are here, yes...why you are here??” A second goblin named “Tuff Mudraker” with a similar description had crept out of the brush and stood behind the first. The second goblin was only level 25 but still registered as a serious threat to Radley. The goblins in the trees had climbed down and the mob of fighters was still moving to surrounded them. Radley’s grip tightened on his staff.

  Radley didn’t want to aggro them, and the goblin was being reasonable to ask first, rather than killing him and asking his corpse. On the other hand, he didn’t have a good answer to the question. He decided to rely on his role playing again but this time he tried to add more sparkles. Maybe he could catch a fish this time.

  “I am Rad Fabulous, an adventurer and a powerful mage.” He said this with as much confidence as he could muster. “My homeland was corrupted by a powerful enemy and I could not stay. I am traveling the land to discover the source of the blight on my homeland and seeking fortune and glory.”

  The lieutenant seemed to be buying the story for a moment until Radley said “fortune and glory” which seemed to confuse it. The goblin repeated the phrase a few times as if tasting the words. “Fortune and glory...fortune and glory…” Then it looked back at Radley, “For seeking fortune and glory snakeman, you appear to be failing, yes...you appear to be failing.”

  The goblin began to edge towards him slowly, its pitted weapon rose slowly until it was held between them, “we think you are naked and lost in goblin lands, yes, yes...lost within goblin lands. Where are your weapons adventurer? Where is your wand oh mighty mage? Where are your coins? Yes, Yes, we want to see your coins.” The goblins around Ruckus began to snicker and moved forward following their lieutenant’s lead.

  Radley had forgotten he was still naked. He had worn nothing since waking up and was getting used to it now. He was also very dirty from falling in mud several times. He must have looked to the goblins like a stray dog. His walking stick was just a tree branch, and he had no other apparent possession besides a dirty grendel hide rolled under one arm. It also occurred to him that they must not be able to identify him in the same way he seemed to be able to identify everything he concentrated on. The advantage of knowledge left him with a fighting chance, but he could sense he was losing his audience. He quickly pulled forward the grendel leather from under his arm and said, “Here is my gear.” then he doubled down on his story before they could skin him alive. “I removed it to fight that star-creeper on the far side of the river. The bank was muddy, and I didn’t want to get my stuff dirty.”

  The mention of the sentient plant brought a hissing sound from the entire goblin platoon like a white noise machine playing on surround sound. The lieutenant stopped his advance and asked cautiously “You’ve seen Settri? You’ve seen the star of death, have you?”

  “He’s dead.” Radley said, emboldened by their hesitation. “He had a nice knife, so I took it.”

  Radley leaned his walking stick
against a nearby tree then set the leather hide on the ground. The goblin lieutenant eagerly watched as he unrolled it. The other goblins waited too. The knife had been his last addition to the bundle and was tucked near the open end of the roll so he could reach it without displaying the rest of his possessions. He pulled it free and for effect, flipped it in the air and caught it again by the handle.

  Throwing a knife was a move he never would have considered in his previous life. It was dangerous and stupid, and his mom would have killed him for trying it, but the gesture felt natural under the current circumstances. With his snake-like reflexes and thermal vision, the move came easily even in the darkness and he could tell it sold the story. With his free hand he rolled the leather hide up again and scooped it off the ground.

  The goblins began to whisper and edged forward to try and see the blade. The lieutenant snapped at them to stay back and moved forward alone to examine the blade. Radley let him look and after a few moments the goblin seemed satisfied.

  “Many of my brothers have been slain by this knife” the goblin said. “It is the blade of Settri” then it added as if speaking to itself “but are you capable of such a feat? Are you capable?” The goblin eventually shrugged and said, “It is not for me to say.” It cautiously crept back to the line of goblins still talking to itself “Maybe Settri is dead and maybe not, maybe not.” The group continued to whisper but Radley couldn’t hear what they were saying.

  While Radley waited for some type of conclusion, He returned the knife to his bundle and tucked it back under his arm. After a few minutes, the lieutenant made a decision and said, “Put on your clothes and come with us, you will come with us.”