As the word “fire” rolled off of his lips, a flame shot out and burned the scavenger. David cut Borin’s chains and gave him his spear.
“Let’s go. We still need to find those that escaped,” said Borin.
The two left to search for their friends as the scavenger burned.
chapter 4
Regrouping and Recruiting
David and Borin walked for hours looking for escaped people from their army. They had no luck. It became night and the two became tired. They stumbled upon an old cottage.
“This must be Krag’s old home. Maybe some secrets are still hidden inside,” David said.
“I’ll go around back and you go up front. If there are any scavengers, we will be able to surprise them,” Borin said.
The two entered the house and found it dark and empty. Suddenly, both Borin and David were thrown to the wall and pinned. David could feel many points touching his skin. A torch came into his face and David saw Tricks.
“Thank goodness it’s you, David. And Borin too!” Tricks said as he put away his katana. “We thought you were both taken.”
“It is good to see you also, my friend. How much of our army have you found?” Borin asked.
The room lit up and David was disappointed that only ten people were there besides himself and Borin.
“It was hard to get away from all those scavengers,” Tricks said.
David looked around to see who was there. He saw Borin, Tricks, Dawayne, Gulture, three other barbarians that David did not know, and four of Lalindra’s knights.
“This is everyone,” said Tricks.
“If we could only get out of the forsaken place, then we could get more soldiers,” said David.
“Perhaps Krag has some magic here that I could use to get us out of this forest,” said Gulture. “Everyone, cover your ears. I am about to cast a spell to let me learn all of Krag’s magic that is kept here.”
“But if we hear, we will know magic also,” said Dawayne.
“That you would,” said Gulture, “but it would cause you great pain and you would be unable to control it.”
“Ah, who needs magic anyways,” Dawayne said as he covered his ears.
Gulture performed the spell necessary to learn Krag’s magic.
“There. I now know almost everything Krag knows. I have found a spell to let us teleport out of here,” said Gulture.
The party of twelve vanished. They reappeared at a destroyed town. David saw a sign and it read “Gilburg.”
“Lord Krag, I have just received word that David defeated the scavengers you left behind. He also has the Power Sword and knows how to use it,” a scavenger said to Krag.
“Fools! I am surrounded by fools!! Tor!” Krag bellowed.
“Yes, master,” Tor said.
“Did you leave any scavengers to guard my house?” asked Krag.
“No, I did not . . . I thought . . .”
“Idiot!” Krag yelled grabbing Tor by the throat and lifting him off of the ground. “You will take fifty scavengers to my house and see that it has not been messed with. If it has, then I will have your head!”
“Yeeessss siiirree,” Tor choked.
Krag released Tor, who went on his mission immediately and then went to the dungeon.
“I want all of you to listen now,” Krag said to the prisoners. “I will free you, if you become scavengers.”
“Never!!” Lalindra yelled. “We are part of the Army of Peace and will be for the rest of our lives.”
“Which may end very soon!!” Krag yelled, losing his temper. “Anyone else have a different answer?”
The room was completely silent.
“Fine, but you have sealed your fates along with those of your pathetic army that was able to escape!” Krag shouted as he left the room.
“Let us find another town unharmed by Krag,” Borin suggested.
“He is right,” said David.
“OK, I will teleport us to another town,” said Gulture.
The group teleported to a different town untouched by the scavengers.
“OK, I want to pair up in groups of two and gather more soldiers for our cause,” said David.
David, who had chosen Dawayne as his partner, walked into a tavern.
“Excuse me!” David shouted. “How many of you are looking for adventure and gold?”
Everyone cheered and raised their beer.
“Then aid me in the battle against Krag. I have the legendary Power Sword and could use some troops.”
David stopped talking realizing that nobody was listening to him. He and Dawayne left. The other groups also came back without recruits except Borin and Tricks.
“This is Dogar,” Borin said, introducing a man to David. “He is an archer and wishes to help us.”
“I’m good at what I do and can also form great plans under stress,” said Dogar. “I can also show you where the Honor Shield and Peaceful Armor are kept.”
“I am told they have been lost for centuries,” said Gulture.
“They are located in Skull Mountain and can only be found by the one who owns the Power Sword. I will take you to them, but first, we should eat and rest. It is only a one day trip and we can journey there tomorrow,” Dogar finished.
So the group ate and then rented rooms at an inn. In the middle of the night, Dogar got up and walked away.
chapter 5
Krag’s Trap
Dogar quickly snuck out of the town. He entered the edge of the woods and bumped into Krag.
“I did not expect you to come in person,” Dogar said to Krag.
“You can’t trust scavengers. They are all fools. Now tell me, was David taking the bait?” asked Krag.
“Yes, and one of his friends, the magical one, believes me and backed my story up. I told them that the shield and armor are located at Skull Mountain. I also told them that only two people can travel there and they believed me. They are very gullible,” finished Dogar.
“Good, we will be set up and ready when he arrives,” said Krag.
“Now where is my money?”
“It will be delivered to you after the job is done. Don’t worry. I will keep my word.”
“Let’s see that you do.”
“You should not say such things. They may upset me and I know you don’t want to do that. Now, go back before someone notices that you have left.”
Dogar went back to the inn, but Dawayne was waiting for him.
“Where were you?” Dawayne asked.
“I was getting fresh air,” Dogar replied.
“I thought you might have, but when I looked outside, I didn’t see you,” said Dawayne.
“Well, maybe you weren’t looking in the right place,” said Dogar as he stomped off.
“David,” Dawayne called.
“Yes,” David replied.
“I wanted to tell you that I don’t trust Dogar and we don’t need him.”
“Yes, we do. He is the only one who can tell us where the Honor Shield and Peaceful Armor are located.”
“I caught him sneaking back into the inn. He said that he was getting fresh air, but when I looked, I didn’t see him.”
“Don’t worry. Dogar is one of the good guys. He’ll help us. You are just a little paranoid,” David said as he walked away.
“You’re right. I am paranoid. So paranoid that I think we are being led into a trap,” Dawayne said to himself.
“Lalindra, we can’t hold on. Maybe we should become scavengers. At least then we will be alive,” said one of Lalindra’s guards.
“Roger, we have to hold on. We will be rescued and then we will triumph over Krag and all of his evil,” said Lalindra.
Just then, Dorris started to cry.
“Not again,” Crusher said in disgust.
“Be quiet. She is still young and doesn’t understand what is happening,” said Lalindra. “There, there. It will be alright. I will make sure that nothing happens to you.”
“I wish you coul
d be so sure,” said Maria.
David, don’t go. I still fear that Dogar will betray you,” said Dawayne.
“Dawayne, I am going and so is Dogar. Now, leave me alone!” David shouted.
David and Dogar mounted their horses and began their journey. everyone wished them luck and then started to, once again, recruit more soldiers.
“We have finally arrived,” said Dogar, after many long hours of travel.
“So all I have to do is walk inside and claim the Honor Shield and Peaceful Armor?” asked David.
“Correct,” Dogar replied.
“Well then, let’s go get them,” said David.
The two entered the cave and were immediately teleported to the top of the mountain. David looked around and saw thirty scavengers plus Krag. He instantly knew that Dawayne was right and he had been betrayed.
“You are a spy,” David said, accusing Dogar.
“You should have listened to your friend,” said Dogar.
“Good job, Dogar. Here is your gold,” Krag said as he tossed Dogar three bags of gold. “David, you have a choice. Either give up the Power Sword or die. What is your answer?”
“This!” David yelled as he drew his sword. “FIRE!”
A flame shot out of the Power Sword and hit a nearby scavenger. All the scavengers drew their swords and surrounded David. David drew his dagger and threw it at Dogar, who was aiming an arrow. The dagger snapped Dogar’s bow wood. A scavenger slashed at David, who then jumped over the blade and kicked him in the face, breaking his neck. David jumped over three scavengers, turned around, and then kicked their feet out from under them. Next, he clashed swords with five scavengers at the same time and pushed all of them over. He twirled around to knock away all of the attacking blows.
“FIRE!” he yelled as he did this.
A circle of fire waved out of his sword and burned twelve scavengers. Most of the scavengers were shocked and confused for a moment. One scavenger jumped at David, but landed on the Power Sword and slid down to the handle. David pulled the scavenger off of his sword. He ran through an opening in the cave and came upon a white surfaced floor. David heard the scavengers coming after him and ran across the white floor. This was a mistake and David started to sink. The scavengers entered the room and one fell into the sinking surface and David stabbed him. Krag then entered the room and spoke.
“So you are trapped once again. This time, you will not escape.”
“Then I guess I will just have to die trying,” said David who was spitting in Krag’s general direction.
“Good choice of words. As you can see, you will either fall into the pit below and starve, or you will get out and we will kill you. Either way, you die and I get the Power Sword,” said Krag.
“You forgot one option,” David said.
“Oh, and what is that?” Krag asked.
“This,” said David. “Fiiiirrre!!”
David had dropped down and burned the ground near the scavengers. This forced the scavengers to move back. However, one scavenger fell into the pit and readied his sword. David charged the scavenger and swung at him with his sword. The scavenger put his sword in the way, but David flipped over the blade. While in the air, David twisted his body and swung at his opponent. Unfortunately, the scavenger had raised his sword over his head and sliced David’s arm. David dropped the Power Sword and fell to the ground. All of the other scavengers cheered as they saw this. The scavenger pulled out a dagger and threw it at David. David dodged it by rolling to the left. The scavenger pointed his sword at David and then reached over and grabbed the Power Sword. Instantly, the scavenger was burned and he took three steps backwards. David picked up the scavenger’s dagger and threw it into the scavenger’s neck. The scavenger dropped dead and David picked up the dagger and the Power Sword and sheathed them. Then, he bowed taunting Krag, Dogar, and the scavengers that were still alive.
“Krag, I hate to leave, but I must,” said David.
“You forget that you are still trapped in that pit. How do you plan on getting out without us capturing you?” Krag asked.
David thought about using fire and a flame shot out and started to burn the ground. He went over to the wall and kept thinking fire. The wall burned bright orange. After about ten minutes, an opening formed in the side of the mountain where David was burning.
“Go ahead and run like a coward. You are not brave enough to keep fighting,” Krag said, desperately trying to taunt David into fighting again.
“Alas, you are correct,” David said. “You are too great a warrior for me to battle, so I shall flee.”
When David finished saying this, he ran through the tunnel that he made.
“Quick, all of you follow me. We will still have a chance to capture him at the bottom of the mountain,” said Krag.
All the scavengers left the room and teleported to the bottom of the mountain. David heard everything that was said. He had just hidden at the beginning of the tunnel and listened. When the scavengers left, he entered the room again. David climbed out of the pit and walked through an entrance at the other side of the room. He looked and saw the town where his friends were.
“I don’t think I could climb down this,” David said.
He looked around and found plenty of skin and bones belonging to dead animals.
“Wait a minute. Maybe I can fly down.”
David picked up one of the larger skins and jumped back into the pit. The skin worked as a parachute and gently set David on the ground. David climbed out of the pit and walked through the opening pointing at the town. He closed his eyes, clutched the skin very firmly, and then jumped down the side of the mountain. He felt himself falling quickly and his heart was beating rapidly. Then, he felt himself lift up. David opened his eyes and found himself gliding towards the town. David looked back and saw the scavengers riding on dragons, chasing after him. The dragons were swift and catching up quickly. David realized that the skins were on fire and he let go. Expecting to die, he felt himself not moving and opened his eyes. Gulture was using magic to keep David levitated. Gulture then set David down inside the town’s walls.
“David, what happened?” Dawayne asked.
“Dogar was a spy and he led me into a trap. Come, we must leave before Krag destroys this town.”
“Too late for that,” Gulture said. “For as you can see, the town is surrounded by scavengers.”
“Can’t you teleport us out, Gulture?” Tricks asked.
“Yes, I could, but where would we go?” asked Gulture.
“How about to Krag’s castle?” suggested Borin. “We could free our friends.”
“No, we will stand our ground and let Krag think he has us and then attack,” said David.
“This isn’t our town and we have no right to endanger these innocent people,” said Tricks.
“Still, we are ready to fight with you,” said an unknown man, “since we now know that you are serious about fighting. We have waited for this moment for a long time.”
“But you would be endangering your lives,” Dawayne said, about to protest.
“Like he is going to spare us if you leave,” said a man.
“Good point,” said Gulture.
“Well then, if you feel that way, join the Army of Peace,” said Borin.
“We are all with you,” the man said.
“Good. What is your name?” David asked.
“I am Brad, may of Springwater, this humble town,” the man said.
The people saw Krag return from a teleport with three more regiments to help besiege Springwater.
“How many people live in this town?” Borin asked.
“There are a couple thousand men who can fight well. The women and children here aren’t that bad with a sword either. Krag won’t take this town,” said Brad.
“That is comforting to know,” said David. “Right now, let’s just wait and see what Krag has to say. He is very cocky and we can probably defeat him because of his overconfidence. However, just
to be sure, keep your hand close to your weapon.”
“Crusher,” said Maria.
“Yes,” Crusher replied.
“Do you think that we will ever get out of here?” Maria asked.
“Yes, we will be rescued soon enough,” Crusher replied.
“David will soon free us right, Lalindra?” asked Dorris, wanting a grown woman’s word.
“Yes, it’s just like Crusher said. David will soon set us free and then we will defeat Krag,” answered Lalindra.
“Well they better get here quick. Krag’s offer is sounding better with every passing hour,” said a barbarian.
“Don’t talk like that,” Crusher said, obviously annoyed. “Soon we will be free.”
“Are all the troops ready?” Krag asked a nearby scavenger.
“Yes, Lord Krag,” the scavenger answered.
“Good. Then we are ready to make demands,” said Krag. “David, see reason. The town’s people that you have kidnapped will die if you do not surrender yourself and your few followers. I will even make you scavengers if you like. If you do not surrender in twenty-four hours, the town will be destroyed and everyone inside will be killed. You have twenty-four hours to make your decision.”
Chapter 6
Surprise, Surprise
“Twenty-four hours, huh?” Brad said. “That should give us just enough time to set up a little surprise for Krag.”
“What do you mean?” Dawayne asked.
“This town was once a military base. It has cannons and catapults. Not to mention that we have arrows and crossbows. We are prepared to fight off Krag’s attack. Call a town meeting and then I will explain everything,” said Brad.
It took about thirty minutes to organize the group, but once it was done, Brad explained his plan. He said that they would place the cannons and catapults around the town. People operating the cannons or crossbows would stand by until signaled to fire. Those who had axes, swords, or spears would line up behind some cannons, which would be placed behind the only gate in town. He then told them when David yelled, “WE SURRENDER,” that those with the long-range weapons were to open fire on the scavengers. He finished by saying that if needed, they would open the gates and those with close range weapons would charge and battle the scavengers.
Augury Answered Page 28