I’ve come the realization that I don’t like the cold. Even when I was traveling with my troupe, we would always find a nice warm valley to winter in. After the other party and the city dissolved, we found ourselves in a cave in the extreme high mountains. We’re talking three-foot snow covered trails. God only knows how deep the drifts were. Wait, some were only about five feet. Found that out when Islan jumped in one and sunk up to his neck. Only his big head stuck out.
That first night we practically froze. Only Jacques seemed unaffected. The high altitudes weren’t pleasant either. Islan was hit real bad by them. Coughing and hacking. He’s been showing a remarkable lack of Common sense since we had the run-in with those woods demons.
I didn’t have the best new morning either. When I opened my eyes, I was so nauseous. Immediately threw my guts up. It was just odd. I was fine before except for the usual aches and pains after a battle. Then I noticed the nasty lump under my skin. The wound I had taken from the frog monster was festering. Or so I thought. Turns out, the nausea was actually morning sickness. Morning sickness! That ugly frog beast implanted his, well, seed in me. The lump would have grown into a new frog monster. But thanks to the healing skills of our Druidess, she popped the boil and aborted the foul beast before it ever had a chance.
I think my language has taken on a dramatic flair. My eyes are golden now like Islan’s. I never really understood before why they looked like that. I understood that they were not natural, but I get it now. It’s that crystal. I’m pretty sure I got smarter. I can understand what Jacques was saying about energy and water. Hmmm. Fascinating.
So we finally got down the mountain a ways. Night was approaching and we found a small valley in the middle of some woods. There was a camp already setup. What luck! A little confusing in this desolate place but you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth. We settled in and Jacques took the first watch. We all passed out and then, a couple hours later, we were awoken by a voice. I suppose it was demanding to know what we were doing in their camp. I didn’t understand the language. Then we were able to put a body to the voice as a human female ranger came into view. We spoke for a little while longer with her, Anwar, and then everyone bedded down again. We slept until we were woken by a thunderous roar. As the thick smoke swept over us we realized we were caught in the middle of a forest fire. Well hell. So we grabbed our gear and ran. The fire overtook us quickly. I do have to say that as mind-blowing terrifying it was, it was a hell of a rush. All dodging burning branches and falling trees. We eventually took refuge in a hole. All I could smell was smoke and cooking meat. Kind of turned my stomach to realize that the cooking meat was us. But at least I wasn’t cold anymore.
So the fire passed us by. Dolartu let his bird Alfred out to scout the area. After receiving a report of a big dead white dragon, we decided to investigate it. And it was dead alright. Its whole underbelly was charred and ripped up. Seeing that, we decided we did not want to have a run-in with whatever had the power to do that. So we took our leave.
After wandering towards the city, Huld, with our new comrade Anwar leading the way, we found some tracks that were the same as those found near the dragon carcass. Then the ground stared rumbling. This. . .thing! came bursting forth. It gave off incredible heat from its body. Much more than I had originally thought. I was treated to a display of just how much heat when I sunk my dagger into it and drew back an empty hilt. Boy was I pissed! That’s the second dagger I’ve lost. But I ended up better than Jacques. He put his fist into it and was burned so badly. I’ve never heard him scream before and I hope I never have to hear it again. He just collapsed in a thick spray of the beast’s blood. And poor Altaire was swallowed by the creature. In one gulp she was gone. Probably the only thing that saved her was the magic of our sorcerer Dolartu. Opened the sucker up. Killed it in one blast. I have new respect for him now. Didn’t think he had it in him. I thought he was all talk. I mean, he does hang out a little too much with Islan if you get my meaning. But this battle did teach me a few things. One. As soon as I get to the next city I’m going to purchase a few new weapons. Can’t have too many. Two. I need to branch out a little.
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