On the Road

Trees filled the landscape and blocked out the sky as the unlikely group of adventurers sat out from the small town of woodwake. The brush outside of town was thick despite the amount of traffic that came through the area.

“We must travel east.” dictated Ozzob. “Across the plains we will find the Keep of Ungroth. The treeline will break in a few minutes.”

The troupe continued at a brisk pace and, as predicted, the trees thinned and simply stopped to reveal a seemingly endless plain of grass. Ozzob pointed to a small speck on a gentle rise in the extreme distance.

“That is the keep.” Trying to reassure the others he adds, “It looks farther than it is. We will camp tonight in the open and should make the keep before the following nightfall.”

A bit of time and road passed before Leone could no longer contain himself. “This place is desolate despite the greenness. I have not seen a single bird or animal.”

Ozzob made a quick reply, “That is hardly unusual, the wildlife of the area is suppressed because the wolf population is so high. They don’t allow any other species to flourish.”

Dedrick adds, “And since most animals exist in a symbiotic relationship, less of one species, means less of the others.”

Mia inquired, “Will the wolves not attack us?”

“If we happen to cross paths with some, they most definitely will attack us.”

Leone added, “Then we should be wary, I think we were being followed in the woods.”

#

The predator eyes of a burly wolf locked onto the group of four humans walking across its territory. Many pairs of eyes shared this same field of view. The wolves were a breed of giant wolg, a vicious and nasty predator of the region. They were looking for a meal…

#

“Right you are my treacherous companion.” Replied Ozzob as he pointed to the pack of wolves slinking in wake.

“Our numbers were to keep them at bay then?” Questioned Dedrick, “It appears to be an insufficient strategy.”

Leone wasted no time drawing his daggers for the coming contest. Dedrick dropped his shirt to the ground, the air about him whuffled as his tattoos began to animate. Mia produced an undersized crossbow from her backpack and Ozzob’s hands began dripping with the all too familiar energy of a spell he apparently enjoyed.

Ozzob moved into the rear of the group as the first few wolves came rushing over a hillcrest with abandon. Mia loosed a bolt from her crossbow, but it missed its target and skipped off a clump of rocks. The wolves raced in closer and closer, at the ultimate moment Leone dove headlong at the front two, arms outstretched, he drove a dagger into each creature’s skull. Dislodged from his graceful assault Leone rolled to a stop in the midst of the rest of the pack, he hopped to his feet with his last two daggers already in hand.

Ozzob cupped his hand and threw a chunk of energy at the wolves on the left side of Leone. The magical projectile split into three parts mid-flight; a stinging acidic hiss fills the air as each glob found its target. Three wolves departed the scene to save there lives, each minus a little hide and pride that Ozzob had stolen.

Flames writhed and danced around Dedrick’s skin. The fury of nature was bent to his will, a great spike of blue flame flew forth and imparted its dance to one of the predators. Another and another spike of flame struck forth and lashed there targets as the wolves on the right side of Leone decided to flee. Leone reversed the dagger in his right hand and took a few defensive slices at some of the remaining wolves.

Half the remaining predators, desperate after the departure of there companions, pounced at Leone; his quick feet and nimble body allowed him to sidestep the haphazard leaps. Reorienting there vision on the weakest of the group the remaining wolves lunged at Mia. Ozzob, in an amazing blurring motion, stepped in front of Mia and grabbed both wolves midair. Ozzob and the movement stricken predators acted as a single lightning rod, pulsing waves of light began at Ozzob’s feet and traveled through the bodies of the creatures. As each wave slammed into the wolves bodies they released another compulsive jerk. Successive waves produced more minute motions, ultimately Ozzob released his grip and the two wolves fell lifeless to the ground.

The final would-be predator snarled and snapped at Dedrick; Leone silenced it with a precise sling of a dagger that pierced the side of the creature’s neck. Blood soaked into the earth as the group continued its trek across the plains to Ungroth.

#

Stopping in the convex shallow of a few hills, the group decided that this spot would be the best place for them to rest and pass through the darkness. With a flick of his finger, Ozzob created a warm, symmetric campfire. Each member of the group broke out some simple road rations. Mia and Ozzob sat next to each other while Dedrick and Leone spaced out across the fire. With a simple motion of his hand the sorcerer quited the flames of the fire, but did not diminish the warmth.

Dedrick inquired, “What other dangers might be waiting for us on the road to this keep?”

Ozzob replied, “The plains are host to many creatures, but I have less desire to encounter a pack of gimmils than the wolves we faced earlier. They are a kind of humanoid from direct angelic decent, smaller than diminutive--most are only a few inches tall.”

Dedrick stepped on Ozzobs words, “They hardly sound like formidable opponents.”

“Well, they attack in the dark. And you are right, they are not formidable alone, nor do they have huge numbers. Essentially, they are scavengers. Gimmils use anything they get there hands on.”

Mia asked, “How dose that make them a threat to us?”

“Well, it doesn’t. Gimmils are a nuisance at best.” Ozzob reached over to Mia and gently rested some of her hair across his hand. “They make there clothing from human hair. I have heard stories on the plains that people will wake up bald after a night spent in the open.”

Mia jerked her hair back and started running both hands through it. “Why don’t we just go on to the keep tonight?”

Leone and Dedrick chuckled a bit.

Ozzob slowly drifted off into a dream…

#

A mist fills the void of space, all I could see. A presence was with me in this room. This was some kind of ancient crypt. I could see blood on the floor and a few bleach white bones scattered about. The dangling chatter of crypt keys spoke to me. I felt alone, but at the same time, someone was with me. A dream in a dream, I felt like I was watching myself through a magnifying glass. My body was not my own.

I found myself walking a grassy plain. The grass was crystallized and reflected my image; I held a blade in my hand and could see the crease across my cheek line. In the depth, I saw another face. Mia was with me, she lumbered and her eyes were closed tight. I tried to step forward but I was walking in sand, it sunk and enveloped me.

The creatures of the dark, they broke away. I could see an angel built of white mist. He hovered past me, blood dipped wings rolled beyond my sight. Sulfur, a sunken turmoil. I could not hear a regret but I could feel them. My mind pulsated and I staggered, clumsy feet. A break away, a stupor or a hangover had taken over my body. My will was not my own.

On an island, I stood… asleep. Armed with the pitchfork of my mind I roped in the demons and slaughtered the cherubs. I was the master of the angle, the god of the stars. I held impudence in my heart and a love in my sweat. Step before me and bite your tongue for I did not tolerate insolence.

I began falling, falling to the depths of the world. A voice spoke to me. ‘Bloodlines’ what did that mean? My body was not my own. I got a feeling of staggering elation, I felt a grip around my throat, helpless, I felt helpless…

#

Ozzob woke when the first rays of the morning sun broke the tree line pointing the way back home to Woodwake. Looking about the area, he could see Leone and Dedrick sleeping; Mia was not near the camp. Brushing the grit from his face Ozzob lanked his way to his knees and eventually directed his feet to the ground. He looked around the camp for clues about Mia’s location.

A long shadow fell across the camp area as a figure walked down the hillcrest; a companion to the sun. Ozzob called out “Mia, come down from there.” As the utterance left his lips the figure stopped moving; for a seeming eternity the two remained motionless. Slowly the figure resumed walking down the crest, at one point passing before the sun, Mia’s face revealed.

“Where were you?” Inquired Ozzob.

“Just out looking around, the scenery is splendid.”

“What if more wolves had attacked?”

“I was not worried…”

Ozzob’s squinted in perplexion.

“You would have came to rescue me, right?”

“I would have tried.”

A grumbling, half-asleep voice kept the two from touching, “So, we ready to go.”

Dedrick, already standing, added, “Yes, I am ready to see about this keep.”

Everyone packed up there gear and headed off behind Ozzob; after a few hours the sun breake across the plains and the shadowed hills of the early morning completely wiped away. Time passed with little event, the silhouette of Ungroth magnified as the group crosses the plains.

#

“Hardly Formidable.” Pounded forth the voice of strength.