-last edited on Apr 2, 2019 18:35:12 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 2, 2019 18:35:01 GMT
Chapter 87
Two weeks later, Jayden and several of Kelrin’s best men hiked up into the mountains to smash a dragon. Jayden would have preferred to do this alone, given what had resulted the last time he had taken others to help him slay a dragon, but he knew better than to argue with his employer. At least Jayden had been given time to give them basic training in the proper techniques.
As they got close to the brood mother’s nest, Jayden signaled for his men to keep quiet. The element of surprise could prove crucial in such fights. They proceeded slowly and cautiously, watching their footsteps to avoid stick and loose rocks. Before they had gotten far, however, a large green shape swooped down out of the sky and blasted them with fire. Jayden’s men, unexperienced with such attacks, fell back as they tried desperately to fend off the flames. For his own part, Jayden crouched behind his shield and waited for the dragon to back off. As soon as she did, he gave the order to attack, but his men were still reeling, and only one managed to loose an arrow.
Jayden quickly gathered up his men and continued the march, keeping the pace as quick as he could. There was no point in being cautious now; the dragon knew they were coming.
Soon enough, they reached the nest, a layer of soft leaves protected by a small overhang and set a little way back in the rock. The brood mother was there, standing in front of the nest, ready to fight. Jayden signaled to his men to move into the planned formation, and the attack began.
The dragon smashed three of Kelrin’s men before Jayden was able to get the proper angle and sink his spear home. As soon as the body stopped twitching, the survivors set about hunting for the eggs.
They dug through the nest for several minutes before one of them was alerted by a cracking sound. Following it, they soon uncovered two hatchlings and two eggs. With those safely bagged up, the hunt continued for the fifth egg, but before long Jayden decided to call it. “The reports must have been wrong. There were only four here.” They set back down the mountain and Jayden never told anyone that he had seen the fifth egg peeking out from under the fallen brood mother.
-last edited on Apr 3, 2019 19:16:35 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 3, 2019 19:16:08 GMT
Chapter 88
Jayden and Fovos circled one another, each looking for a weakness, an opportunity to strike. Fovos’s wings were broken and torn, an old injury. She wouldn’t be able to fly, which would have been a significant advantage if the height of the cave had already not prevented her from doing so. Other than that, Jayden had seen nothing, so far. It was unnerving; he had never seen her display such calm. Always before, she had been afraid. That would have given him something, a hesitation or a twitchiness that he could exploit, but today it was absent.
They continued circling, and Jayden, still hurting from the wound he had taken against the bandits earlier, stumbled just barely on a small rock he had not noticed. That was enough for Fovos. She leapt at him, claws outstretched, jaws open. Jayden managed to get his shield up just in time, and the blow scraped across it, knocking him off his feet. He lunged at Fovos with his spear, but she snapped her mouth shut and it glanced off the scales of her lip, leaving only a small mark.
The two combatants backed away to consider their next moves, but before Jayden could launch an attack, Fovos began to spit acid at him. He was forced to crouch behind his shield and wait for her to finish. When she was, he began to move into an offensive position, but had to duck under her tail as she swiped it at his head.
At this point, Jayden realized he had to end the fight soon. Fovos would take longer to tire than he, so his only chance was to strike hard and quick. He lunged at the yellow dragon, rolling under her claws and slamming his shield into her jaw as she tried to bite at him. As soon as he was under her, he began jabbing with his spear. He managed a few solid blows before she managed to swipe at him with her claw and send him flying back. Before Fovos could attack again, Jayden forced himself to his feet, ignoring the sharp pain that flooded his body.
Progress Update: I just finished writing the last chapter. All I have left to do is four Epilogue chapters. I'm sorry I haven't been posting chapters as regularly lately; I'll try to get better about that.
-last edited on Apr 6, 2019 18:42:15 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 6, 2019 18:41:27 GMT
Chapter 89
Neither of them wasted any time nursing their wounds, but Jayden was quicker. As Fovos opened her mouth to unleash another barrage of acid, he threw his spear into it, already charging forward as he did so, and slamming his shield into her upper throat as soon as he was close enough. With his free hand, he wrenched his spear from the dragon’s mouth and thrust it into the same spot he had hit with his shield.
Fovos went down with a pained gurgle and Jayden brought his spear around to finish her. Poised over her heart, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The yellow dragon must have heard him, for she replied, strained and garbled, “Not for this. Be sorry for everything else, Jayden Crow, but not for this.”
Jayden Crow, Dragonslayer, slew the dragon.
Even as Jayden faced off against Fovos, Legolie and Isabel fought their own battle against the bandits. They were a whirlwind of steel, cutting down each one that dared to face them, but they were also only two people and it was not long before both began to tire. They had to do this soon, or not at all.
As the fight lulled briefly, Legolie shouted at the top of her lungs, “Where are you, Pursigon? Are you too afraid to fight your own battles? Are you planning on running from this battle like you did from Kelrin’s attack on the Dragon Kingdom?”
Someone shouted an order, and the bandits stopped fighting. Legolie and Isabel, grateful for the reprieve, did as well. Before them, the ranks of the bandits parted to admit a tall, barrel-chested man. He was better equipped than his men, in black-painted armor and a cape that was too tight around the shoulders, and he carried a heavy broadsword in two hands. “You know my name.”
Legolie smiled. “Jayden Crow sends his regards.”
A flicker of confusion passed over Pursigon’s face before the realization settled in. “If he lays one finger on Fovos–!”
His face was flushed deep red with anger and Legolie maintained his smile. “When I beat you, perhaps I will tell him to have mercy.”
If such was possible, Pursigon’s face grew even redder. “It’s a fight you want? Well, then, it’s a fight you shall have. But when I win, I will tear apart everyone you brought with you!”
Neither of them wasted any time nursing their wounds, but Jayden was quicker. As Fovos opened her mouth to unleash another barrage of acid, he threw his spear into it, already charging forward as he did so, and slamming his shield into her upper throat as soon as he was close enough. With his free hand, he wrenched his spear from the dragon’s mouth and thrust it into the same spot he had hit with his shield.
Fovos went down with a pained gurgle and Jayden brought his spear around to finish her. Poised over her heart, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The yellow dragon must have heard him, for she replied, strained and garbled, “Not for this. Be sorry for everything else, Jayden Crow, but not for this.”
Jayden Crow, Dragonslayer, slew the dragon.
Even as Jayden faced off against Fovos, Legolie and Isabel fought their own battle against the bandits. They were a whirlwind of steel, cutting down each one that dared to face them, but they were also only two people and it was not long before both began to tire. They had to do this soon, or not at all.
As the fight lulled briefly, Legolie shouted at the top of her lungs, “Where are you, Pursigon? Are you too afraid to fight your own battles? Are you planning on running from this battle like you did from Kelrin’s attack on the Dragon Kingdom?”
Someone shouted an order, and the bandits stopped fighting. Legolie and Isabel, grateful for the reprieve, did as well. Before them, the ranks of the bandits parted to admit a tall, barrel-chested man. He was better equipped than his men, in black-painted armor and a cape that was too tight around the shoulders, and he carried a heavy broadsword in two hands. “You know my name.”
Legolie smiled. “Jayden Crow sends his regards.”
A flicker of confusion passed over Pursigon’s face before the realization settled in. “If he lays one finger on Fovos–!”
His face was flushed deep red with anger and Legolie maintained his smile. “When I beat you, perhaps I will tell him to have mercy.”
If such was possible, Pursigon’s face grew even redder. “It’s a fight you want? Well, then, it’s a fight you shall have. But when I win, I will tear apart everyone you brought with you!”
Legolie just kept smiling.
I don't know why, but I really love the detail that Pursigon's cape is too tight.
Neither of them wasted any time nursing their wounds, but Jayden was quicker. As Fovos opened her mouth to unleash another barrage of acid, he threw his spear into it, already charging forward as he did so, and slamming his shield into her upper throat as soon as he was close enough. With his free hand, he wrenched his spear from the dragon’s mouth and thrust it into the same spot he had hit with his shield.
Fovos went down with a pained gurgle and Jayden brought his spear around to finish her. Poised over her heart, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The yellow dragon must have heard him, for she replied, strained and garbled, “Not for this. Be sorry for everything else, Jayden Crow, but not for this.”
Jayden Crow, Dragonslayer, slew the dragon.
Even as Jayden faced off against Fovos, Legolie and Isabel fought their own battle against the bandits. They were a whirlwind of steel, cutting down each one that dared to face them, but they were also only two people and it was not long before both began to tire. They had to do this soon, or not at all.
As the fight lulled briefly, Legolie shouted at the top of her lungs, “Where are you, Pursigon? Are you too afraid to fight your own battles? Are you planning on running from this battle like you did from Kelrin’s attack on the Dragon Kingdom?”
Someone shouted an order, and the bandits stopped fighting. Legolie and Isabel, grateful for the reprieve, did as well. Before them, the ranks of the bandits parted to admit a tall, barrel-chested man. He was better equipped than his men, in black-painted armor and a cape that was too tight around the shoulders, and he carried a heavy broadsword in two hands. “You know my name.”
Legolie smiled. “Jayden Crow sends his regards.”
A flicker of confusion passed over Pursigon’s face before the realization settled in. “If he lays one finger on Fovos–!”
His face was flushed deep red with anger and Legolie maintained his smile. “When I beat you, perhaps I will tell him to have mercy.”
If such was possible, Pursigon’s face grew even redder. “It’s a fight you want? Well, then, it’s a fight you shall have. But when I win, I will tear apart everyone you brought with you!”
Legolie just kept smiling.
I don't know why, but I really love the detail that Pursigon's cape is too tight.
That is fun. In fact, it is a detail I took directly from his character bio, which I believe was pulled from a story someone was writing on the LMBs where she asked people to give her characters. Quite a few Half-Breed and Dreamspinner characters originated there.
I don't know why, but I really love the detail that Pursigon's cape is too tight.
That is fun. In fact, it is a detail I took directly from his character bio, which I believe was pulled from a story someone was writing on the LMBs where she asked people to give her characters. Quite a few Half-Breed and Dreamspinner characters originated there.
That is super cool, you have a reason for everything, sir.
That is fun. In fact, it is a detail I took directly from his character bio, which I believe was pulled from a story someone was writing on the LMBs where she asked people to give her characters. Quite a few Half-Breed and Dreamspinner characters originated there.
That is super cool, you have a reason for everything, sir.
Most of the characters that appear (even very minor ones) do have a certain level of thought that has gone into them.
-last edited on Apr 7, 2019 17:36:49 GMT by TheGreatCon
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 7, 2019 17:33:37 GMT
Chapter 90
Pursigon charged at Legolie, broadsword raised. She deftly stepped aside, but her own attack merely slid across his armor. He spun around, swinging his sword at her head, and she ducked under it and swiped at his legs, but again her attack was ineffective. She rolled out of the way of a downward strike and tried to consider her next move. She had to find the gaps in his armor, and quickly; he was rested, but she was not.
As Pursigon charged again, Legolie unclasped her cloak and flung it at his face. He batted it aside, but Legolie was already attacking, searching for a space to exploit. Before she could find one, however, Pursigon slammed the flat of his blade into the side of her head. Legolie saw stars and began to stumble but managed to dodge Pursigon’s next attack and make a quick retreat. Immediately, Pursigon charged her again. Legolie, still disoriented, barely managed to block the attack and move in close to search for weaknesses. Seeing an opportunity, she jabbed her blade at his shoulder. He cried out in pain and Legolie felt a momentary satisfaction, but then Pursigon swiped his blade at her legs, biting deep and making her trip.
Pursigon wrenched Legolie’s sword loose and flung it away, charging. Legolie saw her chance. Wincing in pain, she leapt at Pursigon, pushing off his shoulder to come down behind him and grabbing hold of his cape. Using her momentum, she tugged on the cape and flipped Pursigon to the ground. As he lied there groaning, she grabbed her sword and rammed it into the eye-slit of his helmet. Pursigon was still.
Isabel hurried over to Legolie to help her stand and the two of them looked at the bandits that still surrounded them. “We’ve beaten your leader,” Legolie called out hoarsely, “Surrender.” But none of the bandits seemed to be eager to do that. They advanced on Legolie and Isabel, weapons raised.
Then they heard a voice from outside the crowd. “I think you may want to reconsider that.” It was Jayden Crow, and as he came closer all could see that he and Caisara were carrying the head of the dragon Fovos. The bandits laid down their weapons.
-last edited on Apr 9, 2019 17:53:53 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 9, 2019 17:53:38 GMT
Chapter 91
“I’ve read this book twice, Septimus, and I haven’t found anything that can help me save my brother.” Since returning from the jungle, Skirj and Septimus had been staying in the now-abandoned fortress that had once belonged to Kelrin Dragonsblood. Skirj had been spending every second he could poring over the pages, but, although a number of interesting revelations had arisen, nowhere did it provide a proper method for bringing a soul back from the Keeper’s realm. Skirj continued, “If you’ve wasted my time with this stupid book . . .” He left the threat unfinished. What could he even do to Septimus, anyway? His thoughts drifted back to the scroll he had taken from the temple, but that was far to extreme.
You’ve found nothing, have you? Turn to page 373.
Sighing, Skirj did as he was told. “It’s a spell for placing a lost soul in a new body.”
Exactly. Skirj, your brother has no body to return to. Tell me, what were you going to do with his soul once you got it?
Skirj opened his mouth to reply, but then shut it again. Septimus was right. He hadn’t ever thought beyond rescuing Skrag’s soul. “I guess . . . you’re right. But I still don’t know what to do now. I’m running out of ideas, Septimus. I can keep searching the book, but I don’t know how far that can take me.”
Septimus’s voice was quiet for a moment before it responded. Well, there is one thing I would like to do, now that we have that spell. You see, it’s been some time since I had a proper body, and I would rather like to obtain a new one. And, of course, once I am fully functional again, I will be more able to help you with your mission.
“Of course I can help you get a new body, Septimus. After everything you’ve done for me, it’s the least I can do. But, um, where are we going to find one?”
Oh, don’t worry about that. I have one in mind. Let me describe the location for you. . ..
A few minutes later, Skirj stepped out of a portal into a small, deserted village. The man we’re looking for lives here, in the third house on your right.
Much moar story then. 
![[h]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/nPCskakrdhDERqIVGKuw.png)
