Post by Jhorius on Dec 30, 2020 16:36:11 GMT -5
The Challenge Has Been Accepted
Ocean waves beat softly upon the boots of Dorf as he slowly awakens to their gentle rapping...
Washing up on the northern shore of Dragonmere after losing control of the dinghy purchased in Westgate was not as traumatic as he thought it would be. Though, the thought runs through his mind that the halfling that sold it to him knew about the poor craftsmanship beforehand... Dorf's determination to cross the lake to get to Suzail before nightfall would help keep him get to the King's Forest on the night of the next full moon. However, the crash caused him to miss that full moon...
Gathering himself off the beach, he walks north until he finds the road that leads him to Suzail.
A Moment, and a Song, in Suzail
"The bump on my head was worse than I thought. Where's my coin pouch? At the bottom of Dragon Lake, or did that tiny cloaked man take it... Hmm... Not a problem. I always have a song to sing that can get me out of a tight spot." Dorf pulls his flute out of the inner pocket of his tunic and begins to play slowly drawing in those that pass near by their ears.
Calantar's Way and His Bridge
Holding the heft of the coin he made in Suzail, Dorf smiles to himself as he stands before Calantar's Bridge. "I really should think about giving up this adventuring life to play full time." Looking at the full bag of coins, Dorf knows that he won't be able to trade the visions he's been having lately even for a castle filled with coin. His curiosity has been peaked too high to do that.
"We meet again it seems." A small playful voice says from behind Dorf that seems familiar. Turning towards the voice, Dorf sees before him the halfling that sold him the boat, or is it. Yes, Dorf thinks to himself. There's that same glimmer of magic and mischief, and the slight smell of bitterness from the tea he tried to sell me along with the boat... That smell is oddly soothing... It took every ounce of willpower I had to not buy the tea instead of the boat. Considering how things turned out, I should've just bought the tea instead and swam across the lake...
"How'd the boat work out?" That devilish grin again.
"It sank in the middle of the lake." I sawy causing the halfling covers his mouth for a moment as the laughter begins to pour out of it but its no use.
"I should've told you about that, huh? I promise, no more secrets from me."
"How about you tell me your name?" I say half not expecting anything from the strange, yet familiar man.
"Virax." The calm halfling replies. "And you're Dorf the one that seeks, aren't you?" He says knowing the answer to that, but how does he- "People speak of a traveling man with a flute that soothes all that hear him play it. Inspiring them to greatness, may I see it?"
Unreluctantly, and without even thinking about it, I reach into my pocket producing the flute for Virax who's eyes light up when they lock on to it. His eyes flash a subtle emerald color for only a moment before his hand reaches out. "I was a bit of a player when I was younger, do you mind if I give it a try?"
This halfling isn't all that he seems to be. I wonder if he'll make a wager.
"I'll tell you what, Virax, if you beat me in a game of stone, parchment, dagger, you can have the flute."
That flash of emerald is stronger than before. "Dorf, the one that seeks, is just what I wanted to hear." Immediately, he balls his fist slamming it into his open-hand then shoots me a fierce look daring me to join him. Without a moments hesitation, I place the flute on the ground and do the same...
In perfect unison we chant "Stone, parchment, dagger" as if we had done this a million times before that fierceness never leaving his eyes.
Hands slam down... Parchment.... Rock...
What is this Forest?!
Entering the King's Forest as midnight descends upon the trees is, Dorf, the one who seeks...
Moonlight pierces through th leaves like blades through water upon the abnormally large human's face as he desperately searches for something in the quiet wood...
Animals scurry around the scarce light seemingly dancing with each other... Though unaware...
This must be the place! Squirrels and their natural predators, laughing foxes, lying about the forest without a single care in the world in this pink mist means the magic I seek must be nearby!
My left hand reaches inside the inner pocket of my travel tunic to pull out the flute I made after losing my other one to Virax, the supposed halfling, outside Calantar's Bridge... I hate losing fair and square... It almost seems shameful... But stone, parchment, dagger is the only game of pure chance that can exist in all the cosmos...
Suddenly, I feel my hand filled with wet papers? No?! Bread... Crumbles all over the place... I've lost another flute...
That's ok, I can always make another. Just need to find a reed, or... A woodworker... Surly, there's one out here in the forest!
Wait a minute?!
Maybe, just maybe, those mushrooms I ate earlier were not as safe as I thought they were...