An Off Book Guide to Building an Empire

Chapter 4

"Get behind the trees!" Karrina instructed the two of them pulling Arjuna by the arm. I'm sorry my Lady!She inwardly apologized.

The three of them rushed to go outside of the clearing and ran towards a tree hiding behind it's massive trunk. Karrina looked worriedly at her Lady.

"My Lady, please try to calm yourself."

Arjuna was hunched down on the tree trunk, and her shoulder started to shake. She dropped the giant cleaver on the ground. Her breathing starting to go erratic.

I guess even the young Lady is afraid
Hastor thought shaking as well sweat dripping down his forehead. His anxiety starts to rear it's ugly claws at him.

He was going to try to comfort her when he peeked at Arjuna's face. He was surprised the face of the beautiful young lady was gone. Replacing it is a face of pure euphoria. Purple eyes gleaming with delight. What happen to the young Lady? It's scary.

Arjuna looked up and maniacally grinned at the two of them.

Hastor looking at her started to tremble. "Is.. Is.. that how she usually look when an obviously la.. large and equally dangerous monster is heading her way?" He whispered quietly to Karrina. The situation starts to replace his usual anxiety with fear.
Calm down Hastor! Calm down! He tried telling himself repeatedly.

Karrina seeing Hastor tremble placed her hand on his shoulder. "It'll be fine. You killed that Stygian Bear with one fireball spell. I'm certain you have stronger Arts on your arsenal. Just stay behind me." She gave him a smile.

He looked at Karrina's eyes. He pursed his lips and gave her a nod. I can do this!

The sound of braking branches and swaying trees stopped and it became quiet all of a sudden as if everything around them stood still.

"It's here." Arjuna whispered excitedly.

"My Lady try not to show-off!" Karrina whispered quietly.

A giant head started to come out of the trees, tongue slithering as it gazed at its surrounding with it's two large yellow eyes with slit-like pupils. It noticed the Stygian Bear carcass laying on the ground and started to slither to it coiling itself near the bear with it's massive trunk like body, dark green and brown scales shines in the afternoon sunlight like pools of glimmering gemstones. It open it's huge mouth two sharp fangs unfolding and started to swallow the Stygian Bear.

"Let's take a peek." Arjuna whispered leaning on the side of the tree Karrina did the same.

"Oooh... it's huge." Arjuna whispered gleefully.

Karrina looking at the monster whispered.
"Yes, About 50 to 60 feet. Hm... So how do you want to do this my Lady?" Karrina glanced at Arjuna unsheathing the short sword on strapped on her hip.

Huge?! 50 to 60 feet?! Hastor's curiosity got the best of him and took a peek. He realized what he's looking at a Shade Nassassauga! He only saw one of them drawn on a picture book in the library where he worked. These serpentine monsters are clever and cunning they are capable of changing the coloration of their scales blending into their surroundings. They expel poisonous gas from their mouth and orifice on the side of their body.

"A... aaaah! It's a Shade Nassassauga! It's a Shade Nassassauga!" Hastor screamed and tremble. His face muscles began to lose it's tone, and he began to see white. While he slowly fell unto the ground.

The Shade Nassassauga glanced at where they are and noticed them. It made a ghastly roar.

"Eh.. ah... He fainted my Lady." Karrina said looking at Hastor with an inscrutable face poking him lightly on the side with her boot. "Our main damage dealer is down." She tried to hold in her laughter.