1 too many bards

Chapter 4

On the walk back Vox Machina passed through what used to be the Fisherman village, or what was left of it. With the rain falling so hard they had not detected the smell of burnt wood but it was clear now that once the Dragon had finished with them he made his way to wreak havoc on other lives.

Vax took in the sight of the village and instantly his mind went running to the family in which they had gathered information from. He took off in a sprint to their house with the rest of the party lagging behind in shock of what the monster was capable of.

In the collapsing house lay the bodies of the family the group had previously seen alive and healthy. Vax was obviously in distress due to his lack of ability to prevent this, he sat in the middle of the house taking a moment to remember them.

Ever so faintly was the sound of a child, groaning in pain.

Vax frantically ran to the source of the sound, desperately trying to lift the beam that was in the way. Grog appears next to him, lending a hand and removing the beam from on top of the child.

"Pike! Get over here!" Vax calls the gnome over to heal.

Just outside the tent stood Liz and Scanlon. Liz awkwardly leans to the side bumping Scanlan by accident.

"You okay?" He asked, observing that her body language was telling him otherwise. Liz was avoiding eye contact and shifting uncomfortably.

"Yeah" She replied all too quickly. He looked unsure and placed a comforting hand on her side. Liz winced ever so slightly and instead slumped against the wooden pillar and sank to the floor. "Just leave it. I'm fine." She brushed him off hiding her face.

Scanlan was about to protest when he caught on to the commotion going on inside.

"Please, heal him." Vax begged.

"I'm sorry, I'm too weak from before." Pike apologised as there was nothing she could do. The young child's head falls lifeless to the ground, leaving a bloodied silver coin in Vaxs hand.

Interrupting the moment the sound of a Lute being tuned could be heard from the doorway.

"What the hell are you doing Scanlan?" Vax asked desperately.

"Thinking of a rhyme for dead Dragon. Cause I guess we're killing one." He declared to the group.

Everyone slowly processed what he was implying.

"I'm in!" Keyleth declared. "I mean I'm not gonna lie, I'm terrified out of my mind, but I'm in!" Vax gave her a grateful smile.

"I don't like losing, but now I'm feeling things on the inside. They don't feel right. So yeah, I'm with you." Grog agreed.

"That was actually well stated Grog." Percy said, amazed.

"What was?" Grog asked clueless.

"Ugh never mind. Count me in as well." Percy sighed.

"You guys, we're doing this." Pike confirmed.

"You all realise we are going to die a truly terrible death?" Vex stated.

"Perhaps sister, but we'll die gloriously." Vax grasped the coin in his bloodied hand. "And we'll kill a fucking Dragon."

All of the group left the house. Walking straight past Liz as she steadied herself on her feet and attempted to blend straight back into the group.

Scanlan was the last to leave and noticed her hesitate for a second before walking beside him.

"Seriously Liz, are you sure you're okay?" He asked, concerned but careful not to touch her. Liz, in an attempt to look fine, straightened her back but winced from the discomfort and stumbled forward. She began to fall but two arms reached out to steady her.