The Gate Saga: The Landing

Part Three

The rowboat rocked beneath Colton's feet as it moved ever closer to the beach ahead. As he looked to his left and right and saw so many other boats just like his, the weight of the possible ramifications of failure began to set in on his mind. His traitorous mind began to question whether this plan was capable of success and if he should simply give in and go home or-

A soft but firm hand grasped his forearm, "Colton, believe in yourself and those around you, because we believe in you." Colton looked down to see Ember's piercing orange eyes looking back at him as a small smile quirked her mouth "after all you don't think I'd leave my cushy house with a massive comfortable bed for just anyone do you?"

Colton smirked "Are you kidding? I would've had to break both your legs to prevent you from coming on this little adventure."

Ember patted the bench next to her, "true enough, we have been doing this kind of thing since the three of us were just little rascals trying to steal mother's magic toys." Colton sat down next to her, "but you must admit, you have always been our leader. Without you, Imbrose and I would have gotten ourselves into real trouble far too many times to count. As protective as both mine and Imbrose's mothers are, you best know the only reason we were able to come was because you were in charge." She pushed a finger into his chest "You are the reason we believe this to be possible. Now it's your turn, Colton Cobb."

"What she said mate, we are with you till the end. Which is hopefully many many years from now" said Imbrose while knocking on the side of the boat.

Colton chuckled and looked around the boat. The small handful of brave adventurers all turned to him with determination in their eyes as they closed the last few feet to the shore. Colton nodded and stood up, "Right then, evacuation boats are 20 feet off shore everyone else form a line and push up the beach. Druids form up behind the front line. We are not going to fail today."

The crowd whooped as they moved to follow their orders, and within moments the group was moving up toward the dark tree line that promised no small amount of danger.

As the group moved within five feet Colton called out, "Druids get those trees down now!"

All at once the wall of trees in front of the vanguard began to wilt and peel away. The leaves being turned into seeds as they were pushed away on the breeze. Just then, a low growl was heard to the parties front.

"I see something in the trees there!" Came a startled voice near the right side.

"And there!", said the woman to Colton's left.

"Steady... they are cunning creatures and are trying to pull our attention. Wait for the first one to strike. Aim for maiming hits, we need to keep our lines clear or we will be overwhelmed" Colton said.

A large tiger leapt out of the treetops aiming for the back of an unsuspecting victim. A loud *thunk* sounded as a long pole pinned the creature to the tree it jumped from through its throat. Before anyone could say anything else, it was on. Creatures of all kinds piled out of the woods attacking from vantage points and underground hovels. The battle ebbed and flowed with The Expedition gaining more ground than they gave. Slowly the battle took its toll though as many fell to the vicious onslaught of beasts. Healers quickly healed who they could and pushed forward.

Then, just as quickly as it had started, it ended with wounded creatures of all kinds running into the trees to lick their wounds.

Colton surveyed the space around him while gasping for air. He had only lost 10 to the creatures and of those 10 only two were dead. As he took stock he realized the forest around them was cleared in a 100 foot radius. Everyone was heaving for breath as the first cheer broke the silence, then another, then all of them were yelling and cheering from their parched throats. Every one of them had scores on their armor and wounds on their body but none of them cared, for today, The Expedition took their first step into a new world.