Mark of the Ranger

XIX. Boneshambler

          "Let's keep moving," David told us. We obeyed and followed him down the narrow path of Shamblethorn Wood. Since I remembered the Doomblossom, I could probably remember other things, too, so I racked my brain for more answers. I mostly focused around the name Boneshambler. It sounded like another monster, but I couldn't remember its properties. I was sure, with a small sense of dread, that I would probably know a Boneshambler when I saw it, just as I had the Doomblossom. I hoped, after thinking about that likely true fact, that I never had to remember what a Boneshambler was.

          We walked down the narrow path for quite a while. Elena, Jeff, and David still had their weapons drawn, in case that Doomblossom came back. I did remember one fact, actually, about the Shamblethorn creatures, that was really quite interesting. Every creature was an omnivore, meaning it ate both plants and animals. This was because something like a Doomblossom might not always find a violet leather-clad human or any other large, juicy creature. If it didn't, it could always just eat the luscious foliage that surrounded it. That fact was an admittedly strange one, but I kept it in my mind, as it might come up as important.

          Isabel told us that it was about time for a quick supper. David nodded, saying he was becoming tired. Ko complained that we had forgotten tea-time, but Isabel waved off his statement, then pulled out seven more mana bars. We ate and were satisfied, then continued on our path. We walked for quite some time when I finally had to tell my teammates that I was exhausted. Even the mana bars weren't enough to keep my eyes from nearly forcing themselves shut, and I couldn't fall asleep while we were walking.

          "Perhaps we should stop to sleep for the night," I suggested to my team. We took a few more steps forward, then laid all our bags down on the ground. Isabel created a power circle for comfort, and we laid down to sleep. It was odd not to be in my bunk for a change, but Isabel had a high-quality power circle, and there was no complaining. I realized before I nodded off that one of us should keep watch. "Why, that's a great idea," David remembered, then gestured for me to get up. I stood guard in front of my friends and walked around the power circle with my lances drawn, daring creatures to come forth to me.

          I knew it would be stupid to stand guard until I fell asleep, so I told myself that as soon as I began to nod off, I would awake David. Sleep would not come easily, however, since as soon as I thought that statement, I heard a hollow knocking sound, like bones knocking together repeatedly. I thought about what that sound was from, and it came to me: A Boneshambler. Their bones rub together when they walk. I readied my lances and searched frantically for the horrifying creature--or creatures.

          I saw a shadow behind where Ko was sleeping quietly. I tiptoed past my comrade, and remembered some things about the Boneshambler. Its vision was based on movement, so I knew to stop when it looked my way. It had a peculiarly acute sense of smell and hearing, so I watched my footsteps to make sure I avoided small twigs. I was about to check how I smelled before I remembered that it only goes for things that smell like fruit, so it would only go for me if I ate an exceeding amount of pomegranates, or any other fruit, for that matter.

          I checked my hip for the messenger bag, but only found my leather belt. While leather belts were very important, I really wished I had my messenger bag. Isabel might have packed some fruit-smelling thing in the bag. I was almost dangerously close to the Boneshambler, so close I could see its bone armor, but I knew I had to go back. I didn't have the ability or strength to defeat it, even with the Mark of Strength, and I had an idea that required something that smelled like fruit.

          I snuck, quiet as an angel beetle, back to the circle. I grabbed my bag and silently rifled through it. Twice, I nearly dropped something on the ground, and I once accidentally clinked my glove with an object in the bag. I snapped my head towards the Boneshambler, but it hadn't discovered me. I inwardly sighed with relief as I found a bag of strawberries. I had no idea why Isabel had packed strawberries, but now was not the time to ask questions about fruit. I opened the bag, and immediately the Boneshambler grunted, swinging its head towards me. I ducked inside the bushes and tossed the strawberries the opposite way. The Boneshambler, apparently not noticing my movement, turned towards where I had thrown the strawberries and began to trod in that direction, making a knock, knock noise as it went.

          Keeping in mind that strawberries trump movement, I glanced at my comrades. They were all fast asleep, somehow sleeping through the silent intensity. Now that adrenaline was no longer pumping through my veins, my eyelids dropped quickly. I scooted over to David and awoke him. "Is it my watch, then?" He muttered. I nodded in confirmation, then laid down to sleep, right between Elena and Jeff, as David stood to guard the night.

          I dreamed about Boneshamblers swallowing my team, one by one, and I sat there, helpless and paralyzed, watching them be chewed into pulp. I awoke with a start, but Elena silenced me. She was standing on guard, and David was fast asleep. I slowly and quietly stood up on my feet, then quietly asked Elena if there had been any problems.

          "No," she answered, "But I do detect a faint smell of strawberries. Did you eat while we were asleep?"