Rune of Oldfyre

Chapter Seven

Apparently the Stranger was death. I don’t mean some pretentious way of saying he was good at killing. I mean he was literally the physical embodiment of death itself. Having studied magic I’d, every once in a while, come across a description of a mysterious stranger with glowing orange eyes. They were always described simple as “Death”. I wasn’t sure how I felt about meeting Death, and subsequently stabbed by his death chain that was fired from his death arm.

The Stranger explained that the forest we were strolling through was forbidden. No one was allowed to enter “lest ye be prepared for dire consequences.”

“What kind of consequences” Anya asked, inquisitively.

“Dire ones.” He replied.

“‘dire’ seems like a bit subjective,” Allister commented, “a minor stub of the toe may be dire for someone, but just an annoyance for someone else. So can you be more specific, please?”

“DEATH!” He snapped. A small bird fell from the sky landing with a crunch on the ground.

“Ooh, that is dire.” Anya said.

“Why is it forbidden?” I interrupted, still hold blood from my shoulder back.

“It just is, and i’ve been tasked with ensuring nobody enters it.” He explained.

“How much they pay you?” Allister asked.

“What?”

“How much do they pay you to guard these trees?” He repeated.

“They don’t.” He said, sadly.

“Then why guard it?” Anya asked.

“Because it’s forbidden.” He answered.

“Why is it forbidden?” Al, Anya, and I asked, almost in unison.

“I… I don’t know. Some farmer instructed me to keep people out of these woods. Under no circumstance am I to let anyone in.”

“When was this?” I asked him.

“Yesterday.”

“And why did you listen to him, you seem like the kind of guy who has more important things to do than guard some brush from a bunch of dickheads.”

“You’re right I am.” He agreed loudly. Apparently death wasn’t all that bright, who’d have thunk.

“Maybe, instead, you could tag along with us.” Allister suggested.

“Why would I do that?” He asked, back in his stoic and creepy voice.

“We’re on an important quest.” Al told him. He pointed to me. “Ardunt, show him the Raisin of Oldfile thing.”

I sighed, and pulled out the rune from my pocket. The look on the Stranger’s face made it clear that he recognized it immediately.

“Where did you get that?” He demanded.

“Some transvestite dwarf I met.” I replied.

"Boris, what is he doing, handing out ancient artifacts to idiots?"

"What is it anyway?" I asked, figuring it might be a good idea to ask if it's dangerous to carry around in your pocket.

"Dangerous? It's the the most powerful magical relic in this corner of the world!" He yelled. "You didn't even know what it was and you were carrying it around? And showing it to random strangers, who look like they might kill you any second."

Anya said. "Well, when you put it like that."

"You really are a bunch of idiots." He observed.

"Why is it so important? What does it do?" I asked, staring at the thing in my hand.

"It amplifies energy; a novice magic user can wield the power of a master. And a master... a god. Well did, it's magical energy has been used up, just a piece of bone now." He said.

"Why did a transvestite dwarf have it hidden in his breasts?" I asked, realizing the ridiculousness of that image.

"He was tasked with its deliverance to the Eldritchbane Magical Archive in New Qurat." He explained.

"He said it was going to the king in Incursia." I said.

"It is." He agreed.

"But you just sai-" I began.

"In order to get to New Qurat, you have to go through the ice wastes in the far east. Almost impossible without a royal escort." He corrected.

"Why is it just really cold. Or are there weird and dangerous monsters there?" Allister asked, intrigued.

"Yes." He replied.

"Well I guess it's our job now." Al decided.

"Maybe you could come with us." Anya said, I noticed a subtle hint of flirtation in her voice. Was she actually flirting with death? I mean, I wouldn't put it past her, but.

"I must guard this forest. I still have a job to do." He declined.

"Come on Mr Gloomy," Allister said, outing his arm around the Stranger's shoulder, "What's more important: a stupid forest, or the most powerful epic in the universe?"

"But, the woods." He said.

"It's not like they won't be here when you get back." Anya said, hopefully.

"I guess it will," He said, "Fuck this forest."