Goldspell: Rare Earth Book One

Goldspell: Rare Earth Book One- Chapter 2

Chapter 2- Beautiful Emerald, Old Pole

Opren awoke to a single bird chirping softly. He was happy to appreciate this for a moment, but then regained his urge for hastiness in wanting to make it to Ra'Yana City. After already traveling for almost a full day, he knew there would only be a few hours left before they reached the city, which was perfect. He woke Barbosa with a snappy call, tossing a rock at him. 

Boy, if you do that again, you better hope you're over ten steps away because I will scratch you as I wake! came the granwolf's grumpy reply. I can do with just a call. I sleep lightly so I can wake if someone tries to come around. 

"Sorry," Opren replied, not fully sincere. "I just wanted to make sure to wake you. You seem tough and are pretty big so I thought that wouldn't hurt you anyway." 

It didn't harm me in any way, nor did it sting much. It's just very unpleasant to wake to... and dangerous for you as you seem like an attacker as I first awaken... so don't do it again, agreed? 

"Yeah," Opren said in a discarding tone. "We should get moving, now. If we leave in the next few minutes, we should make it to Ra'Yana City by shortly after midday." 

Opren replaced the items they had used for cooking and resting the night before in the bags on Raz'e- who was already awake. Then, the three set off again for Ra'Yana City, Opren again riding Raz'e. 

After a few hours, Opren paused, indicating something to Barbosa. 

I could just kill him if you like, Barbosa said with a shrug. 

"Not yet. Let's just keep an eye on him, seeing how far he follows us," Opren replied quietly. 

After another few miles, Opren looked at Barbosa, who looked at him simultaneously, obviously thinking the same thing... though with Barbosa's mind-linking abilities that wouldn't be too difficult. Whatever was following them was still coming along for the trip. 

"Isn't that a Shirrkki?" Opren asked. 

Yes. I think so. You know, you repeatedly say 'don't kill him'... 'wait'... 'don't kill him', yet he's still there, following us. Why can't we just do this the easier way, boy? 

"Fine. If you want to fight him so badly, we will. I assume it will be easy enough with you and Raz'e to assist me, unlike the other three," Opren said, getting off of Raz'e. "We know you're there Shirrkki! Come out and fight us if you don't want to leave us to our own business!" 

Opren's sentence lost its sound with no reply. A few silent seconds followed with no indication of anything beyond the trees being lightly touched by a small breeze. Suddenly, a large figure burst from the trees to the group's right. 

"Die thun!" the Shirrkki bellowed. He swung two small axes through the air swiftly, making a horizontal path of danger in the direction of Opren and Raz'e. Barbosa leaped over Opren and the griffin, landing with his rear paws on the ground and front claws extended into the Shirrkki's throat. Raz'e followed this strike with a peck of her own, then a slash to the chest, causing the beast-man to fall to his knees, dropping his weapons. A vest of chainmail fell from his body, doing him good no longer. He tried to stand, but Barbosa was quicker. Landing a powerful claw to the face, he knocked the Shirrkki back, causing it to hit a tree hard. The stunned and wounded Shirrkki passed out, soon to bleed to death. 

"Seems you misjudged which of us would die," Opren said while searching the body. He found a pouch with money- quite a bit of money- and a large three toned fang. "Look at this, Barbosa, a Slithe's Fang! This will get us into several places we couldn't go before. I wonder where he managed to get it. I doubt he could kill one as easily as you two took him down. Probably stole it. Our money problems are solved for the time being too." He held up the pouch of money, which happened to contain several hundred fillots and some other currency. He then picked up a pretty jeweled dagger from the Shirrkki's waist.