of heroes and dragons

Chapter two 'In human skin'

Deu walks away from his friends but feels there eyes burning holes in the back of his head he keeps his fists clenched tight and returns to the tavern where they received this bounty, pushing open the door to see it sitting there like it belongs.  he knows his friends are ignorant of the creatures true origins and probably think he's just an unnaturally tall man but he knows the truth no mistaking those eyes.

"hey! tell me, just what are you playing at here?"

The thing turns towards him, its black cloak covering its entire body as it stares back at him it eyes a pure blazing yellow he puts up his hands in a mocking surrender as he rises to his feet.

"just looking for the people around here friend."

"Bullshit and you know it! you're not looking out for us I know your type and your little cloak won't hide you from me, demon."

The man lets out in a full eruption of laughter and approaches Deu and stands toe to toe with him, the ragged hot breath of Deu and the ice cold sharp inhales of the demon splash onto one another.

"all right you caught me, but you're being a hypocritical, no? accusing me of hiding my true nature and intentions hmm?"

Deu narrows his eyes but feels his heart rate quicken in his chest as he peers at the demon holding his face straight but inside past his facade he feels himself begin to panic 'he knows? how is that even possible?' he grips his fists tight enough that his knuckles become white. 

"just give us our money."

The demon reaches into his robe and hands him a small sack of coins and then sits back down into his seat, Deu quickly peels out of the tavern hurrying with all the speed he can muster out to the street looking out over the road. 'this may become a problem fast.'

(break)

Timothy drops the last of the bodies in the pile, after stripping them of all of their belongings he dropped their bodies in a shallow ditch dug by Gaul and him they begin to bury them all together in the freshly dug mass grave. 'It's cruel, and a little shameful that we have to dispose of them this way but there's no other way I suppose. never had this part in the stories.'

"Gaul, what are we going to do after this?"

"go on an adventure, I heard there was this group hiring people to clear out a dungeon! a genuine dungeon is that no better place to start a journey?"

Timothy looks at his friend and shakes his head and lets out a sigh. "no. I suppose there's no better place to start our adventure." but even so, should we so rashly decide to do something like this? we won't always be fighting simple bandits, but in truth, if we are to become heroes do we really have a choice?

(break)

Galian sits on a log in front of his favorite river, just a few minutes away from town looking at the lush forest that surrounds their home and taking a moment to take in nature. before turning his thoughts inward and staring at his reflection in the river. 'Father, do you see what I have begun to become? I may not be a powerful sorcerer but I will become a great swordsman, perhaps even greater than you.' 

this a silent vow he makes to himself before rising from his log and charging towards his home, gripping the handle of his sword as he closes his eyes tears welling up in his eyes as he thinks of his family but quickly he wipes the tears and memories away. he had to be strong now after all.

(break)

The following morning the group meets up together, using the majority of their money on weapons and armor now the team fully equipped with studded leather with shields and swords they look back to their town a crowd of people gathering to give their heartfelt goodbyes. Timothy jumps up on a box and waves his arm. "Everyone listen! don't cry or make heartfelt goodbyes! we will return to all of you with chests of gems and gold and none of us will ever be worried again, No never again! this I swear to all of you on my heart!"

Deu looks up at his friend who makes promises of riches and fame to the village as the townspeople cheer he closes his eyes and fights back the tears threatening to well up in his eyes 'you damn hopeful fool!' Deu fights back any feelings he has as he begins to move forward away from the village. "Hey! move it you guys or were not going to get that treasure! let's go!"

and in that moment, the lives of this group of friends will change forever.