Beneath broken stone and warped metal, a solitary raven panics as it senses imminent danger. It escapes certain death mere seconds before the structure finally crashes to the ground. On soaring above the devastation, the bird spies a wet-eyed woman...
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The young warlock and his father soon went on their way, kindly teleported by another mage who had alighted the ramp shortly after Theldran and his mother departed.
I stayed in Lunk's company for the remainder of that day, enjoying the "conversations" we shared, although the topics were somewhat limited. It was a most unusual situation, but it felt good to be communicating with someone other than being hostage to my own voice.
Lunk seemed to understand there was something strange going on with me. Admittedly, the ogre was not particularly bright, but that did not make him insensitive. Truth be told, on that front, he was perhaps one of the most astute individuals I had happened across in my travels so far.
He said he needed to return to Thorium Point, across the plains, beyond the Cauldron. As he shambled down the path of the Iron Summit, I asked why he did not take a gryphon.
I heard him laugh for the first time; it's sound infectious, uplifting. He explained he did not like heights and most certainly did not welcome the thought of the distance between him and the ground if he were on the back of a flying mount.
Fair enough, I thought. So, a walk it was; dangerous though I thought it might be.
He possessed a slow, lumbering stride, which most would expect of such a large individual. I sat on his shoulder as he made his way through the dry plains. A warm breeze ruffled my feathers, and with the gentle rocking motion as Lunk walked, I found myself relaxed, calm.
Do you have a family? I ventured trying to make small talk.
"No kin. Lunk alone, like Raven."
His words sheared my heart, yet I could not refute what he said - I simply did not know any different.
In an attempt to ward off my inaugural anguish, I asked another question. Where is your home?
"Lunk has home wherever he goes. People like Lunk."
I cawed. I fully believed all would welcome the ogre.
"What of Raven? Where is home?" the ogre asked.
Another pang flared in my chest. But this time, I had an answer - of sorts. North. That is where I am heading.
He grunted, and our journey continued in silence.
His amiable and unassuming persona seemed to allow him easy passage past some aggressive denizens of the territory. At least those of nature's creations.
The same could not be said for the War Golems which patrolled the area around the Cauldron. A chill ran through me. From deep within the recesses of my mind, data on these anthropomorphic giants presented itself with alarming clarity.
These products of Dark Iron technology served as sentinels, guarding against intruders and misguided adventurers from infiltrating the mines.
Enormous stone and metal colossi, the Golems were not unlike ancient Titans in appearance, if artistic efforts served an accurate impression.
They moved with a menacing and deliberate gait, back and forth, back and forth. The metal armour ground against their stone frames, leaving fine trails of powdered rock in their wake.
The lifespan of these guardians was not something I had considered until now. Still, I knew they were once mass-produced, for if they were not disassembled for parts or broken by self-acclaimed heroes, they disintegrated over time.
To face a War Golem, you had to know what you were doing. They could pulverise you with one swing of their enormous hands or stomp of their feet.
Even one who could manipulate magic or attack with ranged weapons could not afford to underestimate these loyal and fierce protectors. Golems simply would not stop coming at you until you put a stop to them.
As it were, Lunk, thankfully had the good sense to head north-east and follow the well-worn path which skirted around the Cauldron and its gigantic protectors.
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