Knights of the Nine - Beginning of the End

Chapter 8: Fisherman's Friend

Derek woke from his barrel shifting. He heard chatting but couldn't make out a word. They were advanced elven tongue. Derek could feel the heat swarm around his head like a million suns were surrounding him. Derek tried to move his arm to pull off the cloth but the dead fish stuck to him like a fly sticks to dung. The barrel began to move and Derek felt the lid of the barrel being tugged off.

"Grania Loau!?" The elf jumped, he pulled out a dagger and gripped it strong.

The elves pulled Derek out and took out the cloth in his mouth. The other elves scattered to the back of the deck as a big, bulky, elf approached. This elf wore a golden chain mail armor and a bone helmet, the bones Derek did not know.

"A man, on my Galant?" The elf bent down. "Explain, before I send you tied up and into the oceans."

"I am the leader of the Knights of the Nine-"

"I do not care for what you are. Explain why're you on my Galant, now!" The elves deep voice rattled in Derek's head.

"Okay, okay! I'm here to get to the dessert."

"Ha-ha! Hear that, brothers? Jei am te louh Glala Moitie! Ha-ha!"

All the elves aboard the ship laughed and skipped around. Derek, knowing what the bulky elf said, stood up and reached into his pocket, pulled out a short sword and swung it at the elf's throat. Not killing the elf just stunning him.

"We're here, I suspect?" Derek asked as the blade rested on the elf's throat.

"Ha-ha, you think I am scared of you puny human? Kalliah kill you, get off my ship. You will find your 'dessert' east of here, and I hope your bones burn hotter than shalla on a cold day."

Derek removed his sword and placed it back in its sheath behind his back. He pulled out his compass and went out east. He jumped into the warm water and began swimming, his arms feeling energy for the first time in a day or two.

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Derek finally reached sand, it was hot and burned into his skin. He groaned and began pulling little bits of rocks out. Derek stood up and he feel the heat slowly peal his boots. He walked and went into the never ending dessert. It was bright, but he felt tired as if it were nightfall. Derek walked for hours on end, not seeing a boot print in sight. He saw just sand, sand as far as the eyes could see. Derek wanted to rest, but he knew that would mean the death of him. He walked more, drinking water on drop at a time to save water.

After what seemed like an eternity, Derek saw a huge structure begin to form at the horizon line. It looked as though it was being built, but also as if it was forgotten. He was excited but he was so tired he fell, face first into the sand. The pain was unbearable but Derek couldn't pull himself up. His eyes stayed shut as if he were sleeping but wasn't. He heard footsteps come up from his left and hands pull him to the side. Derek had passed out.

Taylor dragged Derek's body across the burning sand. He lifted Derek and placed him on his shoulder. Taylor groaned and set his knee down into the sand. Taylor had an enchantment which protected him from the burning of sand and fire spells. Taylor pulled off his chest piece and sent it down, he rest Derek on the piece and pulled out some of his water. Taylor splashed his hands and slapped Derek silly before he opened an eye.

"Derek, how long were you walkin' for, boy?" Taylor whispered grabbing more water and offered it to Derek.

Derek accepted the water and drank, also pouring some onto his chest.

"I don't know. Taylor, how'd you survive for so long?" Derek struggled to stay.

"Enchantments. You should've got some, dimwit. Ah, dammit. Three scouts saw you killing yourself. Stay here and I'll toy them around and kill 'em."

"Woah, hey! Don't you need you chest plate?"

"What you think these Hunters are?"

Derek faded away while Taylor went out. He stood out like a sore thumb in the sand, but he used an invisibility potion to shadow him. He threw a rock towards a bigger rock and the three scouts went over, one staying behind. Taylor slit the farthest scouts neck open. Then he went for the last two. With the three Hunters dead and behind a rock, Taylor rushed back to where Derek was catching some Zs.

"Does the sun ever go down here?" Derek murmured.

"Sadly, no. It'll be hard to attack this castle or fort or whatever. But we'll manage, just like always."

A greenish blue portal blasted open behind the two and out came Ciri. She walked out and started wincing with pain. Her boots weren't made for this heat of the sand. She ran over to Derek and Taylor and was surprised by the fact that Derek was there.

"Derek? The hell are you doin' here? Thought you was with Jeff?" Ciri said hopping up and down.

"Yeah, but I decided to take matters into my hands, go back. Help Jeff, by help I mean protect his dumbass, and allow me and Taylor to handle this."

"Don't get yourselves killed."

"It'll happen one day, sweet heart." Taylor gruffed as Ciri went through her portal.

Derek sat up and took another swig of water and stood up. He took a potion of fortify fire protection and walked around. He woke himself up and trained while Taylor brewed oils in the sand. They were ready to breach the castle.