Hidden Before Their Eyes

Chapter 15: Encountering the Mirrored Steppes

Eating the same exact ration of food for two weeks in a row gets boring, fast. Also, I am starving. These rations were not made for someone like me who has an extra high intake need. I swear I should have learned how to hunt, or gather, or something. We are quickly approaching the edge of the Mirrored Steppes. So far we have been very lucky in not running into too many animals, monsters or people that have attacked us. I think that is soon to change however, as the Mirrored Steppes are said to be crawling with dangers.

As soon as I can visibly see the edge of the Mirrored Steppes I am on high alert. A few miles back the trees disappeared, leaving us in a highly exposed position. Once we get into the Steppes we will be able to find cover because of the colossal rock formations. I do not quite know why it is called the Mirrored Steppes, it is a nearly endless desert with giant rocks in it, the closest it has to shrubbery is the occasional small cactus that is hanging next to one of the rock formations.

We are around fifty feet away from the closest rock formation when a mutated looking, large bird swoops down and lands on it. It dwarfs us, being almost double the height of your average person. As a group we slow our pace and draw our weapons. I drop back a bit such that I am able to buy a little time to get my sword from where it is stowed on my back.

As we get closer to the bird it lets out a deafening roar. We slow our pace as it takes off and then dives at us. At the high speeds it is going we barely have time to dodge out of the way of the vicious talons it claws at us. Now that it has landed within reach I take the opportunity to rush forward. Using most all of my strength I slash down the bird's right leg. It turns all of its attention towards me and the others also move in to attack it themselves.

Just as it is about to take off Codra gets a spell off that clips its wings, grounding it. It thrashes furiously at us, attempting to knock us aside with its wings. I block it with my sword, but end up being pushed back almost five feet. I draw its attention to give the others opportunity to attack it from behind.

As it waddles towards me I lift my sword, preparing to stab it. As soon as it is within reach I thrust it straight through its jugular. I pull it sideways, ripping through the flesh and it falls to the ground the life leaving it. I walk up to it and gently place my hand on its forehead. I give it a small apology and then stand back up.

We take the opportunity to make it into food. Not letting its passing go to waste. Once we have finished eating what we wanted and could manage, we start clearing away the remains of the smoldering fire. As soon as the fire is completely gone scavengers start showing, picking away at the bird's carcass.

Once we are moving again, I have us going at a quicker pace than before. Just being here risks attacks, so the less time, the better. After night falls we keep pushing for another two hours, making up for the time lost to the fight earlier, plus some. With luck on our side we managed to find a cave deep enough to let us start a fire without announcing to miles around our exact position.

"So Carino, that sword is actually useful in combat?" Cora muses.

"I know what you mean, at the size it is you would barely think it wieldable, let alone conductive to combat," I respond.

"Like I've seen huge swords but that has got to be a good foot longer than them," Cora says, wide eyed.

I chuckle lightly and then shoo her off to bed, encouraging her and the others to get some sleep. Once I am left to only my thoughts and the flickering of the flames I relax, my body melting into the stone behind me. Although not comfortable, better than some resting spots I have previously had to endure.

Watching the entrance of the cave, I mindlessly twist the ring from the sorcerer about my finger. It sits upon the ring finger of the hand which is not used to designate a married status, sized tightly enough such that it cannot slip past my knuckle. Allowing myself to be distracted I inspect the ring closer than before. Dancing engravings glow and shift around, spelling out something in the language of magic.