Blackheart

Tourthun's Legacy

"Basilrin."

"Yes...?" the still grieving dragon looked down at the knight, fighting to see through his blurred vision.

"You should go back. See if the others are okay. If they are...you can come back with them and regroup. That way we can all stick together."

The green dragon took a step back from his brother's corpse, eyes shut. He slowly began to nod.

"Right...father...I should see if he is well..."

He was clearly still reeling from the revelation that his brother was buried in that monster somewhere, that he could have been saved.

It must have hurt so much. Alexander had experienced something similar, but only with fellow soldiers. To have it happen to family, to someone you have spent your entire life with, and loved with all of your heart...

"Basilrin."

The dragon was facing away, though he glanced back the sound of his name. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

Basilrin winced. "I...I do not blame you. I do not blame anyone. I...I only wish..."

He turned back around, head lowered.

"...that things could have gone differently," Alexander finished.

"Right."

The knight nodded.

"I know the feeling," he spoke, a bitterness stinging his words, "It'll take time, but...it'll start to hurt less."

"Less...?"

Alexander frowned. "It never goes away...but it stops being all you think about."

Basilrin nodded solemnly. "I see. Thank you, noble knight."

"Don't worry about it."

The green dragon rumbled. "I will return. Be safe."

"Good luck."

With that, Basilrin unfurled his wings and launched into the air, quickly flying Eastward and back to the rest of the group.

Now they were but a small portion of the entire group. Four remained at this entrance. Two humans, a kobold and a dragon.

Almost sounds like the start of a bad joke.

The knight sighed and looked back to the cavern. Though he peered intently, he couldn't see much of anything. Just a large, blank passageway inside, quickly fading into darkness. Beyond the outlines of the walls, nothing more could be seen.

Go inside.

It was...a strange desire. Alexander was surprised at how badly he wanted to see what was inside.

He found himself taking a step forward. Then another. And another.

"Alexander?"

It was Leianna.

"We should move," he said in a low voice, "All of this will have been for nothing if we don't take advantage of discovering one of their lairs."

"I mean...okay? I suppose."

The knight shrugged. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Senci frowned, slowly creeping over to the two humans. He had been quiet since Julroul died, and only now seemed to be regaining his composure.

"Oh, God," the kobold muttered, "W-what do you think is inside?"

"Something important."

The trio gathered close to one another, weapons drawn as they stood at the mouth of the cave. Each one stared ahead, nervously anticipating whatever trials were ahead of them.