The Goddess's Hero

Irritation

Skye's POV

We left in the morning before his companions awoke. I wasn't sure if they knew Hetdreat was leaving. I doubted it since Jasper had drugged him or spelled him into guiding us to Kagkalduhr. The dwarf seemed drowsy as we went on our journey. We had taken some gold, extra clothes, and extra blankets from Hetdreat's guild and he didn't blink an eye. We put on some dark cloaks so guards couldn't see our faces and we let Hetdreat bribe some guards into letting us out of the city. 

Jasper was quiet for most of our journey which made a long journey seem even longer. I chalked it up to the fact that he was still casting the spell on Hetdreat and was using mana. Hetdreat's hypnotized state made him slower than normal as well. It was incredibly irritating. Every ambush we found ourselves in, Jasper and I had to protect the dwarf. If he was hit once, the spell would wear off. We were battered, bruised, and silent as the grave by the time we reached the base of Leien Mount: home of Kagkalduhr. 

Shock silenced my thoughts. I had heard that the mountain had collapsed. I hadn't known what it meant. Boulders, gravel, and dried mud tore through the valley. Forests and towns hadn't had the time to be decimated. They were buried. Hot rocks burned and scratched my hands as we carried on. My foot slipped on something that wasn't rock. Looking down for the first time I saw arms and legs sticking out at odd angles from the rocks we were climbing. These people had tried to flee. These creatures who had tried to flee were met with a painful demise. It was obvious by the way some bodies had been hit that they hadn't died instantly. My stomach lurched after finding a body of a man who had been struck with a boulder to his leg. No one had been there to help him. The smell of rotting flesh had called to the vultures. When I crossed over the boulder, they had flown away leaving the mangled corpse to face the sun. 

Acid burned my throat as I instantly heaved out my morning's breakfast. Jasper had been following behind me and thankfully, he kept in his breakfast. The grimace on his face at the sight made me feel better. At least I wasn't alone. I ripped part of my cloth shirt off and wiped my face. Throwing it on the ground, I continued forward. The faster we got to Kagkalduhr the better. 

What if the same scene awaits?

We try not to think like that. 

Oh. I'm sorry. 

I moved on.  After a few hours of travel, Jasper stopped. We had left the forests and towns behind. There were only rocks and gravel beneath our feet. My neck burned from the rays of light we had no shade from. I turned to face my companion. 

"What is it?" My voice was hoarse from minimal use. I coughed and swallowed some saliva. It soothed my throat a bit. I repeated my question, "What is it?" 

Jasper only pointed to his left. A few yards away Hetdreat was kneeling on the ground. His shoulders were shaking. A roar echoed through the valley. 

"This was my home!" Hetdreat's agony was clear. I remembered my own reaction to losing my home, family, and friends. I remembered Nylras's loss. When would this end? When will people stop losing their homes? Will this fear and evil ever be gone? 

It ends with you. Bri was certain. 

How can you be so certain? How do you have so much faith in me? I'm only one man!

Ripples in water begin with one touch. 

What are you saying?

Bri didn't respond. I didn't have time to question her further before a pounding sound brought me to reality. Hetdreat's tear stained face was red with anger. His warcry echoed through the valley as he charged at Jasper.