Eric Elmoor and The Gauntlet of Godric

Chapter Four: JOURNEY TO FAIRWOOD

CHAPTER FOUR

“Journey To Fairwood”

Eric was ecstatic at the prospect of visiting Fairwood.

The elves were said to be the most mesmerizing race in all of Abeodor. Eric desperately wanted to find out if that were true. He heard they were an honorable people, but what would they think of a human in their homeland? The question hit Eric like a bucket of cold water.

Would they accept someone like him?

He tried to ignore the thought as he continued to empty his school bag and shove as many pieces of clothing as possible inside. It didn't amount to much. However, he did find one thing he wanted more than anything to take with him: A picture of himself and his mother at the Sentinel Garden when he was ten years old. It had been a good day. If all of his possessions were lost, this would be the one thing he would desperately try to recover.

Sticking the picture in a side pocket, Eric hoisted the now severely stuffed bag over one shoulder, slipped on his shoes, and marched down the hallway toward the door where Ben was waiting.

“Be careful, Eric,” said Morwynn as she snatched him up for one last hug.

“I will, Mom,” said Eric, gingerly patting her back.

Releasing her, he hustled to the door. Upon opening it he turned back for just a moment, giving her one of his familiar grins which she returned in kind.

He closed the door behind him gently. He didn't know why.

“Ready?” asked Ben who was leaning against the wall behind him to give his limp leg a temporary rest.

“Yeah, ready,” said Eric, not feeling so confident if whether he was or not.

“Splendid, follow me,” said Ben as he lurched off the wall and used his shiny, black, wooden cane to aid his gait.

Keeping up with him was not a difficult task as Ben moved about rather slowly. Eric didn't know if this was merely because of his injury or because of his short legs.

As they made their way to the elevator down the hall, Eric perked up the courage to ask him about it. “What happened to your leg, if you don't mind me asking?”

“Oh, that. Well, I had a bit of a run-in with some cannibals in Farmoor a few years back. Vile people,” said Ben casually as he entered the elevator and punched a button.

“Ah,” said Eric, stepping in next to him as the doors closed and the elevator began to descend.

“Now, when we leave this place I don't want you to say a word. Understand? Not one. There may be spies lurking about,” said Ben sternly.

“Gotcha,” replied Eric.

“'Gotcha?' You city folk sure do have a funny way of speaking. Alright, no more talking,” said Ben as the doors opened and they stepped out onto the platform.

The sun was on its downward path as the light cascaded through the buildings which cast immense shadows throughout the city. But the sight that commanded both Ben and Eric's attention was an Initiative guard astride a monstrous beast.

Its feathers were as pitch black as the darkest night, which blended well with the Initiative guard's own intimidating armor. The length of the creature stretched further than a horse with two scaly wings protruding from its back. Along its spine was a long procession of black scales which covered the length of the creature from the head all the way down to the reptilian-like tale. Four monstrous legs which bore razor-sharp talons carried its weight. The head looked like an eagle's that had been possessed with dark magic.