The Path of the Adventurer

Chapter 7

Not a single sound was heard that night, except for the soft breeze and the distant hoot of an owl. Magon slept in peace, snoring intensely. Even when the morning light burned through his circular window, he slept as if he had been put under a spell.

"Wake up, laddie!" Huffey shouted, standing on top of Magon's bed. "Breakfast is not going to cook itself!" Magon squirmed, slowly opening his eyes only to see that a dwarf with a scruffy, reddish beard had interrupted his deep slumber. The morning sun shone brightly through the window.

"Huffey, it isn't considerate of you to be waking up others so suddenly..." Yawned Magon.

"Oh, it's nothing special. It's a cultural practice back in Gugbirim. We dwarves always aim to be sharply on time! Every morning in Gugbirim, a common for us to wake each other up suddenly and boisterously! The gold and diamonds can't wait for long, can they? If not, then neither should our mission!"

Magon yawned again and chuckled cheerfully. "Oh, Huffey. I'm glad you're with us."

"Huffey, what the hell are you up to in Mr. Cliche Wizard's bedroom?" A voice abruptly said.

Magon sat up. "Tikana? You're up too?"

Tikana was coming up the stairs. She wore nothing but a sleeveless white top with hints of dirt and ash, and black pants. Alongside this, she had on a pendant with a purple jewel embedded in it. "Yeah. Tried to stop Huffey from waking you up, but like always, he wouldn't listen." Tikana stretched and yawned. "Do any of you know what time it is?"

Magon stared out the window, with his hand above his eyes to block the scorching sunlight. "The sun's position says that it's roughly 7 o'clock." He confirmed. "In that case, it looks like you woke me up at the perfect time, Huffey." Magon squirmed out of his bed, still wearing his robe. "Now, what shall I cook up for breakfast?"

"How 'bout some bacon and eggs?" Tikana yawned in a muffled voice, stretching her arms before relaxing them. "I haven't had a fresh batch of that since I left the desert."

"Hmmm, great idea, Tikana. Eggs and bacon just so happens to be one of my favorite meals. I'll do it."

Huffey excitedly rushed downstairs. "RISE AND SHINING, MY LADS!!" He shouted even louder. "BACON AND EGGS FOR BREAKFAST!!"

"Bacon and eggs? That's definitely not a common delicacy in Casthor." Remarked Erion. "I'd certainly love to try this!"

"Does he really have to be this loud in the morning?" Remarked Norder sleepily.

"I don't know. He's just being Huffey." Replied Erion.

After a delicious breakfast, the party equipped their armor and weapons. Since the path to the mountain was a long and perilous one, coupled with the fact that there were forces more powerful than the obstacles they had ever faced before, the company made sure they had the sufficient preparations. During their leisure time, Norder went outside to take Ranger out for a morning ride, and Tikana sat in a corner of the cottage to sharpen her blade with an old grindstone that Magon just so happened to have.