The Path of the Adventurer

Chapter 10

After four straight days of following their path, the company was finally near their destination - Mount Scaleburn. Ever since they left Castle Guardstone, they walked through many grasslands and forests, and they only ran into a village or town about once per day. They also had their fair share of run-ins with the turbulent orcs. But no matter how many injuries they amassed, Erion and his allies were triumphant in every encounter.

One night, the party found a spot behind a large boulder to camp. They set up their fire near the base of the rock and Norder tethered Ranger to a safe spot nearby. While Norder and Huffey rested by the fire and enjoyed a few drinks, Erion and Magon sat on top of the rock to view the scenery. To escape Huffey's loud antics and Norder's strict demeanor, Tikana also joined them.

"You see... This fiefdom is a very special one indeed." Magon explained. "It's all because of the famous legend of the Dragonstone and Deadeye..."

"Can you tell us the story, Magon?" Erion asked, interested.

"It is strange that you're asking this now. You told me earlier that you used to hear a lot of stories about historical heroes and legendary creatures during your childhood, did you not?"

"I did, but I don't think I've heard this one before. I guess Rith thought this story was too terrifying for my age back then."

Magon sighed, and relaxed. "The story, 'The Stone and the Dragon' is a legend that many know, yet its events are much too serious to be told as an entertaining folk tale. But I guess I'll tell a short version.

"Long ago, a large dragon from Drowheim attacked Briarbeth. No one knows why - some think he was summoned by a powerful mage; others think his rage was so terrible that it made him bent on world destruction. This took place about 300 years ago. Like the orc war, Briarbeth experienced an insufferable amount of losses - Not even support from the neighboring kingdoms were enough to bring the dragon down. As a result, villages and forests were wiped completely off the map, and almost half of the kingdom's population perished. There was little hope left for Briarbeth - or so it seemed. Soon, a guild of expert craftsmen and skilled mages combined their efforts and crafted the Dragonstone - a luminous yellow crystal capable of capturing most of Deadeye's rage and urge for attacking the kingdom. Thus, the Dragonstone was taken to Deadeye's lair in a high mountain - a lair built by goblin slaves - to trap Deadeye's rage for all of eternity. Those who did so barely succeeded. That day, Deadeye had a change of heart: Instead of spreading destruction throughout the kingdom, Deadeye decided to remain in his lair and protect his spoils. Ever since, Deadeye has resided in Mount Scaleburn, willing to destroy anyone who dares to set foot into his mountain. That story is also what gave Mount Scaleburn its name. Thus, in the event where Deadeye regains his lost power, we will all face bitter doom."

"To think that this kingdom would be destroyed if it weren't for that stone..." Remarked Erion.

"Wait - I'm confused." Said Tikana. "If that stone made Deadeye become just a protector of the stuff he stole, then how did he steal the Dragonstone in the first place? And if the stone is in the mountain with the dragon, why hasn't he destroyed any towns yet?"

"From the analysis of the first situation, it seems like Deadeye was being manipulated. But not even I know of a spell powerful enough to control such a powerful creature... It must have been some sort of forbidden magic..." Explained Magon. "For the second, it is said that only master spellcasters can use the Dragonstone, so the orcs likely wouldn't know how to use it. However, the gravity of the stone being in their possession is still high. If someone is able to control an elder dragon, they'd have the capability to use the Dragonstone for their own desires as well."

"Then the orcs' leader must be behind this." Erion stated.

"It's likely," Magon replied. "If there's one thing we do know, is that the leader of the orcs is a powerful magic-user. Seeing how we've met Raejiina, who is also a spellcaster allied with the orcs - it might be possible that some drow are also involved with them."