The Path of the Adventurer

Chapter 18

When morning came about, Magon cleaned the dirt off himself and his friends, using his managrasp "Magia." Following that, the company briskly downed another serving of rations and water. When they were done, Tikana, Huffey, and Norder helped each other take down the camp and pack their provisions. However, Erion and Magon had gone elsewhere.

Magon led Erion to the edge of the swamp, where the trees thinned, and the ground was green and bright. Far away from the swamp was a mighty mountain range with dozens of mountains akin to Mount Scaleburn in size. The mountains were a light grey with snow covering their tips. A light breeze blew along, gently brushing the grass and slightly shaking the leaves in the trees above.

"Erion." Magon greeted. "Take a seat, if you may."

Erion sat next to Magon onto the comforting grass. "Man, it feels so good to be finally out of that swamp!" He commented.

"Erion," Magon asked. "Do you know where we are?"

"Huffey says that we're in Gugbirim."

Magon nodded. "Correct. This is Gugbirim, known for its rugged mountains, vast fields, and gloomy marshes. Here dwells the stocky, hard-working dwarves. The capital city - Durn Buldar - is ruled by His Majesty, King Bhalthran III, is bustling with miners and blacksmiths. Believe it or not, we are actually close to Durn Buldar."

"Are we really that close?"

Magon pointed to the mountains. "Do you see that spire in the distance? Between the two mountains to the right?"

Erion squinted his eyes and looked closely at the mountains. Between two mountains was a golden spire. "I see it!"

"That's the top of King Bhalthran's castle." Magon said. "I haven't been there in person, but Iève seen sketches of it before. It stands amidst a mountain range, overlooking the city of Durn Buldar from far above."

"A castle on a high mountain..." Erion marveled. "Sounds like the home of a god."

"It's funny you say that. I've heard tell that some dwarves worship the king himself as if we were one."

"Really?" Erion said, in amusement.

"You should ask Huffey about it. He'll surely have something to say about it."

"He did tell me a bit about King Bhalthran, actually." Erion added. "He says that he's super strict and dislikes any form of nonsense. He even says that at one time, he condoned slavery!"

"Ah, yes. All that King Bhalthran cares about is power and control. No one bothers to overthrow him due to fear of execution."

"If I were a resident there, I'd just leave the kingdom. I wouldn't want to live in a kingdom under the rule of a megalomaniac. If Bhalthran loves himself so much, then why doesn't he start his own nation where he is the only resident. Then he'll be able to control everything without hurting a soul!"

Magon chuckled. "Oh, Erion. The things I'd never expect to hear from an elf always come from you! You must've picked up a few tricks from Huffey."

"Well, he never taught me any jokes, to be frank. I just got a little bit inspired by him."

Magon smiled at Erion. "Inspiration is something that influences many of us, so it's no surprise at all."

"Yeah. I've been inspired by many things since the day I was born." Replied Erion. "When I left Casthor, Sir Thomas inspired me to become a hero myself. Next thing you know, I'm called to embark on a heroic quest myself, and I'm already at the point where I've entered a legendary dragon's lair and escaped. It's hard to believe, honestly."