On a small pasture, no bigger than a small town's square, grazed two horses. One had snowy white pelt, like the peaks of Northwind. The other was pitch black, like a moonless night. They looked up from their peaceful breakfast as a black figure charged out of the woods.
"Hurry up Grim!" Jalkar shouted over his shoulder. Putting one hand on a post, he leapt over the pasture fence. "These beasts are blowing our cover."
Grim, who was carrying the Stone, gave an angry purr. He is hating Jalkar more by the second. If not for his debt, he would stab this guy right now.
Suddenly, an arrow shrilled the air. Jalkar leaned back to duck and the arrow hit the fence beside the white horse. She reared up and kicked. Jalkar turned to see Abbigail with a bow, chasing out of the clearing. She put two more arrows on the string and fired at Jalkar. Sam, who had been tracking the thieves, barked and pounced on Grim, who was still on the ground.
"Oh not this girl again!" Jalkar quickly hid behind a stack of hay with Grim. "I told you we got lost in those woods on the way out! Some shortcut you had…"
Grim purred defensively. "So why did you say you knew the forest?" retorted Jalkar. "Just say you were lost!" Grim inwardly rolled his eyes.
Jalkar grabbed the Stone from Grim. "You take care of the girl this time!" He rushed towards the white horse, who had calmed down by now. "I'll get the horses."
Grim sighed. He came out from behind the hay bale and took his scythe from his back. "Wham!" The fresh Thunderlord enchant roared as the scythe spun in his hand.
"Showoff." Abbigail muttered. She took out three arrows and fired them at once. Grim spun his scythe so fast it formed a shield. "Ting! Ting-Ting!" The arrows reflected off the blade and into the ground. Sam charged the final stretch and bit Grim's ankle. Grim was pulled down to the ground and kicked the dog in his muzzle. Sam whimpered, but did not let go.
"Come on Grim!" Jalkar yelled from horseback. "Quit rollin' around!"
Grim hurried towards Jalkar's white steed, but Jalkar shoved him away. "Not on my horse you idiot, get your own!"
The commotion woke up the residents. A girl, about the same age as Abbigail, came out of the house. "Cloud?" Her light blue eyes landed on her mare, but also on the thieves. "Here girl!" She whistled and the white mare galloped to her owner, throwing Jalkar off her back. He gave a grunt as he hit the ground.
Abbigail fired another arrow, which hit Grim between his plates on his left arm. Gingerly, he felt the wound. Hoping it was not too deep.
"Forget the horses, Grim." Jalkar shouted. Their chances were zero with this intelligent horse and the girls. "Run!" Together, they jumped over the opposite fence and hurried away.
"Abbigail?" The owner of the pasture now approached the former farmer. Her blonde hair blew over her face in the light morning breeze. "What's this all about?"
"Hey Darlene." Responded Abbigail. "Sorry for the trouble, I was hoping to catch them before they left the woods." She gestured in the direction where the thieves had gone.
"It's alright Abbi." Responded Darlene, patting the black horse's nose. She purred under her soft touch. "Nobody's hurt, and those thieves didn't make off with one of my horses." She whistled more gently. Cloud, the white mare, trotted over. Darlene took out two apples and fed the horses one each.
"It's been so long since you've come by Abbi. Why don't you stay for a bit. After you've rested, we can catch up to them on horseback." Darlene suggested.
Instinctively, Abbigail wanted to refuse. Time is of the essence and if she doesn't move fast, who knows what they'll do to the stone. But she is indeed tired, having tracked the thieves all night, and a break would be most welcome. "Thanks Darlene, that'd be much appreciated." She replied.
An hour later, which was longer than Abbigail intended, but Darlene insisted that "You have to try my special apple pie", they traversed down the trail with Darlene riding Cloud and Abbigail on the black mare, who she thought was named "Pearl." Sam walked in front, sniffing out the thieves' scent.
"Apparently, they stole some 'Dragon Stone' from Etherea." Abbigail explained as the horses trotted after Sam. "When I found it in the woods, they came for it."
"That's not just a Dragon Stone Abbigail," Darlene's voice was filled with awe and wonder. "it's an Ender dragon egg! No wonder they were so determined."
Abbigail was surprised. In all the time she's chased after Jalkar and Grim, she never knew this. "It's an egg?" She asked.
"Come on, you know the stories." Darlene turned to look at her friend. That farming life really cost her something. "The Enderknights used to protect the land alongside their dragons. That was years ago." Her voice sounded dreamy and far-away, as if to carry them back to that legendary time. "Both the Enderknights and their dragons have vanished." She concluded wistfully.
Abbigail pondered for a moment. "So," Darlene started, "how did you persuade Mr. Finch to let you go on this hunt?"
"I didn't." Abbigail replied, she felt a bit sad leaving her guardian "I just… left."
"About time." Darlene giggled. "I don't know how you manage to live with him."
"He may be a strict old grouch," Abbigail admitted, "but he has looked out for me ever since my parents died. I can't just forget that."
Sam suddenly stopped and barked. When the horses approached, they saw before them a canyon stretching for miles without end. The cliffs were steep and dangerous, and the bottom a lifeless, stony desert.
"Tabora Crags." Observed Darlene, "They're going to use the ravine to stay out of Conchord's borders." She turned to her friend. "This is as far as I can take you Abbi." Crossing borders without a serious excuse is a very serious crime, even if the kingdoms pledged mutual truce.
Abbigail dismounted and Sam rushed beside her legs. "Thanks for your help, Darlene." She stared over the rocks. "I'll have to pay you back some day."
"You already helped save my horses from being stolen Abbi, this is the least I could do." Darlene answered. "Be safe on your hunt!" She turned and rode back down the trail, leading her horses.
Slowly and carefully, Abbigail started her descent into the ravine. Turning round, she took one last look at the woods in the distance. "So long, farming life," she thought.
It was night when the thieves finally approached their destination. Unlike the crispy evening air of Underwood scented with leaves and berries, the mist in the Crags clouded sight and clung to nostrils, making it difficult to breathe. Grim and Jalkar took turns carrying the egg, but Grim noticed his turns were much longer than his companion's. If not for the rough terrain, they would have "found" a kart along the way and put it inside.
Then, their host arrived. Out of nowhere, Ardoni glowing with red markings and carrying staffs, axes, and swords emerged. Jalkar and Grim stopped. Grim gave a sigh of relief and put the egg down.
"We were beginning to think you had backed out on our arrangement, Jalkar." Zinaida Voltaris, leader of the band, spoke, impatience leaking through his voice.
"Yes, well, we had a few, delays," Jalkar looked meaningfully at Grim, "along the way." The silver henchman purred his anger.
Zinaida glared at Grim. "I was informed you were to come alone." He stressed the last word. "Your companion was not part of this agreement."
"Neither was the amount of trouble we ran into." Jalkar bargained. "I think compensation is in order." He smiled, indicating the egg on the rocky ground. "After all, this is a dragon egg we're talking about."
Zinaida chuckled darkly. "Have it your way mercenary. We'll compensate for your extra "trouble," but your companion is not part of the deal, the Voltaris will not pay a second share."
"Don't worry your glowing little head about it," Jalkar retorted, "Grim is my problem. So," He stretched out his hand for the gold. "How much are we talkin'?"
"I'm sure you'll find the amount sufficient." Zinaida beckoned with his hand. "Now," He pounded his staff. "Hand over the egg." The Voltaris group started surrounding the two.
Jalkar had seen too many of these people, wanting to cheat mercenaries. Do they think they are picking weaklings during hiring? If they could defeat the guards around the Egg, and make it this far, who is he kidding? Jalkar or himself?
"I don't think so." He said, putting his hand on his knife. "We'll be collecting the reward first, thank you." Grim, taking the signal, also drew his scythe.
"Or we could just kill you," Zinaida's face was growing more sinister. His markings, which grew to be on his left chin, pulsed like a scar, "and forget the reward." The circle became smaller and everyone brandished their weapons.
"This could be unwise Zinaida." A younger Voltaris advised his leader. "The mute one," He indicated Grim, "I believe he is the Reaper."
"Shut it, Lucidius!" Zinaida pounded his staff. The rocks shook under his feet.
"Smart man, your second." Jalkar mocked. "The Reaper's with me, he has a debt to pay off." He surveyed the group. "By my calculations, you're outmatched."
"Outmatched?" Zinaida laughed. What is this mercenary thinking? It's two against seven. Yes, he's heard of the Reaper, but that's not evening the odds, not one bit. They don't stand a chance. "Kill them." He ordered.
Jalkar and Grim stood back-to-back. Together, the three Voltaris opposite Zinaida stabbed at Grim. Grim responded quickly. Years of experience has allowed him to discern even the smallest differences in timing and speeds. He blocked the fastest blade, the left one, with his scythe, and, slipping below, swept his legs under the Voltaris on the right, whose blade just scratched his helmet. The red fighter fell head-over-heels on the rock. The left one had drew back his sword for another blow, so Grim also drew back his scythe, and punched the middle Voltaris with the top, knocking him backwards into a shallow pool and his sword into the rocky cliff. Now he has time to deal with the left Voltaris.
Seeing that the first move did not work, the red Ardoni attacked again. This time, he aimed his sword at Grim's legs, for he saw the other in a lunge posture, and swung it from below. Grim drew back his scythe and hooked the red fighter's weapon out of his hand. Before he could react, Grim chopped him in the chest. The red light in the Ardoni's markings faded away until he was not discernible from the stony ground. Grim pulled out his weapon and swung over his head and landed its point on the Voltaris on the right. His lights, too, faded.
The middle Voltaris has now returned. Pulling his blade out of the rocks, he charged at Grim and leapt onto the ledge. Grim locked him with his gaze and when the red blur landed upon him with his sword in a violent hack, Grim hooked the point of his scythe onto the fighter's foot and pulled him down, smack on the ground. Grim raised his weapon high above him in a kill move, and swung it when the Ardoni on the ground raised his sword to block. "Ting!" The point of the scythe landed on the sword's body. Grim gave an inward snicker. He twirled his weapon around to disarm the Ardoni, but the red fighter knew his tricks. By using the force from Grim, he launched himself upwards and did a backwards flip to run away. This was not the first time Grim had done this. He leapt up, twisted in mid-air, and launched his scythe at the red figure. The point landed on the Voltaris' back. His markings lost their glow before he hit the ground. Grim ran to retrieve his weapon.
Jalkar had been fighting Zinaida, Lucidius, and two other Voltaris while Grim was busy. Zinaida wielded a staff topped with a ram's head. Lucidius was armed with a set of twin axes. The other two used plain swords.
Jalkar charged. Lucidius, although advised against fighting, stepped out to block Jalkar. He hacked his heavy axe towards the thief's head. Knowing that his knife is not enough against such a heavy weapon, Jalkar ducked to the side. The flanking Voltaris, seeing his chance, thrust his sword at the dodging man. But Jalkar simply put his knife on the blade and guided it towards the falling axe. "Shing!" The sword was cut in half. Surprised, the Ardoni stepped back. But Jalkar did not give him time. He turned on the spot and stabbed his knife into the fighter's chest with a backhand. He landed with a thud on the ground, and became a dark piece of rock.
Jalkar re-engaged Lucidius. Knowing that he did not actually want to fight, Jalkar spared him. Avoiding a left blow from the other axe, the thief flew a kick at the side of Lucidius' head. He slammed into the cliff and dropped at its feet, where he lay in a motionless red heap. At the same time, Jalkar caught the last Voltaris on the arm, leaving a deep gash in his wrist and making him drop his sword in pain. Jalkar then advanced and stabbed him in the chest. He, too, fell to the ground and became one with the stones.
It was at this time that Zinaida moved. Waving his staff, he smashed the iron head on Jalkar, who ducked just in time. Then, Zinaida moved back and withdrew his weapon. Jalkar was advancing when he struck out and knocked the thief's knife out of his hands and into a nearby puddle. The Voltaris smirked. Some mercenary, can't even hold a knife properly against him. He jabbed again. Unlike swords, staffs are much longer so Zinaida heaved forward and backward when he wielded his weapon. Jalkar could only dodge. He avoided the head from his right. Then, Zinaida swung it around in a big circle to Jalkar's left, which he blocked with his arm. It was very painful, worse than the heavy cane he used to get at school. Zinaida drew back again, and thrust the weapon at Jalkar's head. The thief bent backwards into the air and stood up again when the Voltaris drew back.
Zinaida paused to survey the battlefield. None of his group was left. The Reaper, if he really is, has just retrieved his scythe and is now running back. Time to show these naïve thieves what a real Ardoni is made of! Jalkar was smirking as well. They thought they had won this one, well…
Jalkar pounced. But before he could go more than a few steps, Zinaida hit him with his ram's head and Jalkar flew off, landing at Grim's feet. Jalkar fished his knife out of the puddle, shaked it dry, and turned to face the Ardoni.
Zinaida held his staff high and began his Aggressium Song. It created a huge whirlwind, a vortex, that threatened to suck everything in and destroy it at the weapon's tip. Steadily, he approached, like a hunter walking to the wounded prey. Pebbles began flying towards him on the ground, as well as dried leaves, bits of dirt, and nuts. Grim felt himself lifted off his feet and stuck his scythe into the ground for an anchor.
Jalkar had never seen a Song like this before, but he had an idea. He took his knife on the tip and aimed carefully, judging the best angle to throw. He spun the blade into the red vortex. It flew round and round the glowing head until at last, "Urgh!" The knife sunk itself into the temple of Zinaida Voltaris. He dropped to the ground. His staff fell and his Song materialized alongside him. The red markings blackened.
Jalkar bent down beside the black Voltaris and scoffed. Some people just don't believe his skills. "I've always hated Ardoni and their blasted Songs." He grumbled as he pulled his weapon out of the stony head. "They do sell for a lot though." He added as he picked up the pulsing red cube. "I'll take this as your compensation then. Whaddaya say?" He kicked the body on the ground.
Grim looked curiously at the red cube and purred. "Well quit lookin' so happy!" Jalkar snapped. Their work isn't done yet. "Now we need to find a new buyer for this egg." He placed the Song into his pocket and the knife into his belt. "Come on, someone in the Unyielding Legion should be able to find us one." The two set off on a small run away from the scene.
Abbigail arrived in time to see them disappear into the mist. She had almost caught them. Someone coughed, clearly he was badly injured. Abbigail followed the sound to a crevice nearby, where sat Lucidius Voltaris, his lights flickering a dim, tired red.
"The two thieves," Abbigail bent down before him, "Where were they heading?" She asked gently.
Lucidius guessed that she must be looking for the Egg. Well, she's not getting it. He replied, "I don't know. We were just sent to intercept them."
Abbigail noticed his markings and lights. She had only heard of such things on a person before. "Are you an Ardoni?" She asked curiously.
"Never seen an Ardoni before?" Lucidius cackled. He had another violent fit of coughing. "Well, go on, then." He said after the fit was over. "Finish the job, girl." He closed his eyes, waiting for the blow.
But no blow came. Abbigail stood up.
"I'm not here to kill you." She said, "I just want that dragon egg back. Here, you can have this." The ex-farmer said. She took out a piece of bread from her bag and handed it to the Ardoni.
Lucidius accepted the food. "They are heading north-east." He pointed towards their left. "Just follow the border of Conchord."
Abbigail thanked him, and started down the Crags with Sam.