DNO’s Author Showcase: The Mosh – The Journey Untold Chapter 4

He still remembered that fateful day. The book that started it all. The book that changed his life. D’zagul held the book tightly across his chest. He was on course to complete what his master had intended to accomplish. His plans were coming to fruition slowly. D’zagul was once a scrawny man who was of no importance.  But in the last few years, his new found calling had given him hope and purpose. It had given him a lifeline. His master, Argus, died in the Great War centuries ago, and he was tasked to resurrect him. Argus’ soul roamed aimlessly for many centuries in the underworld, he tried endlessly to entice any fool to take on the burden of bringing him back to life. Over the years, many headed the call, and many failed. D’zagul often remembered the day the book came into their lives. It was his father who found the book. And together they studied it, and they worshiped its context till it became all that they knew. Argus was the cause of the Great War many centuries ago that saw the races allied. He was gravely wounded, but he managed to preserve his soul and his body. A once gifted high elf, Argus still managed to keep his abilities allowing him to communicate to the outside world.

D’zagul paced through his fortress. His body tingled with excitement. He communicated with Argus, sporadically and was eager to fulfill the resurrection.  He was a lonely man, on a mountain castle unseen and unknown. Rich in ambition and power but a caged animal waiting to be freed. By order of his master, he was to be silent and work in the shadows and he did just that. Beyond the Valley of Desolation was MorneDiablotins. A dormant volcano, so high into the skies that its peak could not be seen. These were untouched lands, vast lands of cold freezing air and snow. His father, Isambard, discovered this place by chance and luck. D’zagul remembered the first time he had made it to the mountain top, a feat he himself had no recollection of how he achieved it, nor his father before him.

Slowly over the years, with the help of orcs, he transformed the mountain into the fortress he desired. Orcs were said to once be humans, cursed with deformities, grotesque beings. They were casted out of the human kingdoms. Centuries of being scattered all over the Mosh, with their humanity lost, jealous and envious, hatred brewed in their heart. D’zagul understood their plight, for he too was once treated as such. He gave them a home, and for that he was their god.  “Cellock.” D’zagul called out. “Yess dark one.” “It is time, time for our plan to commence. You know what you must do.” “You’re bidding is my command sir.” “Ready! We move out.” Cellock sounded the command. He was one of D’zagul’s trusted commanders. The Cellocks’ war party left their mountain. D’zagul followed, but his mission was different from that of his commander.

He hugged his mother, she held him tightly. He waved a hand goodbye and the two began their journey on foot to the outskirts of Silver Waterfall. It would be the first time that he ventured out past the borders of Silver Waterfall and would remember the journey. They left at first light, their journey would take them into Penital Fields. Acres of lush farmland and deep forest. They walked across grassy fields, wind blew and whistled in their ears. The grass and trees danced in unison, and Ulric enjoyed the view. It was the first time he passed the borders, he was excited and eager. The journey had not been easy as Ulric expected, the more they walked, the more difficult the terrain became. There were rocky hills to climb and bandits to be weary of. It was troublesome but he was enjoying the moment. They reached a point of flat land, legs too tired to continue, this was the best place they could set up camp. As the sun set, the temperature dropped. The cold air settled and he noticed the goose bumps on his arms. He immediately gathered firewood to start a fire. Ulric pulled the provisions and pot Requia packed for him. He gathered water from a nearby stream and started his preparations while the fire had been started. Ulric was quite versed in cooking, he enjoyed a good meal and taught himself to cook through observing his mother. Darkness was now upon them, the only source of light in these lonely woods were the fire that Gaiden had started and the very few firebugs that flew passed them. The cracking of the wood sounded louder than it should. It was awfully quiet in these parts. Ulric shared the food and the two men began eating.

Gaiden pulled out his flask and opened its seal, the smell was lovely but stung the nose, a pleasant ale. He took a big drink from the flask, and offered some to Ulric who respectfully declined. “Good man,” said Gaiden, “more for me then.” How did this man become a lover of drunkenness? What he had suffered, Ulrich thought. He often questioned  his trainer, but he blew off the questions. Gaiden cared not to talk about his past. And Ulrich learnt slowly to keep the personal questions to himself.

“What are we hunting”?

“We? I shall be of no physical help to you in this fight, I’m just here for moral support,” he laughed at his own idea of what was a joke.

“But, Based on what the villagers said, it’s that it’s a huge creature. One man described it as standing on its hind legs. Taller than your average human. Stronger too.”

“How did this man get this information?”

“He woke in the middle of the night to some rustling where he keeps his chickens. When he opened the door, there he saw something running with one of the chickens in its hand. And one of his stable boys dyed.  Hair all over its body. Something very bizarre.”

“And do you think it’s something monstrous?”

“Be it man or creature, we are going to find out what’s going on.”

“So we are going hunting for an unknown creature, with little to no information, in a part of the region I had never been?”

“That’s the fun of it. And if you want to become a king’s guard, these are duties you must do. Help those who can’t help themselves.

“Any advice?”

“Don’t die, your mother would kill me.”

“Why have you decided to train me?”

“I saw something in you, you are passionate and determined. Good qualities.”

“Hmm, and why did you leave Aramoore? What was it like being a king’s guard?”

“I’ve had my reasons. They are as brave as any. They are the king’s most trusted men and women. But first we must finish what we set out to do. And remember, you are no use to me dead. So prepare your mind.”

No response from Ulric, his mind was slightly unsettled. But intrigue crept into him. “You got this.” he mumbled as he closed his eyes. He quickly drifted into a slumber, Gaiden continued talking to himself. Drunk tongues. The ale had gotten the better of him.

Ulric felt a wet touch on his face. For the moment he enjoyed the moisture, then reality kicked in, he quickly snapped out of it. “Get out of here!” He scolded the rabbit. The sound of rustling and laughter could be heard. Even though he had been drunk the night before Gaiden was already up. He had watched as the rabbit approached Ulric’s still body. “Looks like you had a good night’s rest. That rabbit has been licking you for like a minute now that must have been some kind of dream you had there.” Ulric blushed and didn’t say a word. Gaiden was spot on, his dream was something he did not want to wake up from. Gaiden stuffed the rest of their equipment and provisions into the knapsack. They walked through some thick forest and brush and then saw the small village, Berona. They were greeted with curious looks.  A far away village that saw no outsiders.

The people of Berona were a particular bunch. Some of them loved the secluded lifestyle, some hated it. There was really not much to do in the small village, everybody knew each other and it was a tight knit community. For many years it had been a forgotten land. The men searched for who was in charge, the “House of Stewards” would be a good place to start. An unkempt house that showed great potential, had it belonged to somebody who possibly cared. As they approached a short stumpy looking man rushed out of the house. Disgruntled.

“Why have you come here? You are not welcomed.”

“Rumors have surfaced that you have a problem. Something lurks in your forest. Eating, stealing, and killing as it pleases.”

“Exactly what it is, rumors. People say anything.” He cackled.

“So there is no truth to these claims?”

“We have no issues here. You are not welcomed!” He snapped.

“Unpleasant,” Gaiden murmured as he walked away.” “What are we going to do?” Ulric inquired. “We are going to find out for ourselves. We are heading to the forest to investigate. If we find out anything, we will find somebody who will listen.” As they were about to leave, a man approached them, and he pointed without saying any words. “Well that was strange.” Gaiden indicated. “Guess we have our first lead.” “So we’re just going to go where this strange guy pointed?” Gaiden didn’t respond but continued walking in the direction. They had been walking for some time, with no signs. Ulric did notice that there were no animals around, the forest was quiet. Worse than when they camped. Suddenly, there was a pounding sound coming deeper from the forest. The sound pierced their ears, and grew as they approached.  There, right in front of them was the creature they pursued.

“What the hell is that?” Ulrich exclaimed. Gaiden shrugged. “I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.” The creature stood on its hind legs as the rumor suggested. It was about the same height as Ulric. The body is covered in dark coarse fur, its tusk thick and sharp at the tip. Its black eyes stared directly into Ulric. A red liquid dripped from its mouth. They had not seen anything like this before. Ulric legs began to shake, and his palms became moist. It paced about in a mad rage, and in a split second, it got down on its four legs and charged. It smelled the fear leaking from his body. Mesmerized at the size of the beast, Gaiden now noticed that Ulric was frozen. He leapt and pulled the boy out of the way. It snarled and grunted, exhaling so hard the grass beneath its gigantic legs laid flat. Unready for the charge, it charged again. “Focus Boy!”Gaiden shouted. It was a powerful shout, something resonated inside of him. Ulric took a deep breath and exhaled, and though still scared, he grabbed his sword and drew it. His hands shook as he held the sword. Both dove out of the way. Irritated that it had not landed any hits on the men, the creature snarled, its mouth salivating wildly. It charged at Gaiden, and midway through, changed its focus, surprising Ulric. One tusk entered his stomach. With one hand firmly on the end of the tusk, he used all his force and pushed the creature off. The tusk slowly exited his abdomen. He held it for a few seconds.

The hog tried its best to push further into his body but Ulric held firm. He held it back as much as he could. Promptly, Gaiden thrust his sword in the beast side. “Are you okay?” growled Gaiden. “I am fine.” Ulric said while scanning his body. It bellowed in pain and dropped to the ground. On its dying breath, it still tried pushing towards the men, pure relentless hatred and bloodlust. Ulric got down on his knees, took his knife and slid it into the creature’s neck. Finally,it collapsed.

“What a beast, what was that?” Gaiden said.

“It seemed like a cross between a bear and a wild pig. I’ve never seen anything like that before. But we killed it, “Ulric boasted.

“How’s your stomach?”

“Luckily it had not entered me. I’ll be okay”

“Cut off its head, let’s bring proof of our killing.”

Exhausted, the two men settled in for the night. Ulric was proud that he handled himself well in that situation. His thoughts floating all around, he quickly fell into a slumber.