|
~Appearing to be in a wakeful-doze, Breanna was actually using her extra-sharp half-elf hearing to pick up on the conversations of the others. We simply must get some semblance of trust built here or we'll all be fighting each other soon, Breanna thought to herself. So wrapped up in other's conversations, she was startled when someone spoke from over her head and then dropped down in the midst of the group. Azurian bristled in anticipation of a fight and Hiram gripped the handle of his hammer while Seph and Neb powered up their magics.
"Hold, gentlemen!" Then turning to Link, Breanna said "Well! I shall find myself in an early grave if people insist on startling me like that! You are welcome to join our company. If you be a sword-for-hire, I can assure you that you will be well rewarded at the end of the journey. We can always use a good fighter and, as one entrusted with a blade of Mithril, you are a much needed addition to our party. Magic is a wonderful thing, but some things are best served by brute strength. And as you have visited with the Dwarves, you may find something to talk about with Hiram here. Well met and welcome! Now, enough of this...let's be off again, the day's wasting."
The group journeyed onward for several more hours. When their shadows grew long and their bellies started to rumble, they broke for camp. After about an hour of scouting, Hiram, Link and Azurian came back to camp to report no game to be found. As they pondered this mystery, Azurian suddenly stood up.
"Quiet, everyone! Listen!" They did. "And what are we supposed to hear, wolf?" Seph asked sarcastically. "Just that...nothing. Not a bird or a squirrel. No insects. No sound at all," replied Azurian. Thus alerted, Breanna and Azurian noticed a faint scent they had not noticed before. Azurian bristled and all became alert and tense. Soon, a sound could be heard - a low rumble like rocks rolling around. The sound got louder and the odor more intense. The trees to their west started shaking. Then, bursting through the trees and dense growth, charging straight for the group, are three monstrous beasts. 12 feet at the shoulders and nearly as wide, heavily armored scaly hide (like that of a scaly anteater), the creatures roar and slobber at the idea of a tasty meal, thus revealing 8 inch long teeth and fangs like a sabretooth tiger. A rudimentary intelligence can be seen in their eyes as they scan the group and begin circling like sharks before the attack. They are primarily quadrupedal, but occasionally stand up on hind legs to make a threatening swipe at the group, revealing 10 inch long claws. The stench of rotting meat is now prevalent. The band of fighters, mages and sorcerers ready themselves for their defensive attacks....
Breanna casts a light spell to blind the beasts, but it is only a temporary diversion to give the others a chance to attack. The creatures roar in fury and swipe out blindly....
[This message has been edited by DragonMage (edited 10-26-2001).]
|