The First Adventure
Agador - POV
Brier and I had our first real adventure near his 21st birthday. Entälenir had sent us out to intercept a band of Greenwood elves on their passing through the plains south of our village. It took two days to reach them, and they gladly followed us back. But it was on the way to greet them that we had our actual adventure. It started one crisp morning just as the sun began to rise. I awoke from a rather pleasant dream of horses and green grass. The surrounding area was not much different than in my dream, however.
"Rise and shine!" Brier exclaimed cheerfully on our first morning in the plains. He had a fire going, and bacon frying in a small iron pan. The aroma was much welcome to my nose, and I sat for some time just smelling it's scent. The last night was rather cold for April, but all unpleasant thoughts washed from my brain as Brier served me five slices of bacon. We ate in silence, both watching the plains for any signs of the Greenwood elves we were searching for. At noon we were far from our camp, going downhill from our night's shelter. Brier was the first one to spy odd tracks freshly imprinted in the soft soil.
"What do you suppose they're from?" I asked cautiously. Brier only shook his head and continued to examine the tracks. I heard a rustling of branches and looked around quickly to see where the noise was coming from. Brier took no notice of the sound, but only did when he heard a great roaring come from behind him, and he spun around. My back was turned just at the same moment, but when I did turn to face whatever creature had made the strange noise it was too late. It had pounced on an unsuspecting Brier, knocking him over at least ten yards. I drew the sword Entälenir had entrusted in me before Brier and I had set off and charged at the beast from behind. The great thing had rough skin, covered mostly by thick dark hair. It thrashed around wildly and I was only able to pierce it near the right flank. It gave a sharp cry and rolled off Brier. Brier hadn't been mangled; he bore two scratched on his left cheek from where the creature's paw had slashed at him. He himself drew his sword and together we struck the beast, once through the shoulder and clear through the neck. With one more swift arc, Brier sliced the creature's head clear off, and it fell to the ground with a disturbing thump. We stared at the slain beast's body for a few minutes.
"Should we perhaps be going now? In case there are more about." I inquired. Brier nodded and we were off again, hiking briskly down the sloping hillsides.
Brier and I had our first real adventure near his 21st birthday. Entälenir had sent us out to intercept a band of Greenwood elves on their passing through the plains south of our village. It took two days to reach them, and they gladly followed us back. But it was on the way to greet them that we had our actual adventure. It started one crisp morning just as the sun began to rise. I awoke from a rather pleasant dream of horses and green grass. The surrounding area was not much different than in my dream, however.
"Rise and shine!" Brier exclaimed cheerfully on our first morning in the plains. He had a fire going, and bacon frying in a small iron pan. The aroma was much welcome to my nose, and I sat for some time just smelling it's scent. The last night was rather cold for April, but all unpleasant thoughts washed from my brain as Brier served me five slices of bacon. We ate in silence, both watching the plains for any signs of the Greenwood elves we were searching for. At noon we were far from our camp, going downhill from our night's shelter. Brier was the first one to spy odd tracks freshly imprinted in the soft soil.
"What do you suppose they're from?" I asked cautiously. Brier only shook his head and continued to examine the tracks. I heard a rustling of branches and looked around quickly to see where the noise was coming from. Brier took no notice of the sound, but only did when he heard a great roaring come from behind him, and he spun around. My back was turned just at the same moment, but when I did turn to face whatever creature had made the strange noise it was too late. It had pounced on an unsuspecting Brier, knocking him over at least ten yards. I drew the sword Entälenir had entrusted in me before Brier and I had set off and charged at the beast from behind. The great thing had rough skin, covered mostly by thick dark hair. It thrashed around wildly and I was only able to pierce it near the right flank. It gave a sharp cry and rolled off Brier. Brier hadn't been mangled; he bore two scratched on his left cheek from where the creature's paw had slashed at him. He himself drew his sword and together we struck the beast, once through the shoulder and clear through the neck. With one more swift arc, Brier sliced the creature's head clear off, and it fell to the ground with a disturbing thump. We stared at the slain beast's body for a few minutes.
"Should we perhaps be going now? In case there are more about." I inquired. Brier nodded and we were off again, hiking briskly down the sloping hillsides.
