A Sword to Remember
Part IV
Life was swell for months afterward. We were local heroes. Our confidence had us working on overdrive. Every hunt was finished faster than the last, and we celebrated every night with the finest food, drink, and company that we could ever ask for. We made mountains of coin joining parties from other towns when there was little work us at home. Everyone knew our names, and they all said them with a smile. With satchels full of jerky and bottles full of mead, we set out on another hunt, tromping through knee deep snow.
"Why do you think they're paying us so much for this?" Taro inquired thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure. Maybe it's something a little tougher than what we're used to."
"I guess so. A little challenge doesn't sound so bad. What is a 'Tigrex' anyway?"
"I don't know. Never seen one."
"Well, there's a first time for everything."
We helped each other scale small cliffs, we hiked foothills, and went spelunking in caverns of ice. When darkness fell we made camp, and we were up at the first light of dawn. Emerging from the caves, we stepped in to the rays of a sun that we could not see. It sparkled against the fresh powder that coated the ground.
Taro stretched his arms out wide and scanned over the untrodden field. "I can't remember the last time this took us more than a day. I haven't slept on the ground in awhile."
"Don't get too cocky. If we want to be home in time for dinner then we need to stay alert. No mistakes this time."
He sighed. "Okay, you're right. Where is this thing anyway? I'm a hunter, not a tracker."
"Tracking is part of hunting."
A soft sound echoed over the hills that surrounded us.
"Taro, did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"Listen."
The noise came again, louder this time.
He looked to the sky, slowly turning in a circle. "What is that?"
"I'm not sure, but I think I have an idea."
It was getting closer. No longer incomprehensible, we heard the bellowing roar of the Tigrex.
"Kai, look out!"
I rotated, but it was already too late. Tons of bone and sinew bounded over the hill and slammed me to the ground. The snow broke my fall, but a pop and a snap in my shoulder brought an intense pain. I wasn't going anywhere. I stared at the steaming muzzle of rabid beast. His leathery hide was a deep orange streaked with blue, and his wings were attached to a bulky set of frontal legs. Those thick fangs were the sharpest that I had ever seen. From the corner of my eye, a long red blade swiped down on the Tigrex's forehead. Swinging a muscular forearm, his paw slammed into Taro and sent him hurtling several steps away, planted face down in the powder.
"You can't fight him alone! Just run!"
He pushed himself to his feet. "I'm not leaving you!"
Those jaws were incredibly forceful. Teeth sank right through the steel of my breastplate. I felt my body being lifted into the air.
"He's going to kill you Taro! Get out of here while you can!"
Neither moving in or turning away, he stood shaking indecisively.
The spikes tore into my chest. I could taste blood. "Do it!"
The last thing I saw was Taro's back as he made for the caves.
