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Part II: The Meeting
'Relax, my boy! It's me, Crack!' A deep voice boomed. I stared
at the pig-headed creature, and relaxed, keeping my sword. Crack
was an old friend of mine. He was an ogier, a race unknown to mankind.
Huge with long tufted ears and broad snout-like noses, he looked
very much like a pig. Yet, ogiers were known for their great building
skills and capabilities to mend wounds. So great were their skills
in healing that they themselves were resistant to poison and diseases.
Many admired the strength and powess of the ogier, but little did
they know that these slow-moving creatures were exceptionally vulnerable
to lightning. Nevertheless, ogiers were perfect healers.
Crack himself was a cleric, except that he was dedicated to the
Darkside. Both of us had been fighting side by side in a couple
of wars. In fact, he had saved me many times. He was, after all,
a much more experienced soldier than me.
'Crack! Fancy seeing you here! Why, I thought you're in your guild
practising your skills!' I cried out as I gave the ogier a big bearhug.
'Easy, boy, easy! Can't I come for a mug of ale? I need rest too!'
Crack replied humorously.
'And you! You should be in the north fighting the resistance forces!
Why are you here?' Crack's face was stern. I laughed. It was a rare
sight to find Crack so serious. The ogier's face softened and followed.
'Lord Toban gave me leave to strengthen myself so as to serve our
Lord better. I went to visit Keil when Gord the Rogue tried to steal
some gold from my pocket. I slew him, but I guess I alerted the
guards. So, I fled here.' I answered.
'With your skills, the effeminate guards in New Thalos can't harm
you. Why bother to flee?'
'There are numbers of them, but one of me. How long can I last?
Besides, I have no time for those weaklings. I'm in search of...'
'HUSH!!!' Crack silenced me as his gaze fell onto a figure sitting
in a corner of the inn. I followed his gaze. The figure had risen
and was walking towards us! I gripped my sword tightly, all set
to draw it again. As the figure approached us, light fell upon it.
I then realised that it was a giant lady warrior, clad in a chainmail
armor. She was smiling at us, a tiny smile which would render many
of her kind to fall for her charms. After all, she was a beauty.
I wondered her purpose of approaching us.
'Hello, my name is Ramona, a warrior as you can see. I have heard
of a place inhabited by huge rock toads. I believe that if we group
together and try killing them, we'll gain a lot of experience from
there. Interested?' Her green almond-shaped eyes went to both of
us, the charming smile still wearing on her pretty face. I looked
at Crack who was obviously startled by the lady's directness.
'Why us? Judging from your equipment, I can see that you are a
follower of Good. Why not approach people of your kind? Instead,
you come to us?' I questioned suspiciously. I could feel Crack shift
uneasily. My heart pounded quickly. One look at Ramona was enough
that she was far more powerful than both Crack and me. Especially
now that Crack was rather exhausted from his training, he was unable
to cast any powerful spells. The peaceful state had deprived me
of many spells too. Provoking her and resulting a fight of arms
would mean suicidal to both of us.
'I know you folks are followers of the Darkside. But, the offer
here is too good to refuse. Followers of the Good have gone to destroy
the trolls near there. It won't be soon for them to return. I can't
possibly wait here. Besides, I don't mind grouping with evil people.'
Ramona explained. I frowned upon the final statement.
'What's wrong being on the Darkside??? And we're not EVIL!!!' I
retorted heatedly. If it was not Crack who held me fast, I would
have pounced onto the lady warrior.
'Relax, Gil. We can't beat her, not at this moment. Cool down,
young one! Look at the din you've raised!' Crack soothed. I look
around. Everybody was looking at us, all prepared to call in the
guards should a fight start. I sat heavily as Crack turned to Ramona.
'Lady, how do we know that you are not leading us to a trap laid
by your people in order to capture us?'
'Oh, you needn't worry about that! Firstly, I do not know you. You
may be a small fry in the Evil army. Why should I want to capture
a small fry? Secondly, we, followers of the Brightside do not resort
to such devious means. I can swear upon the code of my guild.'
'Very well, then. We'll go with you, but not now. We'll go the
next morning, once I've recovered from my fatigue. Is that agreeable?'
Crack asked.
'Fine with me. I need your healing skills anyway, healer one. By
the way, what are your names? It's not nice not to know one another
when we're partners.' Ramona claimed. Crack sighed.
'I'm Crack and he's Gil.' The answer was short and hostile. The
jet-black-haired girl sighed. It was obvious that both of us did
not want to talk.
'We'll meet here at 6 o'clock tomorrow then. Rest well, Crack.
We'll need all your healing skills tomorrow.' With that, the warrior
left the inn, leaving sighs of relief from the patrons of the inn.
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