“You are killing me, Kaen,” Hess grumbled as they walked down the street they had come into the main city on. “Why are you waiting to tell me what you are thinking and why you did that to Fiola?!”
Kaen glanced around and shook his head no.
“Until we are in our room and with Sulenda, I am not sure that no one is following or listening,” Kaen stated as he smiled at Hess. “Something just came to me, and I went with it.”
Hess groaned but gave up trying to g...
2023-08-13 13:00:02 +0000 UTC
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"You want him to do what?!" Hess shouted as he jumped off the couch. "You can't be serious!"
Fiola ignored Hess and focused on Kaen, who was watching the two of them act like children who could not get along.
"Let me get this straight," Kaen said, tapping his finger against his chin. "If I attempt this more difficult test and pass, just pass, and I share with you my stats, you will let me start at silver. If I fail the test or lie about my stats, I start as an iron wit...
2023-08-12 13:00:04 +0000 UTC
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The woman had motioned to two massive doors that were a good twelve feet tall. Gold and silver outlined the door in a pattern of trees, birds, and other small animals. The door appeared to be made from the same wood as the rails. Kaen could see small runes running the entire door length from the bottom to the top. He could only imagine what kind of wards and spells might be enchanting it.
Hess gave a slight bow and motioned for Kaen to follow him. They stood outs...
2023-08-11 13:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Kaen was smiling as they walked through the rest of the city like he had just danced with the prettiest girl in all of the town. He saw the people and heard them and could still smell everything, but now it was not as overpowering as it had been.
“You're telling me that they are allowed to use magic to lure people like that?” Kaen asked as they walked. Doesn’t that seem wrong?”
Hess shrugged, never missing a step.
“I know why they do it. If you ca...
2023-08-10 13:00:03 +0000 UTC
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The light came on before the sun was up.
Kaen was not sure if he had slept much at all. He was excited about this morning more than he realized.
You need to calm yourself, you are making me anxious from how fast your heart is beating.
Kaen laughed to himself.
Sorry Pammon, I am just so nervous and excited about today. It has been the only thing I have dreamt about for so long. How have you been?
Bored. You know I mi...
2023-08-09 13:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Kaen walked out of the office and back into the bar. The weight of so many things churned in his stomach as he strode up to the bar where Eltina and her male counterpart were slinging drinks and laughing with patrons.
Taking a big breath, Kaen stepped onto a chair close to the bar, put two fingers from each hand into his mouth, and blew a long, loud whistle.
The bar quieted down as every eye turned to see who had called for their attention.
“Fine men and women of Ebo...
2023-08-08 13:00:03 +0000 UTC
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We had managed to make it down those stone steps in less than half an hour as it wound itself along a stream of water that reached what I assumed was a lake behind the castle. The ground here was lush and green, covering the area around the water with trees, flowers, and even some wild game. There were farms and houses we could see surrounding the lake, spread out and with small stone fences, most likely homes for those of the dwarves in the upper echelon of their ranks.
“...
2023-08-08 12:39:09 +0000 UTC
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“That is an interesting name,” Kaen declared with a heavy dose of sarcasm in his voice. “Why would someone choose a name like that?”
Kaen thought he saw for a moment Hess’s cheeks turn red.
“Are you embarrassed or anxious about going in there?”
Hess shook his head and groaned.
“It is a long story, but I need just to go in and face the possible crap storm that might be inside.”
Smirking, Kaen started to walk toward the door and motioned for...
2023-08-07 13:23:00 +0000 UTC
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Six days on the road with a man who would not share the truth about how one's father had died had made Kaen very grouchy. By the time they could see Ebonmount in the distance, they had not talked much, and the times around the fire at night were not much more than grunts.
Hess had left Kaen alone, figuring that he would outgrow the anger and hurt and eventually realize he could not break an agreement like his. He wanted to tell Kaen so much, but his oath prevented it. Even t...
2023-08-07 13:22:04 +0000 UTC
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Kaen had stood there in silence for a few minutes while Hess had turned back to study the map. He was still unable to fully grasp everything he had seen and heard today since they had entered the town. It was as if a whole new world had been hidden from him this entire time.
“Hess, why won’t you tell me who this Sulenda woman is to you?”
Sighing, Hess turned and reached up and ruffled Kaen’s hair.
“You remember that adventurer I said your father and I h...
2023-08-07 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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“That’s not possible!” someone shouted
“That has to be a lie!”
Some boos came across the room, and Beatrice never flinched an inch. She held Kaen’s head against her chest and gently stroked his hair with her other hand, pressing him deeper into her heaving bosom.
She held her hand up again, and the bartender quieted everyone down once more.
“You might not believe me or this young man who soon plans on being an adventurer, but would you believe the g...
2023-08-07 13:14:01 +0000 UTC
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Are you ok? I can feel how sad you are.
A tear escaped, and Kaen quickly wiped it away as Hess walked on the road leading north out of town and toward Ebonmount. Saying goodbye to Cale and Patrick had been harder than he had expected. They had been his friends for most of his life, and he was going to be gone for at least a year or two.
He knew Cale had tried to put on a good front, but he could see the hurt behind his eyes. Being crippled like that left...
2023-08-07 13:11:00 +0000 UTC
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The goblins had gone north and were moving between buildings from the looks of the tracks. There was no way he could leap to the next house across the street, and Kaen knew he would have to give up the tactical advantage and safety of the roof if he was going to find these two goblins.
Without hesitating, he dropped from the roof and landed silently on the dirt street. Nocking an arrow on the bow, he followed the tracks in the dirt and did his best to watch for any movement ...
2023-08-07 13:10:01 +0000 UTC
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Kaen! I’m coming!
Blood dripped down the shaft of the arrow, and Kaen felt himself choking on blood. His whole body shivered as he tried to sit up and take pressure off the arrow that was sticking out of his chest and back.
No! If you come, we will both die!
Kaen tried to think. He needed to do something. He then remembered the potions in his pouch. He reached for the pouch with his trembling fingers. As he grabbed a ...
2023-08-07 13:09:01 +0000 UTC
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Cale had lost his axe, and there was not enough time to shoot one and then shoot another. For a brief moment, Kaen realized he could not save his friend. His lifestone pounded and surged in his chest in a way he had never felt it do before.
[ Archery Skill Twinshot - Available]
Kaen let his hands move on their own as he grabbed two arrows and felt his hands knock both. His lifestone and his body were in unity. Knowledge and power surged and flowed through h...
2023-08-07 13:08:00 +0000 UTC
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Kaen lay against the roof, waiting to give the signal.
How far are they?
They are outside the town. They have finished checking the farms because of the noise of the town. They should be entering the streets soon on those two sides.
Kaen grunted to himself. This plan that Hess had seemed crazy, but he understood why Hess felt it needed to happen this way. The orcs and goblins had stopped a few miles from the farmlands and sco...
2023-08-07 13:07:00 +0000 UTC
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Kaen was packing a few things up in his room since he had some time before he and Hess would head to town to prepare for tonight. A few men had stopped by earlier, and Hess had given all the extra meat they owned. Since they were going to leave tomorrow, they would only take as much as they could in their pack. Anything else would have to be hunted.
Looking under his bed for possibly lost items, Kaen saw all the dust and cobwebs he had not realized had moved in and sta...
2023-08-07 13:06:01 +0000 UTC
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Kaen, wake up!
Groaning, Kaen felt his head and moaned.
“I’m up, I’m up!” Kaen groaned as he tried to sit up but failed.
I know you are awake! Answer me!
“Hess, I told you I am awake. Stop shouting!”
Lying in his bed, he realized his head was pounding. What had he drunk last night?
Don’t make me come to the house and tear down your door!
Another groan escaped his mouth as Kaen realized it was not Hess cal...
2023-08-07 13:05:01 +0000 UTC
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*****
Pammon
Young Dragon
HP - 1000/1000
MP - 250/250
STR - 35
CON - 35
DEX - 40
WIS - 10
INT - 15
*****
“Wow, that is insane! Those stats are hard to believe since he is only like three or four months old.”
Hess nodded at Kaen and then shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m not sure what the stats of an adult dragon are but I would venture he is nowhere near the power he will one day be as he gets older.”
Kae...
2023-08-07 13:04:01 +0000 UTC
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“ORC!” Hess shouted as he started swinging at the two goblins rushing at him.
The orc was easily seven feet tall and seemed to match the size and shape of Hess.
Kaen almost tripped when he saw the creature coming at them wearing a hodgepodge of leather and metal armor scraps. He carried two long curved swords that reflected the light of the torches in the room.
“Shoot him!” Hess shouted as he took out one of the goblins who got close to him after blocking its a...
2023-08-07 13:03:01 +0000 UTC
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Breathe on these.
Kaen held two branches out toward the front of Pammon’s mouth. He took a moment, and then a small tight stream of fire hit the top of the sticks, causing them to burst into flames.
Pammon stopped the stream of fire after he knew the branches were lit. He only had around ten seconds total of flame before he would need an hour or so to recover completely.
Kaen handed a torch to Hess, who traded him a hammer for a torch.
...
2023-08-07 13:02:01 +0000 UTC
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Kaen realized he had forgotten to breathe for a moment and tried to take a breath of air very quietly. His heart was banging against the walls of his chest, and he could feel his fingers tingling.
A goblin!
It was not very tall and did not look very threatening at all. It wore a small, ratty shirt that hung to its knees and had a rusted and bent sword in what Kaen assumed must be its belt. He could see blood on its hands and arms. There was blood across its...
2023-08-07 13:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Full Status Check
*****
Kaen Marshell - Adolescent
Age - 17
HP - 231/231 (10%)
MP - 0/0 (10%)
STR - 18 + 3(10%)
CON - 18 + 3(10%)
DEX - 19 + 8(10%)
INT - 12 + 1(10%)
WIS - 11 + 1 (10%)
Blessings:
Dragonbound - 10% current bonus to all stats
Hunters Tunic - + 3 to Str / Con / Dex
Blessed Vambrace - + 1 to Dex / Int
Blessed Vambrace - + 1 to Dex / Wis
Bonded Bow of Archer - + 5 t...
2023-08-07 12:55:00 +0000 UTC
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“I’m not happy with Pammon,” Hess stated as he glared at Kaen. “He should know better than to explore a cave. You need to train him better!”
“Why is this my fault?” Kaen demanded as he walked next to Hess. “I am not with him when he hunts; he is doing what you told him to do. He is hunting far away from town. Do you know of any caves that far south?”
Hess huffed and walked faster toward their farm. He knew of caves and what cou...
2023-08-07 12:53:01 +0000 UTC
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“Again!” Hess shouted as he started to throw rocks at Kaen.
Kaen ran and started letting arrows fly at the targets on their farm with his bow, trying to dodge the rocks while hitting each of the targets.
Six of the eight targets set up at different paces had an arrow in them. He had missed two of them, yet it was a huge improvement after three months of training.
“You took your eyes off those two targets because you were more focused on the rocks coming at you!...
2023-08-07 12:51:00 +0000 UTC
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Kaen took a breath and let it out. Hess had told him how dangerous it was to share this information long ago or to ask someone else for theirs. He knew it was not something Hess would ask lightly. For Hess to ask must mean something had changed.
Full Status Check
*****
Kaen Marshell - Adolescent
Age - 16
HP - 126/126 (5%)
MP - 0/0 (5%)
STR - 14 (5%)
CON - 13 (5%)
DEX - 16 (5%)
INT - 11 (5%)
<...
2023-08-07 12:50:01 +0000 UTC
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Hungry! I’m hungry!
Kaen slowly opened his eyes and saw Pammon staring at his face. He jerked back a second, glad it had not all been a dream. When he had finally laid down for the night, he passed out immediately.
“Morning, Pammon!” Kaen groaned as he yawned. He reached out and rubbed the ridge of Pammon’s head and was rewarded with a small trill.
Hungry! Pammon crooned and started to shriek a little.
“Give me a seco...
2023-08-07 12:49:01 +0000 UTC
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“Move!” Hess shouted as he tried to push Kaen away from the opening.
“No!” Kaen protested as he fought back against Hess. “I am not leaving! It is a dragon!”
“Exactly!” Hess exclaimed as he grabbed one of Kaen’s arms and started pulling him away. “We need to go now! They are dangerous!”
Kaen struggled and turned and kicked Hess in the leg, causing Hess to let go of his arm. The kick had not hurt him, but Hess was shocked that Kaen had kicked...
2023-08-07 12:48:01 +0000 UTC
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“This way!” Kaen shouted as he ran ahead of Hess.
Hess shook his head in wonder. How that boy still had energy after a real full day's work amazed him. He easily navigated the forest but took his time, as a twisted ankle was no fun at his age. He had his pick-axe strapped across his back due to Kaen insisting that he bring it as they would need it.
Hess moved a little faster as Kaen disappeared ahead in the trees. It had been a while since he h...
2023-08-07 12:47:01 +0000 UTC
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Hess slammed his hand down on the table, and the piece he hit with his massive fist cracked.
“Dammit, boy!” Hess shouted as he glared at Kaen. “You are a fool to believe in fairy tales like that! No dragon would come here, and none would bury their treasure out in the open like that!”
Kaen opened his mouth to talk, but Hess held up his oversized hand and stopped him.
“I know… I know,” Hess said as he sighed and shook his head. “You want to b...
2023-08-07 12:46:01 +0000 UTC
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