Dungeons of the Crooked Mountains

by Alexey Osadchuk

  It happened so fast I didn’t notice, but I was suddenly hiding among the stones in the middle of my Lair. There were ten paces separating me and whatever was making those waves, though I also had the fragile three hundred points of defense and the dead body of the harn.

  I didn’t have to wait long for my guest. Its elongated head appeared right on the surface exactly where I had just stunned those fish.

  Hm... I don’t get it... What is a bleaking doing here? This lake doesn’t seem like the kind of place they would live. There must be an azure pond somewhere nearby. This one must hunt in two places. Also, now I see why it’s so deserted here. Bleakings are no joke. He scared away everything in the area.

  Meanwhile, its long, fanged head unfailingly determined where I had gone and slowly started lumbering in my direction. And no surprise. Even I can smell the fish blood and guts. What could I say about the bleaking?

  Bug take you! Time to move my butt... But I wanted to hang around my fishing spot a while longer.

  When I was just about to make a run for it, the predator was distracted by a big splash right next to it. What was attacking now? I stuck out my neck and tried to see where the noise was coming from...

  Oh gods! What is happening there! In the place the wounded fish dove down earlier, the unthinkable happened. The water started frothing and bubbling like it was boiling on a stove. A small whirlpool a muddy shade of crimson formed with silvery lightning flickering inside.

  What happened next was something I was definitely not expecting. The giant bleaking, terror of all subterranean lakes and rivers fled underwater in shame.

  I squinted. What had scared it so badly? Wait... But that’s... Yep! Ray-finned wolffish! Little fish the size of my hand. Very quick moving and aggressive. They hunt in packs. Very voracious creatures. Now I could see why the bleaking retreated. A pack of wolffish would eat it up bones and all in the blink of an eye...

  Smiling happily at the unexpected help, I lowered myself to the ground. Time for me to replenish my strength, too.

  As I sat down on the flat stone, I pulled out Dragonfly. I hope this time I’m not so awkward at butchering. When I reached for the fish, I raised my head and was struck dumb... Right above me were a pair of sloping green eyes... By the looks of things, the harn wasn’t all the way dead...

  Chapter 16

  FOR THE FIRST few moments, I stared captivated at the now suddenly living cat. The round black pupils of its emerald green eyes were staring right at me, unblinking. It’s wet black nose was slightly vibrating, pulling in as many of the nearby smells as it could. Its small triangular ears looked to be acting independently of one another, moving in all different directions.

  When my initial fear passed, I realized the harn couldn’t move. It was still affected by the hexapod’s paralysis toxin. Honestly, based on the ears, eyes and nose, the creature was gradually starting to come to its senses.

  Somehow, this the body had resisted the poisoning and was now actively expelling all the nasty chemicals. There was so much blue foam in its fanged mouth.

  Realizing it was not going to eat me any time soon, I quickly started packing up. The harn’s black pupils were constantly watching my fitful movements. Every time I took a small step in its direction, I heard a faint gurgling rasp from its fanged mouth.

  As I stuffed the fish in my bag, I was periodically checking on my mana supply. Hm... I’d soon have enough for a spell... Other than that, in a minute I’d also have two points more than I’d need for a Lair.

  I wonder how many Rams it would take to finish off this burly bastard. If I got up close and slammed one in its head? That would probably be a crit, right? Although, with my damage level, there would be no getting through its hide...

  What if I sent him flying into the water? Maybe I wouldn’t do any damage, but I could drown him. And let Bug keep the trophies... If I don’t deal with this monster now, he’ll wake up and be hot on my heels... He’s already caught my scent... His nose is really moving around.

  And how did he manage to survive? His regeneration must have been sky high...

  Oh! There came the long-awaited points from the Lair. Now I’d have the mana for a Ram. Just as I was trying to figure out how far my spell could fling the harn, a message came before my eyes:

  - Attention! The Higher Powers have taken note of your accomplishment! Out of pity for a wounded creature, you kept it alive for several hours.

  - Congratulations! You receive:

  - Experience essence (500).

  - Silver tablet (2).

  - Decrepit amulet of domestication.

  When I comprehended the meaning of what I’d read, I gave a loud cough.

  What?! So I was fighting for the life of a wounded creature?! How was I supposed to take that? And let me ask — how did I do it?! Sure as fate, one of Bug’s tricks.

  But then it finally hit me... the Lair! The harn’s body was being affected by my ability for so long! The little crumbs of life and energy he was getting from it every half hour were taken by the mysterious Higher Powers as an expression of “pity.” Huh... It would be funny to watch the reaction of these mysterious powers if they knew my true intentions... After all, I was about to drown this monster. What could I say? I was still about to.

  I calmed down a bit and pulled the amulet out of my knapsack.

  - Decrepit Amulet of Domestication of Ferocious Harn.

  - Type: Amulet.

  - Rarity: Rare.

  - Description:

  - A magical amulet, which helps a tamer domesticate a Ferocious Harn.

  - Requirements:

  - Intellect — 2.

  - Each attempt expends 15 mana points.

  - Note:

  - Time before destruction: 23:58:13.

  - Number of attempts: 3.

  I read the amulet description a few times and looked at the beast. Our gazes met. I could feel its fury and urge to attack in my skin. Was it really possible to domesticate this beast? Although let me say, having an ally like this would sharply increase my survival chances.

  Alright, fifteen mana points wasn’t such a big deal. Let’s activate...

  - Attention! You have attempted to domesticate a Ferocious Harn. Unfortunately, you were not successful.

  - Remaining attempts: 2.

  To be frank, I was expecting something like this. I wasn’t even especially surprised. That was why it showed an attempt counter and other requirements. I wonder what I did wrong. Why offer something that had no chance of working? So did I just waste mana for nothing?

  Maybe I was standing too far away? I had to try... When I stopped a step away from the animal, he tried to rasp again and exhale more blue foam. That was him trying to roar.

  “What?” I whispered. “Don’t like being helpless, eh? Ah, if only you knew how much I understand...”

  - Attention! You have attempted to domesticate a Ferocious Harn. Unfortunately, you were not successful.

  - Remaining attempts: 1.

  What was the hitch? What was I missing?

  I took a step back and looked closely at the creature. Our gazes met again... Either because of the magic of the strange amulet or my own anxiety, I suddenly perceived the fear and desperation of a helpless creature in its green eyes. I remembered myself in the years before I had any artifacts of the Ancients. Those old feelings of impotence followed me right up until today. If not for my parents...

  Hey, wait... What if there was a clue in the message itself? What did it say there? Hm... Took pity... Kept alive... In essence, that was what the reward was for. So did that mean I had to keep building on that?

  In other words, not let this creature die even though it could come to its senses and eat me at any time?! No way... If this were a rabbit or a puppy then it would be another story... But the perspective of owning such a fanged horror really was attractive. Look at those giant teeth... The size of my pointer finger. The claws were impressive too. Even at level five, this monster was capable of doing
serious damage. And it was doing pretty well for defense, too. Its whole body was covered evenly in dark-gray scale armor. It was only a bit lighter color on the stomach. Clearly that was the harn’s weak spot.

  I didn’t realize it at first, but I had walked up close to the heavily breathing body. I felt an irresistible urge to touch its uncanny scales. Ignoring the creature’s annoyed gurgling, my hand reached out and touched its armored side all on its own.

  - Ferocious Harn.

  - Level: 5.

  - Status: Aggression/Fear/Urge to kill/Thirst/Hunger/Pain.

  I read the lowest line a few times quizzically. So this is how the amulet helps a tamer. It reveals the animal’s feelings. I could understand the aggression and urge to kill just fine. You’re not alone there, buddy. And I understand your fear as well. I know that fear all too well...

  At the very least now I know why the amulet didn’t work the last two times. It even made me mad at myself. Dolt! Why the Bug were you in such a hurry?! Now I had just one more attempt. And time was ticking on the amulet itself.

  Alright, I can shower myself with abuse later... Now I need to act. Where to start? Which threads to pull on?

  With a heavy sigh, I crouched next to the creature’s head. Rasping all the time, it sized me up with an angry gaze.

  “Let’s start with the easiest part,” I whispered and took out the flask.

  The harn’s black pupils immediately latched into the unfamiliar object. Its nose drew in the scent, trying to figure out what this shiny thing was. A gurgling rasp of its sharp-toothed mouth pushed out even more blue foam.

  Opening the flask, I carefully placed it a hand’s length from the corner of his mouth. A thin stream of clear water gradually washed all the blue foam off his teeth and entered his mouth.

  “Hmm... What a big mouth you have, boy...” I mumbled, feeling a chill on my skin.

  The creature first rasped harshly and seethed but when the life-giving water hit his blue tongue and flowed down his throat, he settled down. The flask was drained in a matter of moments.

  I placed my hand on his scaled neck and looked at his status. Aggression had been replaced by caution and confusion had squeezed out fear... Heh... Urge to kill was still right there. Just the same as thirst, hunger and pain. However, there was another difference. Before all words of the status were blood red, but the new ones were all orange. That could only mean one thing. I was on the right track.

  I spent the next hour carrying water. Carefully walking to the shore, I would fill the flask, come back and pour all the water into the harn’s bottomless gullet, then go back to the lake for more. But the animal’s status was constantly showing red thirst. Confusion turned to impatience of a corresponding color. Yet he still wanted to kill me. What an ungrateful bastard!

  Two times the Lair boosted his energy and life. And mine as well. When that happened, the creature pissed blue liquid. And the last time the piss was a lighter shade. By the looks of things, the poison was gradually leaving his body. But to my good fortune, he was still paralyzed.

  Every step of the way, the panic and fear increased inside me. I asked myself: “Eric, what are you doing?! You’re sawing the branch you’re sitting on! This buzzard will soon be able to move, then you’re done for! Your supply is already full. You could send him flying into the water with two Rams then let the nearby school of wolffish eat him up.” But my intuition, which I was really growing to hate, was insistent that this was worth the risk and the mysterious Higher Powers wouldn’t have just done this for nothing. In fact, every time they intervened was to my benefit...

  Emptying yet another flask, I glanced at the harn’s status again as usual and couldn’t believe my eyes. “Urge to kill” was gone! As were thirst, pain, caution and confusion! In their place were now green colored “curiosity” and a deep orange, nearly red “suspicion.” Other than that, the creature was still hungry.

  That would hardly be enough for the Higher Powers. What now? The harn was curious. That word was green, so it was probably good thing. At the very least I hope so.

  But that suspicion is sticking in my craw. It’s almost red... And if you add hunger to that, it makes for an unpleasant picture overall.

  I scratched the back of my head in thought and reached for my knapsack. The harn’s nose greeted the first fish with a gasp of delight. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the tip of his scaly tail starting to twitch. His spiky ears stand straight up. His pale blue tongue sticks out.

  Cutting off a few pieces, I stuck them between its triangular teeth cautiously.

  “Go ahead,” I encouraged the creature. “Try and swallow. I’m not sticking my hand in any further.”

  Despite my expectations, the cat’s tongue managed just fine. His green eyes were begging for more. I glanced at his status. “Suspicion” had grown lighter, turning yellow. Encouraging.

  Another few pieces of fish shared the fate of the previous ones. And it kept going that way right up until all the fish was gone.

  “That’s all big eater. You really gorged yourself,” I said with a shrug. “No more meat.”

  “Hrn,” the cat answered suddenly and slowly turned over onto his stomach.

  His broad clawed paws shiver in weakness and strain. His long tail coils around like a sleepy snake. The cat squeezes its eyes closed and awkwardly braces itself.

  I plop down on the ground in surprise. I don’t know what his status is now, but I can’t keep going so slow... My quavering hand plunged into my knapsack. The harn immediately reacted to the movement. But to my eye, it was not an aggressive move, more like curious. Its elongated head tilted to the side. Its triangular ears stood straight up. A look of anticipation was plastered on its green eyes. Hm... He’s probably thinking I’m about to get him out another fish...

  I squeeze the amulet of domestication tight in my left hand. My right is ready to fire off a Ram. My heart is about to leap out of my chest. For some reason, I feel the urge to close my eyes tight...

  - Attention! The Higher Powers have taken note of your accomplishment! By showing concern for a wild beast, you have made a new friend. You’ll never find a more loyal companion!

  - Congratulations! You receive:

  - Experience essence (1000).

  - Silver tablet (3).

  - Ferocious Harn summoning amulet.

  - Removed: Decrepit amulet of domestication.

  * * *

  - Attention! To create a special mental connection with a pet, you must activate a summoning amulet!

  I glanced at the harn. He was still lying there looking docile. Just the tip of his armored tail was constantly twitching. Seemingly he was still waiting for a fish. What a big eater!

  Making sure there’s nothing around to attack me, I get out the amulet. It looks pretty. Still, to look at it, you’d never say it’s some badass magical item. It looks like just a little toy in the shape of a harn and made of bronze.

  - Ferocious Harn Summoning Amulet.

  - Type: Pet amulet.

  - Rarity: Rare.

  - Category: Perpetual/Nontransferable.

  - Description:

  - A magical amulet, which gives you power over a Ferocious Harn. Once summoned, the creature will protect you selflessly and fight on your side.

  Remember! Your harn is a living creature, which requires love and care. With training and progress, you can obtain a truly powerful ally!

  - Requirements:

  - Intellect — 2.

  - Each use of the amulet expends 20 mana points.

  - Weight: None. Takes no space.

  I feel a brigade of ants marching down my spine. Carefully reading the amulet description again, I leaned my back against the stone wall. The harn meanwhile is placidly crunching through fish heads and guts. And giving a satisfied groan at the same time. So does that mean this big creature is fully under my control? And he will do everything I say like an obedient dog?

  By the way, what does the mana cost on the summoning a
mulet actually mean? Do I have to pay for every command? Or something else?

  If I don’t try, I’ll never know...

  - Would you like to recall your pet?

  - Expends 20 mana points.

  What does it mean recall? I don’t get it. But I have to press on. As mom used to love to say: “nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

  As soon as I answered yes, the unthinkable happened. The harn just disappeared. One minute he’s crunching down fish heads with abandon and a moment later I can’t see either hide or hair of him! To say I was astounded and spooked is to say nothing!