First Draw

by Tim Moon

Lurch slowly ducked his head inside and turned so he could sit down facing the door. His broad shoulders nearly spanned the space between the walls, and he had to lean forward to keep his curved horns from scraping the roof. The minotaur sat down with a thud and leaned his head against the wall, watching Jaron with half-lidded eyes. The shed looked like it might tip over at any moment, so he quickly explained his plan.

  “Now, I’m going to tie your hands and feet,” Jaron said. Lurch’s eyes widened so he patted the air with his hands to settle him down and continued. “Before we push off, I will unlock your collar like I said. By the time you get yourself untied and out of the shed, we will be gone, and you can go your own way. My companions won’t travel with you and besides, I’m sure you can survive the swamp on your own.”

  That seemed to be reasonable enough to calm Lurch. He held out his massive, fur covered hands and watched as he was bound. Jaron had never been great with knots so he hoped the convoluted mess he made would hold long enough for them to escape.

  When he was done, Jaron left Lurch in the shed and walked back towards the boat. Cyprus nearly ran into him when he suddenly appeared from around the corner of the house with one of the pig-nosed cow-camel creatures.

  “What are those things?” Jaron asked. Even as the words spilled forth, he knew he could simply analyze it.

  “This?”

  “Yeah,” Jaron said.

  “You have never seen one before?” Cyprus gaped at him.

  “I saw them yesterday on my way inside,” Jaron said, growing annoyed. “I guess I forgot to ask Myra about her livestock. My bad.”

  Cyprus grinned and patted the animal’s neck. “They are called chakbu and are highly prized. I’m surprised she could afford to have two.”

  Jaron went ahead and analyzed the creature in the hopes of earning at least a little experience.

  You have found a chakbu. Health: 347 Mana: 100 Stamina: 452 Rarity: Uncommon

  Chakbu are domesticated beasts of burden capable of pulling heavy loads over long distances and can be used as livestock, for meat, milk, or harvesting their shaggy mane for textiles. Their humps allow them to retain water for long periods of time and their adaptability to various environments make them prized among people of all regions.

  Jaron looked at the animal in a new light and gave an approving nod.

  “We can sell them when we get to town,” Cyprus said. “It will make this disastrous venture worthwhile.”

  “Are we going to the town where Myra bought the children?”

  “One and the same.”

  “Good. I have a quest there.” Jaron couldn’t wait to deal with it too. He had no patience for people who abused or neglected children like that.

  “You and me both,” Cyprus said. “It seems our paths are in alignment. Perhaps we can help each other?”

  Jaron liked the sound of that. “What is your quest?”

  A wicked grin spreading across his face, Cyprus asked, “How do you feel about performance art?”

  Jaron raised an eyebrow at his friend and groaned, “Uhhh” as a sinking feeling began to grow in his gut.

  16

  The boat felt far less stable with the two chakbu, Cyprus and seven kids. Jaron was surprised the boat even floated with so much weight. Cyprus had found a spare pole so the two of them pole rowed in tandem, doing their best to keep a steady, consistent pace. The two chakbu stood in a single file line with the kids evenly divided on either side and Oubin standing in front to call out obstacles.

  Navigating was much easier than last time. The fog that had hampered his vision before cleared up completely. He had a feeling the fog had been a defensive spell and had dissipated when Myra died. Of course, he couldn’t verify that assertion. The difference was incredible though and had the side benefit of making Fang Marsh feel much less ominous.

  Cyprus apparently knew which way to go, so he was responsible for navigation. He also began to sing something of a shanty.

  Hand over hand, we push and pull

  As we row, here we go

  Through the marsh we slowly float

  As we row, here we go

  Sharkodiles leave us alone

  We just want to go back home

  Hand over hand, we push and pull

  As we row, here we go

  Steady wind push us along

  As we row, here we go

  Keep the pace, nice and strong

  Don’t want to row all day long

  The song continued with several more verses and soon they were all getting into it. The paddling seemed to be less tiring and Jaron even received a small reward.

  Huzzah! Your self-discipline and hard work have paid off. You have gained a bonus of +1 Endurance. Stay on your current path and great things are possible.

  Jaron understood why sailors and others throughout history relied on song to make their daily toils more tolerable. It really did help to keep pace and pass the time.

  Unfortunately, it also drew attention.

  Zora pointed to the starboard side. “Look!” she cried.

  Jaron looked from her to the water in a split second, catching only the faint ripple of water and swirl of duckweed and algae.

  “What was it?” he asked.

  Cyprus shrugged. “I do not-”

  A heavy thud against the hull rocked the boat. Sensing danger, the chakbu snorted and squealed, stomping their feet in agitation. Chandi curled into a ball and began muttering to herself. Sabrina tried to comfort her but Chandi ignored the attention.

  “Keep the animals calm,” Jaron said. He envisioned the spooked creatures causing the boat to flip, dumping them all into the marsh. Could the children even swim?

  The oldest girl, Darya, stood and began to sooth the chakbu closest to her. Oubin turned and stroked the ears of the one behind him. The other kids clung to the edge of the boat and scanned the water for danger.

  “Did we just hit a submerged tree branch or something?” Jaron asked.

  “Listen,” Cyprus said in a whisper.

  Jaron did and heard only the calming whispers of the kids and the nervous snuffles of the beasts. Then he heard the swish of disturbed surface water and glimpsed a disturbance in the muck floating on the water.

  Another bump sent a shiver through the boat’s hull. Zora yelped as she tipped forward over the side where she had been keeping an eye out. Sabrina reached out and grabbed the back of her shirt, pulling her back. Zora sputtered and wiped away wet hair as tears streamed down her cheeks.

  Kwang pointed. “Sharkodile off the port bow.”

  “I see it,” Cyprus said.

  The children squeaked like frightened piglets, which in turn startled the chakbu. The lead beast reared its head back and let out a shrill cry.

  Jaron winced at the sudden racket, feeling both impressed that the boy knew the proper nomenclature for ship directions and annoyed that shouting sharkodile made everyone panic.

  In its terror, the crying chakbu head-butted Oubin, causing the boy to drop like a stone. He hit the boat hull with a thud, and blood began to trickle from a slit on his forehead. The chakbu began to stomp its hooves and Jaron felt truly worried for the boy’s health.

  “Move Oubin so he doesn’t get trampled,” Jaron said.

  Silvano was the first to react and pulled the older boy out of the way. The chakbu’s hoof stomped where Oubin’s leg had been a moment before. The rapidly shifting weight caused the boat to rock precariously back and forth.

  “Hold on,” Cyprus said.

  They both had to stop rowing and crouch down to keep their balance. Jaron tried to calm the children. Their momentum slowed to a halt, leaving them sitting in one place. An easy target making a huge racket.

  Jaron noticed their predicament a second too late.

  A massive sharkodile reared its head up and snapped at edge of the boat. Rows of razor-sharp teeth clacked shut, barely missing Sabrina as she pulled back. That girl’s nerves were steel. She simply got back up and returned to
helping Chandi who was curled in a tight ball.

  Jaron felt a jolt of adrenaline at the sight of the creature and fully realized the reasoning behind its name. The sharkodile’s head matched pictures of the extinct great white sharks that Jaron had seen in school. The pointy snout and row upon row of sharpened teeth were the stuff of nightmares. And these ones could move on land too! Nowhere was safe.

  The chakbu apparently agreed, the frightened beast bounded over the side of the boat like a moron. Its instinct to run dooming it to an almost certain death in the swamp. Jaron felt time slow as the rocking boat catapulted him into the air. He flew backwards in slow motion, as though the gods of Drezkarn wanted to mock the shitty situation they were in by showing it to him millisecond-by-millisecond.

  Then, without warning, time snapped back to full speed and Jaron hit the water with a gigantic splash.

  17

  Warm, murky water surrounded Jaron. Slimy weeds brushed against his feet and legs, sending goosebumps racing down his arms. He shivered at the sensation even as he kicked towards the surface, clawing at the water to reach fresh air. It was a bad replay of his near drowning.

  Screams and splashing assaulted Jaron as soon as his head broke the surface. The boat was now twenty feet away and all but three of its occupants had fallen overboard. Cyprus, Kwang and Darya remained on board.

  Jaron quickly spotted Sabrina, Zora, and Silvano in the water. Silvano had an arm around Zora and was pulling her towards the boat. Sabrina had managed to climb up the spider-like roots of a nearby tree. She clung to the tree trunk like a little squirrel, her eyes darting around at the water below.

  Lucky for them, the sharkodile appeared to be content ripping apart one of the chakbu while the other one swam away, proving that survival of the fittest was alive and well. The water around the unfortunate beast churned red. On the plus side, the fresh meat would keep the sharkodile distracted. For now.

  Jaron looked around for the other children. Chandi and Oubin where nowhere to be found. Cyprus turned and spotted Jaron. He started to extend the pole to him, but Jaron waved it away.

  “Help Silvano,” he said, pointing the other direction. “Sabrina, where are Chandi and Oubin? Can you see them?”

  Sabrina looked at him with wide eyes and shook her head.

  He cursed. “Stay there.”

  “Don’t leave me!”

  “You’re safe. We will get you once we find the others,” Jaron said.

  She clutched the tree tighter and began to cry. His heart cracked at the terror radiating from her.

  Oubin had been knocked out before they were thrown overboard by the stupid chakbu that was currently being mauled like sushi at an all-you-can-eat buffet. If they didn’t find him quickly, the boy would drown.

  Jaron’s thoughts were interrupted by a large green and gray sharkodile swimming past him. The wake it gave off buffeted his body, pushing him further away from his friends. Jaron froze in place. The monstrous creature rose near the surface, its low dorsal fin carving a sharp path towards the gore fest. With shocking speed, it darted forward and the carcass began to jerk with renewed frenzy.

  “Cyprus, where are Chandi and Oubin?”

  The Felidarri was pulling Zora aboard. He turned with the girl in his arms. “Chandi was flung on that side.” He nodded towards the churning waters.

  “Oubin?”

  Cyprus shrugged. “I did not see.”

  Unable to see anything from the water, and seriously freaked out by the sharkodiles, Jaron sped towards the boat. He reached it quickly and held the side of the boat. Darya grabbed his arm to help pull him in, but he paused when he spotted movement.

  “Wait, that’s Chandi,” Jaron said.

  He could see her over the boat. She was also hiding among the roots of a tree. Chandi tried to climb the roots like Sabrina had, but her hands couldn’t find purchase. Her flailing churned up the water and Jaron worried it might draw the attention of the sharkodiles.

  How did she end up so far from the boat? And how did she get under the roots?

  Darya let go and looked him in the eye. “I can’t swim. Please save her, Jaron. She’s my friend.”

  You have been offered a quest: Call of the Helpless. Darya has lost her friend overboard, but she cannot swim herself. Will you answer the call to aid? Reward: 100 XP.

  Do you accept?

  Yes or No

  “Yes,” he said.

  Darya gave him a strange yet grateful look.

  Jaron let go of the boat, took a deep breath, and swam underneath. He came up on the other side of the boat and began swimming towards Chandi. His long frame cut through the water quickly using a side stroke. Chandi continued trying to climb the roots.

  “Stop splashing,” Jaron said.

  Breathing heavy by the time he reached her, Jaron glanced at his stamina bar and was shocked to see only 30% remained. He would have to get her back to the boat before he ran out of stamina or they might end up as shark food. She held onto a root, huddle underneath the tree. Considering she had been the caged meal-to-be of the swamp hag, he was surprised Chandi would hide in the cage made by the roots.

  “Come on, I’ve got you.” Jaron reached out a hand. When she didn’t take it, he changed tack. “Can you swim?”

  “I don’t want to go. They’ll get me,” Chandi said, breathless and staring at the chakbu’s rapidly dwindling carcass.

  “They won’t, I’m here and I’ll protect you.”

  She eyed him skeptically.

  “Hey, I killed Myra,” he said defensively. Realizing that wasn’t going to help the situation he tried to lighten the mood. He smiled and quipped, “These guys are nothing compared to her.”

  Chandi shook her head. She stared at him, biting her lip, pure terror etched across her young face. She was dug it worse than a tick so forcing her out would be tough. Time to make the emotional appeal.

  “Darya asked me to come over here and help you,” Jaron said in a calm voice.

  Her eyes widened and she looked at him, then her gaze went to the boat behind him.

  Jaron nodded. “She can’t swim, and she really misses you. Let’s go back to Darya on the boat, okay?” He reached through the roots for her hand. “Come on. We can do this, together.”

  “Okay,” she said softly.

  Jaron mentally sighed in relief. Chandi disappeared underwater, startling him from his thoughts. A second later she appeared beside him. Her gaze was drawn to the slaughter again.

  “This way,” Jaron said, pulling her hand.

  She jerked it back, startled.

  “Go, I’ll be behind you,” he said.

  “Chandi, this way,” Darya called. She knelt at the edge of the boat watching them while Cyprus paddled the boat closer. Sabrina was back on board too, which made Jaron happy.

  Chandi’s swimming technique was seriously lacking. Her feet splashed and her arms flailed wildly like a cartoon character.

  “Stop splashing,” he said. “Swim like I am.”

  She glanced back and watched him for a second. Panic gripped her and she turned away to resume her clumsy freestyle with gusto. Jaron glanced behind him and felt his heart skip a beat.

  “Oh, shit,” he groaned.

  Water plants rippled and swirled away from a pale green dorsal fin headed straight for him. His mind flashed through movie scenes and none of them were good. Why couldn’t they fight on land? At least on land he’d have a chance.

  “Swim faster!” Cyprus shouted at him.

  “Thanks, genius,” Jaron snapped back. He took the advice though.

  Cyprus stopped rowing and began to chant.

  Swampy water, mud and grass,

  sharkodile will bite your ass.

  Swim faster or you will die,

  Flesh and bones become mud pie.

  As disconcerting as the lyrics were, Jaron suddenly felt better about his situation, as if he really had a chance. He felt faster too. Was this a coping mechanism in light of his impending death
?

  A notification clarified things for him.

  Status Effect: You have been inspired by Cyprus Kaedari and gained +50 morale, +25% speed and +25% stamina regeneration. This effect lasts for 1 hour.

  The benefits of a bard, Jaron thought as he began to cut through the water like never before. It looked like he might actually make it to the boat. Darya and Kwang were already hauling Chandi aboard and he wasn’t far behind.

  Cyprus stopped singing and chanted something under his breath. He thrust his hand forward, in Jaron’s direction and a glistening javelin of white energy shot from his paw. The long spear crackled and buzzed through the air as it passed over Jaron’s head, leaving behind the scent of ozone.

  Jaron kept swimming as fast as he could. A loud splash and muffled boom from behind stunned him for a moment. Water rained down around him and then razor-sharp teeth clamped down on his leg with a crunch. Red hot agony made his body tense and the sharkodile pulled him under, cutting off his scream.

  Pain shot through Jaron’s body, emanating from his calf. The red text of his combat log in the lower left of his vision explained:

  Jaron takes 27 points of damage from a level 3 sharkodile bite. You are bleeding for 1 HP per second until bandaged.

  The next line drove home how critical his situation had become.

  You have a fractured bone and must receive healing before you can put weight on your leg. Until then, you are hampered. Agility and movement speed reduced by 50%.

  Jaron’s mind clouded with sensory overload. Darkness blurred the edges of his vision, but he gritted his teeth and fought the urge to give up. The sharkodile swam forward, which pushed him up and allowed his head to surface. Jaron flailed to stay above water as he gasped for breath. Then the sharkodile pulled him down and rolled with his leg still clutched in his jaw. It was all he could do not to pass out.