The Road to Red Thorn

by Blaine Hicks

  The banter didn’t alert the rabbit to their presence since the conversation, as always, was through some sort of mental connection. Radley decided to maintain his tactic of starting the fight with a surprise attack and circled to the blind side of the rabbit before closing in towards it. He analyzed the rabbit:

  White Jade Hare - 36 HP

  Battle consideration: This hare is level 3. You could kill it with one hand tied behind your back. Maybe you should try it that way!

  The battle consideration was somewhat comforting. Radley chose to start with his Ice Spear. This spell required him to hold his arm forward with his palm facing out and recite a longer than usual incantation. It took four seconds to cast the spell and as he chanted the rabbit’s ears perked up. It turned to find the source of the sound as the spell completed and a shard of ice formed in mid-air directly in front of Radley’s palm. The ice hung there, suspended in space for just a moment, then shot forward like a rocket. It crossed the space between them before the small animal even saw it coming. The impact was violent, like throwing a heavy stone through a snowman. The rabbit was instantly converted into a wet mist of fur, guts and gore that peppered the trees around the area. Nothing lootable remained.

  Great. The grendel projected, It’s dead. Let's go find some other helpless creatures to kill. Despite the familiars mocking Radley wore a wide smile as the set off again.

  The forest around them began to grow brighter until they cleared the trees completely and stepped into the afternoon sun shining on the banks of a broad brown river. The murky water lay directly in their path and flowed quickly from west to east. It was filled with sticks and debris in addition to dark muddy water and did not look inviting. Radley could swim but wasn’t very anxious to try it since he probably needed skill proficiency to do it in this world.

  Radley felt relieved to finally be free of the trees. The better news was that he could also see the black smoke clearly above the trees on the opposite bank. He was close. From this proximity, they appeared as several plumes of smoke, not one. They combined into a great black cloud that was carried away in the wind. It was certainly an encouraging sight after so long in the dark forest.

  What now little bird? the grendel asked with genuine interest, but Radley wasn't sure of his next move. He needed more information.

  “Is there a place to cross?” he asked instead of answering.

  The grendel replied We have passed through many territories since leaving my own. I have not been to this river since I was very small. I know of no place to cross nor do I desire to find one.

  “Maybe we can swim over?” Radley asked.

  No! the grendel responded definitively. These waters are not safe to enter. Not for little birds or even mighty grendel!

  Radley flipped a mental coin and turned right to follow the bank downstream. “Then we have to find another way. Maybe there will be a crossing if we follow the river.” The grendel gave no acknowledgement and simply followed Radley in silence.

  Around the first bend in the river a familiar obstacle came into view; the dark leafy vine of the forest sundew. The dangerous appendage lay motionless along the ground, extending from the forest’s edge, down the muddy bank and into the turbid water. Radley was amazed that the vines extended this far north from the ant hill. While his route hadn’t exactly been direct, he was more than a full day’s walk from his house. That had to be more than twenty miles. If the sundew had this much hunting range in every direction, it was truly a formidable predator.

  Radley stopped in his tracks and warned the grendel of the danger. “Careful” he said “that vine is deadly.”

  Of course it is, the grendel snapped impatiently. You cannot live in the sundew's forest and not recognize its vines. Grendel are taught from an early age to avoid these. Confusion began to cross the grendel's face when Radley continued forward. You must avoid that vine, the familiar said more insistently.

  Radley paraphrased the plant’s description to the grendel. “They only become aggressive when touched.” He planted one foot in front of the vine and with an exaggerated step, arched his other leg up and over the motionless cord of thorns. As he straddled the vine, he looked back at the grendel who stood frozen in mid-stride with a horrified look on its face. Its jaw hung open in disbelief as it watched Radley’s proximity to certain death.

  With a heave and a grunt, Radley pulled his trailing foot up and over to join him on the far side, then added some distance between himself and the deadly vine.

  The grendel recovered from its apparent shock and projected its recent realization, You are not a baby bird. You are a suicidal egg seeking the warmth of a snake's mouth on a winter day. You do not fathom the danger of what you do. Radley gave his best ‘give it a rest’ pose and waved the comment away. “Come on. I want to get there before dark.”

  The grendel didn’t move and said, Grendel do not cross the sundew vines. Then it sat down on its haunches as if the matter was settled.

  “You’re scared of dis wittle vine?” Radley asked in a baby voice. “I thought you were a powerful beast but you're getting turned around by dis wittle ting?” Baby talk was a childish tactic but the grendel was apparently unfamiliar with it and it worked like a charm.

  I am not scared, the grendel contested vehemently. It was obviously affronted by any insinuation of weakness. But stronger grendel than I have been brought low by a misplaced step on a sundew vine. We would be wise to try a different route.

  The grendel was practically pleading but Radley ignored the unusually well-reasoned arguments and continued to jeer the grendel, hoping to goad it to follow him. “Your saying that this little bird over here,” Radley indicated at himself with both hands, “is braver than you?”

  To his relief, the grendel rose again to all fours and slowly approached the vine. It snorted in irritation and said, Stupidity and bravery are the same thing until you know the outcome. What makes some stupid and others brave is accurately predicting those results. The familiar continued talking as it carefully crossed over the deadly vine with the same exaggerated steps that Radley had used. These vines are faster than a striking snake and contain a potent toxin. It paralyzes anything it touches then pulls its prey into a gaping maw from where there is no return.

  Radley jokingly asked, “And slowly digests prey over a thousand years?”

  The vague pop-culture reference was lost on the grendel who was now safely on Radley's side of the vine but in a foul mood. No, it answered gruffly, what kind of idiot are you? Not a thousand years. That would be impossible. They feed daily. Just imagine the space in its gut that would be required for so many creatures digesting together. That makes no sense. It digests prey over several weeks… It paused, then looked pointedly at Radley and added ...but I think even that would be more pain than you would likely wish to repeat.

  Radley didn’t answer. The familiar was probably right but he didn’t want to admit that. The grendel was done with the conversation. It had never expected to cross a vine in its entire life and really didn’t like being taunted. It pushed its way passed Radley to walk alone for a while.

  Radley wanted to apologize and after a few minutes had finally talked himself into swallowing his pride. “Hey, sorry I…”

  Before he could finish his sentence, a muscular tendril slid from the water and grasped onto a boulder protruding from the mud along the riverbank. Holding the stone for support, a green monster heaved itself out of the river.

  The creature was obviously some type of plant and was covered in deep green leaves interlocked together like scales. It was headless with five long arms that split at each end into three smaller appendages like fingers. It was reminiscent of an agile green starfish. It wore tight silver bands like bracelets on each appendage just before where they split into fingers. It's only other visible equipment was an “X” shaped leather strap that encircled its center like a harness.

  As soon as it was free of the water it lurched forward towards the grendel with amazi
ng speed. It moved on three legs with two writhing appendages extending forward. These quickly coiled around the grendel's wrists and forcefully lifted the grendel into the air. The familiar was slammed backwards into the mud knocking an audible breath from its lungs. The appearance and immediate attack happened so quickly that the grendel was pinned before it even registered the attack was coming. It was engulfed in the monster’s grapple as two more limbs wrapped themselves tightly around its ankles and pinned it in place.

  CH 27 The Star of Death

  Radley was standing further back than the grendel and had more warning as the large plant rose from the river. He selected his magnifying glass icon to identify it just as it charged:

  Elder Star-Creeper - 1750 HP (aggro)

  Star-Creepers are mobile plants with sentient minds. They have five identical appendages which can be used as a foot or hand at any given time. Star-Creepers are cunning and use tools and weapons. Like many creatures of darkness, they are driven by a lust for wealth and riches. Elder Star-Creeper are hybrid mages that wield simple defensive and offensive spells. They are aggressive when hunting for food or seeking profit.

  Battle consideration: This Star-Creeper is level 64. Attacking this creature is a very bad idea but that's never stopped you before.

  By the time the description washed over Radley, the star-creeper and grendel were locked in mortal combat but having five limbs gave the sentient plant an advantage. From a sheath on its back the fifth limb, that had previously been a foot, reached back and began to draw a large gleaming knife. Radley didn't hesitate to intervene since the attacker's attention was focused on the grendel. He uttered his incantation for stone fist and the end of his arm solidified into a gleaming purple crystal with jagged knuckles. As the star-creeper’s knife slid free of the leather sheath and came around to stab the grendel's unprotected ribs, Radley smashed his crystalline fist into what seemed to be the plant’s wrist. The spell discharged, shattering jagged shards into the enemy. The attack did almost no damage and left only scratches but the plant’s three fingered grasp on the weapon faltered and the heavy knife tumbled through its fingers towards the ground.

  Radley's snake reflexes were fast and as he pulled his hand back from the attack, he managed to catch the blade by its pommel before it hit the ground. The star-creeper was caught off guard, but its reflexes were even faster and as Radley's fingers closed around the knife, he was hit with a powerful backhand from the same limb. He was thrown back in the direction he’d come, and the knife spun from his grasp into the woods. He slid to a stop on the muddy bank having lost 38 HP from the distracted blow. The momentary lapse in the attacker’s attention, however, gave the grendel an opening to counterattack. The grendel broke a foot free from the creeper’s grasp and kicked. The star-creeper was shoved backward, forcing it to let go and the grendel was able to charge after it as it stumbled backward. The familiar took the plant to the ground, landing on top of it. The force of the impact stunned the star-creeper and the grendel followed up with a brutal bite between the junction of two limbs. Getting through the star-creeper's skin was like biting into solid wood but the grendel’s fangs were able to penetrate into the softer flesh beneath.

  Radley stumbled to his feet, still dizzy, and watched the battle. He wanted to help but he wasn’t sure how. For the moment, the grendel seemed to have an advantage. Green drops of fluid oozed from the bite wound but the star-creeper thrashed wildly until several of its limbs were freed from the weight of the grendel's body. In an amazing feat of strength, the star-creeper lifted itself on three legs like a kitchen stool throwing the grendel with its remaining arms. The grendel’s jaw slipped free and it landed hard a few feet away. Before it could recover, a hissing incantation like a static burst on a radio emanated from the center of the star-creeper. The ground where the familiar had landed began to erupt with green vines that whipped around it and locked the familiar flat against the ground.

  At the same time, Radley finished casting his newest spell and a glittering ice spear shot across the space between them, impacting into the star-creeper's back. With its attention focused on the grendel, the shard of ice scored a ‘critical hit’ which flashed in the air at the moment of impact. The surprise attack reduced a fifth of the star-creeper's health bar, dropping it into the yellow range.

  The star-creeper didn't find this even a little funny and turned away from the grendel who was still pinned down by the tangle of wood. The star-creeper scramble towards Radley with its odd-legged gait like an incensed five-legged spider. Radley wanted no part of a direct confrontation and turned to run. He wished fleeing was a skill that could level because he was getting so much practice. It wasn’t, but running was, and his 13 points in agility helped him skip across the rocks and avoid the deepest mud.

  Despite his fleet footwork, the level difference between hunter and prey was too great for him to get away. The creeper closed in and its wiry limb lashed out, hitting him just below the buttocks like a bullwhip. The attack was meant to be disabling so the star-creeper could deal a killing blow, but the powerful creature underestimated the physical difference between them. Radley was so under-leveled that the attack sent him tumbling through the air again and put desperate distance between them.

  Pain radiated through Radleys lower quarter leaving his leg completely numb and taking away another 34 HP. Without his new levels and points in constitution, this would have been a death blow. Radley was both stunned and immobilized. He lay still as the world around him danced in rhythmic patterns of light and shadow. When his senses returned, both debuffs were fading and the swirling lights he could see slowed to become a view of the setting sun. Somehow, he was still alive. He moaned and rolled over to get a view of the battle.

  The star-creeper had returned its attention to the grendel, leaving Radley for dead and had managed to pin the familiar in another death hold. The momentary distraction had given the grendel precious time to break free of the magic bindings, but it was quickly losing the battle.

  Radley lifted himself out of the muck. His leg burned from the impact but was mostly functional again. He did his best to push the pain from his mind and began chanting another spell; this time, attempting to cast his earth darts for the first time. When he finished the incantation, six stone projectiles fired from his palm in rapid succession. As the bolts formed in his palm and fired, they pushed him backwards like the recoil of a gun. It was his only spell with a kick, and he hadn’t been prepared for it. Consequently, only four of the six bolts found their target, slamming in quick succession along the creeper’s armored back. The remaining two bolts passed harmlessly overhead. Once again, the attack from behind took the star-creeper by surprise but this time, it did not incur a critical hit and the effect on its health was minor.

  The star-creeper was again forced to fight on two fronts. It was stronger and faster by a wide margin but wasn’t equipped to fight this way. The strategy of separating its focus gave Radley and the grendel a small chance.

  The creature’s eyes were located on the end of each arm and one flipped around to see how this tiny pest could still be alive. The grendel took advantage of the distraction again and pivoted around to get some leverage against a nearby tree. It braced a leg against the base of the tree and pushed. This wasn't a huge improvement for the grendel, but the new position allowed it to press the star-creeper against a large boulder and return some damage. The star-creeper was still winning the overall battle and this time, it wouldn’t forget Radley. It began another offensive spell again sounding like a long static burst on the radio. When it finished three seconds later, Radley was hit with a mental attack that forced him to stagger backwards. He was overcome with despair as he suddenly realized how hopeless everything was. What was he even doing out here in the forest? How could he even fight this creature? He had to give up!

  Radley slowly turned towards the river. He had decided that drowning himself would probably be the easiest way to solve things. He took a step towards the tu
rbulent flowing river. Nearly any other level 6 creature would have succumbed to the utter despair that wracked Radley and drown in the river, but Radleys obscenely high willpower saved him. It hung onto the sanity of raged thoughts and resisted, You’re better than suicide. You’ll just respawn anyway. Don't do this!

  These slivers wedged deeper into his consciousness and gave his own desires some traction. Other truths began to invade his mind. You’ve done pretty well so far. That water looks really dirty and won't taste very good. If you’re going to die, why not die fighting?! All at once the spell crumbled and Radley realized what he had almost done. He was one step from the water’s turbulent edge, but the spell had failed to push him over the side.

  When he turned back to the struggling creatures, they had moved further down the bank towards the river. The star-creeper had lost a strip of its leafy armor and was dripping copious amounts of brown sap from the gash. The grendel was still fighting for air.

  Most of Radley’s spells were on cooldown except his fire palm and getting close enough to use that would be very risky. He only had 18 HP remaining so even a glancing blow would finish him off. He would get only one chance.

  As Radley worked on a plan, one of the star-creeper's limbs broke free from its position. It hadn’t forgotten about him. Even with its attention split and four limbs occupied with the grendel battle, the plant wanted him dead. Its fifth arm grabbed a nearby stone and threw it towards him with the force of a cannonball. Radley recognized what it intended to do and was already dodging when the rock was thrown. Even with the anticipation and quick reflexes, the rock only missed his face by a hair’s width. If it had connected, there would have been nothing left.

  Radley knew the star-creeper wasn’t likely to miss again and by the time he had recovered from his sideways dive, it was already reaching for another stone. He changed direction and charged towards the deadly plant and shouted the incantation for his final spell. He closed the gap as the beast reared back to throw but Radley made it in time. He lunged forward to slam his burning hand down onto the monster's exposed underbelly. The fire spell discharged, spreading over the plant more quickly than Radley expected. Fire it seemed, was the plant's weakness. After only moments, it was completely engulfed in bright flames. This was bad news for the grendel whose head was surrounded by the burning limbs.