Dragon Hero II: Bounty of the Blood Witch

by C Woodward

  Torkuhl finished his second large bowl of soup by chugging the last of it, “Great stuff! I am beginning to like this place! Food and fighting!” Jerak replied with a mouthful of bread, “Maybe we should train a bit as well. Oh, wait. I’m your next sparring partner, Blake.” I nodded, at least I know Jerak won’t hit hard as Torkuhl.

  After our good, filling lunch, I was able to rest long enough to let it digest somewhat. My body already felt weak, but I had to bear with it. Master Kelv glanced at me and walked to the training supplies again. My heart sank as he brought out more weights. These had iron plates. He tossed them to me. I sighed and put them on over the other weights. Now, I really could hardly move. I guess, he really meant it when he said he was going to make me work harder. He must have suspected how tough a fight with Torkuhl would be, so he gave me only one set of weights for that bout.

  Master Kelv nodded and waved for Torkuhl to come so the Master could talk with him. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but Jerak cleared his throat, “So, are you ready?”

  I lowered my head, “I guess so.” He grinned and then came at me.

  What Jerak lacked in brute force, he made up with speed. I couldn’t block even one of his hits. He taunted me, “Aw, come on, you are better than this!” I tried to attack, but he dodged me and then hit me. There was no way I could match him in speed. Actually, I saw the point of this exercise. I was slow while Jerak was quick. I needed to figure out how to fight him with a different speed. Compared to the Blood Witch, Jerak and I both moved slowly. Now, Jerak was still fast while I was slow. If I could find a way to match or beat him, there might be a way for me to keep up with her! I felt a glimmer of hope. Jerak halted that hopeful feeling by a swift smack to the top of my head.

  I got no rest, except for a couple of minutes getting something to drink or making a trip to the bathroom. I was surprised to see plumbing, but nothing modern or fancy. It was essentially a big hole with a water pump to channel the mess outside. I found myself needing to hydrate often. The only progress I saw were in Jerak’s movements. I was moving much too slow to take much advantage of him.

  Torkuhl was helping Kelv in an exercise which mostly involved shoving and hitting trainees who were trying to use shields for defense. Torkuhl seem to be enjoying knocking them flat on their backs. Master Kelv looked amused watching and ordering his trainee’s to get back up just to be knocked down again. Jerak tapped me with a training weapon, “Let’s keep going!” I sighed and put my helmet back on.

  After more rounds than I could recall, dinner was ready. I assumed we would have soup and bread again. The trainees lined up to get inside to the kitchen. Master Kelv and Torkuhl came walking over. Master Kelv came over to me, “So, how have you liked your first day, so far?” I laughed but was too tired to even think of anything clever to say. He patted me on the shoulder, “Keep going. When these trainees are done with dinner, you three may eat.” He walked past us toward the kitchen.

  I walked out of our ring to grab a wet towel from a small wooden bucket. This was the closest thing to a shower I had. I had wiped sweat off my face so many times today that I wondered if there was any water left in the bucket and not just a bunch of my sweat. Torkuhl sat down on a bench outside of the ring, “That Kelv is one funny guy. He made all those guys line up just to have me knock them down!”

  Jerak raised an eyebrow, “That’s funny?” Torkuhl laughed, “Wait, the best part is, he makes them get back up and they do it over and over again, just to be knocked down!” Jerak and I didn’t laugh; we knew Torkuhl was easily amused.

  Another hour passed before the trainees started to leave the kitchen. I happily put away my protective gear and wooden sword. Jerak and Torkuhl were happy as well, but mostly because of the food. Our meal was the same as lunch, but I was just thankful to be resting and eating. Kelv approached us and sat across from me. While swallowing some food, I asked “So, how long do I wear both set of weights?” He just laughed, but I was serious since merely lifting my spoon felt like a chore.

  With his mouth full, Jerak asked Kelv, “How long does your training usually take?” Kelv glanced out the door so he could view the recruits who were running a lap around the main room, “Normally, it takes about twelve weeks, sometimes a little more.”

  Jerak whispered to me, “I don’t think it will take that long to get your armor finished.” I rolled my eyes. Kelv glanced at me, “I was told you would be here for about two weeks, hardly enough time for proper training.” He let out a long drawn-out sigh, “You are much better qualified than any of them out there. I have no doubt that anyone who has accomplished as much as you have is even at same level as those young ones.” I nodded and then took another bite of bread. He glanced back outside, “I am making you work harder than any of them to make up for lost time. However, your body might be holding you back the harder you work.” Jerak laughed.

  Kelv gave Jerak a blank stare, “What?”

  Jerak swallowed his food, “You said that Blake’s body will hold him back!”

  Kelv raised a brow, “Your point?”

  Jerak continued, “Blake heals faster than anyone!”

  Kelv’s raised both eyebrows and he turned to me, “Is that true?”

  I nodded, “Yes, I heal quite fast.”

  Jerak chimed in, “A week ago he was slashed in the face and it cut through some bone.” Jerak pointed to my face where the wound was.

  I sighed, “I think he understands where my face is.”

  He argued, “I was trying to show where you were wounded.” Kelv put his hands on the table, “That is remarkable! If you can heal that fast from a major wound, then soreness and a few bruises would be nothing!” He stood up and appeared very excited, “You know what this means?” He pointed at me, “It means whenever your muscles get worked to their limit, your body will heal in no time compared to a normal man.”

  Jerak look at him, “Then he will get stronger, faster, right?” Kelv smiled, “Right!” He took a few steps away from the table then turned and looked back at me, “That means, I can get you to work harder than I have ever made anyone work!” I swallowed a big mouthful of my food.

  Once again, we met back out in the ring. Master Kelv paced a bit in front of me, “You already know how to fight and anything you have learned has been from experience.” Jerak and I looked at each other; Torkuhl was still finishing up his meal. Kelv continued “You have given me a chance to mold you!” I stared back, “Mold me?”

  He smiled, “Normally, if I work them really hard, I had to let them have time for their bodies to relax enough before getting them going again. But, you only rest when you need to sleep.”

  His comment made me think that it might have been a bad idea to let him know about my healing capabilities. Kelv went on, “Since I don’t need to waste time teaching you the basics of combat and the things a future cleric or paladin will need to know, I can just get you doing things pure and simple!”

  Jerak let out a yawn, “So, what will Blake doing now?”

  Master Kelv stared at me, “He will be doing pretty much the same as today, but harder!”

  After his little speech, I got to rest a little bit. Kelv went on, “After you let your food seep into your gut, I want you to spar with the big guy for a bit before heading to bed. You should sleep well after that!”

  Torkuhl displayed an evil grin, grabbed a sparring sword and stepped into the middle of the ring. I groaned a bit and tried not to think of tomorrow.

  Jerak let out a yawn, “I am just going to sleep until I am needed.” Torkuhl nodded “Have a good sleep.” I had hoped to ditch the weights before I fought Torkuhl, but it seemed like they will stay on for the most of my stay there. A hard impact knocked me on my back. “Pay attention!” Torkuhl grunted. I moaned a bit as he helped me back up. Yes, the best thing was to empty my mind and go with the flow.

  After the beat down, I limped toward the sleeping quarters. “Sorry about your leg,” Torkuhl apologized. I shrugged, “I’ll be fine, just
so tired.” I looked around and saw that most of the trainees were sound asleep. It took me a moment to remember where I put my stuff. Torkuhl said something to me but I only mumbled back, waved and then sat on my cot. It felt so good to remove the weights. It felt like I was almost light enough to float. There was a folded blanket on the cot, which I used as a pillow by dropping my head on it. I closed my eyes and I was instantly in dreamland.

  I opened my eyes hearing someone yelling. It was supposed to be a wakeup call. I groaned since it felt like I had slept for only five minutes. My body was sore but I did manage to put on my weights. Torkuhl and Jerak woke up in better spirits than I did. Everyone was marching in for breakfast. I walked mindlessly to the back of the line. A few of the trainees were whispering to each other and staring at me. The two in front of me in the line started to talk to me. My brain wasn’t awake enough to even comprehend a word, so I just smiled and nodded. I think they got the hint that I was still half asleep and left me alone. I finally made it to front of the line and got some mush from a large pot. Apparently, we get something different for morning meals.

  While eating, I was tempted to use the bowl of mush as a pillow. Jerak and Torkuhl soon joined me at the table. I think I ate half of my mush before leaning away from the table and letting my eyes close. The trainees had gone outside and Master Kelv was giving them another speech before they started their day. I figured the three of us didn’t need to attend.

  After breakfast, I walked back to the barracks to get my gear on. Master Kelv walked over to me, “So, how are you feeling today?”

  I stared at him, “Tired and sore.” He laughed, “Well, I would expect that after the first day, but you will live!” He turned around to yell at a few trainees for being slow in an exercise. He turned back to me and gave a slight smile, “Well, for you today, you are going to fight, one on one, against your friends here.” He scratched his nose and then yelled at the trainees to go run a lap. “Fighting two at a time is a good lesson about being humble, but you will learn more by fighting one on one. You will be challenged with the weights holding you back.” Jerak and Torkuhl were talking to each other about who would go first.

  For the rest of the morning, I fought and fought again. Like yesterday, my only breaks were when I needed water or to wipe the sweat from my face. Lunch was a blessing, even though it was soup and bread. My mind occasionally wandered. I worried about the other guys and Talestria. I really dreaded the fact that I would be here for at least two weeks. After lunch, I fought some more. The bruises I had yesterday had healed and today, I got a few more, thanks to Torkuhl. Master Kelv came by occasionally to observe and gave a few orders. I really didn’t see any improvement from yesterday, but I figured all of it would help me in the long run. I started to miss Jerak’s on-the-road training methods we used before we got to Vunash.

  At dinner, I ate more than I would normally eat. I guessed my body required more nutrients now that it’s working overtime. I knew I was out-eating Jerak, but Torkuhl still remained the winner of any eating contest.

  “Hey, Master Kelv,” I said, shortly after my second bowl of soup.

  He walked over, “Yes?”

  I smiled, “Do you know any special techniques that I should learn while I’m here?” He looked me in the eye and asked, “Want to know my secret?” I nodded. He stared quietly for a moment then he leaned back and said loudly, “Experience! You already know the basics of fighting. Fancy moves might bode well with entertainers and elves, but in a real fight, you have to expect the unexpected. The only way to train for that is more fighting!” He sighed, “Now, go back out there and sweat some more!” I shrugged, finished my meal and went back into the ring.

  This pattern went on for three days. I ate, slept, and sparred. Jerak and Torkuhl were starting to get tired of it. Master Kelv tried to keep them interested with new ways to make the trainee’s miserable. One way involved Torkuhl sparring with some of them. After seeing what he did to them, I no longer felt bad about doing poorly. I thought that I would be doing other things, like running and pushups, but Kelv thought I was strong enough. I can get stronger anyway by fighting while wearing the weights.

  I felt a little better as I got more used to rising earlier. On the fifth day, a few hours after breakfast, we had a guest arrive into the pit, (my name for the place). The man arrived wearing nice paladin armor. He was middle-aged and had some grey hair in his hair and beard. It was Clagmir.

  I was covered in sweat and was happy to see him. He recognized me instantly and waved. “Ah, Blake! It’s good to see you” he said cheerfully. He looked around, “This place holds many memories for me.”

  Master Kelv jogged over, “Clagmir!” The two shook hands and patted each other on the shoulder.

  Clagmir laughed, “Kelv, you ugly beast! Still tormenting the cadets?”

  Kelv laughed as well, “Always! Someone has to do it.” They walked over toward us.

  “I see Kelv has been running you ragged” Clagmir said cheerfully. I nodded, turned and shook his hand.

  Kelv smiled, “So, what are you doing in my area?”

  Clagmir looked at me, “I came back yesterday after checking out Torclyn and had an interesting chat with Falstrid.”

  Kelv scratched the side of his head, “Falstrid? What did he want?”

  Clagmir lifted a brow, “He updated me on events with our friend here.” Clagmir told Kelv a bit of what Falstrid told him; about the Blood Witch and Forren. Jerak, my sparring partner at the time, forced me to keep fighting. After their conversation, Clagmir called for me. I didn’t reply right away, then Jerak nailed me with the wooden sword. I walked over to the bucket to wipe my face, “Yes?”

  Clagmir smiled, “I was supposed to tell you that Teltar and his group are fine. They are in Vunash right now, and know that you and Jerak are alright.”

  Jerak cheered, “That’s good to know.” I was relieved that they were fine. Clagmir continued, “They know of your current plans and are mostly idle for now, but they understand what you are doing.” He paused and reached into his pack. He pulled out a rolled up piece of paper, “Oh, when you take your next break, Falstrid suggested that you write your wife.”

  I grabbed rolled up piece of paper and smiled, “Good idea. It will be good to update her. I bet she is worried sick.”

  Clagmir chuckled, “I was told to not mention where she is. Once I reach Vunash, I will send it.” I can only assume that Teltar or Falstrid will take the letter to someone connected to the dwarves and bring it in Trawlast for her. I am just relieved that my other friends are fine and that I have a way contact Talestria.

  I sat the rolled up paper on a bench near by and went back to training. Clagmir and Kelv watched a few rounds before walking over to the trainees to give some speech followed by more work. I pondered about what to write to Talestria which distracted me a bit during the bouts with Jerak. Thankfully, lunch time arrived and after the cadets had their meal, we went in to eat.

  I was handed an inkwell and a quill by one of the priests. I sat apart from Jerak and Torkuhl. I wanted some privacy. I unrolled the blank piece of paper and began writing: “Dear Talestria, it has been too long since we’ve been together and there hasn’t been a waking moment that I haven’t wished we were together. I met up with my friend Jerak, who brought his brother along to aid me. We came across the one who was responsible for our troubles. His name is Forren Grubska, and he employed a few other goons just to get at me. In Torclyn, I encountered the Blood Witch again and ended up on a ship to the Entry Isles. I met some of the Dragon Folk, which I found out are called Draykens and they were really interesting. I recommend that we visit there once times are better. I found a way that might help let me be able to defeat the Blood Witch and hopefully free you of that seal. I am currently enchanting the armor you gave me. I don’t think I need to explain the reason why or how long it will take. I am making the most of my time by training very hard every day so I can be stronger. I feel so bad for leaving you there, but
I feel better knowing you are out of harm’s way. I miss you greatly and look forward to being with you again. I love you!”

  I shed a few tears and tried not let any fall on the letter. Writing it made me miss her even more. I took a moment to wipe any moisture from my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I signed the bottom of the letter and blew on it to dry the ink. I was happy I could send her this. It will ease her mind. After the ink dried, I rolled the scroll back up and tied it with the string that I was given. I walked over and handed it to Clagmir. I guess there was still a sign of redness in my eyes, since he just gave me a nod. He carefully placed it in his pack, “I will see this is sent as soon as I can.” He smiled and waved to us, “Train hard! I will be back in a week or two!” I waved until he was out of sight. My soup was probably cold now.

  I didn’t really know what happened out in Torclyn when Clagmir was there. I assumed that Forren and his minions were searching for my whereabouts. They could be near Vunash, since they knew of Teltar and his association with me. I was thankful that they were fine. I worried about an attack on them just to get at me. Forren and his creeps would be crazy to attack them in Vunash. Worry wouldn’t help me or them now. The only thing I could do was train like crazy and hope it would be enough.

  It was now day eight, and I couldn’t say there was a whole lot going on here. I was seeing some improvement from the training. I was still getting beaten badly and Torkuhl already broke a training sword. I have added a little more weight on my wrists and ankles. Even if my combat skills didn’t improve, I knew I would be stronger by the end of this. I hoped to hear quickly from Talestria. I tried to figure out how long it would take my letter to get from Vunash to Halatross, and then from Halatross to Trawlast and back. It would take around eight days unless there was some type of pony express in Talamyr. Then, it would take the same amount of time for her letter to come back. Well, she should hear from me in maybe five more days. That, at least, was something.