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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lars Frehse" data-source="post: 240393" data-attributes="member: 1674">The Serpent Amphora -part1Chapter 6- The serpent AmphoraAfter weeks in the dwarven citadel, all of them were happy to be back on the road again. They left the gates of Burok Torn behind and marched northwards.For the next days, each mile they marched brought them a little higher in the mountains, and the air grew ever thinner, and in spite of the summer that had reached the valleys and the plains, here, so close to the stars, it was freezing at night.At noon of their fifth day, they had reached the highest point of their journey. They were between two majestic mountains and to their north, miles below them,  Adurn's Tear was laying peacefully like a mirror in a frame made of rock. All of the heroes stared down intently, captured by the beauty of that sight. Not only was the view beautiful to behold, but it also showed, that the streinous journey through the Kelder mountains was finally drawing to an end.Their revery was abruptly interrupted as a shriek echoed through the mountains. They looked upwards, and above them, they saw a reptilian predator diving down at them!The beast had a long and toothy beak and leathery wings, and at the end of it's tail, there was a vicious tip. Niklas raised his glaive just in time to thrust it at the attacking beast. He missed it, and was hit by one claw and the tail. As the beast hovered for a moment, getting ready to fly up again, it was hit by one of Ben's bullets. Again, it shrieked loudly, deafening the heroes for a short while until it had risen beyond the reach of their bows and crossbows. There it used the updraft to circle over it's prey., lazily beating it's wings every now and then...Meanwhile, the poison from the beast's tail had paralyzed Niklas who was now standing stiff as a statue. Fearing a return of the beast, the other ones kept their weapons, bows, crossbow and sling aimed at the sky, as Ben explained: "That predator is called a spirewyvern. It's poison paralyzes for some hours, but afterwards, Niklas should be fine. I am surprised it attacked us- it must be having young ones to attack a group of our size..."Still aiming his Crossbow to the sky, Jan asked:"And, do you think it will come back?"Ben shrugged:" I really don't know. Usually a spirewyvern waits for it's prey to be completely paralyzed... Now, in this case, our presence probably confuses it. After all, a flock of mountain goats would have run away in fear, leaving the victim of the initial attack behind. It really depends on how hungry it is...".Then, anticipating the next question, Ben added: "And I really can't tell how hungry it is from looking at it!".They were still debating as the Spirewyvern decided to give an answer itself by diving down at them again.As soon as it was in range, they shot their missiles at it, but only a bullet hit and before they could shoot again, it was already over Bristian, one of their mules. Again, it used it's sting on the poor beast of burden, which was screaming in terror, and dodging yet another volley of missiles, it flew up again.Again, it circled high above them, and Jan, annoyed by the hit and run tactic the beast had used so far, walked away from the group, banging his sword against his shield and shouting up to it, all the while. Seeing one of it's prey seperate from the group, the spirewyvern dove down again. This time, an arrow and a bolt hit the creature in the body, and Jan too was able to hit it with his sword before he was struck down by it's mighty talons.Again, the beast flew up, and deciding that these strange creatures were too much trouble, circled only once and then returned to it's nest high up in the mountains.Relieved, Ben turned his attention to Jan, who had lost conciousness. Then, after Jan had recovered, they wrapped Bristian and Niklas into blankets and waited till they had regained control of their limbs. Keeping a wary eye on the sky, they marched on.For the next days, they went downwards, and after a while, there were plants again, and soon they had to shed some of their clothes, since the heat of the young summer made them sweat under their coats and scarves. As they went down, they at last saw signs of civilization again, as well. A shepherd leading his sheep up to a meadow and a forager of healing herbs were the clearest sign that they were among the divine races again.Then, one evening, they reached a small village at the shore of Adurn's tear, and there were busy people everywhere. Some peasants were putting benches and tables on a field outside of the village, while others were carrying heavy kegs of beer and wine. There were boats in the small harbor, but none looked as if they were leaving soon. It seemed as if everyone was busy preparing a festivity.Niklas turned to one of the farmers who had just helped putting up a small tent: "Greetings god man. What is the name of this village and what are you all doing here?"The peasant answered:" Ah, you don't know? Well, this village here is Trela. But you sure must know what day it is tomorrow?"Jan shook his head:" No. You see, my friends and me had spent a long time in the Kelders, and I have to admit that there we had lost track of the passage of the days...""Ah! Well, sir, tomorrow will be the first corday of Chardot- divinities day! There will be a big feast and several contests. There will be footraces, duels, an archery competition, horse rounds, and a bardic competition. All in honor of Chardun and Corean!".After a long trek through the mountains, the young adventurers congratulated themselves for such good luckwith their timing. Of course they would use this opportunity and join the fun!They got rooms for the night, and on the next morning, Niklas stood ready to participate in the first event, the footrace.</blockquote>

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