Once the decision was made it all came down to planning. We decided quickly that a return to Itlan before heading toward the dragon was pointless. We were all already in our best arms and armor since we were prepared for ambushes and fights while escorting Tristus. We also all knew that if it came down to a fight with the dragon, a new chainmail shirt wasn’t going to make a lick of difference.

The first thing we decided we needed to do was to give me a day to recover. Even after the health potion had done its work I was feeling rough after our encounter with Rancor. Zev and Tib put together a makeshift sled that could carry me, and Tib took responsibility for dragging it through the woods. I felt guilty about laying down while everyone else was working, but every time I went to move I’d feel a painful jolt, so I eventually settled into it without too much fuss.

We started our path toward the dragon by following the trail Rancor had left in his cursed rage. We encountered a number of fallen trees, a shattered stone the size of a car, and the eviscerated remains of several animals. I was both terrified and impressed by all of it. I was certain that whatever class I took at level 10 would be powerful, but as strong as Rancor was while he was in a rage? That was extremely doubtful. I'd actually received 2000 XP from our fight with him, and considering how much that had to have been divided by between the party, he must've been extraordinarily powerful.

Zevrack, Millicent and Patience were walking a short way ahead of Tib, while Nica scouted ahead for everyone to keep us on track. Tristus walked alongside my sled, having a bit of trouble in his efforts to keep up with the rest of the party. “You gonna give me a turn on that thing?” He asked, gesturing to the sled.

“I’m not sure. I think Tib may have some trouble pulling you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just mean, with your weight, I don’t see how he could pull you.”

Tristus shook his head. “I’m a head shorter than you and quite a bit smaller. If he can pull you, I don’t see how I would be a problem.”

“Tsk, I think you’re forgetting to add in the weight of your oversized personality. That adds easily one to two-hundred pounds.”

Tib let out something between a laugh and a snort.

Tristus looked up at him. “Did you just chortle at me?”

Tib shook his head. “No cousin. Just had something in my throat.”

I smiled. “I’m just giving you a hard time, Tris. I don’t have much else to occupy my thoughts other than quips and retorts while I’m being dragged around like this.”

Tristus shook his head. “And here I thought the only one you gave a hard time to was Patience.”

That drew another chortle from Tib.

I looked up at him. “That’s a brave chortle from a guy that thinks he and Nica are being subtle.”

This time, Tristus laughed as Tib blushed.

“If you’re well enough for japes like that perhaps you're up for walking after all,” responded Tib, stopping.

I made a slight motion to see if that was possible, but the strain shortly proved that it wasn’t. “I’m afraid japes take a lot less effort than walking at the moment. I’ll keep them to myself though, at least until I’m certain I can dodge a strike from a gladius without feeling like I’m breaking something.”

By the end of the day, we’d made some real progress, and our destination was becoming clear. There was a mountain in the distance that had been growing steadily larger as we followed Rancor’s trail. We made camp, and I was gratified to find that moving had become significantly less straining after a day in the sled. If I slept decently, there was a good chance I’d be able to keep up with everyone the next day. Though, I will admit, part of me was hoping Patience wouldn’t let me get a full night’s sleep.

Zevrack looked up at the mountain and sighed.

“What’s wrong buddy?” I asked.

“Cold. I was hoping not to see snow again.”

“Worth it to meet a dragon though, right?”

He nodded emphatically. “Yes. It will be an honor to speak with her. Or be cursed by her. To be ripped asunder by her claws. To be incinerated by her flames. To be thrown into the air to fall to our deaths. To be-”

“I get the picture Zev.”

He nodded. “My tribe would hail all of us as great heroes for what we are going to do.”

“Even if we die?” I asked.

“Especially if we die.”

I sighed. “Well. At least there’s that I suppose.”

…

The night passed uneventfully, though I did not receive as much rest as I could’ve. A fact I was surprisingly grateful for considering I woke up in still moderate pain from the damage I’d taken two days before. Still, it had been worth it to spend that time with Patience, particularly since we weren’t sure what the next several days may hold.

As we were getting closer to the mountain, and the elevation was changing we all dressed that morning in some of our cool weather clothes. Zevrack wore his patchwork coat I had made for him, Tib put on pants for the first time, Tristus wore something that wasn’t sheer for once, Millicent donned a witches hat that included additional fabric that hung over her ears, I slipped on my cold weather clothes I’d had made, Nica was covered in furs from animals I assumed she must’ve hunted at some point, and Patience wore the same black wool outfit she always did, but now she actually looked comfortable in it.

We packed up camp and started back along the trail toward the mountain. We made much better pace without me needing to be dragged along on the sled, though Tristus did his best to make the case that he should be the next one to be pulled in it before he was shot down. By about midafternoon, in spite of how high the sun was in the sky, the temperature was dropping.

Nica appeared in front of us after we hadn't seen her for some time, and held a finger to her lips. We all crowded around her silently.

“What is it?” asked Millicent.

“Some kind of battle is occurring ahead. The sounds of it will become clear as we get closer. I estimate around twenty smaller opponents, and three to four larger ones.”

“Any idea specifically what they are? Asked Patience.

“The smaller twenty’s movement sounds like him,” she said, gesturing at Zevrack.

“Let’s go take a close look. Tib and Millicent, you should stay with Tristus, and we’ll take a stealthy approach to see what’s going on.”

Tib nodded and Tristus looked relieved.

Zev, Patience, and I started weaving our way through the woods, following Nica. We were all experienced in stealth, but keeping pace with her in an environment like this was difficult. I started to hear the sounds of conflict. Big roars, the sound of weapons hitting skin or armor, and loud chattering that reminded me distinctly of the echoes of the Buried Claw clan that I would hear when I was near their territory in the caves.

The sounds got louder as we got closer, and eventually we were able to make out several shaped in the distance. We closed in more, and I was able to see the forms of more than a dozen, solid white Kobolds, facing off against large brown furred creatures, sporting long tusks and wielding clubs and primitive spears.

The kobolds were swarming over them like ants. Stabbing into them with spears or simply ripping at them with claws or teeth. The larger beasts on the other hand were attacking in wide swipes, trying to create space between themselves and the Kobolds.

“Trolls,” muttered Nica as she pointed at the larger furry beasts.

“What should we-” my question was cut off as I noticed Zevrack moving ahead of us, the runes on his gear beginning to light up as he moved closer to the conflict.

“Zevrack, what are you doing?” I whispered as loudly as I could.

He either didn’t hear me, or ignored me, as he closed in on the nearest troll. One who had his back to us and was managing to keep the kobolds in front of him at bay.

I cursed and started to follow him, doing my best to catch up so that I could help him with whatever it was he was doing. Nica notched an arrow, and Patience drew her daggers, before they started following us as well.

When Zevrack was within spitting distance of the creature, he opened his mouth and I saw the bright red rune on the side of his muzzle light up. A small red sphere appeared between his teeth, and then there was a blinding flash of concentrated heat that shot from Zev’s mouth, straight into the back of the troll. He tilted his head upward and that concentrated beam nearly severed the creature's right arm at the shoulder. It let out a roar of pain, and from there, we were committed.