Elena and I made our way through the forest. For two days we didn’t encounter any beasts probably because of the leaves provided by Lisa. On the first day, I had a little problem while hunting; as the creatures were repulsed by the smell. After learning the reason I made Elena use the leaves and by such an arrangement we were able avoid running into the beasts and while hunting I would move a little farther than Elena so as to not repel the creatures from me.

On the third day an enormous cave came into our view. I decided to check it out as a potential resting place. We were tired from sleeping outside as we had to be on our guard all the time. The leaves gave us protection against small beasts but not against the big ones which had strong will. Elena advised me against it, she said that a cave as big as that was bound to be occupied by something. I assured her that we would just check it out and in case there was something we could always run away; but if we didn’t check it out, we would regret losing a good resting place. Elena followed me into the cave still worried.

The first thing we noticed inside the cave was the change in temperature; it was relatively hotter inside the cave. As we made further into the cave, a sound which was like a small waterfall came from a distance. I was curious and proceeded further enthusiastically. What came into view was a small pond with water flowing from top of the cave and a big nest near the pond in which there were two big eggs. They were greenish gray in color; I was delighted upon seeing them. I went and took one of them and it felt heavy. I turned and look at Elena and with a happy tone proclaimed to her that we would be having a delicious dinner. There were two eggs; we could even boil one of them as there was no shortage of water in this place. Just as I was about to grab another egg and leave, a loud roar came from the entrance of the cave. Shit, looks like the mother was back. I put the egg back into its place as Elena grabbed and pulled me away from the nest.

I was a bit reluctant to part ways with what looked like a delicious meal. I took out my sword and was ready to engage into battle for the right to earn the food. Elena pulled me out of the cave hurriedly, condemning me for what I was about to do. The roars came near and we duct in the crevice on a side wall and watched in horror as a big dragon flew by. We fled out of the cave as fast as possible; we could still hear the threatening roars of the creature coming from inside the cave. After putting a safe distance we relaxed a bit. Elena looked at me disapprovingly. What did she expected a man to do in face of a delicious meal. We took rest for the day soon after.

After walking a few miles we came across a group of men who looked like thugs. They were carrying big swords and other weapons. We quickly hid ourselves as soon as I spotted them and were lucky enough to avoid detection. After they passed us we continued our journey. I was cautious and was on a look out for any other approaching humans. Over the course of my journey, I have learned that human’s can be much more cruel than any beasts and hence wanted to avoid them till we get out of the forest.

After three days of walking, we finally came upon a clearing and beyond that there were grasslands. We walked further and came across a girl who was a shepherd. She had brought her cattle to graze in these lands. We got direction to Elena’s village and proceeded in its direction.

There were bunch of trees in our path, I told Elena stay hidden among them and explained to her that I will check out if it was safe and then come back to get her. I approached the village and saw that it was guarded by few guards. The guards stopped me from entering the village and asked me a few questions. I lied to them that I was a researcher from Gliania, they asked me to prove my identity. For a moment I hesitated and then took out the leaves given by Lisa, I told them it’s about it and demonstrated its properties on a dog. By seeing the reaction of the dog, the guards believed me and I was allowed to enter the village. I sensed that something was amiss as there were six guards in the entrance which was unusual for such a small village.

I walked into the village and felt a tense atmosphere, I saw a few more guards near a big house and went in that direction. I guessed that it must be the Chief’s house. I slowed down my pace and stooped near another house where an old man was chopping wood. I said hello and offered assistance to the old man, he was reluctant at first but agree after I persisted. With my strength, I easily cut down the big logs into small pieces. I had small talk with the old man and tried to gain information on the current situation.

He told me that one of the women residing in the village killed a few people of the town a few years ago and now her daughter had killed a noble. The daughter is on the run and the guards are keeping an eye on her mother just in case the daughter comes back. Both the mother and daughter are pronounced guilty and are to be decapitated. I asked the old man if the chief was in his house and he told me that no one from the chief’s house was allowed to step outside the house till the guards find the escaped daughter. I finished cutting all the logs within an hour and then made my way to the chief’s house.

It was a right decision to leave Elena and come here first to check things out.

I was stopped by the guards before I could near the chief’s house.

“No one is allowed to enter the chief’s house without permission” one of the guard said standing in front of me.

“Such insolence, I Cleon does not need permission to enter. Who is in charge of you fools call him immediately” I said in an arrogant tone.

The guard looked at me now unsure how to proceed and then replied “The captain is out on patrol, he would be back in a few hours”

“Slacking off on job hum.. and obstructing me, that is more than enough reason to get him beheaded. Listen well. I am a dark arts researcher associated with the Royal family of Gliania. I have come here to take some men to escort me into the Gratel forest for my research. Go and tell your chief that if he doesn't come see me in an hour, he won’t be able to keep his head” I told them with an arrogant expression.

The guards still didn’t move, plagued by indecision.

“Looks like you imbeciles wouldn't believe without a little demonstration, very well” I said closing my eyes and concentrating for a second. A small black ball materialized in front of me. I extended my hand and the ball hit the guard who was questioning me. As soon as he came into contact with the ball, his face contorted in horror and with a shrill shriek he faded from existence. Nothing remained in the place he once stood, not even the grass below his feet. Everything happened so fast, that it took a few seconds to illicit a reaction from the remaining guards. They all panicked and took a few steps back.

“Now, does anybody else require a demonstration? If not then better get me your captain” I threatened them and they fled like chicken.

A few villagers were watching the commotion and as soon as they say what I did to the guard, they all scrambled into their houses. I walked towards the chief’s house and then knocked on the door.

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First of all I would like to thank all the reader of the story.

The ratings for this story came down to three stars. If there is something wrong with the story, I requested on multiple occasions to point me in the right direction. I even said that I welcomed suggestions. Instead people are giving low ratings without a proper reason which makes other potential readers shun the story. I agree that the story I write is not like the VMMRO where the MC could do anything and everything he wants neither does it has the cool MC that brings death left and right which seems to be the current trend.

I am doing my best and the only thing I ask in return is to educate me of my shortcomings as I gain nothing else from spending time writing the story. I feel really unmotivated now and may slow down the pace of writing or stop altogether if the ratings go any lower without a proper reason. It is better to write nothing than to write some crap, Right?