THE BATTLE OF AOHORN

CHAPTER SIX: TWO MORE ORDERLIES.

The marinalands was the only place in the Otherlands that one would see all mystical creatures. For one to go to marinalands from the plains, they will have to go West through Nivea valley were wolves and boars and big wild bats are predominant at night. Then safely you would be heading to Otmerigan the land of all mystical creatures.

***

The three sojourners have spoken much to themselves, riding on their horses (Lerrick came with his beast of bundle) they haven't had conversed much except a few questions that Lystere wanted answers to, which one of the questions was why princess Minea would choose to live alone and hunt for sport in the wild.

"To that I wouldn't say she lives totally alone", Galz reassured him, they were now in the valley. " She has been living with the Necrodomes"

"What are Necrodomes?" .asked Lerrick.

"Ladies of the wild....Nymphs who help people when they are lost in the forest or couldn't remember on which direction they are headed." Lystere was amazed to help answer Lerrick curiosity. Living in Eystebith he had once stumbled on a book about Nymphs and their healing prowess.

"True lad true".Galz said. Being happy that little-dimpy wasn't only a student for nothing. He was a good reader.

" I think the horses need water" Lerrick was the first to hear the sound of a flowing stream.

Just overhead their was a stream that was in sight. All sojourners came down from their horses and brought the beasts to the channels so that they could drink.

Just before Lerrick could bring his horse to the brink of waters, an arrow that nearly missed his head but, didn't miss his ankle, he felt a sink of pain piercing his flesh. 'Arrrghh'. He groaned.

Both mages drew put their short knives from their shealth; it was customary to atlas go with a weapon on such precious journey.

"A'mora diri org mo". Galz cast a protection spell on the lot.

The shooter was on the other side of the stream, seeing the sudden mist gather round the sojourners made it hard for one to see them with their visible eyes, she knows she has to retreat and warn the others about the strangers. She took her bow and arrows turned,gave one last look at the other side of the river, sighed and sprinted.

"I think she retreated", Lystere whispered to Lerrick. He was breathing so hard that air from his mouth gave out a little whistle. After being hit by the arrow,both Lystere and Lerrick hid behind a rock that was beside, while Galz cast a protection spell over them.

Lerrick was in pain. The arrow has been removed and from the look, it might be poisonous. He was feeling a little stiff and numb.

Everywhere seemed a little cloudy, Galz approached them.

" I think she ran away"

" she?...how do you it was a she", Lystere asked.

"Well from the look of that arrow, thats necromite, we are in their land I suppose". Was the answer.

Galz came closed to Lerrick who was in pains, examined his ankle he then dipped his hands in his pocket brought out seem like a little potion; it was in a small hentagonal-shaped glass.

"Drink it will make the pain go away". Then he tore a piece of clothing from Lerrick's sleeves and tied the ankle near the infected region.

"Do you....think this .....arrow is poisonous'. Lerrick was becoming extremely weak.

"No I don't think this one is....because if it was, you would have been long dead....so drink up and hold still let me pull it out".

Lerrick took the potion on one gulp and just as the magic potion was rushing through his body, he felt a great and strength all over him. Galz pulled out the arrow,rubbed the wound some magic ointment and fasten the bandages.

"It will heal fast...you need to relax and have a sleep tomorrow we continue..." Galz finally said. " Lystere we will camp here tonight. Go hunt for something. I will fetch some wood and make a tent for two you and one for me. And cook some porridge".

It was obvious Galz was going to do all that with the help of magic. Lystere holding his long knives since the attack left to go hunt for deer or rabbit or whatever he could find in this Azarath forsaken place.

***

It was another day, the three men have long crossed the stream; Galz used magic to fell one of the long pine trees it fell full length to the other side of the stream creating a bridge. They all crossed it but, they had to leave the horses and continue their journey on foot. Galz told them that it would be more better to leave the ponies as where they are going is closer than they expected and the horses would be needed now.

There was a smoke emitting from ahead. The sojourners were sure they are in territory of the Necrodomes. Galz gestured to them to stop.both young men stood still and held their breath. Lystere followed the gaze of Galz and in front of them stood a man whose lower regions looked like that of a horse. He had what seems like a silver spear in his hand.

"Rigleggs my friend, it's been long I have seen you.."

" Hooo Galz the soothsayer...I am happy to see you again since ages "The centaur 's voice was menacing and husk as an angry bull that was trapped in it's tusk. " What bring you to our land?"

" I and my fellows here, came from a far distance to see princess Minea." Galz was transparent as he could ever be with his words. Centaurs can sense when one is lying from their snorts but, maybe not quite from a wizard.

"She lives with the Necrodomes..come I will show you lots"

They followed 'Rigleggs'. Lystere wasnt sure if they could trust this centaur moreso, they are in the marinalands and their are legends of one crossing this paths and entrusting those they came across who gave them bad leads and the sojourners were lost forever. But Lystere was sure that Galz won't want to follow the centaur if he wasnt a trusted fellow. Lystere looked at Lerrick who was walking just beside him as cautiously as he could there was thistles and thorns on the ground and one must be careful not to step on them or mis-step they might fall.....