Mara, the couple who had acted as any caring parents would all these many years.
“Be strong”, says Tyrigon reassuringly, “If you need anything, son, we will be here. But there is nothing really for you here. Go and meet your parents, see who you really are.” Waki was torn. This man had cared for him for as long as he could remember. Yet, wasn’t this what he had always hoped for? A new life and new adventures?
Waki hugged Tyrigon closely, and then Mara. Then he ran into the house, to collect things for the journey. Plenty of crackers, dried fruits, a pot for cooking, and other items were tossed into his knapsack. Once he figured he had placed everything he needed, he stepped out and walked up to the wizard. Yago was there as well. “I’m coming with you”, he said calmly. “My friend”, replied Waki warmly, hugging him. Turning to the wizard, he asked, “Wizard, you still have not told us your name.” The Wizard looked puzzled, before smiling, “Very true, young man. Wygurp. You may call me Wygurp.” “Wygurp”, repeated Waki, before shaking the wizard’s hand. “Then let us get moving. Yago, you are packed to go?” “Yessiree!”, came the happy response.
So the three travelers began their journey north of Pirgaat. They walked on the same trail where Yago and Waki had first seen the wizard, surrounded by hedges and raadberries and wicklebushes. Waki soon became bored and walked up to Wygurd, leaving Yago trailing the two. “Who really is my father?” Wygurd looked him quizzically, before responding. “Child, you are so eager to know. Your father was the King of Wyland, Wazigard the Second. Unfortunately, he was murdered by the now Duke of Wyland, who currently sits upon the thrown supported by the Kingdom of Thugaanim. The Duke of Wyland is illegitimate, and since there are no other known children of Wazigard the Second, that makes you his rightful and only heir”.
Waki stopped in his tracks, lost in thought and time. Me, a Prince of Wyland? That’s impossible! “I . . . I don’t understand.”, he stammered. “Don’t worry, in time you will”, assured Wygurd, “for now I think that that is enough.” The trio continued on the road silently, until they came up to another village. The path merged into a wider road which led straight through the center of this new village. As they walked, a few villagers briefly laid their eyes upon them, mainly on the wizard. The two boys received scant attention. A row of huts led to a larger, wooden structure. Upon its doorway hung a painted wooden sign reading “Woglot’s Tavern & Bed”. “Ahh, here we are,” said Wygurd, “we are going to stop here briefly, as we are to meet someone important”. Waki and Yago obediently followed the wizard as he stepped into the tavern.
To the side there were three older men drinking together. The bartender was cleaning one of the tables in the center. In the corner sat a grizzled looking middle aged fellow wearing grey chainmail armor, his face hidden by a protective hood. His eyes immediately took note of the three entering the doorway. “Ahh there you are!”, exclaimed Wygurd. The man stood up, and walked over to the trio. Waki could see that he was strongly built, his every movement silent yet dangerous even if he was in his forties of age. This was not a man to be crossed lightly.
“Wygurd”. The man bowed slightly in front of the wizard, before turning to the two boys. “So this is the little prince? I am Cimitaar”, said the man, extending his hand, “I have served your father many years before his fall. I look forward to serving you as faithfully as I served your father before you”. “Waki, pleased to meet you.”, replied Waki, taking his hand. Cimitaar then shook Yago’s, before turning the Wygurd. “Now is no time to waste, we should be heading up.” “Couldn’t agree more”. Cimitaar leads the three out of the tavern to the road. “We walk all day to make it to the next village, Grimgon, by nightfall? Understood?” All three concur. He leads the way as they three walk through the village on the road.
Once out in the countryside Cimitaar explains, “This is not a journey to be taken lightly. It is a long a dangerous road ahead, and in the next several weeks I want you two to keep as close to me as possible, keep your eyes on me, and don’t do any stupid stunts.” Waki and Yago nod quickly in agreement, but look at teach other quickly. Is this guy for real? “Pardon me, sir, but what dangers are there on the road ahead?” asks Yago. “Many wild things live here”, replied Cimitaar ominously, “of which you don’t know anything about. First, highwaymen, bandits, and cutthroats of all kinds will lurk on the road. Then, there are boars, lions, and beasts the likes of which you cannot imagine, particularly as we approach Wyland. Then. . . there are trolls, mountain trolls, goblins, wild unicorns and the legendary Megalania and Haast’s eagle. Not to mention Thugganish soldiers and men-at-arms who may try to stop us.”
“That sounds dangerous”, replies Yago worriedly, “Can you fight?” “I’ve served in the Royal Guard for over 20 years, and was Head of the Guard for the last five, my little friend.” “Can you teach us?” Wygurd interrupts the two, “He doesn’t need to teach you, just stay out of his way and he will protect you. As long as Cimitaar and myself are here, you two shall be safe. Stick with us, stay close to us, and do as we tell you to.” Waki listened closely to the conversation, not saying anything. His stomach knotted at the mention of trolls, bandits, and Megalania. Were those even for real? He followed as the three continued on the path, now entering a large and dark forest of coniferous pine trees. The sunlight reached down upon the road in only small rays breaking through the dense foliage, and a light mist stuck close to the moist ground beneath their feet.
They walked in the dark forest for hours, with only one break to drink water from their canteens. Then they continued. The ground was a bit mushy from a recent rain, the water and dew collected on the conifers creating a feeling of a cold aura around them. Cimitaar and Wygurd simply walked straight. Waki and Yago followed about a dozen meters behind. Yago was beginning to get bored. They had seen nothing on this journey so far, and despite Yago’s parents knowing that he was accompanying his best friend, he was starting to wonder if he had made the right choice. Perhaps he should have stayed at home.
Finally a clearing appears in front of them, and beyond that a fast moving river half a village wide.
There stood a wooden bridge that spanned the length of the river, a bridge at least four meters wide. Then Waki saw it. A hideous, filthy creature, a Troll, twice as tall as a man and ugly as sin. It carried a great club in its right hand, and wore nothing but a large piece of cloth and an old wooden belt. Everyone stopped in their tracks. Yet, it smelled them as it turned around and gave a loud roar, spitting saliva several meters around itself as the sound echoed throughout the forest. Cimitaar tensely said, “everyone stay back, I’ll handle this”, as he drew a gleaming broadsword from his scabbard.
“You puny humans shall not pass!”, growled the ugly creature, “I killed five travelers this week, and I claim this bridge as mine!” “Move out of the way, or regret it!”, shouted Cimitaar to the Troll, walking towards the creature. The Troll raised its club a meter off the ground, ready to use it. Cimitaar began sprinting towards the creature, intaking air in short, quick breaths. “You ugly piece of meat!”, roared the troll, “I’ll tear you apart and have you for dinner!”. Cimitaar was almost at the troll, running at an incredibly fast pace. “I’ll cook over a fire, then eat your two little children!” spat the Troll, waddling forward on its two trunk legs.
Cimitaar lept into the air straight for the Troll, as the creature lifted his mighty club. He swung at the much smaller man, but missed as Cimitaar flew right passed the Troll’s shoulder. The troll let go of his club, it smashing to the ground, and clutched his shoulder blade. Cimitaar had landed on his feet behind the Troll, and quickly turned to face it. But the Troll had already sunk to it’s knees, before falling head-first to the ground. A single quick stroke to it’s lower neck had cut its jugular arteries and central nervous system, killing it almost instantaneously. Cimitaar walked pass the dead body back towards Wygurd and the boys. “It’s alright, we can now cross. Nothing to worry about, Forest Trolls are common in these parts. Let’s continue m
oving”.
Yago and Waki were wide-eyed looking at the dead Troll but continued nonetheless. Trolls did not usually venture south out of the forests, but Waki knew that they existed. The four walked through the forest for another four hours. It was getting dark. Then then came to the edge of the forest. Waki blinked, as he then focused his eyes upon a walled town in his vision. “Gringon”, said Wygurd, “we shall be staying there tonight.”
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