Between Swords and Staffs
Chapter 01 - The Warrior, the cleric and the huntress
Midgard is a vast continent in a world where magic is as real as the leaves of the trees.
A world where monsters roam freely through the forests, swamps, deserts and hide themselves in caves and ancient ruins.
For the luck of the peasants, merchants and even the nobles, Midgard is a contient of adventurers.
People with exceptional talents who devote their lifes to help the needy,
recovering stolen treasures by a group of goblins,
facing a dragon that terrorized a village
or even hunting adventurers who have strayed from the path of righteousness.
Among so many extraordinary people,
there is a warrior with an unshakable emotional
and a determination able to move moutains.
Mainch Aracter was a human grown up among mercenaries,
showing himself a great prodigy in the swordsmanship.
At sixteen, he stood out from the others young men and learned
to use two one-handed swords in combat,
using a leather armour to move faster
and beat even the older and most experienced mercenaries.
Them Entor was a dwarf from a noble family,
raised in the midst of much discipline and always guided by justice path.
At a very young age, he swore to honor the family tradition
and became a cleric, worshiping Wiss, the God of Wisdom.
After years of training, the dwarf left his temple and went through Midgard, willing to pursue his fate.
This very fate that decided to unite those two adventurers in Bearstone, home of the great Valahr Drux mine.
The old town, located in the Todd's Desert,
was created from the mine that was excavated in one
of the mountains of the Sharp Winds Range.
Inhabited by several dwarven clans, the city grew and attracted merchants,
, blacksmiths and mercenaries throughout Midgard,
for being prosperous and perfect for forging legendary weapons.
The cleric was walking through the town drinking the cold water from his canteen
to ward off the heat brought by the weather
when he saw the people clustering about.
They shouted in an enviable animosity,
which caught the attention of Them, who decided to find out what was going on.
In the middle of the group, a two meters tall
shirtless bald orc swong a large two-handed sword,
almost as tall as him, trying to reach Mainch Aracter.
The warrior was swift and dodged all the attacks,
tiring his opponent.
The fight lasted for more twenty minutes, until the orc get exhausted
from wielding that huge weapon, leaving a gap, where Mainch
could swoop in and punch his stomach, followed by a kick in the face
that threw his body against the spectators.
The warrior bowed to the group, who was applauding him,
and left them, being followed by the cleric.
A few steps later, he noticed the dwarf's presence and turned around, confused.
Is it my impression or you are following me?
Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.
I was amazed by your combat skills.
I'm grateful, but I don't sign autographs.
It wouldn't be necessary.
I know, I'm just making fun of you.
A pal with equipment like yours only can be an adventurer.
What do you want with me?
I see you're an observer.
I am a cleric and I believe that finding you was the will of the Gods.
Sorry man, but I like women.
No, no, no, no… I didn't mean that!
Aren't you sick of fighting for some small changes that you can barely buy the next lunch?
Doesn't your heart yearn for more grandiose adventures that are going to become part of the history books?
Fighting against giant monsters, saving cities and being recognized throughout Midgard?
To be honest,
I was only living one day at a time, but...
The warrior was amused by his fights and small jobs
he got into his life as a mercenary,
but there was an emptiness within him that never left him...
Until that moment! Within your soul,
a flame has borned and burned his whole being,
finally transforming him into a true adventurous.
You know... You're right.
I don't know you, I don't see any reason to trust on your words,
but something tells me that I have no choice.
This world is a very bizarre place.
You are a strange fellow...
But I'm afraid that geniality is accompanied by peculiar behavior.
Some would call you crazy...
Come with me!
I'll guide you to the greatest adventures of your life,
or we'll die trying!
Challenging logic and common sense,
the two adventurers left together by Midgard,
clearing forests, exploring ruins, rescuing people in danger and hunting monsters.
This journey led them both to Hellhelm,
the den of doom and the refuge of criminals.
The gloomy atmosphere of the city was present even on that sunny day.
There were harlots and murderers at the corners,
just as traders with improvised shacks,
selling the most varied types of weapons and poisons.
The duo made their way to the tavern of the Purple Demon,
a great wooden building two stories high, that was bustling with commotion.
Upon entering, they came across the tavern full of
orcs, goblins, dwarfs and humans,
all drowning in mead bottles to the lively sound of a lute,
played by a fat old halfling on a sort of stage
in the left corner of the establishment.
Despite the large volume of customers, most was standing,
feasting, leaving two empty tables.
The duo of adventurers went to one of them and sat down.
Them would be content just to sit there enjoying the music
and delighting in a good lamb,
but the young Mainch felt the need to quench his thirst
and looked for an attendant.
Easily, he spotted an elf with a violet skin,
black eyes and a long black hair,
wearing simple clothes, carrying empty mugs and a wooden tray.
Good morning, Miss Elf! Could you get me a drink?
Good morning, my lord! What would you like?
Two mugs of mead and two lamb thighs.
Dear warrior… I don't drink.
I know that. That was my order, you can place yours.
Ah yes, yes...
You eat like a young ogre!
It's good to be excited while your body doesn't accumulate fats.
I'm an adventurer, I can't get fat.
I can't even cut my hair without a rare item.
I learned early we should just accept these things.
What you call stubbornness, I know as good sense.
Excuse me, but is the clergyman going to place an order?
Excuse my rudeness, miss...
You can bring me only the lamb.
No problem! I'll be back in a few minutes.
We are full, but adventurers are always top priority.
The attendant left the table and ran to the tavern keeper,
who prepared quickly.
The elf brought everything to the table in less than five minutes
and returned to serve other customers.
The duo of adventurers delighted in their meal
and the door of the hall opened violently.
Customers remained focused in the contagious chords of the lute,
but the sound of the door caught the adventurers' attention.
A small elf with fair blond hair and blue eyes entered the tavern
carrying a halberd that radiated a pink aura,
clearly a rare item.
She wore a pink and black dress with ruffles
and black gloves, there was a heart clip on her hair.
Her extravagant appearance could only indicate she was an adventurer.
The elf analyzed the whole establishment and she went to the table where the duo were sitting.
Good morning, my dear adventurers!
I see by the empty mugs that you started the party early!
In my defense, both of them are his.
I'm just here to eat, which is the best part.
I confirm what he said without any problem.
There isn't much to do in this world besides drinking and doing missions.
In fact, it's always time to a nice mug of mead.
I like you, my dear human.
It's good to know you like missions, because I need
companions to embark on one with me.
I like being straight, then...
What do you need and what do we gain thereby?
I also prefer to be direct in everything I do.
In short, a group of thieves have an item that belongs to me
and I want it back. I'm small but I'm really strong...
But I'm only one and they are many.
I only require the item which is mine by right,
so you can keep the money they'll leave when they die.
Look, I don't know about you, Them.
But I'm up for that.
My teachings are against ambition,
so just helping an adventurous companion will be more than enough for me.
So we got a deal. I'm Mainch Aracter
and this grouchy dwarf is Them Entor.
Nice to meet you guys.
You can call me Rori.
Come with me!
I heard their hiding place is in
a cave in the Cutting Winds Roam.
What ensures us you're not attracting us to a trap?
Look ... I have no concrete evidence,
but isn't this way how missions always start?
A random person arrives with information out of your knowledge and you,
as a good adventurer, just go there and solve the trick?
She's right, Mainch.
Whatever, what doesn't kill you, gives you more experience.
Then the group left the tavern
after paying the meal with some silver coins
and left the city.
They walked the road for hours until find a
trail through the forest where they continued for a whole day.
They set up camp
in a small clearing and got up early, in a hurry to finish the mission.
During the journey, Rori said that she was a huntress of monsters,
a class of adventurers who devote their lives hunting big and dangerous beasts,
which contrasts with the elf's short stature.
According to her, this was the main reason for choosing a halberd as a weapon.
Her love for the weapon was so great that she exchanged
some rare rubies for the pink aura emanating from the object,
with aesthetic function only.
A few more hours of walking and the trio could already see
a small wooden tower next to the mountain,
where it should be the den of thieves.
Between them and the tower were several trees and a wooden bridge over a cliff.
In front of the bridge was standing an old hunchback man,
using only a gray and really dirty tunic.
He was bald and ran his right hand through his long white beard, that reached his navel.
The three adventurers made expressions of disgust, when they recognized the figure
who raised the palm of his left hand towards the trio.
Halt! No one can pass through this bridge,
, unless my quiz is correctly answered
By the Gods! I hate to cross through this old man!
Must be the famous Oldma, right?
Is it the first time he's appearing in one of your adventures?
I often avoid bridges, so... Yes
Silence, adventurers!
You know the rules!
I'm immortal, intangible
and nothing passes through me without my permission, in case.
We already know how it works, Grandpa.
Just make the question.
There is nothing that escapes from his power, to him every man must yield.
Bringing the end is your main function,
be it noble, adventurer or villager.
Who am I?
The trio gathered and discussed the possible answers,
as they knew that they would have to answer puzzles
until they get the right answer, finally, being able to cross.
The meeting took ten minutes and the old man remained in the same pose all the time.
Let's see ... Time?
Correct! You can go, you can go.
Oldma lifted his arms and his body flashed
until he became transparent and disappeared completely, releasing the passage.
Being afraid the old man could come back, the trio quickly crossed the long bridge
ignoring the wobbling which should scare them.
They crossed the rest of the forest and arrived to the tower,
where a watchman was sleeping.
Beside him was the entrance to the cave.
Rori stuck her halberd in the ground and used its cable to gain momentum,
throwing herself to the top of the tower.
When she got there, she landed on the watchmen,
, stole his dagger, slit his throat and threw his body to the ground.
Soon after, the elf leaped from the tower and landed on the corpse,
taking her weapon back.
The trio entered the cave, comming across a large mansion of three floors.
The wooden structure was full of patches,
as if they were extended whenever it were necessary,
without the slightest concern with aesthetics or safety.
There was a group of three guards, in something that seemed to be the entrance,
being an archer and two warriors.
Rori ran and jumped on the warriors,
falling behind the archer, catching everyone's attention.
Mainch took advantage of the gap and advanced,
thrusting his two swords on the back of one of the guards.
Them ran and hit in the back of the other guard's knee
with his club, knocking him down.
Quickly, he used his shield
to crush the wretch's skull.
The elf turned the halberd
and the archer's head rolled over to Mainch's feet.
Uh... They look pretty weak,
are you sure you need help?
Actually, I just want to make sure I won't ruin my dress.
And... Well, I was looking for a new group,
since my old one was devoured by a Hydra.
I'm not opposed to your reasons.
If nothing goes wrong,
you'll be welcome to venture with us.
Awwwn, I'm glad to hear that.
An arrow almost struck the elf's head, which diverted by impulse.
Inside the place, a group of ten thieves gathered,
three of them being archers and one of them,
an orc with a two-handed sword.
The interior of the building was a large lounge
with a wooden table proportional to the size of the room
and stairs to the next floor.
The thieves attacked screaming in anger for their dead companions.
Mainch took the lead, jumping on the elf
and landing on one of the enemies.
One of his swords pierced the man's heart, while the other
defended the warrior from the thieves' attacks.
Rori turned her halberd and cut off two enemies
who were surprised by Mainch.
Them hurried himself even with his short legs
and used his shield to hurl away a thief
who tried to reach his disciple and used his club to crush the another man's skull.
The archers fired their arrows and
ended up killing one of their companions in that chaos.
Mainch retrieved his other sword and cut the throat of a nearby enemy
and used both to block the orc's heavy blow.
Rori threw her halberd, nailed it to the chest of one of the
archers and ran to retrieve the weapon.
Them alternated between using the shield to beat distracted thieves
and his claw for certain blows, eliminating another thief.
The orc attempted another blow, but Mainch rolled beneath his legs
and cut the tendons of his heels, making him to fall to his knees.
The warrior raised and threw his swords,
one on each of the remaining archers, reaching their heads.
Them finalized the orc, who was trying to raise again,
with a vertical blow of his club.
The elf and the man recovered their weapons and the trio advanced to the second floor,
which appeared to be a large dormitory full of makeshift beds
and clothes thrown in every corner.
At the end of the room were stairs to the third floor
and in front of it were two orcs and an ogre.
The orcs wore heavy metal armor
with several battle marks and two long swords
one in each hand.
The ogre, on the other hand, was wearing an eye patch on the left eye
and a black leather armor.
On his back
was a large sword of two hands.
What do you do in my house, little elf?
I came to get the crossbow you stole!
What do you mean?
I won it using a very fair cheating!
There's no fair cheating, ogre.
It doesn't matter!
I'm Rownd the great,
and I won't let you leave this place alive. My friends, kill them!
Rownd went upstairs,
confident that his fellows orcs would handle the adventurers.
Mainch advanced to an one-on-one battle
between users of two swords.
Them and Rori understood the feelings of the nobleman warrior,
as well as the orc.
In the first fight, the orc attacked first
and was blocked by the cleric's shield.
Rori skirted both of them and turned her halberd,
which was defended by the other sword of the orc.
Them took advantage and used his shield
to divert the sword and reach the chest with the club.
His large body unbalanced,
giving room for the elf to roll her long weapon again, chopping his head off.
The duo went to the next floor.
Mainch and his enemy was circling each other
for a few seconds, until when the orc attacked.
His sword was blocked by the human,
who attacked with his other hand.
The orc dodged it and attacked with his other sword.
Mainch leaned his body to the left and spun,
striking a bang on the diagonal,
to inflict a cut on the orc's cheek, who retreated.
Mainch took advantage and advanced, kicking the orc's arm
and sending one of the swords away.
He fought back and the human picked up one leg,
lowering himself and giving a blow from the bottom up,
plucking the hand of his opponent, who staggered back.
As soon as upright,
the warrior turned his body and cut off the orc, who fell on his back, motionless.
The cleric and the huntress arrived at the exit from the third floor,
which seemed to be the leader of the thieves' room.
The ogre was sitting on an improvised throne
with some bones and metal weapons,
not pretty at all and very uncomfortable.
Rowand stood awkwardly
and drew his great sword.
The room was large, which guaranteed a good space to fight.
It seems like my fellows weren't enough for you.
That's really a pity.
I'll show you that it was a mistake
to invoke the Rownd the Great's wrath!
Less talk and more action, Mr. Ogre!
The ogre advanced, he was agile,
despite his two and a half meters of height.
His blow nearly hit Rori,
but it was blocked by the cleric's shield,
which jumped following his instincts.
Undaunted, the elf made a thrust with
her halberd over the dwarf's shoulder, reaching the ogre's shoulder.
Rownd retreated, and quickly turned his body,
running with his sword over the head of the two.
Their heights spared them the responsibility of dodging.
While he finishes the turn, Rori struck a horizontal blow
on the back of Rownd
and Them tossed his club, reaching one side of his knee.
The noise of his bone breaking was loud enough
to be heard by both of them and it was followed by a cry of pain.
He threw his weight on the other knee and jumped clumsy
to make a horizontal cut.
Them stepped forward and deflected the blade up,
leaving Rori free to press the halberd
into Rownd's chest, which fell on his knees.
The elf used the halberd cape to jump over the ogre
and picked up the Them's club,
destroying the ogre's skull.
His body fell flat on the floor
and made the precarious structure shake
at the same time as Mainch arrived on the floor.
It looks like everything worked out here too.
Of course, my dear.
How was the duel?
More boring than I thought.
This mission is barely giving us experience.
Any experience
should be valued!
What matters is that I recovered my item.
The elf returned the club to the cleric and took
an one handed crossbow from the ogre's body,
as well as a small bag of gold.
The happiness in her face was enviable.
Rori threw the gold to the warrior and withdrew
the halberd from a corpse, hanging on her back.
Thank you very much for your cooperation, gentlemen.
What do you think of my proposal now?
To let you join the group?
You fight well and match our fighting style.
I have no objections.
What do you think about mead?
Mead?
Mead is never too much!
You're in!
The three entered the den of thieves
as mission fellows
and left as a victorious group of adventurers,
ready to face what Midgard has the most challenging,
looking for glory, wealth
and great bottles of mead.
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