Sir Thomas and the Golden Dragon

Chapter Five: The Journey Begins

While trying on the armor Thomas was truly amazed with the work that Gerum had put into it. First the leggings fit better than his own clothes and he felt as if he could outrun the fastest animal in the world. Next, were the gauntlets which made his muscles feel like they were going to burst with power that he could lift a mountain. The breast plate made him feel invincible as if nothing and no one could do him harm. And finally, the helmet which fit perfectly and through it he could see clearer than before almost as if with the helmet he could see great distances in perfect clarity and his mind felt open to the universe itself. “This armor is amazing Gerum are you sure I can really have this?” Thomas asked.

“Of course, I told you it’s yours but there’s no time for admiration now as we speak that monster is getting further away from us.” “Your right lets go to your place so you can get ready” “agreed” Gerum replied, and they headed for Gerums’ home. Gerums’ home was not far as he lived in town hence why he always beat Thomas to market every year. “We’re here!” Gerum shouted and ran into his home while Thomas waited outside. Within minutes Gerum came out and looked as if he was a blacksmith clown.

His head sported a leather cap with big magnifying class lenses and a feather, his arms had no armor, but big thick soot covered gloves and his pants were the dragon skin pants Thomas made following a pair of big iron boots. Upon Gerums’ back was a big sack full of blacksmithing tools and ores. His weapon was a simple single shot crossbow and a small dagger on his side. Thomas laughed “are you sure you want to go on a hunt like this Gerum you could be killed” Thomas asked. “Oh no dear brother I’m not going into battle you are, I’m coming as your blacksmith I can make and repair your equipment for you and keep it in tip top shape” Gerum replied. “You’re right you will actually be better than having another warrior by my side if you're truly ready brother then we can make it to my house by nightfall.” “I am brother” Gerum promised, and they left for Thomas’s home in the woods on the outside of town.

Upon arriving Thomas noticed the smoke from his home was much thicker than usual “oh no!” he shouted as he took off like a bolt of lightning. He arrived at his home too late however, and all he found was rubble. He clinched his fists so tight they began to bleed as he heard the words “Thomas my boy" from what sounded like a dying animal? He paused listening for the sound and soon discovered the remains of Madam Dobreigh barely clinging to life. “Ms. Dobreigh thank god your alive what happened?” By this time Gerum has arrived at the house as well and starts looking through the rubbish in shock at what has happened he walks aimlessly until he finds a shining golden sword lying in the wreckage. Before he can pick it up he hears Thomas shout “Gerum, Ms. Dobreigh is here!” Gerum quickly stops what he is doing and runs towards Thomas and Ms. Dobreigh. To the boy’s horror Ms. Dobreigh has been ripped to pieces with chunks of bone, blood and organs scattered as if she was a dog’s chew toy.

“Boys listen” Ms. Dobreigh says as the boys remain silent. “Mr. Bostic somehow turned into this thing last night. I believe it was dark magic the darkest most evil kind. I tried to talk to him, but he only cried, and the monster took me in its jaws and ran away with me. You must be careful Thomas I feel dark venom from the monster’s horrid mouth in my body and I am going to die here. Please save Mr. Bostic for me and free his soul. I die having no regrets.” As she spoke her final words both Thomas and Gerum had looked at Ms. Dobreigh as a mother figure so they both were overcome with grief crying for a long time.

After giving her a burial fit for a queen Thomas said “we need to find this monster and free Mr. Bostic, if there is a way to free him." Gerum said “yes but how we don’t know where the beast has gone?” “Well judging from these tracks in my home and the blood trail leaving the home I would say it headed west to the Cogham mountains.” “Those mountains are dangerous Thomas. No man goes up there because of the stories.” “What stories?” Thomas asked. “You know the stories of the three troll bothers that control the road to the peak of the mountains.” “Oh, yea I have heard of them Tremous, Doscare, and Brutilis right?” Thomas asked. “Yes, no man has ever bested them besides they say a river goddess and an old monk live on the mountain. Supposedly it’s home to you know who” Gerum states.

“No, I don’t Gerum who lives and is so profound to be protected there?” Thomas askes “well you know... Narvaria.” “WHAT THE f**k DID YOU SAY” Thomas shouts in anger “that witch of a dragon supposedly lives there, and I am finding this out now why did you not tell me sooner” Thomas shouts. Gerum replies “I did not tell you for these reasons; one its only a myth, two your irritation and hot tempered and three you would die before you even got to the foot of the mountain let alone the peak” Gerum explains. “Look Thomas along the path following the blood trail leads to Raddigon Forest. In the forest lies Brutilis the craftiest of the troll brothers. They say no man has resisted his mind manipulation.” “Well then, let’s set off” Thomas says as he grabs the golden hilt of his sword and sheaths it “and puts these myths to the ultimate test.”

With that they set out to start their journey.

“We’ve been walking for hours Gerum and it seems like we’re going in circles” Thomas commented. “Well, we don’t have a map Thomas and it is not like I can make a map of the area magically appear” Gerum retorted. Thomas and Gerum had been walking through the forest and were indeed lost little did they know they were on the right track and already caught by Brutilis’ mind control.

“You fools, another helpless duo caught by my mind labyrinth trap they will walk in circles until they die of exhaustion then I will devour them and steal all they are holding what a perfect plan’ brutilis gloated with a laugh. Brutilis watched for hours seeing the pair walk in a circle aimlessly until he started to feel tired. With a yawn, "I'm getting sleepy watching them it’s been hours, and they haven’t rested yet I’m going to take a quick nap who knows maybe when I wake up they will be dead” Brutilis said to himself.

As Brutilis slept Thomas and Gerum were getting tired and frustrated with each other. “You have no idea where were going do you?” Gerum shouts at Thomas “well I would if you weren’t nagging me every five seconds!” Thomas shouted back. The two argued for what seemed like hours until Thomas stood up from a sitting position with a loud “that’s it Gerum.” Thomas picks up a large stick and throws it at Gerum’s head Gerum ducks with insane speed. “Are you crazy Thomas the exhaustion has your wits brother take this” Gerum grabs a rock and throws it at Thomas’ head Thomas ducks just in time. “Why you that’s enough brother!” Thomas shouts as he prepares to fight Gerum.

“WWWWAAAIIIIITTT BROTHER” Gerum yells and Thomas stops listen, “brother do you hear that?” Gerum says. “Hear what?” Thomas asks “exactly” Gerum says “you tossed that log with extensive force, yet it did not make a sound and I threw that rock with all my strength, yet it still has not made a sound why do you think that is?” “I don’t know” Thomas replied, “don’t you get it brother we are on the right track we’ve been on the right track this whole time we’re caught in a spell.” “A spell” Thomas looks around in surprise “you’re right everything is quiet no trees, no wind, no birds even and we have been walking around for hours Gerum you’re a genius brother I’m sorry for my actions can you forgive me?”

“Already forgiven brother, now we have to figure out how to get out of here” Gerum explains. “I have an idea” Thomas says, “if this is a mind spell that means Brutilis is near if we can shake him up some how from in here maybe he will lose his focus and we will be free.” “That is a great idea brother, but how?” Gerum asks. “I have an idea the rock and the log had to go somewhere right what if we started throwing objects outside of the barrier and see what happens” Thomas explains. “Worth a shot” Gerum retorts “after all its better than doing nothing we will die in here if we do not do something.” Thomas and Gerum begin to throw stones and logs in every direction.