A Bedtime Story
"Maria, why aren't you asleep yet?" Asked Henryetta Doolittle, standing in
the entrance to her children's bedroom.
"I'm not sleepy yet mommy." Replied Maria Doolittle as she sat up in bed
and rubbed her eyes.
Henryetta sighed in resignation, she knew that Maria was actually sleepy but did not want
to go to sleep until after she had heard a story. "Is that so? What can I do to make
you sleep?"
"A story mummy!" Replied an enthusiastic Maria. "A story! A story!"
"Shh! You'll wake your brother and sister>"
"Too late." Groaned Maris as she opened her eyes and yawned, Toby also opened his
eyes but didn't make a sound.
"Very well then, lay back down Maria and I'll tell you the story of how a small
band of members from Droknars Arena Dogs defeated an army of Stone Summit Dwarves."
"With a glint of pleasure in her eyes Maria did as she was asked and snuggled into her
blankets.
Henryetta smiled at her children then sat down on the end of Maria's bed to begin her
story. "On a cold dark stormy night..."
The wind howled as it passed over the barren rocky landscape, stealing what little warmth
left from the day and driving the falling snow like a hammer against the small group
travelling through this hostile territory.
"I'm... so... cold." Said Mystery Mesmer through clenched teeth, pulling her
cloak tighter about her. Despite been better clothed than her the others of the group were
finding the journey no more comfortable.
"Jule, we need shelter, your more familiar with this territory, is they anywhere
nearby?" Shouted the large warrior known as Uncle Noteeth to the ranger ahead of the
group.
Jule turned back to look at his respected leader, barely visible through the snow, even with
his sharp eyes. "Ice Tooth Cave shouldn't be too far off, maybe a few hours."
"Lead on." Commanded Uncle.
Jule did as commanded and Uncle followed close behind. Mystery Mesmer and Henryetta falling
in behind Uncle and the faint outline of Malus bringing up the rear.
The group had been trudging for almost an hour before Jule suddenly halted and held up his
hand for silence. Uncle moved up to Jule, leaning close and whispered. "What is
it?"
"I thought I saw something." Responded Jule quietly. "Just up there, looked
like light reflecting off metal." He said pointing up the nearest slope.
Both men watched the area Jule had indicated for several tense minutes but nothing else could
be seen, they was about to resume their journey when several figures could be seen moving
through the rocks.
"AMBUSH!" Yelled Uncle as he and Jule backed closer to the others.
Dozens of Stone Summit Dwarves began to pour down from the peak of the slopes and projectiles
rained down upon the group, who quickly took shelter behind the few rocks large enough to
offer cover.
"Shut down those casters, Mes!" Yelled Jule.
"I'm... I'm working on... on it!" Responded Mystery, opening her arms
and flinging powerful spells towards the enemy casters. Her exposed soon lost feeling and her
mind became clouded but through sheer determination she managed to keep her spells up.
Malus, Jule and Henryetta's bowstrings sang repeatedly as they tried to slow the tide
of enemies and Uncle charged forward to block the path of the nearest foes.
For hours the combatants fought, slowly been forced back the way they had come, but for every
inch of ground they lost several of the Summit dwarves fell.
One of the Summit dwarves slipped past the frenzied figure of Uncle and charged towards the
exhausted Mesmer. Seeing the dwarf charging towards her she backed off and stumbled over a
small rock, the dwarf laughed and raised his axe to finish her. Before he could he could
bring the axe down Jule used his bow like a club and struck the unsuspecting dwarf a solid
blow on the underside of his chin, lifting him up and flinging him back. In one fluid move
Jule was kneeling on the dwarf and pulling a knife out of his belt, the dwarf had time to
make a faint noise of fear before Jule slashed his throat in one swift stroke, leaving his
life blood to sep into the snow covered ground.
"In the name of Droknar!" Yelled Uncle, felling the ast of the dwarves near him and
charging up the hill. The others followed, picking off targets of opportunity as they went.
In minutes it was over, the few Summit dwarves that survived fleeing into the darkness.
"I'm hungry." Commented Malus looking around at the corpse strewn ground.
"Lets finish this journey so we can eat."
"Mystery, you don't look so well." Said Jule who was looking at the mesmer
with concern.
"Cold... tired..." She replied before her legs gave way.
"Easy now." Henryetta said as she caught the young mesmer. "Draco always told
you that armour offered no protection."
Mystery managed a weak smile as Malus helped support her with Henryetta.
"We best get moving, it isn't far now and the sooner we're all at Ice Tooth
Cave the sooner we can all rest." Jule said as he resumed the journey, the others
falling in line behind him and together they walked into the dark.
"... to a well earned rest and a meal." Finished Henryetta, looking around at her
sleeping children. She kissed each child and tucked them in before exiting the room.
"Sleep well." She said quietly as she peered back in to the room before closing the
door.
