The Journey Begins
The adventures of Jule Shannara, part 2
Packing to leave was almost completed. Four of the Brotherhood of War remained. Jule
Shannara the elven leader stood garbed in a dark almost black Ranger garb, carrying
his Longbow, his pack with his shortbow strapped to his back, and a sword sheathed at
his side just in case. His human ranger counterpart X Scout X was garbed in much the
same way except he carried his trusty Flatbow that he almost never relinquished for
any other weapon. The thick warrior Cyprus of Nod in his bright Gladiator armor
fidgeted and fingered his axe lovingly, "When are we leaving already? I am ready
to depart and it is too hot to simply stand around."
"Very soon my good friend, very soon", replied the elf, "Natas thought
he saw one of the Brotherhood come through town earlier and he went to see if he
could persuade him to come with us."
"And where exactly are we heading?" asked the ranger Scout who was petting
one of the two Snow Wolves who had been lying in the shade of the merchants tent.
"That's a good question my friend." Said Jule "I was told by one
of the traders that if we worked our way to the Courthouse we could check the
archives there for information on this place they call Forge."
From seemingly out of nowhere appeared a necromancer freak with bright green hair cut
into a mohawk to match his black and green spikey armor and a warrior who appeared to
have gotten his armor from a clown shop.
"Yo Dudes, look who I found!" said the necromancer named Natas Souldrinker,
"Its Panel Boy of Shrink, and dude that's some ugly armor. No offense,
I'm just sayin'!"
As the warrior in the multi-colored armor came up the others all laughed and greeted
him with a warm welcome.
"I am glad you have overcome your fear and decided to join us.," laughed
Jule "Another tank will be handy on this journey, even if he does make a better
minion than he does a tank!" At this the group of men broke into fits of laughter.
"I wasn't afraid, I do not make a better minion, and I like this armor for
your information!" Panel Boy exclaimed.
"Yeah, I don't think it looks too bad either," added Cyprus of Nod
Natas just laughed, "Whatever, you guys are gay!" which is what he always said
whenever people didn't share his opinions.
"Hey Panel Boy, I forgot to tell you about the place we are going" said Natas
a little too excitedly, "Dude they have Dwarves and you know what that means? Dwarf
chicks dude! I can't wait to get me a Dwarf chick. Can you imagine?"
Panel Boy looked like he might be sick. "I hate Dwarves. I just want to kill them
all."
"Well, you will need to hold your anger and hate inside if you travel with us. We
won't kill anything we don't have to." Said the elven leader.
"I know your stance on living things Jule, and I will abide by them for as long as
we travel together." Said Panel Boy begrudgingly.
"Thank you my friend. As I was just telling X Scout X and Cyprus when you two showed
up, we will be heading to Courthouse to gather information on Forge but first I think we
shall stop by Piken to see if anyone there has any information. Does everyone agree with
that?" Jule asked, looking at the band of men who would journey forth with him as
each nodded their approval. "Does everyone have everything they need for the
journey?"
"Well, actually, I have more than I need. Let me sell some of this to the material
trader and we can go. A little extra gold won't hurt us in any case."
Exclaimed the ranger Scout and he trotted off followed by one of the snow wolves.
After a few minutes he returned counting his gold. "Hey man, anybody got a spare
death wand? Mines a piece of rubbish and I got no gold" said Natas.
"You know I do!" replied Jule as he handed a Bone Staff to the necromancer
"One of these days you know you will have to fend for yourself"
"Yeah dude, but not today!" laughed Natas and the whole band of men laughed
together.
Jule looked around him, saw that he was surrounded by the few he knew could be trusted
and smiled to himself. With a little luck and help along the way this group of men could
make any journey. He lifted his pack to his shoulder and turned to the others.
"Off we go then!" And the band of men strolled through the gates of Ascalon
city and headed for the foothills.
Once outside the gate Jule stopped and addressed the band of brothers. "Scout, you
take the lead here since you are most familiar with the terrain."
Scout looked ahead and turned to the others. "Okay, but stay close in case of
trouble! That means you too Panel Boy!"
"What do you mean by that?" exclaimed the multi colored warrior.
At that moment from over the hilltop came charging a pair of whiptail devourers and
three mergoyles.
"It looks like we won't get a chance to find out just yet!" yelled Cyprus
as the men all charged forward into battle with sword, axe, bows and staff in hand, along
with two mighty snow wolves…
