Originally written in June 2021
In a lush, grassy field several yards away from a small village, a knight wearing light brown gambeson battles a massive 50-foot-long snake while his partner magician, donned in blue and black robes and a hood forms magic sigils on the ground.
March (knight) vs. Giant serpent… the serpent lashes out at March, who quickly rolls to his left, dodging the strike. Rearing its head up on its massive muscular black and gold patterned body, the serpent reels back to attack again, but March unravels an enchanted scarf from around his neck. Wrapping one end around his wrist, he brushes his hand against the blue, grey and silver fabric as it glows with magical energy. Gripping it tight, he whips the scarf at the serpent. A cracking sound snaps through the air which could be heard from the villagers, who are all hiding in their stone wooden homes. March recalls the scarf back, whipping the front of the snake, actively avoiding striking it. Unfazed, the serpent attacks again, its long fangs snapping at the knight. March throws the scarfs end toward a tree, the fabric magically extends out, wrapping around the trunk and gripping tight. Kicking the heels of his boots, he is gently lifted a few inches off the ground. Twitching his wrist, the scarf pulls him toward the tree, dodging the snake’s fangs.
“I told you light boots was a good spell,” June giggles while forming her sigils.
“Yes yes, thank you,” March agrees. “How much longer until you’re ready?”
“Almost ready, but he’s too fast. Can you pin him down for a few seconds?”
“Yeah, just tell me when you’re ready.”
Unwinding the scarf from the trunk, he throws the scarf end onto a sturdy branch a few feet above him. As the serpent lunges again, March tugs at his scarf, which lifts him above the serpent’s attack. He quickly unravels the scarf and loops it around the snake’s mouth. March coils the scarf around the snake’s head, binding its mouth shut as June chants an incantation while waving her hands to form a magic circle.
“Ready yet?”
“Bring it closer,” June orders.
The serpent frantically slithers across the ground, slamming into trees and burying its face in the dirt to remove the knight from atop its head. March grips the scarf tightly, leaping off the serpent and rushing toward June and the magic circle she has formed on the ground.
The serpent glares at the knight, hissing and lunging once more. March whips his scarf at the serpent, striking it directly in the nose. The serpent recoils back for a moment, shaking its head from the surprise attack. March steps back as June claps her hands together engulfing the serpent in wild flames which incinerates the beast to cinders.
Back in town, March and June meet with the townsfolk, informing them the beast is slain and will no longer terrorize the people. The town cheers, agreeing to throw a celebration for the heroes for defeating the beast plaguing their town for months. In the ale hall, the town, March and June drink, eat and sing until late into the night.
The next day, June casts a spell to teleport back home and check on things, reminding March to use his spell tag if he needs her. March agrees, noting to come back soon as there’s always others in need of help.
In a flash of light, June is teleported to a large town, covered in a massive magical veil depicting a dense forest. She rushes to a field where several druids are speaking with the giant serpent from before. The serpent hisses and backs away from June.
“It seems to remember you, what did you use to teleport it here,” a druid asks.
“He was pretty big, so I used a sigil with a copy, teleportation, and immolation spell,” June explains. “I made a wooden copy of it, burned it and teleported the original here.”
“Seems a bit excessive when he was just looking for food.”
“He was eating a lot of livestock from a village. People notice that and get angry.”
“Yeah yeah. But if you keep relocating these bigger animals, we’re going to have to expand the barrier again.”
“Noted,” June chuckles while walking back to the village. “Keep me updated on his acclimation.”
Dressed in a black cloak with a deep hood covering his eyes, March sits in a town meeting where the people are clamoring of a chimera attacking their farms. Smiling, March stands from his chair to address the townsfolk saying he could be of assistance.
Comments