The Monstrous beast was limping towards Alisa who was neither fast enough to dodge its attack, neither did she have the endurance to take a direct hit.

  The Wyvern opened its wide jaw, the inexperienced mage was petrified in her place. The other party tried to rush to help, but they were simply too far away. Everything seemed lost...

  Then something unexpected happened, Harwin mustered up all his remaining magika to cast an intermediate spell "Blazing Death". It was a small orb of blaze which he projected directly into the mouth of the Wyvern. It was packed with enough magika to cause a great explosion.

  Harwin fell to his knees while the beast was launched away due to the great explosive impact.

  Alisa did not the waste opportunity and began to cast a barrage of stone spikes right at the exposed weak spots of the Wyvern, but that was not it, the other party members had finally managed to catch up and wrecked havoc on the already injured ferocious lizard.

  Even after all these attacks, It took an hour of constant bashing and slashing before the Wyvern finally came down.

  In the end, Alisa and Harwin were in no condition to move. No-one came out unscratched. Grantal specially, being the weakest in the charge party, suffered all sorts of injuries, one of his leg was almost mutilated and constantly bleeding. The poor lad tried to control himself but was grunting constantly from pain, he was on the brink of losing consciousness.

  Even Landel, the prodigy, had suffered wounds of all sort. Kraft was in a better shape, as he was an archer, but it was not as if he was left unscratched, either.

  Farelen, though was injured himself, quickly tried to assess the condition of others. He preferred to help the mages while leaving Grantal in the care of his other companions.

  The two young lads along with Viyetal gathered around Grantal.

  “We have to cut his leg, otherwise it may affect his whole body.” Viyetral said inspecting Grantal.

  “He will become quite the burden if we do that.” Landel argued.

  “No other choice, we will have to carry him in the carriage. Can lady Alisa do something?” Viyetral asked Landel.

  “She might have been able to do if she had not chanted so many spells. Her magika is almost depleted, it could be lethal to use anymore.” Landel answered.

  “We have a magika potion as well. It only restores some of it, and Iquaral had advised me to use it only in extreme conditions so this certainly calls for it.” Viyetral suggested.

  “Whatever you guys are planning, do it quickly. This boy might not make it if we delay the treatment any further.” Farelen instructed.

  The giant had already carried the two — nearly unconscious — party members nearby. The two rested with their backs against the mountain walls.

  Landel moved as swiftly and gave the potions to Alisa who suddenly felt a surplus of energy. She felt refreshed and was able to get a hold of her senses again.

  “Lisa, we have a serious problem at hand, that fellow, Grantal, has got serious wound to his leg and it might result in his death. Can you chant a spell to heal his wound completely so we can avoid amputating his leg?” Landel asked.

  “I can not do it. The spell of that class is complex and only few people in this world can do it. Master Iquaral might have been able to but that would have brought even him to the door of death. All I can do is try to stop the blood loss.” Alisa answered.

  “We have to cut the leg then. Landel, light a fire and heat up your sword.” Farelen ordered and then continued while facing Alisa:

  “Lady Alisa, cast the healing spell as soon as the sword separates the leg. We can not afford anymore blood-loss than this, otherwise he might not make it.”

  Once everything was ready, Landel, Viyetral and Kraft held down Grantal. After that, Farelen lifted up the sword above his head and then brought it down swiftly targeting only the flesh that had become infectious; upon seeing this, Alisa immediately performed intermediate healing spells in quick successions.

  The leg was cut-off clean in one slash. It also did not take much to stop the blood loss completely. Viyetral with help from Kraft, bandaged up the poor young-blood.

  After this was done, all of them headed back to the carriage and the horses. Farelen carefully carried Grantal whilst Landel and Viyetral provided support to Harwin. The latter was in his senses but still too weak to walk on his own.

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  They laid down the two in the carriage. Alisa sat down with her backs against the carriage, as she was once again near depletion. This small battle had caused them so unprecedented amount of trouble. The young ones could not even fathom the idea that the mighty captains had gotten injured in this battle.

  They settled near the area for the rest of the day. It was in the morrow that Harwin and Alisa had regained some of their energies back.

  Now with everyone somewhat rested, they gathered once more and began to plan ahead:

  “This small incident might have shocked all you to the corem, but that is the life outside of the forest. This is the sort of life we had to live through the war with comrades lost, some disabled whilst not even knowing if we will survive the next day or not. Now, we need to think ahead. Obviously, Grantal can not ride the horse anymore so it has to be Farelen, so this means that Kraft and Gor will be taking charge of the carriage. As I am sure, you both know the basics of how to handle it already. Farelen and I will riding close-by, so you can ask for help as well. Any other questions?” Viyetral tried to calm all of them down.

  “Coming back to the Wyverns, can we expect a lot more of them ahead of the road? I do not think we will be able to fight another one.” Harwin asked with a worried look.

  “No, it is unlikely that there will another one. Wyverns do not move in packs, so we can be sure that none of the others followed this stray ones example. Moreover, I am sure that we are now much more experienced in handling one if we encounter it again, or am I wrong Landel?” Farelen replied.

  “You are right, the main weakness of that thing was in its legs but if I had gotten on top of it, which is quite easy since I now know the pattern of its movements, I could have taken it down in one hit by putting my sword straight through its weak forehead.”

  “That is true. First we should have taken down both of its eyes, then we could have taken down its legs, and at last, delivered the finishing blow.” Viyetral added.

  “That certainly reassures me.” Harwin, breathed in relief.

  “We should not stay here anymore. If all of you can move now, it will be better to find a another spot for resting.” Viyetral instructed.

  All of them were fatigued but what Viyetral said was true as well. Soon, wild animals might gather there due to the fresh meat of the Wyvern.

  As everyone got ready, Farelen and Viyetral went near the fallen beast and carved out its forehead. They came back with a small red horn — a very precious resource that could be used to craft powerful weapons or artifacts.

  With everyone ready, they began to travel once again. The ropes were in the hands of Kraft who had learned a lot from Farelen since they began to travel. On top of that, he was talented enough to learn new skills quite easily. This was the reason for him being the strongest youngling in the village as well.

  Landel never officially became a youngling. His role in the village was predetermined when he was born as the successor to the chieftain. Later on, he was trained by the sword-saint to take his place. Younglings were more like soldiers with Captains being the officers, so in all of it, Landel was more of monarch so one could say that he was a prince. This is the reason that he was never included in the list of younglings. The elfin system was different, it did not prioritize succession through blood but by talent, and of course, even by that standard Landel was the most qualified.

  Harwin sat beside Kraft on the large bench. It was awkward for the first hour, but then suddenly, Kraft broke the silence:

  “I am actually quite thankful to you, deputy. You see, my little sister was also infected by that accursed plague, but thanks to you, she was able to recover just fine. I am grateful to you beyond words.” Kraft bowed his head a little in respect.

  “Please, no need to thank me. I am happy that I was able to save the people of the village considering how much they have given me. Please do not call me deputy, just call me by my name. You are obviously much more deserving of titles than myself.” Harwin replied.

  “You are too modest and humble. You know, I actually think that might become your weakness. Of course, I can not say for sure, but I feel that to underestimate yourself can cause you to lose courage in the most important time. I have seen you training under the sword-saint and Landel, and I am impressed by how far you have come in matter of months. On top of everything else, you can chant use magika spells quite precisely as seen in the earlier battle. You are certainly above the average warrior, even if I do not take account of your wit, so do not lose confidence.” Kraft tried to motivate Harwin.

  “I will definitely keep that in mind. I have been told of this issue in the past as well, but what can I say, it has become a part of my character.”

  They talked with each other for the next few hours. It was regarding different topics, but mostly combat. Both wanted to learn whatever they could from each-other.

  The captains finally came to a stop followed by the halt of the carriage as well. Landel lept outside of it, as soon as he felt the sudden stop.

  “This small cave here will suffice but first we will need to inspect its interior. Landel, come with me. All of the rest can remain here for the while. If you sense danger, do not engage but let us know.” Viyetral gave instructions.

  Both of them went inside the cave. Its entrance was quite wide, and obviously, it appeared to be quite old.

  Under Farelen’s command, Harwin and Kraft guarded the carriage in which Alisa and Grantal remained. It did not take too long for Viyetral and Landel to return.

  “It is safe. The cave does not extend too far and does not have any hidden openings of any sort, but just in-case, it will be best to not go too deep. We should now prepare for encampment. Kraft, light up the campfire. Also, who will be cooking today?” Viyetral posed a question while looking at Farelen.

  “Today we shall examine the skills of my dear student, Kraft. Surely it is not too much trouble, or is it, young man?” Farelen wore a mischievous smile.

  “Not a bit, master. I shall handle it swiftly!” He was more than happy to oblige.

  “You burden him too much, I shall help him as well. You lot can inspect the area in the meantime.” Viyetral said.

  Alisa also made her way outside the carriage and helped in taking out the rations. She offered to help in cooking as well but was told to rest, as her talents in magika might be required again, soon enough. Grantal remained unconscious.

  Farelen, Landel and Harwin made their way outside of the cave. After some distance, the giant was suddenly stopped by the firm grip on his arm by Landel.

  “What is it?” Farelen asked with an annoyed look.

  “You were the one who insured Grantal during the fight, now weren't you?” Landel asked with a meancing look...

  New chapter will come out a day after tomorrow. Be sure to check out the uploading schedule on the main page as well. Thanks!