The elven sorceress headed toward the gate into the city. She moved quickly, with frequent glances back over her shoulder. No telling how fast Pawl and Uthor would return looking for vengeance.
Chapter 11
The forest was eerily quiet. Killum slowed down, hoping it was his presence that made all of the animals stop singing. Yet, they hadn't been concerned about him up until then.
A terrifying roar thundered through the forest. The battle-mage dropped to his belly, while looking all around for an attack. The roar sounded again, and he realized it was coming from straight ahead. So Killum climbed to his feet and continued more slowly. Soon he recognized where he was.
"The nest," he whispered, a thrill racing up his spine. "I can find out what it is. Raptor or dragon."
It could even be some new monster found only in that game, in that realm.
The human battle-mage moved with all of the stealth he could muster. He found comfort within the old-growth forest, figuring the trees were thick enough to slow down the biggest dragon if he had to make a run for it. And he couldn't imagine a giant eagle pursuing him into the confines of the forest.
"My luck it'll be a giant snake," he said. "But then I can tell Rand what it's like to be eaten alive. That'll freak him out."
He saw movement as he neared the top of the hill. A moment later Killum spotted his first real live dragon, in fully enhanced VR glory. The four-legged monster had to be a hundred and fifty feet long, from pointy snout to the tip of her tail. The tail was not barbed, which was disappointing for some reason. But all of the vicious looking horns and spikes on the beast's head and spine made up for it.
"Holy crap. It's beautiful."
Dragon (Lvl 9). Neutral.
Momma dragon was a dark red, with black and dark yellow markings. Most of the horns on her head, some as long as he was tall, were tipped with yellow. The dragon's eyes were bigger than his head, red, and had slit pupils. And her wings were black and leathery.
The dragon roared again, spread her wings, and leapt into the air. Killum watched her spiraling upward until the dragon veered to the east and flew away. He sighed, all tingly inside. His friends were going to be so jealous when he told them about the dragon.
He started to turn away. There was still a long way to go before he reached Oxenbluff. But his eyes were drawn back to the nest. Rand wasn't there to stop him this time, so Killum started up to check it out.
It'll be embarrassing if I get myself killed again, he thought. Be careful, Eddie. Momma might've raised a fool, but I don't need to prove it here and now.
The battle-mage moved as quietly as he could, while listening for any inhabitants inside the nest. It was nice and quiet, so he felt confident when he started climbing up the nest's woven side.
"Holy moly, Batman," Killum whispered, eyes wide and incredulous. "Baby dragons."
There were two dragons and one more egg. The little monsters were as big as Rand, but so young their egg shells were still in the nest. Both baby dragons were snuggled together asleep.
The remaining egg was on Killum's side of the nest, just a few feet away. He sucked on his lip, looking all around. Mostly looking up for danger.
I bet that egg is worth a lot in town.
He would need money for weapons and spells, and maybe even some armor. A horse would be nice, because he was already getting tired of walking. Literally getting tired.
Killum eased over the side and into the nest. He stopped to scan for danger again, before moving up to the egg. It was bigger than he originally thought, but lighter than it looked. And it wasn't a hard shell, but a leathery thing. He was able to lift it without too much effort, feeling heat radiating from it. So he slowly crawled back out of the nest, carefully balancing the dragon egg on his shoulder.
With the egg held in both arms, Killum headed toward town. He had to stop and rest a lot more often. At one point he considered rolling the egg to town, but decided if the dragon was close to hatching, that might kill it. At the very least the baby dragon would get dizzy.
So the sun was touching the western horizon by the time he reached Oxenbluff. Killum noticed all of the people on the roads between the farms, and got worried.
"I'll leave it here, and ask about selling it in town," he said. "I've already been killed on my first day. I don't want to get robbed, too."
To his surprise, about every third peasant he passed proved to be a player. None of them spoke to him, so he didn't engage either. He hurried into the rag-tag shantytown and located a merchant in expensive looking robes.
Colum. Human merchant (Lvl 34). +18 Light.
"Excuse me, merchant," Killum said, giving a quick bow. "I just arrived in town. May I ask a question?"
His two ork bodyguards moved closer, hands on hilts. The mobs gave Killum dark looks. The fact they were level 20 and 31 warriors was worrisome.
"As long as it doesn't cost me anything, battle-mage," Colum said.
"Thank you, sir. You are very kind, sir," he said. "If a man found a dragon's nest…" The merchant perked up, as did several unsavory characters within hearing. "And managed to steal an unhatched egg, where might one sell such a thing?"
"I might be interested," Colum said. "If the hatchling inside is still alive."
"There were two others, both freshly hatched," Killum said. "And this egg is radiating heat, so I assume it is still alive and will hatch shortly."
The merchant's dark eyes filled with mercenary glee. Others moved towards them.
"I'll give you ten silver shekels for the egg," another man said.
"Eleven," Colum said.
Others started bidding. Killum didn't have to say a word. They competed with each other. He did check out everyone bidding. All were players. Most were aligned with the Dark, which didn't bode well in any dealings with them. Thankfully, Colum won the bidding war.
"The egg is yours, my friend," Killum said, holding out his hand. "I believe you bid fifteen silver and fifty copper shekels."
"I don't see the egg."
"I'll take you to it as soon as you pay me," he said. When the merchant hesitated, giving him a wary look. "Don't worry, merchant. I'm unarmed, and you have two big, burly bodyguards protecting you and your purchase." He leaned in and whispered, "Besides, we both know I'm so new to this realm I don't dare cheat anyone, especially not such a powerful and experienced player as yourself."
"Hmm, a little too ingratiating for my tastes, but you are correct," Colum said, and counted out the agreed upon sum into Killum's hand. Then he smiled. "I'll sell you a coin purse for five copper shekels."
"That's kind of expensive."
"So is your dragon egg."
Killum paid him the five shekels, and received an undyed leather purse. He led the merchant back up the road, while the two orks ensured no one followed. Colum did grab a street urchin, whispered something to him, and gave the little boy a copper piece.