If you think this sounds interesting, please post/e-mail and I will continue the adventure. If you would like to write your own adventure using similar characters, contact me.

If you have not already done so, go back and read Chapter 1.

BoltBait's Tail

Chapter 2
The Adventure Begins

Eldoran nearly fell to the ground as he reached for the chair near the work bench. Jon grabbed him and helped him onto the chair.

"How is it that you know my name?" Jon asked as he took the lantern off the wall and placed it in the middle of the bench.

"Your name is well known in these parts. You are said to be brave, honest and strong. I see that I have not been misinformed," Eldoran said forcing a smile.

Jon could see the strain on Eldoran's face. This was not just the strain of death, but the strain of battles won and battles lost. It was the strain of sacrifice for the 'greater good'. It was the look of sacrifice itself.

"I have come to you to ask you," he said "to finish a job that I can not."

"I have the greatest respect for the Knights of Winterhaven," Jon said earnestly. "I am at your service."

"Good. We haven't much time." Eldoran reached into a pocket and produced a rolled-up piece of paper. He put it out onto the work bench and motioned to Jon to take a look. Jon unrolled the paper and laid it out flat. It was a map. "I got this map from a wizard in Pertha named Feldovone. I suggest you see him at once." Eldoran began to cough. The coughing started out slow and shallow, but quickly turned deep. It was as if he would cough so hard that his entire insides would come out. He fell to the floor.

"Is there nothing that I can do?" asked Jon as he lifted him again to his chair. Eldoran took a small flask from his belt and drank its contents. The coughing subsided. "I'll be alright," he said, but, Jon saw the blood on his lips.

Eldoran put his hand on Jon's shoulder. "There is something that you can do," he began. "It is more important than anything you have ever done."

"Yes?"

"There is one to the South. One who is complete evil. Everything he touches turns to dust. His power is strong and his influence is great. He lives in a castle high in the clouds in a land called Nod." Eldoran began to cough again. Jon could see him strain to regain control of his own body.

"Who..."

"His name? I do not know. It is said, that his name has not been spoken for ten thousand years..." his voice trailed off. Quickly regaining his composure he continued, "Anyway, that is not important. He has trained four Tandon Dragons that carry out his commands. One of which, Moarth, was sent to Winterhaven to steal the Crystal Dagger. Moarth was successful in his quest and the dagger is on its way to his dark master. Without the Crystal Dagger, Winterhaven, the Grand North Wood, Moss Wood, everything north of Pertha stands to ruin. The Crystal Dagger, one of the four Great Artifacts, gift to Dasha, Queen of Winterhaven, is the key to balance in the North. I followed Moarth from Winterhaven, and it was I who did battle with him tonight over Moss Wood." Eldoran lowered his head, "I was not successful."

Eldoran began coughing again. Blood flowed from his nose as well as his mouth. His body shook like a tree in a great storm. He fell to one knee. Eldoran raised his head and looked right into Jon's eyes. Jon felt as though Eldoran could see into his soul. "Swear to me," Eldoran said with much effort, "swear to me that you will return the Crystal Dagger to Winterhaven."

A million thoughts rushed through Jon's mind in an instant as he looked into Eldoran's eyes. He could see Moss Wood, the people of Old Nail, his farm, his son, his wife. He saw the green fields, the oak trees, the blue sky, the breeze and the rain. Then he saw their destruction reflected in Eldoran's eyes. He saw everything that he knew dissolve into nothingness. Looking down, he saw his hands, calloused and worn by years of farming and woodcutting. Jon knew of himself that he was a good man, a good father, but had he ever gotten involved in something bigger than himself? Did he have it inside of himself? How could he succeed when this knight had failed?

Jon reached out to Eldoran touching his shoulder. Jon saw this Knight of Winterhaven, his face twisted with pain, covered in the blood of a battle lost.

"You have my word."

Eldoran's body wretched again falling to the floor. He lay twisting in pain for a moment then a look of calm came over his face. He lay still and Jon knew that Eldoran's suffering was over.

As Jon sat there contemplating the trip that lay before him, he noticed that Eldoran's body began to glow. It was a faint glow as if the body were being illuminated by a small lamp. Jon carefully moved back away from the body. This was not something that he was used to seeing. As he watched, the glowing seemed to intensify. Soon, Eldoran's body was too bright to look at directly. It was as if Eldoran's body were being swallowed by the light. Jon covered his eyes. There was a final incredible flash of light and everything went dark. Jon was blind for a few moments and as he regained his sight he saw that Eldoran's body was gone.

"You have my word."

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The road to Pertha was dusty and hot and Jon walked along it slowly. It stretched in front of him like a huge dust snake, pitted and scared from the passage of time. None of the roads leading out of Moss Wood were in good repair. The people of that area did not stray far from the comforts of home. In fact, Jon had only been out of Moss Wood once. He had traveled to Zott's Palace and spent a year working as a laborer in exchange for a set of copper pots which he presented to his wife when he asked her to merry him. No one in Old Nail had ever seen a copper pot. No one had ever seen that much copper at one time. Oh sure, most everyone in Old Nail had a copper coin or two, but his gift had been big news in Moss Wood. And, even bigger news when she turned him down. She let him know, in no uncertain terms, that she could not be bought with riches, not even copper. They had been in love since childhood and she could not say 'no' forever. Jon was glad when she accepted his proposal the second time that he had asked.

The road had narrowed to a small walking path. Jon continued his long walk toward Pertha. He had a walking stick in one hand and the reigns to his horse in the other. Jon was not the type to have favorites when it came to his animals, with the possible exception of Lightningbolt. Jon had raised Lightningbolt from a foal. He was nearly all brown with just one vertical streak of white on his forehead. Jon had taken good care of him all of his life. Jon had trained him for plowing or riding. And, each year, when it came time to sell horses, he could never seem to give up Lightningbolt. Lightningbolt seemed to understand.

As he walked along, Jon felt a slight pull at the reigns. Lightningbolt had stopped. Jon gave a light tug as he turned to walk on. But, Lightningbolt would not move. "What's the matter?" Jon asked. Lightningbolt gave a tug on the reigns and started off the path toward a small patch of trees in the distance. Jon had learned years ago to trust Lightningbolt's instincts and he fell in line with the horse.

They had left the protection of the trees of Moss Wood yesterday. The foothills and grasslands lay before them like a huge brown blanket. The stalks of weeds which reached up to Jon's waist gently moved in the evening's slight breeze. Jon had not even noticed the patch of trees which seemed to start at the top of the next rolling hill, but Lightningbolt had seen it.

When they reached the grove of trees, Jon saw that they were apple trees and he realized why Lightningbolt had insisted on the detour. Jon picked an apple from the nearest tree and cut it in half with a knife from his belt. He then offered half of the apple to Lightningbolt as he slowly stroked Lightningbolt's mane.

Jon took a seat under the shade of the apple tree, took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead. As he enjoyed his half of the apple, he started thinking of the events of the last week starting with the mysterious appearance of Eldoran. He had not slept that night and the next morning he had taken his story to the Elder Council of Old Nail. There had been much debate as to the authenticity of the story. "You have no body, you have no proof!" one had said. "Ah, but Jonathan is a good and truthful man," said another. After many hours of debate, it was decided that three young men were chosen to deliver the story of Eldoran's death. One was sent to Winterhaven, one to Ocean View, and one to Zott's Palace. Jon was to go south on his own. And, although he could not convince anyone to go with him in search of the Crystal Dagger, each man had offered what he could to outfit Jon for the trip. Old Mother Folus, who also sat on the council, had been the most generous once Jon had assured her that his son Michael would be delivering her wood on time.

Jon then thought about his placing of Michael in charge of the farm. He was seventeen. It was time that he be given some real responsibility Jon thought. Michael had wanted to join Jon in his quest for the Crystal Dagger, but Jon wouldn't have it. Someone needed to take over the business. And, Jon needed to rely on Michael now to take care of the family.

Jon's "family." The word swirled around in Jon's mind. Jon's wife had pleaded with him not to go for the two days that it took him to prepare for the trip. She knew that her pleading was useless. Once Jon had an idea into his head, he would see it through. And, he had given his word. She had always loved that quality in him, but now it was taking him away. He had reassured her that if there was any way to return alive, he would find it.

"Thief! THIEF!" came the call from just over the hill. Jon awoke from his thoughts and jumped to his feet. He could see two men approaching. Both of them were short, fat, and had pitch forks in their hands...

---===>>>X<<<===---

BoltBait's Tail is Copyright (C) 2001 by BoltBait@hotmail.com

So, there you have it folks! The long awaited chapter 2! Now, I need your input. You should have a general idea of what is going on. You also have the map. Now, I need you to participate. What hardships should Jon encounter on his trip? Who should he meet? Would you like to see your name as part of the story? I will be writing the next chapter over the next couple of weeks. If you want to participate in shaping the story, e-mail me! I do not want to do this alone, I want you to participate! If no one posts here, I will assume that no one is reading (and therefore will end the adventure). Participate!

Is Eldoran a Magic Character?

quote:

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Originally posted by yeom:
BTW BoltBait's tail should be Boltbait's Tale

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How would you know? Have you ever seen it?

(Actually, I was trying to make a pun. Similar to the articles by *Tedman* called "Tedman's Tales". Hmmm, not that funny I guess. But, don't be surprised if Jon runs into a character named BoltBait that has a tail. )

EDIT: Thanks for the compliment. And, Eldoran is just some name that I made up.

quote:

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Originally posted by anthony:
i will email tomarrow, mine emails not workin, i cna't send anything
i thought of some great ideas
do you have AIM?

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I don't have AIM, but you can always PM me.