It seemed like an easy enough task. I had done them a few times before. And never with considerable trouble. They are not my favorite task. Nor aught they for most. Which is understandable. Probably why this particular task had sat on the notice board for as long as it had. And with my recent down time I had aught to do. I figured while I await the upcoming trial I might as well keep myself occupied. Plus the Pawns are getting restless. And there is nothing worse than a bunch of Pawns following you around constantly saying "We should make preparations for the task at hand Arisin." So, against my better judgment I accepted this escort task.
I didn't pay much attention to who I was to be escorting. I was only interested in the destination and the pay. I wont being do that again, I can assure you. So off we went. On our long and boring journey to the Healing Spring. It was quite until we crossed the northern bridge. This is when a Pawn noticed a pack of goblins heading our way. As we readied for battle I quickly looked around to see where our guest was. I positioned myself in front of him and drew my magic bow. One by one the goblins fell lifelessly to ground in quick order. We made our way through ten when another Pawn shouted "Harpies!". Crap, I thought.
If there is one thing you learn from traveling around dusk, and I should have mentioned this sooner; we left at dusk, its that when you see harpies, there is usually a cyclops close by. I started taking down the harpies with my bow. Making sure all the while to stay close to our guest. I was relieved to find we had finished off all the goblins and harpies and our guest had not as much taken a scratch. After taking a few minutes to gather some spoils and lighting a lantern, we set off again. However, we did not get more than a few yards when there was the missing cyclops. I thought about just going around him. Not wanting to risk drawing his attention. But I was not fast enough. He had already spotted us. I have fought may cyclops before. None however have been as memorable as this.
I quickly jumped on his back to climb up to his neck and head. It at the time I reach my intended destination that I remembered I was escorting someone. In all my angst to finish the fight I had quickly forgotten what my true goal was. Then I thought, he should be fine. We can make quick work of this and be off. As long as he stays put. I drew my daggers and started slashing as furious as I could. Our mage was starting to cast a lighting spell when another pawn shouted "Chimera!, attack the snake first!" You have got to be kidding me I shouted. I quickly jumped off the cyclops and started looking for our guest. He was no where to be found. I panicked and ran for the Chimera. With one Pawn already attacking the snake tail, I mounted the goats head. It only took us working together a few minutes. We make impressively fast work of the beast.
I was starting feel a little relieved. And that is when I heard a scream for help. Quickly we all turned and ran towards the cyclops who was but aught a few yards away. The cyclops had is back to me. I was looking around as fast I could while approaching looking for our quest. He was not in sight. As I got to the foul creature I mounted his back once more and began to climb. It was at this moment the beast flung his right arm up high to heavens. It was at this very moment I heard a small voice in my head say "you have failed your fast arisin". And then the cyclops smashed his hand down into the ground killing our guest. He had grabbed him while we were off fighting the Chimera.
Depressed I returned to Gran Soren to reset for the evening. I had a trail verdict to look in on the morning and I was more than upset with myself for how the evening had played out. My Pawns were trying to cheer me up, but it wasn't working. We arrived at the Inn after spending some time at the Ale house only to discover it was empty. That is when the real dread set in. This Inn was now officially closed. The Inn keeper was killed on my watch. How could I have not noticed who I was escorting. This is terrible. Rest in peace old friend. You will be truly be missed.
(good thing is NPC like this re-spawn after one weeks time in game, it just blows not having him there.)
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