Mountain Begone

SOME TIME LATER:

The cart is rolling along with Kira walking beside them, finally escaping Clarva's grasp.

"You sure you're okay? Holding you was no problem." Clarva says.

"If you ever pick me up without my consent again, I will shove this spear so far up your behind, people will think you are a scarecrow."

"What're we shoving up who?" Amilia asks, getting a few laughs from the group as they continue towards their first stop.

"There it is! Hynesgar!" Virra calls out.

"Man, I cannot wait to see Braxxas again. He's gonna have a field day when I tell him what happened." Clarva chuckles, thinking about her mentors possible reaction.

Karray lands on Clarva's shoulder. "How's the old guy been since I got locked up? Bet he's been missing me."

"Like a whore misses herpes."

The group begin laughing again, even Kira can't hold back as Karray just slaps her friend arm. "Hey, like it or not, I always come back. Can't get rid of me with some fancy medicine."

"I've known a few girls who couldn't even get rid of theirs with medicine either." Amilia adds.

"Please tell me none of your contagious friends have slept in my beds?" Kyuala asks. "I really don't need the bad reviews."

Terra is intrigued. "Have you had bad reviews before, Kyuala?"

"A few times. Usually it's because some idiots were brawling, or someone had a little too much to drink. I did also get a few because Amilia was there."

"What did she do?" Terra asks.

"Be herself."

"Hey!" Amilia gives Kyuala a little punch, but it just hurts Amilia more than Kyuala.

"Before there's any more hits exchanged, I've been meaning to ask something." Kira interjects. "How long is the journey from here back to Mulvenscroll exactly?"

"Over a week." Terra answers, making Kira stutter a little.

"Don't forget there's a swamp we've gotta go through as well." Virra adds.

"Over a week?! And through a swamp?!" Kira sighs. "Clarva. I give you full permission to pick me up during that."

"Oh? And here I thought you wanted to walk."

"If you even attempt to make me walk in a swamp, I will shove your pixie up your-."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Karray calls out, making Kira stop. "You will not be shoving me up, down, or into anywhere. You got a problem with C? You throw her out the cart."

"Can we all zip it? We're about to head into town, and I really don't want any sideways looks because you guys are arguing about inserting pixies into people." Virra says.

"I'm not getting inserted into anywhere!"

"Zip it!" Virra demands, getting everyone to become silent as they get closer to the town.

---

HYNESGAR:

The group are heading through the town, and it's in a much different way than when they first left. People are actually outside, they're obviously still not wanting to dawdle in fear of another giant attack, but they seem less fearful than when the group first arrived.

"People are actually outside their houses. The place looks nice when it isn't a ghost town." Clarva says as she looks around at the people who are now staring at the cart.

"Clarva! You're okay!" A teenage boy calls out, running over to the cart as Virra slows it down.

Clarva climbs out the cart. "Hey kiddo! How you been?"

"I'm okay. Mom says I shouldn't be out for long cause of what happened, but I heard you left for the mountain. Did you kick the giants' butts?"

"Hells yeah we did!" Clarva responds, making the kid laugh. "Anyway, you seen Braxxas? I need to report to him."

"He's at your barracks. Some other guides are back. Something about a group of bandits from what I overheard."

Clarva looks at the kid, wondering why he even heard that.

"I wasn't eavesdropping! Promise!"

"Sure, kiddo." Clarva ruffled his hair. "Now, scram back to your mom, and tell her that she doesn't need to worry about the giants any more."

"Will do! Bye!" The teen runs away to a nearby house as the cart starts moving again with Clarva continuing to walk beside it.

"Little Bricky didn't even say hi to me?! I stole candy for that ungrateful brat, and this is the thanks I get? Damn kid." Karray says before pouring, making Clarva chuckle.

"I think you meant you bribed him cause you stole in front of him."

"Tomato, tomahto."

A few chuckles emerge, and a few moments later, the cart turns before coming to a stop outside the barracks of the Guides.

"Well, if it ain't the half-giant pain in my ass! Here I thought I was finally getting rid of ya!" Braxxas calls pit as he heads over to the group. The leader of the Guides is quickly scooped up by Clarva into a bone-crushing hug. "Oof! Keep me here for a little longer, and I might think you missed me."

Clarva puts the older man down. "Can't have people thinking that now, but I am happy, that's for sure."

"Would that be because of us?" A voice asks, and Clarva looks up to see a man standing in the doorway of the barracks.

"Lee! You've still got your head, I see."

Lee laughs, "Yep, though not without many trying to change that."

Lee walks over to Clarva, and the two share a small hug.

"So, fought the giants, huh? Did you cut and run? Cause no chance you survived that."

"Well, have we got a story for you." Clarva says proudly as another figure emerges from the barracks.

"Oooh! I like stories!" A younger woman interjects.

"Pacey!" Clarva and the girl share a hug.

"Come on! I wanna hear this story!" Pacey begins pulling at Clarva's hand, dragging her into the barracks as the group, Braxxas, and Lee follow behind.

---

A FEW HOURS LATER:

"We had heard that the volcano erupting, but we didn't think you had anything to do with it." Braxxas says.

"I guess we didn't technically, we were just kinda there." Clarva responds.

"I was still right though. You didn't kill the Queen therefore, you didn't win." Lee proudly proclaims.

"Dude. We killed a freaky giant mage, and stopped the entire continent from getting drowned in lava. Pretty sure that means we won." Amilia adds.

"It doesn't matter." Pacey interjects. "Clarva and Karray are both back. They saved the elf girl, and kicked some giant ass. That is a fucking good story."

"Hear, hear!" Braxxas grabs his mug, raising it. "To all of you! You stopped a crazy giant witch, and saved the damned continent!"

Everyone takes a drink, even Lani and Karray who are sharing a shot glass.

After everyone takes their drink, Braxxas signals to Clarva to talk in private, so Clarva heads over to him. "So, what will you do now?"

"What'd you mean?" Clarva asks, confused as to what he means.

Braxxas turns his body to Clarva. "Listen. It's all good imagining that you head up to the mountains, kick some giant ass and then come back to just being a guide again, but I know you too well, Clarva. You don't want to do this for the rest of your life. You want to get out there, explore, kick some other kind of ass, then eat and drink your way through the continents. You want to be an adventurer, a hero, and that's okay."

"Braxxas..."

"Wait til I'm finished, kid." Braxxas interrupts. "You've got the perfect opportunity to get outta here. Those folk seem to be a lot happier with you around than when you first left with them, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind having a mountain of muscle by their side as they head back to Holvaeth Tarron's fancy pants mansion, and to wherever else they go."

Braxxas takes a breath. "I admit that I'll miss the hells outta ya, but if that's what you want to do, that's okay. You have my full blessing."

Clarva is lost for words, but she shouldn't be surprised that Braxxas had seen right through her.

"Braxxas... I can't begin to tell you how much I owe you. You took me in when I was a little tyke, just running around with my arse out. You nearly went bankrupt trying to feed me, and even fought for me when people found out I was a half-giant. I have wanted to pay that debt back for so long, but I can't. I never could."

"Clarva..." Braxxas starts, but gets cut off.

"You're gonna let me finish this time, old man." The two laugh before Clarva continues.

"I've always wanted that ****. My father died by their hand, and they kicked me out. I've finally scratched that itch that's been bugging me for years, and now I don't know what to do. It's like I've got a missing piece of me now. I haven't told them this cause, hells, I've haven't even known them for two days, but after we killed Hilfa, I felt... hollow."

Clarva sits down, looking at the floor. "I saw her body, and it was just... there. I didn't feel like I had conquered the beast. I didn't feel like I had finally avenged my father. I just... killed her. So, I got to wondering what's there for me to do." Clarva sighs. "When we visited that village, it was like I got thrown back in time. I saw what happened to Pricebirch all over again. When I saw all the people having to run away from their homes, that's when I decided that I don't want that to happen ever again, no matter where."

"That's when you decided to be an adventurer." Braxxas finishes, adding a small laugh on the end. "

"I don't know what I'd call it. Adventurer? Mercenary? Hero? I dunno, but whatever it's called... that's what I want to be."

Braxxas is silent as simply looks at Clarva with a smile on his face. Clarva looks back at him, nervous about what he's going to say.

"So, you gonna pack the rest of your things? Or am I throwing them in the storeroom for safekeeping?"

The two laugh before Clarva hugs Braxxas, and the much smaller man hugs his half-giant protégé back for a few moments before they split.

"Seriously though, are you taking the rest of your stuff? Cause it takes up a hell of a lot of space. I could fit three more bunks."

Clarva's smile hasn't disappeared. "I'll be sure to clear it up."

Back over at the fire, Lee and Pacey are talking with one another as they look over at Clarva and Braxxas.

"What'd you think they're talking about?" Pacey asks.

"Probably about Clarva leaving." Lee answers.

"Wait, what?!"

---

THE NEXT DAY:

The group have packed all their things, and are just waiting for Clarva to finish up saying goodbye to her friends.

"Remember, if it bubbles in water, don't eat the damned berries." Braxxas reminds Clarva.

"Braxxas, I am not six any more. I know how to avoid eating poisoned berries."

"Oh, and don't use pointed leaves as toilet paper. It is not nice on the ol' behind." Lee adds.

"Only you could be that stupid."

Pacey looks down, seemingly trying to avoid eye contact.

"Pacey! Seriously?"

"I was ****, okay?!"

The four laugh once more as Braxxas looks Clarva up and down one more time. "You're really ready to get outta here, huh?"

"I am." Clarva responds.

"Then don't let us keep you any longer. You gotta head to Mulvenscroll, and that is not a quick journey."

"Are you stopping anywhere?" Pacey asks.

"Nillork. One of Terra and Virra's sisters live their. Apparently she's shacked up with Gilla Markana of all people."

Lee laughs. "I heard Gilla had finally settled down, didn't expect it to be to an elf though. She seemed like more of a wolf-folk kinda gal."

"Putting aside Gilla Markana's potential preferences for romantic partners, that's a two-day journey, and through a bit of a swamp. There's those Banished Brood weirdos running about as well. Iggly had a run-in with them before going on his current job."

"A group of bandits ain't nothing for that group. They just killed a bunch of giants." Lee says.

Braxxas gives the man a small smack on the back of his head. "No matter the size, bandits can be dangerous, trained or not."

"We'll be careful. We've got some good fighters, especially Kyuala and Kira, and even John is pretty decent for being a drop-in."

"Just as long as you're careful." Braxxas says, sounding like a concerned father, making the guides laugh.

"Don't worry, old man." Clarva says as she ruffles Braxxas' long hair. "I'll be sure to send you a souvenir from Mulvenscroll."

"You better. Terra's promised to get her old man to send a little more gold our way as well. Hells, by the time you see us, we might even have a whole stronghold."

"I can't wait to see it." Clarva says as she gives the three another big, bone-shifting hug.

After the three let out an exaggerated breath after being released, and it makes Clarva chuckle. "Anyway it's time for us to go. I shouldn't keep them waiting."

Clarva heads over to the group, getting on the cart as they get ready to embark on their new journey when they hear Pacey call out.

"You better not let my Clunky get hurt!"

"If I wasn't leaving, I'd smack you silly!" Clarva shouts back.

"Clunky?" John asks.

"It's a nickname she gave me when she was drunk cause she couldn't pronounce Clarva."

"Well then, we best not let anything happen to our Clunky now." Virra says as she starts the cart, heading towards Nillork.

---

TWO DAYS LATER:

The group have arrived at the dreaded swamp, and Kira is obviously slowing down.

"Is it time?" Clarva asks, knowing too well what the answer is going to be.

Kira sighs. "You may pick me up."

Kira is swiftly scooped up by Clarva and brought onto the cart, surrounded by smug faces. "If any of you even think to bring this up after we get out of here... I will kill you."

"I'm sure that all of us are so terrified of a horse getting used as a period pillow." Amilia jokes, making the others giggle.

"Clarva. Let me at her."

"No chance, stallion. If you move, you might fall into the swamp, and that swamp shit doesn't come out easy."

Kira growls, not amused by her current predicament, but she'll take being held still by Clarva over potentially falling into the swamp, and struggling to get back up on her own.

"Alright, if that's enough of the bickering, we should keep quiet. We were attacked on our last journey through here, and I don't fancy getting surprised again." Virra says.

"But if they hear a bunch of us talking, wouldn't that dissuade any bandits from trying their luck?" John asks.

"I'm not saying you can't talk, just don't shout. We won't get lucky again if my wheel goes like when we were hunting for Terra."

Terra lets out a huff of amusement. "Oh, I do apologise that my **** cost your cart a wheel, dear sister. I'll be sure to plan my crisis' more carefully next time."

"Oh, I do so appreciate that, sister." Virra jokingly responds.

"And we're the ones that need to be quiet." John whispers to Lani and Karray, getting a chuckle from the two.

---

OUTSIDE OF THE SWAMP:

"I'm free! Finally!" Kira says, almost too happily as she finally walks on all four hooves again.

"You act like I'm not a great hugger. I've been told before that I make for a fantastic pillow."

Terra chuckles. "You almost sound hurt, Clarva."

"I'm not hurt. My pride is just a little wounded."

"You could always ask Kira to return the favour one day. You carried her, so it's only fair that she has to carry you." Kyuala jokes.

Ideas of what that would look like quickly flood both Clarva, and Kira's mind, making the former laugh, and the latter fearing for her life.

While Kira is trying her hardest to avoid giving Clarva a ride, Kyuala seems to hear something as she quickly hops off the cart, leaving the others in confusion.

"Uhh, Kyuala? Are you okay?" John asks.

"I heard something."

"Yeah, no shit. Ya got ears, Ky."

"Not like that, you dick-muncher." Kyuala quips back, leaving Amilia stunned.

"Harsh. True, but harsh."

"What did you hear?" Lani asks.

Clarva begins to sniff, her giant sense of smell coming in very handy. "Orc odour, minotaur musk, and fuckion funk. Bandits."

"Do you have word play for all the races?"

Amilia follows up Virra's question. "How about giants? I bet it's giant jizz, right?"

"If you focused more on schooling instead of deflowering yourself, you would know they don't start with the same letter." Virra responds, earning a punch in the arm from Amilia. "Ow. Am I wrong?"

"No, but you said deflowering, and that's just gross." Amilia answers back, pulling out her daggers as the group begin to get into a circle formation around the cart.

"Can you see them?" John asks.

Karray seemingly gets an idea as she begins to laugh. "I got it."

The pixie flies high into the air, getting a birds eye view around them. Immediately, she sees six men creeping up behind the bushes that cover the surrounding area.

That idea Karray had comes into play as she begins to summon a ball of light before letting it fall. The light splits into five and shoots off towards the bandits, earning some very confused noises and grunts of frustration as they try to swat the lights away.

"I lit them up for you!" Karray laughs, extremely proud of her pun.

The group see said highlighted bandits, and they get to work.

Clarva heads for the one closest to her, the minotaur. The brown haired man cow charges forward, but his arms are swiftly dislocated by Clarva's overwhelming strength. Clarva quickly summons her right-hand shield, and swings into the minotaur's torso, sending him to the ground, killing him in an instant.

Next, Kyuala and Amilia take on another orc that brandishes a warhammer. The orc swings at Kyuala's head, but she leans back just in time to avoid the attack. Kyuala then makes her first move, but her axe is met with the bandits warhammer, locking the two in place, perfect for Amilia to strike.

Amilia spent the first few moments moving behind said orc, and while the bandit and Kyuala are stuck in place, Amilia strikes.

A dagger sinks into the bandits liver, the second into the side of her neck. The bandits legs give way, and their lifeless body falls to the floor with a smug Amilia left in her place.

"Damn, Ky. What would you do without me?"

"Probably have killed him quicker." Kyuala begins to head back over to the cart, leaving an unamused Amilia with the dead bandit.

Amilia sighs before looking at the body. "You see what I've gotta deal with? Ungratefulness, I tell ya."

Kira intercepts a half-orc as he attempts to run towards the cart, and Kira runs him through with her spear, taking him over to the side of the road before removing him from her spear in a swift motion.

Over by Virra, Terra, and John, the three fuckions begin to rush over, weapons at the ready. Terra's staff quickly sends the wind out of one of the fuckion's lungs before meeting the side of his head, the metal singing after its collision with flesh and bone.

Virra fires an arrow, shooting the second fuckion in the foot. A second, third and fourth arrow finds their way into his chest, making him look like an acupuncture patient had a bad fall.

John locks swords with the fuckion ahead of him, both scuttling in a test of strength.

"I can't wait to gut you! I'll be able to sell your weird elf skull for a hefty price!"

"Elf skull?" John is confused, but then he realizes something. "Oh wait, you've just given me an idea!"

John manages to unlock his sword from the fuckions before he conjures up a blast of wind, hitting the fuckion dead center. The fuckion is blown back a few feet in an instant before hitting a tree, his neck and spine snapping in the process.

As the body falls, John looks at the corpse and immediately feels regret. "Fuck. He was probably just trying to feed his family or something. I could've let him go."

"He was trying to kill you, John." Terra says, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Those thoughts don't serve anything but guilt. Did you feel that way when we vanquished Hilfa?"

"No." John responds, understanding Terra's point.

"I won't say you need to never feel bad about killing, but don't continue to make yourself feel guilty for defending yourself, and all of us."

"I know." John says, obviously still feeling said guilt. "But hey, at least I didn't throw up this time."

Terra chuckles at John's attempts to lighten up the mood. "That is good." Terra rubs his arm, comforting her friend as the two head over to Virra who is removing her arrows from her target.

"I've got to say, my quick drawing has definitely improved. I can't wait to test it on a red bay, those beasts are insanely fast." Virra removes the last arrow from the body, cleaning the blood on the fuckion's clothes.

"If you do, make sure to keep a few of the feathers. They can be used to make a lot of potions for stomach issues."

John shakes his head as he lets out a little laugh while watching the two elf sisters walk ahead of him. "This really is my life now. Well, I suppose it's better than it was before."

John gets back onto the cart a few moments later, everyone back into their previous seats.

"So, how long is it until we reach Nillork?" Kira asks.

"Not long now." Virra says as she starts up the cart again, and off the group go.