17 Adventure (2)

Samuel thus strode off until he was no longer in the sight of anyone else who could know him whilst looking natural. However, this proved difficult as the scenery surrounding him upon every step was magnificent and it made Samuel wonder if he was too blind to see the Earth as such as well. The rocky path dwindled into barren earth as Samuel nonchalantly wandered towards a few lights off in the distance where he could hear the rumbling footsteps and hearty laughter of the inhabitants of the nearby town.

Rows of trees lined the earthen path as if it were a royal procession, their branches a trumpet, their leaves a flag. Regrettably, this wondrous scene was ruined by the innate skill the Dwarven race was born with, night vision, as the scene played in broad daylight instead of the present night.

That was one of the many things that Samuel did not understand. The moon was present and yet they were buried in an ancient mountain with no way to spectate the outside world and its workings. Was the moon a figment of his imagination; a hallucinogenic memory of old? Samuel decided not to fret over such minor details and instead focused on the path.

Wafts of warm air assaulted Samuel's face as the smell of baked bread sent his nose into eternal bliss. After all, he had spent a long time surrounded by the abhorrent smell of sweating servants and newly manufactured paper and so this new scent was a most-cherished guest. Nonetheless, there is no never-ending feast under the sun, even if one feels reluctant to part from it.

The smell quickly dissipated as fast as the fleeting clouds as it was replaced with the overwhelming scent of iron accompanied by a bloodcurdling scream in the surrounding forest.

Multiple lights flickered and dimmed in an instant as people who were previously buoyantly ranting about their day hurriedly scurried into the homes, whimpering frightened whispers as the clangs of locks sounded throughout the town.

Within seconds, the jubilant village turned into a ghost town all due to a sudden turn of events. However, this confused Samuel to no end.

"Why would these people not bother to check for the endangered traveller? I am aware of the dangers which come with the presence of death but isn't it common courtesy to protect others? Ruthless, the lot of them!" Samuel snorted in unrivalled hypocritical arrogance. In contrast to his morally superior words, he was afraid of this sudden shift of tides.

"There's no way that I'm going to push a gourd into the river for another to pop up from below. Even if a clear conscious is the strongest armour, life and shame are never equal to death and glory. I'll be eternally sorry for this decision but I'd rather have an eternity rather than cut my life short before anything interesting occurs." This resolution was shortly set in stone as he decided to go back home and end his adventure before another tide rises to sweep him into the dark dull pits of Hell.

As he was walking, he found that he was slightly hesitant. Was he one who does not light incense when all is well but clasps Buddha's feet when in trouble? Even if he didn't want to die a meaningless death, he wasn't in control as his hesitation kicked in and he turned back and followed the scent to its origin. Even if a tree wanted calm, the wind would relentlessly blow until it gave way.

After a few restless hours of scuttling around in circles without end, smelling the trail like a bloodhound working arduously in a wild goose chase, he couldn't find the source of the smell. The concentration of the scent was so thick that Samuel couldn't identify the point of origin, only wishing to hear one more noise, even if it was as quiet as a whimper, to find the general direction of the victim.

Suddenly, a plea for help echoed throughout the forest, crow-like birds flocking to the skies, creating a matt-black blanket over the night sky. This had been exactly what Samuel wanted and yet he was suspicious as a prickly feeling crawled up his back, his palms becoming sweaty; his heartbeat hastening like the rumbling of a herd of elephants as his eyes darted around. Although his wish came true, he knew full well not to trust fate so blindly lest he ends up back in Heaven with those sadistic 'angels'. After all, when fortune flirts, her smile is often costly and the cautious seldom err.

He followed the noise to a river, a tinge of red flowing downstream. Samuel peered down the uncertain streams and spotted numerous lights ahead. His resolution hardening, he paced towards the lights, prepared for anything.

Samuel followed the stream closely and seldom lost his way as he eventually came across to the anticipated scene he had awaited. He gasped as he inspected the lights and realised that they were broken skulls holding candles within. Glistening blood flowed and dripped down the rotting wooden pikes, all converging at the centre where an elderly dwarf laid clad in gashes and infected wounds.

Although the blood converged into the man, it was obvious that this was some sort of sacrificial altar and he was the victim. Nonetheless, Samuel was still wary as the perpetrator was nowhere to be found.

Samuel shook his head as he banished his fretful thoughts to the deepest corners of his minds; instead focusing on helping the elderly dwarf back to his feet and out of this forest for treatment.

Slowly hauling the dwarf on his shoulders, Samuel began to waddle to his home, exerting all of his strength to focus on this one task. However, a cold storm began to form as wind assaulted Samuel and prevented his progress. Not before long, a sneering voice bellowed from behind.

"O' how one often finds their fate through hiding from it... It seems that destiny has brought you to me, ant, and she wants your life to end today. How unfortunate, maybe you'll have better luck in your next life? Forget it, an ant will remain an ant, even through reincarnation's baptisms." The sinister figure chuckled, killing intent penetrating Samuel's consciousness.

"Goodnight." The figure whispered into his ears, their freezing breathe ticking the back of Samuel's neck.