Chapter 11

Running fast Torjen swept past the others. He could walk and strike or run fast when it came to combat. As running could double his distance he could cover twice as much ground. He had sensed goblins and his inherent hatred ignited. Besides there were only twenty of them. With Stormshadu's fire stance he could wipe out three in a single swing. As for the others they could engage two each at the same time before he could catch up.

No this time Torjen will kill all the goblins. Leaping high he brought his battle axe down hard. The edge exploded through the first goblin cleaving it neatly in half.

Stormshadu saw Torjen slay the first goblin then move to a second and third. If he didn't hurry there would be nothing left got him to kill, he heard his brother's hammer ignite beside him. Stor ran past him yelling "Fewest kills buys the drinks!"

***

So these were the people who found him. After he had reincarnated as a dragon egg it ended up in a monster only to be cut out and hatched by this group. He should feel relieved instead of worrying. He could feel his wife's energy signature. His yang to her yin so to speak. He would let the John personality resume while he searched for clues to her whereabouts. The only problem was it was crowded in just one head. After a brief thought he decided.

***

Torjen and Stormshadu had left the old man, the twin half dwarfs and John at the main floor of the abandoned church. Going to the basement they defeated a giant slime. It had a gem encrusted skeleton which Stormshadu immediately stored in his ring of holding. They continued on to a sub basement below. It held a large workshop. There was a rigged caravel in dry dock and woodworking tools all around. Torjen inspected the ship while Stormshadu investigated for treasure. Having found nothing of note. Torjen raised his hand to sweep the room sucking tools, goods and the ship into his ring of holding. Then satisfied they returned to the others. Something wasn't right the insatiable John was on his side clutching his stomach writhing in pain. His body rapidly became swollen nearly tripling in mass. He no longer looked like a child but a large caccoon again. Not this again thought Stormshadu. The old sorcerer and his half dwarf granddaughters looked troubled.

***

The caccoon this time was golden and spikes jutted out. A sizzling sound emitted from inside. A few moments later the caccoon cracked in a spiderwebbed pattern and collapsed. John emerged from no longer black but golden with two heads and porcupine like spiked scales. His finned tail also sported a scorpion like spike with oily black venom glistening in the light.

Stormshadu looked pleased. "That's my boy! Way to go John! Woohoo!!" Torjen looked surprised To think it could evolve and grow another head. I thought it was a curios black dragon but now it's gold with a fairy dragon tail and two heads. Is it a dragon or a hydra or something else?" He mused.

***

After returning to the Red Unicorn they met with the rest of their group. The patriarch had a mission to investigate the activity of the Island of Doctor Nomore. A portal was opened to the beach of that island. Stormshadu, Stor, Torjen and John stepped onto soft warm sand. Kitten had stayed behind to care for her new sister.

***

A conch horn blared it's eerie sound before the goblins attacked. A large group rained arrows down before the first goblin reached melee range. Stor quickly estimated it was 20:1 and said as much. Stormshadu entered fire stance, Torjen raised his battle axe, Stor's hammer flared as they faced the oncoming group. However, John turned around towards their rear before the ambush was sprung. His mucus clung everywhere began to hiss and smoke.