Kaden traveled for several nights atop the back of Argien, his newly found companion, traversing foreign terrains, exploring towns and stopping at a few for respite. He'd procured essential supplies: a medley of tools, provisions, some survival gear and stored them in the saddlebags. He depleted his food stores faster than expected, seeming to have developed an enormous appetite. The lone traveler arrived at a mysterious forest. The trees leaned in, it was a labyrinth of twisted roots and dappled sunlight. Kaden's instinct guided him and he forged ahead, urging Argien forward.The dense foliage swallowed them whole, and it felt like hours before they halted. Kaden tethered Argien to a sturdy oak near a babbling creek, the water sparkled. The horse, having endured days with little sustenance, dipped its muzzle into the cool water. Kaden knelt beside it, filling his canteen up when something glimmered in the underbrush—a nest cradling three large and shiny green eggs. Valuable, edible or both, Kaden figured it had to be one of these as he unsheathed his bronze dagger etched with ancient symbols and approached the strange eggs cautiously. Crouching, he clutched the weapon in his right hand and moved slowly. Then without warning, danger, like a shadow, crept upon him. The air shifted, and Kaden's senses flared, he reflexively sidestepped just as an arrow whistled past and struck the tree before him. His danger alarms blared as three more followed, swift and deadly. Kaden dived towards an adjacent tree for cover and pressed against the rough bark.
The archer perched high above the forest floor, her boots gripping a branch of an unidentified tree. She looked around his age, her voice, feminine yet laced with authority, sliced through the air like one of her sharpened arrows.
"Nice reflexes" she called down. "However, those were merely warning shots. I have a clear target on your horse. Throw your weapon down and come out with your hands up."
Kaden's pulse quickened. Slowly, he lowered his bronze dagger, sliding it across the forest floor. He emerged, hands raised, eyes meeting the assailant's as she dropped down from the branch.
"Who are you?" the archer demanded, "and why are you after the basilisk's eggs?"
Before Kaden could answer, instinct propelled him. He lunged toward her, and her eyes widened. An arrow whizzed past, grazing his temple. It stung, but he pressed on, tackling her to the ground just as a colossal basilisk swooped down. The earth trembled as the creature missed them by a hair's breadth, slamming into a nearby tree.
"Trying to kill me as I try to save you from certain death?" Kaden's voice echoed, blood trickling from his wound. "You were about to have your head torn off!"
The archer, momentarily speechless, scrambled to her feet. The basilisk stirred, its reptilian gaze fixated on them both.
"Who… who are you anyway?" Kaden asked, pressing his palm on his head where the arrow grazed him, adrenaline still surging.
"uh… This is no time for interviews, just don't meet it's gaze" she cautioned, her voice tense as she unleashed a barrage of arrows at the agitated mother basilisk. The creature's dark-green scaly skin repelled the projectiles like mere pelts.
"My reinforced arrows lack sufficient power to deal any damage, and I have just two left" she shouted, desperation creeping into her tone.
Kaden's mind raced. Basilisks were notorious for their deadly gaze and tough skin. The only way to harm one was to get up close and deliver a forceful blow. The creature turned it's gaze to Argien, Kaden looked at the archer, urgency in his eyes.
"how sharp of an aim have you got?" he asked.
"What?"
"We can't waste precious time bickering," Kaden snapped. "I need you to hit both of its eyes at the same time, now!" With resolve, he sprinted toward the tree directly above the monster, climbed up the first branch and got into position, ready to strike from above as it closed in on his horse.
Argien neighed nervously, raising its front legs in a clear indication of discomfort. Just as the basilisk prepared to strike, the archer released two arrows simultaneously, both finding their mark in the creature's eyes.
Before the basilisk could writhe in agony, Kaden descended from the tree. His hands gripped the dagger with unwavering determination. With a swift and precise motion, he drove the blade through the monster's skull, dealing a fatal blow. The basilisk collapsed, its greenish blood splattering across Kaden's body and clothes.
"That was as daring as it was foolish, you're quite fortunate that it wasn't a red-streaked basilisk" she quipped, her eyes narrowing playfully. "You must really like your horse"
Haha," he responded dryly. "Now, back to who you are and why you want me dead."
The woman stepped forward "I'm Aneesa," she introduced herself, her hand extended. Her smile, though polite, held an edge of something darker. "Nice to meet you." Her grip was firm, and Kaden couldn't help but notice the strange symbol on the ring of her finger.
"It's nothing personal," Aneesa continued "I was after the eggs, target practice with you was just a bonus."
"Yes, of course," he replied, dripping with sarcasm. He turned away, scanning the surroundings. The creek beckoned, a chance to wash off the basilisk's blood and regain some semblance of normalcy. With deliberate movements, he began to pull off his shirt as he walked towards the creek, revealing a well-defined chest and sinewy muscles. Aneesa's eyes lingered on him for a moment, assessing more than just his build. Then, as if embarrassed by her own curiosity, she quickly averted her gaze, stooping to collect her fired arrows scattered across the forest floor.
After a few minutes, Kaden returned from the creek, his skin still damp from the cool water. The sun filtered through the leaves, casting shadows on the forest floor.
Aneesa was feeding the horse crisp apples, her touch gentle as she stroked his muzzle. The animal nickered in response, a mixture of gratitude and curiosity.
Kaden quickly ran over "Hey, hey, hey. What're you feeding my horse?" he demanded
Aneesa met his gaze, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Calm down," she said, her voice low. "They're just normal apples I brought along. Are you still upset about my blunder-shot earlier?" She leaned closer, examining Kaden's head where her arrow had struck. To her surprise, the wound had vanished, leaving not even a faint scar. "What spell did that?" she inquired.
Kaden was focused on releasing Argien's tether
"Huh?" He replied absentmindedly
"Oh, it's nothing" she replied in a casual tone
He fixed the tether back in place and secured the eggs in a bag strapped to the saddle.
"Do you know a way out of here?" he asked
"Sure, I can guide you to the next town for a price." Her words were edged with cunning.
Kaden sighed. He was too exhausted to haggle. "What do you want?" he asked
"I'll take two eggs and the lead on your horse, Argien, being the sole navigator of the paths ahead" she said curtly, her eyes not leaving his face.
Kaden's jaw clenched, he had little choice. Her demand grated on his nerves, but he suppressed the urge to snap at her. He helped her onto Argien's back, and they began their journey out of the forest, and into an uneasy alliance.
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