Chapter 11: Field of the Forgotten

I walked across the meadow, the ground wet beneath my shoes as I left muddy prints in my wake. Bees flew and landed on flowers and wild rabbits ate roots without worry. It was something I’d never run into before in the city. Even though the wolves had just chased me through the woods, there was something peaceful about this place. I couldn’t help but find a little bit of comfort in it. I could rest here and stay forever.

But for all the serenity of the moment, nothing lasts for long. The closer I got to the Farmhouse the more I began to notice an odd smell. Something foul, acrid, tinged with the pungent odor of recent fire and lingering smoke. Far removed from what my senses had been telling me just moments before.

The lush meadow had completely disappeared, replaced by a desolate wasteland. The previously green grass had turned a dry and brittle brown that broke as I stepped on it. The ground cracked beneath my feet. Dry and full of ashes. “Fel,” I muttered, taken back by the sudden change. “What’s going on here?”

I have lifted the glamour for you. An enchantment was on this place to hide its true nature. Danger lurks here, but I can sense something greater here, something ancient. Be cautious but know an opportunity lay here that should not be ignored.

I figured it was something like that and took the Wisp’s words to heart as my footsteps started to kick up small fragments of bone and the shattered remnants of long forgotten weapons. A battle happened here. People died here. I realized as nearly tripped over the hilt of a rusted looking sword. Having no other weapons, and with the farmhouse still a ways away, I bent over and picked it up.

I felt apprehensive about taking the old sword, knowing that whoever had used it had likely died or been hurt in battle here, but I felt like I needed it. Especially after Fel’s warning. I tried to dismiss the negative thoughts from my head, there was enough to worry about without carrying extra baggage, and I was still unarmed.

Hoisting it up was harder then I thought it would be. The blade was heavy and awkward in my hand. Worse though was the worrying amount of brownish red flakes that fell off of it. I tried to stay positive about it. Sure, it might be heavy and awkward, but at least I’ve found a way to defend myself.

!Alert!

You have found a Rusty Shortsword. This brown and brittle blade no long shows any signs of an edge and multiple cracks can be seen. From both neglect and the elements this sword has become blunted and is likely to break with light to moderate use.

*********

Behind you. Fel shouted in my mind as I spun around and found myself face to face with a skeletal warrior. I knew I shouldn’t have taken the sword. I thought as I looked and recoiled away from the monster that was almost face to face with me. Its bones were bleached white and it was still wearing parts of the destroyed armor it had died in. I instinctively brought the sword up, holding it in both hands between me and the monster. I was trying hard to remain calm and not panic but seeing the ax sized gash in the skeletons armor didn’t help.

The Skeleton lunged at me, and thankfully its movements were slow and easy enough to track. Seeing just how slow it was helped me ignore some of the fear I was feeling and allowed me to sidestep out of the way.

Good, commented Fel, many skeletons are like this. Slow shambling husks. They move slowly and so long as your not crowded or find yourself mobbed, it is well within your ability to destroy it.

“Uh Fel,” I responded as the Skeleton turned to face me and started advancing on me, easily pushing aside the sword, forcing me to backtrack. “How do I destroy this thing? This sword is looking pretty rough Fel.”

This is well within your abilities. You can sever the skull from the neck, but I suggest you use this as a training opportunity. You won’t have many of these and it will give you an advantage over your peers whom are the real threat.

“That’s a great pep talk Fel, but little help, please. What exactly am I supposed to be doing here. Guide me?” I asked as my sense of panic started to rise after I’d almost fallen over and lost my footing from tripping over a rock.

Ah. That, practice. Use the sword to dismember it, what you can’t cut, try to break. Think of this in general terms, an instant kill is not always guaranteed or safe to attempt. Rarely is the longer route to victory a poor choice. Focus on limiting the threat it poses to you.

“Alright,” I muttered, I can do this. The skeleton continued to advance, and this time when I moved out of its way by shifting to the side and brought the sword down in an arc that severed the skeletons leg at the knee and caused it to fall over on to the ground, kicking up a pile of ash in the process.

The skeleton continued to walk towards me, clawing into the ground with its bony fingers as it was forced to drag itself along. “You’re tenacious,” I told the skeleton, most of my fear gone. “I’ll give you that, but its time to end this.” I walked around the skeleton, cutting it again on the other leg it was trying to prop itself up with. The entire time making sure to stay out of its reach and brough the sword down on the monsters neck.

The skull fell into the dirt next to the body, but as for my newly found sword. It broke, leaving me once again unarmed, though it had been a good lesson to learn. More careful than I had been, I leaned down and put the broken pieces of the sword on the skeletons body and continued on my way towards the Farmhouse. I knew I’d find my answers there.