EFB Book 5: Chapter 115
Book 5: Chapter 115
Book 5: Chapter 115
Mary stared at the hole in the ground with a grim expression. The trail of dirt had led here, to the suspected lair of Grimmoldesser. Mary turned her head towards the group of mercenaries that had accompanied her here. Go scout the interior.
The woman who had silenced Keith glanced at the people standing behind her. There was no point in maintaining a camp, not when there werent enough supplies to sustain them for an extended period of time. As such, everyone moved as one, bringing everything with them. No one had any complaints. What if they were left behind by Mary? If that happened, on this desolate continent, all they could do was wait for death. The robed woman pointed at the mercenaries standing at the head of the group. The three of you, enter first. Her gaze swept over the rest of the crowd. As for the rest of you, set up the ballistae. If a dragon does emerge, well want to be ready. Aim them at the entrance.
Mary crossed her arms and watched as the mercenaries split up, each doing their respective jobs. As for why she didnt charge into the suspected dragon lair by herself, although she was arguably performing a stupid act by hunting a dragon for the sake of a baby creature, she wasnt a moron. Why would she risk her own life when she had people to do that for her?
The mercenaries moved quickly. Although they didnt have much experience setting up the ballistae, the robed woman and the remaining two members of the Dragon Slayers guided them. Within thirty minutes, six ballistae had been set up, surrounding the hole in the ground. Two people stood by each weapon, waiting around with nervous expressions. The scouts hadnt reported back yet, and it still wasnt confirmed if a dragon would come crawling out, but that didnt do anything to ease the tension; in fact, it made it worse.
The mercenaries glanced at Mary, who was sitting on the ground with her legs crossed, her face pointed straight at the hole. Her sword rested across her lap, and every so often, she would partially unsheathe it before sheathing it again, creating a rhythmic clanking sound. After the group waited around for fifteen minutes in relative silence, Mary shifted her gaze onto the mercenaries. They flinched upon seeing her gaze land on them. She gestured with her head. Send another group of scouts.
The mercenaries exchanged glances with each other. Rock, paper, scissors? one of them asked.
Its also immune to magic, the first scout said. It ignored all my spells, tore right through them. Ive never seen anything like it.
The woman who had silenced Keith turned to face Mary. Does Grimmoldesser have children? Its a reasonable explanation for why theres a smaller set of dragon footprints here.
Mary shrugged. Im not sure, she said, keeping her eye on the entrance. Ive never killed an invisible creature before. If we want to find the dragons, well have to get rid of whatevers blocking the way.
Why not lure the dragon out? one of the mercenaries asked. I knew Rob. He wasnt weak by any measure. If he got killed without fighting back, I dont think the rest of us stand a chance.
What if the invisible creature comes out along with the dragon? the robed woman asked and shook her head. We have to eliminate it first. If the two work together, we really wont stand a chance. She frowned at Mary. Do you have a method to deal with the invisible creature? We only prepared to fight a dragon. If you dont have a way, you can always bring us back to civilization, and we can prepare again from there.
They said it made noise, Mary said. As long as it makes noise, it doesnt matter if its invisible. I can handle it. If it makes footprints as well, thatll only make it easier to kill. As for ignoring magic, that doesnt matter to me. Theres nothing magical about my sword. She marched towards the hole in the ground. You can wait for me here. Ill be back soon.