QUEST FOR SATURIA EPISODE 2

[sidhe_faerie]

 Episode 2 (prompts from 6/9/12)

The next morning, at first light, Paddrick and Endora headed out to find the beast. The morning sun is sharp on the rolling hills. It was heard to believe that there was a beast terrorizing the country side.

 

“Are there any humans in this area?” Endora asked. She looked around and didn’t see any cottages. The area was fairly remote.   

 

"They are there, but they are harmless enough." Paddrick said. “They really haven’t been that affected by the beast. It’s mostly going after the Fae herders’ flocks.”  

 

“I wonder why that is. Maybe it’s afraid of the humans.” Endora said as she shielded her eyes in the sun. The sun was making it difficult to see distances.

 

“Most likely.” Paddrick agreed. “Endora, why do you do this? You’re a princess. You could just send an army. Most princesses would.”

 

“My father was a warrior. I try to follow his example. It is my duty and honor to help anyone that asks for it. I quest mostly to gain knowledge about the world because that knowledge creates wisdom. It reminds me of something my father said. ” Endora said. “He had always believed that you cannot be a good judge of anyone or anything you haven't seen for yourself.”

 

“Sounds like sound advice. Where was it he fell?” Paddrick asked.

 

“In the Northern War, he was fighting against the Fomors.” Endora told him. “He was leading the army sent by Queen Taralen to help the Northern Sidhe. That war took many fathers and sons.”

 

“There was some Tylwyth Teg in that battle too. My uncle on my mother’s side fell there. Your father was brave to fight so far from home.” Paddrick said.

 

“He was. I try to be just as brave on every quest.” Endora smiled. “Sometimes it isn’t easy but I try anyway.” 

 

There was a funny spluttering noise from behind them.

 

“What was that?” Paddrick looked behind them towards a copse of trees. He had a sensation of fear wave over him. He looked at Endora.

 

Endora seemed unmoved by the strange sound. She had a curious look on her face.

 

The trees moved and some fell over. The noise was getting closer. It was definitely a large beast and it was moving fast.

 

“There’s a hut over there. I think we can make it.” Paddrick started to run. He didn’t look back to see if Endora was following.

 

Endora looked at the trees then back at Paddrick running for the hut in the distance. She shrugged and followed Paddrick to the hut. She really wanted to get a look at the beast but she didn’t care to do it alone.

 

They reached the hut and burst through the door closing it swiftly behind them. They leaned against it breathless.

 

“I thought you wanted to kill it not run from it.” Endora said.

 

“Did you see how big that was?” Paddrick locked the door.

 

“All I saw was trees.” Endora looked annoyed.

 

“If it is the beast ye seek why you are in my hut?” An old man said from his seat by the hearth.

 

“That’s a good question. Do you want to answer it Paddrick?” Endora gave him a pointed look.

 

“We need to observe it a bit more.” Paddrick gave a sheepish grin.

 

“I hope you don’t expect that old lock to keep it out.” The old man said.     

 

"True the lock might not stop him, but this will." Endora unsheathed her short sword.

 

Paddrick looked at the sword in her hand. “Do you know how to use that?”

 

“Yes I do.” Endora looked Paddrick up and down. “Did you come out here with no weapons at all? Did you think that you were going to twinkle it dead?” Endora started to laugh.

 

“I thought I’d sparkle it then twinkle something to kill it.” Paddrick said in his defense. That was his plan until he saw how big it was.

 

“Sparkle doesn’t always work on beasts.” Endora informed him. “I’ve seen it fail several times.”

 

“What?” Paddrick thought he was going to be sick. He didn’t know that about beasts. He wondered why he didn’t know that. He just tried to breathe.

 

“Listen to her she knows her stuff sounds like.” The old man picked up a book from the floor by his chair.

 

“Thank you.” Endora smiled at the old man then glared at Paddrick. “I do know my ‘stuff’. I’ve been to several Realms and seen several different kinds of beasts.” 

 

The old man nodded and began to read. He let the two Fae work it out between them.  At least one of them knew something about beasts.

 

“Now what do we do?” Paddrick asked.

 

“Well, we wait again unless you want to go out there now.” Endora said. “I would be happy to join you.”

 

“No. I think we should wait.” Paddrick said nodding. He wasn’t ready to face that thing.

 

“Fine but we go at first light.” Endora said. She turned to the old man. “Unless you want us to leave.”

 

“No. You can stay.” The old man said without looking up from his book. There’s a pot of stew there on the hearth. Help yourself.”

 

“Thank you. You are very kind.” Endora said.

 

Paddrick was already dipping into the soup. He was hungry. All the walking they did gave him an appetite.

 

Endora took some soup and a piece of bread and sat down by the fire. She watched as the old man started to nod off.   

 

Episode 3