Jason ended up staying in Theron for several more weeks, healing sick citizens who visited the temple and helping the guard investigate crimes around the city. Each day the energy within him seemed to grow stronger.
One morning, the guard captain invited Jason to his office. "We've gotten word that a dragon has taken up roost in the Widow's Peak mountains. It's already attacked one village and burned their fields. The men I've sent to kill the beast haven't returned."
The captain paused before asking, "Jason, will you hunt down this dragon before it causes more harm? Your skills could mean the difference between victory and tragedy."
Jason took a deep breath. Fighting a dragon would be far more dangerous than anything he had faced so far. But the captain was right - lives hung in the balance. "I'll leave for the mountains immediately," Jason pledged.
He spent the day preparing, then departed the next morning with a fast horse and provisions. After two days on the road, Jason reached the small village of Pine Hollow nestled in the foothills. All that remained of their burnt wheat fields were sad black husks.
The villagers told Jason of the giant green-scaled dragon that lived atop Widow's Peak. Every few days it would fly down and lay waste to another swath of land. They didn't know what it wanted, only that it was vicious.
Jason hiked up the mountain's winding path until he finally came upon the dragon's lair: a dark cave opening on a rocky outcropping. He tethered his horse and quietly approached the entrance, sword drawn. A stench of sulfur emerged from within.
Suddenly, heavy footfalls sounded from the cave and the ground vibrated beneath Jason's feet. He dove behind a boulder just as the dragon stomped out into the daylight. It was bigger than he imagined, easily twenty feet tall. Its claws and teeth gleamed like black daggers. The dragon spread its tattered wings and sniffed the air, likely searching for prey.
Heart pounding, Jason peered around the boulder, waiting for the dragon to take flight again. But instead, the great beast abruptly spun and looked directly at Jason's hiding spot, letting out a thunderous roar that shook pebbles from the cliffside. It had detected him.
With another roar, the dragon reared back and unleashed a torrent of green flames directly at Jason. He rolled from cover, feeling the heat against his skin as the flames narrowly missed him. The dragon snarled and lumbered forward, swiping its meaty tail at the human who dared to invade its territory.
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The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 6
Jason barely managed to duck beneath the dragon’s sweeping tail. The beast clearly possessed great strength and speed despite its hulking size. Jason knew he’d have to rely on agility and strategy to stand a chance rather than attempting to match the creature’s raw power. As the dragon advanced, jaws gaping and ready to snap him up, Jason darted around to its flank and delivered an experimental slash with his sword. Though the scales were thick, he felt the blade bite slightly into the dragon’s hide, drawing a hiss of pain. The outer layer was vulnerable if he could strike the right spots. Whipping around, the dragon spewed flames once again. Jason rolled behind a chunk of rock, but not before the intense heat charred his arm. Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Jason focused his healing energy until the charred skin regained its normal appearance. The dragon pressed its attack, lashing with its spiked tail and blasting fire. Jason ducked and wove, struggling to get withi
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 7
The villagers rejoiced when they heard of the dragon's defeat. They welcomed Jason to recuperate in Pine Hollow for as long as he wished. While relaxing at the village inn after his battle, an older woman named Jenna asked to speak with Jason alone. "I have a request to make of you," she began. "As you may have noticed, our village healer perished in the first dragon attack. Without his knowledge of medicinal plants and healing magic, even small injuries and illnesses have become a matter of life and death." Jenna's brow furrowed with worry. "Would you be willing to remain here for a time and take over as village healer? Your power to mend wounds and cure sickness would restore hope to Pine Hollow." Jason considered the proposition. He had been wondering what adventure to pursue next, but helping these kind of people recover and rebuild seemed just as valiant a quest. "I will stay and serve as your healer for as long as you'll have me," he pledged to Jenna. The work was exhaust
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 8
Continuing his travels, Jason decided to visit the Elven city of Silverwood far to the west, as he had never met an elf before. He joined a merchant caravan heading that way and crossed the Banded Desert, an arduous journey, before arriving at the verdant Elven forests. The towering trees filtered the sunlight and blanketed the ground in comforting shade. Birdsong and the chuckling of streams filled the air. Jason instantly felt at peace in this land. The Elves who inhabited Silverwood were fair and elegant, full of wisdom and quiet humor. They welcomed Jason when he introduced himself as a healer and dragonslayer. During his stay, they held a great feast in his honor. The melodic music and delicate flavors enchanted his senses. On his third day there, Jason was summoned to meet with the Elven council. He entered a hall lit with glowing crystals to find three Elves seated at a carved wooden table. The elf maiden in the center spoke first. "Greetings, Jason. We have called you here
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 9
Jason elected to travel south, as he had never ventured in that direction before. After many days on the road, he arrived in the swampy lands of Argus. The air hung thick and fetid over the gloomy bogs. The people who dwelled in scattered thatch-roof villages seemed sullen and suspicious. Jason even had to thwart a robbery attempt on the first night. On the second day in Argus, Jason came to a desolate village by the shores of Lake Misery. The residents there told him that for several weeks, some unknown evil had occupied the lake's island. Strange lights and sounds came from the island nightly, keeping the superstitious villagers awake with dread. When Jason volunteered to investigate the island, the villagers tried to dissuade him. They believed the evil presence hungry for souls had placed a curse on the lake's waters. None who went to the island had ever returned. But Jason would not be deterred so easily. Once darkness fell, he procured a small raft and pole from the villagers
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 10
Arriving on the outskirts of the boisterous riverside city of Banewell, Jason's mood immediately lifted. He took in the lively taverns full of laughter and music, the crowds of shoppers bargaining in the markets, children playing games in the streets. After the gloom of Argus, this cheer and community warmed his heart. While traversing the city center, Jason heard someone calling his name. He turned to see a red-haired woman waving and rushing towards him. He didn't recognize her until she drew closer. "Daphne!?" Jason said in astonishment. She threw her arms around him in a gleeful embrace. "I can't believe it's really you!" Jason had not seen Daphne since departing Rockhaven over a year ago. As they broke apart, he grinned and said, "What are you doing here? You're far from home." "After you left, I wanted to see more of Phantasma's wonders for myself," she explained. "I've been exploring these lands, gathering knowledge and spellcraft." Her striking eyes twinkled with enthu
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 11
Daphne and Jason spent the next few days catching up as Jason recovered from the troll attack. Daphne described her studies with wise magi and warlocks who had unlocked her innate talents. She in turn was eager to hear of Jason's adventures across Phantasma. "Helping you liberate that village from the dragon was my proudest moment," Jason admitted after finishing his many tales. "Using my gifts to aid others gives me purpose." Daphne nodded thoughtfully. "I met a knight on the road who mentioned an ancient temple deep in the Myrwood forest. Legend says it holds a font of magical energy that could be harnessed for great good...or terrible evil. We could seek it out and ensure it remains safeguarded." Energized by this new quest, Jason readily agreed. That very day, they ventured into the Myrwood, picking their way between massive moss-cloaked trees along forgotten trails. Three days in, a collapsed ravine blocked their path. But Daphne transmuted fallen logs into steps and bridged t
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 12
Emerging from Myrwood, Jason and Daphne heard tales of terror sweeping the land. Raiding parties of orcs and marauders preyed upon outlying villages with increasing frequency. Rumors spoke of some evil unifying the monstrous humanoids and bandits, driving them to ever greater atrocities. Jason and Daphne knew they could not stand idle while so many suffered. They vowed to track down the source of this scourge and put an end to it. Their journey led them to the Blasted Heath, a rocky wasteland dotted with volcanic vents pouring acrid smoke into the air. A former dwarven stronghold called Dolmar Keep had become the rallying point for the marauders. Here, their mysterious master coordinated the far-reaching attacks. Under moonlit skies, Jason and Daphne infiltrated the crumbling keep. They stealthily navigated its maze of tunnels until happening upon a massive chamber filled with feasting orcs. At the far end loomed a grotesque horned creature holding court from a jagged obsidian th
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 13
In a remote mountain village, Jason and Daphne saved a young girl whose arm had been savaged by a dire wolf. Though the healer insisted the limb must be fully amputated to prevent the spread of corruption, Jason refused to accept that fate. He spent three tireless days at the girl's bedside, using his full healing talents to first purge the darkness from her wound, then gradually knit flesh and bone. The girl eventually regained feeling and mobility in her arm, much to the healer's amazement. She embraced Jason, promising to be forever grateful to her heroes. Many months had passed since Jason and Daphne first reunited in Banewell. They now traveled as partners bound by love and dedication to their shared cause. Seeking out others in need had become their life's purpose. One night around the campfire, Daphne turned to Jason with an intense look. "I've heard talk of a mighty evil awakening in the far northern reaches, beyond the Arktos Peaks. A presence so dark it corrupts souls an