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 exhausting but rewarding. From dawn until dusk Jason tended to the sick and injured, using his healing gift to the fullest. He delivered babies, purified drinking water, treated rashes, set broken bones, and even coaxed a few people back from the brink of death. The people of Pine Hollow gradually regained their vigor, thanks to Jason's tireless efforts.
After two months, a trade caravan brought word that the dragon had been dead for weeks and travel through the mountain pass was safe again. Pine Hollow's trade and economy could resume. Jenna informed Jason that the village no longer required a healer's services now that they were prosperous and connected to the outside world once more.
"We can never fully repay your kindness, but please accept this gift," said Jenna, handing Jason a set of masterfully crafted light armor and a handsome steel longsword. "Objects infused with healing and protection enchantments. May they shield you on your travels ahead."
Though sad to say farewell, Jason donned the magical gifts and set off the next day, warmed by the villagers' smiles and well wishes for his journey.
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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
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 14
Picking along the crumbling ridges overlooking the fiery, ruined landscape, Jason and Daphne eventually reached the outskirts of a small village. But something was wrong - no lights or sounds came from within the huts. Cautiously, they crept between the silent buildings until emerging into the central square. A grisly sight awaited them. Lifeless, petrified villagers lay strewn about as if struck down in mid-action. Men, women, children - none had been spared from the flash of evil that froze them in place. This was no natural chaos. "Dark magic curses this land," Daphne observed, face etched with sadness. "We may already be too late..." Jason shook his head firmly. "There's always hope. Stay here and see if any villagers can be revived. I'll go to the mountain and confront whatever dwells there." Daphne started to protest, but Jason silenced her with a gentle kiss. "Your magic is best suited to undoing the curse," he said softly. "This is my purpose." Reluctantly, Daphne agreed.
The Road Goes Ever On Chapter 15
Still reeling from his confrontation with the embodiment of chaos, Jason raced through the collapsing caverns back towards the surface as boulders crashed down around him. He leapt and scrambled upward with desperate, draining effort. If the exit sealed before he escaped the mountain, all hope was lost. With a final burst of adrenaline, Jason threw himself out of the smoking cavern entrance just as the entire side of the mountain fell in thunderous ruin, dust and debris billowing outward. Though battered and burnt, miraculously he had survived. As the haze cleared, Jason perceived the landscape was no longer choked in fire and darkness. The stark black clouds lightened to gray, then finally parted to reveal blue skies. Lava slowed its advance and cooled to solid rock. Life began to return to the ravaged domain. Down in the village, the petrified inhabitants blinked and looked around in confusion as Daphne's cleansing magic freed them from their living death. Joyous cheers went up w