They all stood still for a few minutes. The only sound was that of heavy breathing, and Juimar was breathing the loudest! Even Pablo, the fit, strong stallion was panting.
“Remind me on the way back not to come this way” joked Nargeg. “That is provided we’re still around to come back” said Leeron, “for all we know, the Queens Task, may be to fight a room full of three headed dragons!” They all burst into laughter. Any joke would do, even one to insult someone, as they had just left the Gallir caves, where even the best of jokes, wouldn’t even make you smile. Still exhausted, they walked about a mile, just to get the horrid caves out of their sight. They stopped under the cool shade of a tree for a well deserved break.

They all devoured their meals and Rarlet caught herself a young rabbit, which Caracus thought would do just fine for her.

“It took us about five days to get through the Gallir caves” Nargeg said, “but our progress is good. Since we left the house in Joycens land over three weeks ago, we’ve walked about four hundred miles, maybe even more. Within the next week or so, we should be approaching a beautiful, elf town, called Lotlan. It’s roughly the halfway mark of our journey to the queen’s palace in Robinion.”

They were all sweating, but the sky was covered in cloud and soon they all cooled down. Leeron plucked some ripe apples from a tree and he gave one to all, except Rarlet, and Pablo ate two. They soon came across some rugged, grassy hills, and as there was a stream in the small glen of the hills, they stopped there to fill up their water supplies.

Suddenly, they heard a noise. They all crouched down except for Juimar, who was too busy getting the water to care about anything. However Caracus pulled him down. “How dare you do that?” Juimar spoke angrily. “Shh!” they all warned and that was enough to keep the dwarf quiet. They all peaked behind a bush, and saw that it was two elves, fighting over a bag of something.

“I got it first! Snapped one fiercely.
“Yeah, but you stole it!” replied the other, “so I should have that food!” They continued quarrelling and after a few minutes of that, they began to fight: using fists, kicking, scraping and scratching. Caracus looked on. It was his first time seeing elves, and he had always been told they were nice, graceful creatures, not little brats like these. Their clothes were in tatters, and after a while of fighting, they somehow knocked themselves out! The bag fell on the ground, and Juimar rushed over. He came back with a bag full of carrots, turnips; there were nearly every vegetable in it!

“Well what a pleasant surprise! Nargeg exclaimed. “That will do just fine!” At that they set off, just in case the elves were to wake up. The sky was very thickly covered in cloud now and it was cool. They walked many miles before sunset, and for the first time in weeks they all looked forward to going to sleep. The night passed quickly, and so did the watchouts, but they all felt better in the morning. They ate some stew that morning made with the vegetables from the elves, and set off that morning with full stomachs. They went along with good thoughts: and well before sunset, they could see a town in the distance, and Caracus was sure it was Lotlan.

It was, and when they entered at the gates (which were made of solid gold) Caracus was amazed at what he saw. He had never seen a town of this beauty. Lots of elves skipped along merrily, a lot of them carrying buckets and jugs and all manner of things. Some whistled, marvellous tunes, that went up in the air to join the cloudless sky. Caracus even saw that all of the houses were made of sparkling white marble, which was made more noticeable by the strong shine of the sun. Caracus still looked around him, eyes as wide as possible, when they turned to a side road leading away from Lotlan and towards a hill dotted with large coniferous trees.

The trees shadowed over them. They were being led by Nargeg, and Caracus didn’t know where they were going, and he was sure no one else knew either. Pablo sniffed around nervously, and Rarlet huddled close to Caracus. He just couldn’t understand why the animals were scared. And then he did. Out of the trees appeared a huge serpent like creature, hissing angrily. It had grey-green skin, red eyes, and a few huge fangs in its gaping mouth that had an outstretched pointy tongue. It made the first move, having a wild lunge at Juimar, which sent him flying a few feet threw the air. Then Leeron drew his fearsome blade, and he swung at the serpent but missed. It then lashed out its tail at Nargeg, breaking his Glumar stick ( a stick that was needed for his magic) in two. Nargeg was now defenceless. It was up to the rest. Pablo couldn’t help, but Rarlet could. She snarled at the horrid beast, and began attacking its flank. It was no use. The serpent simply brushed her off, knocking her to the ground. It fixed its eyes on Juimar, but Caracus drew his cross- bow, and shot an arrow into the side of the serpent’s neck. It howled in pain. Next Leeron took out a knife, which he threw into the leg of the beast. It seemed like they had the advantage, but then the creature viciously spat acid. It hit the shoulder of Caracus, and he fell down, whimpering in pain. (Caracus was lucky because the purpose of the acid is to stun the snake’s victim; one blast was painful but harmless, whereas three strikes and you are out!) Then Juimar hit the snake with his axe three times, weakening it. Leeron then ran to the front of the serpent and thrust his sword into its belly. It gave a cry, its last for ever and then it fell dead to the pine covered floor. (Three strikes and you’re out!)

They all gasped for air, for that event was breathtaking. They walked on in stunned silence. After a few minutes Nargeg spoke:” Well done, you have proved the strength within you. I knew it was in Juimar and of course Leeron, but you have it too Caracus. You’ve proved you’re more of a help than a hindrance on this quest”. It was an unusual choice of words, but Caracus understood. He beamed with pride. He had a smile bigger than a split sack. Caracus brushed a thorn out of his black hair then Nargeg stopped outside large, round rock. He made a special tapping noise on it with some stones and sticks and the rock rolled aside to reveal a door Nargeg proceeded in and the others followed.

A passage of steps led down to another door. The place was candle lit. They opened the door and went in. A man sat in the corner “Greetings Nargeg” he welcomed. He wore a grey top and his face was covered with a hood. He had green pants and thick leather boots. He took off his hood, to reveal his face. He had a slight beard and curly brown hair and pointy ears. He was, not a man but an elf! (Sorry about earlier, typical author’s mistake, I hope!)

Nargeg sat beside him “Everyone” he explained, “This is Mornaan, my friend of old. How long has it been since I’ve seen you?”
“Oh only thirty-nine years or so” Mornaan replied. “So” Mornaan continued, “How is Carlai?” Nargegs face darkened: “He is a slave” he muttered darkly, in a terrible land called Zonu, but meet his son Caracus.” Caracus and Mornaan shook hands. They all greeted each other and revealed another surprise when they found out that Leeron and Mornaan were cousins! The room they were in was full of candles; it was a small cave, but a large room. They decided to stay the night, rather than spending money to go to an inn. Besides they knew Mornaan very well: he was a jolly fellow but a deadly fighter, and wielded a pick-axe and a shining knife. It wasn’t long before they began to think about sleeping arrangements, and Mornaan led them to his other room, with two beds and much brighter than the main room. Nargeg and Leeron agreed to sleep in that room, thus leaving Caracus and Juimar to rest in the main room. “What about the animals?” asked Caracus?”. “Pablo can run free. He deserves freedom, and at my command he will be back. Rarlet can sleep at the end of your bed”.

They ate supper and told Mornaan about the serpent. It was a nice supper consisting of potatoes, carrots and turnips. After that they bade each other good night. Caracus dreamt, he vividly saw the ruins of what had been a large castle made of stone, it was beautiful. Where it was he could not make out, when he woke from it, the diamond (which Leeron had given him) was glowing! He decided not to tell anyone, his mind was rushing.

He awoke to a lovely aroma the next morning. He stretched and looked around him. Juimar was mumbling in his sleep. Caracus then turned to the fireplace. A fire was burning and Mornaan was cooking rashers and sausages in a rusty pot over it. He placed it on plates and walked into the room of Nargeg and Leeron. He had prepared some for Caracus and Juimar (Caracus presumed) and he ate gratefully. It sizzled in his mouth and it was beautiful. After a few minutes of happy munching, Juimar awoke form his loud (and long) slumber. His eyes widened when he saw the food (well of course, food and Juimar…). He devoured it, even the burnt bits!

It wasn’t long before they were all wide awake. Caracus then remembered that they must leave Lotlan today. It was May 16th. They dressed, packed up their belongings, said their goodbyes and set off once again. Mornaan also now joined the group in their journey. ( Reasons for which will become clear later in the story).

A bright friendly, sun greeted them outside. They passed through the forest (which Mornaan told them was Kouai woods). As they strolled, they were alerted to a strange smell, Rarlet sniffed the wind and the ground. Pablo stamped his hooves, raising dust and dried mud, Juimar began to sneeze. The smell seemed to be getting stronger and stronger, it was a horrible smell, it smelled poisonous and lingering, and it smelled dangerous and deadly. They slowed their pace, and began to cover their mouths with their hands as the smell seemed to be trying to get inside them. Suddenly Rarlet turned off the path a little to a clearing, there was the source of the terrible stench. It was the decaying body of the serpent that Leeron had slain. As they looked on it seemed strange, that although the body of the serpent was so large, yet lying there lifeless and unmoving, it was hard to imagine how scary and life threatening their earlier encounter with this beast had been.

They quickly moved on away from the memory and the smell. It was an average summer day as they strolled along. They enjoyed a companionable silence. They soon arrived in Lotlan and carefully took note of everything in the bustling town. People, smiling, busy, happy, talking, shouting, eating, scratching. Caracus made a metal note to return some day when he had time. Yet they pressed on, unstopping, some force driving them on and on past everything. Streams, people, houses, stables and the garrison. They reached the far end of the town, and left it behind them, all the joy and laughter of the paradise in their wake.