Along the shore of the Sea of Wrecks, one day's march South West of Overna city.
The town was terrified. A gorgon living nearby was bad news! The creature had proven reclusive so far, but men, women, even children who wandered into the woods were lost, never to return. Their families mourned them, but had nothing to bury as they were now stone statues, deep in the creature's territory. They had gathered a militia to try and drive the monster away, but of the twelve brave men who went into the woods only one returned, and he was far to terrified to return to the woods any time soon.
So a call was sent out. Mercenary, adventurer, knight, or soldier, any who would aid the poor village. The people even banded together to raise enough money for a small reward. Posters had went up in other small towns, and a messenger had even ran the notice to Overna to be spread about the Taverns and guilds there. The people were scared and desperate. They tried to go about their lives as usual, but it was obvious that everyone was on edge. Parents clung to their children, shutters and doors were shut tightly, the streets of what used to be a thriving community were barren save for a few people who simply could not stay home any longer.
And one curious Drake.
Thoronorin “Thorn” Wyrmblood was on the back of a horse borrowed from the Overnan Military stables. He only had a single claw on the reigns, as his other was holding tightly to a book which he read intently. “The Complete Guide to Monsters and other spawn of Mammon, Annotated Edition.” The book was in pristine condition, and the Drake seemed immersed in it's pages. He almost didn't realize that he had reached his destination, until his horse let out a loud whinny.
“Hm? Oh! We made it! Pity, I was really enjoying the annotations on Gorgon anatomy. Astounding that each snake actually has it's own mind, yet is also connected to the creature's main nervous system. Did you know that?” he smiled, patting the horse's neck, being wary of his claws. The horse made a noise, and the mage pretended it was sharing his amusement, though he knew that the horse was utterly ignorant of a single thing he had just said. Regardless, he walked the beast to a trough and tied it up. It would need to be well rested if it was going to take him home later that day. He didn't expect to be here long.
His orders were to find the gorgon, deal with it, and tell the village elders to continue shipping fish north to the city. It was a harsh truth, but if this village didn't provide food for Overna's people the military might not have responded as quickly as it did. Of course, they did opt to only send a single wizard, so perhaps it still wasn't high on their priorities. At least, that is what an onlooker might think. In the mind of the Drake, this must be quite important for them to have sent him.
He rummaged through his bag, making sure he had everything he needed, and after several moments of frustrated scrounging he released a loud curse in dragonic. He had left his mirror back in Overna. You can't fight a gorgon without a mirror! That's just asking for trouble.
He sighed, shouldering his bag. “Fine, I guess a trip to the general store is in order.” he muttered before walking off. Once he found a mirror he was going Gorgon hunting.
(Today's post is brought to you by Medusa by Heather Dale)