02: Mythcraft

Grunfle stretched his arms and yawned loudly. He checked his sundial at the front window, it was 4:30. He fuddled about on his bed before grabbing a crimson robe and hat. He put his backpack on and swiped some money from his cupboard. Grunfle left his house and walked along the sturdy planks beneath him. He looked at the scenery beside him. There were lush valleys with wet thick grass, waterfalls crashing into the rocks below. The sun felt warm and soothing while the air filled Grunfle's lungs with energy. He walked to the central park before seeing Tolrik, Tolrik seemed agitated.

'Are you alright?' Grunfle asked.

'Well I'm still nervous, and also where the heck is Sanene and Eqin,' said Tolrik.

'Don't worry they've got five minutes,' Grunfle replied.

'Grunfle! Tolrik!' Eqin shouted, being followed by Sanene. 'So are we going to the supply shop or not?' Sanene said.

They headed to the supply shop in front of them. The shop had a gritty look about it; even the door knob was greasy! As they entered a mucky man stood in front of them. He was a gremlin; his yellow chipped teeth appeared when he grinned.

'Ello there looking for err¦ stuff,' he said smugly.

'Yes, that's why we're here,' Eqin said, nose averted.

Grunfle though was hypnotized by an elegantly crafted staff with a white orb perched on the top.

'Oh my gosh, how much is that?' Grunfle said overwrought with joy.

The gremlin rubbed his scraggy facial hair. 'I is see you like me staff, tell you wot you can ave it for um¦ 300 coins,' the gremlin obliged.

Grunfle passed the gremlin the coins. The gremlin cherished them like they were his children, while Grunfle leaped towards the staff.
Meanwhile everyone was observing the tools and weapons like inspectors. Eqin approached the gremlin while fidgeting his fingers constantly, he whispered, 'I don't mean to be rude but doesn't your shop have riding creatures?'

'Eh, they're at the back, my mate's selling them,' the gremlin said.

Eqin walked through the back door, the back room smelt pungent and old. He turned around to look for the gremlin's friend.

'Are ya gonna buy a ride or not,' said a rather tall looking reptoid.

'Well I'm going to need four riding creatures. One for a mage, another for a warrior and two for me and the other alchemist,' said Eqin nervously.

'I ave wot you want. Follow me,' said the reptoid.

He lead Eqin to four creatures. A small T-rex, two ostrich sized birds known as kitoo and a golden crest ram. The T-rex let out a deafening roar.

'Pay me 500 coins and these bootys are yours,' the reptoid bargained.

'Sure whatever,' Eqin replied.

Everyone except Eqin was waiting outside with their equipment.

'Where's Eqin,' Tolrik asked.

Everyone shrugged then froze as they heard a mysterious roar. They saw Eqin walk out with the four riding creatures.

'Oh yes um, I bought us riding animals. Tolrik the T-rex is yours, Grunfle the ram is yours and Sanene the kitoos' are ours.' Eqin explained

'You sure that thing is tamed?' Tolrik said, staring at his T-rex.

Eqin turned at him and sighed, 'Yes its safe and tamed. Now anyway I've set a course through Mal'Barg woods below us to get to the next city. That way we should find a quest, ok.'
Everyone nodded as if they had no choice. They all headed to a rickety lift that led down to the woods. Sanene felt a little alarmed as it shook about as they descended into the strange forest.