Miray opened the door and before she could step out, Roland walked past her. She watched as he strolled through the town, following the sound of screams now echoing throughout the entire town. Miray was forced to run after him, his pace being incredibly fast. She caught up to him as he suddenly stopped.
"What do you intend to do to it?"
"Kill it with fire," Roland said. "Do me a favour."
"What, another one? How many more favours do you need?"
Roland smiled again. "Funny, you're funny, you know that?"
"Well, actually," Miray huffed.
"Can you scream for me?"
"Wait what? Like what kind of scream?"
"What kind? I suppose a scream of terror, you need to sound like vulnerable prey...something easily to be eaten,"
"Wait, I am bait!? Why don't you scream?"
"I believe a high-pitched scream is better, and I do want some dignity,"
"So what, I dump mine?"
"For heaven's sake," Roland turned to her. "Each second you do not scream is another second this creature can kill an innocent child!"
Miray's heart beat hard and fast in her chest. She let out a half-hearted scream, but it more sounded like a pitched squeal.
Roland raised his brow. "I..." he turned. "Believe it worked...it's coming." He motioned towards the darkness. "Come closer." He had his arm out towards Miray. She took a step forward, and the moment his fingers brushed against her sleeve he grabbed it and tugged her in closer. He held her fast in his one arm, and she just stared wide-eyed as he held the staff in the other.
"I want you to direct my arm in the position when you see the creature...do you think you can do me this one last favour for the day?"
"Ok," Miray breathed in nervously. Many shouts had arisen and Miray breathed in the cold air. She did not know what to expect, but when she saw a shadowy slimy figure approaching them straight ahead, its eyes peeled towards her, she gave a deep breath. She grabbed his arm and pointed to it.
"There! It's right there! Kill it! Fire it up!"
It gave another guttural howl, and Miray could now see its rows of sharp bloody teeth. Its feet stomped heavily on the ground as it started running towards them.
"We're gonna die!" Miray tried to run but realised Roland still had his arm wrapped tightly around her. She pressed her face into his chest as it came charging towards them. She could smell the blood, and her heart pounded heavily. She could then sense heat, heat from the green fire, but this time it was not in Roland's hand, but rather on his staff. She heard him chanting something.
She looked to see the green fire spiral towards the Wendigo, wrapping the creature in a full embrace. The creature thrashed and screamed, and Miray could only gape as it shrivelled to the ground. Dead.
"Fancy that, as someone who has officially rescued the damsel in distress, am I allowed a kiss?"
Miray gaped. "You put me here in deliberate danger! How was I a damsel in distress!? You wouldn't even let me run!"
"Yes, well, I knew which direction it was coming from because you pointed it at me, but what use would that have been if you ran in another direction and the creature decided to follow?" Roland asked.
Roland released his grip and placed the staff on the ground. She watched as a wave of green magic shot through the town.
"What was that?"
"I best suggest we pack our things and get going shall we? Storm's cleared, and after tonight's panic, no one is going to be getting a wink of sleep. The town is frozen, if only for a moment. I cannot hold this magic for too long, but I will need you to guide me out of here. I came in during the day and had hoped to leave in the afternoon, now that it is dark, it is particularly difficult to navigate the outside world..."
"Can you see a little during the day?"
"Shadows and light, yes, I can, but at night it is completely black," he turned in the direction he came from and started walking. Miray noticed he was tapping his staff on the ground as he made his way back to her house. Miray could hardly believe what she had seen a few moments before.
"You just blew it up, with green fire? Like, have you killed Wendigo/s before? I mean, that was pretty cool,"
Roland smiled. "I am glad you found it riveting." He took a step into her home and she followed. She closed the door and started grabbing her food and clothes. "How long is this journey?"
"Two weeks to the cave, two weeks back, you will only be gone for a month,"
"Oh, wow," Miray smiled. One quick adventure. "So, Dante...what is he like?"
Roland shuffled over to the one seat. "He's like the brother I never had, but don't let the legends fool you. He's a lot more stubborn and messy. And he cannot cook to save a life. I would say having you here would be a welcome relief...if you would be interested to help."
"Of course, I love cooking, baking, oh and I can make a wicked drink...or that is what the people tell me," Miray grabbed a flask. "So how do you guys survive on well..the wild?"
"Hunting, I had been removed from that however when I accidentally scorched a deer to the point that we may just have been eating charcoal."
"Ah,"
"Dante does most of the hunting, Esmerelda knows how to set the traps,"
"What is Esmerelda like?" Miray asked.
"She's got a good heart, brave, skilled, they make a good pair,"
"Of course, they would, I mean, it just seems they are destined to be together...are they together?"
"Have I been dragged into the local gossip? What's with all these questions? Are you finished?"
"Just last things I need to grab, it's just, well, we all talk, we all wonder...we all know you exist, and everyone looks at you with hope...but there is so little actually known about you as a group...you guys are legends..."
"Legends imply we do not exist, we do," Roland whispered. "But we have learned the less people know, the better for both them and our safety. Javier does not take lightly people who help us or our cause. I'm glad I was only here to help fight the consequences of this town." Roland said. "Again, why did I not expect you to be so quick to jump in and help? Perhaps you do not fully understand what you are walking into."
"I just saw you slay a Wendigo with a flick of your wrist, I feel pretty safe," Miray took a step closer. "You're a hero...don't heroes help people?"
Roland nodded. "I suppose we do." Miray tied her last bag and placed her hands on her hips as she thought carefully about her provisions.
"I'm ready to go..."
"Ok,"
"Wait,"
"Ok,"
"Yeah, no...I have everything," Miray said. "But what if..."
"As long as you have shoes on your feet, clothes on your back and some of those incredible pies, then we are good to go," Roland said, "We can always get more supplies along the way."
"Yeah, but...I don't know, it's just, what if...I mean, well, I..."
"If you actually voiced your concerns instead of this babble you are currently spewing, we might actually be out of here before dawn and not get caught by the soldiers who will be heading this way the moment the spell lifts..."
"What if they don't like me?"
Roland smiled. "That's your concern?"
"Well, you are all well, huge deal, and I am well, just like a baker,"
"Well, I suppose you are just going to have to take a leap of faith right? Besides, you're tolerable for me, which is well, a big deal according to Esmerelda," Roland said.
"Tolerable?" Miray crossed her arms.
"Something tells me that wasn't the right word,"
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