Chapter Eleven

## **The Elephant in the Room**

###### **Zreethdag 18th Biriskjur 1770**

The mammoth sat in the middle of the road, blocking the survivors’ path to Rime. It would have to be moved for their journey to continue, but the method was still up for debate. Nixe returned from the crest of the hill and informed the others of what awaited them. Plymouth promptly pointed out how many such a beast could feed and, with that, the decision was made.

Plymouth plucked up some words of encouragement and rallied Brandyr, Booker, Fitz, Nixe and Combine together for the hunting party. An impassioned and inspiring speech buoyed the group’s spirit, but also gave the mammoth time to shift and when the party crept up the hill once again, they found the mammoth had moved closer and was looking directly at them.

*“The plan is off!”* cried Nixe, casting speak with animals and attempting to communicate with the beast. His attempts at a peaceful resolution were somewhat undermined by the presence of six armed men, fanned out in a semi-circle before the creature, so he was met with a gruff *“Fack orf”* from the mammoth as it charged directly towards him.

**BOOM!** It hit the elven ranger at full speed, knocking him to the ground with its tusks. Nixe, momentarily spurred on by Plymouths words, rolled onto his back, but the mammoth’s heavy feet knocked the fight from him. Within seconds of the hunt beginning, Nixe was rendered unconscious.

A flurry of attacks from all sides followed, crossbow bolts flew from Fitz and Brandyr, Combine loosed an arrow and Plymouth strode towards the beast whispering a discordant melody, his magics paining the creature and causing it to flee from the scholar in terror. Seeing his opportunity to assist his fallen comrade, Booker touched Nixe’s unconscious body and cured the worst of his wounds. Nixe was still badly injured, but he was back in the fight for now.

The party continued to rain down attacks on the frightened mammoth. Brandyr moved to Plymouth’s side, just as his spells faltered and the beast regained his composure. Angered by the bard’s whispers, the mammoth charged and Plymouth made a hasty retreat, leaving Brandyr to take the full brunt of the attack. Goring tusks and trampling feet bore down upon the dwarf and for the second time in under a minute, a member of the party was knocked unconscious.

Fitz, out of eyesight of the rest of the survivors, teleported behind the creature and unleashed yet more attacks whilst the others continued to fight. Booker ran at the beast, readying his gauntlets to fight. His swing went wide but his heavy armour and spells of sanctuary meant that so did the mammoths. The beast distracted; Plymouth extended the terrible writings of Harbek Gardain Waterholes into its mind. The psychic assault proved too be too much for the mammoth and it slumped the ground, brain melting from its eyes.

Nixe moved to Brandyr’s side, attempting to heal the dwarf’s wounds but fumbling due to his wounds and fatigue. Booker, realising that he had the last remaining healing potion (a point of contention between him and Brandyr just days earlier), tossed it to the elf who, despite his exhaustion, managed to snatch the bottle from the air. He poured it down the faenor’s gullet, and Brandyr awoke.

The battle done, Combine scouted off ahead to find somewhere to set up camp for the night whilst the group set about carving up the mammoth carcass, conscripting three local butchers and hunters to assist them. Combine returned with an uncharacteristic chirpiness to him, informing Nixe that he had discovered a plateau on which they could rest which also had several hot springs.

The survivors set up camp, enjoying the fresh meat, the hot springs and the beautiful vista of the setting sun. The party of five, who had a become close in their adventures, shared a rare and much needed moment of respite, Fitz enjoying a cigar and Brandyr sharing the growler of Ticket to Rime he had been saving. Morale amongst the encampment was as high as it could be considering the circumstances and the group slept well, ensuring they were all well rested for the final day of their long journey.

Next: Chapter Twelve. No Rime or Reason