The Hunter's Apprentice Read Online Free
Author: Mark Stentson
their journey the next day after a night where they tended to their injuries. Drake insisted on taking the night guard again despite Aerys protestations. He had not slept at all since they left the village and Aerys felt guilty about that. However he was so tired that as soon as he rested down, he fell asleep. He woke up next morning and saw that there were dead bodies around their camp.
-A goblin party, explained Drake in a casual tone when he asked him about it.
He did not know what frightened him more; the creatures or Drake’s tone. There were monsters everywhere and if they were not on their guard they could lose their lives anytime. They walked back towards the road and continued east. The days went on monotonously without any major incidents. Twice they met goblins again but they fled before Drake as soon as he took out his sword. It shone brightly in the sun. Aerys looked at it with awe and some jealousy. He wanted to own his own soon. Master Elric had said that he would have to prove his worth to acquire one. What did that mean? The old man was always cryptic. He decided to ask Drake one night as they sat before a warm and welcoming fire. As usual the hunter had already begun drinking.
-I was wondering whether you could tell me more about the artifacts, he said tentatively.
Drake did not reply immediately and drank noisily.
-What do you want to know? He demanded finally.
Aerys eyes shone brightly.
-What are artifacts?
Drake put his bottle down and thought for a few seconds.
-Well do you know how we acquire an artifact?
Aerys shook his head.
-There are very few who have the power to use an artifact and when we found them we bring them to the guild. There they are allocated a master whose job is mainly to train them for the task that awaits them.
-Which is?, Interjected Aerys curiously.
-The theft of an artifact.
-Stealing an artifact?, Repeated Aerys.
-What you must understand is that artifacts are the weapons of dark creatures known as Zorgs, said Drake slowly. Few people actually know about them. They are really powerful creatures that live in secluded places on the known world. They are the servants of ancient demons that once ruled over the world. Those demons were the ones who created and used those artifacts before being banished far away.
-So I must defeat one of them to acquire an artifact?, Asked Aerys panicking.
Drake shook his head.
-No, it would be impossible for you. This is why every apprentice goes there with his master. While the latter contain the Zorg, the apprentice must find the artifact and steal it.
-It can’t be as easy as it sounds, noted Aerys incredulously.
-You are right, said Drake. Zorgs are different from each other and even if they are all strong, there are some which are stronger than others. This is why, out of those who try, very few actually succeed.
Aerys swallowed. This was going to be much much more difficult than he had hoped it would be.
-And how do those Zorgs look like?
-Well they differ from each other but generally their main form is that of demons. Have you ever seen a demon? He asked Aerys darkly.
Aerys shook his head.
-Pray God that you never see one, said Drake. For we would be in deep trouble if demons appeared again.
-Have you seen one?, asked Aerys.
-No one has ever seen one lad, replied the latter irritably. Aerys told me that you loved reading but I highly doubt that now. Did you not read the books he had?
-He would not let me, replied Aerys.
-That old fool. Always too careful but what good did that do. He let it escape.
Aerys reddened at these words but luckily Drake did not notice anything.
-Well, he continued. I guess I should tell you more about them as you will face one of their servants. So open your ears.
-A very long time ago demons roamed freely on this world as the other creatures. They were in constant battle with the men that lived at this time for if there is one thing that they shared it was power. They wanted to rule
-A goblin party, explained Drake in a casual tone when he asked him about it.
He did not know what frightened him more; the creatures or Drake’s tone. There were monsters everywhere and if they were not on their guard they could lose their lives anytime. They walked back towards the road and continued east. The days went on monotonously without any major incidents. Twice they met goblins again but they fled before Drake as soon as he took out his sword. It shone brightly in the sun. Aerys looked at it with awe and some jealousy. He wanted to own his own soon. Master Elric had said that he would have to prove his worth to acquire one. What did that mean? The old man was always cryptic. He decided to ask Drake one night as they sat before a warm and welcoming fire. As usual the hunter had already begun drinking.
-I was wondering whether you could tell me more about the artifacts, he said tentatively.
Drake did not reply immediately and drank noisily.
-What do you want to know? He demanded finally.
Aerys eyes shone brightly.
-What are artifacts?
Drake put his bottle down and thought for a few seconds.
-Well do you know how we acquire an artifact?
Aerys shook his head.
-There are very few who have the power to use an artifact and when we found them we bring them to the guild. There they are allocated a master whose job is mainly to train them for the task that awaits them.
-Which is?, Interjected Aerys curiously.
-The theft of an artifact.
-Stealing an artifact?, Repeated Aerys.
-What you must understand is that artifacts are the weapons of dark creatures known as Zorgs, said Drake slowly. Few people actually know about them. They are really powerful creatures that live in secluded places on the known world. They are the servants of ancient demons that once ruled over the world. Those demons were the ones who created and used those artifacts before being banished far away.
-So I must defeat one of them to acquire an artifact?, Asked Aerys panicking.
Drake shook his head.
-No, it would be impossible for you. This is why every apprentice goes there with his master. While the latter contain the Zorg, the apprentice must find the artifact and steal it.
-It can’t be as easy as it sounds, noted Aerys incredulously.
-You are right, said Drake. Zorgs are different from each other and even if they are all strong, there are some which are stronger than others. This is why, out of those who try, very few actually succeed.
Aerys swallowed. This was going to be much much more difficult than he had hoped it would be.
-And how do those Zorgs look like?
-Well they differ from each other but generally their main form is that of demons. Have you ever seen a demon? He asked Aerys darkly.
Aerys shook his head.
-Pray God that you never see one, said Drake. For we would be in deep trouble if demons appeared again.
-Have you seen one?, asked Aerys.
-No one has ever seen one lad, replied the latter irritably. Aerys told me that you loved reading but I highly doubt that now. Did you not read the books he had?
-He would not let me, replied Aerys.
-That old fool. Always too careful but what good did that do. He let it escape.
Aerys reddened at these words but luckily Drake did not notice anything.
-Well, he continued. I guess I should tell you more about them as you will face one of their servants. So open your ears.
-A very long time ago demons roamed freely on this world as the other creatures. They were in constant battle with the men that lived at this time for if there is one thing that they shared it was power. They wanted to rule
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