User blog:Gnomehunter/Day 11: Daredevil

Day 11: Write a story with a Demon Beast-type monster

Daredevil

 '''A lonely mountain peak, reaching high into the heavens. This was Garrett’s goal, the place where he was hoping to find the hoard of treasure that was rumored to be hidden somewhere in this mountain range. As he sat in the small patch of level ground, where he had managed to set up a small camp, he recalled the conversation that had led him on this hunt.'''

'''Garrett walked into the local adventurer’s guild and, after taking a look at the board of listed jobs, scoffed. He looked at the clerk standing behind the counter. “I want to talk to the Guildmaster, I’m looking for big jobs, none of these measly tasks you’ve got listed.'''

'''“Right away, Sir”. The Clerk responded, giving him an over-friendly smile. She walked into the back room, and returned almost immediately with a tall, muscled woman. '''

'''“Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention, Eline. I’ll handle it from here. Now what do you want?” She snapped at Garrett.'''

'''“Did your assistant not inform you? I’m looking for big jobs, nothing like the little errands you’ve posted on the board”.'''

'''“Hmph. I thought maybe the sheer stupidity of your question might become clearer if you asked it twice.”'''

'''“Excuse me? Who do you think you are, insulting adventurers like that? Our work is the thing that keeps your guilds functioning!”'''

'''“If that were true, then this guild should be awfully close to shutting down entirely. My name’s Marin, I’m the Guildmaster, just the person you asked for. Do you know that you’re the third meathead who came to our guild this month, dismissing the jobs we’ve posted and demanding better jobs? As if we had a secret stash of them just waiting for adventurers to ask! Since you seem to have forgotten, let me remind you that you wouldn’t have a job as an adventurer if it weren’t for our guilds finding these jobs, each of which represent a person or people in need of assistance. Yes! There are people who need help, and if you think they’re so easy, then why not just take up every job on this board! Garrett was silent. “Fine! If you want a big quest so badly, I’ll tell you the same rumors that I told the others. There’s said to be an enormous hoard of treasure, hidden somewhere in the nearby mountains. If you find it, you won’t have to think about taking jobs ever again!”'''

'''“That’s all? A rumor?”'''

'''“What else do you expect? Oh, and it’s guarded by a vicious beast, so if you find any dangerous monsters, maybe you’re on the right track. Go knock yourself out, and if you get tired of hunting, you can come back and do some actual work”. '''

---

'''“Time for a little climb”, Garrett said. He’d encountered many monsters in his search across the mountains, ogres and orcs, a flock of harpies. He’d even encountered a cyclops and her husband, who, of all things, was one of the few adventurers who’d previously attempted to locate the treasure. '''

“So, looking for that rumored treasure in these mountains?”

'''“Yes, and I want you to tell me where you’ve looked. I don’t suppose you’re still trying to find it?”'''

'''“Well sure I can tell you what I know, though I’m not sure if there’s any treasure to begin with. I managed to search the first peak. I figured it would be a great tomb or crypt, so I didn’t think it would be too hard to find. Then I got lost trying to hunt on this peak right here, and met my wife. And that’s when my hunt ended”. He hugged the cyclops. “Well, guess I’ll resume my search”, Garrett said, turning to leave.'''

'''“Only other thing I can add is that it’s not likely to be near any of those monster tribes. I imagine any treasure guardian is more solitary than them”. He watched Garrett leave.'''

“What a rude man”, his wife said.

'''“Yes...reminds me of myself when I was on my own hunt. But then I met you, my own little treasure”. His wife’s face turned a shade of red as she looked down at her feet. He chuckled and kissed her.'''

---

'''It was on the third mountain peak that Garrett found a lead. The climb was tough, scrambling up rough rocky formations, shimmying along narrow ledges, and struggling to find places to rest for the night. The unforgiving climb made it seem especially unappealing for exploration, and that’s what made him think that it might be worth the exploration. Now he had found a suspiciously convenient space to rest, and what appeared to be one final challenge. A rocky crag that grew narrower as it ascended out of sight, surrounded by fog. That was where he was going to climb, and that was where he was counting on to find treasure. '''

'''Garrett took hold of a segment of the rock and began to climb. His boots gripped onto the surface, and he hauled himself up. Refusing to look down, he placed a peg into the side of the cliff, tying a knot with a length of rope. This was solely for safety. Garrett scaled the rocks, climbing into dizzying heights. At last he saw what looked like the top of the cliff. He was standing on a little ledge, just enough space to take a moment, with a short climb up a sheer rock face before what looked like a large level space. As he pulled himself over the ledge, he heard a voice that almost made him lose his grip.'''

'''“Human! What are you doing here on my mountain?” Garrett pulled himself up, kneeling on the rock, inching away from the edge, to look in the direction of the speaker. There was a tall woman standing before him, large feathery white and brown wings, and animal legs. She had some sort of robe around her waist, and another piece of clothing around her neck, doing a poor job of covering her chest, and nothing else.'''

'''“Why, nothing at all, miss. I just fancied a climb!”'''

'''“Do you expect me to believe that? This mountain peak is dangerous and difficult from the start. To climb up here must have posed a very real threat to your life. It is clear you came here looking for another reason”. '''

“Oh, I guess now that you mentioned it, I’m curious as to what’s in that cave”, he said, pointing to the small opening behind her”.

'''“There is nothing for a thief like you. Now hurry down and get off my mountain. If I so much as pushed you, you would plummet to your death. So I will give you this chance to leave safely. '''

'''“Ha! I was told there might be some sort of treasure in these mountains, guarded by a dangerous beast. Seems like I found my guardian”.'''

'''“Whether there is treasure inside is none of your concern. Now begone”. She took a step forward. Garrett felt around his waist for the rope, still secured.'''

“Suppose I can defeat you in combat?”

'''“Don’t be foolish. No weapon and little room to move around in. I could defeat a dragon if it became necessary. Men far stronger and in much more favorable conditions would still fall before me. Now stop testing my patience”. She held up her hand, pointing one sharp talon at him. '''

'''“Well, I suppose I can’t argue. I’ll leave, you don’t have to force me. He turned to the edge of the cliff, looking down. His stomach dropped, and as all the stupid decisions he’d made in his life flashed before his eyes, he jumped. A leap up and out, to try and avoid some of the jagged points he’d used as holds on the climb up. He heard a scream of terror, and as he fell, he was caught, the woman snatching him out of the air, holding him tightly to her chest as she flapped her wings and descended, cutting the rope when she saw he was still attached. When she landed, she released him, and Garrett felt his legs give out as he sank to the ground.'''

'''“That was the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen any single human do in my entire life! Do you realize you could have died? What were you thinking?” Garrett stood shakily. '''

'''“As you must have noticed, I was tied to a rope. Sort of wish you hadn’t cut it. I was hoping you’d set me on the cliff up there and I could-”'''

'''“Still trying to get inside that cave?” Not a chance! For someone as dumb as you-” Garrett stepped close to the woman and pulled her by the shoulders, planting a kiss on her lips”. She Mmf’d and tore him away. “You’re just about the prettiest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, what’s your name? I’m Garrett”. '''

'''“I’m um, I’m Merida. And you, your name is reckless. I think there’s some serious punishment in your future, to make you think about all the awful decisions you’ve just made”. Merida stepped forward, swinging her claws at him and leaving his clothes in tatters. '''

“What kind of punishment is this?”

'''Merida pulled him to her chest, laying his back on the ground, and began to ride him. Garrett could barely speak at the unrelenting pleasure that was assailing his body and mind. They lay there until the sun began to sink out of sight, and Merida stopped, her mouth slack, her wings wrapped around Garrett, and she refused to let go. “Damn. Was that supposed to be a punishment? Or a reward? Maybe I should jump off another cliff?”'''

'''“Don’t mock me.” Merida’s tone was softer, and now she sounded far less confident than when she was standing guard. “I, I had to make sure you understood properly.” '''

'''“Huh, I guess I managed to get into some cave-” Merida blushed and covered his mouth with her hand. '''

“Now are you going to leave my mountain?”

'''“I’ll leave tomorrow, if a certain lovely lady releases me by then.” She glared, stood up, and flew up into the air, returning to her peak. Garrett managed to eat some rations and crawl into the tent to sleep. '''

'''The next morning, Garrett crawled out of his tent to see Merida perched in front of it. “What are you doing here? I said I’d leave, I’ll pack up right now.”'''

'''“No. You can’t leave. I don’t want to let you out of my sight. Your...lust for treasure had a different target last night. I want to feel that again. And again. Stay with me. It’s the only thing I can think about”. '''

'''“Don’t think I could refuse that offer”. Garrett stepped closer to Merida, kissing her. She leaned into it, then hugged him as she flew up, stopping at the cave and landing in a large nest that had been constructed on top of it. They spent the day together, and when Garrett could see that Merida was serious about wanting him (and finding himself just as interested in her) he managed to ask her the one thing on his mind. “So what’s in that cave?”'''

'''“That silly place? There’s nothing in there”. '''

'''“What? You wanted nothing more than to keep me away from it. There has to be something”.'''

“Well it’s not important”.

'''“Have you ever even been inside?” At this remark, she went quiet. Wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I don’t think you have”.'''

'''“Sh-shut up. Give up already”. '''

'''“You haven’t! You’ve been guarding this cave and you don’t even know what’s in there!” '''

'''“Yes I do! I’ve looked inside but there’s a drop off, and after that some smaller passages that I can’t fit through”.'''

“So you don’t know what’s in the cave.”

'''“No, I guess not. But it doesn’t matter. You can stay here with me, and never have to worry about it”. '''

“Hmm, unfortunately, I’m still curious as to what I might find in there”.

---

'''Despite some protests, Merida finally agreed to let Garrett explore the cave, provided he tied one of his spare ropes around his waist, and only explored during the day. After several days of climbing down the short drop and crawling through the narrow tunnels, he found nothing. Dead ends, some scarce plant life. But there was one more tunnel. On the last investigation, Garrett crawled through the final tunnel. This one went much further than the others, and it exited into a larger open cavern. He looked at the center of the floor, where there was a large hole. He started into it, and carefully reached in. The walls were sloped. He sat on the edge, and began to inch his way down the side. And now he was sliding. He shouted in surprise, sliding down and down until he dropped out of a wall and landed painfully on his butt. When he stood up, his eyes glowed with excitement. It was a brick walled room, clearly built by someone, filled with gold. Coins littered the floor, chests full of the things sitting nearby, and a magical torch glowing in the middle of the room. He cheered. “I was right!” But he started to feel worried when he looked up at the hole he’d fallen out of. And frightened when he realized the knot had somehow come undone, leaving him unable to signal to Merida. He looked around the room to see that it was sealed, without any way to escape. He sat down against the wall. “Just my luck to find a room full of treasure, and then die before I can use it. Could have lived with the love of my life. But no, I had to be curious”. Hey lay down on the pile of coins, finding it a poor substitute for a bed, wondering if he was going to wake up. '''

'''A loud noise shook Garrett awake. He looked to the source, to see something banging on the wall. He stood back. “Hello?” '''

'''“Garrett! Oh my lord I can hear your voice. Wait there, and stand back from the wall”. After a few more attempts, Merida crashed through the wall, stepping inside to face him. She was furious. “Do you have any idea how scared I was when I pulled that rope and found you weren’t attached? First you try to throw away your life after we just met, and now you almost got yourself killed after we married! What do I have to do to make you think about your own life?” '''

“But Merida, look at all this treasure!”

'''“I don’t care about any of this stuff! I just want to have you, and your company! Come back home with me, I need to see you’re fed and rested”. She picked him up and flew out of the room, which Garrett could see was carved into the side of the cliff face. Miles above the vault, she stopped and landed in the nest.'''

---

'''Despite Merida’s disinterest in the goldmine sitting just below her home, and a general unwillingness to let Garrett out of her sight, he managed to convince her that the treasure might have some value. '''

'''“Look Merida, there’s a lot of things we could get with all this money. Maybe even share it with others. And I want to keep traveling, see new places and people”.'''

'''“And more ways to endanger your life? I don’t know if I want you to leave the nest”.'''

'''“Hey, you know what, there’s a small adventurer’s guild near the base of these mountains. There’s probably a lot of people who need help, fighting bandits or protection from monsters or finding lost things. Why don’t we go down there and help them out? Shouldn’t be too much trouble”. Garrett wrapped his arms around her neck, pulling Merida in for a kiss, caressing her back and petting her head and feathers, just how she liked it. “Besides,” he said, almost whispering. “It was thanks to a rumor I heard down there that I was able to meet you”. Merida sighed, partly in resignation and partly out from pleasure. '''

'''“Well, alright. We can help them. But I’m keeping an eye on you to make sure you don’t try anything stupid”. '''