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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 60: Gart Once Again
Dacker felt sick. He stumbled through the Neverwood, tripping as he went. How had this happened? How had he come to this? In the moment of his victory he had defeated himself. He tripped again, his head swimming. When he rose up he found himself back at the stream. At the place where he had devoured the dragon. The place of his defeat.
He felt sick. Then he was sick.
All the blood he had drank the last night came rushing back up. A black stream poured from his mouth. Dacker couldn’t stop. He kept going until he was sure that he was throwing up his very stomach.
Finally he keeled over into the stream, exhausted. The water was icy cold. It washed over him, covering him like a blanket. He couldn’t breath. He couldn’t get up. He felt....tired. Oh so tired. Did it even matter? What did he have to live for now? His gift was gone. He couldn’t control Coal Blood.
Gib. What about Gib? What have you done to him BloodVaine?
BloodVaine had told him of Gib’s fate. The demon Aezazel had taken control of the hermit and was using him as a spy.
How could you, BloodVaine?
But BloodVaine saved my life.
No wait, he used you. He was the one who poisoned you. Not that poor dragon.
I have to do something. I have to help Gib.
Suddenly it all came back to him. His time in the forest. His friendship with Gib. His name.
He felt, somehow invigorated. He felt at peace and...and clean. It was like the stream had washed away his time under the poison’s grip. But more then anything, he felt awake.
In a rush of energy he pulled his head above the water. Gasping, he crawled ashore. But as he emerged from the stream, he knew that he was no longer Dacker. Now he was Gart.
It was then that Gart realized he wasn’t alone. Two pairs of eyes were watching him from the trees. One pair belonged to a bear and the other belonged to a hawk. Gart wasn’t sure but it looked exactly like the one he had seen watching him earlier.
“You’re friends of Gib’s I suppose.”
The animals didn’t move.
“Well if you are, you should know that he’s in trouble. I’m going to try and save him. You can help if you like.”
Still they were silent.
“You don’t have a clue as to what I’m saying do you?”
Suddenly the hawk left it's perch and flew to a branch directly in front of Gart. It cocked it’s head and stared, long and hard at him. Now Gart was silent for a change. He waited until the hawk was finished, and when it seemed satisfied it turned back to the bear a gave a sharp screech. The bear came lumbering up until it was even with the hawk.
Gart watched them for a second, not sure what their actions meant.
“Well if you want to help me save Gib, then you can follow me.”
He started to walk off and was surprised to find that they were following him.
“All right, well, if we’re going to war then we better go prepared.”
Gart bent down and picked up a large piece of dragon hide.
Hm, he thought, I’ll wager this would make good barding for that bear.
As he looked at it, something on the ground caught his eye. Kneeling, he picked it up. It was one of he fangs from the dragon. Venom dripped from the tip. BloodVaine’s words rang in his head.
No Dacker. You have too much dragon blood in your flesh. If I gave you another dose you would be dead before midnight. No, this gift shall go to another.
The poison would harden if he left it in the air. Opening his water flask he dropped the fang inside.
“If all else fails.” he told himself.
The sun was setting as the three set out for the Neverwood border. Grizzle was now fully armored in the dragon hide and ready for battle. Griffin too was ready and as they started out Gart thought only one thing.
You will pay BloodVaine. You will pay...for poisoning me...for separating us...and you will pay for whatever pains are befalling Gib. I’m coming Gib. You will be saved. I swear it on my very life!
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