Post by dftp on Jul 3, 2017 17:36:10 GMT 8
Prologue
This story is about how four brave knights decided to hunt down the monster. One day a person was spending his time in tavern and one explorer told him a legend about this monster. It was called just "the Unknown" for a very good reason. Many years before a group of explorers went to explore Austrian Mountains and when they explored mountains they found a lair. One of them entered inside and it was big and it was quite. Then everyone entered and and they thought that it was possibly dragon's lair. However, something began to make a sound and suddenly attacked them. This monster was invisible and, so nobody could see it. Two of them decided to run and then the rest left lair. That's how this tale was born and the mountain was avoided, however few foolish knights and nobles attempted to capture the unknown monster and become famous, but they failed as monster was too powerful. And now the explorer told the tale to one knight who was looking for adventure and found an opportunity to prove himself...
Part 1
"... so, it exists?" said unknown man
"I don't know. But tales say yes." said story teller
"Then it's my opportunity to become famous. I'll be going"
and man came out from tavern and went home. He lived in small castle away from city and used to go there by horse to hear news. This man was a good warrior from noble family. At home he wanted to think about the tale and next morning went to town to recruit four brave warriors like him. He comes back to town and arrives to old house to meet old friend.
"A, it's you my old friend" said aged person
"Yes, it's me. Can I come in?"
"Of course."
After 2 hours of talk hero asks
"Would you like... to go on adventure?"
"What adventure?"
"I heard legends about a mysterious monster. I need four men who can assist me. You and me together invincible!"
"Yes. I will be honest with you. I miss so much chance to prove myself. Now the opportunity is here. I agree without questions!"
"Great! After one week meet me at my old castle. I'm going to recruit two more soldiers."
"Good luck"
and he left house and went to find new recruits for this mission.
Part 2
He quickly found two knights who were willingly to join his company. 2 days later main hero and 4 companions came out from town and went to mountains to find the legendary monster. It will be long journey, but it's worth it, right? Main hero is a young man goes by name James and his close friend is Carl. Carl and James and 3rd companion are warriors and 4th companion was archer. All they had no idea how they would defeat creature, but hoped they would win. After long ride they finally made it to port. Carl prepared the vessel for them already. They were planning to go to France and then continue to Austria (They all are from Britain). During the journey to France Carl and James decided to talk about monster.
"So, what's the plan?"
"I don't know. I thought we would make a trap. We'll lure beast out and try to kill it..."
"But's it's invisible. We have to make is visible."
"That's not a bad plan. And once we'll capture it, we'll be famous and rich"
"Yeah, but I was thinking about... making more for us..."
"What?... What... do you... mean?"
"I mean, we could use these two and then trick them. They'll earn less or nothing at all and we'll be rich and famous."
"I would never do such!"
"Why? Sharing is a weakness. They may plan the same thing!"
"If you will think that everyone is plotting against you then it will happen."
"You're wrong. If I'll think like that, I'll be careful and nobody will trick me."
"We have spoken enough. I won't do this and you shouldn't either!"
"Very well... but the journey will be long, so you'll have time to think about my offer."
James ended conversation with his friend and was suprised that friend even thinks about such betrayal. James knew him as kind, loyal and generous person, however after they parted their ways Carl has changed. He became hypocritical, intriguing, and selfish person and was viewing his interests at first than his friend's. James went to his room to read book he took with him and Carl decided to talk with other two.
"So, are you ready for adventures?" - said Carl with seriousness
"Yeah, that's why we signed up on this. We'll be famous!" - said two
"Yeah, we will. All three of us!" - said Carl with his hypocritical smile
"You mean, four?" said first companion curious. Second was suprised and began to understand what Carl was up to.
"How about to... trick our leader. James. He, after all, would also want to take all glory to himself. We can fool him and have more reward for us."
"But it would be a treason..." said first, but then second said
"But, I don't think he plans to trick us. At least your accusation has no proof."
"Proof? Oh, mayeb not, but are you sure you want to miss an opportunity to have more glory than him?"
"We won't betray James." - Said two at the same time and Carl left with disappointment.
The End of the beginning
James, Carl and two friends decided to dine together. After dining they all went to sleep. Next morning they arrived to France and from there James and his companions hoped to continue journey to Germany and then to Austria. As they entered port James bought new horses for ride (they left old ones at the port) and continued their way to Germany. At evening they decided to stop at tavern and have some rest. James suspected archer being worried about Carl's offer and once they both were alone James asked what's wrong with him. Archer carefully told the story that happened between him, his friend and Carl. After that James began to distrust Carl even watched his every move. Next morning they moved on and continued their way, however on their way they met two nobles who were also from Britain.
"Greeting." said James wit polite bow
Two nobles also answered with polite bow and asked
"Greeting. Where are you going?"
However, Carl quickly responded it's not their business. James made a look at Carl to shut up and then said
"Sorry for my friend. He's just not in mood. We're heading to Austrian Mountains."
"We were going here as well. What a coincidence?"
"So, you are going to hunt too?"
"I wouldn't use such harsh word. We were going on expedition to capture then study unknown creature..." but then second noble answered "if it exists."
Carl listened to them carefully and decided to whisper with James about the situation.
"They are our opponents. It maybe an excellent opportunity to attack them now. They won't expect it"
"I will never attack them. They didn't even do anything wrong... yet..." said James little suprised to hear that.
Carl, however, didn't notice James's reaction to his offer and said with disappointment "Bah, you're making mistake!".
After that James offered two nobles to combine forces to defeat beast. At first nobles wasn't sure, but then agreed to join and together went to fight.
Carl was angered by James actions and thought he was too soft. Carl then had an idea how to trick them all.
Unexpected Reunion
3 months later James and his crew made their way to Austrian Mountains. After long time he and the rest of crew became weary of Carl who was always vigilant and trying to have more profit. After they arrived to mountains, they left horses at low ground and to find the cave of monster. James and all of them were vigilant and was watching everywhere, but fortunately nothing happened... for now.
Carl suddenly got afraid and felt something bad is going to happen. Finally they found the cave and James asked everyone to wait. He decided to go alone and see if everything is safe. Carl thought it was bad idea to go there alone, but then James said there is nothing and told everyone to continue walking until they won't find cave with monster.
"But the monster is definatly there!" said one of nobles
"No, this place is empty. It could be bear's cave or I don't know. I don't see anything here."
"Alright" said Carl "Let's go there together and look around. Monster is probably away for now and maybe we can set a trap"
"Good point" said James.
They all went in, but then as they all came inside cave few figures showed up. Carl suddenly got scared and saw the figures
"Just like in the nightmares!"
"It's good that you have recognized me... Henry!"
"What the? You are that storyteller from the tavern. What are you doing here? Why did you call Carl "Henry"?"
"Oh, didn't Carl told you that story."
"Carl, care to explain?"
"It's not your concern!"
"But they are part of this too, aren't they. Well, then I'll tell the whole story."
"You see, James, back to first crusade Carl betrayed me to claim all glory for himself. I was left for dead, but thankfully I survived and was plotting revenge for many years and then I got an idea. Carl loved adventures and I knew he would want to fight for more glory and profit, so I began telling fables about "monster" hiding here and hoping to lure Carl. My companions were the "victims" of this noble mission. I told them everything and promised great reward. Then, I found you and told you the tale."
"So, I could recruit Carl and others into this and you would..."
"Get revenge on him! Yeah, that's right!"
"I... I..."
"Carl, why did you betray him and why you never told me this!"
"Because it wasn't your concern. I thought I got rid of him, but it seems I didn't. Look, that was long story and yes I fought for glory, but right now my life is at stake!"
"He told me the same and betrayed me! Didn't he propose everyone the same? The betrayal?"
"Yeah, he did" said all and Carl suddenly got more scared and searched for small hole to escape from this cave
"Everyone, I don't want bloodshed, but we can end this by killing Carl and then going on our own businesses."
"Don't listen to him. Carl maybe changed, but he's my friend still and I will fight for him!"
"But he wanted to betray you as well!" said archer
"Yeah, he wanted, but revenge won't be satisfying as you hope. The only way for us to leave peacefully is to just forgive him"
"That's... a unique choice and you are truly kind and good person" said storyteller who didn't expect to hear that
"Bah, James, you are as soft and oyu were in childhood. I will fight and finish this once and for all!" Carl got out his sword and wanted to run at all of them, but then James crossed swords with him
"You will fight your old friend" said Carl
"Are you crazy?! Calm down, don't do anything stupid!"
"Never!" and pushed James back and ran to his worst enemy, but enemy companions got their bows and killed him. James screamed and ran to him.
Storyteller and the others walked away.
After all of this and persuasion of companions James decided to leave Carl's body at cave without funeral believing he did not deserve it.
The end?
Author: DFTP
Credit: ThuyenTheGreat, The Xoudian (for discord channel)