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Thread: By Hammer, or by Heart

  1. #1

    Default By Hammer, or by Heart

    Arthor, fresh off of his conversation with Daemon, approached the Dragonmont. He stopped before the entrance and brought a piece of meat up to his Hawk. The Hawk swallowed the meat eagerly and cawed softly. He had tamed and trained the Hawk when he was 14. This would be a different affair entirely.
    "This is it my friend. I wish I could say it was fun. It has been something else though."
    He clicked his tongue twice and the Hawk took off from his shoulder to the air.

    Arthor knew he may not leave the Dragonmont, and that even if he did, he may never be the same. This was a moment that haunted the end of every dream. The end of every nightmare. The Dragonmont called to him even as a child. He bartered the last of his gold for a horse that wasn't exactly a stallion. He wasn't there to ride however. He was there for food should the dragon demand it. A knife on his thigh, and a sword on his waist made him feel no more comfortable. The bow and arrow would have been more useful, if he was skilled with a bow. Instead he carried a harpoon. It was three pronged and he used it to fish. It would be a minor annoyance to the dragon if he decided to try and eat Arthor, but it might be good enough to give him time to get out of the way. Of course if he decided to roast him...

    Arthor put no more thought into it. He had dallied enough. He could feel the heat of the volcano. He could smell the sulfur. He walked the horse in to find the Bronze Fury, Vermithor. He was optimistic, despite his irrational apprehension, Vermithor was rumored to not be as hostile as some. His silver, straight hair, moved with the wind. Was it wind that came from the mouth of Dragonmont? Whatever he found, he hoped it be any dragon that save for Cannibal.
    Last edited by Zeus Almighty; January 20, 2019 at 10:42 AM.

  2. #2

    Default Re: By Hammer, or by Heart

    Arthor would catch sight of a cavernous entrance, high amongst the cliffs to the eastern side of the volcano, reachable by an old mountain track that snaked slowly upwards. For what purpose it lay there was unknown, but the path lay before the young Celtigar boy if he chose to take it. Though he would have to tread lightly, for it had clearly seen little use in recent years - the dirt pathway had been ground down into stone, and it was only wide enough for one man - or horse - to pass abreast.
    Last edited by Gandalfus; January 21, 2019 at 06:54 AM.

  3. #3

    Default Re: By Hammer, or by Heart

    Arthor looked at the ledge that tracked up the mountain. He measured the strength of the ledge and looked to his horse. He found a subtle smile, took a side step approach and began his ascent. It was a good thing this new horse was a wisp vs a stallion in stature. Every side step he took was slower than the next. Careful not to shuffle his feet, he felt the surety of the next step prior to committing.

    He did not intend to meet his end at the precipice of the cliff, if the horse needed to go that was one thing. He had already come too far. He thought back to his father, after one of his famous beatings, harassing him that he was a bastard and did not deserve to live. His father bore no resemblance to the boy, a fact that he never lived down.
    Last edited by Zeus Almighty; January 22, 2019 at 08:12 AM.

  4. #4

    Default Re: By Hammer, or by Heart

    Arthor stumbled, and for a moment his entire life was close to coming to an abrupt end as he fell forwards, foot losing its grasp on the rocks... Only to find purchase at the very edge of the ledge. It was a close run thing, but he lived, and would carry on until he reached the mouth of the entrance he had spotted earlier. It wasn't particularly large, but the heat was almost unbearable, and it probably led deep into the heart of the volcano. A dragon would definitely fit, albeit it was definitely not large enough to be Vermithor or the Cannibal.

  5. #5

    Default Re: By Hammer, or by Heart

    When his foot lost its hold on the ground he cursed. The first real prospect of death today...yet not even the first this week. He wondered at himself: how many more times must he almost die in order to find peace?
    He considered this question more than once in the time leading up to his visit to Dragonstone. His mind flashed to a time when his father used swimming lessons as a feint to try and drown him. He came back to his current situation and shook his head.

    You were weaker then. Never again.

    At the caverns entrance he paused to accept the heat coming from the mountain. The life of fire and blood would be ahead of him if he should succeed but maybe, just maybe, he could help usher peace back to Westeros. A fools journey he knew, but Arthor could never give up the dream.
    Dreams...
    At the end of each dream, they always ended with unnatural rumblings. Rumblings that peaked up from the chest of something larger than himself. Of course most would think him insane, and maybe he was, but Arthor had seen crazy first hand.
    He grew accustomed to the heat quickly and pushed forward, having to almost drag him companion horse with him. He was where he needed to be, that was all he needed to know for now.

  6. #6

    Default Re: By Hammer, or by Heart

    Quote Originally Posted by Zeus Almighty View Post
    When his foot lost its hold on the ground he cursed. The first real prospect of death today...yet not even the first this week. He wondered at himself: how many more times must he almost die in order to find peace?
    He considered this question more than once in the time leading up to his visit to Dragonstone. His mind flashed to a time when his father used swimming lessons as a feint to try and drown him. He came back to his current situation and shook his head.

    You were weaker then. Never again.

    At the caverns entrance he paused to accept the heat coming from the mountain. The life of fire and blood would be ahead of him if he should succeed but maybe, just maybe, he could help usher peace back to Westeros. A fools journey he knew, but Arthor could never give up the dream.
    Dreams...
    At the end of each dream, they always ended with unnatural rumblings. Rumblings that peaked up from the chest of something larger than himself. Of course most would think him insane, and maybe he was, but Arthor had seen crazy first hand.
    He grew accustomed to the heat quickly and pushed forward, having to almost drag him companion horse with him. He was where he needed to be, that was all he needed to know for now.
    A low rumble, like those from Arthor's dreams, emerged from the darkness; a warning or a greeting, one could not be sure, but down there in the fiery deep something stirred. It was his choice whether to press down further or turn back, but the beast was definitely awoken... The choice lay before him whether to confront it, or flee in fear and hope it did not exact vengeance for his disturbance.

  7. #7

    Default Re: By Hammer, or by Heart

    Arthor pushed on keeping a firm hand on the reins of the horse behind him. The smell of sulfer grew more distinct as he moved to confront the rumblings. The jerking and beating of the horse grew more erratic and stronger. He took a moment to settle the beast. He always had a kinship with animals. It was an unfortunate fact for the horse. Moments after calming the horse he resumed his pace to find the source of the rumbling. He only found himself more and more resolved with each step. His thoughts on Daemon and the chance gave him strength. He would have to prove himself equal to the task and he was confident he would.

    He always considered it harder to do a thing if he didn’t believe he could. So this journey, his journey, had no choice but to succeed.

  8. #8

    Default Re: By Hammer, or by Heart

    The low rumble turned into a growl, a lick of flame emerging from the darkness up ahead - a warning, perhaps. Briefly, the cave was illuminated, and for a few moments light was cast upon the slender grey form of a drake curled up in the shadows. Arthor's presence had woken her from slumber, and now two pale eyes watched him warily from the shadows. Dragons were not naturally accustomed to the presence of humans; Grey Ghost even less so, having either a fear or intense dislike of humans enough to avoid being seen by them at every opportunity. The lonesome creature stirred, rising to her feet, still watching the intruder intently.

  9. #9

    Default Re: By Hammer, or by Heart

    Quote Originally Posted by Gandalfus View Post
    The low rumble turned into a growl, a lick of flame emerging from the darkness up ahead - a warning, perhaps. Briefly, the cave was illuminated, and for a few moments light was cast upon the slender grey form of a drake curled up in the shadows. Arthor's presence had woken her from slumber, and now two pale eyes watched him warily from the shadows. Dragons were not naturally accustomed to the presence of humans; Grey Ghost even less so, having either a fear or intense dislike of humans enough to avoid being seen by them at every opportunity. The lonesome creature stirred, rising to her feet, still watching the intruder intently.

    Arthor stopped before the lick of flames came close to him. He glimpsed the pale eyes and Grey form and knew at once what he faced. He had seen Grey Ghost from afar, diving into the dark sea and emerging with fish falling out of its mouth. Those pale eyes a reflection of Arthor's own. After almost a lifetime of no movement, his eyes accommodated enough to gain an outline of the Dragon. He moved slowly to bring the harpoon from off his back. As he did he tried to spur the horse forward but to little prevail. He managed to circle his horse adjacent and to the front of him, placing his harpoon on the floor to his side. He took a couple of steps forward and then a knee, eyeing the dragon...

    He wasn’t as large as Vermithor, but that did not take away from his magnificence. Grey Ghost was much longer and larger than he seemed in the cavern but he seemed at ease for the moment. Where Grey Ghost was majestic and light, Arthor donned no fancy metals for armor but instead was in dyed pale blue leathers. Arthor looked around for another exit to the cavern aside from where he entered. The last thing he needed was for Grey Ghost to feel as though he was cornered.

    But would the Predator feel cornered by the prey?

    Hand on the harpoon that lay upon the ground, he awaited the Dragons move patiently. As he stuck his hand out to grasp the harpoon he was pleased, his hand was still. Arthor's mind was focused. His heart and breathing were very much under control, his breaths measured between the beats he felt in his chest. My, I really can feel it beating can't I?
    A manner of perspiration dripped down his forehead but he could not tell if it was nerves or the environment as a whole. He didn't feel nervous, in fact he remembered feeling nervous when his drunkard father stumbled home, but that was not now. The horse brayed nervously, as Arthor took a moment to consider if the Dragon would rather kill his own prey or have it served to him. He made a clicking sound to verify his presence.

    At the risk of irritation, he started off slowly. "I am Arthor, of the Old Valyrian Blood. I have brought tribute. I have been awaiting this moment for a long time. You're strong and free. I would like to join you."
    Last edited by Zeus Almighty; February 05, 2019 at 12:09 PM.

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