The Lost Spell of Avooblis: The Adventurers' Academy, #7

By Charles Streams

Avooblis's power is sweeping across the land, and villages everywhere are in dire need of a hero. Dagdron, Earl, Elloriana, and Lita have returned from the lava land, but they still must heal the heart stone if they have any hope of fulfilling their quest before the darkness takes over. As the adventurers search out the Lost Spell of Avooblis, Mazannanan will stop at nothing to prevent them from uncovering the secrets of his past and recovering the cursed gifts of the land. With peril lurking along every pathway, the rogue, warrior, enchantress, and lady warrior must put their skills to the test and rely on their friendship if they have any hope of having a legendary adventuring career before Avooblis brings it to an untimely end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charles Streams
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215841990

Book preview

The Lost Spell of Avooblis

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By

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Charles Streams

Copyright © 2022 Charles Streams

All rights reserved by the author. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

The Lost Spell of Avooblis is book 7 in The Adventurers’ Academy Series.

To Cedar & Melissa,

young baby pegasi caretakers

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Trapped in the Tower

Chapter 2: Seacliff

Chapter 3: The Tale of the Eyeball-Eating Cavern

Chapter 4: The Slime Beast

Chapter 5: Ponddale

Chapter 6: The Warm Lake in the Wintry Woods

Chapter 7: Alka the Warmth Stealer

Chapter 8: Gulchhut

Chapter 9: The Slots

Chapter 10: The Necrobeast

Chapter 11: Frondcrag

Chapter 12: The Underwater Cavern

Chapter 13: The Stunning Manta Ray

Chapter 14: Scroll Portals

Chapter 15: The Ice Wolfpack

Chapter 16: Purple & Magenta Welcoming Parties

Chapter 17: The Lost Spell of Avooblis

Chapter 18: Cadavis’s First Curse

Chapter 19: The Dryad’s Grove

Chapter 20: The Fight for the Acorn

Chapter 21: The Glittery Tree

Chapter 22: Shapierburg

Chapter 23: The Fire Djinni

Chapter 24: The Dervish at the Oasis

Chapter 25: The Stars, Sand, and a Stick

Chapter 26: A Sandstormy Mirage Escape

Chapter 27: The Swamp Gift & a Doused Bonfire

Chapter 28: The Thornrimian Cage

Chapter 29: Battle in the Gorge

Chapter 30: Tromping Through the Swamp

Chapter 31: Rotten Fruit & Noxious Flowers

Chapter 32: Golnar the Healing Tree

Chapter 33: The Origin of a Stream Sanctuary

Chapter 34: The Blood Flower

Chapter 35: The Gift from the Wind

Chapter 36: The Obor Son Returns Home

Chapter 37: The Farmer Jersey Quest

Chapter 38: Samples & Sausages

Chapter 39: A Quest at the Beach

Chapter 40: The Greatest Grand Exit in all the Land

Chapter 41: Rocky Times in Rockdale

Chapter 42: The Rogue and the Baby Pegasus

Chapter 43: The Pegasus Tunnels

Chapter 44: The Cloud Cliffs

Chapter 45: Harpies & Hawk Dragons

Chapter 46: Creeping in the Clouds

Chapter 47: The Mystery of the Shimmering Falls

Chapter 48: The Liontaur Talisman

Chapter 49: The Revenge Curse

Chapter 50: Water Fairies & a Bright-Yellow Lily Pad

Chapter 51: The Tour of the Soot Ponds

Chapter 52: The Slitting of a Barbed Tail

Chapter 53: Cruising into the Marshlands

Chapter 54: The Marsh of Diamonds

Chapter 55: The Fourth & Final Gift of the Land

Chapter 56: The Heart Knot

Chapter 57: The Last Lost Image

Chapter 58: A Portal to the Unknown North

Chapter 59: Mountain Orcs on the Slope

Chapter 60: Crossing the Crags

Chapter 61: Warrior Mode Time

Chapter 62: A Secret Cave, a Mysterious Pothole, & a Magic-Controlled Rogue

Chapter 63: Dagdrondale

Chapter 64: The Potholed Cavern

Chapter 65: The Waterfall Squid in the Dungeon

Chapter 66: The Lost Lake of Cliffer

Chapter 67: The Farm Boy with a Red Shirt & Trowel

Chapter 68: Earl the Enchanter

Chapter 69: The Banquet Planner & the Serving Wench

Chapter 70: The Huntress of Thornrim

Chapter 71: Wendahl the Kook & Grizzard the Wizard

Chapter 72: Copying Cadavis

Chapter 73: The Healed Heart Stone

Chapter 74: The Flight of the Dragon

Chapter 75: Reminiscing & Slurping

Chapter 76: The Spittle Bubble Ball

Chapter 77: Planning for Lordavia

Chapter 78: Stories & Kisses

Chapter 79: The Crystal Corridor

Chapter 80: Grrrrr! Grrrrr! Grrrrr!

Chapter 81: Jigs with the Valoringtons

Chapter 82: The Princess-Adventurer Returns to Lordavia

Chapter 83: The Rogues in the Royal Pyramid

Chapter 84: Before Battle Hugs

Chapter 85: The Lordavian Leader

Chapter 86: Presents Around the Campfire

Chapter 87: The Arrival at Central Crossing

Chapter 88: The Battle of Avooblis

Chapter 89: Warriors to the Rescue

Chapter 90: Breaching the Castle

Chapter 91: Gifts for the Castle Richies

Chapter 92: Avenging the Hoe

Chapter 93: Trapped in the Tower Again

Chapter 94: Teetering on the Tower

Chapter 95: Regurgitating Gifts & Trinkets

Chapter 96: The Un-Triggering

Chapter 97: Sword Thrusts, Staff Lightning, & Dagger Slitting

Chapter 98: The Death of Avooblis

Chapter 99: The Healing Archway

Chapter 100: Bonded to Bodaburg

Chapter 101: Sharing Sausages

Chapter 102: Whirlwind Wanderings

Chapter 103: The Heroes of Lordavia

Chapter 104: Crisscrossing Journeys

Chapter 105: The Most Peaceful Village in all the Land

Chapter 106: The Rogue, the Warrior, the Enchantress, & the Lady Warrior

Chapter 1: Trapped in the Tower

Where’s the door? Elloriana shouted, glancing around desperately. There has to be a door!

Grrrrr! Lita pounded her fists on stone blocks while Earl stomped his boots in hopes of triggering an opening.

Detect magic! Dagdron lunged his dagger toward Elloriana’s black staff. The door’s obviously hidden, and no fists or boots will open it.

Elloriana swiped her staff away from Dagdron before aiming it toward the wall opposite the window. The end of the staff glowed light blue, and an outline shimmered. Then the thick wooden door appeared.

Bash it open! Elloriana shouted. She cast at least ten open spells in a row, but each and every one was repelled. And make your goblins be quiet!

They had only been in the highest tower of Mazannanan’s castle at Central Crossing Hill for a matter of minutes, but it already felt like they had been trapped for hours. Thunder was still booming, and flaming lightning was crackling outside, illuminating the black mist. The monsters guarding the hillside had been aroused into a cacophony of growls and roars after Avooblis’s howl, sending panic through the adventurers and making it near impossible to concentrate. Rocksniffer and Barkspitter, the two orange-spotted green goblins, were still clinging to Lita’s back, whimpering with fear.

Bam!

Lita slammed her shoulder against the door. The wood remained intact, and Rocksniffer and Barkspitter lost their grip and fell to the floor.

Help her, Earl! Elloriana yelled, motioning him toward the door. And if you see another way out of here, then let us know this instant! she added to Dagdron.

Stop your richy screaming, or I’ll slit your throat! Dagdron said, walking toward Elloriana with his dagger pointing at her neck. He took cover against the wall as Earl and Lita counted down to three and charged the door together. They bashed into the door at the same time. A muffled cracking of wood sounded around the tower, but there was no sign of visual damage.

Again! Elloriana shouted, casting blast bolts as Lita and Earl retreated against the wall next to the window.

Lita, seeing Avooblis drifting closer to the window, growled ferociously. A flaming lightning bolt suddenly crackled past the tower.

Focus your inner lady warrior spirit, Lita! Earl said, placing his hand against her arm to distract her attention from Avooblis.

Lita scowled, swiping his hand off her arm, but then she counted down again. Earl and Lita sprinted across the room and threw themselves at the door.

Crack!

The middle of the door finally splintered. Lita shoved Earl to the side and gave three monstrous kicks to burst the door off its hinges.

A demonic howl rocked the tower, and a flaming lightning bolt struck through the window, leaving a scorch mark in the middle of the floor.

Mighty Lady Warrior of Hillwood, save us! Rocksniffer and Barkspitter screamed from where they were hugging each other in fear.

Lita raced across the tower as Earl, Elloriana, and Dagdron filed out the door. She hefted up the goblins, and they crawled up her arms and onto her back.

How the heck are we going to get out of here? Elloriana asked as they sprinted down the stone staircase that spiraled down the tower. Unless Mazannanan and the skeleton walkers are off on some evil quest, there’s no way they haven’t heard Avooblis’s howls.

Maybe they think someone is attacking from outside the castle, Earl said hopefully.

Okay... if that’s what you want to believe, Elloriana said.

You’ll see! Earl said, jumping the final steps to the landing below. He gripped the handle of the door at the bottom, placed a foot against the wall, and yanked, expecting another tough lock. But the door opened with ease, and Earl stumbled back into Dagdron. He tried to get his sword up to defend himself against the gray blast bolts that shot through the opening, but they pelted his stomach, sending him and Dagdron crashing to the floor.

I told you, Earl! Elloriana said, now alone in front of the doorway.

Looks like the enchantress found a new toy, Lurdecoy, Ezwrick said. We can destroy it before we pluck her eyes out of the sockets.

Looks like you got your ugly head back on. Elloriana cast blast bolts. Her adrenaline caused her staff to jerk and the spells shot wide, so she dashed forward. She lunged to the side to avoid Ezwrick’s spells. She whipped her staff back in front of her and sent two blast bolts smashing into the skeleton walker’s rib cage.

Ezwrick clacked his teeth together angrily seeing two of his ribs clatter to the floor. He returned lightning balls at the enchantress, but Lita jumped through the door, deflected the spells with her sword, and threw herself at the skeleton walker.

As Lita and Ezwrick wrestled just outside the door, Elloriana and Lurdecoy cast spells at each other.

Lita, get up! Elloriana shouted. We don’t have time for this! We have to escape.

Lita let out a ferocious growl, and Elloriana couldn’t tell if she was tired of being bossed around or just battle angry. Either way, the lady warrior jumped to her feet. She had Ezwrick gripped by the rib cage, the walker clawing at her face with his bony hands. She charged, carrying the skeleton with her, and bashed into Lurdecoy. As soon as she had pushed her way along the walkway leading to another tower on the opposite side of the castle, she flung Ezwrick over the edge.

Watch out, Lita! Elloriana shouted. Minions!

One Minion of Avooblis swooped down and rescued Ezwrick before his bones clattered to pieces on the ground while the other monster soared just low enough to kick Lita’s head before taking off again.

Earl had finally recovered from the blast bolts and charged past Elloriana and Lita to take on Lurdecoy. He batted the gray lightning balls with his sword and then closed in, thrusting his blade into the armpit joint of the walker’s left arm.

Lurdecoy howled with rage when his arm went flying against the wall. He scooped up the bone and levitated to a safe distance.

The minion that had attacked Lita swooped again. Earl timed his jump perfectly and slashed the minion’s leg. The gray monster growled and shot back toward the sky.

Run! Elloriana shouted. Now’s our chance.

Dagdron finally raced out of the tower and sprinted past the others to lead the way across the wall connecting the upper and lower towers.

Glad you could join us, Elloriana said.

Keeping the heart stone safe is the most important part of this quest, Dagdron stated.

Sure it is, Elloriana replied.

Avooblis howled at the escaping adventurers. The minions, hearing their master’s cry, swooped down. Ezwrick and Lurdecoy levitated toward the adventurers behind them. Earl and Lita got ready to fight, but the minions and walkers converged on Dagdron.

They’re going after the heart stone! Earl shouted.

Looks like we’ll have to save Dagdron again, Elloriana said. She used her staff to cast lightning balls at the skeleton walkers. The first one whizzed in between Ezwrick’s legs, but the second one went awry and hit Dagdron straight in the back. The jolt down his spine caused the rogue to stumble. He fell forward just in time to duck under the minions’ claws. He stretched out his hand to break the fall and barely kept himself from tumbling to the ground. As soon as he got his feet under him, he took off running with the heart stone tucked safely under his left arm. Gray blast bolts rained down around him, so he lowered his head to protect it.

Go, Dagdron! Earl shouted before jumping and slashing his sword at one of the minions.

Elloriana fired lightning balls from her hands to distract Ezwrick and Lurdecoy while Lita and Earl swung their swords to keep the minions at bay.

Dagdron cracked open the heavy door just wide enough to slip into the lower tower.

Sneaky Grinzam was waiting just for you.

Seeing the skeleton walker with hunched shoulders and a creepy smile, Dagdron tried to force the door back open. Grinzam bashed the door with two blast bolts and slammed it shut. The rogue dove to the floor and curled into a ball to protect the heart stone. Just as he felt the sharp skeletal fingers scrabble at his arms, he heard the door be yanked open.

I don’t think so, Grinzam! Earl shouted.

Dagdron peeked up as Earl grabbed Grinzam’s shoulders and flung him toward the doorway just as Lita appeared. She growled in annoyance when the skeleton walker hit her. She gripped Grinzam’s throat and hurled him along the walkway. Elloriana levitated just in time, and Grinzam went skidding underneath her. She turned her spells back on the minions, Lurdecoy, and Ezwrick to force them back, and then she zoomed into the lower tower right behind Lita.

We’re all here. Go! Lita shouted.

Dagdron raced down the staircase with the other three plodding behind. At the bottom, he took off at a sprint along the corridor, glancing in between the stone columns for any sign of a doorway.

Is there any way out of here? Elloriana asked when they hadn’t passed a single door.

She glanced over her shoulder nervously. The click-clacking of the skeleton walkers’ feet against the stone floor sounded behind them.

To the left! Dagdron shouted when they reached a hallway.

Do we really want to go deeper into the castle? Elloriana asked.

Whoosh!

A wyvern turned the corner at the end of the corridor and breathed a purple flame that spread from column to column. Elloriana rushed right after the rogue with Earl and Lita racing behind.

That beast could be guarding the exit, Lita said.

The skeleton walkers will trap us if we go that way, Dagdron said, still hearing the bony feet coming behind them.

Partway down the hallway in the middle of the castle, they passed a doorway on the right. Dagdron yanked it open and sprinted into the courtyard. He was halfway to a fountain carved as a stone archway with the water cascading down into the pool when a doorway on the opposite side of the garden burst open.

We found our visitors, Zordack, Mazannanan said, stepping into the courtyard. The skeleton walker joined him after, his blue eye sockets glowing ominously. We hadn’t had had the chance to invite any villagers from around the land, but we’re delighted to have you as our first guests. And I see you enjoyed your time in Avooblis’s homeland. Is that slime on your clothing from the swamp?

Grrrrr! Lita growled and raised her sword.

Dagdron jumped in front of the lady warrior just as she was about to start her charge.

Get behind the fountain, Dagdron said. Lita glowered at him, but seeing the seriousness in his face, she obeyed. Elloriana and Earl raced over to join them so the arch fountain lay between them and the evil wizard.

Is that you, young rogue? Mazannanan asked. You should’ve joined me when I offered you the chance. If you think I’ve forgotten how you slit my throat, I haven’t. And I will be paying you back now. But first, please hand over the Heart Stone of Avooblis. I don’t want any damage to come to it before it can be returned to its rightful owner.

I’ll stab it! Dagdron said.

Stab all you want, Mazannanan said. The magic the heart stone carries is far too deep to be undone from the likes of an enchanted dagger. Hedley, Rusk, Glynn, and Carlow would’ve undone it centuries ago if it was so simplistic.

So you did meet them? Elloriana called before whispering to Dagdron. What are we doing here? Ezwrick, Lurdecoy, and Grinzam are right behind us.

Memories of them, which I’m sure you know, Mazannanan said. Even though they didn’t cooperate with me. Cursed land magic that I couldn’t break through.

Get the land stones out, Dagdron said, pulling the purple swamp stone from his cloak.

Now is not the time, Elloriana said.

Do it! Dagdron said.

At least tell us why, Elloriana said as she, Earl, and Lita took out the forest, valley, and lake stones.

Because the heart stone is triggering, Dagdron replied.

Stop! Grinzam yelled, leading Lurdecoy and Ezwrick into the courtyard. They’re being sneaky behind the fountain.

Stop them! Mazannanan commanded. Do not harm the stones. Avooblis, howl! Command all monsters across the land to retrieve the heart stone!

Dagdron slipped the heart stone out this cloak. Light-blue sparks shimmered across the gray rock.

What is it doing? Lita asked, clenching her fist as if she wanted to pummel the heart stone.

Before Earl or Elloriana could offer an opinion, four beams shot from the heart stone and hit the land stones. The beams ricocheted off and blasted into the ground. An arch portal appeared in each spot.

What the heck? Elloriana said, but then she screeched when she was tugged toward the yellow portal.

Lita gripped the lake stone with both hands, trying to fight the force, but the beam crackled from the blue portal and sucked her in.

Earl fought desperately against the pull of the green portal next to him. Be careful, Dagdron! he shouted just before he was swallowed up.

Seeing Avooblis’s dark shape float directly above the courtyard, Dagdron tucked the heart stone and swamp crystal to his chest. Fetch rings from Mazannanan and the four walkers shot toward him, so he dove toward the purple portal. One spell latched on to his cloak, but the pull of the archway overpowered the spell, and Dagdron was yanked into the shimmering portal, taking the heart stone with him just as Avooblis howled.

Chapter 2: Seacliff

Dagdron ducked as the portal spit him out. He did his best to jab his dagger threateningly while balancing the heart stone and swamp crystal. But in spite of the gray boulders surrounding him, he didn’t see or hear any sign of monsters. For a moment he thought he had been transported back to Avooblis’s land, but then he saw the patches of snow in between the rocks. An icy wind swept inside his cloak, chilling him to the bone. The swamp land stone was still glowing, so he stored the heart stone away and cupped the purple crystal for warmth.

Earl, Dagdron called, glancing around the mountainside. Earl!

When his friend didn’t yell back a reply, he knew the portal had taken him off on his own, because there was no way Earl wouldn’t have heard his cry and come running and tripping over the boulders.

I hate being an adventurer, Dagdron said. Another frosty wind blew his hood from his black-haired head, and he shivered. Despite having grown up living in a cave with only a fire for warmth, the icy breezes were much colder than he had ever felt in Cliffmount even during the dead of winter.

Dagdron’s instincts started him down the slope, but after his first jump to a lower boulder, the land stone glowed brighter and shone its purple light against his chest. He turned, and the violet glow spread up the slope.

Dagdron grumbled, but since he didn’t want to freeze to death, he started the boulder climb. He chose a path to avoid the snow patches, but when he neared the top of the mountain, he had no choice but to cross the snow. He tread lightly to make sure his feet didn’t sink into the drift.

At the top of the mountain, he saw a fishing village below. The sturdy houses had been built along the rocky flatlands to the right of the dark cliffs. Chunks of ice floated in the ocean near the shoreline. He wondered if the village had been abandoned, because the boats that had been dashed against the shore by the powerful winter waves still lay in ruins. The docks that had been warped by the harsh winter hadn’t been repaired. When the land stone shone its purple light on the village, the fog started to break, and only then did Dagdron see the lantern lights in the windows of the houses and shops.

With only a single icy trail leading down the cliff, Dagdron didn’t need the land stone to guide him, so he slipped it inside his cloak in hopes of descending without being noticed. Even his nimble balance couldn’t keep him from sliding in the snow and ice, and even though he made his way down without cracking his head against the rock, his cloak ended up wet and freezing.

He approached the village cautiously, still wondering if Mazannanan had had a hand in sending him to a distant land where he could steal the heart stone with ease. But he didn’t see anyone, and the first sign of life was off-tune singing coming from a red building with a crooked sign that read Fisherman’s Tale Tavern hanging above the door.

Dagdron slipped the swamp crystal from his cloak, testing to see if it pointed him toward another building. But though the land stone pulsed dimly, it didn’t alert him to anything new, so he stashed it again and opened the tavern door.

He was met by the drunken song a group of five men with scraggly beards were singing. They had their arms around each other’s shoulders but somehow managed to keep their mugs of ale in hand as they swayed groggily to their off-key tune. The rest of the villagers seated in the booths and at the bar were all drinking away their prolonged winter sorrows, too, and none seemed to notice the newcomer. But when the singing group rotated, giving a leg kick a try that sent ale sloshing out of their mugs, a man with a gray beard and eye patch, who had his head resting on the table next to his empty stein, suddenly opened his good eye. When he saw Dagdron, he bolted up.

An adventurer! the old man shouted.

Go back to sleep, one-eyed Rolf, the middle man of the singing group said. No adventurer came this far north before, and there surely won’t be one to come as Seacliff starves to an icy death.

I can see his academy badge. The old man pointed at Dagdron’s cloak.

Dagdron covered his pin out of habit, but the damage had been done. Everyone in the inn stared dumbstruck as if wondering if he was a hallucination. Two members of the chorus dropped their mugs, which shattered on the floor, shocking everyone out of their stupors.

Are you? the middle singer asked. Because I’m the owner of this here establishment, and I need to know if you’re an adventurer or not.

Dagdron furrowed his brow under his hood and gave a barely noticeable nod.

He is! the innkeeper shouted, lifting his stein above his head so the ale showered over him and the rest of his choir. We’re saved from our icy death! Drinks on the house.

As the innkeeper and his group started hooking their arms and dancing a full circle before moving on to the next partner, the other customers staggered behind the bar to fill their mugs with frothy ale, except the old man with the eye patch. He stood from his booth and walked straight toward the adventurer.

Dagdron gripped his dagger and kept his free hand ready to guard the heart stone.

Are you really here to fulfill the quest? one-eyed Rolf asked, putting his face close to the rogue’s. To fulfill the quest of Seacliff?

What is it? Dagdron asked, leaning his head back away from the fermented breath.

The quest of the haunted cave in the cliff, Rolf said. No fisherman in Seacliff has dared row near the far cliff because of the evil that lies within the cave.

Leave the adventurer alone, the innkeeper said. No one believes that myth, and you’ll just take him to his death. We’ll celebrate the rogue’s arrival, but unless he has some powerful magic with him, then this ice will kill us all. Come get another pint and go back sleep. Let us live out our final days without your yapping.

You’re a miserable fish gut. Can’t even let an old man enjoy his stories before he dies, Rolf said. Then he added in a whisper to Dagdron, Meet me at my boat in an hour.

Sorry, rogue, the innkeeper said. I don’t know what unlucky fate brought you to Seacliff, and for the life of me I don’t even know how you made it over the snow mountain. But if you had visions of being a hero here, then you won’t find it. Better get yourself a mug of ale and some food. Help yourself, because it will be one of the last meals you ever eat before the ice kills us all.

Dagdron scowled as the innkeeper and his chorus started squawking again, but since he had been given an invitation to help himself, he wasn’t going to pass it up. Rolf had his head on the table again, but he winked as the adventurer passed.

Dagdron bypassed the ale and went through the door behind the bar. The kitchen had two brick ovens with a stack of teetering pans on the shelf. Spices, utensils, and other kitchen supplies were all a jumble on the table in the corner. Ice and snow had been piled next to the back door, and that’s where Dagdron found the storage of fish and meat. He chiseled away at the snow until he could pull out a hunk of raw meat. He wasn’t sure what animal it had come from, but having eating yippuffs most of the time while in Avooblis’s land, his taste buds were eager for any other type of meat, sausage or not.

He reignited the wood in one of the ovens and set the meat roasting. While he waited, he sat on the shelf to warm himself by the fire. He carefully took the swamp land stone out and pointed it around the kitchen. He didn’t expect to find anything in the tavern, but the crystal didn’t point him in any other direction either. He wasn’t too keen on going on a boating expedition with an old drunk man with only one good eye, but wandering around in the ice and snow wasn’t too appealing either.

He glanced toward the door before slipping the heart stone from his cloak. He cursed himself for not making sure the ugly gray stone had ended up in Earl’s hands while he rotated it close to the fire. The heart stone didn’t sparkle or react at all to the swamp crystal, so he stored both out of sight again.

When the meat was brown and juicy, Dagdron pulled it out of the fire and sliced it up with his dagger. As he ate, he cracked open the door and peeked into the tavern. Rolf was nowhere to be seen. The other villagers had joined the innkeeper and his group in singing another sea shanty, so Dagdron decided to sneak out the back. He had to shove his shoulder against the door to crack through the ice that had formed around the edges. He crept through the snow between the shops and houses. He was just finishing his succulent meat when he saw the old man holding a lantern in the fog on one of the warped docks. When Dagdron got close, the old man lifted the lantern so the light ominously lit up his one-eyed face.

Wasn’t sure if you were going to sneak out the back of the tavern to trick me, Rolf said. I wouldn’t have blamed you. This quest isn’t for any but the bravest of adventurers.

What’s in the cave? Dagdron asked.

Nobody knows, Rolf replied.

Then how do you know about the curse?

Because of this. Rolf pulled back his eye patch, and Dagdron pointed the tip of his dagger at the gray scarry skin that had grown over where his eye used to be. The old man let his patch slap back over his eye. I said no one knows what’s in the cave, not that nobody’s ever tried to find out.

You said fishermen don’t row near the far cliff, but you went there?

I fancied myself as an adventurer when I was boy. Thought I’d show the old villagers that they had been scared for no reason, Rolf explained. I never made it inside the cave. Lost my eye and my life as an adventurer that day first. To this day, I don’t have the foggiest idea what took my eye, but though others believe my boat was just dashed against the cliff and that’s what caused my injuries, I know otherwise.

Dagdron looked out at the icy sea, grumbling to himself. He wished the old man was just telling tales, but the gray scar was just too big of a coincidence. Could a skeleton walker have been guarding something Avooblis related when the fisherman was younger and actually have plucked his eye out for intruding? And even if it hadn’t, whatever creature had attacked wasn’t something Dagdron wanted to deal with.

What say you, rogue? Rolf asked. Are you here to fulfill the quest of Seacliff?

Dagdron glanced back at the village, still hoping that somehow the portals the heart stone had triggered might have brought Earl, Lita, or even Elloriana to the same location. But he knew their first stop would’ve been the tavern, so either they were stranded in the snowy mountains or had been transported someplace else.

Dagdron finally gave a short nod to the fisherman. Rolf grinned in return and motioned with his head for the rogue to follow. They walked to the end of the crooked dock, and Rolf handed the lantern to Dagdron.

Shine it on my rowboat there, Rolf said.

Dagdron angled the lantern over the worn side of the small boat. The blue paint spelling out One-eyed Fjord was barely legible. Ice had formed around the rowboat, so Rolf hefted up a pick that had been tied to the end of the dock. He hammered the ice in front and back of the boat until it cracked. He tossed the pick on the wharf, took the lantern back, and signaled toward the boat.

Dagdron peered at the bottom of the boat, wondering if the run-down wooden vessel could even float. But since Earl hadn’t come calling in the distance, and no other villager was going to offer him passage, he climbed in the front.

Rolf held out the lantern for the rogue but froze when a purple light glowed from Dagdron’s cloak. Dagdron placed his hand over the land stone, but since the old fisherman had already seen the glow and there was nothing he could do to control the crystal anyway, he slipped it out.

What could I tell when I first saw you in the tavern? Rolf said as he climbed in the back of the boat. He used an oar to push off from the dock. That you were here to fulfill the quest of Seacliff.

Dagdron didn’t feel so sure. Even with the purple land stone lighting the way, all he could see were the fog and ice chunks as they drifted through the frigid waters toward the dark cliff.

Chapter 3: The Tale of the Eyeball-Eating Cavern

Where’s the cave? Dagdron finally broke the silence of the dark waters.

The cave is there, Rolf said, giving a general wave toward the cliff. The ice and flooding have raised the tide and are blocking all but the top of the entrance.

Dagdron ran the swamp stone beam along the bottom of the cliff until it settled on the jagged opening. The waves lapped against the rocks, rising up until the opening barely looked passable.

How close can you get us without crashing? Dagdron asked. Even with the warmth of the land stone, he didn’t think he could make the swim through the bone-chilling waters.

"The One-eyed Fjord is taking us in, Rolf replied. With any luck we won’t crash at all, and I won’t lose my other eye this fateful day. Keep that mystical light fixed on the opening, but lay yourself down when we get close if you don’t want your face scratched off."

Dagdron started to wonder if the old man was crazy and had really lost his eye due to a rowboat accident. But even if parts of his story were embellished, the land stone warmed the closer they got to the cliff, so he figured this was where he needed to go.

Down! Rolf yelled.

Dagdron threw himself into the bottom of the boat and rolled into a ball. Rolf kept his oar in the water until the tip of the rowboat glided into the opening, and then he lay back, his face just inches from the jagged cliff as they floated inside the cave.

A wave lifted the back of the boat, and they surged down the passageway, rocking against the sharp walls. Dagdron stayed huddled until he felt calm waters and then dared a peek. Rolf was already sitting up straight again.

Fishermen have their own type of adventures that adventurers from your academy aren’t used to, Rolf said. Nothing like rowing into a dark cave in icy waters for a tale to tell. Best get your magical crystal up just in case.

Dagdron raised the land stone, and the glow spread across the chamber. The water extended to the edges, lapping against the walls.

Ahh! Rolf yelled.

Dagdron jerked around with his dagger ready. Rolf had clamped a hand over his eye patch.

"I have been here before," Rolf said.

You said you never made it all the way into the cave, Dagdron said, scowling at the old man before scanning the water for any sign of creatures.

I must’ve blocked it out, or started to believe the disbelief of the other villagers, Rolf said. I wasn’t attacked on my way in the cave. I was attacked on my journey after. The fisherman’s expression froze as if he was reliving his past trauma, but he continued rowing them toward the wall.

Dagdron aimed the land stone, and the purple light slowly rose up the wall until it illuminated an opening near the roof.

What attacked you? Dagdron asked.

Rolf slowly shook his head. I know the tales fishermen tell are the stories of legends, but all I remember is that something evil lurks in this cave. And it took my eye as the price for exploring its cavern.

What else is in the cave? Dagdron pointed his dagger at the old man’s throat out of habit.

My memory has faded. Perhaps it’ll come back to me after being in the cave longer, but I’m too old to scale that wall like I could in my younger days, Rolf replied.

Dagdron cursed Earl under his breath for making him be an adventurer. Rolf used the oar to turn so the rowboat’s side bumped against the wall.

I’ll be right here in this here rowboat waiting for you, Rolf said. Can’t get out until the tide is heading out anyway.

Dagdron gave a nod before using the land stone to search for his first handholds. He stored the crystal safely after and then started his climb. The rocks were wet, and he struggled to hang on a few times but made it to the top without tumbling back down into the chilly waters. He wedged himself in the opening and glanced back down. Rolf gave him a signal with his oar. The rogue used the swamp stone to light his way and crawled into the cramped tunnel.

A cool wind hit him when he reached the end, but the air already wasn’t as frosty as outside. The land stone illuminated the chasm in front of him with only a narrow ledge along the right wall. He angled the crystal so the light shone in the abyss, but all he saw was water glimmering far below.

Content that at least it didn’t appear whatever monster had attacked Rolf was in the chamber, Dagdron started along the thin ledge, keeping his back against the wall in case he needed to defend himself. Partway across, the pathway had crumbled. He took a short jump and landed nimbly before scooting safely to the opposite end.

He only had to duck his head to fit in the tunnel leading off the chamber, but he tread slowly, seeing the eerie purple glow in front of him. He stayed in the darkness when he reached the end and stuck his head out just enough to see the luminous waterfall cascading from a hole in the roof. The water roiled in a pool before rushing down a channel and plummeting down another hole. The only exit he could see was on the other side of the river.

Dagdron peered into the water, but in spite of its eerie glow, he couldn’t identify anything dangerous. Uncertain if he could jump across, he picked up a loose rock and tossed it into the water. The gray rock sparkled beneath the surface as it was carried downstream and then turned completely purple. Just as Dagdron was considering if having dark-purple shoes would ruin his rogue stealth, a small explosion shot from the water. The rock had shattered in tiny pieces before disappearing down the hole.

Forget that, Dagdron said, making sure his feet didn’t touch the water as he walked toward the falls.

Splash!

A dark shape fell through the ceiling, and Dagdron leapt back. A huge glob of glowing slime rushed down the stream before falling out of sight. By the time he had reached the falls, two more slime masses had fallen. He searched the cavern for any large rocks that might serve as a stepping stone, but coming up empty-handed, he turned his attention to the river. The next slime glob that fell through the hole was a huge one. Seeing it as his best chance without wading, Dagdron sprinted to the edge and then jumped. His feet sank into the gooey blob, and he was carried along with the current. He kicked his right foot free, but as he tried to pull his left shoe out, the slime clamped around it.

Not wanting to plummet into the darkness, Dagdron sliced the slime with his dagger, yanked his foot free, slid across the slime, and barely managed to leap. He crashed onto the rock, rolling away from the water to make sure he didn’t get splashed.

Stupid slime, Dagdron said, scraping his dagger against the rock to get the goo off. He scowled at the river before hurrying toward the tunnel.

As he crawled along the rough rock, the passageway curved to the right, taking him behind the waterfall back to the other side of the chamber. There, he found an opening above him. He climbed into a much more expansive cavern. He hugged the wall to take in the stream running down the middle until it crashed through the hole into the chamber he had just escaped. The ceiling and floor were covered in slime globs. Goo dripped from the roof, adding to the sliminess of the blobs on the floor. The slime on the ceiling kept growing until the weight of the glob grew too heavy and it fell, either splatting against the floor or getting caught up in the stream. The water at the far end of the chamber was too dark to see, but as it flowed across, it took on the ominous purple glow from the slime.

As soon as Dagdron confirmed none of the slime blobs were monsters, he started making his way across. He leapt over the first two globs, dodging the gooey drips as best he could. He had planned to take it slow so his shoes wouldn’t get covered again, but when one of the globs morphed, oozing toward his feet, he hurried and jumped again. He took one leap after the next, keeping his hood drawn to protect his face from slime splatter. When he reached the far wall, he paused and glanced back across the chamber. A few of the nearby globs were oozing toward him, but no bigger creature had formed to attack, so he snuck into the next passageway.

Rough, rocky steps led upward into the next chamber. Dagdron paused a few stairs down from the top. He had started to wonder if Rolf had just hit his head and invented the tale to cover up his eye accident, but he still didn’t want to be caught off guard. He poked up just high enough to see. The chamber was much smaller than the other three he had passed through. A dark pool churned at the base of a pathway that curved up and around to a platform with a jagged pedestal. Dagdron stretched his neck higher, trying to identify what was causing the strange purple glow at the top of the trail.

He slowly crept into the room, keeping his eyes on the roiling pool. He took a step on the trail, then another, and then a third. When nothing sinister happened, he crept at a quicker pace up and around the structure. Now up close, he looked down at the discolored rolled-up scroll that was giving off the purple glow. He was just reaching out his dagger to give the scroll a nudge when a splash finally burst from the water. Dagdron turned to see the two slimy tentacles. He jumped backward, but didn’t get far enough out of reach before the tentacles wrapped around his legs.

Dagdron lunged for an outcropping jutting out of the pedestal. He managed to stop himself from being dragged off at once, but the land stone tumbled from his grasp. A grotesque growl echoed off the walls as the beast’s slimy, amorphous head emerged from the water. The beast opened its mouth and shot its knife-like tongue straight toward his left eye.

I hate being an adventurer, Dagdron mumbled.

Chapter 4: The Slime Beast

Dagdron shut his left eye just in case but kept his right one open so he could time his attack. He released his hold and was immediately tugged across the platform, but swung his dagger and sliced straight through the fanged tongue.

The beast growled in pain, giving Dagdron just enough time to slice the tentacle wrapped around his right leg. He stabbed his blade into the other slimy appendage right after.

As soon as he was free, Dagdron leapt off the ledge, scooped up the swamp stone, and bolted to the back of the chamber. He secured the crystal in his cloak and then held his breath, listening. At first, he only heard the guttural breathing coming from the pool, but then he caught the oozy sound of slimy tentacles creeping along the rock.

He held his position until he saw the tentacle ends appear on the trail. As soon as he bolted up the pathway, the feeler in front shot toward his dagger arm while the one behind slithered toward his leg. He sliced the tentacle away from his chest and then whipped around and jabbed the second one. The feelers recoiled, and Dagdron bolted back up to the platform. Deciding he best collect the treasure and then flee, he reached for the scroll. But just before he could snatch it up, the slimy beast shot out a third tentacle it had kept hidden in the burbling water.

The tentacle slapped against his back before slithering to his right arm. Dagdron spun in the opposite direction and twirled to freedom before it could bind his arms to his sides. He swiped the slimy appendage to get it off his shoulder and then leapt down to the lower trail.

He searched out a couple of rocks and sprinted around the chamber. The slime beast’s tentacles were already oozing toward him when he hurled the first rock straight at the face. The beast recoiled in pain, its tentacles flailing wildly. Dagdron dashed in the middle of the feelers, getting doused with slime blobs. Now up close, he flung his second rock as hard as he could at the beast’s open mouth.

The beast let out a choking, raspy growl and tossed its head side to side until it dislodged the rock from its mouth.

Dagdron darted to the edge of the pool and sliced one tentacle inches from where it met the slimy body. He dove to the side as the other two tentacles shot toward him. He rolled back to his feet, jabbing at the left tentacle and then at the right to keep them at bay. He backed toward the wall, slashing his dagger wildly in front of him. As he crouched to pick up another rock, the tentacles flew toward him. He gave an upward swipe to knock one appendage away, but the other wrapped around his dagger arm.

The rogue jerked wildly but couldn’t get free by the time the other tentacle whipped toward his face. He got the rock up just in time and smashed the limb away from his nose. He dropped to his knees and slammed the rock down on the tentacle that had a hold of his arm. As soon as the hold loosened, Dagdron slashed upward and sliced off another chunk of tentacle. He rushed toward the pool and threw the rock at the side of the beast’s head.

The beast tipped into the pool, roaring and spurting water and slime. Dagdron lunged and chopped off another tentacle. The beast howled in pain and fury. It whipped its remaining tentacle at the rogue. Dagdron held his ground, sliced the slimy appendage away from his body, and then leapt forward. He slit the final tentacle inches from the body.

The slimy beast let out a raspy growl and sank back into the pool, its eyes closing just before it was completely submerged.

Having no idea if the beast was really dead or could regrow its tentacles and dagger tongue, Dagdron sprinted back up the trail. He grabbed the scroll without thinking about it and raced back down the pathway. As he passed the pool, even the roiling bubbles had stopped, so he jogged safely by.

He hurried down the stairway tunnel and jumped over the slime blobs in the chamber below. He dropped into the crawl tunnel and made his way back out into the eerie glow of the waterfall. Now knowing the slime would grab him, he gave a quick jump as soon as he landed on the first floating slime glob. His feet still got gooey, but he landed on the other side of the stream without having to use his dagger.

Dagdron finally took the land stone out of his cloak when he reached the chasm chamber. He crept along the narrow ledge with great agility but still let out a sigh of relief when he was crawling his way back to the sea cave.

He grumbled when he didn’t see the boat directly below him, wondering if the fisherman had left him. When he heard snores, he shined the land stone into the fog and found Rolf sound asleep in his rowboat, which had drifted off to the right.

Dagdron was searching for a rock to toss at the boat when the swamp crystal warmed in his hand. The violet beam bathed the cave, and the fog twinkled purple as it dissipated.

What the blazes? Rolf bolted up so fast that the rowboat rocked unsteadily.

Dagdron signaled with his dagger, and the fisherman’s face lit up.

What did I tell everyone at the tavern? Rolf called. That you were here to fulfill the quest of Seacliff. His sleepiness left him immediately, and he rowed to the back of the cave so Dagdron could climb.

Dagdron settled himself in the front of the rowboat, making sure the scroll, land stone, and heart stone were still tucked safely inside his cloak.

Ahh! Rolf exclaimed.

Dagdron jerked around with his dagger pointing at Rolf’s good eye.

Turn back around, Rolf said, motioning urgently.

Dagdron shifted to the side but kept his dagger ready. Rolf reached around him and pulled something off his back.

You did it! the fisherman exclaimed triumphantly. He held up the end of the severed knife tongue that Dagdron hadn’t realized had stuck to one of the slime spots on his cloak. This is what took my eye! It’s all coming back to me now. I battled that slime beast. I lost, of course, but at least I have proof I’m not crazy. All the men in the tavern will have to believe my tale now.

Rolf slapped the tongue down on the middle bench and took up his oar.

With any luck, they’ll still be drinking away at the tavern and I can get this settled tonight.

Dagdron faced the front, remembering how the fisherman had said they would have to wait for the tide to go out. The ripples were flowing into the cave, but the old fisherman rowed them toward the tunnel.

Get that magic stone of yours out, Rolf said. That’s the only way we’re leaving this cave tonight.

Dagdron braced himself for a crash since he didn’t have the same confidence in magic as the fisherman but took the crystal from his cloak. The purple glow spread across the water, calming the ripples. They still had to duck down so their heads didn’t scrape against the jagged ceiling, but the rowboat floated smoothly along the tunnel back to the sea.

Rolf lifted his oar and gave a cheer but banged it back down when the boat trembled.

As soon as he felt the quaking, Dagdron clutched the swamp land stone as tightly as he could. A bright purple pulse emanated from the crystal into the water. The rogue and fisherman watched as the pulse dissipated the fog and melted the ice chunks.

I’m a firm believer in fisherman’s tales, but even my one eye doesn’t believe what it’s seeing, Rolf said as the purple glow spread to the town. The ice and grayness were melted and stripped away from the docks, homes, and shops of Seacliff, fighting off the harsh winter that Avooblis’s howls had brought to the town.

Rolf gave another victory cheer before dipping his oar into the water and gliding them across the smooth sea toward the bright colors of Seacliff that had been buried beneath the snow and ice. The one-eyed fisherman jumped out as soon as the rowboat hit the dock.

Come on! We have a tale to tell, Rolf said, hurrying off without even tying up his boat.

Dagdron scowled after the old man and followed him through the town. When he reached the tavern, he could already hear Rolf’s voice calling for everyone to listen up, but the rogue walked on by.

Water was streaming down the cliffside trail due to the melting ice, but since his shoes were still covered in slime, he figured the hike up the mountain would wash them off. When he reached the top of the cliff, he glanced back down. He wasn’t certain, but he thought he could still hear Rolf’s voice carrying up from the tavern. When his gaze rested on the colorful buildings below, he suddenly heard Earl’s voice in his head talking about how hard it was to leave a town even after a quest that only lasted one night. Dagdron scowled at Earl in his mind and headed over the top of the mountain. He ran his hands over his cloak to make sure he still had the scroll, swamp crystal, and heart stone. He started the downward trek, leaving the town behind with the legend of the rogue adventurer who had fulfilled the quest of Seacliff.

Chapter 5: Ponddale

Earl stumbled out of the green archway, tripped over the root of a pine tree, and face planted in the dirt. He scrambled back to his feet just as the portal closed.

Dagdron? Earl said. Dagdron! Princess Elloriana! Lita! His voiced echoed around the woods, but his friends gave no reply.

Earl’s heart was still pounding from the race through Mazannanan’s castle, so he held his breath and listened just like Dagdron had taught him during summer training in Cliffmount. When he didn’t hear a single sound, not even Elloriana’s spells crackling or Lita’s growls, he figured he must’ve been transported away from the others.

He brandished his sword and turned in all four directions to get his bearings. The pine trees were different than those in the woods around Bodaburg, and no other landmarks triggered anything in his mind about what town might be in the vicinity.

The young warrior moved between the trees, scanning the forest for any sign of life. He jerked his sword back and forth when he felt a tingle run down his leg. After scanning the snow in between the trees, he realized the forest land stone was the culprit. He took the bumpy, potato-shaped emerald in his left hand, and it sent out a green glow.

When the beam finally settled on a tree, Earl peered around the trunk and saw smoke rising from a fire down the mountain slope. The trees opened up at the top of the incline with a view of three iced-over ponds. Just past the lakes, two dozen or so cabins lay nestled in the woods with smoke piping from the chimneys.

Oh my heck, Earl said. His blue eyes opened wide, and he ran a hand over his blond hair as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Is this the legendary town of Ponddale? Legends tell that only a handful of adventurers have ever successfully found this place. This is absolutely incredible.

Spurred on by the beautiful wintry dale below, Earl jogged down the slope, kicking snow up as he went. When he reached the bottom, he hesitated, trying to decide on the safest route around the ponds so he didn’t break through the ice. But the forest crystal decided for him, shining a green beam on a safe pathway between the ponds. When he reached the edge of the third small lake, the land stone guided him along the shore.

Since it was evening time, he didn’t want to frighten the villagers, so he stopped on the edge of the woods where the cabins started.

Hello, Earl called. I’m an adventurer.

Bam!

Earl yanked his sword from his sheath. The noise had come from deeper in the woods, so he slowly started along the trail between the cabins. Three more bangs disturbed the peacefulness of the winter woods, and he couldn’t help thinking a villager might be in trouble, so he upped his pace to a jog. After passing half a dozen cabins, he finally reached a pathway that curved off to the left. He trotted along, dodging the branches so the snow didn’t tumble from the pine needles down the back of his neck.

Another loud Bam! came from close by, so he slowed down. He peered out of the trees at a small cabin. An old woman in a forest-green robe was standing with her back to him. She held a teacup in her left hand and was just taking a sip of the warm liquid. She raised her right hand, and a fire log floated onto a stump in front of her. She slammed a blast bolt down onto the log after, splitting it in two.

Hello, Earl said.

My name is Nelda. And you’re on my property.

I’m Earl.

Are you the adventurer? the woman asked without turning around.

Yes, how did you know? Earl took a step forward.

Because you yelled it loud enough to wake the dead, she replied. Sounds and voices carry across the snows in these parts.

Sorry. I was trying not to startle the villagers since everything was so quiet, Earl replied, and then, unable to control his curiosity, he asked, Is this Ponddale?

So you’ve heard of us, have you? She levitated another log onto the stump and split it with a green bolt.

Yes, but only in legends. Even I had wondered if Ponddale really existed. Is it true the ponds restock themselves with a different kind of fish each year?

Each year? The old woman finally turned around. Each month. Don’t sell our magic short.

Wow, Earl said. That’s amazing.

It is, but you best leave, Nelda said. Even for an adventurer, a snowy death is all that awaits here in Ponddale. Head straight east, and you may still have a chance of survival.

What do you mean? Earl asked.

Look at all this snow, Nelda responded. It may be beautiful, but it’s not a normal snowfall. It should long be melting by now, but instead, it has blanketed our ponds with an evil magic. We haven’t been able to catch fish for months. We’ve been reduced to eating berries, nuts, and roots.

Oh my heck, Earl said. He knew Avooblis would control the elements, but he hadn’t realized even falling snow would blanket the good magic around the land. There must be something we can do.

And what would that be? Are you going to melt all the snow? As a village we’ve already tried that with all of our combined magic. I’m out here chopping my last bits of wood before I retire to my cabin to freeze to death or be buried by an avalanche, whichever comes first.

I refuse to let you give up hope, Earl said. There must be a source to this evil magic.

The woman took another sip of tea, staring at Earl and trying to figure out if his hopefulness was for real or not.

Stay for your icy death if you want, Nelda said. You might as well come inside for a last warm bowl of soup before I send you to your death.

Does that mean you do have a quest for me? Earl asked as the enchantress headed toward her cabin with the split logs floating behind her.

If that’s what you call going to an icy death, then yes.

Bolstered by the thought of a new quest, Earl stomped through the snow and straight into the cabin. The cramped cottage had a square table only big enough for one, a narrow bed beneath the window, and a fireplace in the corner. A cauldron on the flames bubbled with a delicious-smelling stew. The enchantress pointed next to the fireplace, and the logs floated across the room and stacked themselves.

As you can see, my cabin is only equipped to entertain myself, but you’re welcome to sit on the rug. She pointed to the fluffy rug. I’d let you take the chair, but I don’t think my frozen limbs would ever get back up if I sat on the floor.

I wouldn’t think of having you sit on the rug, Earl said. Why were you outside without a coat if you’re so cold?

"My tea keeps me warm normally, but it won’t combat this evil cold for much