Tavern Talk – Daily Shorts Part 2

Hi folks, after that short intro two days ago let’s dive right into the first proper one.

„It was a cold night like today. “

Ruben repeated himself and made an artistic break to get the attention of everyone. As soon as he was sure that everybody was listening with full focus he continued.

„We find ourselves in a cave not far away from the tavern – maybe half a day’s march to the north. However, it’s a place normal travelers and merchants would avoid. This cave doesn’t offer common threats like a group of bears or a bunch of bandits, no. This place is ancient and filled with darkness. Sealed eons ago by powerful runes of a long distinguished elder race. “

„So when it’s sealed, why should it be a danger to anyone? It can be simply bypassed“ a bulky man with long beard interrupts Ruben.

„Well if you would let my continue my story without any interruption you would have known in a moment, you smart-arse“ Ruben counters.

The audience laughs and the bulky one blushes and stared frustrated to the ground.

„Even if the evil inside this cave can’t escape from his dungeon it lures its victims nearby. It controls the weak-minded, like you my friend“, Ruben grins and the bulky man seems to hide behind his beard.

„Well on that fateful night a desperate man wanders near the cave in search for a shelter for the night. The wind was merciless and the snow felt without ceasing. The man, who wasn’t as bulky as our friend over here“ – „Alright, ALRIGHT! I got it! I won’t interrupt you no more! “, the bulky bearded shouted. „Now stop harassing me! “

„I hope you learned you lessen“, Ruben laughed and immediately made a more serious face. „What I wanted to say is that the man was freezing and not suited for this area. As he made his way through the brushwood, he noticed the entrance of the cavern. The gloomy aura and the broken stone statues made out of rough and eternal black stone didn’t reject him. He came closer and a smile hushed over his face. Not knowing what lies beyond he approached. He exceeded an invisible barrier and suddenly something under him started to shine in a bright pulsating light. His look went down towards his feet and he saw big glowing runes carved in the stone. First, they were purple, then for a second the glow vanished but the runes reaper, now in an icy blue tone. This glowing circle repeats itself and didn’t seem to stop no more. Discomfort overcame the wanderer and he decided to leave this strange place as quick as possible. He turned around and was about to step over the runes, away from the cave. Right above the runes, his foot came to stop as if he pushed against an invisible wall. His eyes widened and he tried to push his arms forward. However, there it was too. That strange feeling invisible barrier that was blocking his way out. An uncontrollable fear aroused within him. He raised his arms and hammered against the blockade. Nothing. He even threw himself with full force against it. It wouldn’t let him one inch further. The runes glowed in the same pulsing rhythm, unflinching from his attempts to leave.
Suddenly there was a strange noise like metal scratching over stone. First, he did barely notice it, as he was busy with his escape attempts. With time, the sound got louder and louder and he was able to locate its source. Right behind him. He turned around so fast that his neck hurt. What he saw gave him truly a reason to be afraid. A giant metallic being slowly shuffling towards him. It had two pairs of long arms hanging down to the ground. Now, closer to the wanderer, it started to scream and speeded up towards him. The scream was piercing and sounded like metal scratching over metal. The strange thing about it was that this being didn’t seem to have a mouth at all. The head of the construction just had two dead eyes fixating the trapped man. The wanderer tried to find a way out but it was hopeless. The runes covered the ground and built a semicircle leading towards the entrance of the cave. His observation took too long; the construction was now only a few feet away. It raised an arm and the man could see that the upper pair of arms mainly consisted of large and sharp-looking blades. The bladed arm felt down.”

Ruben makes a theatrical pause.

“And what happened then?” the bulky man asks. His eyes are wide open and the rest of the audience seems to be as magnetized as him.

“What do you think? He died.” Ruben replied briefly.

Exclamations like “What?!” and “No way!” are the reaction of this unexpected end of the story. After a few moments, Ruben bursts into laughing.

“Sorry guys I couldn’t miss that opportunity. Of course he didn’t die right in the beginning. Our man isn’t that incapable. So the bladed arm felt down and …”

That’s it for today, I hope you enjoyed it! I would be happy about some comments and likes. If you have good ideas, you might influence the story! Greetings.