The Wurm King (PT 8)

Ahnya barged into Auren’s room  “Ren, you awake?” she shouted. Auren rolled over and pulled the pillow over his head.  “ren! Wake up already!” she shouted again.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “ehh Ahnya? What’s going on?”
 “Veed want to see you. says to meet at old one’s room.”

Auren yawned.  “can it wait till after breakfast? I’m starving.” He crossed his legs rubbing his eyes.
 “Veed said it important, need us both”

He sighed “fine, hang on a minute” Auren began to quickly dress himself when he noticed that Ahnya was dressed for a fight. “what’s with the weapons and armor?”

 “oh, yeah forgot Veed said bring weapons” “alright, hang on then” Auren pulled his shirt over his head and started fiddling with his weapons and armor.

 “what Ren do to wall?” she said pointing at the strange carvings on the wall.
 “oh… I saw how your people had carved things into the wall and thought I’d give it a try.”

She marveled at the strange murals carved into the wall behind his bed. “what is it?”  “it’s a diary of sorts, just something I do while trying to transform more of my hand”

Ahnya pointed to a crude drawing of a man hitting a child in the head with a stick “who’s that?”

Auren laughed as he slung his backpack over his shoulder.  “ha-ha that’s Geralt. he’s the one who raised me”

“ah” she continued to study the wall for a moment. “come on Saveed’s waiting” Auren said waving at her from the door way. “oh, coming!”
“so what does Saveed want anyway?” Ahnya shrugged “don’t know Veed said it important”

 “if he just wants me to talk to Girion again I’m going back to sleep.” “Ren become old one and now he lazy huh?” Ahnya said as she elbowed him in the arm.

 “hey, I was up late training ok. I need the sleep”

 “oh really?” she cracked a smile “Show Ahnya then”

“here, look I can transform both of my hands at the same time now.” He stopped for a second and focused on both hands for a moment.
 Soon his skin changed into tan scales and his finger nails to black claws. “see? its only to my wrists and I can’t hold it for long but at least I’m getting somewhere.” His hands slowly transformed back.

“can ren do that anywhere?” she said looking at his lower body. “yeah I can transform at any location I want why?”
 Ahnya sighed “not what Ahnya meant.” She laughed as she ran ahead. “wait up, what’s so funny?”

The pair finally reached the sanctum where Saveed was waiting by the alter tapping his feet. “what took you two so long?” Saveed sighed.

  “I was asleep.” Auren said as he starched with a yawn.

 “good that means you’ll have the energy to start training then” Saveed grinned “training?” Auren replied. “yes, you and Ahnya are going to spend the day sparing”

“and when did Veed become boss of me?” Ahnya asked annoyed.  “yeah when did Veed become boss of her?” Auren said crossing his arms and shaking his head.

Saveed sighed and put his hand on his head, “how many times have you almost died since you came here?”.

Auren thought for a second. “I can think of three” “what about when ren got hit by rock” Ahnya cackled.
 “that doesn’t count!”

Saveed sighed again, “does it matter? three is still too many”

Auren sighed “alright I get it, we’ll do some sparing”

 “alright then after your done we’ll move on to phase two. Have fun I’m going to get some breakfast.” Saveed said as he left.
“can you get me something I’m star-ving“ Auren said deflated as Saveed was already out of ear shot or simply didn’t care.

 Auren sighed as he turned toward Ahnya “I guess we should star-“ he quickly blocked one of Ahnya’s sword strikes with his shield throwing him off balance then something hit his legs and before he knew it, he was on the ground with Ahnya’s sword pointing at him.

“Ren really do need training” she giggled. “I wasn’t ready let’s go again.” She let him up and the two spaced out. He drew his sword, readied himself and waited for her attack.

she ran forward and struck with a flurry of blows pounding against Auren’s shield, he parried her strike and reposted into the empty space she had previously occupied.

 She had dodged towards his shield arm and then he felt something sweep his legs from below him.
as he hit the ground Ahnya jumped on top of him pinning his sword and shield arms with her legs and placing her blade to his throat.

“was ren ready yet?” she giggled.  “alright you win.” Auren sighed. He dusted him self off after she let him up and asked, “how do you keep knocking me down?”  “humans never expect tail” she laughed pointing at her tail.

“huh. Alright, one more round and then I’m taking a lunch break.” Auren dropped into stance once again. “ren ready yet” “I don’t know? why don’t you come find out?” she came at him again with the same strategy pounding on his shield repeatedly until he parries her strike and ripostes.

 she dodged to the side again and as soon as she did Auren jumped up avoiding her tail “ha gotcha” he thought, then he was hit with a body slam while still in the air.

The force sent him tumbling to the ground, Ahnya attempted to pin him again but he rolled backwards as he came up he blocked her downward strike and thrusted back.

She dodged toward his shield arm but this through he r off balance Auren swung his shield hitting her in the arm and knocking her to the ground as she looked up Auren put his foot on top of her sword and pointed his blade at her head.

“can we take a break? I’m starving” he laughed lowering his sword and giving her a hand up.  “sure, Ahnya hungry too” she said as she stood up.

“I’ll race you to the kitchen then. Ready… go!” he said running ahead. “wait! No fair Ahnya short… Ren!” she yelled running after him.

“what took you so long?” Auren said sitting on the counter eating a shish-kabab.

 “not ready Ren cheat” Ahnya said with a wave as she tried to catch her breath.

“not to sound picky or anything but do kobolds only eat rats and mushrooms?” Auren said with a tilt of his head eyeing the half-eaten kabab.

“course not!” Ahnya said displeased. “ha-ha then why do we only eat rats then?” Auren said pointing the kabab at her with a laugh. “it hard to grow things in cave!” she replied crossing her arms.

“ok, well what about animals other than rats?” “we not find them yet” “then how did you find the rats?”  “they just show up” she said with a shrug with both palms up.

“hmm, maybe we could raise other animals then, or maybe find some other plants?” Auren though for a second. “I got it, lets steal some animals next time we go out.”

“Ren fine stealing from humans?” Ahnya said surprised. “they won’t miss a chicken or two, especially if we hit a different farm every time.” He said with a wink

“Ren starting to think like kobold now” she laughed grabbing a kabab and hopping up onto the counter.

Auren notice something beside him, it was the pot lid from the other day. “what? Ren not gonna get stuck again right?” she smirked leaning to get a better look at the pot lid he was now holding.

 “Ren?” Ahnya snapped her fingers trying to get his attention. “oh, sorry I was thinking about something.” he said setting the pot lid down on the counter “what?” she tilted her head.

“get the lard ready, just in case this doesn’t work.” Her curiosity peeked she watched him approach the wall across from the counter.
He transformed the tips of his fingers and then jabbed his claws into the wall and started climbing. Ahnya started cheering “go Rengo” as he climbed. His arms started to shake.

“shit” his arms gave out causing him to let go and land on his arse “owww, man I’m out of shape” he said standing up rubbing his rear.
“When Ren learn that?” Ahnya said hopping off the counter.

“I just thought of it!” he replied with pride “I was looking at that pot lid from the other day and thought, if my claws can pierce iron then certainly they can pierce stone too.”

“Ren gonna have to work on landing though” she replied waving him to follow her. “yeah, that’s going to take some work.” He sighed.
he followed her to the sanctum again. “alright ready for another round?” Auren said as he readied his weapon.

“no, we gonna do somethin else” she said pulling something from her bag.

“huh?” he lowered his sword and shield as she pulled out a hand full of arrows.

“arrows?” he took a closer look, they were tipped with flat pieces of wood with rounded edges and a bit of rough leather padding.

“Ren gonna dodge the arrows” she said with a sharp grin knocking one in her short bow.”

Auren sighed “how hard could it be? Geralt use to make me dodge rocks as a kid this can’t be much harder than that” he thought readying himself “alright… go!”

The first shot narrowly missed his left leg. Then the second followed shortly there after striking him in the thigh.

 “fuck, that hurts” he shouted as Ahnya laughed knocking another arrow. He readied himself for the next shot. as he heard the twang of the bow he leapt to the side as the arrow flew by his right shoulder.

He raised his shield as he heard the twang of the bow again. This shot missed completely flying over his head however, he had little time to process this as the next shot hit him square in the shield.

Auren charged her watching the direction of the arrow tip intently, he would attempt to parry her shot with his shield.

he heard the shot’s release and swatted the arrow with his shield.  He kept running forward, his eyes fixed on the tip of her arrow trying to gage her next target.

She fired again, a shot he easily parried, she quickly knocked and fired the next arrow leaving him no time to see where she was aiming.

He assumed she was aiming for his torso again, too his surprise the shot hit him in the left shin causing him to stumble before he sat down.

“I need a second. God that hurts, fuck.” he said seething as he held his leg. “ren too predic-cable” she laughed. Sitting down beside him.  “it’s predictable and I was doing well until you got lucky and shot me in the leg.”

“Ahnya make Ren think what she want him to think” she said with pride tilting her head upward.
“explain?”  he replied. “ren think Ahnya was gonna shoot his shield yeah?”

“yeah? What’s you’re point?” “Ahnya shot at Ren shield because she want to.”
“so, you let me block your shots then? Way to kill my ego” he laughed

“no ren not listening, Ahnya made him think what she want him to think.” She jumped up annoyed.
“I get it.” he laughed. “you were conditioning me to assume you would always aim for my shield”
 “exat-tily” she said crossing her arms and nodding her head.

 “it’s exactly. And we should get back to work.” He stood and stopped his foot a couple times. The pain had dulled enough for him to train again.

 “ok” Ahnya replied collecting her arrows and running off a good distance before readying her bow.
Auren had a newfound respect for Ahnya He hadn’t expected a kobold to employ such tactics, he had to wonder who had taught her how to fight like that? “Certainly not a kobold” he thought.

 Maybe he had underestimated her, probably like many others he assume a kobold couldn’t be a threat to him, but he was now aware of how wrong he was.

He readied his shield and prepared for the next shot as he slowly inched forward.
He jumped to his left dodging a shot aimed at his upper left thigh he continued his slow advance forward, keeping his eyes fixed on her bow.

She fired again he dogged to his right the arrow whizzing past his left shoulder.  Now was the time to charge her position, he pushed forward blocking an arrow aimed for his left shoulder then one aimed for his right.

 Then she fired an arrow to quick for him to tell where she was aiming.  he knew what she might be planning was she aiming for his legs? He had to think quickly.

He rolled to his left, before he came up onto his feet the arrow flew far over his head. She had aimed for his head and to the left anticipating the direction he would dodge.

He realized that moving straight was part of the problem. She could fire to either side and have a fifty-fifty chance to hit him, if she had aimed low instead of high he would have been hit.

As he came up he started running diagonally towards her with his shield up. Just before she could fire he switched directions throwing her aim off, the arrow was way off to Auren’s left when he switched directions again.

She hadn’t seen this technique before, just when she would get a beat on him he would switch directions and when she would try to predict the switch his path wouldn’t change.

As he approached striking distance she saw an opportunity, he would soon have no room to switch directions and that would be her chance.

Auren had anticipated this, as he approached he jumped up tucking his head and torso behind his shield.

The arrow whizzed beneath him as he landed on top of Ahnya pinning her with his shield. She looked up to see his smile as he said, “looks like I win this one.”

She sighed “Ren win.” she pushed him off of her. “Ahnya nearly have Ren too.”

“it was close, if I had dodged low I’d have been hit.” he picked up a nearby arrow and handed it to her.
“next time.” She groaned. Helping him collect her arrows.

“so, are we going again then?”  “Ren got other training to do” she pointed at a nearby wall.

“what?” he asked confused handing her the arrows. “Ren gonna climb” Auren looked at the wall and sighed. “and what will you be doing?”
she knocked an arrow with a look of determination. “gonna get better with bow.” He noticed a painted board leaned against one of the walls.

“alright I guess I’ll get started then” he transformed his finger tips and began climbing the wall he could only get so high before his arms would give out.

He thought for a moment, he hadn’t really trained for stamina or muscles Geralt had given up on making him work out years ago. All they ever really practiced was the sword, and he only did that to appease his adoptive father.

Maybe he should have listened to the old man, either way now was the time to start. He decided on a regiment that he would try do every day.

First, he would try to climb the wall then push-ups, followed by crunches, then squats, then lunges and finally as many laps as he could do around the sanctum.

This plan was quickly abandoned, for today at least. He only made it to the crutches before he was too tired to continue.

Maybe it was all the sparing with Ahnya, but he was beat. He looked over to see Ahnya still hard at work with her bow.

He went over next to her and sat down. “don’t you ever get tired?” he looked up at her. And she down at him.

His skin was red, and his normally wild black hair was flat and wet. “Ren take break, Ahnya gonna train”
“screw that I’m taking a bath and calling it a day. I still need you to teach me kobold so come see me when you finally get tired.” “ok” she said firing an arrow.

Auren was surprised to see that no one was at the spring, so he relaxed in the cool water before returning to his room.
Once he was back in his room he began training his Wurm form again.

 He was close to being able to fully transform both hands for as long as he wanted.

So far he could only hold the transformation indefinitely with the tips of his fingers on both hands, or fully transform one hand.
His nightly training was attempting to change different body parts, fingers, toes, hands, feet, random patches of skin he tried any spot that came to mind.

He thought back to Ahnya’s joke what did she mean? It took him a moment to figure it out.
He hadn’t thought of trying something like that before. He was aware of how dirty her mind was, but he would never think of something like that. he thought himself above such things.

So of course, he tried it. He was not disappointed but more shocked at what was now before him. he quickly lept from his bed, opened his door, looked both ways and slid the bed in front of the door to block it.


“where’s Auren?” Saveed said as he entered the sanctuary. “he finished training for the day.” She fired an arrow and continued “where have you been?” she fired again.

“I’ve been talking to the others and I think it’s time we expand outside of the mine and start raiding the nearby farms.”
“Saveed do you know why I’m the chief?” she knocked an arrow. “no and I don’t see how that’s relevant?” his tone now quizzical.

“it’s not because I’m the strongest, or the smartest, or the prettiest, it’s because I’m a survivor.”

“I don’t see your point?” he replied as she fired her arrow. “of course you don’t, what happens when you steal from humans?” she knocked another arrow.

“they get angry? So what?” He crossed his arms his tone more annoyed now.

She sighed and fired the arrow, then she slipped her arm through the bow and turned to him.

“I’ve kept this burrow safe by avoiding attention, a few scraps of metal here and there some food now and then. but raiding is just asking for trouble. She started walking down range.

“I know one as long lived as you has seen many friends die but I wou-“ he cut her off “now hold on! I may be old but that doesn’t mean that I would see our people die!” he stepped in front of her.

“then you understand why I won’t allow any of you to build outside of the burrow then.” she lightly pushed him out of the way and began picking up her arrows.

Saveed sighed. “I understand, but we’ll need a smith soon and more soldiers if we are to protect our lord.”

 “we will have them in time, just do your job and let me do mine.” She said pointing an arrow at him then herself.

Saveed sighted a heavy sigh and left. As he was walking away Ahnya mumbled under her breath “fuckin shamans.” She did it loud enough for him to hear but he ignored it and left.

After Saveed left Ahnya collected her arrows and headed off to Auren’s room.

As she attempted to enter his room she notices that the door wouldn’t budge. “Ren okay?” she said knocking on the door. “oh shit.” Auren whispered. “uhh… it’l be just a minute.

“Ren say he don’t need stupid human word, remember?” she knocked on his door harder.

“the door is stuck just give me a minute.” He replied. she could hear crashing and him moving something away from the door.

He flung the door open “come on in.” he motioned for her to enter. “why Ren’s blanket in corner?”

“I’m letting it air out” he said with a smile. “riiiight” Anya chuckled. The pair sat on the bed and began practicing kobold.
After an hour Ahnya asked. “what Ren think about raiding humans?” she tilted her head anticipating his response.

“uhhh… I hadn’t really thought about it.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I’m not technically human  but…” he paused trying to think of what to say.

 “I don’t know I guess fighting with them is inevitable in the southern kingdoms. So… as long as we don’t massacre women and children and we only take what we need I’m fine with it.”

“mass-acrae?” Ahnya’s tongue fumbled attempting to pronounce the word.

“it means kill.” “ahhh.” She replied the point made clear. “my only problem is the hunters. If we start raiding nearby settlements or farms we might not be able to deal with them all.”

“that what Ahnya think too.” She shook her head re-affirmed in her opinion.

She stood up and stretched. “Ahnya tired” she yawned. “we train more in the morning” her yawn was contagious as Auren soon followed. “alright then” with a sigh he led her to the door.

“night.” The pair both said before parting ways.



“please sit down at the table sir” the maid mentioned for him to sit on the small couch near the coffee table.

The office was well furnished, with the heads of various local beasts hung upon the walls. Above the fire place to his right was a mounted garn’s head, likely a gift from a hunter as opposed to the merchants own trophy.

A young man in fine closes entered the room from behind him. adjusting his coat, the young man said “ah mister Durris I’ve been expecting you.” Durris attempted to stand to greet the man.

“no, no sit please.” He sat downagain as the young man came round to sit on the couch across from him.

“I’ve wanted to meet with you since you first came to town but my father he, well he felt your services wouldn’t be necessary”
“my services?” Durris leaned in confused. “oh, sorry let me introduce myself. Cedrick Harton.” He said as he extended his hand.

Durris shook his hand, his grip oddly firm for a rich kid. “nice to meet you, I was expectin-“ Cedrick interrupted him. “my father? He is attending to business at Andwick at the moment, so I’ve been left in charge. If that answers your question.”

“uhh… yes, well what did you mean by my services?”  the maid returned and placed a tray with two mugs on the table between the two. Durris eyed the steaming mugs for a moment.

Cedrick picked up the mug and blew on it. “please” he motioned to the mug. “it’s  Geronen tea, we make it special.” He winked and took a sip.

Durris picked up the mug and blew on it then subtly smelled it. It had a faint scent of rum and black berries. He took a sip and sat it back on the table.

Cedrick crossed one leg over the other and laid back a bit before sighing and clasping his cup in front of him.

“now, where were we?” “uhh.. my serva-“ he was cut off again. “ah yes your services, how could I forget. Yes, I wanted to hire you as a body guard for my sister and mother, but my messengers said you declined. I figure they probably asked the wrong person.”
Durris remembered this, He told them that he was an explorer not a body guard.

“I don’t think I ever received such a message.” Durris said looking away slightly.

“ahh. regardless I’m glad you’re here now. If my father had hired someone like you for my sisters trip she never would have had to deal with such… abominations.”

“yes, uhh… one of your former employees told me about what happened to your mother and sister. But I have to ask why bother with this snake guy?”

Cedrick uncrossed his legs and looked to the mounted garn’s head above the fireplace. Durris’s gaze followed Cedricks as the pair stared at the head.

“my family are weapons dealers you know. we pride ourselves on quality, thus my family has taken to hiring hunters to kill beasts with our weapons as proof of quality.”

Durris sipped his tea. “it’s not wealth he stole from us, no he is guilty of a sin far worse. What does it say that an arms dealer’s family was robbed by a bunch of primitives wielding sticks and crude shivs?”

“then why the weak security?” Durris set his cup on the table. Cedrick sighed “my father bless him is an ignorant man. the country side has been relatively safe since the war with the elves ended so he assumed the roads would be safe for such a short trip, obviously, he was wrong.”

“ahh, I see.” “tell me Durris. why are you suddenly so interested in this bandit as well?”

Cedrick sat more comfortably and took a sip of tea anticipating an answer.

“I believe he killed a friend of mine.” Durris’s tone more Serious now.

“I see, how do you know he did it? If you don’t mind my asking?” Cedrick sat foreword.

  “we found tracks leading away from my friends’ body. It was some kobolds and a lone human. An odd coincidence considering that a band of kobolds and a single human robbed a carriage a day prior.”

“seems you’ve more stake in the bandit’s death than even I then.” Cedrick leaned back and sipped the last of his tea.

“aye, I figured since our goals were the same you could help me.” Durrise’s tone was dourer now.

 “certainly. we’ll avenge your companion and my family’s pride in one fell swoop. However afterward I want you to consider working for me, I’ll need men like you on my side when I take my father’s place.” he smiled extending his hand.

Durris stood up grabbed his hand and shook it. “you’ve got a deal. When do we leave?”

“I’ll need time to pack and to persuade my mother to allow me to leave the city again.” He said laughing.
“why would you need her permission? I thought you were in charge?”

“I promised her I wouldn’t go on another hunting trip for at least a year after I brought home that Garn’s head.” He motioned to the mounted Garn.

 “besides I’ll need at least a week to find more hunters to help us.” “huh, alright just let me know when your ready to depart then.
“certainly.”

As Durris exited the manor he saw mira leaned against the wall. She leaned off and asked. “so how’ed it go? Is he going to help us?”
“he is, but he’ll need a week to prepare.”

"why the hell does he need so long?“ she shouted. “quit down, he needs time to rally some Mercs” he said as he motioned her to lower her voice.”

She sighed “well… at least he’ll help us.”  Durris patted her on the shoulder “in the mean time I say we go to the tavern and get wasted. What do you think?” Mira laughed as she cracked a smile. “sounds like a fine plan to me.”

The pair walked off towards Gerona as the sun began to set.