Boyfriend Quest Excerpt

"Excerpt from an early draft of Boyfriend Quest, by Davey 'Dave' Davidson."

	The plan was simple. Hold back the enemy forces long enough so that the rest of the Sunswords could open the gate to the Silvermine Mountains for their hasty retreat, giving them a proper defensive position to thwart the dastardly ambush. With a bit of luck, and much needed perseverance, Dave managed to hold back the militia long enough for his allies to recover, and in turn, join the conflict. One by one the Sunswords awoke from Jake's vile lullaby. The imprisoned kobolds  rushed to their aid, inspired by the love Kallark had shown towards the baby kobolds rescued from the harrowing disaster. With each moment that passed the porc assault looked less bleak for our wary heroes.

	Kallark saw the enemy's resolve waning. They were becoming vulnerable and he decided this to be the perfect opportunity to rush forward into battle. He had one goal in mind; To protect his comrades and loved ones from the oncoming porc hordes. Leaving Gwyneth's side, Kallark rushed towards the closest porc to join in the riposte and drive them from the elven realms.

	As quickly as he made the decision, Kallark soon comes to regret it, as behind him stood the ghostly visage of Rufio lording over Gwyneth's slumped body after a deafening shriek rung through the grassy knoll. He instantaneously became wrought with grief at the sight of the woman he once called his, the mother of his child and the sprout that lay within her. They may not have been on the best of terms up until now, but the thought of the future he wanted being stolen from him felt like a poison dagger gutting his heart bare.

	The rest of the battle diminishes to that of a distant murmur in the back of his mind.  He runs to Gwyneth's side, summoning every ounce of strength and courage left in his body. With tears dripping from in his eyes and a soft stutter he caresses her cheek, begging for her to wake up, offering anything in return just to see her smiling face once again.

	For a brief moment he is filled with relief as color springs back into Gwyneth's face. The uncontrollable despair from the thought of losing that which he holds most dear quickly turns to a boiling rage and quest for vengeance at the one who tried to steal it away. He begins repeating to himself in a sharp and succinct tone, "I'm going to kill him." Before he is able to tear the creature apart however, Gwyneth hobbles in the way of his murderous rampage. Softly she speaks to him, a somber and pained voice that can barely be heard, until she whispers "I've lost the baby."

	Kallark continues his chant, but now its edge has dulled and the grief sets back in. As much as he wants to lash out, Gwyneth calmly gains her composure and denies him his vendetta. "That is not what we do" she states firmly, "He can rot in the Silvermine Mountains Prison for the rest of his life as punishment for what he has done, but elves don't kill other elves. He is sick Kallark."

	The loss of his future child weighed heavily on Kallark's mind. His heart ached with an unshakable melancholy like nothing he had ever felt before. The only solace he could find was a promise he had made to two desperate children who had recently lost their parents. At this moment he steeled his resolve and decided what he wanted. He wanted to be a  father. He wanted to be their father.

	His heart swelled with untapped emotions he couldn't quite comprehend. He rushed  towards young Unther and Gunther to give them his love. To tell them they had a place in this world by his side. He holds back his tears and earnestly hugs the two. He is able to choke out the words "You're coming home with me."

	Unther skittishly informs Kallark that "We've talked to the other kobolds and they are willing to take us in, and I didn't want to have to burden you. You've been good to us." Kallark gentely shakes his head and puts his hand on the lads shoulder. "It really wouldn't be a burden. Right now, I would love to have the two of you, live with me." Kallark expresses with the utmost sincerity.

	As the two converse however, something begin to feel odd. The vision of the kobold fades, and in its place the fox god emerges. He begins to rant, reminding Kallark that "I am in your mind, and I will be with you for life!" An eroding sadness creeps back into his mind as the fox god disappears and a confused Unther takes his place again.

	Kallark realizes what he has to do; That as much as he wants, he cannot be responsible for another, he cannot love another. He is destined to be alone as long as the fox god remains buried within the depths of his mind, because there will be nothing but trouble in store for anyone close to him. This is his curse, and the cross he must bear, in solitude. He tells the children that it would be best if they left with the other kobolds. How he will miss them and be thankful for the brief time they spent together. But before he can finish, the fox god is back, and with a quiet indignation, Kallark marches off into the sunset, leaving all that he loved behind, never to be seen again.