The Dark Threat

"And so our quest begins! And what a jolly troupe we are!"

Argan's delight was not transmitting to the other two.

Baffor was packing his horse and trying to resist the temptation to knock out the annoying little arse. Argan the arse! He smiled satisfyingly to himself at his nickname, which he would keep secret. For now. But if Argan kept on being so fucking cheerful, Baffor might have to do something. For his own sanity. The only thing that would redeem Argan was if he had some good stories for the fireside.

Argan was scared. He knew he was annoying Baffor but he couldn't help it. Wittering was his way. It hid the nerves. His false portrayal of joviality was a screen. He was shitting himself. How could he fight anything? He was just a wordsmith. He was here to preserve, immortalise, not battle. He hoped Baffor liked him. Baffor would keep him safe.

He looked over at the man mountain, as he prepared his horse for departure. He had been scowling but now, he had a smirk on his face, lost in his thoughts. Argan felt his nerves easing and with them, his muscles relaxed. What could he bring to this party, this motley group of travellers?

Stories, that's what. The campfire tonight would be alive with things remembered and he would weave a tale to beguile and entertain. A distraction from their mission, of which, he was the official bard, appointed by the King to mark the vanquishing of the Dark Threat.

"Argan, you are on the mule," Miranda, their leader, advised. Her presence calmed him too. He had already seen her prowess with a bow and arrow. He also knew that she was proficient in some magic. All storytellers are observant. They have to be because "Details are the tales". Trite but true adage.

He was not looking forward to the mule. Neither were his buttocks.

Miranda looked at Argan. She could sense his fear and he was right to have it. He was key to their mission, though he knew it not. If he did, he would run. His words, her magic, Baffor's strength.

Together, they would face the Dark Threat.

***

366 words

I know, this goes nowhere but I plan to continue it. Look at that picture. If that's not a photo to inspire a quest, then I don't know what is.

Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please do leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.

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