As the group was getting closer to the mountain ranges, Rex decided to ask about the place and the people who lived there. “Those are the Ragnar Mountain ranges, the people who live there are called the Bohl, they are a race of hybrid human and ogre, the ancestral caretakers of the dragon called Ragnar,” Markus replied. “I once saw one of them open a door for Iris, I only saw his hand, and even that was enormous!” Rex said. “It is uncommon for any Bohl to be under 6 foot tall, if I’m not mistaken, they are born at 2-3 feet tall, not a small feat, you will see when you meet another of your father's generals at the capital. No doubt you will be invited to one of their massive feasts.” Markus said. As the sun started to set on day 2 of traveling, they came up onto the edge of a lake that stretched all the way to the mountain base. Rex strained his eyes and swore he could see a house on the other side below the mountain. “That’s where we are headed.” Chirped Raz seeing Rex looking

Stepping inside, Rex took a breath. This isn’t creepy at all he thought to himself. A door that opens by itself with someone inside who has been waiting for me. As Rex made it to what must have been the entertaining area, he noticed there was 2 people sitting on the couch in front of the fire. Hearing the footsteps from behind them approaching, the two people turned around to face him. Walking towards the couch the voice he heard from the door called out once more, “take a seat and I will be with you shortly.” Taking the advice from the strange creepy voice, Rex walked around the couch and sat down on the end. Sitting next to him was a gigantic man, almost as large as the one he had seen while still in Oak, when his grandmother had someone open the door for her. I’m sure Markus said this person was supposed to be my ages, he is huge! Rex thought to himself when he saw his size. Shortly after Rex sat down, the man stood up, bowed at the neck and said to him while putting his h

“What or who is Balrog?” Rex asked, the name sounded quite ominous, especially if it was something that worried someone as big as Charr. “Her be spider demon who live under Mountain, make babies who boys fight to be man.” Charr said. “No one seen it in many years, but it babies are big to kill young warrior who not fight well.” “Then how do you know it lives that way?” Rex asked tilting his head a little. “No one has seen it in a long time.” “Strong warriors who go too close to that part mountain not come back.” Charr replied. “I not want eaten by spider.” “Well I have an idea” added Lizz, I know a way to get around that part of the mountain, we have to head more west, but I also know there is another problem that way, Shaitan. He is a bandit lord that constantly harasses trade caravans around eastern Bhutan.” “So, either way we go, there is a possibility to death?” Rex asked sighing a little. This prompted a little arguing between Lizz and Charr over who was more dangerous, Shait

Hearing what Fafnir said, Rex’s palms got a little sweaty. He knew he was in for a big night and hoped he was up for the challenge. ‘We don’t have a lot of time, so we will learn the basics to attacking and defending yourself.’ Fafnir said the moment Rex approached. ‘Last I knew, Balrog’s weakness was fire, so I will show you how to give her some.’ Fafnir put his hand onto the ground, brought it up and dragged a mound of dirt to use a target. “Do you mean shoot fire out my mouth?” Rex asked curiously. ‘How you use fire depends on the situation. I would have thought you would want to throw it at her, but you want to get close and personal I see, I like that.’ Fafnir said grinning. “Well no, I don’t really want to get that close.” Rex added, a little shocked. He did not want to be anywhere near an ancient demon, let alone one that was a giant spider!! ‘Hmmmrpf, fine! We will practice creating fire first.’ Fafnir said he seemed a little let down at Rex’s comment at not wanting to get

“So, am I going to die?” Rex asked Fafnir. Lifting his head, he replied. ‘Between your strength and mine, it may take a while, but like I promised, you will survive this.’ Lizz and Charr both ran to Rex after he collapsed. After Balrog was rendered to ash the weight in the air of the place started to lift, they could feel the warmth from the sun start to come through the treetops, and it started to brighten up a bit. Lizz’s mana reserves started to fill again. It had seemed Balrog’s presence here had a terrible impact and now she was defeated the place returned to its original beauty. “Must stop prince bleeding” Charr said to Lizz pointing at the fang wounds. “I can cauterize it to stop the bleeding, but with his temperature rising, it seems there was also poison which I can’t help with” Lizz added feeling Rex’s forehead. Hearing they were close to the river, Charr picked Rex up and they brought him closer to the river. Well Rex turned out to be right, they were close to the river