The Black Fountain

As Xavon strolled through the small grove of trees he picked up small pieces of wood on the ground. It took a while, but he managed to get enough wood to last them until morning. Into the near distance he heard a rustling. His ears perked, as a dog’s would, off into the direction of the sound. He reached for his sword but soon noticed he had left it by camp. He thought to himself how stupid he was for such a mistake. It could cost him his life. The rustling continued, steadily growing louder as Xavon approached. He picked up a nearby stick and held it to his head as a weapon. He heard the rustling grow louder. Then, all of a sudden, it stopped as he approached a small bush. He used his hand to pull back the leaves. Inside he saw a small fox, shuddering under him. It was frightened. It seemed to be only a baby, lost from it’s mother. Xavon reached for it but it ran off. Xavon started after it down what seemed to be a path. He decided it was not, as people didn’t commonly live in the grassy plains of Deckbin. The fox led him to another grove of trees, only this one was thicker. It had a stream running through it towards Yoct. It slightly curved, as Xavon noticed, and disappeared into the distance. The fox had stopped at the stream and began to drink. Xavon too took a few sips from the cold water, and it was quite refreshing. Xavon did not notice how long he had stayed out and started back to camp. He also forgot the twigs, which he trekked back to the stream to get. By the time he was back at camp, he wondered if Goater did not just leave him there. He looked around for Goater but didn’t see him. He decided that he must have went off for some reason, Goater’s business and not his. He started the fire with some flint from his pocket with the wood he gathered. He warmed himself from the hard winter’s cold coming in. Xavon knew that this minor cold was nothing compared to when winter truly set in. After a while Goater did not come back so Xavon went off to find him. They were to far from Yoct to go back now, so Xavon ventured he must’ve not gone back. Yet something called him to go back on the way he had come. after a few minutes walk, he found Goater lying on the ground. Xavon rushed over to him. He put his hands on Goater and began to check for wounds. He wasn’t hurt, but something about him did not feel right. He picked him up, but dropped him when he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. Goater rolled on the ground soon to get up. Xavon grew fearful as Goater opened his eyes. They were blood-red. Xavon ran off back to camp and Goater followed. It wasn’t long before Goater caught up with him and dragged him down, clawing and biting at him. Xavon managed to break away and he got to the fire. He picked up a large stick and set it ablaze. He warded off Goater with it. He held off Goater for almost the whole night but off in the shadows Goater hid, waiting for his chance to strike. It was about two in the morning before the fire slowly ate the branches. The last spark flickered, and the fire was out. Xavon picked up his sword as Goater awoke from his nap.