Stephan watched them as they slumped on the ground. Their eyes stared unblinkingly at the well then sighed in relief.
"It was an ambush!" the dwarf started. "It was too late to look out for it! I was separated from my group! Aagh!" he removed the arrow and pressed a leaf over it. "I was sent on a mission to retrieve a hammer from the elves in exchange of a powerful bow one of our experts forged. But we were betrayed and our location was found by mercenaries. I believe it's the humans. They were always the ones to do such underhanded tactics."
"And I was a lone traveler in these forest belonging to Valtrar," the elf continued. "I had the mission to give the hammer to the dwarves. If it wasn't for my naïve call as the dwarf said, I wouldn't be in here. I am a strong warrior of the forest. I know how to move between the trees and blend with the green but I was taken by surprise and I couldn't retaliate. Next moment, I found myself next to that dwarf without a hammer to give."
"Now, you need to find both weapons to ensure the success of the mission and the peace between both kingdoms. Have you seen the faces of mercenaries? Yu know that mercenaries could be hired by anyone. It's not wise to throw the blame at anyone. It's better to stay neutral. However, why did you choose the human kingdom to do your exchange?"
"That's because humans are weak. Humans are born weak and when old they are weak as well. No matter how much they would fight with any of the races, there was no way they would defeat us. Unless, they have the talent in magic, which is rare."
"Yet, you were ambushed by humans."
"That's because of their ruses and schemes," the dwarf yelled. "They are always using those unspeakable methods to get what they want. They are pure thieves."
These potions could be taken any time during the test. Each bottle contained enough for one measure and use.
Stephan only thought of the two first options; he had enough luck for starters. Therefore, going for one of the two first was the best option. He thought of choosing the second one but he ended up at the first. The potion appeared before him per magic and the two companions were baffled by it. Stephan on the other hand wasn't focusing much on their reactions. He was looking at the stats and attributes he wanted to increase.
The only attributes he could enhance using potions. There was also luck but he didn't focus on it. He could increase his speed by training or equipment. He looked again at the description of the potion and realized he was wrong. The potion was a legendary item that helped in enhancing the whole attribute. Therefore, increasing endurance would increase Stamina alongside the speed. He grinned and immediately drank the potion.
Stephan thought of the possible rewards he could have simply from the test.
"I didn't know you were a magician. Humans as magicians are rare. What are you doing outside wandering in these forests," the elf had enough time to adjust himself from his surprised stance. "I believe humans with skills of mages are highly valuable between your race."
"I am still an apprentice," he hesitated realizing he made a mistake. "I don't like being tied down in one place and I believe they would give me everything but they would use me as well. I don't like my freedom taken away."
"That's some courage coming from you, human Stephan!" the dwarf said. "Since you helped us, I believe a reward is a must from us. I don't like being indebted to anyone and I believe that stinking elf is the same as me. Furthermore, we need to find a way for treatment. I know of a mage living inside a tower. He wouldn't be delighted to see us but I have my ways to convince him of whatever reward you want."
"I am not a stinking elf; I am an elf but not stinking… Anyway, I can't help but agree with the stinking dwarf. You need a reward in exchange for your willingness to help. You are an odd human for umping to help us and risking your safety down the well."
After pressing the wound for several minutes, they put many leaves and surrounded them with vines to keep them in place then covered it with the clothes they had. The elf's wound wasn't a dangerous one and it didn't hinder him much in walking.
Stephan realized the arrow wasn't in the knee itself; it was slightly at the end of the thigh. When they dressed their wounds, they started walking, with the dwarf as their leader. Dwarves were a race that mostly knew of mages all around the world, especially those with towers.
He called it the tower of the darkness of what the rumour said about it. The owner liked doing dark experiments on everything and everyone. Their walk took half a day and they arrived when the evening started to be welcomed. They were tired because of the lack of sleep but it wasn't much considering how the test was time-limited.
As they progressed further, they reached the cliff road and traversed it. There was a tower with flying crows surrounding it. They stopped right when the luck green faded and the land turned deserted.
"What are you doing in these parts of the world? I believe you aren't invited to this dark abode," a shaking voice spoke behind them and they all turned at the same time, there was an old man using a cane for support.