Luke followed Eamon through the barrack grounds, his heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety. They walked in silence, the tension between them palpable. Eamon led him to the equipment store, a place Luke had become familiar with over the past few weeks. But today, it felt different—charged with a sense of purpose and urgency.
Once inside, Eamon guided Luke to the back of the store. He stopped in front of a hidden compartment, which Luke had never noticed before. Eamon carefully undid a lock that was skillfully camouflaged within the wooden panelling. With a quiet creak, he pulled out a set of armour.
"This isn't like the usual armour you've cleaned," Eamon said, his voice low and serious. "It's light armour. I made it from pieces salvaged from gear that was damaged beyond repair. It's not as heavy as the full plate armour the knights wear, but it's durable and offers decent protection."
Luke examined the armour, noting its sleek design. It was a far cry from the bulky, cumbersome suits he was used to handling. This armour looked more flexible, designed for agility rather than brute strength.
"The best thing about this light armour is I focused in mind on versatility. It can fit a range of body sizes fairly well, thanks to its adjustable design," Eamon continued.
With Eamon's help, Luke donned the light armour. Eamon tightened the laces, ensuring a snug fit. The armour felt surprisingly comfortable, allowing Luke a greater range of movement than he expected.
"Now, this isn't just about protection," Eamon said as he handed Luke a metal gong and a stick to strike it with. "The knights, including Gareth and Sir Carrick, are experts at exterminating monsters. They know how to fight and kill. But you, Luke, you have a different role to play. You're a leverage—one that can turn the tide of a battle."
"A leverage? What do you mean?" Luke's brow furrowed in confusion.
"Ewwgas are sensitive to noise. If you can create a distraction, draw it out into the open, the knights can take it down quickly and efficiently. This gong will help you do that. Hit it hard, and make as much noise as possible. It will confuse and disorient the Ewwga, giving the knights the opening they need."
Luke nodded, understanding the plan. His role might not involve direct combat, but it was crucial nonetheless. The thought of facing a monstrous Ewwga was terrifying, but he knew he had to help his friends.
"Stay here for a moment. I'll grab a ride for you," Eamon placed a reassuring hand on Luke's shoulder.
As Eamon stepped out, Luke took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. The weight of the armour felt comforting, a physical reminder of the responsibility he was about to take on. He thought about Gareth, rushing into danger despite his injuries, driven by a sense of duty. And Sir Carrick, leading his knights with unwavering determination. If they could face the Ewwga, so could he.
Eamon returned, leading a large tiger with sleek fur and a calm demeanour. The tiger, though not as robust as Tora, exuded a sense of quiet strength and experience.
"This is Tiala," Eamon said, patting the tiger's flank. "He's an older tiger, once my ride when I was still a knight. When I retired due to injury, Tiala was retired from active duty as well. He's mostly used for training now, but he's still strong and knows his way around a battlefield."
Luke approached Tiala cautiously, extending his hand. The tiger sniffed it briefly before nudging his head against Luke's hand in acceptance. Luke smiled, feeling a surge of confidence.
"He's a good tiger," Eamon continued. "He'll get you where you need to go and keep you safe. Despite his age, Tiala is still one of the most experienced tigers we have."
Luke nodded, grateful for the trust Eamon was placing in both him and Tiala. He carefully mounted the tiger, feeling the powerful muscles ripple beneath him as Tiala shifted his weight.
"Good luck, Luke," Eamon said, stepping back. "Remember what I told you about the gong. Make as much noise as you can to draw out the Ewwga. The knights will handle the rest."
With a final nod, Luke urged Tiala forward, heading towards the main gate of Purewood. The city passed by in a blur, but Luke remained focused, the weight of his mission pressing down on him. He couldn't afford to let fear or doubt cloud his mind.
Reaching the main gate, Luke pulled Tiala to a halt and addressed the guards stationed there.
"Which direction did Gareth go?" he asked urgently.
"He headed that way, towards the forest. Sir Carrick and the other knights went that direction as well," one of the guards pointed towards the east.
"Thank you," Luke replied, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. He urged Tiala forward once more, the tiger picking up speed as they left the city behind.
The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. Luke's heart raced, but he kept his grip firm on the reins, trusting Tiala to navigate the terrain. The path became rougher, and the sounds of the forest grew louder, the rustling leaves and distant calls of animals creating an eerie backdrop.
As they moved deeper into the woods, Luke's mind raced with thoughts of Gareth and the knights. He hoped they were safe, that they hadn't encountered the Ewwga yet. He knew he had to be there to help, to make the noise that would give them the advantage.
Finally, they reached a clearing. The signs of a recent struggle were evident—broken branches, trampled grass, and the faint smell of blood in the air. Luke dismounted Tiala, his hand gripping the gong tightly.
He listened carefully, trying to pick up any sounds that might indicate the presence of the knights or the Ewwga. The forest was eerily quiet as if holding its breath in anticipation.
Taking a deep breath, Luke raised the gong and struck it with the stick Eamon had given him. The sound echoed through the trees, loud and piercing. He struck it again, the noise reverberating around him, creating a disorienting effect.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the underbrush. Luke's heart pounded as he readied himself, striking the gong once more. The rustling grew louder, and he could see movement in the shadows.
"Tiala, stay close," he whispered, not taking his eyes off the approaching figure. The tiger growled softly, sensing the tension.
Emerging from the underbrush were Gareth and Sir Carrick, their armour smeared with blood, evidence of a recent fight. Their eyes widened in shock at the sight of Luke. Both men began shouting, their voices drowned out by the persistent banging of the gong.
Luke, unable to hear them properly, kept banging the gong. He could see their frantic gestures, their mouths moving, but the words were lost in the cacophony. Finally, the shouts grew more audible.
"Stop banging the gong! Stop!" Gareth and Sir Carrick's voices broke through the din, their urgency clear.
Luke's heart sank as he realized his mistake. He abruptly stopped, his hands trembling. But it was too late. Behind Gareth and Sir Carrick, three monstrous figures emerged from the shadows. The Ewwga, hideous and terrifying, were upon them.
The creatures were monstrous, resembling giant, grotesque monkeys with twisted, hairy bodies, gnarly teeth, and glowing, malicious eyes. Their elongated arms and sharp claws made them look like nightmarish predators.
"Run, Tiala! Run!" Luke commanded, but the tiger hesitated, sensing the danger. Luke, with a mix of urgency and fear, convinced Tiala to flee. The tiger bolted, narrowly avoiding the monstrous creatures.
Gareth and Sir Carrick, now close to Luke, grabbed him and pulled him behind a fallen log. They crouched low, hiding from the Ewwga that was closing in fast. The creatures focused on Tiala, raced past their hiding spot, their guttural growls echoing through the forest.
Luke's heart raced, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He looked at Gareth and Sir Carrick, both of whom were glaring at him with a mix of anger and concern.
"What are you doing here, Luke?" Gareth hissed, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I wanted to help," Luke replied, his voice trembling. "I thought I could draw them out with the gong."
"Help? You almost got yourself killed!" Sir Carrick scolded, his eyes flashing with frustration. "This is no place for you. You're not trained for this."
Luke looked down, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. He had only wanted to assist, to make a difference, but now he had put them all in more danger.
Gareth placed a hand on Luke's shoulder, his expression softening slightly. "We appreciate your courage, but this is a dangerous situation. We need to get out of here and regroup."
The three men huddled together, their minds racing as they planned their next move. The Ewwga were still out there, and they needed to find a way to escape or fight their way out.
"We're in this together now," Sir Carrick said, his voice resolute. "We have to move quietly and quickly. Follow my lead, and stay close."
Luke nodded, his resolve hardening. He knew he had made a mistake, but he was determined to make up for it. The three men began to move, keeping low and silent, their eyes scanning the forest for any sign of the Ewwga.