Kingdom of Magic

"We are in the heat of battle. This is no time for your foolish pride!"

"Shut up!" snapped Guss. Gryph was much smarter and had greater social skills, no matter what Guss would say, Gryph would counter it with strange words and complicated lectures.

"Remember. I did not spare your life for you to chase your childish fears." Guss' upper lip stiffened. He had never though about it before, but he really was afraid of The Sand Demon. He felt that if he could defeat him in battle he would be able to move on with his life and felt that this was his only way out. His only way to escape his fear.

"I know." replied Guss, "I'm bound to you after I lost our duel all those years ago when we were still young."

"Yes." smiled Gryph, "You were a lost little boy that my men were attacking at the time. You slayed two of them I believe."

Guss laughed; "Yeah. I still find it hard to believe that those men followed a sixteen year old like you."

"I could easily have ran them through. Fear is a powerful weapon my friend."

"I know." frowned Guss, he looked out over the dunes of the desert still wondering where The Sand Demon was, "But respect is worth more."

"So do you respect me or fear me?"

"I respect your power and skill in battle but I can't say I'm particuarly fond of you." Guss laughed.

Gryph gave him a firm slap on the shoulder; "That's good enouh for me." he said, "Let's move on from here."

"Where are we going to?" said Guss. He checked his sword over and mounted his horse.

"There is an abandonned town not too far to the East," pointed Gryph, "We will go there and check for supplies."

"And what if there isn't anything there?"

"We will stay there for the night regardless. It will night fall before we reach the town," explained Gryph, "Saddle up! We ride East!" The band of raiders rode Eastbound and night fell rapidly as they rode.

"So have any of you thought about what you are going to do after this war?" asked a soldier.

"I think I might marry and settle down." said one soldier.

"What about you Captain Guss?" It got Guss thinking about his future. He had been so tunnel visioned on finding The Sand Demon that he completely disregarded a life after the deed was done.

"This is no place to think about the future." he said, "We must only think of the next fight or next meal. Anything else will get you killed on the battlefield."