“You have an amazing knack at thinking clearly and quickly right when we need it, your highness. You are definitely worthy of the Crown. Although I sense you don’t feel so. With all due respect, your highness, you should trust yourself more. Have faith. I do.”

With a wink, Phoogli turned and gathered his travelling gear from the door. “I hope you don’t take offence, your highness, but you are quite a fetching young woman. I often wonder why you don’t have a big strong man at home…..” and through a chuckle added, “…trying to control you. In another lifetime, I may have even tried my luck!” Flashing his charming smile, Phoogli turned and left the room. He new the Master General well and it would not take long for him to cut through Cetheth’s Bog to cross the path he would take. Phoogli did not doubt the courage and will of Crugeon and believed he would return with news of what he saw, but it was unknown what he would find, and if more than just feelings would try to keep him there. Crugeon was an expert at warfare and combat but Phoogli was more than a match for the general in stealth and sneaking.

His beautiful Goblin Steed was ready for travel, fully equipped with fresh kegs of whiskey, and Phoogli had no time to waste. After a quick pint to whet his whistle, he took off with all haste toward Cetheth’s Bog. Even the beautiful sights that never ceased to catch his breath could not tear him from his troubling thoughts. Most people believe you must be able to wield magic in order to understand it. Phoogli was an exception. His elf mentor had assured he knew more about magic than many magic wielding mages. It was part of his charge to give correct information about all things, including magic. One thing Phoogli knew for sure was that no number of mortal beings could create a spell strong enough to affect all living creatures. This was beyond anything imaginable.

Phoogli had breached the swamps borders without realising. As his senses returned, he sensed a great wrong in the swamp. Something was here that should not be anywhere. He slowed his steed and listened for anything out of the usual. Insects buzzing and swaying branches dominated his hearing, then the beating of horses on the path. “Crugeon…” he muttered to himself. He still had not found the sound of the great wrong. Turning his face down and closing his eyes to avoid distraction, he listened more intently, trying to block out all others. Still, he found nothing out of the ordinary. The sense would not leave him though and he refused to let it slide. Phoogli opened his eyes, waiting for them to refocus on the water, and was struck by inspiration. Hoping off his steed and taking a deep breath, he sank into the murky water and listened for the submerged life. The hoof beats of the horses pounded in his ears, amplified by the water, but he heard what he was looking for. Something moved slowly in the water. Something much larger than anything that should be in these waters. Rising up from the water, Phoogli removed his musket from its holster, along with a cartridge. He would need more than his steed to bring down this beast. Loading the gunpowder into the priming pan, he moved to a large fallen branch and settled himself. With the rest of the powder going down the barrel, followed by the round bullet, he evened his breathing. Cocking the gun, he took aim….and waited.

When the hydra raised its heads from the water, Phoogli’s composure broke. It couldn’t be THE hydra, could it? he thought. He had heard the stories but this was beyond belief. This couldn’t be true! It’s not the first fact in reason times to be unbelievable. What if the two were connected? What if slaying this beast was a solution to the whole ordeal? Composure snapped back into place and the musket was up in an instant. He had the element of surprise. If he could get the creatures attention, it would turn its back on the riders. Hopefully, Crugeon would react faster than he had and the beast would be slain without casualty. What are the odds on this plan succeeding without a hitch? he thought. Aiming at the back of the largest head, Phoogli said a silent prayer and pulled the trigger.