“You don’t think they’ll follow us, do you?” asked Ing from a voice that came unconsciously and floated across the open air.
“I do not think so. Rest assured, the Lake of Promises is no more than several miles from here,” said Alma in high spirits, such as Ing was unfamiliar with seeing come from one such as her.
Ing was glad to hear that. His journey was almost at an end. So much had happened to him since Oxen Mollish’s crowning ceremony in Ganwin. He was no longer the same boy anymore. He had met up with his uncle, Erste, learned of Illusionists and their Dark Lord, met up with Alma, and encountered Hector LaBelle. Never had he known that such a world existed outside the walls of Ganwin. Eclestia was slowly revealing itself to him.
On the not-so-distant horizon, the two companions saw a glimmer of water; the Lake of Promises was almost within reach. Several snow lions barred their way. As the two of them drew closer the snow lions showed their deadly teeth and stood back ready to attack.
“Look at these viscous beasts,” Alma said. “It would seem that they serve the witch.”
“You take the ones on the left; I’ll take the ones on the right,” said Ing. Alma nodded. They slowly approached the white-furred animals.
“Now!” shouted Alma. She fired an arrow straight into the open mouth of one and the battle began. Ing swung his sword left and then spun to the right, cutting off the feet of two of his enemies. Blood dripped onto the soft, white snow. One came up from behind Ing and knocked him face first into a snowy heap and he nearly lost his grip on his sword. An arrow zipped overhead and pierced the lion directly in the heart. It cried in anguish and Ing rolled it off of him.
He slashed his sword into the mouth of another one and it chomped down on the blade with a mighty grip; Ing was spun around and thrown into the snow once again. He grimaced as he doubled over in pain.
Alma shot an arrow straight between the lion’s eyes and it toppled lifelessly to the ground.
“It looks like that was all of them,” said Ing, returning his sword to its appropriate position, trying his best to not be subdued by the pain.
But his statement was proved wrong. A snow lion that was no less than three times as large as the rest came into view and a feeling of impending doom overcame him.
“What do we do?” he shouted.
“We just need to be careful,” said Alma. “Don’t make any hasty decisions. Just follow my lead.”
The massive animal started charging towards them and they ran off in opposite directions. Alma fired an arrow at one of the beast’s legs, but it didn’t seem to faze it. She quickly strung two more arrows and let go at one of its hind legs. She knew she could slow it down eventually.
Ing came around to the right side of the enormous beast and slashed at one of its massive legs. The sword came rebounding off and Ing’s whole body shook; his sword was plunged deep into a mound. He pulled as hard as he could, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Let me help you with that,” said a familiar voice. Ing looked up into the eyes of Hector LaBelle. Hector grabbed on to Ing’s hands and together they pulled out the sword. He was followed by Brutus and Rashek. “Hamilton’s staying back; this isn’t really his kind of thing, you see.”
“I see we’ve got company!” shouted Alma from the other side of the snow lion.
Brutus and Rashek started running towards the beast and were knocked violently back several yards by its powerful legs.
“I guess they’re going to have to sit this one out,” said Hector. Ing, Alma, and Hector all circled around their common enemy. Without killing it, they could not get to the Lake of Promises and their final destination: the Lady of the Lake. “I’ve taken on beasts greater than this in my day,” said Hector. He ran up to the snow lion, unsheathed his dagger, and sliced off the toes on its front right foot. It screamed and lowered down to the ground.
“Hurry, jump on its back!” shouted Hector; he was looking at Ing. Now was his chance.
Ing ran up to the front of the beast and jumped onto its back. The beast reared up and Ing held on tightly for fear of losing hold. It swung all around, trying to knock the boy off. After much struggle, he could not hold on any longer and was launched from its body, suspended in air for a few moments before crashing down to the snowy basin. It was a wonder he didn’t break his neck.
“Alright, I’ve got another idea,” Hector said. “Alma, shoot it behind its ear. That’s said to be their weak point.”
Alma quickly got behind the snow lion and tried to steady her bow to fire at the crevice behind the ear. When she had it in position the arrow hurtled through the air and shot into the back of the thin layer of cartilage. All four legs came crashing down.
“Now, for the finishing touch,” said Hector. He ran up, readied his dagger, took aim at one of its eye sockets, and forced it through and into the brain; it was no more.
Hector then ran over to his two companions and Hamilton joined him. “Are you okay, boys?” asked Hector.
“Yes, sir,” they groaned as they slowly got up out of the snow that was now covering their clothes.
“A very good fight, sir,” said Hamilton. “They couldn’t have beaten that thing without you.”
“Right you are,” said Hector. “Now,” he
