Chapter 4: To Kohlingen, part 2 ------------------------------- The road to Kohlingen was long indeed, in his condition, but Locke had been through worse. He walked for the first day untroubled by anything more than a sudden cloudburst that left him drenched. The second day, he ran into the Rhinox. Once the reptilian creature would have been no match for Locke--when he was in full health and had command of his magics. As it was now, he was barely its equal, as he soon discovered. Graedus enhanced his speed, barely enabling him to dodge the beast's initial claw-swipe. He quickly counterattacked, thrusting his dagger deep into one of the vaguely-humanoid arms. The wound oozed green ichor; the monster turned, slashing at him once again. The motion yanked his dirk Graedus from his hand. He sucked in one agonizing breath as claws ripped across his chest. He staggered back as an electric shock ripped through his body... Giga Volt. He had the answer. His other weapon. Moving as swiftly as he could, he freed Valiant from its sheath and leapt to attack. Valiant struck home, and he felt it imparting him with additional power. So the magic of Valiant still worked. It became progressively more deadly as its wielder neared death. In this case, it performed its duty; the Rhinox fell. He had the feeling he wouldn't be too far behind. Time and his Tonic had helped, but that blow had set him back to where he was. Unless he could... He bent to search the reptilian's body. He eagerly drank, and once more felt the spreading warmth... but it was not complete. He frowned. Well, he was still better off than he'd been before he confronted the monster. And closer to Kohlingen too. He sighed, knowing he'd do no such thing. He purposefully set off. North. To Kohlingen.