That night, they sat by the fire outside to warm themselves. The cold was strong, and wild animals howled in the dark. They hunted one, roasted it, and ate together in silence.
After a while, Amir asked, "Where did you find that glowing gold? And how did you even carry it?"
Nikoloas stared at the fire. "I found it in the well. The well of Campala. It holds healing water, but it's also cursed. There's a beast inside, a terrible one. It guards the gold. No one knows where it came from. Some say it was sent by the gods to punish us. But I think you… you might be the one to break the curse with a warrior linage in your blood. The old tales say the one who lifts the curse must not be a northerner. And you are not."
Amir leaned forward. "Tell me about this cursed well."
Nikoloas was quite for a minute and then began.
"In the hot lands of the Greek Empire, deep in the desert, there's a hidden cave. Inside that cave is the Well of Campala. The water can heals the sick. It gives wisdom. Some say it gives riches too. Long ago, our people went there to get the healing water for their sick, the wounded in battle and to seek answers from the gods.
I found the cave by accident. I felt something watching me as I stepped closer. Water dripped in the dark. The cave had steps going down, and between the rocks, the water flowed like a small river. I drank from the well. It felt pure. I drank again and again. Then I lay down to rest.
Suddenly, a couple walked into the cave. The woman was Sarah, wife to Trophimus, a rich merchant. The man with her was Milee, a young troublemaker. As I watched, they touched each other, and began to make love right beside the well, ignoring the warnings carved on the walls.
Then the air turned cold. The shadows moved like they were alive.
From the depth of the well, a giant snake came out. A glowing gold sat on its head. Its eyes burned with anger. In one strike, it killed them both.
I ran. I ran for my life.
When I reached the palace, I bowed before the king. I said, 'My king, I saw death in the well. A beast came out and killed two people—Sarah and her lover Milee.'
The king stood in shock. 'What kind of beast?' he asked.
'A great snake with gold on its head,' I said.
He sent six of his best warriors with me to kill it. They told me to lead the way, since I was the one who saw it.
We reached the well at night. Some parts of the cave were bright, others were dark. We didn't know the snake used its gold like a trap. It placed it where light could shine, but it hid in the dark, waiting.
The warriors found no snake. They laughed and mocked me. But before long, the creature struck.
It killed them all.
I hid behind the rocks. I stayed there for two days, not moving. On the second night, I saw the snake go back into the well. It left the gold behind.
I crawled out. I covered the gold with a dark cloth. The cave turned black and then I ran. I didn't look back.
After that, I left the king's army. I couldn't return.
The well became a cursed place. No one went near it again. Even if someone was dying, they wouldn't touch the water."
Amir made a fist. His heart moved with purpose.
"I'll break the curse," he said. "I'll fight that beast."
Nikoloas looked at him. "You may be right. Maybe the gods did send you. But hear me well, it won't be easy. That snake is not a simple creature. But with the Splasher blade, you stand a chance."
He placed a hand on Amir's shoulder.
"Rest tonight. Tomorrow, your journey begins. The road is hard, but if you make it through… you'll be the greatest warrior this land has ever known."