tfaotb

[tfaotb]

1-2 Jewel induced nightmares***

I couldn’t sleep that night. The battle with the denmother didn’t bother me anymore, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what I did to my father. The images flashed in my head, the screams from my brother, the gurgling sounds my father made in his last moments, it haunted me. I stayed up in bed simply crying, I wish I could just wake up from this nightmare.

We had rented a room at the Frozen Dog, we decided to rent the cheapest one, so we could save up our money faster. Minerva and I had to share a bed, I didn’t really mind, since we’re friends, after all. She seemed a bit too happy about it, maybe it was just my imagination. Minerva is truly a strange person…

Minerva was already asleep, so I tried to be as quiet as possible with my sobbing. Unfortunately, it woke her up anyway, she sat up, rubbing her eyes.

“Wha-what’s wrong, Tierra?” She asked, with slight panic in her voice. I quickly wiped my eyes, sniffling.

“Nothing, sorry I woke you.” I said, as I lay down in the bed, tears still rolling down my face. I felt her hand in my shoulder.

“It’s going to be okay Tierra, we’ll figure this out.” She reassured me. She gently rubbed my shoulder as I continued to cry. I don’t remember anything after that, I must have soon fallen asleep.

I was awoken by the sun’s light, the sole window in our room poured sunlight, illuminating everything in a bright yellow glow. I stretched, as I stood up on my feet. I prefer to sleep in my clothes, so all I have to put on in the morning is my boots and my pauldron. The metal clanking from my armor soon awoke Minerva, who did not seem to rise as easily as I did.

I put my hair up in my signature ponytail, as Minerva made no attempt on her disheveled mess of hair. We gathered our belongings, and left the room headed downstairs. As we descended the creaky staircase into the tavern, I noticed there was quite a few patrons there, despite it being so early. We ate our breakfast, payed the tavern keeper, and departed for the Karl’s longhouse.

We entered the massive building, walking past his perpetually burning fire pit. He saw us approaching, letting out a boisterous laugh as he stood from his throne.

“Ahh! Good to see you two again!” She shouted, his cheery persona was strikingly different from our last meetings. He sat back down in his throne. “So, what do you want, anyway?”

“We’re here to see if there are any bounties you have for us.” I said, he simply laughed.

“You didn’t read the paper did you lass?” He lightheartedly scolded. I rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment.

“I…I can’t read Norl.” I said ashamedly. The Karl’s laughter turned to hysterical cackling. He was tearing up from his excessive laughter, I was a bit confused. I felt Minerva punch me on the shoulder, she shook her head at me in horror.

“I’ll let that one slide, lass.” The Karl bellowed through his chortles. “I’ll pay you for every demon crystal you bring me.” I heard Minerva scoff.

“Yeah that works out perfectly. For you.” She said snidely. He was still trying to contain his laughter.

“For every red crystal I’ll pay fifty silvers. Every other color I’ll pay you thirty.” I almost fainted when he said that. That is a lot of money, and all we have to do is kill demons?

We left the longhouse, heading for the wilderness, once again. I felt Gisele pat my back every other step I took as it bounced back and forth. I looked at Minerva, only then realizing she had no weapon on her belt.

“Do you have a weapon, Minerva? I’ve never seen you with one that’s yours.” I asked, she kept walking beside me, looking straight ahead.

“I have five knives hidden on me. I don’t like to flaunt my weapons around.” She looked at me, then at Gisele. “Unlike you.” She laughed a bit. We continued to walk through the snowy forest. “Hey Tierra, how did you deflect the Karl’s attack last night?” She asked me.

I scratched my head. I don’t really remember how I did it, I just swung as hard as I could. “I’m not sure, it just happened, I guess…” I wasn’t really sure how to answer that. “There’s a lot of things happening to me that I don’t understand.”

We made it back to the mountain we were at last night. We attempted to track any nearby demons, but to no avail. The only creatures out here were woodland animals.

We eventually spotted the same kind of demon we encountered in the cavern, though somewhat smaller. It was grazing aimlessly through the forest. We snuck up on it, carefully inching our way up behind the demon. I got within striking range, as I cleaved it with Gisele. The blow sliced the beast open as it nearly instantly died. The black blood in it’s body poured out onto the snow. Minerva reached into its open chest, removing the red marble.

“So those are demon crystals.” I remarked, still intrigued by them. This one was the same color and luster, but it was a bit smaller than the last one. “So what do these red ones do?” I asked.

“These strengthen your blood.” She said, I was still confused. “These make you harder to kill. It’s very likely the Karl has consumed many of these red crystals.” She put the crystal in her bag. “He probably only drinks of these, which is probably why you were able to deflect his attack.” She continued. I wondered then about the one she didn’t give to the Karl last night.

“An orange one will strengthen your muscles in you arms and chest. A yellow one will strengthen your lungs and legs.” She chuckled a bit. “I guess you could say a red one strengthens your heart.” I was fascinated at the idea of this.

“Could I drink them and get stronger?” I asked naively. Minerva nodded, she pulled out the big red marble from last night.

“Want to try it?” She asked coyly. I was beyond curious at this point. We assembled a campfire and began heating up our cooking pot. She put a chunk of ice in the pot as it sizzled and steamed. She waited for the ice to melt and the rest of the water to boil. As it came to an angry boil, she placed the marble inside of the water.

I watched as it submerged into the boiling water, only until Minerva placed the lid over the pot. “We gotta clean it first. Don’t want to drink a dirty crystal, now do we?” I didn’t argue.

After about an hour she removed the lid, almost half of the water was evaporated from the pot. She dumped the contents onto the snow, along with the marble. She grabbed the marble with a glove as she put it back in the pot, and back over the fire. She leaned down to the fire and began to gently blow under the burning wood. The fire began to rage after a few breaths.

I decided to help, soon the fire was too hot to be near, the surrounding snow melted around the fire. She stopped as she carefully removed the lid. Inside the pot was a pool of shining red liquid. She picked up the pot and placed it in the snow, instantly steaming and hissing as it made contact.

We waited for about ten minutes, which she then stuck her finger in the red liquid, to see if it had been cooked enough. She removed several thin vials with corks from her bag, emptying the pot into the vials. She filled three vials full, as she handed me the pot which had a bit more leftover. “Drink up.” She said. I had some reservations about drinking this, but I held my breath and gulped the liquid. It tasted like nothing, as if I was drinking the purest water with no taste.

Minerva corked the vials and put them back in her bag. “You can’t drink too much of this stuff at once.” She explained. “Especially if this is your first time.”

Almost immediately after she said that, the forest began to spin ever so slightly. I felt weak as I felt myself fall backwards. As I fell, I noticed I wasn’t hitting the ground, I continued to fall as everything melted away from existence. Only the sky is what I saw, as I fell into it’s vast scape…

…

I was in front of the big cathedral again, a swamp surrounded me. The massive wooden doors slowly swung wide for me, as I walked inside. I walked through the aisle, passing countless benches as the darkness hid the walls and ceiling. I saw a figure far down the aisle ahead of me.

It looked human, it wore some kind of white robe. I called out to it, my voice didn’t echo. It was almost like I was shouting at a wall. The figure didn’t respond. I slowly walked up to it, it never got closer, no matter how far I walked. I called out again.

“Who are you looking for?” I heard a voice reply. I was surprised at the sudden answer.

“Where am I?” I asked the figure.

“Who are you looking for?” It repeated. I was a bit confused. As I was about to continue walking up to is, I noticed it was closer than before. I could see his features now. He was an old man, in white robes. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary.

As I opened my mouth to speak, I blinked simultaneously. When I opened my eyes, the old man was directly in front of my face. I froze completely, I couldn’t move. My mouth was still open, I was in shock.

“Who are you looking for?” The voice wasn’t coming from him. His eyes and mouth were closed. I suddenly recognized the voice…

My mother…

As I realized this, the old man opened his eyes. Only there were no eyes, empty sockets where his eyes once sat. He opened his mouth as wide as it could go, he produced no noise, but terror filled my entire body. I wanted to scream, but nothing came out. I tried to run, but I just fell to the floor. I tried to crawl away, and then I saw her. My mother.

She stood there, staring at me. Her face was melted and burned. She was wearing her normal dress, the one I always remembered her wearing. Though it looked partially dissolved and stained. Her fingers were just bones jutting from her melted hand. I tried to scream again, then I saw a figure walk up beside my mother…

My father. Still split from the stomach all the way to his head. They both gazed at me, unmoving and silent. I kept trying to scream and run away, but my body was heavy, too heavy for me to even walk. I dragged my body away, trying to flee. The darkness grew, as I heard a familiar roar. The same denmother from last night lumbered up to me. I tried to escape but it walked directly over me, and put its weight down on my back. I couldn’t breathe anymore.

I clawed the floor, trying to crawl away. I could see my mother and father still watching. I felt the denmother’s claw press on my back, keeping me from escaping. I felt a warm, wet sensation on my feet. I looked back to see the demon putting my feet into its mouth. I tried to kick but it sucked me inwards, as I was waist deep in its maw. I tried to fight but I had no strength. It’s mouth constricted me, I was going to pass out not being able to breath. I felt myself getting deeper in its disgusting mouth, when I saw a hand above me, within arm’s reach. My vision began to darken, but I tried to reach for it. Only my head was exposed, and my arm. I kept reaching, trying to grasp for the hand.

And grasp it I did.

As soon as I grabbed the hand, I immediately jolted up from the ground. I couldn’t breathe, I started panicking, I was suddenly outside. I heard a voice.

“Just calm down Tierra, it’s over, you’re safe.” That soothing voice. I regained control of my breathing soon after. I looked around, I was by the same campfire, Minerva was by my side. Before I could say anything, she put her hand on my shoulder.

“Congratulations, you survived your first encounter with hell.”

[tfaotb]

1-1 The Denmother***

We hiked for hours, the sun’s light barely visible through the dark clouds. The bitter cold was barely halted by the warm furs we wore. We eventually stopped to make a fire and rest, the frozen air chilled our lungs as we inhaled. We sat on a fallen tree, in front of our little bonfire. We ate and drank, as we talked about our mission, but a question I meant to ask Minerva a while ago resurfaced in my memory.

“Hey Minerva, there was something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” I said, my teeth ever so slightly clattering. Minerva turned her head to look at me, saying nothing but awaiting my question. “Why were you trying to kill Mister Aster?”

She drank from her waterskin, as if preparing a speech. “I took a job from someone, they wanted him dead. No fancy stuff, they didn’t care if it looked like an accident or not.” She explained.

“Is that why you came with me? Cause you didn’t kill him?” She simply laughed.

“What makes you think I didn’t finish the job?” She boasted. I hadn’t thought of that. Mister Aster must have thought I had killed Minerva, letting his guard down immensely. Another question resurfaced in my memory.

“Mister Aster acted like he knew you. What was up with that?” I asked. Minerva shuddered a bit.

“I don’t want to talk about that. That’s a part of my life I’d rather keep in the past.” I honored her wish.

“So, what did he mean by denmother anyway? I’ve never heard of one.” I said. Minerva shrugged.

“Your guess is as good as mine. I’m assuming it’s a bear.” I blinked a few times. A bear? How are we going to kill a bear? As I began to express my concern, I stopped myself.

All my life my father told me all of the things I couldn’t do. I heard it so much I began to believe him, but that ends now. We’re going to slay this bear, and bring it’s pelt back to the Karl. We will be victorious!

I felt motivated, I decided we should press on with tracking this beast. We broke camp and headed back out, towards the gargantuan mountain. As we trekked up the mountain, the air got thinner, it was a bit harder to breathe. However, our visibility improved as the snow thinned out the higher we got. We spotted what looked like a massive cave in the side of the mountain.

The sun was beginning to set, the colors of the sunset were painting the clouds a beautiful array of red and orange. We got close to the cave, the wind was howling and whistling off of the huge opening. Large icicles hung off the top of the entrance, giving the cave a bestial appearance. Blackness was the only thing we saw past the cave entrance.

“Can’t see anything, we’ll have to make a torch.” I said aloud, dropping my pack on the ground. Minerva looked at me, confused.

“Can’t you see in the dark?” She asked. I looked at her, also confused.

“No?” I replied. Minerva scratched her head, but shrugged afterwards. We hastily assembled a bundle of torches, placing them in our sacks. We both looked at the cave in apprehension. “I wish I could see in the dark.” I said aimlessly.

We walked inwards, our torches illuminating the jagged, frozen cave. Immediately we saw evidence of some kind of creature living here, as bones lay strewn about the cave floor. The deeper we traveled, the more bones we spotted. We eventually spotted human bones deeper within. Swords, axes, broken pieces of armor and ruined shields mixed with the remains.

It looks as if something here was being hunted by the town’s warriors and hunters. This might be the denmother we sought, after all. Minerva went sifting through the bones and junk, pulling out an intact axe. It was a bearded axe, with a small haft, perfect for her size. We traveled deeper, the wind outside the cave no longer audible. The wind itself only slightly breezed through on occasion, but the deeper we traveled, the less we felt. Eventually we felt no wind, just the eerie stillness of the chilled cavern.

The cave began to split off in smaller passages off of the main cavern. We were, however, following the trail of frozen bones and cadavers. The main path seemed to be where this creature called home. The caverns seemed to shrink the further we progressed.

We halted as the light cast from our torches illuminated a wall directly ahead of us. The wall was covered in deep gashes imbedded in the rock. The white stone was stained with black and brown liquids, presumably the victims of this beast. I scanned the cavern, searching for the creature.

It was then that I noticed the small tunnels near the cave’s ceiling. Dozens of them, I felt a bit unnerved by their sight. Just as soon as I noticed them, a black figure dropped from one of the tunnels onto the ground. It landed with a loud crash as the ice beneath it shattered, the dirt and rock trapped under the ice flying upwards and outwards. This had to be it!

What arose from the cloud of dirt, I’ll never forget. We both expected a bear, but what stared back at us was something that resembled a bear, but clearly was not. It’s body was covered in thick, pitch black fur. It stood as high as two men, standing on its hind legs like an angry bear. It’s large arms possessed three claws that clasped together like a mouth. The claws appeared to have their own set of teeth, the jagged serrations adding to its ferocity.

Its hind feet, however, possessed no claws. It looked like just a furry pair of stumps supporting the beast’s weight. That isn’t what caught out initial attention though.

It’s face was just a small, shadowed orifice. There were no eyes, no teeth. Just one, small circular mouth. As silly as the description sounds, it looked quite terrifying from our perspective. We heard it breathing heavily, its breath strong enough to blow our hair back a bit from its force.

I had Gisele readied, I was waiting for it to lunge. Instead, it turned its head to face me, as it deftly swung its massive arm at me. I blocked the blow with Gisele, but not without it knocking me across the room of the cavern. I rolled a few times before I got back up on my feet.

I looked up to see the monster on all fours in front of Minerva. She swung her axe into its neck, barely shaving the creatures thick fur. It did not react to the blow, as its arm snaked behind her, its claws opening and closing, seemingly anticipating its next kill.

Minerva, however, noticed it creeping its long arm behind her. Without a moments notice, she dove headfirst into the creature’s mouth, her head stuck inside of it. The creature stood up with her flailing around, hanging out of its mouth. The monster was about to grab her legs, looking like it was going to pull her out, when Minerva shoved her hands inside of its mouth, pulling her whole body inside of the creature.

I stood there, gazing in horror. I felt sick, she can’t die now! Why would she do that? I ran to the creature, ready to cut it in two, when it started to howl a horrific sound. It dropped to the ground, grasping its chest, as it sprayed a thick, black liquid from its mouth. It lay on its back, struggling to breathe, eventually gurgling its last.

I stood there, still staring at it. Minerva must have killed it from inside. I stood there, waiting for her to emerge from the corpse. I waited and waited…

She didn’t come out.

I panicked, I ran to the mouth of the creature, peering inside. I saw nothing but black blood inside. I cautiously stuck my hand inside of it’s mouth, maybe I can reach her? It’s mouth was smooth, I didn’t feel any teeth or anything. I had my arm inside, all the way to my shoulder, desperately trying to feel for Minerva. I shrieked when something grasped my hand, I instinctively pulled with all of my might.

Minerva came spewing forth from its mouth, she was covered in it’s black blood, gasping for air. She retched, as she vomited it’s blood. I felt like I was going to puke, the smell was awful, and the sight of her vomiting made me feel sick. Minerva struggled to catch her breath, as she looked up at me.

“Took you long enough.” She choked out, as I was wiping my arm off on the creature’s fur.

“You scared the shit out of me!” I scolded, still reeling from seeing her being devoured by the monster. “I thought you were dead…”

She laughed a bit, still spitting the black blood. “I always wanted to try that.” She said. I shivered, just the thought of that was bad enough. Minerva is indeed, a strange individual.

I cleaned her up as best I could, we made a little fire with some torches put together, as I melted chunks of ice and snow so we could clean ourselves up a bit. As I scrubbed my arm, I looked over at the beast. “Aren’t we supposed to skin it too?” I asked.

“I’m just going to drag it back, the whole carcass.” She replied. Wouldn’t that be harder than just bringing back its pelt? I suggested we just skin it and bring its pelt back only. “Fine, but you’re doing it.” She told me. “I’ve been soiled enough for one day.” Makes sense, she got covered in its blood from head to toe.

As I began to attempt to cut its skin, I heard a strange noise. I couldn’t tell for sure, but it sounded like it was coming up from above us. “Shit!” I heard Minerva shout. She jumped on the dead monster’s chest, chopping her axe into it. She hacked and hacked at it, as the other noise got louder. Eventually she jammed her fist into the gashes she made in its chest, feeling around a bit. She then ripped her arm out, holding a large ruby red marble. It was as big as a large orange, sparkling in the torchlight.

The blood effortlessly rolled off the marble, as she quickly pocketed the marble. “Let’s get out of here!” She shouted, almost immediate after dozens of black, fuzzy slug like creatures fell from the ceiling. They all resembled the larger monster, only without arms. They slithered across the ground, chasing us. I didn’t want to stick around to find out what they really were.

We quickly emerged outside of the cavern, catching our breath. I looked at Minerva, who was still occasionally spitting black drops of blood. It had to taste revolting.

“You’re fucking crazy, you know that?” I remarked, laughing at the same time. She laughed as well. I caught my breath, standing up. The wind outside was calm, as it was no longer snowing. The clouds were passing, revealing the stars behind them. Minerva pulled out a large claw from her pack. It belonged to the creature, no doubt.

“This will be our proof of the kill.” She told me.

“What about the marble?” I asked, curiously. Wouldn’t that be more solid evidence?

She shook her head. “The Karl can’t know we have this. He’ll want it for himself. The claw will do.”

The hike back into town wasn’t nearly as long as our trek out of town. We soon found ourselves back inside the town, heading for the Karl’s longhouse.

We entered once again, the Karl sat upon his throne, but no revelers around the fire pit. He stared at us as we approached him. He was staring at Minerva, undoubtedly noticing the blood stains on her clothing. Minerva, without saying anything, revealed the claw.

“Did I not say to return with its pelt?” He threateningly inquired. She dropped the claw onto the floor before him.

“The bounty.” She demanded. He slowly stood up from his throne. “We have clearly slain the monster.” She explained. “But it was you who failed to mention that your denmother was actually a demon.” He stopped, still staring at Minerva. Even though his grizzled face was frightening, I could see his confusion.

“It was a demon, was it?” He replied. He walked back to the chest of drawers, pulling out another slip of paper. He walked back to his throne where his battle axe leaned, as he tossed the paper to Minerva.

“Your permit and bounty, just as promised.” He said. He gave her a devious smile. “Give me the crystal.” He told her.

Minerva froze. Panic crossed her face. She shook a bit. “I didn’t get it.” She stammered. The Karl walked slowly to her, dragging his axe behind him. He leaned down to her face…

“Bullshit.”

Minerva jumped back as far as she could, as his axe swung over him, crashing down where she once stood. He swung again, catching her off guard. She was going to die from that blow, I knew it.

I blocked his assault with Gisele. Sparks flew from the contact of our blades. He growled a deep, guttural sound, like that of an animal. He looked deep into my eyes. I felt no fear, only fury.

“You know, I’ve only fought two jewel-eyes in my life.” He said, as he jumped backwards. “I lost both times. Nearly died the second time.” He readied his axe. “Maybe third time’s the charm!” He bellowed.

I swung at his falling blade. I heard the clash, the loud ring of steel. His axe flew out of his hands, as he fell down backwards. The axe landed some distance from him, as he looked up at me in surprise, and defeat. He chuckled a bit.

He stood up from the ground, taking his time. He didn’t seem as threatening, for some reason. He rubbed his wrists in pain, most likely. He still laughed.

“And that makes three losses.” He announced. He sat down in his throne, leaving his axe on the ground. I lowered Gisele, victory was ours yet again. He waved his hand at us, motioning us to leave.

“Come back in the morning, I might have a new bounty for you.” He said, as he chortled. He reached into his pocket, revealing a leather pouch. He tossed it at me, as I heard the familiar jingle of coins inside. I smiled a bit, we’ll be just fine, after all.

[tfaotb]

1 - 13 conclude the prologue

Thank you for reading, I’ll try to be a little more consistent on when I post in the future.

Thank you for also understanding that this is my first attempt in writing a story. I’m no Tolkien, after all.

Also, I’m trying to teach myself to art, I’ll try to whip up some portraits of important characters sometime in the future.

[tfaotb]

13. A land of frost

I couldn’t finish my story without breaking down, but I had explained the majority of what had happened. Minerva held her hand over mouth in disbelief. I sat there simply weeping, I had hoped it was a bad dream…

Even after telling her the atrocity I had committed, I felt her warm embrace around me. I don’t know how long I cried for, but eventually we felt a change in the temperature in the air. I straightened myself out to go top side, to see where we were. As I emerged, snowflakes fell around me, as the bitterness of the cold met me face first.

Snow wasn’t the only thing around us. Large chunks of ice floated on the ocean, the crew was wearing heavy furs, anticipating this weather apparently. It was freezing, I had never been so cold before. I approached one of the crew members.

“Where are we?” I yelled, it was hard to hear anything past the wind. He pointed straight ahead, I looked in that direction. I could see mountains in the far distance, barely visible through the snow and ice. “Norlikke!” He shouted back. My heart dropped, anywhere but there! I began to panic as I hurried back downstairs to Minerva.

“Those bastards took us to Norlikke!” I shouted, there was panic in my voice. I didn’t know what to do. It seems as if I was going to die, no matter what I did.

“Yeah, this is the Frozen Walrus, they make trade runs between Olynian coastal cities and Norlikke.” Minerva said, I was bewildered that she didn’t stop us from going on this boat, Norlikke is a death trap for both of us!

“B-but they’ll kill us! We’re foreign, they’ll say we’re spies or something!” I shouted again, I lost any cool I had kept. She simply laughed, which confused me slightly.

“No no no, maybe fifteen years ago, but the civil wars are all over, Norlikke is becoming pretty progressive towards foreigners.” She explained, I still wasn’t sure. The stories my father would tell me, about the Norl invaders, brutally murdering anyone they saw, women and children, just for their joy of killing.

However… I trusted what she told me, I’ll take it all in stride, hopefully I can hide here, and try to make the best of things. We decided to stay in the brig until we arrived, which wasn’t long after.

Before we knew it, the ship had stopped and docked when the captain yelled at us to get off his ship. We obliged, as we stepped off onto the docks. A large town, full of cabin like houses lit up the snow filled air, even through the wind I could hear the hustle and bustle of the town.

We walked through the frozen street, everything was indoors, the market was a series of buildings with large windows, showcasing their wares. It was very different from Cyaqi marketplaces, where everything was outside. As we walked, the cold started to affect us, as we began to shiver. The steam of our breath clouded our frosted vision, but we spotted a large three story manor-like cabin. It looked like it had an upside down ship on its roof, I had never seen anything like it before.

A sign hung beside the supposed front door, “The Frozen Dog”. It had a rather silly, but macabre painting of a frozen dog on the sign. I felt like I should be surprised, but the name of this place gave it away already.

I looked at Minerva, who also looked at me. We entered the establishment, greeted by a symphony of shouts, swears and glass breaking. Feet stomping on the wooden floors kept in time with the fiddles and flutes playing in the background, hardly audible through the commotion. Amongst the instruments a man sang about a Norl hero slaying and old witch and using her old red skull as an enchanted beer drinking cup. Very strange thing to hear, but the drunken patrons were dancing and cheering at the tune.

We walked up to the bar, which was attended by a large, fat Norl with a few grey hairs in his massive beard. His hair looked like it was braided thirty years ago, seeing how disheveled it was. His red hair dragged behind him on the floor. He turned to face us, his fat cheeks were red as he greeted us with a jolly smile.

“Aye! What can I get ye lassies?” He bellowed. Despite the loud environment, we heard him just fine. We asked him for anything cooked hot. He guffawed loudly, as he wrote something down on paper. “First ones on me, lassies!” Minerva and I looked at each other and smiled, maybe this won’t be so bad, after all.

As I sat, I felt a heavy, furry object cover my shoulders. I was startled, as I nearly fell out of my chair. I realized someone had draped a deer pelt over me, a large Norl stood behind us, with a large friendly smile. “There ya go, can’t have the both of ye freezing out there, now can we?” I was shocked that he would just give us these. He walked away laughing, as he took a drink from a mug he was holding.

“Excuse me?” I called for the barkeeper. He turned around, and leaned on his bar.

“Aye, need somethin’ else from me?” He asked.

“Well, I was wondering what there was for work, maybe mercenary or demon hunting jobs?” He rubbed his chin, looking thoughtfully up at the ceiling.

“The Karl has a bounty for any wild demons ye might slay. Ya lassies might want to pay him a visit first.”

We thanked him for the food, and thanked the drunken patrons for the furs, which they replied with drunken cheers and hearty toasting. We emerged outside into the freezing cold again, but the furs made the chill bearable. I turned to Minerva.

“Do you have any idea what a Karl is?” I asked her. She just chuckled a bit.

“Of course I do, he’s kinda like the mayor of a town or city.” She said, she pointed to a house sat upon a hill within the town. It was large and well lit. “That’s probably where he lives too.” We decided to make our way to the large house.

As we approached, I noticed there was no gate, nor was there any guards outside. The front door was illuminated by torches, I stood there, looking around for someone to ask for entry. I looked up at Minerva opening the large double doors. “Wait, Minerva! What are you doing? We can’t just barge in!” I scolded, I didn’t want to break into anyone’s house, must less the Karl’s.

“It’s okay, Tierra. This is how they do things here, we can just walk in. Trust me.” She reassured me. I carefully walked inside with her.

Before us was a very large room, with the ceiling as high as the building was tall. An oversized fire pit blazed violently as a few well dressed Norls drank and laughed by the fire. Minerva took me around the fire pit to the back wall, where a man sat upon a large, ornate wooden chair. He had rested on the floor a large battle axe, which was old and chipped, but it looked as if it was razor sharp.

The man wore a black pelt that was long enough to be a robe that could trail behind him as he walked. The top half of a bear’s head hung down behind his neck. He wore an old set of armor, adorned with many small gems and colorful marbles, along with various fangs. He stared at us as we entered and approached him.

As we stood before him, he arose from his throne, still clutching the haft of his axe as the head rested on the ground. He reached behind his head as the bear head flipped up and sat upon his head like a hood, adding to his ferocious appearance.

He looked at us both, I felt fear as he looked me over. I had thought he was looking at my breasts, I looked down, only to realize he was looking at my half visible scar. He walked up to me, only then did I realize how massive he was. He was still looking at the scar.

“Looks like it hurt.” He said, I fidgeted with my hair a bit, I was extremely nervous and afraid of what he would do. He lifted the bottom of his tunic up, revealing his gut. A large, jagged scar traveled from his gut to his middle chest. A scar from a large claw, it seemed. “I assume you’re here for my permit and bounty.” He stated, his accent was the same as the other townspeople, but he spoke with less slang and more intelligence.

“That’s right, we hunt demons for a living, and we’re very good at it.” Minerva boasted, I looked at her sharply. I had only ever killed one demon, and I didn’t even remember doing it. I looked back at the Karl, who didn’t even address Minerva. He was still staring at me, even though he had sat down.

“What’s your name, jewel-eyes?” The Karl asked. I stammered a bit. “Um… Tierra, sir…” I replied nervously. He continued to stare.

“First time here, huh?” He said, he leaned back in his chair a bit. “You want my permit and bounty, you’ll have to prove yourself first.” He announced.

I was about to ask him what we needed to do, until I realized all of the men drinking by the fire had been watching us, listening as they gathered around us. I looked around cautiously at the gathering.

“As per Norlik tradition, when a young lad has seen twelve winters, he is set out into the harsh wilderness with his father’s sword to hunt, survive, and ultimately slay a warriors greatest challenge.” He rose a wooden mug into the air. “A great denmother!”

As he shouted this, the surrounding crowd shouted with the Karl, as they all drank afterwards. The Karl lowered his mug. “However… you are not Norlik, nor are either of you men.” He scratched his chin in thought. He turned his gaze back to me. “You two seem to share quite the bond. If you can slay a denmother, and return with its pelt, the permit and bounty is yours.”

He rose from his throne again, walking to a chest of drawers. He removed a slip of paper with writing on it, I couldn’t read it from that distance, however. “This is a temporary permit to travel within my lands.” He said, as he handed it to me. “Do not betray my trust.” He warned.

We both left the Karl’s longhouse, we headed for the road out of town as a giant, snowy mountain loomed before us, the wind howling ominously. I looked over at Minerva again, who nodded at me. I gazed up at the mountain again, as I gathered my courage and set off for the towering peak.

[tfaotb]

12. Blood is thicker than tears***

I soon left my father’s house. I left him in the corner, crying and bleeding. The night sky was lit up by the moon and the mesmerizing swirls of the stars. As I walked through the dirt streets of Resiki, I felt a hand grab the bottom of my tunic behind me. I spun around.

It was Denik, his eyes were red, he was holding back tears. He looked up at me. “Take me with you.” He begged, I was caught off guard.

“Denik, I can’t. What I do is very dangerous.” I pulled the collar of my sleeveless tunic down to expose my collarbone. Under the collarbone showed the scar I received from Cleaver. “I’ve got another here.” I pointed at the center of my sternum without pulling my tunic down.

He shivered, as he looked down to the ground. “Father took me out of school.” He muttered depressingly. My shock and outrage peaked.

“Why?” I said as calmly as possible. I didn’t want him to think this was his fault. I clenched my fist. “He wants me to take his business over.” He said glumly. “Tierra I don’t want to fish, please take me with you!” He begged again. I began to walk back to my father’s house. I saw red, my anger had taken over completely. I remember him telling me he took him out of school, but a little part of me had hope. Hope for my father to change his mind and allow Denik to live his life. Not my father having his way, again.

I made it back to the house, my armored hand punching a hole through the lock, splintering the wood and sending the metal lock careening into the house. The noise prompted my father to scream. I rammed the rest of the door with my shoulder, busting the hinges off of the door. The door fell inside of the house, my sword was drawn.

He gazed upon me with sheer terror, as he began to piss himself like a small, weak animal. His gibbering turned into incoherent pleads for his life. I pointed Gisele at him, her tip harshly poking his gut, as he screamed again. No blood was drawn, but I was prepared to sever him. My hatred for him became murderous.

“Give me a reason not to.” I said calmly. Blood and spit were drooling from his mouth. He tried to push the blade away from his stomach, but my anger fueled my strength, he simply cut his palms on Gisele. “Put him back in school. Let your cursed business die with you, you disgusting excuse of a man.” He nodded vigorously, I retracted Gisele from his gullet. A tiny spot of blood stained his shirt, where Gisele had been pointed.

I turned and walked over the destroyed door to exit that infernal home. I heard a smug voice behind me, it was quiet, but I heard it.

“You’re so much like your mother.” My footsteps stopped. My heart felt like it stopped. My mouth hung agape, in an instant, all of the bad memories of my father came flooding back with his one, snide remark. My blood began to boil, as the dark of night, once again became illuminated.

I turned around casually, my father looking like he wasn’t expecting it. I began to approach him, he recoiled, expecting me to throw a punch. I clenched my fist.

I rammed Gisele into his gut, impaling him all the way through. He let out a agonizing scream as blood sprayed from his mouth. I heard a second scream, that of a child. I cared not, at this point. With my father impaled upon Gisele, I propped her on my shoulder. Even though I had a grown man on my sword, I carried both with ease.

I walked to the outdoor marketplace, to the spot my mother had been killed. The torches were still lit, but no one remained here this late at night. Without looking at him I announced aloud.

“I shoulda done this a long time ago! It should have been you here all those years ago, not mom!” As I finished my sentence, I grabbed Gisele with both hands and swung down as hard as I could to strike the ground.

The blow to the ground caused a loud crash, dirt and rocks flew up from the impact, as nearby windows rattled. As the dust cleared, my father lay on the ground, his body from his gut to his head torn in half, with an explosion of blood painted on the ground beneath him. I was breathing heavily from the adrenaline rush.

I heard a pair of running footsteps come up from the road, it was Denik. He screamed as he ran to his father’s corpse. “No!” He kept screaming. I stood there, in a haze of realization and confusion.

In an instant, I suddenly realized what I had done. I screamed as well. I looked at my hands, which were covered in blood. I dropped Gisele, who was absolutely painted red with his blood. I trembled, as I began to weep profusely.

I then heard a third scream, as I looked up to see a small crowd of people gazing at my father and I. I then realized what else was going to happen. I just murdered him, I’m going to get executed for this. An Olynian guard slowly approached me.

“No sudden movements now…” he said carefully, as he continued to inch towards me.

I quickly grasped Gisele, the guard stumbled backwards in fear. I looked at the crowd as my tears once again became heavy breaths and adrenaline. They were all terrified.

As if I were some kind of demon…

A large man pushed his way through the crowd. I saw him as he emerged. It was Hanalo. He covered his mouth when he saw me.

“No…” he whispered, the regret of what I had done truly set in now. I looked at the road toward Olun. Without second thought I sprinted in that direction. The guard shouted at me to stop under pain of death, I didn’t care. Hanalo’s face, the way he looked at me…

I always thought of him as my real father, since my biological father was anything but. I always looked up to him, and I loved him as my father, but the way he looked at me…

Full of disappointment, and fear. Fear like he was looking at someone he didn’t recognize anymore.

I continued to sprint towards Olun. My rational thoughts told me I might be able to outrun the news of me murdering someone, long enough to get a boat out of here.

I ran the whole time, I don’t know how much time had passed, but I headed directly to the docks. In my favor, I spotted a ship with sailors on it, as I sprinted to it. I made it to the docks, in front of the ship.

The shipmates looked at me, confused and inebriated. Struggling to catch my breath, I explained to them that I needed passage out of Cyaquilla, immediately.

“Well you’re in luck, we’re leaving as soon as the sun rises.” I breathed a sigh of relief. I offered them my last silver, which they happily accepted. Just as I was about to board the ship, I heard a voice behind me.

“Tierra?” I froze. I turned around, afraid of who it was. It was Minerva. My emotion welled up inside me again. Before I could say anything, she asked me, “Where are you going?”

My heart dropped. “I…I have to leave. I’m…” I couldn’t finish my sentence. I began to break down as my knees hit the hard stone of the dock. I was disgusting.

I was the demon I had been so afraid of, I had become that mindless killer. As I wallowed in my self damnation, I felt warm arms wrap around me.

“Wherever you’re going, I’m going with you.” I heard Minerva say in my ear. I shook my head, I was a monster. She helped me onto the ship, I remember going down a flight of wooden stairs, as I continued to sob.

“Just get some sleep, you’re going to be fine.” I felt her pet my head through my hair. I don’t know why, but I felt extremely comforted in her presence, as I soon drifted off to sleep…

…

I found myself in my family home. I arose from my bed, the morning light pouring in through my windows, the sound of the gentle ocean creating a soothing ambience. I stood up and stretched, as I sat down with a book, and I began to read it.

I soon heard a clamor in the living room. I closed my book and went to open my door. Good, it was all a bad dream. As I opened the door, I was greeted by my father’s mangled corpse in the center of the room, as Denik stood before him, screaming as his finger pointed directly at me. Fear exploded through my mind, I felt impossibly strong hands grab my shoulders as blood ran down the walls of my family home.

I tried to scream, but I couldn’t, no voice could come out of my mouth, blood was everywhere. I looked up, a man with an Olynian helmet held a large axe, as I soon realized my head was hanging over a chopping block. I tried to scream again but still couldn’t. He was going to cut my head off, this was it.

Terror filled my body, and then I looked up. The mangled corpse of my father was standing up, still bleeding. Denik still pointing at me, was joined by the corpse, as it too raised it’s finger to point at me. The image was horrifying, I still couldn’t scream, no matter how hard I tried…

…

I jolted up, screaming at the top of my lungs. Minerva was over me, holding me, trying to calm me down. I kept screaming, struggling.

“Fuck! Calm down Tierra! It was just a nightmare!” She shouted. I stopped struggling, I was hyperventilating. A cold sweat covered my body, I was quaking in fear.

She managed to calm me down eventually. I explained the nightmare to her, without telling her what I had really done to him. “Huh, that’s a weird nightmare…” she said, skeptically. Damnit, I knew I couldn’t fool her with this. She put her hand on my knee, “Whatever you did, your secret is safe with me. No matter what you did, I’ll always be your friend.” She gave me a warm smile.

I told her. I told her everything. I told her about Lonai, my mother. I told her about my brother, I told her about my father…

And what I did to him…

[tfaotb]

11. Family reunion

We made it to Olun, eventually. It was almost dusk by the time we arrived, the man met up with his wife, as Merge and I collected our payments.

“Well Tierra, it was a pleasure getting to know you.” Merge said, shaking my hand. He was about to walk down the road when he stopped and turned back around. “You know, I have a brother who owns an armorer’s smithy here on the docks, tell him you’re Merge’s friend, he’ll be sure to cut you a deal on some quality plate.”

He lowered his head. “And…I’m sorry.” He said somberly. I nodded at him and smiled. He somehow smiled back with a toothy grin. Father was wrong about demons, not all of them are cold blooded and malicious. I had business I wanted to take care of, questions that only one person could answer, but first…

Armor didn’t sound too bad of an idea. I scanned the docks for this armorer. It didn’t take long for me to find his shop. It appeared to all be indoor, unlike the sword smith. I walked inside, greeted by life-size wooden dummies wearing various sets of ornate armors. I continued looking at the armor, it looked like it was crafted by an extremely skilled armorer.

The only thing that was missing from the shop, however, was the armorer himself. I looked and looked, he wasn’t in the back, where his forge was. He wasn’t outside. I sighed, I guess I can wait outside for him. As I began to exit the shop, the front door swung open.

Before me stood a lizard-like demon, but unlike Merge, this one was about as tall as me. His scales were light blue and white. His eyes like bright sapphires. He wore a leather apron dirty from coal and slag. He looked at me as he entered, his arms carrying a wooden box.

“Be with you in a minute.” His voice was a bit higher and raspier than Merge’s, but still contained that guttural sounding growl. He hauled the box to the back, following with a loud bang several seconds later. He then emerged from the back to meet with me.

“Sorry about that.” He said, wiping his hands on his dark leather apron. “What can I do for you? I can sell, and make repairs.” He informed me, I was about to ask him for some armor when he continued. “If you didn’t see the sign, repairs are charged by the hour, not by the value of your piece.”

I paused. His voice had an annoyed undertone, I wonder if he has had problems with some of his customers? “Well, I was looking for some armor. Your brother, Merge, sent me here.” I explained. He nodded but said nothing. I stammered a bit. “I-I’m not entirely sure what to look for, this is my first time buying armor.” I said sheepishly.

“Well, what are you looking for?” He asked. I explained about as accurately as I could what I wanted in terms of mobility and defense. We spent about two hours fitting and trying different armors and styles.

I finally emerged with a pair of boots with plate on the top of the foot, with a pointed plate toe. A metal shin guard covered most of my shin, with it’s buckles over my calf. The metal of my boots clanked with each step. A pair of leather leggings came with the set, with a pair of plates on my front thighs, along with plates over my knees.

I had decided against a cuirass, I felt it was far too confining for agile combat. My leather tunic would have to do. The leg armor wasn’t very expensive, but there was one piece that was.

The armorer suggested, because of the size of my sword that I couldn’t properly utilize a shield. He outfitted me with a special gauntlet and pauldron. It was a very ornate piece of armor, dark blue hues in the metal accentuated the ridges of the armor. Silver edges of the armor made the whole arm piece quite beautiful. He fitted it for my offhand.

“Now, the idea behind this is you can use your whole left arm as a shield. This metal is special, it’s one of my finer works.” He boasted as he helped me put the armor on my arm. “You needn’t worry about most blades with this. This isn’t just ordinary steel, it can stop most anything.”

The pauldron sported a skull motif, adding to the armor’s already impressive look. I was outfitted, it felt natural, somehow. It was light but I could tell it was extremely hard and strong.

I paid for the armor, which only left me with one silver. Now that I got that out of the way, it was time for answers. I exited the city, heading for Resiki, once again. The old road was a bit nostalgic, even though I hadn’t been gone for that long, it felt like it had been an eternity.

It was past dark, probably nearing midnight. I saw the torchlight of Resiki in the distance, I started to get a bit nervous, but I pressed on.

I finally entered the village. I walked down the familiar roads to my old family home. As I approached, I could see candles lit through the small windows in front of the house. I approached the front door, and with my armor cladden offhand, I knocked very hard.

The door opened slowly soon after, the small blade of a knife slowly and shakily pointed out of the door. I heard faint whimpering on the other side. I rolled my eyes, he didn’t look who was outside.

With my offhand I grabbed the blade and yanked it away, opening the door as I did so. My father stumbled forward with a look of sheer terror. He gazed at me, his terror transforming to confusion and bewilderment.

“Tierra?” He stuttered. He couldn’t believe his eyes, apparently. I dropped the knife to the ground, as I folded my arms before him. He then looked me up and down, observing my newly acquired armor. “What…what are you doing here?” He stammered again. I simply walked inside the house without saying anything. He nearly fell over.

I sat down as he sat across from me. Before he could continue speaking, I asked him. “What do you know about Mom’s old life?” He looked surprised at the question.

“What do you mean?” He asked, I wasn’t sure if he was confused or hiding something.

“Was she a demon hunter?” I demanded. My father sighed and looked down. He shook his head.

“You came all this way to ask me that? To torment me?” He said snidely. I slammed my steel fist on the table, causing his to shriek a bit.

“Don’t bullshit me. I need to know, what happened to her.” As I questioned him, it became evident to me that I wasn’t sure what it was I wanted to know.

“Okay, okay.” He quickly said, as he sighed again. “Yes, she was an ‘adventurer’, but she got hurt and retired to Resiki, where we met.”

I slowly leaned across the table towards him. I was seething. He looked terrified, yet again. “Bullshit.” I told him. I clenched my offhand and quickly threw a punch, landing on his nose and mouth. I heard the percussion of the impact along with a small crack. He fell backwards from the blow. He held his face while writhing on the floor, cursing and crying.

“There’s no way mother went from one of the greatest demon hunters in the country, to a housewife wed to a little piece of shit like you.” He crawled to the corner, bleeding from his nose. He was still whimpering, gibbering about me not killing him.

“It’s true, I swear!” He screamed in agony. “She wasn’t the same after she went to that damned cathedral!” I looked at him, confusion at the word “cathedral”. I knelt in front of him as he scurried further into the corner. I grabbed his collar.

“What cathedral?” I demanded. He was hyperventilating at this point. He was trying to speak, but he couldn’t.

“It’s a large stone church, built by Olynians.” I heard a small, familiar voice. I turned around to see Denik standing in the room. I dropped my father, who continued to cry and whimper.

“Denik!” I shouted, as I ran to him and hugged him. He hugged back, but it was halfhearted and depressed. I looked at his face, he was clearly depressed.

“We learned about it in school. There’s a demon who lives in a big cathedral in Olynia, in the eastern swamps.”

[tfaotb]

10. Nostalgia

I bid my farewells. I hugged both Avadini and Minerva, as we exchanged tearful goodbyes. I had only known them for a short time, but they had become my best friends. I exited the house, walking down the street.

It was late morning, the air was humid but still quite temperate. The midday heat hadn’t quite shown up yet. Most of Cyaquilla is humid and damp, because of the ocean breeze. Olun was mostly coastal, combined with the fact it is a walled city, I found that hot days are especially miserable because of the humidity. I made my way to the tavern, once again. The young Ydsing woman I had seen once was working behind the bar. She greeted me as I seated myself in my usual spot. I ordered my usual meal and drink.

The tavern was unusually busy today. Many of the patrons were wearing regular clothes. No plates nor helmets, swords or axes scattered over the tables. The more I studied them, I realized I was the only one with a weapon. “Strange.” I thought, my curiosity had been piqued.

“What’s going on today?” I asked the young bartender. She placed my plate of food down, along with my drink, how I preferred.

“Oh there’s some carnival happening on the mainland, I don’t know.” She sat down in a chair behind the bar. It must have been quite a tall chair because I could still see her. “If you’re looking for work, I’d bet one of them needs something done, after all, it looks like a bunch of fat, old Olynians.”

I finished my meal and drink, I paid my tab as I rose from my seat. I walked to the bounty board to see if anything was available. Sadly, nothing.

I felt someone tug at my leather tunic, I looked to my left to see a short, pale woman tugging at my top. She spoke once she had my attention.

“Excuse me.” She croaked, her voice was scratchy and weak, with no percussion. She didn’t look old, perhaps she had lost her voice? “Can I trouble you for a bit of assistance?” Her words were formal and refined, but polite.

I sat down with her, she explained that she was going to the Olynian carnival with her husband, but the boat was going to be leaving in a few days, but her husband hadn’t come into town yet.

“You see, we were visiting Cyaquilla to see the sights. We had stopped at Kukala to do more sightseeing when we heard of the carnival back home. He put me on a carriage here, so that he could ‘conduct business’, but he hasn’t come back.” I expected worry in her voice, but she sounded angry.

“You want me to bring him back then?” I asked, she nodded. She handed me a letter, with a fancy wax seal.

“I didn’t trust the other one with this, but I feel like I can trust you.” She continued. The other one? “Give this to my husband when you find him.” Her voice was getting softer and squeakier. “Forgive my voice, this Cyaqi air is far too rough and salty for me, I’m simply not used to it like-” she paused, looking at me. “Well, like your people are, after all.” She stood up, and left for the staircase to the second floor.

Your people? What was she insinuating? I decided not to overthink it, I left the city for Kukala.

Kukala is a region north of Olun, on the northern coast of Cyaquilla. I had never been, but I heard that it is ever so slightly colder than the rest of Cyaquilla. I found the road sign outside of town, spotted the road to Kukala, and was on my way.

I walked for hours, the sun making its journey across the sky. I crossed over a tall ridge of hills, greeted by a cool northern breeze. I looked over the horizon, I could see the northern coast, with several villages and towns spread over the region. The common green of the grass seemed to hold a blue tinge to it on this side of the country. The sun hadn’t set yet, but clouds crept over the horizon, making their way to cover the sun.

It was beautiful, the blue green plains covered the hills, sparse oasis like patches of palm trees dotted the lower plains near the villages. The wind made ripples through the grass, like a wave on the ocean’s surface.

I continued down the path, looking at the villages in the far distance. I began to wonder which village he was in, there were many to choose from. This could take awhile. I continued anyway, determined to find him. After all, she seemed desperate to return to her homeland, I’m sure I could make a bit of money from these rich, racist people.

As I continued down the road, I noticed a horse drawn carriage pulled off the road, one of its wheels were missing, but the horses were still bridled. I heard yelling, causing me to rush to the carriage.

A well dressed pale man was yelling at someone trying to, from what I could see, repair the wagon’s wheel. I couldn’t tell who it was down there though. I approached the man, who must have head me as he turned to look at me.

“Oh great, brought friends have you?” He shouted, kicking the person trying to fix the wheel. I heard the individual shout out at getting kicked. It didn’t sound human. It stood up, rubbing its rump where it had been kicked. I then recognized him.

It was that lizard demon at Cleaver’s house! He looked exasperated, and exhausted. He was about to yell back at the man, when he stopped. He looked at me, terror in his reptilian eyes.

“L…Lonai?” He stuttered. Disbelief was painted on his scaly face. I, too, was in shock. How did he know that name, and why was he calling me by that?

He leaned closer, closing his eyes and sighing. “Oh, it’s you.” He said with relief. He turned back around to repair the wheel. “Quite a number you did on Cleaver.” He praised. I rubbed the back of my neck.

“Well…” That wasn’t a particularly good day. Nor were they good memories. I had avenged her, but before I knew she lived, I remember feeling dread, guilty over my actions. Demon or no, I had taken his life.

“Y-you’re not angry he’s dead?” He chuckled a bit, continuing his repairs.

“Not really. He wasn’t very pleasant to be around.” He explained. He lifted the carriage with one hand to place the wheel back on its axel. I stared in awe of his strength.

I went to his side to help repair the wagon. I had a bit of experience in repairing them, back in Resiki. We spent about an hour with the repairs, and by then it was ready for travel again.

“Okay, hurry up lizard, we need to get going to Olun.” As they were about to depart, I looked at the letter. Davin, it read. I approached the man, who looked at me in annoyance.

“Are you Davin?” I asked him. I had a gut feeling he is who I was looking for.

“Yeah, why? Who’s asking?” He barked as he snatched the letter from me. He let out a disgusted sigh after reading its contents. “Shit, I suppose I need to pay you too.” I knew it, it was the husband after all. Luck was on my side today.

The demon spoke up amongst us. “You’d better pay her, or you can kiss your escort goodbye!” He threatened, glancing at me, giving me a thumbs up and winking. The man let out a frustrated growl. He pulled out his coin purse.

“Fine, ten silvers for both of you.” He said angrily. The demon tapped his foot. “And another ten in Olun.” He grumbled. I was excited, this was going to be easy.

I walked with the demon as we trailed behind the slow wagon. We spoke of little things, but then I remembered some questions I wanted to ask. “So, what’s your name?” I asked him.

“Call me Merge.” He said. What an odd name.

“I’m Tierra.” I replied, he seemed nice enough, unlike Cleaver. We walked over the ridge and down the other side. “So, how do you know that name, Lonai?” I asked.

“You look like her. It just startled me, is all.” He explained. He didn’t answer my question. I gave him a look, which he noticed. “I used to hunt demons with her, about twenty years ago.”

[tfaotb]

9. Tragic recollections

I stared in bewilderment. How is this possible? I was sure she had been killed. I still remember those dead eyes, her face locked in perpetual horror.

And yet, here she was before me, seemingly as if nothing happened. I reached out, slowly to touch her. As I turned my body, pain exploded in my chest. I tried to cry out, but the pain took my voice away. A small, pathetic squeak was all I could muster. I lay back down, trying to breathe.

Every breath hurt. I couldn’t take deep breaths, I was reduced to shallow gasps. I waited for the pain to subside, but it never did. A sensation that felt like something tickling my lungs overwhelmed me, as I instinctively coughed.

I felt a warm liquid splash on my face as I coughed. I automatically could taste it. Blood. I tried to cough again, even though the pain was excruciating. My cough caused a splash of blood that rushed from my mouth. At this point, it filled my mouth.

I remember trying to hold my breath, but I involuntarily inhaled, breathing in not air, but blood. The room darkened as I lost my ability to breath…

…

My mother appeared. She was plate-cladden in her coat that I saw in my dream. She stood before me, holding her sword. I saw her clearly now. She held a long sword, seemingly of normal shape, but the blade was clearly not made of metal. The blade was translucent, an extremely deep purple color, with blackness flowing under the purple prism. It resembled a gem. I thought it was a gem, as translucent as it appeared, but nothing was seen through the other side. No reflections showed, no light shown from it. Everything was absorbed in the void-like blade.

I then noticed our surroundings, grey stone encompassed us, as stained glass windows were presented on the walls. No light passed through these windows, I couldn’t see what they depicted. I turned back to my mother, who had started walking forward. I realized she didn’t see me, or rather, she couldn’t see me. Countless sconces lined the walls in an equal and symmetrical manner.

As my mother left the entryway and into the main hall, the torches simultaneously lit, illuminating the entire hall. The ceiling was, however, too high to see, a massive black shadow replaced the ceiling.

She walked down the central aisle, wooden benches, countlessly filled the hall, as it seemed to not end. She held her sword down, but ready to strike.

Only then did I see the true beauty the sword held. It mesmerized me, as it captured my complete attention as I gazed into its infinite depth. It was as if the purple and black would go on forever, like two mirrors facing each other.

My attention broke as a horrifying array of screams and roars filled the hall. A mixture of human, and demon. All of them sounded as if they were tormented souls, screaming from the depths of their hells.

Except for one. I don’t know how I heard it in the cacophony. It sounded unlike anything I had ever heard in my life. Only in ones most terrifying nightmares, would I ever hear this. It soon overpowered the other screams, becoming deafening. Only then could I decipher what was under its roar.

Hunger. Like a starving, rabid bear, that could devour a grown man. The roar called for its sustenance. It’s prey. I realized the other screams were not of torture and agony, but of warning. Of terror not over their own fate.

But the fate soon to befall my mother.

The roaring suddenly ceased. My ears rang from the sudden silence. I then heard a ragged breath. My mother stopped in her tracks, gripping her sword tightly. The ragged breathing continued.

From the distance, a large figure appeared. It’s features were obscured by the distance between us, but I could see it’s form.

It had, from what I could see, four arms, and walked on two legs. I could plainly see scythe like claws protruding from its fingertips. It’s body, as it got closer, appeared emaciated. Bone like appendages were all it possessed, though it’s skin hung down like a loose robe. It must have been quite a strong demon at one point.

As it neared, I could see its face. When I gazed upon it, I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t. I was locked in fear. My mother, however stood fast.

Where it’s eyes should have been, was simply, nothing. It’s eyes were not removed, but it was if it’s eyes were never there. It’s ragged skin only remained. It’s mouth, probably once full of teeth, was nothing but a hollow black void. No tongue, no throat. Only blackness.

It neared my mother, raggedly breathing through its infinitely deep maw. It’s mouth then opened, as all sound silenced, all of the air disappeared. Nothing.

I could feel nothing. No more fear, nor awe. I felt as if I was dying. As if I was already dead. My mind, void of all thought. My heartbeat, silenced. As I felt this deathly absence wash over me, I saw my mother steel herself, running forward with ferocity, and grace. She leapt, her offhand extended forward, her sword close to her, readying a powerful stab.

Time slowed, as she was about to make contact. The beast’s mouth still agape, not reacting to her attack. As her sword nearly pierced it’s flesh, time stopped entirely. My gaze was locked, not on my mother, but on the demon’s face. As I stared, I felt like, somehow, with no eyes, it was staring back.

With no warning, eyes opened from its flesh, where the eyes should have been. Eight small holes, as empty as his mouth, stared directly at me. They were black, empty shadows. But I knew it was looking at me.

I couldn’t scream…

…But I could hear my mother scream…

…That same scream when she died, protecting me from the demon when I was a child…

…

I opened my eyes to see a softly lit wooden ceiling, I couldn’t move, or make noise. I felt terrified, I wanted to scream. I wanted to run, something was coming for me, I was convinced of this.

My arms were suddenly held down, even though I lay still. Someone quickly leaned over my face. Their face, I couldn’t discern, but I was still in a state of terror. They put something in my mouth, as I instantly drifted back into sleep.

I opened my eyes again. The same house. I now recognized my surroundings as Avadini’s house. I looked around for her, when I suddenly remembered Minerva. I jolted up out of the bed I had been laying in, looking around. Pain surged through my chest, but it wasn’t as bad as last time, I could actually move.

I rose from the bed, walking into the living room. Both Avadini and Minerva sat at her small table. They noticed my presence, and rushed to me.

“Sit down, you’ll fall. You’re far to injured to be up and about.” Avadini scolded at me. I sat, but I had questions, many questions. Before I could even ask, Minerva had already spoken up.

“Do you remember what happened last week?” She asked. Last week? I was in Resiki last week, catching fish.

“I was in Resiki, why?” I replied. They both looked at each other. Avadini put her hand on mine.

“You’ve been asleep for a week, dear.” The news shocked me. I felt as if I had only been asleep for a few minutes, at most. “You had attacked Cleaver, and killed him, but not before he mortally wounded you.” Avadini explained. “Minerva had recovered, thanks to me. She had learned of your quest for vengeance and pursued after you.”

Minerva lowered her head. She continued after her mother finished. “I ran to Cleaver’s house. You weren’t there, but I knew you had been. There was a trail of demon blood leading into the forest.” She started fidgeting with her hair, as if disturbed by something. “I found you with Cleaver’s sword in your chest, and Cleaver cut clean in two down the middle.” She continued to look down.

Avadini continued. “She brought you back here, where you were on the brink of death. As I stabilized you, you suddenly awoke. You were screaming louder than I’ve ever heard anyone scream before. It wasn’t your voice.” Avadini even, seemed to look troubled by this. “Minerva, despite her fortitude could only cover her ears and go into the fetal position. You terrified the both of us.” She said.

“I’m so sorry Avadini, Minerva.” I didn’t know what had happened.

“It’s not your fault, child.” Avadini reassured me. “I’m just glad I was able to save you from death.” The both of them looked a bit more calm. “By the way, while you were screaming, you said a name.”

I looked confused, I asked her what I said. “Well it was hard to make out, but I’m fairly certain you said something like ‘Lonai’.”

My heart broke when she said it.

[tfaotb]

8. Bifucrated

The bartender simply laughed. “I’m just a bartender.” He said, shaking his head. “Sorry jewel-eyes, you’ll have to figure it out yourself.”

I walked out of the tavern. I was going to find him, one way or another. Anger burned bright in my heart. I don’t know what relation Minerva had with Cleaver, but I didn’t care. He killed her, he was going to die.

I was a bit concerned, these guys were probably trained swordsmen. I was basically an amateur. I felt as if I had to do this, however. I walked down the street, looking for something I wasn’t to find, but I looked anyway.

I found myself in front of Avadini’s house. I didn’t want to go inside. As I began to walk off, her door opened. It was Avadini. I could tell she had just been crying.

“I know what you’re about to do. They’ll kill you, you know” I shook my head.

“Not before I kill Cleaver.” I said, boldly. I began to walk away, when she grabbed my arm. I stopped and looked at her.

“Outside of town, past the south gate. Follow the left road, you’ll find a derelict manor.” She said, softly. She let go of my arm. “That is where Cleaver and his gang live.”

“Why did they kill Minerva?” I demanded. She simply shook her head. She turned around, heading back inside. She was about to close the door when she stopped.

“If you come back, I’ll tell you.” She told me, as she closed the door.

I followed her directions, within about thirty minutes, I found myself standing outside of the derelict manor. It had been there for some time, it was very obviously in disrepair. I looked straight ahead, a doorway led inside the manor. There was no door, it had been removed, or had fallen off. As I continued to approach, I heard heavy footsteps coming from inside of the house.

I froze, unsheathing Gisele. I readied the massive blade, what greeted me made me lose motivation.

A very large, armor plated demon came lumbering out of the manor. He barely fit through the doorway. I only knew him a demon because a very long, red tail protruded from his backside. He walked outside, I expected the worst.

He removed his helmet, revealing an extremely reptilian face. His long snout housed several fangs, that shown even when his mouth was closed. He raised his arms above his read and yawned. His yawn reverberated through the nearby wood line. He lowered his arms and closed his mouth. He opened and closed his mouth, as if smacking his lips, if he had any. His scales shimmered in the morning sunlight, glistening different colors, over his black and red scales.

He was looking into the woods, casually swinging his arms. He appeared to not notice me. As he swung his arms, he looked in my direction. He finally noticed me, I was about to ask him if he worked for Cleaver, when he jumped back and shrieked. The sheer volume of his shriek startled me, as I recoiled from his outburst.

The demon, who caught his breath, finally began to speak. “Damnit human, you nearly gave me a heart attack.” He scolded. He stood up again. “What do you want human?” He asked.

“Do you work for Cleaver?” I demanded. He scratched his belly with his frightening claws. He looked utterly indifferent.

“No.” He simply replied with. I held my sword, ready for an attack, but our conversation made me feel a bit awkward.

“Cleaver had my friend killed, I want to know who killed her, and kill him, and Cleaver!” I loudly announced. I was trying to sound strong and tough.

The reptilian demon turned his head toward the house and loudly bellowed, “Cleaver!” After about a minute, the blue demon emerged from the house.

“Jewel-eyes, so nice to see you again.” He said, snidely. He had his armor donned, and a thin sword on his belt. “Come here looking for work?” He asked.

“Who killed Minerva? Bring them here.” I demanded. He laughed.

“You’re looking at him.” He said, as he put his hands on his hips.

I immediately charged with Gisele to my side. I swung the heavy blade, it was harder to handle than I thought. I felt an extremely sharp pain in my shoulder. As Gisele’s tip rested on the ground, his thin, needle like sword had stabbed through my shoulder.

I shouted at the sight of it. He pulled it out slowly. Blood quickly ran down my arm. I dropped Gisele, as the pain exploded even more. I dropped to my knees, grabbing the hole in my shoulder. I looked at his sword. I recognized it from a book, an Epee.

Blood dropped from the tip of his epee, as I stared at the sword, the blood became more animated, before my eyes. I could smell it. A burst of rage coursed through my body. I didn’t move, but I could feel my heart beating faster.

Adrenaline pulses through my veins. I grabbed Gisele and spun around in a quick, vicious circle. Cleaver barely dodged my spin. He looked surprised, as he raised his sword for another jab. He sidestepped, waiting for the right moment. I felt my muscles pulsing, stretching my thin skin. My veins felt as if they were going to burst. He lunged forward, thrusting his sword quickly. I couldn’t move fast enough. It pierced my shoulder, near my chest. It came out the other side.

The pain was nonexistent. I grabbed his sword arm, and squeezed. His gauntlet was locked in my grip, he tried to pull his hand away, but his strength wasn’t enough. Eventually he removed his hand from his gauntlet. I crushed the thin metal as I threw it back at him. It hit him in the face, causing him to recoil. As he turned back around to face me, my fist made contact with his cheek. He stepped back from the blow, and tripped. His thin fangs on that side of his face were broken. Black ooze came from his mouth. It was thick and viscous. It smelled like rust. It had a strong odor, one that invaded your nose and mouth.

The scent of it increased my ferocity. I don’t remember what happened exactly, but I remember injuring him with Gisele. I remember the woods speeding past me. Once again, I must have blacked out.

I awoke under the forest canopy. A blinding pain surged through my lungs. My chest. I looked down to see the epee pierced through the middle of my chest. I screamed in horror. I looked to my right to see Gisele still gripped in my hand, and Cleaver.

Cleaver had been completely cut in half, down the middle. Black ooze trickled out of his split body. I looked at Gisele, covered in the black ooze. The pain from my wounds were overwhelming. My visioned began to darken. As I began to sleep, I saw a figure approach.

…

I remember dreaming. In my dream, I saw my mother. I finally saw her face. Her voice resonated in my head, in my ears. She wore a coat, with metal plates on the front, her eyes, practically shining like the sun, as she proceeded to slay a monstrous demon. My mother, after killing it, looked up.

Only then did her surroundings become clear to me. She was in a dense swamp. Tall, gnarled trees with scum ponds beneath them. My mother, her gaze fixated upwards, walked over the dead demon. Before her, was an impossible sight.

A tremendously massive stone building towered before her. The gigantic wooden doors swung wide for her, as she disappeared inside the blackness, as the doors slammed shut.

I immediately awakened. I was inside a house. My lungs burned, still. The pain, however, was not as severe. I looked to my left, a door. The front door. Soft daylight entered through gaps in the wooden walls. A candle was lit behind my head, illuminating my face as I looked at it.

I looked to my right, and I nearly fell off the surface I was laid upon. It was Minerva, sitting in a chair, snoring as she slept.

[tfaotb]

7. Goodbye, sweet Gisele

I shot out of my chair, charging at the figure. I didn’t think, I simply acted. The figure removed the dagger from her chest, as blood bubbled out of her wound, covering her body almost instantly. I went to tackle the assassin. All I saw was him thrusting his arm toward me very quickly.

I remember, the split second he made that motion, I thought to myself, he is going to stab me. I’m going to die with Minerva.

Instead, the air left my lungs, coupled with a dull, extreme pain in my stomach, as I left the room, rapidly. I remember hearing a crash behind me as my vision blurred and went to black.

I opened my eyes. Avadini was on Minerva’s bed, desperately trying to revive her, I assumed. Pain exploded in my stomach, and my back. The pain in my back, however, differed. It was a sharp, stinging pain. I still managed to stand up, running as best I could to Avadini’s side. She was vigorously working with her potions and powders, all the while with tears streaming down her face.

“I-is she going to be o-kay?” I stammered out, trying not to cry as well. She replied with silence, focused on reviving her. I looked at Minerva.

Her eyes were staring straight up at the ceiling, her hands were up, around where the dagger was, her fingers locked in place, looking like claws. She looked dead.

I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew she was dead.

Before my mind could comprehend this, Avadini spoke up. “Listen, if you really want to help us, kill that son of a bitch, Cleaver.” She begged through her tears. “He runs a gang of sentient demons, in this city. It’s only about six of them, just please.” She stopped, lowering her head, sobbing. “Cmon Minerva…” she would beg.

I didn’t know where to start, but I ran out of the house. I went to the one place that I knew would have people with some information. The tavern.

I walked in. No customers were present, the bartender was the older man, this time. I hurried up to the bar. He turned around, half surprised to have a late night customer, and half surprised it was me.

“Hello again.” He greeted me, still cleaning a glass in his hand. “Doing some late night beer drinking-” he stopped his sentence when he noticed my face. I was crying, it must have showed. “Everything alright, lass?”

I didn’t explain, all I said was, “Do you know someone named Cleaver?” He didn’t react.

“Well, yes. He is a frequent patron.” He replied. Continuing his cleaning, he asked, “Why do you ask?”

I sat down, my stomach still in pain. “He killed a friend of mine.” He nodded. I looked at him, with a scorning look. Before I could get angry, he explained.

“Cleaver has much blood on his hands, lass. You’re not the first.” He remarked, putting the glass away. He looked at me. “Where’s that big sword you had, on your back?” He asked.

I sighed. “I broke it, it was only wood anyway. I don’t have a real sword.” I said, depressingly. He shrugged.

“You won’t get close to him without a weapon.” He said, as if I didn’t know that. I asked him where I could get one. “The sword smith, of course.” He replied, as if I was stupid. “It’s just across the street, it overlooks the harbor on the left side, you can’t miss it.”

With that, I bid farewell and left to find this place. I didn’t walk for a long time, for I had found it quite easily. Overlooking the harbor, as he said, was a bright glow from a hot fire, the only light source in that area. In front of the fire, stood a man, simply staring into the inferno that was his forge.

I approached the man in the outdoor workspace, he didn’t seem to notice me. “Excuse me?” I said quietly, he was a large, heavily bearded man, with quite the belly. He was obviously a Norl, this conversation might not go well.

“Ya know, when I left me country.” He stopped, I was expecting him to finish his sentence. He simply gazed blankly into the fire.

“Um, can I trouble you to sell me a sword?” I asked, I was in a hurry, for some reason. I had no leads to Cleaver.

“Me brethren, they believed me a traitor.” He continued with his disjointed story. He suddenly looked at me with an intense gaze. “Does ye think me a traitor, too?” He ominously questioned. I backed up a little.

“I…guess it depends on why you left.” I replied. He just continued to stare at me. His intensity turning into more blankness. I was less intimidated.

He suddenly sat down, seemingly out of nowhere. It startled me, honestly. He belched, as I held my breath.

“Sorry girl, I be closed for the night.” He said, in a tired voice. I felt frustrated.

“Don’t you have something already made? I have money!” I begged. He looked extremely annoyed, putting his hands on his head and leaning back.

“By the gods, girl. Ye be more naggin’ than me ex wife.” He complained. He drunkenly scratched his bald head. “What in the hells are ye needin’ steel for at this hour anyway?” He pried. My heart dropped when I thought about Minerva.

“Someone killed my friend. I’m returning the favor.” I said with anger. I was angry, and devastated at the same time. I looked down at the smith, who looked terrified.

“Hells, girl. Don’t take yer frustrations out on me!” He bellowed. I wanted to apologize, but I needed a sword.

“Listen, just please, sell me something.” I begged again. He let out a hearty sigh.

“Ah, gods know I can’t say no to a pretty girl.” He said, as he stood up. He walked past his workshop, which was carved from the massive wall. A door was located past his tools, which he unlocked and opened. He walked into the dark room, lighting his lamps, illuminating a shop. This must be his showroom for his product.

“Alright lass, pick yer poison.” Countless blades were displayed on the walls. Swords, daggers, axes, maces, clubs, spears, hammers. Everything I could imagine. The steel shined in the light of the lamps, they were all beautiful. One, however, stood out.

It was about the size of a child in length. It was as wide as my head. It was unpolished, thick, heavy. The handle was thin, but one solid piece with the blade. The blade was so wide compared to the hilt, there was no guard. I asked about it.

“You want this old thing?” He asked, almost surprised. I nodded quickly. He scratched his chin. “Well, I suppose I can part with it. It has been many years now.” He said, almost reminiscing.

“Many years for what?” I asked, he was still rubbing his chin. He finally put his hand down.

“I made that sword meself. When I was a young lad, fresh meat for the Norlikke army. I made in me father’s smithy.” He said, chuckling a bit. “Took me damn near the whole winter to make. Me father was furious, using all the coal, I was. He said he was lucky he didn’t come out of it with frostbite!” He bellowed, laughing loudly. I covered my ears. I didn’t see the humor, but I kept listening.

“So anyway, I had planned to put a guard on this, and a pommel, but I simply ran out of time. The army gave its call to arms, I had to quickly finish and temper it.” He picked it up and placed it on the table. “She’s served me well, she has. Saved me life countless times.” He ran his hand up and down the length of the sword, almost like he was petting it. “Aye, I suppose, she’s still functional, still lusting for blood.” He sighed. “I can’t fight anymore, I’m too old.”

He looked me over. He slid the sword over to me, looking at me. “I don’t know who you are, girl. For some reason, when I look at ye, I trust ye.” He let go of the sword. “Take good care of her.” He said. I looked at him, a bit confused.

“How much for her?” I asked. I didn’t want to just take it.

“Oh, I can’t sell her. It’d be like sellin yer wife. Sure, you can’t perform anymore, it’d be better for her to be with a new, younger man.” He paused his story.

“On second thought, I wouldn’t give me wife away, even to the Karl!” He roared, slamming his fist down on the countertop.

He fumed. He looked back at me. He realized his outburst, unclenching his fist. “But for me sword, I cannot sell her. She be yours. Take care of Gisele for me.”

I thanked him and bid him farewell. Only when I left did I realize how long I had spent there, dawn was breaking, once again.

I strapped the sheath to my back. The pain in my back made me remember the assassin pushing me across Avadini’s house. The man must have incredible strength to do that. Once I finished tightening the buckles of the sheath’s straps, I sheathed Gisele. The weight of the blade was great, but I could still lift it. I needed to practice with it to get used to it, but I had no time for that.

I didn’t want to go to Avadini’s house. I didn’t want to face the reality of Minerva’s fate. Instead I went to the tavern again.

The bartender noticed me and greeted me again. He also noticed the sword on my back. “Gods, big enough for you?” He said.

I disregarded his statement, asking for information on Cleaver and his gang. “Well he does most of the mercenary work in Olun.” He thought for a moment. “I do believe you met him once.” He stated.

I thought for a moment. Suddenly I remembered my encounter with the black eyed demon at this tavern, the one who threatened me. So that’s Cleaver, huh? At least I will recognize him. Why did he kill Minerva? I had many questions. Only one question really mattered to me, at the moment.

“Where can I find him?”

[tfaotb]

6. Oh how I knew thee

I payed my tab, and left the tavern. Tears were trying to well up in my eyes, I simply wiped them away as they came. I proceeded to the docks, as the publican had described.

When I arrived at the docks, I peered over at the waters edge. Low tide. I looked for a way down below the docks, I noticed a stone staircase that went into the rocky dirt, the floor of the low tide. The dirt was not dry, but it was not soaked, the tide had to be coming back in a day or so.

I hurried down the steps, only to be greeted by a terrible sight. Dozens of people were living under this dock, some of them were awake, some were still asleep, at least I hope they’re just asleep.

I walked through them, searching for Minerva, but having no apparent luck. None of them seemed to pay any mind at my presence. As I searched, I spotted a laying figure, with a dark red garment over their upper body and head, that has to be her!

I rushed over to her, turning her over from her side. It was her, she was much more pale than last night. Dried blood stained her lips and the side of her cheek. I leaned my ear down over her head, she still drew breath. I looked around, searching for another set of stairs, seeing nothing. I heard her start to mutter.

“A..ava…” she sputtered, little drops of blood spraying from her mouth. “Ava….Avadini…” she finally mustered the whole name.

Not knowing what else to do, I picked her up in my arms. She was lightweight for a Ydsing, but my strength might not be enough to carry her the entire way. I was simply assuming this Avadini was a person who could help her. I ran back to the stone steps, tears, once again congregating in the corners of my eyes. I made it back into the street.

I looked down at Minerva, her eyes still closed. Her breathing become more and more shallow. I looked around, people walked by, they would see me, take a look at Minerva and keep walking, as if they had seen nothing. I ran up to an armored man holding a spear.

“Excuse me! Can you tell me where Avadini is?” I begged, he turned around to face me. He looked concerned, until he laid eyes on Minerva.

“Oh, picked up a stray, have you?” He said, with no feeling. “I know exactly where she needs to go.” He slowly pointed to the docks. “Throw her into the ocean, where the rest of the city’s trash goes.” He laughed at his own remark, and carried on with his business. I felt Minerva’s hand grip my tunic tighter as I heard her groan, and cough.

“Please…” she choked out. I hurried down the street. No one would help us. I began to simply shout Avadini, tears were clouding my vision, my voice beginning to break as she began to slowly die in my arms. After making a complete circle in the streets, I figured out I was lost.

I fell to my knees. The tears weren’t inhibited anymore. I looked down at her. “I’m sorry.” I kept whispering. It was all I could say.

As I was about to break down, I saw a figure walk up to us. I looked up, but I couldn’t see past the tears. As I wiped them away, a middle aged woman was standing before me.

My heart jumped, without hesitation, I asked where I could find Avadini. She simply looked around, and said, “Follow me.”

She took me into a house, candles dimly lit the interior. It was a simple wooden house with one window.

“Lay her down.” Despite her apparent age, her voice sounded young. I laid her down, gently. She shivered and twitched a bit as she laid on the cold wooden table.

I began to notice that the older woman was wearing a hood, as well. Though her hood was beige, like a grain sack. I watched her remove her hood and top. Underneath, she wore, what I can accurate describe as rags, sown together. It looked as if she had worn them for some time. Blood stained all of her garments. Her shoulder was worse than I thought.

Her collarbone was concaved. Her shoulder had dislocated, after all. Along her collarbone, was a deep split in her skin, which was black and dark red, various spots on the gash were infected.

“My god…” the woman said, covering her mouth in disbelief. She noticed more blood, down by her lower ribcage. As she pulled her clothing back from her waist, a massive black and red bruise covered her stomach, from one side to another. It looked like the edge of my wooden sword.

The woman quickly walked off to a cabinet, opening it and pulling out little glass vials and bottles. She walked back to Minerva, who was on the verge of death. She opened a particular bottle, it was small, and thin. It was filled with a sparkling liquid, colored like a red gem.

She dripped a single drop onto her open wound, on her shoulder. It instantly began to produce steam, which covered the wound. I watched in awe.

Minerva didn’t react to the substance, or its reaction. The woman was about to open another bottle, when she looked at me and stopped. “You’re not going to tell anyone about what you’re seeing, right?” I simply looked at her and shook my head. She then continued to open the bottle, pouring it into Minerva’s mouth. She let the liquid pour down her throat with no assistance.

Within minutes, her breathing began to increase, her shallow, dying breaths transformed to deep, normal breathing. Her wound had been wrapped by the woman. It was still producing steam, through the cloth. A sudden realization hit me. If she woke up and saw me, she might try to attack me, since I did this to her. I slowly got up from my seat to leave.

“Stay.” The woman ordered. I stopped, about to explain to her my situation, when she cut my sentence off. “Look, usually if someone brings her here, they had to have known firsthand something happened to her.” She looked me up and down. “I know you’re not part of her ‘crew’, so you must have done this to her in the first place.” I slowly sat back down.

“Are you Avadini?” I asked her, she simply laughed.

“I’m not surprised she would call out for her mother in her time of need.” She said. She removed her hood, revealing her pointed ears. “She’s going to be fine.” She stated. I felt completely reassured.

I relaxed a bit in my chair, not so on edge anymore. Avadini sat down as well. “So, you’re a friend of my daughter?” She asked me. I looked at the ground.

“Well, not really. It’s kind of a long story.” I explained. She was unfazed, still awaiting an answer. I gathered my courage and told her the entire story of me being hired to protect Mister Aster, and her attempting to kill him. I also described what was happening to me while I attacked her.

“Well, it’s simple, really.” She replied, she walked to a small bookcase, retrieving a book and sitting back down. “You’re what’s known as a Jewel-eyed Cyaqi.” I was confused, I had heard the term but never understood what it meant, other than my overly bright eyes.

After expressing my ignorance of the subject to her, she explained. “When either a mother or father is jewel-eyed, their offspring usually carry that trait, if they were augmented by crystals, sometimes the child holds some of that augmentation as well, but that goes for all of us.” She continued. “As for you jewel-eyes, you all have a trait which causes you to go berserk, while hunting and killing humans.” She pointed at Minerva’s shoulder, “Causing you to perform great feats of strength.”

I felt as if I understood a little more. I still had many questions, however. “You mentioned ‘augmentation’. What does that even mean, I’ve never heard of it.” As she attempted to explain, Minerva began to cough, and thrash a bit. Avadini shot up and held her down, trying not to hurt her. She calmed down, while her mother produced a bottle and held it up to her nose.

Minerva sneezed instantly, her eyes wide open, breathing heavily. Avadini lay her back down gently. “Shh, calm down child.” She said soothingly. Minerva looked up at her, and smiled.

“Mother, you found me.” She said, with relief. Avadini looked up at me.

“Not I, child. ’'Twas her who brought you here.” I wanted to hide my face, but her gaze was already set upon me. Confusion was painted across her expression.

“W-why?” Is all she could say. Anger wasn’t in her voice, to my surprise. I still didn’t know how to explain myself.

“She was on her knees, with you in her arms, just bawling her eyes out. You can’t tell me this girl doesn’t care about you at least some.” Her mother said to her.

“I don’t know what happened to me, last night. But I didn’t want to hurt you like I did, I couldn’t control it.” I explained, a part of me didn’t want her to hate me, the other part was convinced she did.

And why should she not hate me? I nearly killed her…

Minerva looked at her shoulder, and then back at me. “Y'know, I’ve been struck by a Norl wielding a metal club, who did less damage than this.” She said, with a slight chuckle in her voice. I looked up at her, surprised she wasn’t threatening to kill me.

“I’m sorry for what I did to you.” I said, solemnly. She laughed a bit.

“I’ve had worse, by closer friends.” She continued to chortle. “I just wish I could have snagged those fucking crystals.” She remarked woefully.

“Now Minerva, you’re lucky he didn’t hire Cleaver, or any of his men. A few yellow crystals isn’t worth dying for.” Avadini lectured.

“But I’m just a few yellow crystals away, if I can get a few more, I can outrun a horse in full gallop!” She complained, I was thoroughly confused at this point. Avadini placed her hand on Minerva’s non injured shoulder.

“There’s more to life than stealing money.” Minerva rolled her eyes.

“Excuse me?” I interjected, my mind racing. “What crystals are you talking about?”

Minerva looked at me. “Demon crystals.” She explained. “If you find a demon crystal, melt it, and allow it to cool, it stays as a liquid.” She stood up slowly from the table. She limped to her mother’s cabinet, retrieved something, and walked up to me.

She held a red, opaque crystal, no larger than her small palm. “Once the liquid cools, you can drink it.” She put the crystal on the table. “Different colored crystals augment certain aspects of the consumer. Yellow crystals allow you to run faster, and farther.”

I scratched my head. I had never heard of this, ever. It was almost like she made it up. “How come I’ve never heard of this?” I asked.

She shrugged. She sat back on the table, yawning. “Go back to sleep dear, it’ll do you some good.” Her mother told her. She got up, walking towards a room with no door. Inside the room was a bed. “Why don’t you stay here for tonight, dear.” She told me. I didn’t want to impose, but she insisted.

That night, I sat across the bedroom in a chair. I still felt horrible for injuring her. I soon dozed off.

I was awakened, for no reason. The darkness of the house made visibility very hard to achieve, but it was enough for me to witness someone standing over Minerva’s bed, right as they plunged a dagger in the middle of her chest.

[tfaotb]

5. Lady Minerva

Her hand that was clutching the knife trembled, probably due to the pain she was experiencing. She averted her gaze to look at me.

“What, you his new concubine?” She remarked sarcastically. I gripped the hilt of my wooden sword tightly, expecting an attack. If she did charge at me with her knife, I wasn’t sure I could defend myself against her agility.

I spotted her other hand reach into a pouch strung around her belt. Mister Aster robed himself and quickly piped up.

“Minerva! You don’t have to do this! Times have changed, I-I’m a changed man!” He pleaded with her. She simply scoffed, spitting on the floor. Her spit was nothing but blood.

Still watching her offhand, I expected the worst to come from it. What was in the pouch?

Minerva quickly brought up her offhand out of the pouch, I saw for just a split second what appeared to be sand. I instantly covered my eyes and brought my offhand over my face as I felt the many sand granules pepper the back of my hand.

I jumped back to avoid a follow through attack, but she was gone. I heard footsteps running down the hall, as I ran to the bedroom entrance. She was fleeing.

“Don’t hurt her further Tierra!” Mister Aster ordered. I ignored his request by taking off after her, with my sword sheathed on my back. She was fleeing down the stairs as I made it to the balcony overlooking the main hall. Minerva wasn’t fleeing very quickly. I spotted several drops of blood on the lighter parts of the marble floor. The blow I gave her must have been more severe than I thought.

I quickly began to descend the stairs in pursuit. She had fled through the front door as I finally stepped off the last step of the staircase. The lamps outside illuminated her, even in the dark of night. I sprinted in her direction, drawing my arborous blade, readying myself to attack.

She was running slower the further she went, her offhand no longer moving with the other as she ran. Instead it was pressed on her lower rib cage.

As I neared her, she heard me approaching. She spun around, ready to defend herself. When her gaze met my face, she yelped in surprise, dropping her knife. Confused, I halted my sprint.

I quickly looked around. Nothing. I looked back at her, she was still standing there, staring into my eyes in apparent awe. “Your…eyes.” She stammered.

I had no idea what she was talking about. Adrenaline rushed through my veins as I kept my sword ready. She shook her head around, as if to regain her composure, clutching her knife from the ground. She raised it back up, as she looked up in surprise as my sword descended onto her collarbone.

I heard a loud, wet crack, followed by a shriek. Her body being thrown to the ground by the weight of the sword, and the force of my overhead swing. I had put all of my strength into it, all of my weight.

She slumped to the ground, screaming in agony. Her sword arm was completely limp, as her shoulder was indented downward. The blow appeared to have shattered her collarbone, as well as possibly dislocating her shoulder entirely. She attempted to crawl away in terror and extreme pain, as her dark red hood showed a large wet spot on her shoulder, presumably blood.

My heart raced, my grip only tightened, I could feel little prickling pains on my palm, but my mind was focused on her. I remember looking at her, the blackness was becoming more illuminated, almost as if it was daybreak. I could see everything, even though she was maintaining a medium distance, as she crawled away. I could see the fibers of her hood, the wrinkles of the leather boots she wore. I could see the wet spot on her shoulder slowly growing, and then I smelled it.

A metallic smell. It was her blood. I didn’t hunger for it, but the smell of her blood pumped more adrenaline into my body, as my mind was telling me, louder and louder, to kill. As I was approaching her, the last remaining bits of any dark hues in my field of vision were gone, nothing was dark, but everything continued to illuminate. As I got behind her, I stepped on her back with my weight. She was considerably smaller than me, so when my weight came down, I felt, and heard a few ribs break under the pressure, causing her to cry out even more.

Everything was turning white, as I lifted my sword, the whiteness completely blinded me. I felt as if I started to float.

And then I woke up. I was lying on the ground. I sat up, confused, while looking around. I was in the front courtyard of Mister Aster’s estate.

I remembered the assassin, suddenly, as if I had forgotten. I quickly stood up, quickly darting my head and eyes around to see where she was. The nighttime darkness prevented me from seeing too far, but I noticed the blood on the ground. She had begun bleeding quite profusely. I realized how much I injured her. I felt a bit sick. Why did I strike her so hard? I remember feeling like a predator, closing in on their wounded prey, having zero regard for her human life.

I saw the trail of blood leaving the estate, into the street. I decided to go back inside, to see if Mister Aster was still okay.

As I entered, I started noticing the blood Minerva had left behind. It was more than I had realized, I was sure that she had died from these injuries. I stopped walking as I thought of that possibility. I knew she was an assassin, and I was defending Mister Aster, but the thought of taking another life, troubled me. It troubled me greatly.

I soon returned to Mister Aster’s bedchamber, he was pacing back and forth, with a rapier in his hand. He heard he approach the entryway, spinning around with his sword pointed at me. I backed up, putting my hands up.

“Oh…” he sighed in relief, “it’s you, Tierra.” He lowered his sword, sheathing it. “I was sure she was going to beat you.” He stated.

“Thanks for your confidence.” I remarked. He went to his nightstand, placing his rapier atop it. He turned around to walk toward me, when he stopped.

“Are you alright? Did she injure you?” He asked, I looked at him, raising my eyebrow.

“What do you mean-” I cut off mid sentence as I raised my palms in front of me. They were dripping with blood, wooden splinters covering both palms. The pain synchronized with me seeing the injuries, before it was numb. “Fuck!” I exclaimed, as pain pulsed from my palms.

Mister Aster’s butler had finished wrapping the injured parts of my hand some time later. Mister Aster was following the trails of blood, exclaiming all the way that she isn’t alive. I felt horrible for my actions, but we didn’t technically know she was dead, as it appeared that she escaped. It gave me a bit of solace.

Mister Aster returned, just as his butler was finishing up the dressings. He held in his hands the remains of my sword. “This is yours, isn’t it?” My sword was spattered with a little bit of blood, with a large notch in the edge of the blade. The hilt, however, was destroyed. It had been fractured in half, as the rest of it was splintered and painted red with blood. My blood.

The notch was made, when I struck Minerva on the shoulder, the force of the blow caused a dent in the edge, it might have also broken the hilt. He held up the sword.

“I didn’t know THIS was all you had.” He said, in a slightly condescending tone. He chuckled a bit. “Still, you warded off a would-be assassin, you practically saved my life with a wooden sword.” He came up to me with a jolly smile, patting my shoulder, “You did good, lass.”

He looked as if he had suddenly remembered to do something, as he turned around with his finger in the air. He hurried to his nightstand. From within, he produced a key. “ Come with me.” He ordered.

I did just that, following him down his maze of hallways and rooms. He brought me to another room, a bedroom. He told me to wait outside. He had unlocked the door with the key he had removed from his room. When he emerged, he had yet another key. We exchanged doors and keys at least seven times before the last key he retrieved was significantly different than the rest. He held it up, “This is the one we need.” We hurried deep into the basements of the manor.

Though we were in the basement, the decor was equally extravagant. We went through a large, candlelit hallway. Much larger than the others above us. At the end of the hall, a massive, metal door greeted us. He placed the key into the respective keyhole, and loud metal mechanisms clanked and moved, slowly. The door then popped open slightly, as Mister Aster pulled with all of his might. The door swung open.

Inside were nothing but boxes, trunks and chests. As I looked farther in, various other things came into view. Statues, suits of armor, very expensive looking. I began to see more evidence of wealth and treasure the further he took me. Gold bars, jewelry in cases, fine clothing. He opened a certain chest, turning around. “Do you have a coin purse?” I nodded, showing him. He took it, coins and all. I almost started to protest, until he began placing coins inside. Silver coins

He counted out fifteen silver coins. He then closed the pouch, and handed it back to me. “One thousand coppers, for doing you job, and five hundred extra coppers, for saving my life.” He informed me, as he held his jolly smile. “I’ll get the constable to catch the assassin, or assassins, should several people want me dead, I believe your work is done.” He said, as he grabbed my hand again, and shook it violently.

I bid farewell, as I left his manor. The blood still remained on the ground, reminding me of what I had done. Maybe it’s not too late to ask my father for forgiveness?

I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had done to Minerva. The more time that passed, the more awful I felt. I secretly hoped I didn’t kill her, even if she was an assassin. I had hoped she escaped to safety and got medical attention.

By this time, dawn was breaking. Tired, I trudged to the tavern. I needed to sit down, eat a bit, and somehow, somewhere, sleep.

I walked up to the door, half expecting the tavern to be closed, but to my surprise and relief, it swung open. There was only a few patrons, quietly sitting and eating. I walked up to the bar, expecting to see the same bartender as before.

A young, silver haired woman was working behind the bar. Her ears were pointed, was she the bartender’s daughter? She looked up at me as she was retrieving something from under the bar, “Be with you in a minute.” She said, as she pulled out a few mugs. She sat them down behind her, turning to face me. “What can I do for ya?” She asked. She got close to my face, I felt a bit uncomfortable. Slowly backing up in my seat, she laughed a bit.

I ordered the same thing I had got last time, a turkey leg, bread and a beer. As she prepared the beer, I asked her, “Do you know someone named Minerva?” She chuckled a bit.

“Yeah, I know her. She’s a vagabond.” She said, with a condescending undertone. “A no good thief, if you ask me.”

“Do you know where she lives, per chance?” I asked, I was hoping I could find her and help her, somehow.

“Yeah, she usually lives under the docks at low tide.”

[tfaotb]

4. Lord Aster***

I found myself at the address that the paper contained. A very large, gaudy mansion towered before me, it had to have at least seven stories.

Okay, maybe not seven, but I had never seen a house this large before. I was a bit leery just walking up to the mansion, but, with the paper in hand, I approached the open gates, into the courtyard, and finally to the front door. The front door was about twice my height, and inlaid with some sort of shiny, polished metal. Quite exquisite looking.

I decided to simply knock, maybe that would work? I reached up and knocked as hard as I could, without putting my whole body into it. The noise from the knock echoed through the mansion interior, I could hear it from outside. I waited for about twenty seconds, when the door opened before me.

An older man stood before me, wearing an immaculate suit. It was black, but the light from outside gave a reflection on his suit, it must have been made of silk, I always wanted to wear silk, but I never have. His silver white hair and light skin tone told me he was Olynian, I also assumed he was the “Mr Aster” I was searching for.

Assuming all of this, I handed him the paper, “I’m answering your ad, I, uh…” I didn’t know what to follow up with.

He looked at the paper and replied with, “One moment please.” And he closed the door, with me outside. I blinked, standing there, not sure about what was going on.

I stood there for about five minutes, getting a bit bored, waiting. Suddenly the door opens wide, as a short, portly man wearing a maroon bath robe walks outside. He looked about as old as the first man I saw.

“Ah, you must be answering my paper I had left in that dusty tavern!” He shouted in a fat, jolly voice. He took my hand and shook it violently, I didn’t know what was happening.

“The name’s Aster, Midonovin Aster.” I was still trying to process what was happening, it all happened so fast. He paused and looked at me inquisitively, “And you are?”

“Oh, I…uh, my name’s Tierra, Tierra Bikteal.” I sail, clumsily. He laughed, he hit my shoulder, my hand still in his, still shaking violently.

“Always good to see strong women in this line of work, it’s refreshing, really.” He finally let go of my numb hand. “Come in, come in!” He said, waving his arm inward towards the entrance. I followed him inside.

The interior was more impressive that the outside. A reflective, black and brown marble floor spread out through the main room where we entered. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, dangling what seemed like shining diamonds, thousands of them. A large staircase followed around the wall of the round room.

“This way, Tierra!” He shouted, his voice effortlessly echoing through the ivory walled rooms and hallways. I followed him into a particular hallway, the floor was no longer marble, but rather a carpet, a dark red carpet, with a decorative trim on the edges. He opened a particular door.

As I walked through the door, a large table extended to the other side of the spacious room, lined with beautiful wooden chairs, all identical. Towards the end of the table sat 6 other men, all gazing in our direction. The closer we got, the more their age became apparent. Mister Aster sat at the central seat, leaving an empty seat next to him, which he motioned me over to sit in. I was beginning to wonder if I made a mistake, something seemed a bit creepy about this.

“Gentlemen, this is Tierra Bikteal, my temporary bodyguard.” He announced.

Bodyguard? I can’t fight! At least I don’t think I can, anyway.

“Oh gods, not this again, Aster.” A wavering, old voice interjected. “You and I both know no one is trying to kill you.” He continued.

“Yes they are, but now I have a strong, intimidating Cyaqi woman at my side, so I have nothing to worry about. Can we pick up where we left off now?” The old men grumbled in agreement. They started talking about, what I presumed was politics and money. I think I was there just to protect him, so I drifted off into my thoughts.

An unknown time later, the door opened. It was the man who first greeted me at the door, behind him, an obvious Ydsing wearing white pushed a cart with several dome shaped silver lids on top. The smell immediately filled the room. Cooked meats and vegetables. My mouth instantly began to salivate.

The men continued their conversation, not acknowledging the food. I, for one, couldn’t take my eyes off of it.

I couldn’t help but notice that there was eight platters, but seven men. I was astonished when the man in black placed one platter in front of me. When the two of them left, the men opened the platters. Steam escaped the lids, revealing the source of the scents. I looked at mister Aster, not sure if I should help myself or not. He seemed to notice.

“Go ahead, Tierra! You’re going to be here for a day or so, you’ll need to eat!” He stated, as he stuffed his face. I suppose I should do the same. I opened my platter, inside was a bird that, I’m not quite sure what bird it was, but it smelled delicious. Garnished around the bird were what I recognized as palm fruits. These palm fruits were obviously cooked, however. I had never cooked a palm fruit, we always ate them raw.

I picked up a palm fruit, inspecting it. It was squishy, unlike raw palm fruit. Their pale green color, however, remained, with only brown marks from where it had cooked.

I cut it open expecting the palm fruit meat in the center, like an Olynian orange. However, I was greeted with a white, thick, creamy substance. I was slightly revolted for a moment, until the sweet aroma reached my nose. I brought it closer, amplifying the scent. I took a bite.

It tasted like the cream my mother would buy for my birthday cakes as a child! It was so delicious, it was almost revolutionary!

The man in black came back with a large, glass bottle full of dark liquid. The men sighed in relief. As the man in black placed exquisite glasses down on the table in front of each man, he skipped me. A bit confused, I watched him fill each glass with the bottle. The color of the liquid revealed itself as a deep red color. Wine.

I had never seen it in a bottle like that. I was used to seeing it in wineskins.

Mister Aster was about to drink from his glass, when he stopped, and glanced at me. He handed me his glass, saying nothing. I took it, unsure of what he was insinuating. He smiled, “Tell me if that’s bitter, if you would, Tierra.” He asked. I was a bit confused. But I obliged, I took a small sip, it’s extremely bitter flavor exploded in my mouth, its fumes entered my nose. It was horrible.

“Yep.” I choked out, “That’s plenty bitter.” My eyes were watering. I wiped them, and looked at Mister Aster, who continued to observe me. I felt uncomfortable. I looked around the room without moving my head, nervously. After about a minute of all the men in the room staring at me, Mister Aster broke the silence.

“So, as I was saying.” He continued where he left off apparently. What the hell was that anyway? The men all took a drink, almost in unison. They all continued their conversation.

As I was about to drift off again, the talking stopped, the only noise left was a weak choking sound. I looked at Mister Aster, who was staring in disbelief at something, I looked in the direction he was staring, and my jaw dropped.

Blood covered the table in front of one of the old men. The old man was clutching his stomach, blood oozing out of his mouth. As the man next to him stood up from his chair to try to assist him, the man vomited all over the table, behind the torrent of bile, came a pink mass, with a tube attached to it. It was his stomach. I looked at him, the tube dangled from his mouth, as he finally fell to the floor.

I don’t remember much after that, before the guards came. I remember sitting in the mail hall, staring at the floor. I had never seen anything like that before. But most of all, I wondered what happened. I overhead a guard tell Aster that it was the work of a particular poison. Someone tried to kill him. They took the glass that the old man drank from. Then it hit me, when Mister Aster had me drink from his glass. I was checking for poison for him. That could have been me. I shivered.

Some time passed, the other men had left, Mister Aster was very evidently troubled from the incident. Night had already fallen. He approached me.

“Come with me, girl.” He said, in an uncharacteristically quiet voice. I followed him upstairs as he glumly trudged, obviously depressed at the death of his friend. He lead me to a door at the end of the hallway. He swung them open, revealing a room with an extremely large bed, a vanity mirror and a writing desk, with various lamps decorating the extravagant room. I hesitated a bit, not following what I was supposed to be doing. He promptly removed his robe, revealing his old, hairy, naked body.

I immediately looked away, feeling blood rush to my face, and feeling my stomach constrict at the unpleasant sight. Mister Aster, who didn’t seem to care about his nudity, was not trying to seduce me, apparently.

“Oh, come off it girl. If I was trying to get you in this bed, it wouldn’t be like this, rest assured.” I was not resting assured, he slid into his bed and under his covers. I finally eased my gaze to his direction.

“I’ll need you to ensure I am safe all night, Tierra.” I sat down, “That means you’ll have to watch over me without sleep or rest.” I nodded. I figured something like this would happen. He left his lamp lit, and he drifted into sleep.

I stayed seated, staring at the dimly lit wall. I looked out the only window in the room. The lights from the city still burning bright, it looked beautiful. I let out a deep sigh. I stood up, to simply look around his room and explore. I had to stay busy to keep my mind off sleep.

I don’t know how much time passed, but as I stood next to the door, stretching, I was surprised as the door slowly and silently opened. I froze. As the door opened wider, a shadow entered the room and climbed the wall. It was a silhouette of a short, hooded figure. The actual hooded figure soon entered very slowly. Still frozen, I was behind the open door slightly. The hooded figure entered the center of the room, at the foot of the bed as it made its way to the side. I spotted a flash of light from the front of the figure, a knife. Somehow the person did not notice me when they entered, and I was still undetected. I took out the only weapon I had, the wooden sword I made last year. It was a sword about as long as my arm, and as wide as my head. It was heavy and dense, I could do a lot of damage if I aim for the head.

I came up behind them as quietly as I could, and swung the sword as hard as I could. I struck the assassins chest, as the force of the swing and the weight of the sword threw them across the room and into the wall. The assassin was very lightweight. They fell with a grunt, a very feminine grunt, at that. Hair spilled from the hood as they sprawled out on the floor, a female. She began to scream, grasping her stomach, she tried to stand up, but her pain must have been far too intense, she would simply fall back down. The commotion awoke Mister Aster in a delirious haze, confused as to what was happening.

I stood before her with the tip of my sword in the carpet, my hand atop the wooden pommel, almost triumphant. I rested the wooden sword on my shoulder, readying another swing, if needed.

The assassin lifted her head, glaring at Mister Aster, anger clearly showing. She was breathing irregularly, and rather raggedly. I heard Mister Aster gasp, as she looked up.

“Minerva?” He said wearily, mixed with disbelief. I looked at him, he looked as if he had seen a ghost.

“Hello-“ she attempted to speak more, but she groaned and screamed in pain. She finally stood up, still clutching her knife.

“Lord…Aster.”

[tfaotb]

3. Mr. Aster

As I walked along the road to Olun, I suddenly realized that I was nearing the place I had seen the figure in the woods. I got a little nervous, but I pressed on, eager to see if anything was there, after all.

It didn’t take long to make it to the spot. I recognized it, for some reason. I stopped and looked around. I couldn’t see very far into the woods, since the sun was setting rapidly. I also didn’t see any trace of life, other than birds and bugs. I decided to continue my journey to Olun. No use looking for something during nightfall.

I walked for hours, my legs began to tire. My eyes felt heavy, I felt my walking pace slowing. “Where the hell is the city?” I mumbled to myself. I was certain I’d be nearing it soon. I wouldn’t get any closer complaining about it, so I kept walking.

The oranges of the sunset soon became dark reds, and then deep purples. Soon the indigo sky itself darkened to black. I could see a small amount of light from the sunset, but it would soon be gone in only a few minutes.

I made it to the hill that overlooks the county of Olun. I saw the farms and ranches, lit up by torches and lamps, at last, I was almost there. I could see the city walls atop the hill that was centered in the valley, surrounding the city with countless farms. I wanted to sleep, but I decided that I should try to find lodging inside the city. I, once again, proceeded on the path to Olun.

My thoughts began to wonder. My memories came back, as I thought of the good days, spent with my mother. I remember we would take walks around Resiki, and outside of the village in the palm forest, picking up palm fruits and finding the biggest one we could. When we found it, we would find the coast, sit at the waters edge and eat the palm fruit, together. I remember the tartness of the fruit back then, I was less accustomed to its tanginess than I am now, I remember wincing at its flavor, but I would laugh, splashing the waves creeping along the coast up to our feet, and watching it recede back into the ocean. I remember her mimicking my face when I bit the fruit, I remember her eyes, her…

Her face…

I stopped walking. Something felt wrong. I deliberately tried remembering her face, her eyes, any facial feature.

I couldn’t remember.

The memories I had, all of those times that we shared. Her face eluded me, why can’t I remember? The memories still danced in my head, but the more I thought of it, the less I remembered of her. I soon realized I couldn’t remember her voice either.

My breath became shallow, I started to sweat, what is happening to me? My vision tunneled, my breath was ragged, I was panicking…

…

I opened my eyes, the sudden light strained them, my eyes shutting almost as soon as I opened them. I realized I was laying down, I started rubbing my eyes, to alleviate the pain. I realized I was getting dirt in my eyes, I used my shirt instead. It too, was covered in dirt. I finally opened my eyes to see where I was.

I was in the same spot I had stopped last night, but it was morning. I must have passed out, I was pretty tired back then.

But passing out while walking? That seemed a bit unlikely for me, I tried to remember what happened. For some reason I was having trouble remembering last night.

Some time had passed, I finally made it up to the front gates of the city. Breathing a sigh of relief, I approached the open gates.

“Halt!” A sudden voice boomed. It was so loud and sudden I nearly lost my balance. I looked around, from my right a man probably twice my height, lumbered to block my path to the city.

The man wore the pelt of an oversized bear, its head draped over his left shoulder. The face of the bear looked terrifying. I looked at the mans face, his was rough and scarred, his right eye had no retina or pupil, just white. He carried a sword on his back that was about as large as I am. All I could do is stare and tremble slightly.

“What business have ye, in me fair city?” His voice was going to puncture my ear drums, I was sure of it.

“Um, I just… I was going to-”

He burst out laughing. Almost uncontrollably. Something was funny, though I wasn’t in on the joke I don’t think.

“You shoulda seen the look on yer face!” He bent over and slapped his knee, still hysterically laughing, only now did I realize how thick his accent was. He was a Norl, one of the giants of their kind. A “Rautlikke”, if I remember correctly. I read it in a book once, but I never thought I’d see one in person.

“I’m just givin’ ye a hard time, lassie!” He patted my shoulder in a friendly manner, I managed to somehow stay on my feet. “Go right on in little girl!” He practically shouted. I did just that.

This was the third time I had been to Olun, the first time was with my mother when I was nine years of age. We had gone there to buy canestalks, a bitter rod that we used to spice food. I remember the vendor handing my mother a stalk. It was long, like a broom handle, a yellowish white color, I asked if I could hold it. I remember grabbing it and smelling it when I brought it close to me. It’s smell was strong, I remember making a face. I remember my mother laughing…

My mother…

The memories faded, once again, I couldn’t remember her voice or her face. The dizziness returned, my heart started to race. A cold sweat enveloped my body. I stopped walking, clutching a nearby lamppost.

“What is happening to me?” I said to myself, heavily. I tried to stop thinking about my mother. My fast heartbeat evened out, my vision returned. I could stand on my own.

When I recovered, I realized how hungry I was. I looked up the street, looking for somewhere to eat. Seeing nothing obvious, I started to walk down the street. Building after building, I read their signs, tailors, tanners, fishermen, boat building, farriers, wagon builders, but nothing that had any evidence of food I could buy.

As I walked, I came upon a strange building. It looked like a house, but it was very large, about three stories high. Not that a large house was strange, but the house itself almost looked like several houses were built together to make one large house. Intrigued, I read the sign.

To my shock, the sign was written in Ydsing. It had been a long time since I had seen their language, I studied it in school for a short time. I never learned how to read or speak it, however, so I did not know what the sign read. Still intrigued, I decided to enter the building.

I was greeted with a cacophony of loud, rowdy voices inside the building. I looked around, a bunch of men sitting at tables, eating meats and breads, drinking, what I started to assume was beer. The presence of food gave me a sigh of relief. I looked around for the publican.

I spotted the bar, which had a single person behind it, presumably working. I approached the bar, to see if I could buy food here. The man turned around, his pointed ears threw me off guard. His white hair, and slightly wrinkled face greeted me with an indifferent gaze, not even saying a word, his facial expression told me he was waiting for me to tell him what I wanted.

“Um, can I buy food here?” I asked, sheepishly. He nodded, reaching under the bar, revealing a sheet of paper. The paper was a menu, with no prices. “How much is all this stuff?”

He stopped cleaning the mug in his hand, setting it down behind him. “You’ve never been to a place like this before, so let me explain.” He said flatly. “See, most guys coming here, prefer to drink and eat, in peace.” He stared at me, pausing for a moment. I was attentive, waiting for him to finish. He simply rolled his eyes when he realized I wasn’t understanding.

“You start a tab, and pay it all later.” He explained.

I nodded, as I brought my attention to the menu. I noticed a meat that I did not recognize. Curious, I decided to ask about it.

“What is turkey?” I asked, without turning around, he responded.

“It’s a bird, imported from Norlikke. Not a small bird either.” He glanced back at me. “I’m not surprised you don’t know of it, you Cyaqi, and your aversion to Norlik.”

I scratched my head, I remember Hanalo talking about them, he referred to them as “barbarians”. I had seen a few come through Resiki, but I never actually talked to one, before today. “Can I get the turkey leg?”

“What else?” He asked. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, looking at the menu.

“I’ll get a large bread roll too.” I replied, I’d be eating good today.

“No drink?” He replied, with a wooden mug in his hand. I looked at the mug, staring at it for a moment.

“I’ll uh, I’ll pa-” I paused, I didn’t need to worry about my father anymore, I was free! “Actually, yes. I’ll take a beer!” I shouted, the racket of voices behind me quieted a bit at my outburst. I covered my mouth in embarrassment. I turned around and whispered “Sorry!”. As I turned back around, the mug was already full of frothy beer. I gulped nervously, I had never had beer before. I wonder how it tastes?

I sniffed the froth, it smelled like baking bread, almost. I was a bit taken aback, I grabbed the handle and sipped.

It in fact, did not taste like it smelled.

I almost spit it out, but I managed to swallow it. It was ice cold, something I was not used too. It was bitter and strong. Even through the cold drink, I felt a warm sensation afterwards. Weird stuff.

Eventually my food arrived, I began to eat. The more I ate, the more I drank. The more I drank, the better the beer tasted. Soon, my beer was empty, and my head was swimming. “I think…” I stammered, “I think your beer, went…bad.” I belched, I was confused as to what was happening, but I didn’t feel bad, quite the contrary, I was feeling good.

The barkeeper said nothing. I continued eating. The haze the beer had caused was fading, my belly was getting full as I was finishing. Just as I was finishing the bread, a man sat down next to me. He rattled and clanked with metal, as his armor bent with his joints, his scabbard hitting the seat as he sat down. A helmet covered his face, from my perspective. He simply held up a finger, and the bartender nodded. I continued to eat.

“So, my lady.” I heard, it was the man beside me, he did not turn his head. “What brings you in here, to this fine establishment?” His voice was strange, it was deep, and raspy, but under his voice, sounded as if there was another voice speaking at the same time. It was quiet and barely noticeable, but it was there.

“I’m here for the food.” I paused, “I also drank.” I informed him, sloppily. He chuckled, I was immediately unnerved.

“You a merc? Or a hunter?” He asked, but it was quite hostile sounding.

“Uhh, neither.” I said, I was a bit uncomfortable at this point.

“Is that so?” He said, “Well I got news for you, ‘neither’.” He turned his head towards me, and grinned. “I do the merc work around here, I catch you on my turf, you’ll wind up washed ashore, face down.” I was shocked from his words, but when I noticed his face I froze entirely.

His skin was blue, dark blue. His grin was full of jagged fangs, belonging to a snake. His eyes were black, all black, the light from the windows didn’t even reflect off of them. I had read stories about demons who were like people, they could talk and be like a normal human, but I never thought I’d ever see one. Yet, I’m face to face with one.

“I’ll be seeing you around, jewel-eyes.” He got up and walked off, without his drink.

Jewel-eyes. My father talked about that once. When I was in school I noticed the other kids had normally colored eyes, we all had teal eyes, but mine were different. Mine were teal, but they were much brighter than the other kids, I remember one kid called me “jewel-eyes”, and I was confused. My father said some Cyaqi are born with very bright eyes, it’s just the way things are.

“Well miss jewel-eyes, the bounty board is over there.” He pointed to a large board on the opposite side of the room, various papers were pinned to it. “I’m just going to assume that’s why you’re here.”

I got up to walk to it. The papers were for various jobs that needed to be done. Some had a reward on them, some didn’t.

I noticed one paper, that was eye level to me, I saw that the reward was for one thousand coppers. My jaw dropped, that is a lot of money. There were no details, just an address and a name, “Mr Aster.”

[tfaotb]

2. High time to depart pt.2

I decided to stop, my curiosity was piqued. The horse and cart was stopped in the middle of the road, while the wood line started from the side of the road, where I saw the figure. Looking around inquisitively, but unfortunately, I didn’t see anything. The horse was still calm, so maybe thee really was nothing there.

I soon made my way into Resiki, pulling up to the front of my house. The commotion from the cart summoned my father outside. I dismounted, before my father could say anything I tossed the bag of coins at him, which he expertly caught. Before I could say anything to him, he had disappeared inside. I rolled my eyes, I was tired, and I simply wanted to sleep.

I made my way through the house, to my room. No Denik, he must still be at school, despite it being nearly evening. I closed my bedroom door, picked up a book I had been reading, “Unparalleled Oppression”. A book by a Ydsing guy, I wasn’t really sure, but it’s basically a history book about the enslaving of their people, but biased and a bit exaggerated. However exaggerated, their being enslaved by Olynians and slaughtered by Norls sounds awful, no matter how you look at it.

My door swung open. It was my father. Before I could even protest. “Tierra did you leave that box of hooks unwashed?” He barked.

“I don’t know? Maybe? Why are you attacking me?” I barked back. I was not in the mood.

“My god Tierra, all of those hooks are rusted, I can’t use them!” He nearly shouted, I slammed my book shut and fiercely stood up, I was definitely not in the mood for this.

“So go buy new ones!” I shouted.

“No.” He said, shaking his head. “You obviously don’t care about this business enough to inherit it.” He spun around and stormed back into his study, I followed him to continue our “discussion”.

“You’re buying them. With your money.” He ordered. I simply stopped in my tracks, processing what he said. “I’m tired of buying this shit, and you just ruining it and not caring. Well not anymore, you’re buying this next set of hooks.”

I couldn’t believe it. My money was exactly that, mine. He couldn’t do this to me!

“And that’s final.” He said, walking up to the door and practically slamming it in my face.

I couldn’t handle this anymore, my body and mind reacted on their own. I screamed at the top of my lungs and punched his door as hard as I could several times.

I couldn’t see anything, my head was pulsing, my breath was sharp and shallow, I found myself outside in front of the pier. My hands gripping my thick, unkept hair. I was trembling, it wasn’t because of me losing money, at this point. I hated my father.

If my mother were still alive, she would never have allowed any of this. She wouldn’t allow him to be the way he is now.

She would still be alive if only I had…

…

I decided to gather my money and head to the marketplace, as per my loving fathers request. A box of hooks is about 35 coppers, so all in all, I wasn’t too concerned about the cost.

The marketplace itself is mainly comprised of open stalls and stands, all of them filled with different goods, one was a fruit vendor, the other a hunter who sells meats and various pelts of what he kills. Some were selling services, one man ran a boat building business, another was an herbalist, who was advertising the actual herbalist just outside of town.

The vendor I was searching for was ran by a man named Hanalo, of Kanaloa. The Kanaloan people are huge, dark skinned individuals who live extraordinarily long lives compared to us normal humans. They were still human though, not like those filthy Hyblyac.

Hanalo is a fisherman, like us. He not only sold hookfish, but he also made fishing hooks and rods, nets, bobbers, everything needed for catching fish out here in Resiki. We regularly bought supplies from him, we had known him for years, I can’t remember I time where I didn’t know him.

“Ahh, Tierra!” His booming voice echoed through the outdoor marketplace, he left his stand and came around front to meet me, with his arms opened to hug me, which he did, while lifting me off the ground about the height of a full grown man.

“It’s good to see you too, Hanalo.” I squeaked, as he sat me back onto the ground. I caught my lost breath.

“So,” he said, while returning to the rear of the stand, “what brings you out here today? Running errands for your father?” His voice is loud and deep enough to clatter your teeth as you listen, but it has a gentle undertone that somehow, reassures you that you’re safe, even if you weren’t in any danger. He’s just a big teddy bear.

“Oh, yeah I gotta buy hooks again. I used the other box and forgot to clean them, so they’re all rusted.” I explained. Hanalo simply smiled, readying another box of hooks for me.

I looked around, looking at all the different stands, and then I saw it. The exact spot where it happened.

The place my mother died.

I just stared at the spot, with a dead gaze. The memories came flooding back.

I was twelve on that day, the next day was my thirteenth birthday. As always, I was excited for it. Even if I didn’t get anything for my birthday, my mother would bake me a wonderful cake every year.

But this year was different. I overheard my mother talking to my father about getting me a gift, I was shocked, and so very excited. She didn’t say what it was, but being the age that I was, I wanted to see it, I couldn’t wait a whole day! I was far too impatient!

I noticed that she had left for the marketplace, so I snuck out of my window to follow her. I snuck around the back sides of houses and huts to shadow her journey to the marketplace. I had my wooden sword drawn, I was imitating a hunter or warrior sneaking in the shadows, I was having my own little adventure.

Where I stood was behind a house that was facing directly in front of the marketplace, behind me was the wood line. I remember having no fear of the palm forests, just warnings from my father about these creatures called “demons” that would eat children who had wanderlust. A story, meant to scare me, but I never believed him. My mother was picking things out from a vendor, but I couldn’t see what it was she was buying, I inched closer to see what it was.

I felt a ear shattering crack behind me, just as I heard the sound, thousands of wooden splinters flew past my body, mixed with a choking amount of dirt. I coughed from the dust, I turned around to see what caused the explosion of trees, I couldn’t see anything past the dust.

But I could hear it.

The ear piercing roar of a large beast echoed from the woods, loud enough to blow the dust away, revealing a large, scaly creature, looking like a house sized lizard. It’s face, however, is what I’ll never forget. It had a long snout, with a jaw that opened wide enough to eat a horse in one bite, filled with jagged, hooklike teeth.

I remember falling backwards, as I gazed helplessly at the beast as it looked back at me with hungry anticipation. I remember tears instantly welling up in my eyes, I couldn’t see it past my tears anymore.

The last thing I remember is hearing my name from behind me, and someone throwing me into the marketplace. I looked up, to see my mother standing where I once was, just as the beast devoured her.

All of those horrible memories, came flooding back in one instant. I immediately dropped to my knees, tears already pouring down my face. I wasn’t a crier anymore, I hated crying, but I couldn’t contain it. I tried my best not to start openly crying. I then felt a massive hand gently squeeze my tiny shoulder, I looked up, it was Hanalo. I simply looked at him and started bawling. He embraced me with his massive arms, I couldn’t control it anymore.

“W-why couldn’t it h-have been me?” I begged between involuntary sobs, I buried my face into Hanalo’s tunic, nearly screaming in agony as the memories haunted my mind. “I killed her!” I kept screaming.

I felt his hand rub the top of my head gently, I simply sobbed more. “Her death was not your fault, Tierra.” I gripped his tunic as hard as I could. “You are beautiful, just like your mother, your eyes hold the same fire as your mother’s. I believe she would want you to move on from this, and I know she loves you and Denik more than anything.”

I cried more, and didn’t stop. I don’t know how long I was there, but I calmed down enough to eventually realize the time. The sun was setting.

“Oh my god, Hanalo, I’m so sorry.” I wiped my face as best I could. I felt bad, for taking away his business.

“Worry not, girl. My business is never more important than my family and friends.” He said, my heart warmed.

I eventually made it back to the house, with much hesitation. I walked in through the front door into the common area, my father was waiting for me.

“Why is your face red? Are your eyes bloodshot?” He asked, looking closer at my face.

“I’m fine.” I stated, rubbing my eyes.

“Where are my hooks?” He demanded.

I dropped them on the table. “Right here.” I said, slightly sarcastically.

He opened the box to confirm, counting the hooks. I was about to walk into my room when my father interjected.

“Tierra, I need to talk to you.” He said sternly. I stopped, already anticipating the torrent of shit he’s going to start spraying from his mouth. I obliged, turning around and sitting at the table, where he was seated on the other side.

He rubbed his temples, as if he had a headache. “Tierra, I have tried and tried, to get you motivated about this business.” I rolled my eyes as he said this, folding my arms as well.

“Which is why I’ve decided to take Denik out of school.”

I jerked my head to glare at him in disbelief. “Why did you take him out of school? He was doing well! He could have been somebody!” I shouted, standing up from my chair. “He doesn’t need to be here for the rest of his childhood, what is he gonna do when he becomes of age?”

“He’s going to inherit the business.”

I stared at him, my brain was beginning to put the pieces together. “What about me?” I asked. He rested his elbows on the table and put his hands in his face, letting out a deep sigh.

“I don’t know, Tierra. I don’t know, but what I do know is that I can’t handle this anymore.” He said, almost desperately. Was he talking about mom?

“You’re gonna have to leave.” He said bluntly.

The words blindsided me, I shook my head a bit in disbelief and shock. “Where am I supposed to go?” I inquired, expecting a half assed response.

“I don’t care.” He said, his voice obviously breaking. “But I want you to leave, tonight. Gather your things and leave.”

I stared in more disbelief, not moving. “Go before I kick you out myself.”

I immediately spun around to my room. I grabbed my travel pack, my money and my wooden sword. As I began to walk out I saw something. A necklace.

I picked it up, it was my mothers. I hadn’t seen it for a long time, what was it doing in my room? I quickly pocketed it and closed my door as I left. I walked past my father, who was weeping slightly. I said nothing. I walked out the front door and slammed it as hard as I could, the force of the door cracking one of the front windows of the house.

Alas, the one thing I wished for, I had finally been given. An opportunity to become an adventurer. Not exactly the ideal situation for it to happen, but at least I don’t have to catch another damn fish for him again.

I came upon the road sign outside of town, I identified the road leading to Olun, and began my journey on foot. I remembered the necklace, so I took it out of my pocket and placed it around my neck. It was a silver chain with a clear teardrop piece of glass as a pendant, clasped with small tendrils of silver. I smiled, I still had a piece of her, after all this time. I tucked it under my shirt, and headed for the Olynian city.

[tfaotb]

1. High time to depart pt.1

I stretched in my chair. The sun was mild that day, the moisture from the sea would catch in the wind, making for a refreshingly cool breeze. I leaned forward in my chair to spot the bobbers.

“Nothing.” I sighed, I plopped back down into my chair, rolling my eyes. Catching hookfish was mind numbing labor, even though I had been sitting and waiting the whole time.

“Tierra!” My heart sank, “Shit.” I muttered as I stood up. As I was about to walk back into the house, my father walked outside onto the pier to meet me.

“Tierra, I need you to do me a favor.” He had a oar in his hand.

I sighed, knowing already what he wanted from me. “How much?” I asked. I grabbed the oar from him and started making my way to the boat.

“Oh, just” He paused as he walked with me “Probably about three nets full again, I’m going to sell them as soon as you get back.”

“Then shouldn’t I catch more so you can freeze the rest?” I suggested, sometimes I did not understand my fathers method of doing business, but when I thought about it, I didn’t really care in the end.

“No no, only three nets today, I have some already frozen for a specific buyer.” He informed me, as if he thought I was actually listening to his ramblings, I had already lost interest. I climbed in the boat and immediately pushed off the shore into the calm bay.

“Be careful, honey!” I turned around and flipped him off.

Being on the boat was bittersweet, I had to work the nets, which is harder to man than working the fishing lines, but at the same time, being on the water, away from the village, away from my father, whom I have grown tired of in this recent year. On the boat, I’m by myself, alone with my thoughts, generally no one to bother me. Occasionally a fisherman on another boat will try to hit on me or just speak to me, which is troublesome, having to deal with that…

Still, even with those people lying in wait, it is peaceful on the waters. I keep my wooden sword on my belt at all times, and being on the boat, I can let off some steam, and have fun swinging it around. Even though I am seventeen, it seems like a juvenile thing to do, and more for the boys, but I have dreamed of owning a real sword for years, and I would love to go out and adventure. My father and his fishing business are what keep me here in Cyaquilla. Even going somewhere else on the island would be better than this monotonous torture day in, and day out!

Some hours later, I came back to shore with the fish, my skin was gritty from the salt in the air, I felt nasty. “Faaather!” I shouted

Denik trudged outside, rubbing his eyes. “I’m here, sister.”

“Where’s dad?” I demanded. He wasn’t about to skip out on hauling these dead fish in after he made me fish them.

“I don’t know.” Denik looked exhausted, he probably stayed late at his school. A nine year old shouldn’t be stressed out like this.

I sighed as I looked back at the fishing nets. “It’s okay, Denik. Just go back inside, I’ll haul this inside.” I turned my head back to Denik, who was no longer there. The door closed just as I had looked his direction. I scoffed.

“Tomorrow is going to suck, I can already feel it.” I complained as I slid into my bed. I had no idea how right I was.

I awoke to a commotion of some sort outside, in front of the house I assumed. Already dressed, I made my way to the front door, Denik was already at school. What I saw was something I did not expect at all, a horse with a cart behind it, being loaded with crates, by my father. I approached my father, surely he wasn’t going to send me on a cross country errand.

“Oh good, you’re already awake.” He remarked, a twinge of excitement filled my bones.

“Listen, I have a meeting with a potential buyer who, if the gods favor our meeting, will be continually buying our netfish!” Just as I was about to ask him about the horse and cart, he continued. “I need you to take this carriage to Olun, and sell the fish, to this man.” He handed me a paper that contained a street and the mans name.

Olun. It was hardly an adventure, but seeing the Olynian city would be a refreshing change. Just as I was about to show my appreciation to him for allowing me out of the village for once, he continued still.

“ Be back before noon, please. I’ll not have any excuses.” I stood there, blinking. It was morning, noon was only a few hours away.

“Why such a time crunch, father?”

He barely let me finish my sentence. “Don’t argue with me, just get back as soon as your done with the transaction.”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to contain my anger. “Father, I was really looking forward to going to visit Olun, can’t I stay for at least an hour or two, just to get out of the village?”

“No, Tierra.” As quickly as he said that, he was gone. Livid, I saddled the horse and began to ride towards Olun.

I was riding out of town, about one mile away from Resiki, my home. It was another mild day, which helped calm my anger, but I was still angry at him. I was about one and one half hours away from Olun, the Olynian city on foreign soil. I would simply laugh at my father when he spoke of the Olynians, calling them freaks, perverts, and any other name he could think of. I personally think the Olynians are just “with the times”, unlike our sleepy village.

Something caught my attention in the corner of my eye. I quickly jerked my head in its direction. Nothing.

I swore I saw something, I couldn’t tell what it was, but I knew it was there. The horse didn’t seem to be spooked, though. “Maybe I’m just going crazy.” I reassured myself.

I eventually made it to the pearlescent city of Olun, it gets more beautiful every time I visit. I managed to quickly find the buyer, who didn’t even speak a word to me. I found myself riding back to Resiki within ten minutes of arriving to the city. Back on the road again, I came upon the spot where I had seen the thing in the corner of my eye, only to see it again for a split second. Something was definitely there.