Slayer: A Demon Hunter's Tale

by Nick Cranford

  "One bucket of milk, filled." She said proudly, setting the bucket atop the kitchen table.

  "And just in time too, here, try this!" Her mother dipped out a spoonful of stew. She blew on it to cool it down before giving Aerin a taste.

  "Carrots..." Aerin savored the flavor. She sloshed the broth around on her tongue as she attempted to discern what it might be. Suddenly, she had it. "Potatoes. Perfect!" She said with a smile.

  "Glad you like it, dear." The woman poured the soup into two wooden bowls, which Aerin promptly took hold of. "Here you go, and since I know where you’re going…" She held out a large piece of bread.

  With her hands occupied by the bowls of soup, Aerin chomped down on the piece of bread, causing her mother to laugh heartily as Aerin rushed outside.

  As she passed by her father again, Aerin called out as best she could to let him know the food was ready, but all that came out were incoherent mumbles underneath the bread in her mouth. Her father smiled and shook his head at her display as she headed for the barn.

  She opened the barn door with her foot and rushed in before it could close behind her. The barn was dimly lit by the small windows high above, but Aerin could slightly make out the silhouette of a man at the far end of the room. He was busy forking hay from one pile to another.

  "Ishaahuh!" Aerin tried to say, but the greeting was muffled by bread. The man snapped to attention, reeling around in time to see Aerin trip on a hay bale.

  "Watch out!" The man shouted. He moved quickly, taking hold of a bowl of soup in one hand, and Aerin in the other.

  "Ffanks" She mumbled. Suddenly remembering the bread in her mouth, she removed it. She broke the bread in two, after setting her bowl on the same hay bale that had attempted to sabotage the meal just prior. "Here." She held out a chunk of bread. "You can have the half I wasn't chewing on."

  "And what if I had wanted the other?" The man mused.

  "Well..." Aerin was taken aback by the question, and she paused a moment to think of an apt response. "Maybe one day you can have the other piece."

  "Hard to get?" The man laughed as he sat down with his food. "That's a good trait."

  In the dim light of the barn, Aerin could get a slightly better look at the man. His head was covered in shaggy dirty blond hair that draped over his face. He continuously swiped it back over his ears, revealing a deep scar on his left cheek. His eyes were a light blue, and gazed into the food before him with a longing expression. His body was toned from head to toe. Defined muscle mass lined his arms and legs.

  Noticing her staring, he looked up and smiled before returning to the soup. Isaiah had grown on her over the short time he had been around. He was a crusades deserter that had shown up in the middle of the night looking for a place to stay. Luckily for him, Aerin's father had always held the crusade in contempt, and offered Isaiah a safe place to lay his head, in return for a modest amount of work. In the short time he had lived in the barn, Aerin had come to like him very much.

  Aerin was, unsurprisingly, the first finished. She sat her bowl down and patted her stomach as she eyed Isaiah’s bowl. He had eaten much slower than her, savoring each bite. But when he noticed the younger girl staring, he offered her the rest of his stew. Without a second thought she happily accepted, quickly wolfing the food down in mere seconds before setting both bowls down beside her and letting out a long pleasant sigh.

  "That was delicious!" She stated, rubbing her stomach slowly.

  "Indeed." Isaiah agreed as he finished the last of his bread. "Your mother's cooking is... divine."

  "Well, I wouldn't go that far." Aerin feigned humility. "Say, Isaiah." She paused for a bit. "I've still got some free time. Would you tell me another story?"

  "A story?" Isaiah echoed as she straightened up. "Let's see..." He ran his fingers through his hair as he thought. "Did I tell you the one about the time we got besieged?"

  "Nope!" Aerin eagerly responded.

  "Well, we were tracking this one commander; Batthia I think was his name. Anyway, we had him trapped inside this city, had it completely surrounded." Isaiah stopped to think. "We fought hard for days until we finally broke through." He suddenly smiled. "But when we got inside, Batthia wasn’t there."

  "What? Then where was he?" Aerin asked.

  "Turns out it was his lieutenant leading the forces inside." Isaiah explained. "As soon as we took the place, Batthia shows up out of nowhere with an army three times our size. We had to turn around and build up all the defenses we had just knocked down."

  "No way!" Aerin said in disbelief as she leaned in closer, completely enthralled in his story.

  "We were tired, cold, and hungry. And none of us were in any shape to keep fighting. So we locked down the city gates and hunkered down."

  "Then how did you get out?" Aerin's eagerness was getting the better of her.

  "Well, the catapults kept most of the foot soldiers at bay, but we were running out of supplies fast. This next part..." Isaiah seemed to laugh to himself. "It was actually my captain's idea. We set up one of the catapults facing the nearby forest and drew straws." He paused for a moment. "I drew the shortest one..."

  "Wait..."

  "I'm not gonna lie..." Isaiah held up his hands in a defensive manner. "It was the scariest thing I've ever done. They bundled me up in as much hay and sheets as we could muster before they threw me… You haven’t lived until you’re flying, Aerin. For a moment everything is quiet and serene, almost like you're the only one alive. And then..."

  "No way. You're lying!" Aerin pouted, cutting him off.

  "Believe me or not, it was crazy. And the landing was the worst part… people aren't meant to hit a tree that hard. Busted up my arm pretty bad too.” Isaiah rotated his shoulder. “Anyway, I found another unit and brought reinforcements just in time to bust the siege." His story finished, he leaned back against a wooden support pole.

  "Why did you leave?" Aerin suddenly asked.

  Isaiah sat for what seemed to be hours, his eyes fixated on the dirt floor as he thought. It seemed he was looking for the best way to word his response. A mix of emotions danced across his face.

  "Let's just say, it's not all it's made out to be." He stood and dusted his pants. "There are... things men should never see or do."

  "I..." Aerin looked down at her feet as she wrinkled her blue apron in her hands. "I'm sorry." She apologized. "I shouldn't-"

  "There you are." Aerin's father spoke from the barn door, cutting her off. "Your mother and I need you to take some things to market."

  "Right now?" Aerin asked.

  "If you leave now, you can make it back in time for supper. Wouldn't want to be missing that now would you?" He laughed.

  "Alright..."

  She handed the bowls to her father before glancing back towards Isaiah. He had already walked away and had gone back to his chores. Aerin felt a slight pang of regret at her question earlier, but she let the feeling slip away as she stepped outside of the barn. A small wagon was outside loaded down with many fruits of the field. A horse with a very uninterested look stood hitched to the front of the wagon and occasionally it would let out what sounded to be a sigh, as if to express its boredom. Aerin climbed atop the wagon and adjusted herself in the seat before taking hold of the reigns.

  "Be careful now, dear. Watch the roads, and mind your pace." Her father advised.

  "I know, I know!" Aerin brushed her father's advice away. With a crack of the reigns, she was off.

  "Bring home some gold!" Her father called out as she crested the hill. As she entered the forest her father's words faded, and she could hear him no more.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chunks of fresh mud slapped up against the underside of the wagon, flung up by the spinning wheels below. The rain that had fallen the day before had softened the road, and the many wagons that had passed by had left deep cuts in the sludge. The horse’s hooves came down hard as it trotted along the squishy road. Aerin had to be diligent as she guided the cart. Tract
ion was poor and if the wagon managed to get stuck, there’d be no getting it out by herself. She followed the pathway through the woods as she listened to the birds chirping overhead. They, along with the wagon’s wheels and the horse’s hooves made a melodic tone that was fit to put Aerin to sleep. She slapped her cheeks and shook her head, forcing herself to focus.

  It was well into the afternoon by the time she made it out of the forest. The sunlight overhead was hot and Aerin could feel beads of sweat forming on her neck now that she was out from underneath the cover of the trees. The plains that the road wound through offered little in the way of shade, but what it did offer was a glimpse of the city in the distance. She could see it over the hill tops across the way; its large stone walls rose up into the air like a great shield. Miles of farmland and small houses stretched around the walls like a multicolored blanket. Aerin tightened her grip on the reigns and gave them a quick whip, signaling the horse to pick up its pace. The sun baked road was much dryer and the horse carried Aerin and the wagon swiftly into the town.

  The marketplace was just as busy as ever. Dozens of merchants, both men and women alike, filled the area with carts and stalls. Each was filled to the brim with goods and wares that every merchant hoped to trade for both other goods and coin. All sorts of items were bartered, traded, and sold here; from food, to simple weapons and armor, to even whole herds of livestock out on the edge of the market in the pens.

  Aerin pulled the wagon to a stop in front of one such merchant. He was a lanky sort of fellow a few years Aerin’s superior. His clothes were clean, and better than most, a sign that he was in no way impoverished like some of the others Aerin had spotted. Fruits and vegetables of all shapes, colors, and sizes lined the shelving of his small store. The man, noticing Aerin’s arrival, quickly finished a sale with an older woman before turning and rushing to Aerin’s side.

  “Aerin!” He called out. “I’ve been expecting you!” He said with great enthusiasm.

  “Hello, Wally.” Aerin returned his greeting.

  She set the reigns down and climbed out of the side of the wagon. She patted her horse on the side and in response it let out an exasperated sigh before turning its attention toward the cobblestone pavement below. Having found no grass to graze, the horse sighed once more.

  “So, do you have everything I asked for?” Wally asked, hands clasped together, already getting down to business.

  “Well let’s see.” Aerin led him around the backside of the wagon. A few burlap sacks filled to the brim with vegetables lay strewn about. Aerin stepped up onto the back of the wagon and began to riffle through them. “This one is…” She opened the top and peered inside. “Carrots.” She handed the bag down to the eager merchant. “And this one… potatoes. And over here is… carrots again.” She sorted through six or so bags until none remained.

  “Wonderful!” Wally exclaimed. He took hold of as many sacks as he could carry before hauling them over behind his stall.

  “They taste great too.” Aerin stated as she followed behind him with the remaining bags. “I had some this morning.”

  “I would expect nothing less.” Wally said with a smile. “Your family keeps me in business!”

  “Well.” Aerin crossed her arms and leaned against Wally’s stall. “We’re happy to oblige as long as the coin is good.”

  “And good it is.” Wally said as he unclasped a small coin purse from his side. “And this is for you.”

  Aerin took hold of the pouch. It was heavier than she imagined, but lighter than she’d hoped. She untied the string around the top and poured the coins out into her palm. Quickly she counted over them and found it to be exactly the number she had been looking for.

  “Looks like it’s all here.” She observed. “It’s been a pleasure-“

  Aerin cut herself off as a man on a black horse rode by suddenly. He tore through the crowd with utter disregard for anyone in his path as he headed toward the town center. He was clad in white with silver armor and a red cross on his chest. Aerin’s heart skipped a beat, she knew this uniform; she had seen it in the barn, in a chest Isaiah kept close to his bedroll. There was a loud commotion coming from the center of the market and from where she was standing Aerin could see a crowd beginning to form.

  She motioned Wally to watch her cart before heading off into the crowd. She squeezed in and around all kinds of people until she reached the center. Her worst fears came true at what she saw. Nearly a dozen Crusaders, all dressed the same, stood in the center of the crowd. The man she had seen before sat atop his black horse, a few heads above everyone else. He unrolled a scroll that had been on his side and began to read aloud.

  “There is a man among you!” He shouted. “A villain, corrupt in his nature! He has committed heinous acts against God, his church, and his people!” He paused as the words sank into the people around him. “He is on the run and has been seen in this very town!” Murmured whispers could be heard all around. “This man is in possession of property belonging to the Church and must be found at all costs! This is his face!”

  The man unrolled another scroll and turned it around toward the crowd. Aerin knew this face. The shaggy blond hair that was swept over his ears, the scar on his cheek, the strong jawline, it was Isaiah. There was no doubt about it.

  “His name is Isaiah and he must be found!” The Crusader shouted. “The Church is prepared to offer a pardoning of sins for those with information. However, for those who harbor such a traitor…” Suddenly the man drew his sword from his side. “Only death awaits!”

  As if on cue, the other crusaders began to ransack the marketplace. They rummaged through stalls, kicked in doors, and began to corral everyone. A general panic quickly ensued. Aerin rushed back through the chaos as fast as she could. Once she reached Wally’s stall she unhooked the wagon and climbed upon the horse, all the while Wally was frantically collecting his wares.

  “What are you doing?” He questioned. “Where are you going? What’s going on?!”

  “Soldiers are tearing up the place.” Aerin answered plainly as she adjusted the straps on the horse. “Will you do me a favor?”

  “I, uh, yes sure, of course. What?” Wally stammered.

  “Watch the cart for me!”

  Aerin tossed a few coins down to Wally before turning the horse around. With a quick jab to the side, it took off towards home. The outer sections of the town were much quieter than the market. Either the crusaders had yet to move so far, or word had yet to spread of what was happening inside the city. Either way, it made for faster riding, and Aerin was thankful for it. She was out of the town in no time, and didn’t encounter any problems until she was almost to the forest.

  Up ahead, Aerin could see the familiar colors of the crusaders. Two soldiers stood watch at the edge of a pasture near the wooded path. They had created a small road block, stopping any traffic to and from the city. Aerin greatly reduced her speed as one of them held up a hand, signaling her to stop.

  “Halt.” He commanded as Aerin approached. “Where are you headed?” The soldier questioned as he looked her over.

  “Home, sir.” Aerin tried to keep her voice as stable as possible. “A farm, just a ways ahead.”

  “This man.” The soldier unrolled a familiar scroll. On it was another depiction of Isaiah’s face. “Have you seen him?”

  “No sir.” Aerin answered. “Never seen him before.”

  “I see.” The man stated and rolled the scroll back up. “Watch out, he’s a wanted man. Very dangerous.”

  “I will, sir.”

  “Very well.” The crusader stepped to the side. “On your way then.”

  Before she had made it fifty feet away, Aerin could hear shouting behind her. Looking back, she could see two other crusaders approaching fast on horseback. They shouted at the two men blocking the road, which in turn shouted their commands to Aerin. Realizing she had been found out she cursed Wally and gave the horse a swift kick in the side. With motivation welling up on its hide, the
horse burst into a full gallop.

  The men were gaining on her fast and Aerin quickly surmised that her horse was no match against the superior breeds the crusaders rode upon. She weighed her options and decided to try and lose them in the forest. She pulled the reigns hard to the right and led the horse off the beaten path. Maneuverability was tight and her speed dropped significantly, but it did so with her pursuers as well. Aerin knew these woods well, and she guided the horse between tight trees and rock faces. Slowly, she was getting away from the men behind her, but it all changed suddenly.

  Her horse’s right hind leg buckled. It fell hard to the side and Aerin held on for dear life. She heard a loud snap from below as the belt that held the saddle in place violently came loose. It came apart and tore Aerin from her perch, flinging her and the horse down into a deep gully. Together, they tumbled end over end, dragging leaves and dirt all the way down before coming to a stop at the very bottom. Aerin pulled herself wearily from the ground; her body was cut and bruised and her clothes were tattered. The horse had come to a stop on its left side some ten feet away and Aerin could see the arrow shaft protruding from its leg. She moved closer to get a better look, but suddenly the horse grunted loudly. Shouts could be heard high above the ridge they had fallen from and the horse thrashed its head around, neighing loudly. Aerin looked into its eyes and could almost understand what it was trying to say to her. Go.

  She ran through the gully as hard as she could. Her heart raced, filling her body with adrenaline. Suddenly, she came to a dead stop. Over the loud thumping of her heart, she could hear the familiar clopping of hooves up ahead. Quickly, she scrambled to hide herself. She ducked into an alcove between two large rocks and made herself as small as she could manage. The clopping sound came to a stop nearby and Aerin’s heart skipped a beat as she heard two heavy thuds. Her breathing became erratic as waves of heat washed over her body. The heavy footfalls grew closer and closer until it felt like they were right on top of her. She covered her mouth and held her breath. Beads of sweat poured down her forehead as she held her eyes shut tight. Seconds stretched on into hours as she sat there in silence.