by Jake Daniel
Dahlia sat and pushed herself to her feet slowly. She wore a relieved expression as she could support her own weight. “I... I feel amazing.”
“It’s so good to see you up and walking again. I was really worried about you.”
She walked over to me, her petals falling gracefully around her hips, creating a colorful skirt of brilliant colors of which I had not seen her turn before. “Logan, something’s changed inside of me. I can feel it.”
I cocked my head and watched as she walked with no sign that she’d actually been on her deathbed only hours earlier. “You look like you’ve changed. This is the most energy I’ve seen you had since I met you.”
She smiled and ran up to me, wrapping her arms tightly around me in a joyful embrace. Although, as she took in our surroundings, I could tell her excitement had faded. She looked up to me with tears in her eyes. “What did they do?! Where is everybody?”
“It was Striker and his men. They followed Gwen and Wofferd back here after they went into town. There were just too many of them to fight off.”
Dahlia glanced around and ambled toward the tavern. “That man is pure evil.”
I spotted a small square of cloth that laid sprawled out on the ground and picked it up. I tried to decipher its writing, and after a few seconds, I recognized the crude landmarks of Dunway and Necross.
A short distance south of Necross there was a large black “X” surrounded by several drawn in trees denoting a forest. I knew that this had to be a second way home. I wadded up the map and shoved it in my pocket as I rejoined Dahlia. “I agree, we must stop Striker. We need to leave immediately if we want any chance to rescue them. And I need to find out what the fuck he knows about my mother.” I froze as I saw three goblins sprawled out on the ground. One of them was the same one who had lent Gwen his money. My heart sank as I stared into his dead eyes. “They died trying to protect this place. Trying to protect us.” I paused and spotted two lizard folk a short distance from the goblins. “I will not let their deaths be in vain.”
Dahlia reached out and grabbed my arm. “How are we going to get through all of Striker’s men?”
“We’ll work together.” I glanced toward the gate and my heart leapt as I saw my gun next to a pile of debris. I picked it up and let out a sigh of relief when I realized it was undamaged. “We need to grab some gear and get the hell out of here before he sends a clean-up crew, but first...” I trailed off and stepped back toward the deceased goblins and lizard folk. “We can’t leave them there like this. Do you think you could cover their bodies until we get back and can give them all a proper burial?”
“Of course.” She stepped forward and lifted her arms. With her palms raised to the sky, she closed her eyes. The ground rumbled and churned, a precursor to several vines exploding up from the ground and covering each of the bodies completely in a blanket of brown and green foliage. Flowers sprung to each vine as it wrapped around their bodies.
I draped my arm across Dahlia’s shoulders as she finished and pulled her close to me. It was not surprising to me she had a tear rolling down her cheek. She didn’t hide the fact that she shared a deep connection with the land and its inhabitants.
In a small sense, I could almost understand. I came across at least one poached kill every year since I opened my guide service. Each time, the animal’s life had been tossed to the side and treated as a prize, most of the time left completely mutilated. Whether it be for their antlers or fur, they’d take what they wanted and leave the rest behind to rot.
I scanned the surrounding area while Dahlia finished covering the bodies of the deceased. They had demolished the huts around the lake and market, while the manor and tavern took major fire damage, but both structures remained mostly intact.
We made our way down to the cellar. They’d taken most of the weapons and other gear. Fortunately, Dahlia’s bow was still leaning against the wall where she’d left it. I handed the bow to Dahlia, and she quickly slung it over her shoulder. Only four of my 30-30 rounds survived, but I still had my knife tucked away in its sheath on my hip. I slipped the ammo in my pocket and hurried back upstairs.
I searched the main floor for anything else that I’d be able to use as a weapon. The only thing I found was a fireplace poker. It would have to do. We quickly searched the rest of the area for any sign of survivors, but I soon realized we were the only ones there. The blood and tracks on the ground showed the others put up a fight, with signs they’d dragged most of them toward the front gate.
Dahlia stood outside the smoldering tavern and grabbed a large fallen branch. She held it in front of her body and closed her eyes. The wood twisted and splintered in her hand and within seconds had snapped in several places. She set it on the ground and the branch broke apart. The faint outline of the spirit she was using was barely visible as she transformed the branch. The energy swirled slowly at first and picked up speed, swirling wildly from her hand to the ground.
I’m not sure why, since I should’ve expected everything, but I rubbed my eyes. Laid out on the ground in a line in front of her was a row of ten arrow shafts.
She picked them up and placed them in her quiver as she scanned the ground for something else. She bent down and picked up several rocks and used her spirit and skills to transform the rocks into sharp arrowheads. She pulled out a completed shaft and secured the arrowhead at the end with a vine she shot out of her wrist like she was Spiderman.
I stared in awe. She caught my eyes and furrowed her brow. “Is something wrong? You’re looking at me awfully curiously.”
I shook my head. “No, not at all. I’m just amazed by you, that’s all.”
She blushed and went back to fashion her arrows. Within a few minutes, we had all of our supplies gathered and left the manor, or rather what used to be the manor.
Everyone that had come had worked so hard on turning what was an old house next to a lake, into a functional place for all of those who didn’t have anywhere to go.
I knew that when I did return, I’d not only repair what had been damaged, but ensure that nothing could get in to hurt them again.
I started up the path, and I confirmed my suspicions as they had not taken the time to cover their tracks. To their credit though, they probably thought we were dead, or in Striker’s case, thought I’d already be on my way home by now if I survived.
I knew that freeing the prisoners would not be as easy this time around. I was sure Striker had either beaten or threatened every single one of his men about letting a repeat of earlier happen.
I carried my rifle in one hand and my knife in the other as we rounded the bend and neared the fork that led to Dunway. I pulled Dahlia off to the side of the road before continuing and scanned the area.
I could tell from the tracks that not everyone had continued in the same direction. At least four, possibly five of the captors continued on to Dunway.
I pointed toward the tracks on the ground and spoke to Dahlia in a loud whisper. “Keep your eyes peeled. It wouldn’t surprise me if Striker has a few lookouts stationed along the route to ensure they’re not being followed.”
As soon as the words left my mouth a hacking cough rose from the path leading to Dunway. I craned my neck around a large tree and saw three men meandering up the path. I listened closely to their conversation as they approached.
The first voice I heard was from a younger man, probably no older than twenty. “I don’t understand why we need to stay here. We already filled the bounty and took care of the problem. Seems like a waste of time and our talents.”
“Talents?” A second and much older man answered with a mocking tone showing through his deep voice. “Shit, you’re about as talented as a dead skunk, only you smell worse.”
“Shut up. You’re just jealous that he put me in charge.” The first man replied. This time I recognized the voice as Aether’s, the young man I’d let go earlier. It was apparent the man had decided not to make a change and was still working for Striker. I was reliev
ed to see that Sven wasn’t with him and hoped he’d been able to get his family away from the chaos.
The oldest of the three spoke up. “In charge? In charge of what? Sitting here on our asses until Daddy tells us it’s time to go home like good little kids. Fuck that. I heard about you being captured earlier, you don’t have much room to talk. The only reason I’m here is because I know the money’s good, and I had little other choice. Otherwise, I’d have left a long time ago.” He paused and let out a long breath. “Boys, if we ever want to live in peace, we need to do what Striker says. Even if we can’t stand the bastard. I know each of us would kill the son of a bitch ourselves if given the chance.”
Aether disagreed, and I could tell his hackles had been raised. “Kill him? Ferdius, what you’re suggesting is treason. Striker reports to the Capitol, you know that. If anyone were to overhear you, it would be all of our heads.”
Ferdius laughed and shrugged. “Suit yourself. As soon as I receive my pay, I’m going back to my wife and we’re moving far away from this bullshit, just like my brother.”
The third man finally spoke. He was a diminutive man with a thick Scottish-like accent. “Oy, all of you. How bout’ you shut the hell up and do your jobs. I am sick of the constant bitching.”
The men stopped at the fork, pulled out some rations, sat down and ate. I glanced over to Dahlia and leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “Use your vines, make sure they can’t escape.”
Dahlia gave me a nod and closed her eyes. She bent down and held her palms to the ground. The area underneath us immediately churned and several vines sprung out from the earth. Each vine raced along the ground like a spider looking for a safe place to hide. The old man was the first to yell out as the vines reached them. “What the hell?! Hold on boys, something’s afoot.”
The sounds of struggle rose from all three men and with a quick glance around the tree, I confirmed we secured them. “Hold them there Dahlia, if you see anyone else approaching, give me a warning.”
I exited from the trees and held my rifle by my side. I approached slowly, and the smallest man with white hair and a small pair of glasses furrowed his brow. He was the first to speak. “We shoulda’ fricken’ killed you.” He struggled unsuccessfully against the vines that wrapped him tightly. “I told you, did I not? Knew it t’was a mistake. Whenever an Other-worlder goes rogue, you can’t let ‘em stay alive for long or shit like this’ll happen.”
I stepped close to them and they must have been able to see my face because all of their expressions changed.
Ferdius gawked openly. His dusty shirt torn in several areas. His pants and shabby boots were nearly as bad. “But how? Striker bashed your face in. You don’t even have a scratch on your body. How’s that possible?”
“You’re right. You should’ve killed me. I don’t have the patience for your bullshit. I don’t care how much you’re being paid, or what threats you’ve received.” I turned to face Aether and stared into his eyes as I spoke. “You’re all going to die right here, right now.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
I didn’t really want to kill them, at least not right away; I needed them for information, but they didn’t know that. I was so fucking sick of these villagers not standing up for themselves and going along with what they felt was their only choice.
Although, I realized these guys wouldn’t be hunting down all the non-humans in Aurilon of their own volition. Dahlia exited the forest and joined my side. The men’s eyes went wide with recognition.
Ferdius finally spoke, ignoring me and focusing on Dahlia. “You. You worked for that old witch. You helped her kill my father.”
Dahlia sighed and shook her head slowly. “If I remember correctly, he demanded that we give him everything for free. It was his greediness that cost him his life.”
Aether took a long swig from a canteen that had been resting at his hip. He seethed and spoke through clenched teeth. “I should’ve killed you when I had the chance. Striker showed you more mercy than I’d ever show you.”
I walked up to the man and crouched down to face him, staying far enough back so he couldn’t spit in my face if he got the urge. “And what type of mercy should I show you?” I pulled my knife out and plunged it through his right shoulder, pulling it out with one swift motion. “I already let you live once. I’m not going to make that mistake again.”
Aether let out an enraged scream. “I… I’m not asking for mercy,” he said through clenched teeth. “You can kill me now for all I care. You do, and I guarantee your little crusade will come to a screeching halt.”
“Why is that?” I asked, slightly amused by his brashness even in his disadvantaged state as blood poured out of his wound.
He ignored my question and turned to Dahlia. “And you, Plant Whore, just wait until your savior realizes he’s a human, and no longer has a use for you. It won’t be long, mark my words.”
I’d had enough, I started forward to punch the man in his mouth but stopped an inch from his face as a thick vine exploded from my wrist. The cord-like rope extended out and wrapped twice around the young man’s head and covered his mouth. I kept my breath steady as I pulled the vine in tight.
Aether’s eyes bulged and his screams came out muffled as looks of terror spread across the others’ faces. Blood vessels burst in his eyes and blood oozed from his ears. His body went into full convulsions on the ground and his eyes rolled into the back of his head before finally falling motionless, his glossy eyes stared blankly up into the sky.
I glanced down to my hand where the vine protruded. I turned to Dahlia with a brief look of concern before snapping my hand, just as Dahlia had when she had tied the men. The end of the vine broke off and fell to the ground. My veins felt rock hard and for a second I was sure my hand was about to explode. I swallowed the pain and refocused on the men. “I’m done playing. I need to know where Striker took the others, and I need one of you to take me there.”
The men exchanged worried glances, but no one spoke. I knew if they led me to Striker that it would most likely mean death for them.
The smallest man finally cleared his throat and spoke. “You know he’s s‘pectin you, right? Certain death for anyone who shows. We’d be crazy to take you there, just as you’d be crazy for goin’.”
“I guess I’m feeling a little crazy. I suppose that happens when a bunch of spineless cunts decide to fuck with me. If none of you want to help, then I no longer have a need for you.” I pulled out my knife and walked closer. I held it to the neck of the small man and his body juddered.
“P... please no. You don’ understand. The Capitol forced most of us into this life. We want nothing more than to be with our families and live in peace. Under any other circumstances, I’d be offering you a pint and enjoying the weather. We signed a contract though, and if we break it...” He trailed off and shifted his focus between the others. “Well, let’s just say it won’t end up well, eh?”
Aether remained still as I picked up the end of the vine that came from within my body earlier. I gave it a few tugs, bringing the man’s head with it. The vine material was spongy, not like a normal plant, but it was strong enough to hold when I tugged on it. “So, what do you suggest then? I will not leave you all tied up here so you can run back to daddy as soon as we move on. I already see how that played out.”
I glanced at Aether and shook my head. “After what you and the others did to my manor, I’m not really in the mood to play nice. So, I’m at a bit of a loss here.”
The large man struggled against his bindings and finally spoke. “I’ll take you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Oh, you will? You sure are changing your tune quickly. It was only a minute ago you were accusing Dahlia of killing your father.” I paused and took another step forward. “Revenge is a strange thing. It’ll make even the kindest souls lose their minds when the time comes. I can’t take the risk of you doing something dumb while trying to avenge your father.”
The man shifted his eyes
to the ground before raising them slowly. “I... I give you my word. You could obviously kill each of us right now and prevent it, just as we could’ve killed you earlier.” He looked down to the cut vine on the ground and shifted his attention back to me. “You shot vines out of your fucking hand, man. You’re obviously very powerful. Most humans in Aurilon can barely shoot a bow correctly, myself included.”
“What’s your point? None of that makes you less likely to kill me or sell us out the first chance you get.” I waited several seconds for his reply.
“I… I heard what you did for my brother Sven. You showed him mercy, and I’m thankful for that.” The other man’s head whipped toward him in confusion. He ignored him and continued. “Relations between men and monsters were not always this strained. It’s really only gotten worse since the new royal family, the Corlinius’s came into power about a hundred years ago. Since that time there’s been a rift created between all races of Aurilon. Since the war ended, humans can no longer cultivate as they once had, which has always been an area of contention...” He motioned toward the vine laying on the ground. “It appears you’re the exception. You better be careful, if word gets out that you are able to cultivate, the King will be on you like stink on shit.”
I nodded slowly and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’d prefer if the King would show his face, I could take up my issues with him directly. For now though, I have a more pressing matter.” I shook my head and let out a breath. It took everything I had not to kill the men in front of me. “Sven was a man of his word. I trusted him to come through for me and he did.” I paused and walked closer to the men. “I’m offering you the same chance. It’s time to heal the rift between men and all races here.”
I closed my eyes for a moment and used my Sight. To my surprise, through the swirling spirit, I could hear the men’s thoughts.