“Cheeky little cunt,” said the short brute. “Look at ya, with ya blonde hair, smooth skin and weird eyes. Ya look more like a woman than warrior. How about I fuck ya like one little boy.”
Hiroki drew his sword, as did Yoshihiro and the rest of the commanders who were all now fully armed, the guards in the wall tower aimed their cross bows at Hiroki and his allies whilst the small group of chain mailed guards that were with the tall and short brute drew their swords and shields and leapt to the defence of their fellow guards.
“Fucking lovely,” boasted Crow. “A nice morning warm up.”
Jadar began to conjure her hunter abilities, she was armed with spear and shield and short bursts of lightning emitted from her body as her eyes turned silver. “Please give me an excuse to kill you!” bellowed Jadar.
“Fucking War Hogs,” a guard shouted from the wall tower.
“Don’t worry lads.” shouted the short brute as he aimed his spear at Hiroki. “When this fight is over that hunter bitch is mine. Ya hear that sweetheart, I’m gonna plow ya over and over—”
Before the guard could finish his sentence, the thick black cast iron gate began to open, and a mysterious voice was heard. “You won’t do such a thing, disarm at once.”
Accompanied by a small troop of guards appeared a tall, slim elf dressed in an all-black robe, his eyes were of a piercing red, his ears sharp and pointy and his hair was red and tied back into a long ponytail which reached to just below his shoulders. The elf stood at a comfortable six feet and sported a black onyx staff that shone gloriously and mounted atop of the staff was a perfectly polished and circular jade stone.
The elf commanded respect and had an aura of great power emitting from him, Hiroki could not believe his eyes at the sight of one living amongst humans and commanding them. Why is an elf here? They don’t mix at all, thought Hiroki.
The guards did as commanded and disarmed at the mysterious elf’s request, the two brutes reluctantly stood back, their faces bore signs of great anger and frustration at obeying the command. Yoshihiro signalled to Hiroki and his allies to do the same. Yoshihiro smiled at the elf who had since begun making his way towards Yoshihiro with purpose, and to Hiroki’s shock they embraced tightly like old friends from a distant past. Ragrim and the others also seemed at ease and Hiroki couldn’t help but think the mysterious elf was an old friend.
“You haven’t aged at all Yoshihiro,” said the elf who’s accent indicated someone of high standing or decorated education.
“Don’t worry Vinnakeon, I’ve aged on the inside,” retorted Yoshihiro merrily.
Vinnakeon turned his attention to Hiroki and his comrades. “Good to see you all again, Darius asked me to meet you all and take you to him. I trust you’ll find my company more pleasant than that of our guards here who seem to have forgotten their places and have allowed their brutish ways to cloud their common sense.”
Jadar couldn’t resist another scathing jab. “Nothing a few lashes can’t fix! I’m good with a whip if you need assistance.”
Vinnakeon laughed. “Perhaps, though I’m sure they won’t make the same mistake twice. No lashes needed.” The guards looked nervous and looked down at the floor.
Vinnakeon glanced at Hiroki. “So, you’re the young swordsman trained by my friend Yoshihiro. Tongues wag throughout the Centre Plate and I must say when I heard rumours of a kid swordsman standing side by side with Yoshihiro, I was sceptical. I see you have your black headband; no more proof is needed. Tell me, what’s your name?”
Yoshihiro interjected before Hiroki could speak, Hiroki was clearly taken back by the elf. “It's fine Hiroki, Vinnakeon is a friend.”
“I’m Hiroki Mitsue, Yoshihiro rescued me when I was a kid, I’ve trained with him ever since. I fought many battles with the War Hogs and alongside Yoshihiro, though my swordsmanship is still humble compared to sensei’s.”
Vinnakeon laughed at Hiroki’s innocence. “You're modest, I like that. Well Hiroki Mitsue, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
An agonising shriek was heard and to everyone’s horror another troop of guards emerged, this time dragging a child who must have been no more than twelve. The young boy was dressed in an aged and dirt ridden tunic with matching aged breeches that were once white but now looked like a shade of brown. The child wore black short boots that had holes in the soles that were visible as the child was dragged violently by his hair. The tall and short brute began to smile, cold sadistic smiles that reeked of perversion and death.
A short, stocky, and fat guard threw the child to the ground and the child fell a few feet away from the two tall brutes, the thud was heard by all who stood near as the child cried and begged for his life.
The guard said, “Caught this little one stealing bread from one of the markets.” The guard grabbed hold of the child by ear and squeezed as the child screamed, “It wasn’t your bread to take was it! It was Darius’s bread; all you see here is Darius’s you little runt.”
The child replied in a blood curdling tone. “Please sir, my sister and mum are sick and hungry. It was just one loaf.” The guard released the child and kicked him to the floor. Yoshihiro, Hiroki and the War Hogs looked on in disgust, even Vinnakeon looked displeased.
The tall brute grabbed the child and lifted him up, the child could barely stand and was paralysed by fright. “We all want things we can’t ‘ave, little one. I want a gorgeous bride, sixteen years old with big tits and a tight snatch to plow every night, but ya don’t see me stealing do ya!” The guards roared with laughter who now seemed more like a pack of jackals than of men. The tall guard continued, “Speaking of hungry, there’s a spike over there that’s hungry for a head! Lads, fetch the axe!”
The child screamed and a rush of blood ran through Hiroki’s body, the darkness that he harboured within him was beginning to emerge. Yoshihiro could sense Hiroki’s aura turning dark, he spoke telepathically. “Hiroki don’t get involved, we're not here for this yet. There is a plan, think of Tatsuya.”
The short brute dropped the axe to the floor and said, “I’ve got a better idea, we could take him to a village nearby, I’m sure we could fetch a fair coin for him.”
Archie whispered to Yoshihiro. “Come on, we can’t let this stand.”
Before Yoshihiro could respond Hiroki exploded with rage. “This ends now you scum.”
Hiroki charged towards the tall brutish guard and drew his white sleeper, the brute roared and before he could unsheathe his short sword Hiroki slashed across his torso, his katana tore through the flesh of the guard with ease. The guard dropped to his knees and Hiroki span then slashed across the other side of the guard’s torso, opening up another deep laceration.
The guards were shocked by Hiroki’s swordplay and speed as was Vinnakeon, and as the tall guard tried to mumble a curse word, with one swing Hiroki took his head.
The guards head dropped to the floor, and Hiroki, now feral in his state of mind turned to the short brute who had readied his spear and yelled, “Fire!” The crossbow wielders did as commanded and fired from the wall tower.
Time seemed to stand still as Hiroki looked up at the flurry of arrows heading his way, their black and cold razor sharp points were set to hit head on and take Hiroki’s life, and as they approached they crashed into a seemingly impossible invisible wall, to the guards shock, Vinnakeon had begun glowing, a green aura surrounded him and his eyes were fully immersed in a red rage and shone like two red fire balls, Vinnakeon roared and clapped his hands together, the protective invisible force field exploded, knocking down the guards and burning the halted arrows to a crisp in a frightening display of elven power.
Vinnakeon had seen enough. “Stand down all of you,” he roared.
Yoshihiro glared at Hiroki, enraged at the unnecessary battle at the gates whilst Tatsuya smirked at the death of one of Darius’s guards. Vinnakeon turned to the short brute. “You started this, executing children in front of guests! As of now, I will be taking control of Darius’s guard and
nobody is to be executed without my approval.”
Vinnakeon turned to Hiroki and as quick as he was enraged, he had equally mellowed again and the green aura and burning red eyes vanished. “Hiroki, do learn to control that temper of yours.”
Yoshihiro approached Vinnakeon. “I’m sorry, it seems as though my young student is yet to learn manners.” Yoshihiro turned to Hiroki. “We will have words after this, very good technique though. You cut through that guard like he was a pig.”
An awkward silence was met with this comment until Yoshihiro smiled, Crow laughed, as did Jadar and Ragrim, even Vinnakeon smirked, Hiroki was relieved, he knew he had failed to control his emotions but also knew his act was just.
Vinnakeon approached the child and presented the boy with a coin. “Here, your family need not go hungry anymore. Share the food with all you can.” Vinnakeon then turned to guards. “As of now, no children are to be harmed.”
The short brute remained infuriated. “This is bullshit. I’m not taking this, not from an elf, not from a fucking elf! Darius will hear this I tell ya!”
Vinnakeon’s staff had begun glow as did his red eyes, Yoshihiro smiled, no doubt he had witnessed what was to unfold many times before, and before the short brute could speak anymore, Vinnakeon shot a magnificent green blast from his staff that burned through the chest of the guard as molten lava would. The guard dropped to the floor as smoke emitted from the hole in his torso, the sound of burning flesh caught Hiroki’s attention as did the look of fear on all the guards faces.
Vinnakeon addressed them once more. “Do not think me to be a lonely elf in a human land, weak and needing protection. I have Darius’s ear and carry out his requests. Am I clear?”
The guards nodded and bowed to the great elf who then turned to the War Hogs. “Follow me, Darius Kazim awaits you.”
Yoshihiro and Hiroki, along with the commanders made their way past the gated iron entrance and into Cutthroat’s Grasp, the child ran off into the market to spend his coin, Jadar winked at Hiroki and smiled, the acknowledgment filled Hiroki’s heart with warmth at his recent brave act. Hiroki then gazed upon one of the biggest settlements he had ever seen!
Hiroki had never seen such a mass crowd of people before, the noises, smells and the environment ran wild with Hiroki’s senses. In the centre of the settlement was the mass market, many sellers speaking different classes of tongues could be heard selling their goods, the stalls were all timber and wide which enabled the sellers to display as much as they could to fetch extra coin, the stalls were protected by timber roofs which would shield the sellers from the rain and snow during the harsher seasons.
Hiroki began to pay close attention to the sellers as Vinnakeon began walking them through, a small troop of six armed guards also tailed behind, no doubt these men were Vinnakeon’s private soldiers who followed him everywhere.
Hiroki noticed a woman of a plump build selling bread, the bread was baked fresh and Hiroki could see the heat leaving the freshly baked loathes, the smell was exquisite and made his mouth water, he could practically taste the doe and feel it melting his mouth. “One silver coin a loaf, get 'em while they're hot!” bellowed the woman to all the passers-by.
Hiroki noticed Ragrim beam with happiness, he looked over to see a butcher roasting a variety of meats on his pit, there sign stated what was on offer, wild boar, elk, deer, pork sausages and thick cuts of bacon were advertised.
The smell from the pit was strong and Hiroki felt his tummy rumble, a fat plump man having left the pit with a small plate of meat bit into a chunk of charred boar, Hiroki heard the crunch and saw the fat drip down the man’s chubby cheeks.
Yoshihiro smiled and turned to Hiroki. “Don’t worry, we shall feast shortly too.”
There was one stall that was run by dwarves, they were selling a variety of fish, crab, and lobster, one dwarf bellowed. “The freshest fish in Cutthroat’s Grasp straight from Oceans Kiss.”
Hiroki had heard of the sea farers town of Oceans Kiss before as it was popular with dwarves who lived alongside humans and fished there, the town was also rumoured to have made the fastest and most reliable boats in the lands, no doubt their dwarven blacksmithing mastery extended to ship building too.
Hiroki noticed a dual tent erected with stalls adjoined onto it that was double in size compared to the other stalls, the smell of spices and herbs was piecing and a wealthy selection of merchandise was on offer, peppers, onions, herbs and spices as well as exotic curry powders and seasonings. Next to it was the biggest cooking pot Hiroki had seen, the smell was alluring as a mass chicken curry cooked within it which was piping hot and caused a que of many hungry men and women waiting to fill their bowls.
Next to the curry pot was a wok which was equal in size to the curry pot, the sign read ‘Spicy Beef Noodles’ Hiroki could only imagine the taste but knew it would be glorious just like the smell.
Another mass queue was forming off into the distance with would-be customers awaiting their turn to purchase honey wine and ginger beer that was freshly brewed locally and as Hiroki moved ahead, he bore witness to many other goods for sale such as clothes, medicinal concoctions, fruits and nuts.
Ragrim walked past the blacksmithing station, the work was poor and swords which still displayed rust, half battered shields and poorly re-worked armour were on show. “Poor brutish pieces of work.” scoffed Ragrim who then shouted ahead to Vinnakeon. “I hope Darius’s private army has better weapons and armour than the shite you sell here!”
Vinnakeon laughed merrily. “Of course we do, we steal and loot only the finest weapons and armour from our victims before slaughtering them.”
Hiroki was shocked by the casualness of Vinnakeon’s outlook on slaughter, though he had to remind himself that even though Vinnakeon had his morals and principles, he still served and acted as an advisor to a warlord.
Vinnakeon had led them out of the busy market and the environment began to get a lot more peaceful as they walked through small alleys and side turns. They seemed to be making their way through the living quarters which revealed the poverty of which most lived in.
The households were made of the same type of brick of which the defensive wall was made from, though the inhabitants appeared weak, skinny, and malnourished. The children barely had any clothes, and many were seen running around playfully, naked and unfazed as if clothes were simply something they had accepted they could not have. The roofs of the households were either poorly applied thatch and straw that looked as though they could not protect the inhabitants from rain and snow, or the roofs were made from thin sheets of metal that were rusted and loose.
Archie seemed sombre and spoke to his comrades. “It’s the same everywhere, the line between the rich and poor. No doubt a number of these children will be forced to sell themselves.”
One woman was sat hunched over topless, her skinny frame revealed her ribcage and to Hiroki’s horror he noticed she was trying to breastfeed her baby, no milk seemed to secrete from her breasts and her baby screamed due to hunger and Hiroki could see the stains of dry tears etched into the woman’s young dirty face, her eyes was soulless and she seemed to had surrendered to her fate.
Jadar wrapped her arm around Hiroki. “Don’t look,” she whispered.
Hiroki’s thoughts ran wild through his mind. If this isn’t a bad dream I’m walking through, then what madness is this? These people are dying and starving while others feast until their stomachs ache back at the market. Darius, you are a monster, I hope Tatsuya kills you.
Vinnakeon broke the uncomfortable silence. “Not long now, just past Slaver’s Square and then we will be with Darius shortly.”
Hiroki and his comrades had made it through the despicable living areas of the poor and into Slaves Square, the difference between the wealthy and the poor became clear as crystal. Slaves Square backed onto the same types of households that were populated by the poor however these households were big, well maintained and externally clean. The roofs were triangular
with thick tiles propped by timber rafters and there were even stained glass windows, thick oak doors, and fireplaces to keep warm.
Yoshihiro cursed. “So, this is how the rich piggies live while their fellow men and women starve to death a stone’s throw away. Tell me Vinnakeon, who are these people?”
Vinnakeon answered, “Most of them are traveling slavers that bring their captured goods here to be sold, they pay a small tax to Darius and the rest of the coin is theirs, they are also given affordable households if they commit service to Darius and give him first pickings on their slaves. Others are a mix if distinguished sailors and merchants who perhaps were born into wealth and sell their goods in the market and to neighbouring provinces.”
The mass stone square area was clean and well maintained and looked as though even the bricks were polished and cleaned daily, no doubt by slaves.
“Okay gather round all, I have a special batch for you today.” was shouted into the crowd. Yoshihiro, Vinnakeon and the War Hogs turned to see a new auction about to take place upon the timber stage in the centre of the square.
To Hiroki’s disgust four young naked women were dragged onto the stage in chains, the rusted chains locked their arms and legs and looked heavy. The women were young and scared, one must have been sixteen, slim and timid with brunette coloured hair and white skin, the other was of a dark skin tone with braided here and a curvy build, she had scars on her back from whip lashes, her sombre face told a story of great anguish though she seemed no older than twenty. One of the women was middle aged with black hair, though grey roots had started to appear, she must have been beaten recently as there was visible bruising around the woman’s face and scabby cut upon her lip. The last woman in the line was blonde, slim, and tall with blue eyes and despite being dirty her skin looked soft with no bruising or scars.
A perverse voice was heard from the crowd. “That blonde one looks tasty. I could fuck that when the wife’s away.”
Yoshihiro seemed enraged by the auction. “Vinnakeon, I have not come here for this, take me to Darius now.”
Killing Monsters Page 17