by R W Caron
With life there is much pain, many decisions that can bring you joy or pain depending on how things turned out. Everything in life was left to chance and the will of the gods. Andrew how ever was one of the many who believed that there were no gods. Andrew believed in himself, nothing more and nothing less. ‘One must trust their decisions, make them because they know it’s right, not because the gods say so’, his father’s words echoed in his ears. Scholars say that when you die if you did not believe in the gods you would not be graced with life after death but Andrew questioned that theory. Who do the gods believe in then? He would ask. He was given looks of blasphemy and never given an answer. Since then Andrew has believed only in himself and his decisions.
He slammed his fist into the wooden door and it slammed opened as he walked in. He grabbed his armour and stared down at it. Only now did he see how damaged it had been, how destroyed his breast plate had been. The sisters had cleaned the blood from it, but they where no blacksmiths so his armour sat in ruin. Andrew throw his armour across the room in pure anger. It slid across the floor and slammed into the stone wall with a mighty clang.
“I’m sorry to disturb you Lord Brady.” Came the soft voice of a young woman. Andrew’s head shot around and he looked at her embarrassed of his outburst.
“It should be I who apologies to you sisters.” Andrew said with a low bow. “I did not mean to startle you.”
“It is okay Lord Brady.” She replied with a slight curtsy.
“Please call me Andrew” He replied as he moved toward her and motioned for her to sit. “What can I do for you?”
“I came to inform you of something.” The sister replied as she lowered herself onto the chair sitting beside Andrew’s bed. Andrew sat on the end of the bed and moved closer to her as she motioned with her hand.
“Yes?” Andrew asked.
“The man you travel with, he is behaving rather odd.” She replied softly. “Madam Carmae would burn me to a crisp if she knew I was bothering you with this but no one else is willing to listen. I am hoping you can enlighten me.”
“I can try.” Andrew replied. “Explain what he is doing.”
“He seems to be talking to himself.” She replied. “Arguing. He is Nipawin yes?”
Andrew nodded. “Yes, one of their best hunters.” Her face crinkled and he chuckled softly at her look. “What?”
“They must not be very good with a bow and arrow.” She replied.
“Why do you say that?” Andrew asked. He knew the Nipawin people where amazing with bows. Alina had told her stories of her brother, his traveling partner, hitting a squirrel at one hundred paces against the wind. For this girl to say something like this set alarm bells ringing in Andrews ears.
“That great white bear that attacked you.” She replied. Andrew looked at her confused. “He had shot many arrows into the bear and only the last arrow he fired had hit an organ. He is lucky because Carmae said he had no arrows left.”
Andrews mind starts wondering down unthinkable paths. How had he missed that many times? Ryukin, the great Nipawin hunter could not find the vitals on a huge bear that was attacking his traveling partner. Something didn’t add up, Andrew knew as the girl told of his many holes she had stitched to fix the hide of the bear in order for them to stretch and us it. “He is talking to himself? How do you mean?”
“He isn’t just talking. After I brought him food, I was lingering around his room, he looked different to me, and so I wanted to see if Nipawin people acted and ate the same as us. I have never met a Nipawin person so,” she said embarrassed as she looked down.
“You were curious. It’s not a crime.” Andrew assured her in a comforting tone. A smile creased her lips as she looked back up at him.
“Yes, I was. When i sat outside his door however I hear him raise his voice talking about how they should attack now. All the waiting is getting to him and how he couldn’t take it anymore. A second voice always countered. This second voice was the voice he used when speaking plainly to everyone. It calmed the first voice, explained that they could not attack now, that they needed more time.” She looked back to the ground and let her head sink lower into her shoulders.
“Thank you for telling me.” Andrews mind was a blur. Ryukin might just be losing his mind. Maybe the thirst for war was getting to him as it has many men in the past. All of this felt wrong to Andrew. Ryukin had come to him to avoid bloodshed. He had come to him with a peaceful suggestion for the Nipawin situation and the plan had gone off without a hitch. Now with Alina and Nahan gone, maybe Ryukin was starting to truly taste power and was starting to get drunk on it. Andrew sighed and smiled. “I would like to see my friend, could you take me too him?”
“Yes sir.” She replied.
“Thank you.” Andrew replied. Sister Echo led him from the room and down several twisting and narrow hallways. The continued down a flight of stairs carved into the stone and came to a caged door. “Why the dungeon?” Andrew asked.
“Your Nipawin Friend shot and wounded on of Lady Carmae’s royal guard. Luckily it only pieced his skin and he was alright. Until you awoke, we were keeping him here just in case you both intended harm.”
“I understand.” Andrew replied. “May I enter?”
“Yes, go right ahead.” Sister Echo replied. Andrew stepped into the room and looked around. For a cell it was cozy. There was fresh straw laid out for a bed, a small window to see the sea through. Books scattered on the ground and a few silver dishes in the corner with remnants of food on them Andrew did a full circle of the room and looked out to Sister Echo. “Where is he?”
“He is not in there?” She asked surprised.
“Not at all.” Andrew replied exiting the cell. Sister echo looked into the cell and then back at Andrew confused.
“We must tell Madam Carmae.” She replied with her big doe eyes looking deep into Andrews soul. Andrew new something was wrong, could feel something strange going on.
“She already knows.” Carmae’s voice echoed and hissed from the top of the stairs. Andrew froze and Sister Echo dropped to her knees and lowered her eyes and Carmae walked down the stairs. “You little friend seems to be quiet crafty Andrew. I have sent my guards to track him down and drag him back.”
Andrew ears perked up and his eyes narrowed as Carmae walked past him. She smiled and then backhanded Sister Echo to the floor. Andrew stepped up to protect her by Carmae merely smiled and walked up the stairs. Andrew helped Sister Echo up and assured she was ok. He helped her up the stairs and back toward Andrews’s room. If only Andrew would have continued a few more feet, to the opening to the sea, he would have seen Carmae standing with her staff, soaking in the rays of sunshine and fresh air, while a second Carmae, and imposter Carmae searched for a way out.
Chapter 15
The new Threat
King Erwin watched with utter displeasure as the Hunter dispatched opponent after opponent. His skill was unmatched by any of Erwin’s men and that fact made Erwin uneasy. His movements seemed to be four steps ahead of his opponents, knowing exactly what they would do next and his speed was that of legend. Erwin continued to watch the display as several guards attacked at once but the Hunter stayed calm and worked his blades magically defending every attack then when the opening presented itself he struck out landing blow after blow. These blows would normally kill a man but the hunter used mere wooden swords against Erwin’s men. Erwin scowled to himself that one man could walk into his castle and destroy his forces singlehandedly. Erwin knew the hunter was well trained but this was getting ridiculous.
“ENOUGH!” Erwin bellowed from his perch above the action. He stood and placed his hands on the railing. “It would seem my royal guard are no match for that of my body guard.” Erwin continued. “I am utterly disgusted with each of you. If this man wished me dead, none of you would be able to stop him.”
The men all dropped to a knee lowering their eyes. The hunter smirked and turned to face King Erwin, his eyes flashing with the knowledge t
hat King Erwin had seen the truth. He lived because the hunter allowed it. “My lord,” the hunter said with a coy voice. He loved seeing King Erwin’s jaw tighten when he called him a mere lord instead of a king. He knew Erwin hated it and the Hunter loved it. “I was just getting warmed up.”
“That will be all today Hunter.” Erwin replied. The Hunter eyes locked on the movement behind the King; a soft ruffle in one of the many flags that hung from the walls surrounding the King. No other man would have noticed, certainly none of the men he had been dueling with had witnessed it, but to the hunter it was as obvious as a full frontal assault. In a flash the hunter rushed towards the statue of an armoured man baring a pike. His foot gracefully landed on the stone forearm and his muscles coiled as he shot up with his legs. His right foot landed on the stone helmet and as he pushed off he jumped higher than any man would be able too. He cleared the railing, drew his steel sword and deflected the assassin’s attack. Erwin fell into his seat holding a hand up as the royal guard rushed to their kings’ aid.
The Assassin stared at The Hunter from behind his black painted cloth mask. Staring at him he would strike fear into any man’s heart. His blacker then night hood drawn over his masked face made him look like death its self. His armour was light the Hunter noticed, most likely to make less noise but this was not to his fault, as the hunter examined the armour he wore, it was obvious his man had customized the armour to his own liking. It was blacked out with a silver symbol stitched into it. He was a member of the Shadows guild. The hunter smiled knowing that the Assassin was as shocked as any that he had managed to get to Erwin in time. The hunter slowly opened his guard to the man and slowly bowed with a low cocky sweep.
The attack came so quick Erwin did not have time to blink as the assassin thrust forward at the Hunter.
The ring of steel on steel was all he found.
The hunter twisted and drove his elbow up into the astonished assassin’s cloth mask. He felt the man’s nose shatter under the impact but to his surprise the assassin seemed unfazed. The Hunter attacked driving the assassin back with a flurry of strikes before dipping low with another attack.
The assassin matched him with every blow.
The Hunter was less than impressed though. The two danced quickly, the ring of steel echoing through the large room. The Hunter leaped onto the railing with perfect balance and continued their duel. The assassin trusted forward at him and he front flipped over him. His boots connected with the Assassins back driving him over the railing and falling to the floor. The assassin landed perfectly and rushed for the doors of the room. He slowed as more guards rushed into the room blocking his path. The Hunter smiled and leaped from King Erwin’s side to the floor below as the assassin turned slowly.
“You’re only way out tis through me.” The Hunter said with a wink. “Shall we dance?”
The assassin stepped forward and removed his cloak. He slowly crossed his arms and placed his hands onto two sets of knives. As he pulled them free from his belt it made him appear to have long sharp claws like and animal. He rushed forward silently swiping at the Hunter. The hunter playfully parried the attack and stepped to the side. He kept his second sword low in a gesture to prove he was superior to the assassin. His face started to glow as a cocky smile crept across his face. The assassin pressed the attack swinging his arm backward attempting to catch the hunter off guard.
The Attack failed.
It was now the Hunter turn to have some fun. He struck hard and fast, his movements so precise that he already had the well-trained assassin back on his heels. The hunter smiled to himself knowing that he could end this encounter at any time. This man is a poor excuse for an assassin. The hunter thought to himself. This could very well be his first assignment. That thought merely widened the smile on the Hunters face as he continued to toy with the young man like a cat with a trapped mouse.
The assassin spun quickly pulling something from his belt and slamming in on the ground with a loud crack. Suddenly the area around them filled with smoke. Guards coughed and covered their faces but The Hunters natural abilities took over. Any lesser man would have been taken by the blade dipping his back but not the hunter.
He spun and quickly intercepted the assault. He took great pleasure in seeing the shock in the assassin’s eyes as he dropped his face to within inches of his attacker. “This is where the music stops, friend.” The way he said friend sent a visible chill down the assassin’s spine as the Hunter twisted his blade, bringing the assassin’s blade out to the side before slipping his dagger across the assassin’s throat with a smooth effortless backhand.
The blade cut deep and the hunter dropped to a knee looking up through the smoke towards the king.
He smirked as he seen a figure staring down at him from behind the throne. The kings Mistress stared down at him through the smoke having seen the entire event unfold before her very eyes, though no one else could see anything. The Hunter has known she was there the entire time, from the moment the attack was launched. He stood tall and stepped out of the smoke and his eyes shifted to the king. “You are safe, my lord.”
“Thanks to you, my Hunter.” King Erwin responded and stood from his throne. He started to clap and slowly and the rest of the guards followed suit banging their armour and clanking their weapons on the cold title floor. The Hunter’s eyes shifted quickly to where the woman had been standing behind the throne. She was gone, and the smirk he had merely grown.
“I shall retire to my quarters, my lord.” The hunter replied, not intending to go to his quarters at all. King Erwin nodded his approval and the Hunter swiftly departed. He knew that the Mistress Shatina would be expecting him. She was always expecting him.
Shantina watched as the hunter disposed of the assassin she had paid for. It had been a test of course, one that she had been planning for months to be sure The Hunter was as good as he claimed to be. He did not disappoint.
She had been meeting with him in private, trying he best to put him under her spell but she had been unsuccessful. He was a very powerful man, and she was forced to focus on staying in her human form when they had sex. It was difficult, she had never met a man that could resist her gaze which made The Hunter even more appealing to her. She knew it was a risk sleeping with him and cheating on her king but the thrill of staying focused, the passion they shared and the risk of getting caught was more then she had ever felt before. Erwin was a weak man, so easy to manipulate, the Hunter however… Her train of thought was broken as she felt a set of lips brush her neck. She jumped but the Hunters firm hands held her in place. “How did you get in here?”
“Why do you ask?” The hunter asked with a coy tone.
“I locked the door.” Shantina replied leaning back into the hunter as one of his hands ran around her waist and slowly up her chest.
“I’m good with my hands.” He replied playfully.
“That you are.” She remarked and turned towards him. The sudden shock in her expression pleased the hunter as his dagger came to rest between her breasts. “What are you doing?”
“What are you?” The hunter growled suddenly. Pushing the dagger ever so slightly.
“What do you mean?” She asked trying to play dumb.
The Hunter smiled and almost laughed. “Don’t play dumb your majesty, it does not suit a creature of your intelligence.”
Creature!? Does he know? Shatina thought to herself, almost out loud. “How dare you call me a creature? Guar-” The word froze in her throat as his dagger moved lightning quick to her throat. She swallowed hard and stared into the Hunters unblinking eyes. Her gaze faltered, and she turned her head to the side in a sign of defeat.
“Show me what you are!” The hunter exclaimed as the dagger cut down in a flash, cutting the corset and gown off the queen. The Hunter took a step back and flipped the dagger over in his hand sheathing it. He leaned against the beauty table, crossed his arm and legs and nodded his head for her to show him.
Shantina stared at the Hu
nter blankly and then closed her eyes. He would die today then, she said to herself as she started her transformation. Within moments her legs stretched and became her long slender tail, her upper body become covered in scales and her eyes turned a deep yellow. She stared at the Hunter expecting a reaction, but he merely smiled. “Is this what you wanted?” She hissed.
