Before we could do any kind of further searching we had to get rid of the bodies. A disgusting job, that made me feel dirty, despite only having to drag them into the darkness. We considered covering them with sand but decided that it would waste too much time. Then it was on to the search. For the most part, we stayed in the dimly lit areas, making sure to avoid most of the bandits. On the few occasions we were seen, the humans simply ignored us. Why would they bother two fellow humans who were just out for a midnight stroll? The only real situation arose when a bandit rounded a corner directly in front of us. My breathing tensed and my hand tightened around the hilt of the sword that I had replaced my spear with. Luckily, the human just stumbled past us and mumbled something in a slurred voice. After we were out of earshot I asked Pecta why the bandit had acted so weird. He just shook his head and mumbled something about the dangers of drinking. That lead me to suspiciously eye my water flask before he continued to drag me along.
Finally, we reached a tent at the edge of the camp where the light couldn't quite reach. Loud snores were emanating from within. I was very nervous about going into a tent with a bandit, someone who was ready to kill. But it was necessary to find further supplies and Pecta assured me that the criminal was sleeping. Cutting a flap into the back of the tent took a bit since we tried to be as quiet as possible, but soon we had a hole big enough for one of us to crawl in and out. I was the smaller of us two, so that duty went to me. Looking at the hole leading into the tent made me gulp, but nonetheless, I crawled in.
The first thing that I noticed was the smell. It was a sickly sweet aroma that hit me like a fist. I tried my best not to gasp for fresh air as my eyes adjusted to the dimly lit tent. The light from outside barely pierced the fabric of the structure and illuminated two bodies. They were covered with a blanket, so only their heads were visible. The light was too low to make out any details, except for the fact that one had short hair and the other long. The second figure was also much slimmer than the first. The long-haired individual still looked human but was clearly different. A female human. It was interesting to finally see female representation, but alas it didn't change what I had to do. Slowly, I made my way to the tent flap, where two brown bags lay. I thought about just taking the water, but in the end, decided to take everything. Who knew what useful items were hidden inside? I grabbed the bags and slowly made my way back to the hole. Suddenly a noise came from the backpack. The items in it hadn't been properly secured so they had made a clinking sound when bouncing together.
I stopped dead in my tracks and just waited. The female mumbled something in her sleep and rolled away from the male. I was ready to draw my dagger if she woke up, even if I didn't want to do it. Luckily she kept sleeping. I stopped myself from releasing a sigh of relief and quickly shuffled out of the tent.
Pecta ushered me out of earshot and quickly went through the bags. Sadly, there wasn't anything special in them, but that wasn't why we were here. He triumphantly pulled out two water flasks and a pouch of food. Then we were off to the next tent. This pattern of sneaking and stealing continued for three more tents, which were thankfully devoid of humans. Most of them were still outside, singing and drinking.
We were just finishing with the fourth tent when a shout cut through the night. We wiped our heads around to where it was coming from. The lamec area. “Shit" Pecta cursed. “Looks like somebody discovered our dead friends." Calling them friends might be a bit too much but I had to agree that this was bad. I frantically started looking for somewhere to hide, but Pecta was faster and pulled me into the empty tent we had just robbed. Outside the shouting started to get louder. “We can't stay here forever,” Pecta stated. “Once they get organised they'll start searching around and then we're screwed." He took a quick peek outside and immediately pulled back. “There's a commotion by the main tent. They are probably getting their mage boss. Luckily, it's drawing bandits away from us, so let's run. We got more supplies, which will hopefully last us to the next city, even if we have to go by foot.” “Is there any other way?" I whispered. “We could fight."
“Sure, we could try, but I don't favour our chances,” Pecta retorted. “Let's leave before it’s too late.” With that, he crawled through the opening and started sneaking in the opposite direction of our murder scene. I quickly followed, not wanting to be left behind. Honestly, even with them having discovered the bodies, this trip had been worth it. We had gotten more supplies, that would hopefully ensure my companion’s survival. I still didn't condone the murder, having conflicted feelings about it. They were bad people that killed and robbed others, but did it justify ruthlessly killing them? Or maybe I was looking at this wrong. If we hadn’t done it, Pecta would have died. Was this world simply survival of the fittest? Something to think about later. Anyway, almost everything had gone well during this little expedition, so of course something had to go wrong at the end.
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Suddenly a shout could be heard from behind us, followed by a Whosh, and the sand erupting next to me. Pecta let out a curse and started running, not caring about being seen. I risked a quick look behind me.
A man wearing a brown cloak with the hood pulled up was standing there, arms outstretched towards us. The air around him started contorting and a transparent arch raced towards us. I was just able to jump away before the ground where I had been standing exploded. It was a beautiful, yet terrifying display of power. With no time to think I scrambled to my feet and started racing after Pecta. Despite his head start I quickly caught up to him. Two more attacks impacted us as we ran into the darkness of the night. After a while, Pecta stopped and dragged me behind a dune. Our breathing was ragged and came out in short bursts. “What was that!?" I blurted out in a more high-pitched tone than I had intended. Pecta was just as shaken. “By all the gods, I have never seen a mage in action and I want this to be the last time I do. Forgive me Persa, for meddling with a heretic.” It took a while for him to calm down and even then I could see him shaking. I myself took in a deep breath to relax. “That was way too close for comfort. One hit of that magic and we would have been dead." Pecta nodded. “From what I know, they are the elites of the Empire’s fighting force. Seeing a powerful one in Sanktrum, leading a band of outlaws is fucking scary.” He took a peak behind us before starting to move. “Which makes it more imperative that we get the hell out of here.” We continued running away from the camp, not knowing if or when pursuers would show up. While running I tried to get more info about mages from Pecta and why they were called heretics.
“Because they disrupt the natural order of things. As stated in the Book of Revelation: magic is a foul force gifted to humans by the monsters that lurk in the darkness to tempt those with a blighted soul. Any sort of magic is forbidden in Sanktrum and punishable by death.” Very harsh. But I knew too little about the subject so I didn’t condemn it immediately. Although, I was curious about the ‘monsters that lurk in the darkness’.
Looking into the distance showed that the night was quickly turning into day. Did we escape unscathed or would the bandits come for us? I had a sneaking suspicion that I knew the answer. The world wouldn’t be so nice.
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“It is an insult that this creature still lives!” Rashyta complained. The ancient temple around her groaned as if agreeing with her. A clicking could be heard from the old mechanism that controlled the workings of her realm, signaling their mistress’s dissatisfaction. “My lady, I am certain that there is a reason behind your father’s actions. After all, he is the head of the Pantheon.” The goddess rolled her eyes at the reasoning of her favourite Chosen. It was always painful when Stinea’s words made sense. Not because there was something inherently wrong with them, but because they were too logical. “Whatever,” the goddess muttered. “Hopefully that cretin will die before it reaches Seran. Then we won’t have to deal with it.” She glanced at her Chosen. “Don’t you have a trial to attend to?” “You are correct, your godliness,” Stinea, the High Judge of Sanktrum answered. “Like always, it has been a pleasure talking to you. If your highness wants to vent her frustration again, I am always available.” Rashyta rolled her eyes in annoyance and waved the mortal away. She found it annoying how childish her Chosen’s words made her sound. She wasn’t venting her frustration. She was just informing her servants of what was to come. Her father would undoubtedly be mad if he found out that she was conversing with them so much. But what he didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt him. She glanced back at the spot her servant had occupied. It was nice to have somebody to open up to, even if it had to be a secret.
Unbeknownst to the goddess, a shadow had been hiding in the darkest corners of the temple. It had seen enough and was eager to return to its master. Without causing a ripple, it slipped through the realm and towards home.
In a dark clearing, a figure looked towards the sky and listened. Truly interesting. “It seems like another piece has been set into motion.” The swirling void that covered its face stretched into the sky. “Now the only question that remains: Will the piece fall on their or our side?” Instead of stars, an endless array of eyes covered the sky. “Don’t you agree, mother?”