Bandit’s Life
Ruthenia, April 17, 253 years since the calamity. Surrounded. Death is courting me and she looks damn ferocious. My steel sword screeches as I pull it from its scabbard. The knights around the camp are standing straight as if they have a javelin stuck up their nether while staring down at us, probably waiting for instructions. It makes no difference to me, every bandit should know that at some point our existence will annoy the pig nosed nobles enough to come after us. In fact, I screamed, “this is what we waited for! Farmers, laborers, orphans today is the day we get revenge on the greatest thieves of all, the ones who robbed us of our children, lands, and fathers! Let these noble bastards taste our cold steel!” Today is the day they suffer retribution.
Ruthenia, September 1, 241 years since the calamity. It’s Sunday morning and we are all preparing to go to town for the harvest festival. I was outside holding my baby sister Constanta while making face at her, cute little thing with blond hair and blue eyes. She squeals in laughter as I rearrange my face to the weirdest shapes I could think of, even going so far as to stretch my tongue to the tip of my nose. All my brothers and sisters are either blonde or have very light brown hair. All but I, I always had black hair, my dad says it must have been inherited from his dad Rufus. Of course, dad has brown hair, my older brother, Philip, teases me saying ‘I’m adopted’ but everyone always says I look exactly like dad when he was a kid.
Dad comes out of the store room, he warned us not to tell anybody about the store room saying some old proverb about ‘eyes that can’t see, heart that can’t feel’. He’s wearing his ragged clothes and looks at Constanta in my arms, she’s one and a half but she’s gotten so big I can barely hold her anymore. He playfully says and repeats “I’m gonna get ya!” and then rushes over to Constanta who starts screeching as she gets tickled. Taking her from my arms he then looks at me and gives me a pouch the size of an egg. My heart shook. I’ve never held so much money. He looks at me with a grin “You worked really hard this year Jürgen. Don’t spend it all at once.”
Cooling my head a bit I said “I won’t. I’m going to save most of it.” “That’s my boy! You save long enough and you can even afford a discipleship.” He then pats me with his free hand. If there’s one thing I learned from my father it’s to save. For years he’s been saving money only buying bare essentials and making mom and my older sister, Isabel, fix and patch up all of our worn clothing as well as adjusting them for our age. First I thought the old miser was trying to embarrass us in front of our friends at the village. However, the same old miser bought the plot of land next to ours from the lord three years ago. He got it for a good price too.
The land was unfertile and rocky, but he still got it. Some of the boys at the village were saying ‘our family was so poor we were going to eat rocks and tree bark.’ Every year he would make us till the soil, remove rocks, and feed the weeds to our ox, honestly I thought he was just punishing us with it when we did stupid things. This year though, we planted it and now we got a large harvest. Dad even had to make an addition to the store house to keep all the grain.
Mom walks outside carrying the newest addition to our family, Adrian. “Stop being a miser. He can spend the money however he wants, Flavius.” Before I get bombarded by the same old argument I immediately walk towards my older brothers and sister, Kristopher and Philip, and Isabela. Although I hate to say it, I should save the money for a discipleship. My dad worked hard saving all his money for that second plot of land so that my brothers can divide up the farm rather equally as inheritance. As the third son, well usually thirds sons are on their own and work as laborers if they can’t afford to get a discipleship under some tradesman. That is if their lucky enough to even survive to this point, most, after all, starve. Luckily our miserly dad values family over a nice brew or even a cake. Oh cake!
I’m so excited! Mom promised us cake since the harvest was good. It will be one of the few times I can remember having cake. “What kind of cake do you guys think it will be, I hope its pound cake!” “No way it’s going to be fruit cake!” said my annoying older brother, Philip. He thinks he’s so smart just because he knows how to read better but he’s a full three years older so it’s not that big of a deal. He always brags to the boys in town about how awesome he is just because he can read. I can read a few words too though, it’s only the other village kids that can’t.
“Since I’m helping to make the cake it’s going to be cheese cake!” said my sister, Isabela. “You better not make cheese, I heard it makes you bloated and fat.” Teased my oldest brother Kristopher. “Will not!” Screamed Isabela. Mom, picking up on the shout walked towards saying “that’s enough! We’re leaving now so get to walking.” I started walking and looked back at the wooden house our grandpa and dad built. It autumn so the few trees around our house are orange and the sky is reddish because of the sunrise. I’m going to miss this place when I’m doing my discipleship but maybe when dad gets the dowry for older sister together she’ll marry a nice townsperson and we can visit each other often. Turning back I see my family are leaving me behind so I run to catch up.
In the town of Balti the smell of food is abundant. Grilled pork on my left, marinated steak on my right, candied apples everywhere. None know who struck first but soon everyone’s stomachs were rumbling. Stalls and peddlers were everywhere, the town only looks this busy once a year. Although, the beggars were no-shows probably scared off by the guardsmen. “Were missing out on a lot of money” my dad grumbled. “Hush, that extension to the storehouse needed to be built so there was no time to make a stall. Now I’m going to go buy the ingredients so go take the kids around.” Mom said, departing with little Adrian. “I’ll come with!” said Isabela as she ran to mom. She probably wants to visit Klaus, the butcher’s kid. Looking at us dad said “alright, were do you little monsters want to go to fir-?”
“I want to try the candied apples!” I screamed before anyone else. In times like this the initiative must be taken. “No way, let’s get some shish kebabs!” said Filip. “I want to try the wheel” spoke the exited Kristopher. He’s been looking forward to the gambling wheel all year. Don’t know why though, last year he lost all his money to it. Dad gave a funny look at him. “We’ll get to the wheel last. For now let’s get some food and visit the bazaar.”
Nearing the temple we can hear the laughter of the crowd watching the theater performance of the comedy Locked Arrow, were the god Astrild is trying to win the favors of Zysa over her husband Tyr. Looking at the stage I see the fellow playing Astrild wearing women’s clothing and holding his breath with a red face as he is hit in the groin by a suspicious Tyr. I wanted to keep watching but hunger won this battle.
Finally reaching the food stalls, dad made us buy something ‘substantial’ before we go to the sweets stalls and we separated. I quickly bought and ate a shish kebab with my brothers while dad and my sister came back from the sausage vendor. I quickly rushed everyone to the candied apples and bought one. It tasted so good! I haven’t had anything so sweet all year. I kept eating at it when Isabella returned without mom and asked “is it good?” I looked at her and knew she wanted to try. First I hesitated but I remember how she sneaked some snacks for me from the kitchen so I let take a few bites.
Walking to the peddlers my dad got called off to the side, “What’s the old miser doing with a precious little cutie like that?” Snorting my dad responded “I thought I heard someone passing wind, Reuben, lose some weight otherwise with those fat cheeks everything you say sounds just like a fart!” “Ha! Always with the fat jokes, you keep talking like that and the heftier gods might curse you to live your life as a pig. Anyways, I didn’t see your stall this year, it’s too bad too I had a hankering for that cider of yours. Plus, I never knew you to let go of even a lead coin.”
“Enough, enough! How’s the wife, Reuben? Is she and the baby doing well?” Reuben gave my dad a delighted look saying “Things couldn’t be better! Just the other day Francesca even said ‘dada.’ Cutest thing you ever did see. Only bad part is that ‘aunt Flo’ is back.” My dad put his hand on his shoulder giving him a solemn look while nodding his head. All I can think about is who is aunt Flo? From how the grownups talk to each other she comes by every month but I’ve never seen her. Also, I tried asking mom but she just asked me who told me about her. Of course I said dad and the others and mom quickly disappeared to the shed were dad was working and started arguing. I find it really silly, if aunt Flo is so unpleasant just stop inviting her over every month. Letting the old folks engage to their squabbling I started looking at the different peddlers when it caught my eye.
One of the vendors was putting away a shiny dagger into a violet scabbard shaped like a roaring dragon. The peddler was wearing a hood and you couldn’t see much of his face except he had the creepiest smile. I wonder why he is smiling like that. He had a bunch of other jewelry in his display but for some reason he didn’t have many costumers or any for that matter. People were giving a wide berth. That dagger on display looks really sharp though. My dad has a dagger too but its old a rusty. I bet I could hunt boar or something with a dagger like that; meat every day! Walking up to the peddler I ask, “Hey mister why are you smiling like that?”
The guy looked at me and I could see under his hood he had pointy ears, an elf! How rare, I’ve heard tales of elves that my mom said were thousands of year’s old and wielding magic like grand magi. The elf’s smile quickly changed from creepy to sinister as he asked “Is there something wrong with it?” “Well it’s really creepy…” I responded in kind. He looked over at the other merchants and murmured “maybe in a few more decades I’ll be able to fake it like the best of them.” Frowning, he looked at me and said “Well, what do you want?” I looked back down at the dagger and asked “How much for the dagger?” The elf then replied “Depends, 2 gold coin to just buy it but if you’re willing to listen to a story…” His eyes settled on my purse before swiftly looking back up “three copper, 57 iron, and 23 lead coins.”
I looked at the mystical elf, how did he know? “That’s my entire life savings!” The elf looked at me with a disgruntled face and said “Considering its worth two gold coins at the very least, as well as its historical heritage you should be honored as well as delighted by this deal.” Humph, I may be a kid but I’m no fool something is fishy about this deal of his. “Can I inspect the dagger” I ask with a proud look on my face, can’t trick me you old elf. The elf looked at me and for the briefest moment I felt spine tingling cold, all my hair stood on end, and goose bumps spread throughout my body. I nearly vomited before I came back to reality. The elf was handing me the dagger. I almost ran away but the dagger just looks so awesome yet mysterious, I couldn’t get it out of my mind.
Taking the dagger and unsheathing it, a silver glint was revealed. “This is even better than my dad’s!” I shouted. This time the elf had a proud expression on his face and said “Now do you want to hear the story?” There has to be some catch, thinking about it aren’t elves really old? So won’t his story last for ages? “It’s not going to be too long is it?” I questioned. The elf’s face contorted in a mixture of rage and annoyance. “No it won’t.” “You promise?” The elf nearly exploded, he’s no were near as elegant and graceful as the stories made him out to be. “I promise.” He gritted through his teeth. “Okay” I smirked, that’s what you get for scaring me.
“Eons ago, before the calamity and the transmigration of species the elves occupied all of Petros. However, the elves did not rule Petros. All elves feared the true rulers, the Rakshasa, an apex predator. Much like your nobles of today the Rakshasa used the elves as beast of burden as well as cattle…” “Were not cattle” I interrupted. The elf, containing his obvious annoyance responded, “Yes, well our perspective differ a bit but in time you will see. Anyways, back to the story. In one of the Rakshasa’s many farms a family was condemned to slaughter. The family was running away with all its might but the only child of the family fell. The mother stopped and tried to pick her up while the father attempted to fend of the rakshasa. The little girl then saw a violet dragon flying in the sky and cried for help. The dragon came to the girl’s aid and devoured the rakshasa. However, he came too late as her family was killed.
The girl still being held by her dead mother began to cry and the dragon looked at her and said ‘nothing can bring them back but if you follow me I can allow you to obtain retribution.’ The girl dried her tears…” The elf then murmured “after several long tedious hours” and continued “and got on the dragons back. The dragon took her to his home where he raised her and taught her magic. After many years the dragon felt she was ready and bestowed this very dagger to the girl and said ‘I can only give you the tools but retribution must be exacted by your own hands. The fate of your people is yours to decide.’ The girl then set out on a journey and freed her people from the Rakshasa almost forcing them to extinction…” “Do Rakshasas still exist?” I asked. The elf looked at me with tired eyes and said “yes but they’re very well hidden and mostly vegetarian now a days. Continuing on, the woman was thankful to the dragon and enshrined him as a minor god, the god of retribution.” “So is he like Vidarr, the wide ruler?” I questioned. “No, that would be a god of justice. Retribution is not about giving commands and laws from on high. Retribution is about empowering the weak to overcome the strong. Retribution is the victim giving back all the harm received to the victimizer.”
Thinking about the story, this dagger is pretty cool but this money is for my discipleship. Holding the dagger in my hands I decide to try my luck and barter it down some. “It’s a good story but I don’t know if it’s worth three copper, maybe two?” The elf’s eye brow twitched with sheer annoyance while his eyes grew bloodshot with rage. He then shouted while pointing behind me “What’s that!?!?” “I look behind me while asking “Where?” Turning back, the elf was gone and so was my purse! That damn thieving elf! At least I got his dagger.
I looked around but couldn’t find the elf. I then went back to find dad so I can get his help in getting my money back. “Dad an elf just stole my money and disappeared leaving this dagger!” Dad broke off from his conversation with Reuben and made a gesture while looking at the dagger. I handed it to him and he unsheathed it. “If this is thievery, I hope I get robbed too. This dagger is worth at least a couple of gold.” He said. “Yeah, but he still took my purse.” I responded. “This kid… gold falls from the sky and he complains about a few copper. Does being a miser run in the family?” Reuben laughed. I was about to retort when the town’s bell was being rung.
We left towards the town’s center were the town’s crier was turning red singing praises to our ‘benevolent duke’ while also commenting about the horrible deeds of the treacherous count Ludwig and his detestable ancestor. “It is with a sad heart…” he continued “that our majestic and kind hearted Duke Siarmire must now pursue his rightful claim on the county of Rivne. In these trying times I know that the brave citizenry of Balti will put forth their best effort to aid their lord in this righteous cause. Therefore, to raise the funds needed for this campaign the lord and his servant Baronet Krewpalic have decreed an appropriate contribution from our fair citizenry and furthermore has awarded the contract for tax collector to Rudolph Goldsmith.” At the last part the whole town seemed shocked and dad’s expression fell saying “let’s go get your mother and go home.” “But we still haven’t stopped at the games!” exclaimed Kristopher. “Enough, we don’t have a lot of time and I’ll explain on the way home.”
Finding my mother in the crowd he then led us out of town. Quite a few other people were also leaving the festival early. On the way back home a melancholy Kristopher asked “what’s going on?” To which our dad responded “Bullshit that’s what…” “Flavius!” reprimanded my mother. “He’s old enough, Alina.” “And the babies?” “Alright, fine, sorry. Okay Kris, you know who our usual tax collector is right?” “Yeah, old mister Vermeer.” “Right, well the reason for that is that the nobility often sells the contract for tax collecting to whoever offers the most coin. To that, people bid on the contract because they can keep anything collected over the amount required by the lord. This saves the lord money because he offers the contract for sale rather than sending knights to every home to collect, saving manpower and still collecting tax revenue with sales revenue to boot.
So years back your granddaddy and some of the other townsfolk put money together to award the contract to someone we could trust, Vermeer senior. Vermeer senior then collected only the amount required by the lord. Of course the lord is aware of this and usually he doesn’t care as it is akin to a golden goose that delivers its own eggs for him while we keep it going to prevent some outsider from driving us into poverty. However, this time he really means to pluck us of any and everything in our possession. This Goldsmith bast…” He quickly looked at mom before recanting. “Fellow. He is well known in other villages for being a sadisti…” “Jürgen.” My mom warned. Dad sighed and continued “extremely greedy. More than likely the lord hired him so they could split whatever extra he manages to extract from us this year using the war as an excuse. When we get home were going to hide some of the food and you’re going to have to stay in the woods and guard it for a while.” “What? No way! Why?” shouted an unwilling Kristopher.
“You’re almost 15 and big for your age. Making you practically an adult in the eyes of the others. Meaning that when they come to collect tax this time they might just try and draft you for the levies too and I’ll tell you now levies are the human shields of the nobles, almost no one makes it back and fewer still with all their limbs. The only good thing is since Goldsmith is from out of town he doesn’t know much about us or our town so we might be able to get away with hiding you. Unfortunately, they will try to fleece us as soon as possible especially since we probably have more land than most right now. Also, Isabella, just in case certain rumors are true, I need you to stay in your room when he arrives.”
When we arrived home we started moving grain from our store house to the woods about half a mile from our house. Grandpa put a shed out here for just these kinds of situations. We were on our fifth trip and everyone was carrying something. Mom was carrying the two babies, dad a giant sack full of seeds for winter, my brothers and I grain, and my sister some blankets and pillows. We just arrived in the shack when dad said “that should be enough.” Mom then asked, “are you sure?” “Putting everything together we got a good three months’ worth of food here. If we stretch it and only eat a pound a day each then five months. Even if he takes everything we can subsist off of this plus Betsy till the winter crop can be harvested.”
Isabella then said, “We can’t eat Betsy! She’s part of the family and she can plow and eat weeds and… stuff!” Dad then smiled and said “do the rest of you not want to eat Betsy?” My brothers and I responded “Yea.” “Okay, then from now on dig for worms, were having that for dinner.” “Eww, no that’s disgusting.” Complained Filip. “Too late now, you made your decision.” “Come on dad, we don’t have to eat that stuff, right mom?” I asked. “Alright honey, stop teasing the kids.” “Teasing I’m not teasing! I need my pound of flesh and if I can’t have Betsy then I’ll have Isabella!” He then grabbed Isabella, lifting her up while tickling her. “Ahahaha, stop it dad!” Isabella laughed and cried. “Come on we got to get home, the sun is setting and I don’t feel comfortable walking in the dark.” said mom. “Before we go, Jürgen, lend your brother your knife.”
“Wait I thought you were kidding about that!” Kristopher exclaimed. “Sorry but it’s either spending the time here and staying hidden for a week or being cannon fodder for some noble’s son.” explained dad. I gave my knife to Kris and he looked really solemn and sad until mom promised him cake when he got back. She managed to buy all the ingredients before we got out of town. This whole situation just seems crappy. Why does the lord have to take all of our food? Isn’t he rich enough already? Getting back home I went to bed with my brother Filip. Since my brothers and I share a bed it’s a lot emptier without Kristopher here. At least it’s not very warm today, in fact it’s pretty cool for this time of year. I bundled up with the sheets before drifting off to sleep.
Soon as the sun rose I heard a knock on the door. “Shit, I thought I could sneak a little more this morning to Kris.” Dad whispered to mom. He Looked at Isabella who quickly went into her room then walked to the door and opened it saying “you must be the honorable Mr. Goldsmith the town crier mentioned. I’m Flavius Ottonian. Please come in, what can we humble folk do for you?” My dad had an inscrutable smile on his face. Mr. Goldsmith, a Lanky tall bald man with two gold teeth, walked in with a smirk of derision and two armed guards, wearing leather armor and daggers on their belts, saying “Why thank you. How very hospitable but I am afraid I am here to conduct the town’s unfortunate business of tax collecting. I hope you understand.”
Maintaining his smile my dad said “of course, how much is the tax this year?” Mr. Goldsmith smiled while responding “I’m afraid tax will be a little different this year. You see some people’s land are more fertile than others and as such in the interest of fairness I will need to inspect your storage shed to come to an adequate amount.” My father’s eyebrows furrowed, “usually the lord taxes on a per acre basis, would it be at all possible for you to tell us what the lord expects?” “Afraid not Mr. Ottonian but don’t worry I am a very fair and equitable man. So why don’t you lead me to your storage.” Mr. Goldsmith responded with thinly veiled disdain.
My dad, whose smile was long replaced by a frown, said “Follow me.” Leading them to the storage shed he opened it up and showed him our year of work. “Here it is.” “Good, good, I think this will do for your tax; take all of it.” Said Mr. Goldsmith with a vicious grin. Dad almost angrily shouted “I’m Sorry?!?” “Don’t be apologetic. Even though it’s not much to support our troops, every bit helps but seeing how bad you feel, we’ll also take that ox of yours too.” Mocked Mr. Goldsmith, almost laughing maliciously. “You can’t take her! She’s a beast of burden, without her there’s no way to plow the fields!” Dad desperately shouted. The two guards put their hands on their weapons.
“Calm down Mr. Ottonian, surely you can’t be questioning the decision of a duly appointed representative of the lord, can you?” My dad, swallowing down his words, responded “of course not.” “Good, now help me put all this on the wagon and maybe I’ll leave you some.” My dad, nearly bursting said “Thank you, kids go help him pack up our food.” We then started to move all the grain to their wagon and when we finished Mr. Goldsmith mounted the wagon and threw a bag of grain at us. “For your efforts.” He cackled while departing with our food and Betsy.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
When they got out of sight my dad got on his knees and started punching the ground while screaming “I can’t fucking believe those ditch-born bastards took everything! I knew he was a sadistic piece of shit but to this fucking extent? Gods damn him! May his penis explode while he gets hot tar poured up his ass, that lecherous pedophiliac rat bastard!” By the time dad finished his hands were bloody and there were two large fist shaped indentations on the dirt. Sighing he then said “Let’s go get Kristopher; that guy shouldn’t want anything more from us.”
After we got Kristopher back mom started to make fruit cake and asked us to help her. Kristopher was really excited but no one else could get into it after what happen. Still it was delicious and mom was trying her best to cheer us and dad up. Dad decided to go to the shed and begin to move all the food back here. After he finished he said that he was going to take Filip and the wagon to the town tomorrow and see if they can buy some more food. He didn’t want to take Kristopher because it wasn’t safe in town yet. That night, if it wasn’t for Kristopher’s loud snoring, I think everyone would have just stared at the ceiling till morning. Thankfully and oddly that loud rhythmic wheezing sent us to sleep.
Morning came and it was oddly peaceful. It felt awkward being around dad though. I know I shouldn’t think this but when he left to go to town I felt relief. Yesterday was just weird. Dad has fought with mom before and he’s gotten into arguments in town before but he’s never been angry like that. Enough thinking though. Festivals over and farm life never stops. Kris and I are going to start seeding the fields today. We’re planting beans and winter wheat. If it weren’t for that seed dad took with him we’d might have had a day off today. Betsy is gone but thankfully we managed to plow and till some fields before the festival. Overhead I see a Flock of Green Thrush flying south.
Our neighbor, Eustice, hates Thrushes because they eat his apples. I find them to be a little adorable and they also like eating mosquitoes so their always welcome. Right now it seems their resting on the trees near our house and on the wind vane. Strangely the wind vane was pointing Southeast today, guess we will be getting a storm soon. “Crap!” I shout as I hit a rock with my foot. Guess that’s what happens when you day dream. Arriving at the field I grab a handful of seeds and begin to spread them. Sowing the field is pretty relaxed work but it also requires focus to get an even distribution. With that said I have no idea what we’re going to do without Betsy. The other fields still need to be plowed and tilled. Especially since we let them lie fallow during the year.
Although seeding is simply work, it takes a while considering how large the fields are. By the time I finished sowing a few cleared fields the sky was already orange and red with a tired sun. Heading back Kris and I decided to have a race. I say decided but it was like he goaded me into it. He wanted to put some stakes on it but while he was talking about that I already started running. “That’s Cheating!” he shouted as he tried to catch up. I’ll never admit it but he’s faster than me. So I’m not going to give up a biscuit like last time and let him talk stakes. I caught sight of the house and Kris was still behind me. The cool air was brushing besides me, my heart was pumping, and I was winning! I saw dad and Filip coming back and could smell lentil soup all the way from here.
We arrived at the finish line, the road to our house. I crashed down with the seed sack and begin to laugh maniacally. Kris caught up and was huffing “N- no fair. M- My bag is heavier!” “You owe me a biscuit!” I laughed. “No, you wouldn’t let me finish plus you cheated.” “Don’t care, next time mom makes biscuits, its mine!” “You little rascal!” Kristopher then started to try and grab me for an arm lock but I was too slippery. I got a hold on his arm though and pivoted on my heels to pull him downward. He fell but managed to grab me too and so we ended up in a full blown wrestling match.
When dad saw us he almost screamed “knock it off!” He then charged into the house to find mom. I couldn’t help but to ask Filip what happen. “Goldsmith that’s what. We went all around the village and visited Aunt and Uncle Gorski in their farm but we couldn’t buy a scrap of spare grain. Not even the merchants had any. Apparently goldsmith taxed everyone for everything.” “That doesn’t make sense usually the lord sells half the grain back to us. Even with the war he took more grain than ever before. What’s he going to do with all of it?” Kristopher inquired. “Old merchant Woyak says he sent it all to Sliven Duchy to hire some mercenaries.” “Crap! It’s going to be months before we see and ounce of that grain from the merchants.”
Mom started to ring her bell. “Kids, time for dinner.” Getting into the dining room I could feel the oppressive air. It was like a stranglehold on the conversation. After mom served everyone and we sat down dad said he’s got some bad news. “For now we are going to have to eat less for each of us. As it stands we lost Betsy and we don’t have that many months’ worth of food. So after we finish sowing the already plowed fields were going to go into the woods to look for some herbs to add to our diet. Also-“he looked guiltily at Isabella. “I am going to use all our saving next year to buy a new ox.” Isabella looked down. She won’t say anything but she had looked forward to getting engaged next year. Dad has been saving up and mom found out that she likes Klaus and has been in negotiations with the butcher. So when she turns 13 next year they were planning on betrothing her with a nice dowry.
That night was so chilly mom opened up the chest with our winter wear and we dragged out the nice heavy blankets. Dad got some of the firewood from the storage room and lit the hearth. We gathered around it and mom started to tell ghost stories, “Years ago your grandpa was travelling with a merchant caravan and they stopped in an abandoned village near the Black Wolf River. During the night a terrifying howl shook the caravan awake and they grabbed their weapons to ready themselves to face the dreaded Wilkrods! A band of Wilkrods all standing one yard tall and two yards long came charging out of the woods straight at your grandpa’s band. The Wilkrods are like wolves except for their front paws with an extra finger and their vicious barbaric language. They’re malicious fighters who tear at others with their teeth and claw at them. Cunning too, as they craft armor and exotic weapons with various poisons. Those very same savages charged towards your grandfather with vicious grins!” Mom stopped and Filip exclaimed, “Then what happen?” “Yeah, what happen to grandpa?” asked Isabella.
Mom smiled and continued, “Nothing. The Wilkrods weren’t running to your grandpa, they were running from something. At first everyone was confused as to why the Wilkrods ran around the camp but soon everyone felt a creepy chill come up their spine and decided to travel through the night. As they gathered their belongings your grandpa was standing next to a fire pit when he heard a thud. The man next to him was pale white and naked. But before your grandpa could ask what was going on another man besides him screamed and pointed to the man’s feet. At his feet was that very man’s body and his ghost was the one standing! The ghost had an expression as if he were screaming in despair when five marks appeared around his body and he disappeared as if seized by something.
Soon everyone was hurrying and some left their baggage and just ran. However, no one ran far and the first to go fell first. Your grandpa realized he was trapped. All the men around him were falling one by one as their ghost vanished and the five marks appeared. Soon it was only your grandpa and three other men left. Realizing it’s the end he got down on his knees and started to pray to the gods for deliverance. However, he felt a chill come from his back and as he turned around he got up and could hear a wet and heavy breathing. He then saw it just for a moment he saw it a creature 5 yards tall, transparent like the night, with ash colored skin, and red eyes surrounding its black pupils. It was an Ahazu and It reached its grotesque huge hand at your grandpa, as if to grab him! When purple lighting struck it and it vanished. Your grandpa doesn’t know if it’s true but till the day he died he believed an elf merchant traveling with the caravan holding a perpetual scowl saved his life. However, before he could thank him he mysteriously disappeared.”
If the wasn’t for the fact I slept in the middle I’ might not have slept well, Filip, however, teased me and Isabella who was a little frightened. I never noticed how much the wind makes the house creak till that night. In the morning there was snow! It never snowed this early, usually it’s in January not September. Kris, Filip, and I quickly put on our winter wear and started to have a snowball fight as soon as we got up when dad stepped outside with a pale face. He was mumbling to himself and I can swear he said “It can’t be, not this year. Every other year I was ready but this year… It’s not fair. It’s not fair…” I don’t know what happened but he then went inside and talked to mom in hushed whispers. Since then he has been rationing our food and making us gather more firewood than we even used in all the previous winters. Filip says he’s punishing us for having too much fun and Kris thinks we are going to sell the firewood in town. The whole week we’ve been looking for wood and it hasn’t stopped snowing although sporadically. There was a full one foot of snow out the door before dad stopped making us search for wood.
Next morning mom and dad disappeared to the store room. Kris thinks their probably having ‘adult time’, whatever that is, despite that I could hear muffled shouting and Isabella’s name. When they got back I could see mom cried but was currently holding back tears and dad had a red mark on his face. Mom asked Isabella if there was anything she wanted to eat. We made Isabella’s favorite, an exotic dish called ‘spaghetti’. It took a while to make since they had to make ‘pasta’ first and tomato sauce. Neither Filip nor I have ever particularly liked ‘spaghetti’ so Filip and I both grumbled about how much we worked getting wood while Isabella staid home taking care of Constanta. Mom hit both us on the head with her wooden spoon though and told us to hush.
Daybreak came fast and father was going to town with Isabella. It seemed like a miserable trip as it would have to be in a foot of snow. Uncharacteristically he looked guiltily at Isabella and asked for a family hug. I was about to make a comment about how mushy father was getting with old age but mom gave me a very stern look. Did they switch personalities? When they left mom temporarily disappeared to the store room while we took take of Constanta and Adrian. When she came back her eyes were puffy the top part of her dress was wet but she just dismissed it as the cold and snow. The whole day mom seemed out of it even cutting herself while chopping the carrots for the stew later.
They came back at dusk, sis seemed a bit freaked out and father had an ashen look to his face. They were both exhausted from the trip but father dragged mom to the store house. I asked Isabella what happen and she said “dad took me to a weird inn in town and started talking to a hostess and asking for the owners. It was full of girls with really sad looks on their faces and these really creepy old men kept staring at them and sometimes leading them to rooms. I could hear him and the proprietors arguing something about too many girls. Then father grabbed my arm we started walking back.” For the next few days father and mom did nothing but argue. Mom became increasing upset especially as she took care of Adrian and Constanta.
Even I knew what was coming. They tried their best but we could pretty much hear everything. The store room blocks out a lot but when your shouting plenty gets through. We’re all going to die. This storm is something that happens every generation. It snows for five whole months. However, everyone knows about it and so everyone always prepares but this year Goldsmith took everything from everybody. There’s no food and even the baronet barely has enough food for himself and his men. Everything is falling apart and my siblings and I are avoiding father as much as we can. This house has never felt so small. Father keeps insisting that one of us should die so ‘the rest can live’. What is that? That’s pure horse dung! None of us should have to die. I even kept my dagger with me inside my pocket. Soon enough mom broke and father held a family meeting next to the hearth.
It was nighttime but no one felt sleepy and the air was filled with a desperate kind of energy. I felt terrified for the first time in my life. Previously, when hearing those ghost stories or that one time I got lost, I thought I knew what fear was but now… Now I know. Father stood next to the hearth, the dancing shadows of devils were in the background. The wind blew and the house creaked but I swear it was absolutely silent. His face was a combination of sorrow and resolution. Time stood still and even the wind stopped as father began to talk, “I’ve done the arithmetic. There’s no way we can all survive till the snow lets up and even less till the merchants can come in even if we ration even more while eating the seeds we have in store. So I’m going to take Adrian and Constanta tomorrow to the woods and let them fend for themselves.”
In that moment I didn’t feel anger over the pretense of ‘fending for one’s self’. I didn’t feel sorrow over how my little brother and sister were going to die. No. I felt relief. Happy even. I was going to live. It’s not me who was chosen. In that moment I don’t know if he understood us or not but Adrian began to cry. Like a wave realization of my own feelings hit me. I never felt more disgusted. No, not disgust but loathing. I couldn’t even look at Adrian. All I could do was look at the ground and stutter, “I… I…”
Father interrupted, “It has to be done, its either them or you.” In that moment I held the dagger in my hands and anger swept me. Anger against everything. Anger at father, anger at the duke, anger at that piece of shit Goldsmith, and most of all myself. It was then that I felt a confidence I never knew I had, I can fend for myself I whispered. Father then said “what?” “I can fend for myself!” I shouted. I grabbed my winter coat plus shoes and stepped outside.
The snow was tall but I started to trudge along. Father shouted “You’ll die you know!” I turned back, mom looked terrified and my siblings had a complicated blend of admiration, guilt, and shock. Father had an even more complicated look of anger, frustration, remorse, and melancholy. I lifted my dagger and said “I can make it. Plus, someone’s got to go.” Father looked down and with a change in expression said “goodbye… son.” I felt as if my heart was pressed down by a dragon. It was a shitty situation and he was just trudging along as best he could yet still trying his best for us. I then spoke in what could have been a whisper “Goodbye… dad.” Turning around I continued to the woods beyond.
Ruthenia, November 17, 241 in the year of our lord. Death’s scythe is around my neck. Hope teases me a few feet in front of me. Standing in the cold snow surrounded by dead trees, I am alone but for the deer in front of me. I feel numbed warmth, truly it is a relief from feeling cold and hungry. The deer is digging at the snow, trying to get the grass beneath. The wind blows onto my face and I squint reactively. The wind passes but I find it hard to fully open my eyes. It’s so bright out and looking at the snow hurts. I motivate myself with the thought of food and try to move my fatigued legs as silently as possible over the snow. As my foot came in contact with the snow I could hear the crunching sound as if it were the town yeller screaming into my ear. Fear and fatigue inhabit me.
Thankfully the deer doesn’t seem to notice. I keep walking forward when unbeknownst to me, a ditch presented itself underneath my foot. I fall forward into the cold snow, scraping some of the shrubbery on my way down. The deer runs startled by the noise. I would curse my fate but it’s the fate I chose, the fate of a ‘fool’ who has heard too many stories about heroes. As I am about to fall asleep I dream of flying upon purple wings.
The wings took me to back to town. My sister Isabella was being dragged into an inn called Night Lady’s Rest by Goldsmith. She was screaming for help. The people on the street were shadows who never looked. I ran towards them when I saw Goldsmith’s guards hold Adrian and Constanta. I caught up with Goldsmith. His teeth were golden, when he moved he jingled as if weighted down by coin, and he laughed like I was the funniest thing in the world. The guards put their hands around Adrian and Constanta’s necks and Goldsmith laughed harder. Like it was the funniest thing in the world he laughed. Isabella screamed, Constanta squealed, and Adrian couldn’t even mouth out a shout. Yet he laughed. “Stop it.” I said. He laughed more. “STOP IT!” I screamed as he laughed harder.
I then took the dagger in my hand and stabbed him. The laughing stopped. The ghosts disappeared and Isabella looked at me and said “thank you”. I know it’s a dream. She would never thank me for that but I still felt happy. It felt right. It felt like the world was better because of it. It’s probably a self-delusion but I felt important because I did it. Then I awoke outside the village. I felt driven to go inside were I found the inn from my dream. I sat outside it. There were holes in my winter wear from the wilderness. It was midday when I heard an irritating voice boast out loud, “… and she was crying the entire time. I tell you, you guys have not lived until you do that to a fresh virgin.” Hearing his voice I stood up and faced the exiting Goldsmith.
My getting up startled them and the guards put their hands on their weapons. Goldsmith looked at me and stepping forward he said “what a beggar? Wait, your Ottonian’s kid. Oho, I see things haven’t been too good for you lately. You know? When I returned to town I heard some rumors about a sister of yours around twelve. She’s just my type. How about I give you a copper for her? No? How about a bag of grain? Interested now aren’t you. Go back and tell your daddy before I change my mind, ha ha ha.” There he was, laughing again. However, I knew what to do this time.
I approached him slowly like I was going to beg him or kiss his shoes as if he were a saint. Then I took out my dagger before any of them could react and stabbed him right in his gilded heart. As he fell forward I grabbed his money pouch and ran for my life. The guards were right behind me but I felt faster than I ever been before. The wind was blowing and I ran out of the town. I ran into the woods and I kept running till the sun set. I didn’t know when I lost the guards but I ran a good seven miles. I was out of breath but I felt good. Breathing hard I opened the pouch and found seven gold coins. It seems Goldsmith lived up to his name. I also found a bronze key probably to his estate. The guards were probably still looking for me or reporting me to the baronet or possibly even the constable. So as long as I hurry Goldsmith’s estate I can grab some food. On my way there I couldn’t help thinking about what I did and feeling satisfied. This is how it should be.
Within his mansion I looked for his storeroom when I crossed his bed room. Although time was short I looked through all his belongings on a hunt for treasure. He didn’t have much in his dressers and cabinets but underneath his pillow was a book. It was the most precious thing I’ve ever held. A book on cultivation. In this world the only real difference between nobles and everyone else is cultivation. Nobles will like everyone to believe that its lineage or talent but the only difference between us and them is knowledge. This book is that knowledge. Although, Goldsmith sold his soul at least it wasn’t for cheap. Soon after I found the store house and grabbed a few bags of grain. Dragging them out with me, I hurried away from the estate and into the woods. I could see a pair of torches on their way back.
I successfully escaped. With the food I managed to barely survive through the winter. My family also made it through as well but as it turns out dad was secretly stashing part of his own rations back into the store house by the time the merchants arrived he couldn’t even walk. He survived though and after getting food into him for a couple of months he recuperated most of his former strength. As for the guards, they reported me to the constable and a man hunt ensued. However their story was strange. Apparently a pale bony beggar wearing ragged clothes killed Goldsmith and when they chased he sprouted purple wings that blew the snow into them preventing the chase. The local priest declared it the gods’ retribution on his disgusting actions. The baronet wasn’t too happy since his actions were implicitly approved by him but even he couldn’t mess with the temple.
After all, how many sons and daughters died or were sold off into slavery because of his greed? If he even touches the temple I’m sure the town would revolt and try to lynch him. The war ended too. Only three in ten of the people that went off to war made it back. They didn’t die in battle though. ‘Improper provisions’ the officers say. More like the duke had them camp out in the cold without even giving them a damn blanket.
Twelve years later and a lot has changed. Dad and mom are still around and taking care of Constanta and Adrian. Kris and Filip already split the land though and Kris got married to the baker’s daughter. She is a nice enough lass but she gives him a good smack whenever he feels like gambling. Fillips engaged too but we don’t know much about her since she came with a trade caravan, I hear she plays an instrument called a ‘zither’. Sounds like foreign drivel too me but to each his own. Of course Isabella finally married the butcher’s son and even have two beautiful kids. It’s getting harder and harder to see them now days on account of my picking up the random rift raft here and there and training them to be noble hating bandits.
This appears to be the end of my road. I did a lot although I wish I could do more. I never did have any of that ‘adult time’ every man yearns for but in my situation I can’t protect my own life let alone a woman’s plus the whole Night Lady’s Rest fiasco turned me off that particular line of ‘entertainment’. After continuously raiding merchants doing business with the nobles and their officials it was a matter of time before they hunted us down. Anyways were 400 strong and more than capable of killed at least fifty of these sniveling dogs. I started to scream “Charg-“
“SILENCE!”
A young man with brown hair and silver armor riding upon a fine stallion came up with a haughty expression on his face. He then said with a qi infused voice and disdain “Juurgen Snowfey or should I say Ottovian! You won’t die this day alone, no your family will join you. Unless you cooperate with a certain request.” They got me. It’s really surprising they tied all the knots from a 12 year old fable but they did. “What do you want?” The young man looked at me and scuffed while he derisively spoke, “simple, I need you to kill a certain noble.”