.:Mavrik:.
Despite wanting to ride Glenn hard through the day and night, closing the distance on the men, Mavrik knew he couldn't as he listened to Glenn's panting. The day had slipped under the horizon hours ago, following the deep tracks of a wagon, drawing the tiring colt to a halt, scorched wood and blood laid strew in the dirt. He clenched his fists, it looked like a piece of the cart's wheel had been shattered, feeling a small tickle of pride at Delilah's likely involvement, the scorched wood confirming he was following the correct tracks.
He petted Glenn "We'll find her" he assured, whether the words were for the horse or himself, Mavrik wasn't ready to admit.
He let the horse rest, resolute in the promise that they would catch before the sun rose. The position of the moon shifted, slinking across the sky, it had been a painstaking hour that felt like an eternity, adjusting Glenn's saddle before mounting. He didn't let thoughts dwell on what he might find when he got to the his quarry, he had trained Delilah well. She would be fine. She had to be.
He urged the horse forward, following the limping tracks of the damaged caravan as it cut through the dusty side track, diverting from the main path. Likely one of their trade routes, he rode on for hours, the cool flame in the pit of his stomach simmering. Letting his anger stew, suffocating his fear.
Mavrik drew Glenn to a halt, firelight catching his eyes on the hill as grey morning rays started to smudge the smoky coloured sky. Creeping forward he could hear jeering and laughter, surveying for a guard to be posted.
Spotting a man on the out skirts of the camp with his back turned to Mavrik, throwing his hand around to cover his mouth. Drawing his sword and plunging it mercilessly through the back of the his throat, severing his spine, pulling him to the ground without a sound.
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Eyes landing on the scorched cart, the proof he was seeking, as a conversation carried on the retreating night breeze.
"Do you think devils are freaky in bed?"
"I wouldn't go near her man. You saw what she did to the cart."
"I don't know man, could be our only chance. You've heard the sounds she makes when the boss slaps her around"
One of the men sneered.
Cold festering rage rising in temperature, blanketing Mavrik's vision as he stepped out of cover.
"Who the hell are you!?" The man who had first spoken about Delilah shouted.
"You took the devil girl, she belongs to me" Mavrik replied coolly, not wanting them to use his attachment against him.
A man stepped forward, presumably the leader. "Belongs to you eh? What makes you think we have her?"
Mavrik didn't spare a glance to the men that circled him, their blade's glinting in his peripherals like the jagged teeth of hungry sharks.
"Where is she?" Not waiting for an answer, surging forward he cut down the nearest hunter with brutal efficiency, slicing clean through his mid section. Not missing a beat as he went after the next closest man, he didn't hold back, hacking at the men like a feral animal. Barely giving the hair width of a second for the Witch hunters to react. With his men dropping like flies, the leader stumbled back, making a run towards the wagon but Mavrik was faster. Stabbing his silver sword into the back of the man's knee, pinning it to the floor and relishing in his shouts, twisting it.
He crouched down so he was eye level with the whimpering man, grabbing him by the hair. His hot anger threatening to never be sated.
"P-please n-" the man stuttered, Mavrik didn't allow him to finish his pleas, retrieving his Morningstar and bludgeoning it through the man's neck, continuing to hack at it until the skin and bone gave way. Tossing the head to the side and kicking away the body as he stood and steeled himself, fist enclosed as though trying to confine his fear into his palm. Reaching for the door of the enclosed cart.
They flew open moments before his hand could connect with them, a flurry of manic movement flew at him, instant relief flooded Mavrik as he firmly wrapped his arms around his attacker.
"Delilah! Shh, I've got you."