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Warning:
This novel is intended for mature audiences thus rated 18+ for reasons.
Reader discretion is advised.
If you abolish the thought of burning witches, unnecessary violence, torture, gore, slavery, sex, suggestive themes, abuse, murder, crimes, rape, excessive drinking and driving, plagues, starvation, unlicensed doctors and the dark side. Then apologies, this novel is not for you.
Apologies beforehand but I had thought to make clear that the mature tag and dark fantasy was there for a reason.
I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Have begun working again and had very little time at home (Read none for over a week). Good news though, during my military exercise I found time to write this chapter. This is my longest chapter yet reaching 4k words.
Sincerely yours <3
/Goedleimneidr
PS: Feed some love to me if you still enjoy this novel after this chapter, had my first 0.5 star review without explanation! x) Sadness but well, there will always be haters right?
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Chapter 11
-Escape-
Chris did try to teach me how to face a superior adversary.
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Why are they looking for me or more importantly, how did they find out about me? Is it because of Madoc’s outburst earlier or did Yvette do something? This does not make sense. Leaving Yvette behind like I did, it does not feel right at all but I had to. She is perhaps my first real friend since coming here and I left her to those masked people whatever they were. Could I have done something to save her? No I don’t think so. It would lead but to my own execution, probably in the same manner Madoc died or worse. These people seem to relish in the suffering of others. Is Yvette like that as well? Do I truly know her? The thought frightens me but I dare not think Yvette is like those people. She claimed I was innocent of whatever crime they may think I have committed. Poor Yvette, I hope they show mercy and then perhaps with time she will forgive me.
My feet carry me with haste towards the only gate I know of in town. By the looks of things, the guards have not yet been alarmed of my presence as they do not look alert at all. They are simply minding their own business, looking about in a calm manner. The townspeople passing by are not questioned nor are they acting strange as the crowd did at the mere mention of the word witch. It caused such ruckus at the town square earlier that I thought a riot would be at hand.
“Excuse me” A voice beckons freezing me in my steps.
Should I run? No, that would definitely raise suspicion. Although it is not too far to the gate but what then? How can I hope to escape with my life when there are trained guards and perhaps riders? Escaping now whilst the sun is up does seem like a stupid idea now thinking about it. My thoughts were so dead set on simply escaping that I did not even consider planning my escape. It did not occur to me to wait until night time but would the masked people spread the word by then? It is as if I was damned either case. However, none of that matters now. My body covered in cold sweat as a nausea hits me hard. Were it not for my self-restraint then I would puke on the ground where I stand.
A lightly armoured guard stand there peeking at me curiously as I turn around. His face is hard to read but I do not sense any hostile intent from this man. “Excuse me miss, I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m Charle, would you perhaps honour me with a walk around town? Perhaps we could get something to eat?” The man smiles and laughs awkwardly as he nervously scratches the back of his head. His voice, demeanour and looks force me to re-evaluate the man standing before me. A brown haired and blue eyed innocent looking man that does not look that much older than I am, heck he might even be younger than me. He is donned in a brigandine armour with a heather shield strapped on to his back. A long sword attached to his side along with a dagger as a sidearm. Clearly he is a guard of Varges as he carries its colours of red and yellow albeit he is a bit young. Is he a recent recruit? Not responding to his queries Charle simply continue. “It was love at first sight, I simply had to talk with you lest I lose you forever. May I have your name?”
Is this man hitting on me now of all times? “Ehm sorry? I don’t quite follow. I’m Rhia…anna.” There must be a limit on how stupid I can be, giving my name away so easily when people are looking for me.
“Rhianna, such a beautiful name you have miss. I’d very much like to talk with you more, would you do me the honours?” His voice is sincere but I do not have time for this.
“Ah sure, another time but I really have to go.” Charle hurriedly makes his way alongside me as I turn and walks towards the gate.
“Please let me escort you miss! Do you hail from one of the farms around here? There is nothing out there towards the west but farms and the bordering kingdom of course.” He seems almost desperate to strike up a conversation with me.
Perhaps having a guardsman accompany me might not be such a bad idea as it might draw less suspicion. Should I play along for now? “Well, I live together with my father and brother by the woods to the west. You are quite welcome to come with if you want but I don’t think I am that much of a company.” Telling him that I live with my supposed mother alone in a hut by the cursed forest would surely invite trouble. Thus telling a lie and act the part now to survive another day might not be too bad of a trade.
Charle shine up with glee as he is not rejected. “Nonsense, I would be honoured miss Rhianna.”
It feels as if my worry was for naught, my grand improvised escape seemingly lacklustre as it was me simply waltzing out of town with no major hiccup. There are no pursuers in sight nor any guards but my traveling companion. Charle carelessly seem to never run out of topics to talk about to which I try to muse him in some manner. He seems to be a kind and gentle person. It makes me feel rather bad for leading him on like this as I know that whatever he thinks is going on is never going to be. Seeing him so obviously smitten with me is rather icky. Although it is also rather sweet and flattering albeit awkward. However, I am sure he would reconsider upon realising who the masked people claim I am and what they have planned for me. Perhaps he will get in trouble for merely associating himself with me but he kind of brought it on himself.
“Rhianna, I fear I am not familiar with the path we are taking.” Charle sound rather distressed as I take a turn towards what I believe to be towards the shrine.
“Please, call me Rhia. Do not worry Charle, I know the way. Although Charle, it was rather nice speaking with you but perhaps you should return home. I’m afraid what father would think if he were to see you.” Please take the hint Charle and return home safely to your own life. You should find yourself a good, real woman to fall in love with.
“Nonsense my dear lady, I have sworn myself to protect you and escort you safely to your home.” Seems he is getting a bit too familiar with me, did I perhaps play along too hard? It would definitely be a bad idea to have him tag along all the way. Is there perhaps a way to force him to reconsider?
Charle seem to have regained his spirit but he has grown rather quiet. Would there truly be such a bad idea to have him escort me the whole way? Befriending him now could lead to unknown perks in the future. Perhaps he is my one chance to get on the good side with the goddess of light? Although it is the whole love business to deal with but I could try to steer him to be my friend instead. Perhaps I am overthinking things.
“Are you certain this is the way?” Charle asks with a concerned look. “I do believe you but honestly speaking, I did not think anyone dared live this close to.” He ends midsentence and with sharp eyes look about the surrounding brushwood. “Lady Rhia, do not be alarmed but I do not think we are alone. Get behind me, quick!”
Three men leave their hiding spots with weapons drawn. Their grins and demeanour clearly tell that they mean us harm. Charle draws his blade and un-mounts his shield from his back. A thick tense feel of dread envelopes the area, a feeling of impending doom which makes it hard to breath. Without giving it a second thought, I take cover behind Charle. My senses reach a heightened state of alert and I worry for our own safety. These encroaching men are definitely not unfamiliar with killing people as they brandish their weapons in a mocking manner. Charle however, seem to have gotten rather tense as well as his demeanour clearly tells that he is not used to situations like these. It is never the same as when you safely practice where there is no real threat but this situation is indeed very real. Losing means death or worse and we do not hold the advantage.
The man in the middle seems to be the acting leader of the group. A painted face, furred armour and a bear skin cape makes him look like an animal. He carries his axe and rounded shield in a confident manner and he, with a slight look to the left nods. With it, the sound of an arrow let loose and taking flight comes from behind. The arrow forces itself deep into the back of Charle to which he gasps in pain. “Run!” He manages to let out as he takes a knee gasping for air. Charle still thinks of my safety first and it scars my heart to leave yet another soul that means me well behind. Another man with bow in hand emerges from his hiding spot well behind us. A man we clearly had not spotted earlier had used his chance well to land a shot at us. His hair is fiery red accompanied by his white furs soiled dark red from the many victims’ lives he has taken up close. Pulling forth an axe he walks closer assured of his victory. Heeding Charle’s wishes, I run as fast as I can cursing my luck. My robe and clothes given to me from Yvette is not suited for running like this but it does not matter. The sound of blades clashing against each other can be heard and the mocking laughter of men. Poor Charle is acting chivalrous to the end but how can he win? It is as if merely associating with me invites tragedy. However, Charle’s end is buying me time to escape. There are no sounds of pursuers and I breathe out in relief as I run. However, my relief cut short as I hear someone running behind me and it gets louder with each step I take. Knowing that there is no way to escape him, I cry screaming. The man grabs a hold of me and forces me down on the ground. His hair red and his armour soiled red makes him look like a mad man as he tears at my clothes with a lustful glee. Kicking, punching, trashing and crying seem to hold no effect whatsoever on the man. Perhaps it simply spurs him on but fear, knowing what is about to come to pass envelope my senses and I do whatever I can to resist. A man’s shouting can be heard but I cannot quite fathom what he shouts about as my focus lies upon my attacker. Tearing my robe, the men bares my breasts and begins to suckle on them. Suddenly, the man is torn away from me and thrown aside. A bearlike man stares down at me with fear in his eyes. My attacker lashes out in anger against my saviour but my saviour worriedly tries to explain matters to the man. Something tells me I know this man from somewhere. Where have I seen him before? Ransacking my mind I find there to be but one explanation. It is Gareth, Madoc’s older brother.
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Forcing the red haired man to calm down, Gareth asks me with a voice painted with fear. “Are you alright?”
“Thank you.” It is all I manage to say before I begin to hysterically cry.
Gareth had enveloped me in his bear furs as I am seated on the cold ground. The fur reeks but it gives much needed warmth. My emotions are still in turmoil but I am steadily getting a hold of myself. The people here in this world are creatures far from the humans I know of back home. Why oh why did the gods decide to punish me so? What have I ever done to them to deserve this? Not only do I have to fear for my life but for my chastity as well. Had it not been for Gareth then, I do not want to think of it. My body may be like this but inside, I still feel and think of myself as a man. Although now I truly know my frailty and with it come the fear that I unknowingly knew ever since coming here. Somehow I got lucky this time but this just might happen again. No, it will happen again and Gareth might not be there to save me then. Thus I must be even more careful and seek support somehow. This world is a cruel and horrible place and I want to go home but I know that will be hard if not impossible. The only one that may or may not have the power to return things as they were seems to hate me. What reason could the goddess of light have to so keenly seek my demise? How did Rhia ever cope with this world as it is? Fearing both the wrath of gods and the cruelty of man? It is unfathomable although all things considered it would seem that Rhia did not survive this world. How am I supposed to fare better than her? This body may be kind of stronger than I was before but it is not a grand feat considering the life I lead back when. There was neither the fear nor any enemy that I had to fight back then. There I simply was coping with my life as it was, playing games and at times hung out with friends. There was of course the shooting range and the occasional time Chris and I exercised but that was due to him bugging me about it.
Perhaps I must accept my fate now. Learn to cope with this world and adapt to these changes. It seems I must accept my new persona as Rhia wholly lest I tempt disaster. That regardless of my wish to return home. My wish will not be served on a silver platter and I can not live as I have until now.
My bow gifted from the elder tree lay before me on the ground. It had been strapped all this time on my back and not even once did I consider using it. Although how could I without arrows? Charle must have seen this but even he did not consider the possibility that I could fight with it. He simply told me to run and it seems it always ends up with me running away instead of choosing the hard path. My proficiency with the bow is severely lacking and am I even supposed to master it? It would take months if not years of constant use! There is no way I have time with that as I need protection now! It feels as if I was doomed in this world from the start. Damned gods and damned tree, could I not have been gifted something else?
Charle lies dead, butchered by the men before me. Poor Charle, I am the cause of his demise. Had he not come with then he would still be alive. His killers are worriedly discussing amongst each other about their next course of action. Although killing Charle is not the cause of their worry no, I am. They seem to not be able to reach a conclusion and keep arguing with each other.
“Perhaps we should kill her. It would give us a head start hiding away from the witch.” One of the bandits says, a red haired man with a large beard. A bow dons his back and it was he who shot Charle. It was also the man who attacked me. Merely looking at him makes my stomach turn. His name seems to be Glaw and I wow to myself that I will have my revenge someday. Glaw sounds desperate but by now I have given up the notion that they would ever go through with killing me. They are far too scared now knowing who I am. Elain’s reputation, a very effective shield against these men.
“No she’d know for sure. She has all knowing eyes you know!” Another man named Mael boldly claims. Hair and face blackened by the dirt, clearly not washed for days. His eyes are icy blue, almost shining through all that dirt. He would be the most superstitious one and presently on my side.
“What is she doing so far to the east? I thought they lived by the western border! Did you not say they lived by that run down shrine Gareth?” Glaw asks as if trying to find redemption for his actions. That he did not know that I am who I am thus absolving himself of any crime. The girl he tried to rape was supposed to be a mere farmers girl. No one special that no one cared about.
“Calm down Glaw and do not even consider killing her. We must escort her back home and pray to the gods that the witch forgives us. We should also consider paying compensation to her. But we must wait for Madoc first.” Gareth’s voice seems to be the voice of reason within the group of brigands. His blonde hair darkened by the dirt and a large scruffy beard dons his face. He looks aged but it looks like he is still in his prime.
“Damn it Gareth! That was a guard from Varges and not an ordinary one. What was she doing with him anyhow? We all said that people from Varges are fair game so this failure is on you!” The fourth man exclaims in an angry manner, a deserter by the looks of it. His manner of speech different from the rest. It sounds more like the people from Varges now listening closely. His brown hair is neatly combed albeit slightly ruffled now and his chin cleanly shaven. He seems more civilized than the others and he definitely does not look like a brigand. However, his demeanour tells of his lack of self-control.
“I do not know Gwilim nor do I dare ask why. All I care about is finding Madoc. Where is that stupid brother of mine anyhow? He is supposed to be here.” Gareth sound concerned but I know the reason of Madoc’s disappearance. The scene of Madoc’s execution is still fresh in my mind. No one deserves such an ending and I do not know if I want to tell him the truth. Although he deserves to know, I owe him that much.
“Perhaps we should simply kill her and be done with it. Let’s head south as far south goes. Surely the witch can’t find us there, right?” Glaw asks never quite letting go of that notion.
“Madoc is dead.” My voice is cold and emotionless, way harsher than I had intended. It interrupts their discussion and they stare blindly at me not quite expecting me to talk.
“What did you say?” Gareth’s voice challenges me as he looks at me with eyes of disbelief. The rest of the men stare at me but I can subtly see the fear lingering in their eyes.
“Madoc is dead. I saw his execution in Varges. They did such cruel things to him yet he begs but your forgiveness Gareth.” Gareth stares at me stupefied, clearly not quite grasping how this could be but I leave no room for questions. “He noticed me amongst the crowd of people thus he found solace that I stood witness upon his death. He shouted out his brotherly love for you and his hope for your forgiveness. He also boldly claimed that I, the witch would rain hell upon the people of Varges. It caused quite the stir yet I managed to slip out relatively unnoticed.” The lot keep staring at me in disbelief yet I feel that they somehow know that I am telling them the truth. “That man you killed.” My voice still lacks any emotion as I motion towards Charle’s corpse. “Charle, he is indeed from Varges and he was probably a recent recruit too. He had demanded that he escorted me back home thinking that I lived on a farm nearby. He seemed quite smitten with me, but would he after knowing who I am?” Am I grinning? It somehow feels like I am.
Gareth who still seems to find it hard to believe that his brother is dead asks. “Are you telling the truth?” He demands confirmation, his eyes look at me firmly with intent as if ready to strike me down. The rugged man Gareth, my saviour in my hour of need seem to hold but scorn towards me or perhaps it is directed at the world itself.
“He apologized only to you for his past crimes against you and your family Gareth. Not the gods, not his many victims but it was you he wanted forgiveness from. Never was his intention to draw you all into his feud.” Gareth upon hearing this seems to almost slump down. The loss of his brother surely claims a heavy toll on the man. “However, I must apologize to you both for not being able to rain hell upon the people of Varges. Although I am glad to have survived to tell you of your brother’s fate regardless how horrid it be. Apologies Gareth, none deserves such a fate, not even murderers and ‘rapists’.” Whereas I make sure the word rapist is emphasized. If only my stare could kill, that would have been a nice gift. The brigand’s only redeeming point is Gareth who seems to be more honourable than the rest of them. “Honestly, I did not expect seeing neither you nor Madoc ever again. How cruel lady luck is to bring us together under such circumstances.”
“The witch is probably telling the truth Gareth. Your brother was a good man.” Mael the superstitious pats Gareth’s shoulder trying to comfort him in whatever way he could but Gareth lashes out in anger.
“No he was not but he was still my brother!” Gareth in a fit and an anguished voice shout out. “Damn it Madoc you stupid fuck!”
The men look between themselves not entirely sure what to do next. Neither of them expected such news.
“What of the others then? There should have been two more in that group. Were they executed as well?” The deserter asks, perhaps he too had friends or kin within that group.
“I do not know what became of them as I did not see them.” My words bring the lot no comfort as they all look saddened but not Glaw.
“So, should we escort her back home or?” Glaw carefully adds.