Chapter 12

-Might-

Is this fate?

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We spent the night by a small miserable makeshift camp the brigands had set up nearby. They shared whatever rations they had with me and we slept in silence. As soon as first light dawned, we begun marching west in the direction towards the shrine. The men lead the way home but they do not speak and nor do I. There is no need for words now, instead we focus on the task ahead. The silence is indeed welcomed; it leaves me to my own thoughts and I have been thinking a lot. They are to return me to the shrine and then leave as fast as possible to never be seen again. Elain has probably not returned yet and I am not sure she ever will. They were surprised at my leniency at first but they did not complain. If they found out, what would keep them from raping and killing me then. There was but one thing I had asked as material recompense. All of their arrows and quivers would be given to me and there were no room for discussion in that matter. They obliged, a small price to pay they thought albeit bothersome.

They are walking silently, carrying their ill-gotten gains from Charle. It is but Mael who at times keep throwing glances at me. His dirtied face and icy eyes stare at me with obsession as if I am an idol of fear and worship. That I would at some point cast ill magic at them if he were not treat me with outmost respect. This silence is torturous to him but he knows better than to break it. There is no need to give him more thought than that yet he keeps looking at me.

Glaw however seemed to have had breathed out in relief upon hearing that there would be no further repercussions. Thus there was no need to bother himself with me ever again. There was but this task and once it is done then all would be well again. Although he may think so but should we ever meet again then I would make sure to have him pay dearly. He may think himself forgiven but I could never forgive him.

“We are getting close.” Gareth’s voice breaks the silence. A silence I had gotten comfortable with. The road here was long, longer than I remembered. Perhaps my time spent talking with Yvette last time dulled my sense of time and distance. Had I just paid attention then Charle would still be alive.

The neglected shrine grounds emerge before our eyes as we push through the foliage. There it lay dormant and overgrown with vines invading stone and ground alike. This area will surely be beautiful once spring comes albeit still neglected. The brigands, my companions however are standing on guard. A lone woman stands alone by the shrine but she is not here for prayer no. It is clear as day that she is waiting for someone, waiting for me. A woman I never expected seeing again. Why is she here? Not quite sure what to say I let out but one word. “How?”

With bruises all over and hair torn she looks upon me with tears in her eyes. “I am so sorry.” Why is Yvette saying sorry to me when it is I who should ask for her forgiveness?

“Ah shit.” Gareth dejected lets out. “An ambush!”

Out of the woods step iron masked men much similar to the ones back in Varges. Their masks have a horrid red crying eye carved into it. Each of them carry a large sword with both hands entering the area in an intimidating manner. Their robes and plated armour are brown of colour, effectively hiding their bodies under multiple layers. All in all, numbering a total of nine thus outnumbering us.

From behind the shrine comes another person but this one carries a shiny mask made out of silver. It too carries the red crying eye but her demeanour is on a whole other level. “You did not lie Yvette. We are most pleased but it did require some convincing did it not?” The silver masked woman says with a malicious tone as she walks confidently towards Yvette. Gently caressing Yvette’s cheek to which she winces in pain. She turns towards us as she pushes Yvette who cries out in pain down on to the ground. “Well, you are done her so scamper on home. Our goddess is loving and merciful, be thankful.”

Yvette with tears in her eyes looks upon me one last time. “I am so sorry.” Her tone so regretful that I cannot blame her. She hurriedly makes her way home but I am just happy seeing that she is still alive.

“Well then, you seem to have gotten some filth as company. Not quite planned but it does not matter. Kill them but capture the girl alive.” The silvery masked woman orders her men as she draws her blade. The Iron masks begins to slowly encircle us, already sure of their victory and I do not question it either. My escape was doomed from the start.

“Ah hell no, I ain’t staying.” I hear Gwilim shout from behind.

“Oh? Deserters already?” The silvery masked woman laughs. “You should be more careful choosing your friends witch. Well then deserter, you are free to leave as we have no qualms with you.”

Gwilim makes a run for it and true to her words, the men do nothing to stop him.

“I extend this offer to the rest of you as well. Leave, and you will live yet another day. There is no reason to put your life on the line for this woman.”

My companions seem to be truly considering her options and I do not blame them. This is my fight and I intend to fight it even if I stand alone against this world. Pulling forth my bow I notch an arrow. However, the arrow does not fit on the string as the string is far too thick for an ordinary arrow. Sighing I throw the arrow to the side. Should have asked for a regular bow as well it seems.

My mind vaguely notices the sound of someone else running away from behind. At this point, I am not sure how many companions if any is still with me. That is when two characters step up by my side. Mael and Gareth by the looks of it and it kind of warmed my heart.

“Witch, I stand by your side. It is what my ancestors would have wanted!” Mael shouts with a tone telling me that he has accepted death. He pulls forth a two handed axe and as if mad brandishes it against the encroaching men.

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“I have qualms with these people as well.” Gareth with an angry tone firmly grips his axe and shield. “Now is as good time as any and there is only ten of them. We’ve faced worse odds right, Mael?”

“This is a first Gareth but I do not care!” Mael seems to build up his spirit somehow as he begins to howl as if mad.

Mael and Gareth seem to be itching for a fight but I must know. “Why are you after me? What have I ever done to you or your goddess?”

The silver masked woman is clearly more than thrilled, exhilarated to be the able to hunt me. This woman’s demeanour warns all my senses, telling me that she is a sadistic piece of shit. “You? You have done nothing yet and you quite possibly never will. However, the oracle has foreseen your coming and what might come to pass. No hard feelings alright?” Her tone amused, almost moaning and carrying no hint of remorse.

Anger well up inside as I feel unjustly treated and judged. Are they truly hunting me down for a ‘might happen’? Have they even considered other possibilities to deal with me? Suddenly, I feel something tugging at my hand. Tugging might be the wrong word but rather a sudden sensation telling me that there is something strange in my hand. Looking down, there is an arrow in place where I am holding the string. As if entwined vines it is thick and looks strong. The tip of the arrow barbed with a vicious murky thorn. Did the bow procure this? With renewed confidence and anger I pull the string and take aim.

“Fuck you, I won’t go down without a fight!” Aiming at the closest target I let lose the arrow and it flies true. It buries itself deep within the chest plate of the target to which he winces in pain and slumps down.

“Good.” The silver masked woman says with a content tone. However, I am more surprised that I actually hit the target.

The rest of the gathered takes it as a queue to fight. Mael rushes forth, leaving my side to take on a target whilst screaming obscenities. Gareth however stays by my side with a raised shield awaiting them. Tugging my bow string I eagerly await the next arrow but it never comes. Screams and shouts disturb the once calm shrine and here I am tugging my bowstring. Fear take a hold of me as my one life line is not working any longer.

Confused I look around as an iron mask approach, its sword well over its head. Gareth pushes me out of the way as the iron mask swings down at me. Losing my foothold, I fall down on my rump. He shouts something at me as I notice another man closes in on Gareth from behind.

“Look out!” Screaming I try to warn Gareth but it is too late. The approaching man with a diagonal slash slices at Gareth from behind to which he stumbles down, crying out in pain. Blood everywhere. Escape, I must escape this hell. Fear force me to hastily crawl away on all four. It all happened so quick, what is going on? My breathing uneven as I panic. Never did I imagine a fight to be like this. All this screaming, the smell of iron and the harsh cold ground. My mind screams at me to escape but I am so frightened that I can but crawl. Mael is still at it, fiercely he swings his axe around at the encroaching men, he fells another one. A cascade of blood and entrails forced outside of its host. He too is bloodied and there are two men laying on the ground around him. They scream in pain as they lay there mutilated by his bloodied axe. There are however still three men on him and there are two quickly approaching me along with their leader.

“Did it not go quite as you planned?” She asks with a mocking tone as she steps on my back, forcing me down on my stomach. My face uncomfortable lay upon the cold ground, the frost prickles my cheeks. “A shame really, almost hoped you’d put up more of a fight. This is rather boring really.” Her feet dig harshly into my back, it hurts as she grinds her heels deep.

Fear, mind numbing fear occupies my mind. Fear of being executed as Madoc was. This sadistic bitch that cares naught for her companion’s deaths would skin me alive and tear out my eyes. She would torture me without end.

“No, please no. No more please! I just want to go home please!” Crying I fear the worst but the silver mask seems to enjoy this as she kicks me harshly forcing my air out. Coughing I beg to be spared. “Please, I don’t want to die.”

As if abiding my wishes, a terrifying screech is heard. It echoes throughout the whole area and the ground begins to tremble with it.

“What is going on?” I can hear the Silver masked woman ask but shortly after, horrid screams can be heard. Forcing my head in that direction I see a large dark figure trampling about. It screeches in a deafening inhuman manner. Mael viciously laughs as the beast tears a man in two, armour and all with its vicious wing like claws. “The witch has summoned the beast!” He screams with glee holding his axe with both hands well above his head.

The beast makes short work of the men around Mael but strangely leaves him unharmed. It looks like a dark lizard with shining yellow eyes. It reminds me of the beast I saw so many nights ago. It stands on two hind legs and it is taller than an average human being. One masked man tries to close in on the beast but it holds up its fangs towards the man. No, it points a claw like finger at the man. Stopping in his steps he begins to scream in an inhuman way as tears at his clothes and armour. Slumping down he tries to force his armour off for some reason screaming like never before.

“Retreat!” The silver masked woman shouts out with fear in her voice. Needing no other incentive, the survivors flee with such terror. The beast screeches out almost in a laughing manner as it watches the people flee for their lives. It seems to care naught to pursue but instead drags two corpses back whence it came. Leaving the still living man tearing at his armour screaming, gurgling until his end.

Mael quickly rushes to my side ecstatic but notices Gareth laying on the ground unmoving. “Gareth?”

Snapping out of it I too make way to his side. “He is still breathing but he needs help and that now. Follow me, I know someone that can help us.”