As Artemis looked around the island from the other side of the gates, he wondered what he should do first. His first thought was of a shelter, a place he could store his water and be safe. He looked around the landscape for anything that looked remotely usable, there were some ruined buildings from where he presumed the city had been years ago, there were a couple of rocky outcroppings that looked like they might provide some shelter and then there were a couple of large rocks that might work as a makeshift shelter. Artemis had the thought that if he were to go to the ruins he would probably run into other inmates or citizens and he wasn’t quite sure a first day confrontation was a good idea. Artemis decided he would head for the large rock closest to the city and see if anyone had called it home yet. It was a long way off and it was almost noon. This meant scorching heat, which meant using up his precious water faster. He decided it would be best to sit in the shade of the wall and move closer to nightfall.
As he waited against the wall off to the side and mostly out of view he saw as other inmates started the long trek towards town. Shaking his head, he sat there quietly trying not to make any trouble. He saw a familiar face come through the gate; it was the Wood-elf that had saved him before. He was leaner than he originally looked, and not very muscular. He was short, he would be maybe a meter and a half tall. He had long red dreadlocks almost halfway down his back. His face was small and almost cat-like in its proportions. He had blue eyes, the kind of blue the sea around here should have been. Artemis subtly tried to get his attention; it worked as the elf walked over towards him. Artemis gestured for him to sit down, the elf shrugged and sat.
“You’ll waste all your water if you go now. Half of those men and women won’t make it, and the other half won’t have any water left by the time they do get there. I think we should head out closer to dusk, save us walking in this heat and save us some water too.” Artemis explained. “What’s your name by the way? I’d like to thank you proper for saving my life back there.”
“Consider us square if you can find a place for us to stay tonight. My name is Shu’lai, I was the leader of a clan on the mainland, but the High Elves thought we would make better servants, so they enslaved us, sent our women to work as maids and in the brothels and most of the men were sent to work as day labourers. Bet you're wondering ‘k why are you here? They send all the tribal leaders here; it makes the tribes remember if they organize beyond what the High Elves want then you get sent here.” Shu’lai explained.
“Interesting. They just wipe my people out when they see us. Makes sense though, keeping the people down makes them easier to control. I don’t plan on being here too long though when I make my break, you’re more than welcome to come with.” Artemis said wistfully.
Shu’lai laughed at that and smacked Artemis in the arm. “You’re funny for being such a scary one.”
They sat there talking, Shu’lai telling stories from his home in the forest and how it was a hub for all different types of beastites, Sea-elves and Wood-elves to meet. He talked of his mates, his wife and his son. How his wife had been sent to be a maid instead of going to the brothel because he went to the prison voluntarily and how his son had been given a job working in the gardens at the same house to keep them together. Artemis told stories of his travels how he always hid when close to a village or town as he was unsure of who he could trust. How he stole from any guard post or passing patrol he could find to get his supplies. He would fight when needed and if a situation smelt like a setup he would walk away.
“Oh? Then how did they catch you I wonder?” Asked Shu’lai.
“Fair question. I was in a bit of a bind. I fell asleep in a carriage filled with food headed for some noble’s estate, or at least that's what I assumed. Turned out it was the queen's summering home I got sent to. When I came around, they had already locked me in the cellar with all the goods.” He began.
***
Artemis began to make his way out from the crate he had been sleeping in, hoping no one was around. He peered around in the dark, there were no lights which made him happy the odds of another person being down here at this time was slim to none. He carefully got himself up and out of the crate, closing it behind him while taking a few apples. He thought to himself “waste not want not.” He closed the crate and began looking for a door, a window, anything that might give him some kind of way out. In the dark, Artemis could make out racks of wine, barrels of what he assumed were other foods, a couple open crates of fireworks and some moon light coming in through a window. Artemis made his way over to the window and he was disappointed it was a tiny sliver of a window not even big enough for a Rabite to fit through. He turned around and noticed the stairs going up to a door, it was risky as this probably led further into the estate.
“What the hell, you only live once,” Artemis muttered under his breath as he made his way to the door. He stood there, hand on the handle for a while listening for any kind of noise, smelling for anything that was different like sweat or the smell of metal meaning there could be a guard. Once Artemis was reasonably sure there was no one on the other side he opened the door slowly and carefully as to not make a noise. He made it through the door and carefully closed it. His ears perked up as he heard someone coming and could see the glow of a light as they came closer.
“Shit, did the guards hear me?” He thought, panicking he looked around for a place to hide. There was a pantry off to his right and a closet presumably full of cleaning supplies off to his left. He could see the door outside off to the left past the closet. In front of him was a kitchen island with pots and pans hanging around it. He heard them moving closer and closer with a quickening pace, He decided to jump in the pantry and hope it wasn’t someone coming for a midnight snack.
Artemis left the door open just a crack so he could watch out of it, he saw a woman come into the kitchen. “Well at least it's not a guard,” He thought. She was quietly going around the kitchen looking for something. She moved back and forth in front of the door. Grabbing a pan and bringing it to the other side of the kitchen and Artemis heard her run down to the cellar. Not a moment later she ran back in front of the door carrying some food items. “Great” he thought. She's going to be here all night now. Then his worst fear, at the time, came to pass; she was headed straight for the pantry.
He pushed himself as far back and as far up as he could manage to get but there wasn’t much space to move in the pantry. She stopped just before the door, like she was listening to something. Artemis calmed his breathing and listened too. There was a commotion going on, it was from outside the door. It sounded like metal clashing and smelled of blood.
“Quick get inside! Grab the Queen!” A voice bellowed. The woman standing in front of the pantry door looked terrified when she heard this. Artemis without thinking opened the door and grabbed her bringing her into the pantry. She went to scream but Artemis covered her mouth.
“I am here by mistake,” Artemis explained. “I fell asleep in the last shipment of cargo you had delivered. I don’t want to alarm you, but I think they might be here for your Queen's life. Now I have no love for the Elven Empire and their royalty but if you agree to forget that you saw me, I have no problem helping her out this once and making sure everyone who is coming in gets what's coming to them. Can you nod to let me know you agree to this and promise not to scream when I let you go?”
She thought about it for a moment looking up at the big yellow eyes in the dark. She thought if he was part of the team why would they bother launching an attack this one as big as he was could have easily killed her already. She nodded. Artemis let go of her face and put her back down on the ground.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “My name is Ya’rlona.”
“SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!” Artemis was screaming inside his head. He had just grabbed the Queen, brought her into a pantry and basically threatened her life if she didn't agree to stay quiet. On top of that he told her he had no love for the ruling party. “ Calm down you can get out of this still you just have to keep your promise and get her out of this alive… Or you could say you’re going to go investigate them and leave her here to her fate. No that wouldn't be right, you made a deal after all. Okay so we get her out and as far from this place as you…”
Artemis heard an explosion as the door went flying across the kitchen. “Subtle.” he thought. There was movement above them and shouting. It appeared their entrance had awoken all the guards in the place.
“Your highness I need you to get behind me. I’m going to go out there and do what I can to buy you sometime until the guards get down here. Please stay quiet and Once I’m sure the guards are on their way, I will make my leave.” Artemis said quietly.
Ya’rlona nodded and asked, “Why are you doing this? You could just leave me and make your escape.”
Artemis picked her up and placed her gently behind him. “I gave my word, and I don’t have much in this world but my word is the one thing I have of value, so I won’t go back on it. Plus, you’re extremely beautiful up close your highness.”
Ya’rlona was confused, would this man, this wolfite really do all this just because of those reasons? Before she could ask another question, Artemis had burst out of the pantry and had swung the door closed. He was standing there in the dim light from the fire on the door and torches held by the invaders.
“Shit Wolfite!” One of the attackers exclaimed.
Artemis knew that that was heard by everyone in the vicinity. He had to move fast, before the closest one could make a move at him with his weapon. The invader went for his sword, but it was too late. Artemis had already cleared the distance from across the room. He moved as though he was running through the shadows. By the time the other men had realized where he had gone, he had the first invaders head in his hands. With a quick jerking motion, the man fell limp to the ground. With no hesitation Artemis set upon the next one. He was able to get his sword out and took a heavy stab at Artemis. Artemis skilfully dodged it like he was dancing with the blade instead of fighting. With a quick upward thrust of his hand, he pierced the man's stomach. A loud scream escaped the man's lips as Artemis shook him from his hand leaving the man to hold his guts in place.
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By this point the third man had found his footing and took aim with the crossbow in his hands. As Artemis turned towards the man, he heard a click and saw an arrow flying towards him. Artemis put his arm up to protect his face. He felt a twinge of pain serge through his arm as the arrow pierced his skin. Artemis, looking the man dead in the eyes, reached up with his other hand and pulled the arrow out. Artemis smiled, now this was going to be fun. He ran at the man who was fumbling trying to get his sword out before he was set upon. Artemis like a monster from old tales came at the man seemingly from the shadows on the floor and with both hands grabbed his arms and twisted. The man started to lift from the floor, so Artemis stood on his feet. The man screamed in agony as his arms dislocated first at the wrists, then at the elbows and finally at the shoulders. Artemis let the man go and he fell to his knees screaming in agony. Artemis turned around in time to see the guards coming down the hallway. He had lost himself to the thrill of the hunt and left himself no time to escape. He thought he could take the Queen hostage but decided it wouldn’t be the civil thing to do. So instead, he sat at the island and called. “Your Highness it's safe now you can come out.”
Ya’rlona came out of the pantry, looked around the room, at the dead man, the man holding in his guts and the man screaming in agony with his arms flopping around. She was almost sick. She looked at Artemis with a look both filled with fear and sorrow.
“I’m counting on you to save my life now” Artemis said.
The guards burst into the room from all entrances, guns, bows and swords all pointed at Artemis and the men on the floor.
“O... On your knees monster!” One of the guards stammered looking at Artemis. “Or would you rather we sent you to your kin now?”
He looked at the Queen and smiled, this only put the guards more on edge as they pointed, their bows at him, some pulling on the arrow to the point that their hands were shaking. Other fingers growing a little too close for his liking to the triggers. Artemis complied, got down on the ground and placed his hands behind his back, all the time never looking away from Ya’rlona. One of the guards walked over to him and beat him upside the head with the pommel of his sword.
“Know your place monster, you don’t dare look upon the Queen.” Another blow to the side of the head had Artemis reconsidering playing nice.
“That’s enough! Ya’rlona commanded. “You will not kill this Wolfite. He saved me from them. Seeing as you are a Wolfite though the only other option is imprisonment on Transorna. I’m sorry you risked your life just to be imprisoned for helping someone. I will make it a royal decree that you are not to be touched by the guards on that island and you will be able to live out your life in peace.”
“Some peace, a prisoner,” Artemis mumbled.
***
Shu’lai looked at Artemis in awe at the end of his story. Unsure if Artemis was unlucky or the luckiest person here. He turned back to looking at the desert in front of them and said nothing for quite some time. Finally, Shu’lai said “So you’re here because you did something kind and were punished anyway. That’s one hell of a short straw, I can’t imagine I would have gone so peacefully after having just saved the Queens life I would have wanted a royal pardon.”
“Pick your battles, that was one thing my father drilled into my head, and I had no chance of winning against those numbers, so it was death or imprisonment. Easy choice for me, living is always better than death.” Artemis replied. “The sun has gone down quite a bit now I think we should be safe to start our journey to the town. With a quick stop for shelter along the way.”
Artemis stood up and started walking off towards the city. Shu’lai followed along. Shu’lai asked where Artemis was leading them. Artemis explained he was going to the rubble pile down by the city in the hopes that they could set up operations there. As they walked along, they noticed bodies of those who had succumbed to the heat. Artemis, not wanting to waste any potential resources picked up their canteens, cloths and arm bands. They continued on as it got darker and darker. The way got harder for Shu’lai to follow as he did not have as great night vision as Artemis. He asked if they could make a torch to help him see. Artemis nodded, looked around noticing some small brush and trees not too far off. He grabbed a piece of fabric from the clothes they had collected and began walking towards the trees with Shu’lai in tow. Artemis picked some of the dead grasses along the way and wove them into the piece of cloth. Once the grasses were woven through the cloth properly, he grabbed a branch off the tree and wrapped the cloth along the top. Artemis then reached into his maw and removed a tooth from the back of his mouth. He struck his sharp claw against it, and it started to spark. The tooth was not actually a tooth but a piece of flint he had disguised as one to get it past the inspection. A few more flicks and the torch light up. He put the tooth back in place and handed the torch to Shu’lai.
“Thank you,” Shu’lai said barely able to see Artemis again against the night. They continued walking, passing more and more bodies along the way. As they got closer to their destination, they noticed these bodies were already picked over missing canteens and clothing. Artemis motioned for Shu’lai to stop and get down. So, he did, wondering what Artemis had found. As Shu’lai looked around trying to see what had gotten Artemis’s attention he noticed Artemis was no longer there. The bag of goods was beside him, but Artemis was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly a group of four shady figures came out of the darkness looking at Shu’lai like he was their next victim.
“Well, well boys we got ourselves a collector. Looks like he’s been gatherin’ our supplies for us.” The jackelite Sneered as two more groups appeared to Shu’lais right and one to his left. “We’ll be takin’ what you’ve collected an’ we’ll be takin’ your ration too. Thanks for putting a light on for us makes it easy to find the new ones.”
Shu’lai looked all around and saw them closing in, he was scared and didn’t notice that the four figures in front of him were now three. Artemis using the night to his advantage had grabbed the man and broken his neck in one quick movement. He then grabbed another making sure to cover his face and kicking out his knees. On the man's way down crack, he didn’t even have time to think about screaming.
One of the men from the right looked over to the main group. “Hey where did Art and Guv get off to? Weren’t the right there wi…” The man stopped dead in his tracks, he couldn’t make a sound. All he saw were the glowing yellow eyes, this toothy grin coming up behind his mate and then he was gone. “H.. h...he’s not alone!!” The man finally managed to yell.
This sent the group rushing towards Shu’lai once there the leader, the Badgerite, grabbed Shu’lai and held his claws to his neck. “Alright come out you lot or your mate gets it!”
On Shu’lai’s way up he dropped the torch and it sputtered a bit casting dancing shadows on all the rocks and bushes around. There was no answer to his demands. They heard some rustling behind them and spun around just in time to see this mass of black come crashing out of the shadows. Artemis disappeared just as quickly. The men all looked around and when they finally got their bearings noticed that the Badgerite was missing his arm and Shu’lai was free. Artemis came from the shadows again grabbing the Badgerite and dragging him into the shadows. Artemis had taken his time with this kill, savoured the moment. More and more he was giving into his baser instincts. Losing his rational calm mind to blood lust. Artemis had the Badgerite by the throat, his face almost pressed against his ear.
“Wrong choice today,” Artemis stated. A scream so shrill and full of terror came from the shadows and echoed for what seemed like ages. Then there was just silence even the dancing shadows created by the torch seemed to stand still. Two of the remaining men looking all panicked ran off into the night in the opposite direction he had seen the badgerite get taken.
“I’ll kill you, whoreson!” one of the other men screamed as he ran off in the direction the badgerite was taken. Screaming and flailing his torch about. Hoping beyond hope to hit something in the dark, anything that would tell him where the killer was.
The fourth man decided it was best to stay where he was. He reached into his pocket and grabbed a dagger made from a large tooth. It was from one of the native species of the island a Dragolisk . Artemis busy toying with the one who ran screaming into the night. Hitting the torch from his hands and watching him recoil in fear. Artemis didn’t notice the dagger being drawn and he certainly wasn’t expecting anyone to have any weapons with them on this island. Hearing some movement from behind him, Shu’lai started to turn round but it was too late. Shu’lai felt the cold press of the blade into his chest. He tried to scream for help but all that came out was gurgling and blood. As the dagger was pulled from his chest and he landed on the ground, the blood pouring from his chest started to drown out the torch. It was then the man knew he messed up, in the dancing light he recognized Shu’lai.
Artemis smelling the blood. A familiar smell of copper, mixed with the scent of his new friend. Artemis went berserk, he knew his tendency to play with his opponents had cost someone else this time. He ran full speed back to where Shu’lai was. He noticed the blood gushing from Shu’lai’s chest and hoped he could end this quickly. Artemis hoped he could stop the bleeding. Grabbing the last man faster and harder than any of the others. Pushing the man’s knees out from under him, Artemis wrenched up on his neck. Severing the head from the spine killing him instantly. He went and knelt beside Shu’lai who was still alive but barely.
“I’m sorry,” Artemis said. “I shouldn't have taken so long with them. Had I just dealt with them you would never have been hurt. So much for us being square.” He squeezed Shu’lai’s hand. “I promise that when I get off of here, I will make the Elves pay for ripping your family apart and sending you here.”
With what looked like a smile to Artemis, Shu’lai passed on. Artemis wanting not to waste anything from the bodies that were there gathered up the cloths, arm bands and the daggers the men had on them. He was close to the sea, maybe a 5 minute walk. It would be bad if someone came across this. Artemis decided to dispose of the bodies over the cliff to hide that the fight had occurred. No one would miss a few more inmates anyway.
“Where are you whoreson!” Right Artemis had forgotten about that one. He crept up behind him as silent as the night. With one quick motion he rendered the man unconscious. No need to kill him, no one would believe him anyway he didn’t have a description of this monster that had killed all his friends. Artemis had done enough killing for the night. Next time he would protect those he was with instead of giving into his instincts. Artemis did take his clothes and weapons though. What was this he had on him? It was a round ball that caught the light. It smelled of shit, and grass. Not sure what to make of it he took it anyway, just to be safe.
He then lugged the four bodies over to the cliff dropping them into the water below. When it was time to say a final farewell to Shu’lai Artemis took his time, walking slower than with the rest and talking to him as if he was still there. When Artemis got to the cliff with Shu’lai he said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. You were, who I considered, my first friend in this hell.” With that he dropped the body off the cliff.
Artemis continued his way over to the rubble they had been headed to. He was now, more than ever, alert and on the watch for more potential muggers. Artemis slowed down as he got closer to the rubble. It smelled but not of earth and stone, it smelled different like a living creature. If he looked real closely at it he could see the mass rising and falling as if it was asleep. Artemis was curious about what this creature was but also wary of what it could do to him. It was a large creature now that he was looking at it carefully, it had spines running down its back, they looked ridged like they were there to make it look more imposing. Whatever it was trying to scare off must be massive Artemis thought. It was at least 4 meters long, and that was with it curled up sleeping. He noticed the head was almost firmly attached to the body, from where Artemis stood it looked like the creature had almost no neck. He could see one limb stretched out from the beast. It was muscular, it had to be to carry around the rest of him. Artemis was hungry and it looked edible. He decided to get closer to it, at that moment the wind changed direction, and Artemis knew he was in danger; he was now downwind of the beast.
The beast breathed in heavily and started to stir. Artemis knew he had to get upwind of him and quick. He dropped everything where he was so he could run at full speed. He decided the best path was to run in front of it before it woke and get upwind. He dashed as though his life depended on it jumping over bushes and dodging around a few small trees. He made it to where the beast was and knew that it was a poor decision. The beast took a bite at him, he managed to dodge under the jaw, but he could see they were dripping with a viscous liquid. The creatures' teeth were massive, some the size of Artemis’s forearm. Artemis thought it best to avoid them in case the liquid dripping from them was venom. The beast rose with a speed Artemis did not expect and gave chase. He kept going running towards the cliff hoping to lose it. He noticed that while it was chasing him it was stumbling a lot, tripping on things, it appeared to have bad eyesight. At least in the dark anyway. Artemis zigged and zagged over rocks and around shrubs. The beast just ploughed through most of it like it wasn’t there. Still, it was following him, how was it able to do that if it couldn’t clearly see him Artemis wondered. Artemis looking back briefly as he ran noticed the beast was flicking its tongue tasting at the air. It was following his scent Artemis thought.
Artemis got to the edge of the cliff and decided he would wait there as long as he could. Artemis would drop down the cliff hoping the beast would follow him over. At least that was the hope. Artemis turned and readied himself to drop down. The beast charging full speed at him. It lunged at him. The beast opened its jaw and went in for the bite, Artemis dropped down and the beast went over his head. The beast turned and tried to grab onto something, anything, but it was too far from the cliff. It fell onto the jagged rocks below and was impaled from head to tail. Still twitching as Artemis pulled himself up over the cliff.
Artemis went back to claim his belongings and find a place to sleep. As he walked past where the beast had been he noticed a familiar smell. The dung on the ground smelt the same as the small balls he found. There were some rocks that had been moved by the beast when it made its nest. Artemis decided this would be the place to make up his camp and, in the morning, he would go examine the beast that had fallen over the edge. Maybe after he went and checked out the city though.