Chapter 12

After I got my bearings again. We continued the final work of looting and getting rid of the bodies. To avoid notice, I simply made a large ditch and buried them all in a pile. More than any of them really deserved.

Our prisoner, still unconscious, I tied him to Balto to be dragged.

Looking at the released girls as they watch the bodies being buried. You could see the strength returning to their eyes.

The only thing I could think is that these people are tough beyond measure. I really hope I can be the same.

“All right. Time to start walking back. Is everyone ready?” Said Layla. To assenting responses from everyone.

This trip home we are limited by the villager’s speed. So, we are taking turns letting them ride on Balto.

As for myself. I have no trouble walking back after all that happened. At least it lets me think a little.

A few hours in while we are steadily progressing on our trip. The prisoner woke up and began making a fuss again. Nothing that a gag and a nice kick to the nuts couldn’t solve.

At the time of the first signs of dawn. We arrived at the village. The fields and wall, perfectly framed by the first few rays of the rising sun.

“It’s good to be home again. You okay Rhea?”

“I’m fine. We still have much work to do. No time for rest.” I said as I looked upon our destination.

Arriving at the gates. We are received by a small crowd of families and the Elders. All running towards them in an emotional reunion.

“All right everyone! I know all of you are tired and want to be with your families. But I suggest you let Elder Zaina at least take a look at your conditions”

The survivors, now hugging their families, began going with the elder.

“Thank you. It won’t take long.” Said the elder while corralling them inside.

As we are preparing to enter, in comes Aida jumping into my arms.

“I was so worried! It’s so good you’re okay!” She said as she tightened into a hug.

“Hey. What about me? Won’t you hug your mother?”

“You can take care of yourself you beast of a woman!” Promptly showing her tongue in defiance.

“Fine then!” She then took us both into a bear hug and lifted us off the ground.

While we took a moment to distract ourselves from the situation, we are approached by an elderly lady.

“I know you girls are having a nice moment over there. But we do have things to do for now.” Elder Thana said while pointing to the mess of a men quietly waiting besides the road while tied to Balto.

“Take the piece of shit to my forge. I’ll get him to talk.”

“Are you sure you can do this? I can take care of it.”

“No. This is something I must do.”

Seeing the way these people were treated. I can no longer close my eyes to this. I always knew this wasn’t a kind world. Ideals and innocence are beautiful. But they mean nothing before strength.

Without the capability to defend your ideals. They’re nothing but empty talk. I’m once again reminded of this simple fact I’ve once learnt in another life.

Taking the piece of shit from Balto, I strengthen myself with magic and begin dragging him through the down.

Behind me forms a quick procession of Hunters. All curious to what will happen to the man.

As I arrive at the forge, I check the prisoner’s condition. He’s a complete mess of mud and blood after being dragged for so long and beaten up. But otherwise, fine.

Shoving him inside. I quickly close the door and activate the barriers. Locking everyone outside. These people don’t need to see what will happen here.

Tying the asshole to the chair, I remove the gag.

“Please, let me go. I won’t return here… Please…”

Only to be rebuffed with a nice strengthened punch to the face.

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“You will talk exactly what I want you to talk about. And you WILL talk. The only doubt, is how much pain will take.”

“I… I… can’t… They’ll kill me…”

Immediately, a water blade cleanly slices one of his fingers. Making him howl in pain and shock.

“This will continue until you talk. Soon you’d be wishing for death yourself.” I said while giving him a few slaps again.

“Now. Your band. How many of them?”

“Please...”

And off another finger it goes.

After a while and a few fingers later. It becomes clear he’s too afraid of the band’s leader to talk details.

Time for another tactic. Taking a dirty rag, I lay him down and cover his face. And in comes the water magic onto his head.

“Talk!”

“I’m going to die!”

In goes the rag and another bout of water. This repeats a few times before he begins to crack.

Desperately he told me everything that he knows, he talks about anything he can think of, even irrelevant stuff.

“Please, I told you everything. You promised you’ll let me go. Right?”

“I never made such a promise. You fucker almost raped and killed a mother of a child! All for your sick greed. You’re not human, You’re garbage. And I´ll make the world a favor by getting rid of you.” I said as the rage that slowly boiled since yesterday violently came out.

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To say I’m worried for her is an understatement. I knew there was something wrong with her state. She had never killed anyone before.

For all that she was a powerful mage, a Dryad. She’s still much too young to face all of this alone. I admit that sometimes she shows wisdom unlike her apparent age. Others, she reveals herself as a naïve girl.

Its amazing how she quicky became indispensable part of mine, and Aida’s lives. That’s exactly why I can’t let her fall this way.

After arriving home, the first thing she does is drag that man to her forge and lock all of us out. I tried banging at her door or forcing my way in, but her magic keeps us all out. What I’m Going to do now?

Suddenly, the door opens, and out she comes carrying a bloody and mutilated man screaming his lungs out for mercy. The look on her face was terrifying.

“I got him to talk. Now I am going to get rid of the trash.” She said as she dragged the man with a rope on his neck through the village. No one having the guts to stop her.

Arriving at the gate, she threw the rope up a hook, and promptly pulled him up. All we could do is watch as the mess of a man quickly hanged to death.

“This fucker is to stay exactly where he is for now! Let their scouts know what happens when you try to come for us!” She shouted. Drawing small cheers from the now present crowd.

I knew better though. And followed her when she removed herself from the situation.

As soon as she got out of sight from everyone. Rhea promptly fell down into a heap.

I rushed to her and grabbed her into a hug. Both of us bungled up on the grass.

“Please, don’t do this to yourself. And to us… Please…” I gently whispered to her while she cried into my arms. I myself shedding a few tears as well.

“Thank you.” She whispered back.

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Welp. That was a shitty situation all around. It really got to me, I guess.

It made me realize how easy it is to lose yourself when you have the power to do so. On a simpler level, I LIKED hurting that man. And this terrifies me.

Mother talked a lot about not abusing the Dryads power. Actually doing it though, is way harder than I could imagine from all those righteous tales she used to tell.

You tend to never question what is going through the hero’s head. You just assume he’s right because he’s the hero.

Another thing immediately made clear. Is how much I became attached to Layla and Ayda. Both the family I never knew I wanted. Its amazing how it could happen so fast.

Aida with her strait-laced personality, and Layla with her easy-going ways. Makes me definitely want to protect them.

After separating from Layla and cleaning myself up. I go for a quick rest before we have a meeting regarding my findings.

Going into the hall, I see both Elders, Layla and Raja. Everyone with tactical decision-making power, I guess.

Taking my seat, I’m affronted with worried looks from everyone.

“I know I got out of line before, and for that. I’m sorry.” I say to the people present.

“It’s nothing to be sorry for. Just remember we are always here for you.” Says Aida while she holds my hand.

“I believe you have information for us regarding this incident. Right?” Elder Thana said while taking a cup of tea for herself.

“Yes. In the end, he told me all that he knew.”

After a moment of silence, I continued.

“The group that attacked our villagers, was only working as scout for the rest of a larger band. They were to spend a few days scouting us from afar, before returning to the rest of them”

This has drawn some nervous looks from those present.

“This changed when they spotted an opportunity as soon as they arrived. Capturing the girls, they were returning early to the rest of their group.”

“And what about the rest of them?”

“According to him, they’re a two hundred men strong group. And they are led by a mage.”

“This is preposterous!” Was the shocked reactions all around.

“If they have a mage. And judging by the magic tools they had with them. They must have the support of Lord Hawken. He would never let such a large and well-equipped group walk through his lands without his consent.” Said Layla in a grave tone.

“How long do we got?”

“Judging by the fact that they just got here, and they would scout for a week. Plus, the fact that their camp is two days away. Adding mobilization. I would say we have at max, ten days before they get to our doorstep.” I presumed.

“This will be a tough one. We´ll have to prepare for their arrival.”

“And how do we do that?” Says Elder Zaina in an irritated tone.

“I have a few ideas. On how we can fight. And even if it fails. The new walls should give us a better chance in case of a siege.” I said, trying to calm down the distressed woman.

“I’ll make an announcement later and begin organizing the hunters. Raja. Do you think we can send a few good hunters to scout ahead? We need information”

“Sure, thing boss. I know just the people for it.”

“In the meantime, we can organize a better defense strategy. Perhaps we could even train a few villagers in using bows to man the walls.”

“That’s going to be a tough one. Most of the villagers are busy with the harvest. We can’t afford to take too many of them. But I suppose I can spare a few for you.”

“I’ll craft some weapons for them, then.”

“We are going to convene again for specific tactics later on then. For now. We all must do what we can.”

After the meeting, we all immediately begin to work. For now, I will begin to take stock of everything that’s going to be needed. I guess I can say goodbye to proper sleep for now.

Later on. Layla gathered everyone on the square and relayed the information.

“This is going to be tough. Make no mistake about it. But we are tough. And we will come out victorious!” She shouted to the crowd.

I sure hope so. All I can say is that I’ll definitely won’t make it easy for them.