CHAPTER 21 RUNNING ON EMPTY
The year is 1DA, the date is the 15th of Quintus.
The vast savannah stretched on, tall blades of grass turned yellow from the dry season. The grassland was speckled with sparse amounts of acacia trees, turning golden in the morning sun. A gentle drift carved its way through the fields. There were few animals here, sounds of birds were calling in the distance, as mammals buried themselves underground. Although he felt alone, Kad Enkisziku could feel he was being hunted.
He placed a grey hand to the floor, feeling the movement. A mass of insects swirled and buried themselves in the dirt. Nearby was the rabbit's burrow, where he had found his lunch, the carcass of it laying by his feet. Almost a mile a way, he could feel great tremors in the earth. The world was darkness to Consumers, their senses became their sight, but every now and then, wisps of energy would form shapes in his mind's eye. He remembered the outline of the swords-woman, and the creature made of metal, entombed within the earth. What the mages from the Astrex Academy felt like, ad how their paladin comrade was barely a shadow to him.
There was a trumpeting sound carried on the wind. A herd of large animals travelled together, their footfall rumbling through the soil and towards his fingertips. As he concentrated, he could feel the vibrations as they dug their tusks into the dirt, looking for roots and hidden vegetables. They sounded impossibly large, and something he was determined to stay away from, but that was not the immediate danger.
It's on all fours, moving slowly. I can barely hear its breath. Whatever it is, its a creature of total focus. It will probably try to pounce when it thinks you're not looking.
The creature was almost silent, perhaps drawn by the scent of the dead rabbit by his knee. He had been preparing tinder and sticks for a small fire. He still needed physical substance, even if it was not what he craved. His tongue was dry, and his hidden teeth itched. The outline of the creature crept towards him. Colours were not something he could be acquainted with, he did not know what the colour of the sky was, and if someone described it as 'blue', it would mean nothing to him. He did not know the rabbit that lay beside him was a deeper brown than the dirt below him. He did not know the Savanna-Cat that stalked him was a motley of brown and gold, with deep black spots along its side, and its two canine teeth were slightly elongated, just poking out of the fold of its top lip. Its tail was coiled in black stripes, its dark ears were sent back, and its golden eyes were wide. It was larger than any house cat, standing at the size of a wolf, almost half the height of the Consumer.
Slowly now. No sudden moves or noises....
Kad's hand crept to his new sword. It was a curved scimitar, lighter than his previous sword that had been lost in the depths of the hills, in that cold and unforgiving prison where they freed the metal monster. His long fingers reached for the hilt as it lay beside him. The creature's paws softly sat in front of it, it lowered itself down, its bottom shaking slightly as it positioned itself. It was still a few feet away from him, and in an instant, it bounced off of its paws, crossing the distance dizzyingly fast. Kad's ears and nose twitched wildly, impulses flying like electricity to his fingers. The cat jumped when it was close, daggers flashing through fur, canines poised. Kad's hands wrapped themselves around the scimitar's hilt, bringing it upwards in a perfect arc.
The cat screamed as the blade cut into it, flailing in mid-air. The slash was a perfect diagonal through its mid-section, and it died as it hit the ground. Its paws twitched, the blades within its toes still extended. It gargled a final breath, before passing it out. Kad felt hot splashes drip down his wrist. His heart was hammering, his breath felt like steel. The adrenaline began to fade, and the same feeling of remorse that he had felt when snapping the rabbit's neck inches away from where their family hit returned.
It's different out here.
Killing had become easier. It wasn't the same as when he was back in the city, on the hunt for the racist councillor.
You hesitated, and it cost you everything. You can't let that happen again.
He sat back on one hand, listening to the distant bird song and sounds of insects coursing through the flowing grasses. The ground trembled as the herd of great beasts moved north, trumpets bellowing. He placed a hand tentatively on the fur of the Savanna-Cat. Flies had already descended on its wounds, their incessant buzzes were a loud static that Kad had not been able to be rid off since he arrived on the landmass. The golden fur was softer than he expected, with some coarse hairs arguing against his touch infrequently. He held a limp paw, feeling the weight of the creature.
It's heavier than I expected, and its still five legua's back to Journey's End.
He had not been to Promise Coast in some time, not since his run-in with the Evean Swords-woman. Too many people remembered who he was, and what he was worth. Journey's End was newly established, rougher and meaner than Promise Coast, but a place where coin could buy secrets.
If you can get this thing back, might get a good price for its meat, maybe the fur, too.
He scratched at the dark wraps on his head, concealing the Consumer's truth. It had been weeks since he had last fed.
At least if anyone does recognise you, we might be in for a feed.
With a new hunting knife he had bought with the scimitar, he skinned the rabbit and harvested the meat. He had lost his appetite for material sustenance fighting the cat. He wrapped the meat in a thick bit of parchment bound with string, and placed it in his bag carefully. He wrapped the bag-strap around his shoulder, and clumsily sheathed the scimitar. He tried to lift the carcass, but the weight was difficult to get onto his shoulders, and the blood continued to flow. He did not know how to properly prepare a dead animal, that was for the buyer. He dragged it along the dirt towards where the tree-line grew dense and the jungle waited. A long flow of blood followed them, and by a large Acacia tree, he dropped the cat, his arms beginning to burn. The midday sun bore down upon him, and he rested in the shade, reaching for what little water was left.
Twenty-five feet down, just five more hours of dragging this thing back to the coast.
The jungle behind him crawled with movement. He could feel and hear dozens of birds and reptiles in the trees, and hundreds, if not thousands of insects. It was a hive of activity, and he was walking into it with a free meal. He wiped the sweat that had pooled under his wraps. Perhaps it was better to take what he could and leave the rest for whatever scavengers were waiting within the trees.
Won't get as much money, but at least you'll get some money.
He had placed his nearly-empty water-skin back into his bag when he heard a twig snap, less than thirty feet away. His ears and nose jolted into action. Once again, something was stalking him, only it wasn't alone this time. There were five of them, Sapes of different species. The smell of heavy sweat drifted over to him, and he shivered queasily. His hand reached for his scimitar. They were clumsy, lacking the grace of the cat, boots landing heavily in the dry dirt, their breathing booming through the trees. At first Kad thought there was an animal amongst them, hearing a gentle patter of multiple legs, but it was clear they were belonging to an Espyder. They were getting closer, heading exactly his direction.
Looks like someone found us.
He gritted his teeth.
Clack.
The hunger began to claw at him.
He heard the group muttering amongst themselves, feet suddenly stopping. They had finally spotted him. He sighed, standing up, stretching, turning slightly to show he knew they were there.
“Oi, no sudden movements, yeah?” Came a deep shout.
Clack.
“Who is it?” Came a nasally whisper.
“How should I know? Let's just keep our cool, yeah? We don't harm 'im, he don't harm us.” The deep voice said quietly.
“Harm us? He's just one guy. How's he gonna hurt us?”
“What if he's got food?” Came a third, raspy woman's voice. “Can't go empty handed, after all.”
“Can you see what he looks like? What if he's one of them natives?” A fourth voice said, younger than the others.
“I'm not a native.” Kad rasped, almost shocked to hear what his voice sounded like again after so many days of isolation.
There was a shocked silence.
“Wait, he can hear us?” Came the fifth voice.
Kad sighed as they argued amongst themselves.
“Come on out of there.” He called out. “I don't mean you any harm, just passing through.”
Slowly, cautiously, the members began moving. The five of them had drawn weapons, waiting by the tree-line, covering each by a tree.
“We're comin' out. Stay where you are, yeah?”
Slowly, four of them began to emerge, with one hanging back, hiding behind a tree. Kad kept his scimitar sheathed, but close by on the rock where he rested. He slowly raised his hands up, feeling their energies, even if he could not see what they looked like. The leader with the deep voice was a Northman in his early thirties. His ginger hair had been shaved by the sides, but grown long at the top, slicked back in the current trend, and his ginger beard had been braided below his chin. Kad had no eyes to see that the Northman's were a gentle teal. His kin had been reddened by the sun, skin peeling on the cartilage of his ears by the numerous piercings. He had a dirty, furred leather vest that revealed strong arms, red and freckled under the unforgiving heat. In his fists were two black daggers, both pointing downwards, and held close to his chest. His stance was low and careful, creeping towards Kad like a wounded predator.
“Just be cool, yeah? We was just passin' through too.”
Kad nodded slowly.
“Eugh, he's a consumer.” Came the nasally voice, waddling slowly.
It belonged to a Duck-man with white feathers covering most of his small stature. He was just below four foot tall, with an orange bill. He wore a black leather jacket, and under it were patches of brown and green feathers. He wore worn shorts that were frayed closer to his orange feet. Under his white wings were more clashes of green, his three white fingers in each hand held a hatchet, that he swung onto his shoulder.
“You stay over there, Consumey, that's a good lad, and we won't have to hurt you, got it?”
Clack.
“What? What's that mean? You get it or not?”
“I'd answer him if I were you.” Said the raspy female voice.
The Espyder's legs tapped quickly. Her legs were stubby for one of her kind, close together, thick and black, with long strands of hair along the joints. Her carapace was cobalt, and the humanoid half of her body was thin. She had a light grey tone to her skin, with a black vest top and headband. There were several tattoos of legendary creatures, like dolphins and elephants along her arms. Her lank hair reached her chin, and in her long fingers were two short swords that curved at the tips.
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“Look at what he's got behind him.” The young voice said.
It belonged to a Vulpine, one of the Fox-people, no older than nineteen. His orange fur was scruffy around his pointed ears, his deep brown eyes awake with anticipation. He licked his lips, revealing to all, except Kad, his short, sharp teeth. Like the Duckman, he had a black leather jacket, though his sleeves were rolled up. A red neckerchief was tied beneath his chin. Behind his dark pantaloon,s his bushy tail ended in a white tip. In one hand was a short sword, the other held a small dagger. He eased on his stance, bright eyes solely focused on the carcass of the Savanna-Cat.
“Whatcha got there?” He asked.
“Just an animal carcass. Gonna bring it back to Journey's End.” Kad said simply.
The leader scoffed.
“You gonna bring that all by yourself? You'll never make it.”
“Gonna try.” Kad replied.
“You know, we could really use that.” The Duckman said directly to their leader.
“Yeah, probably.” He replied, nodding.
“If you wanna buy it offa me, it'll cost you thirty dynasties.” Kad said calmly.
The Espyder and the Duck shared a laugh.
“Yeah right.” She said.
“'Spose we didn't.” The Duckman said. “'Spose you just gave it to us, and in return, we don't hurt ya.”
“'Spose you try to take it offa me, I sell the cat and make myself some duck rolls.”
He heard the Duckman growl gibberish at him, bringing their axe to both hands, and the leader stepping in front of him, sighing slightly.
“Sorry pal, but there's just too many of us.”
He lifted a hand, and the one who remained loosed the bolt on his crossbow that he had been aiming at Kad. Kad felt the vibrations tremble on the air, but chose not to move. The bolt ripped past, tearing at his cloak by his shoulder, and dissapearing into the long grass behind him. He kept his face free from movement, choosing only to bare his long, dull teeth at the party.
“Get it now, yeah? Got five more of my guys waitin' for another of my orders to riddle you with bolts. You give us that animal you killed for us, and you walk away easy. No carryin' it for fifteen miles, no fuss, no muss. Sound good, yeah?”
Kad could barely contain a laugh.
“I'm a consumer. You think I don't know you've only got one goblin hidin' back there?”
He felt them exchange looks, grinning at their unease.
The goblin remained was a half-breed of both Mud and Fisher varieties, with a light brown complexion. He sprung his head out from the trees, confused. He wore a leather half-helm and light armour, with a crossbow almost as big as he was tall.
“You want me to come out now?” He called.
The Northman sunk his shoulders, defeated.
“No, stay there for X's sake.”
Kad chuckled.
“Even if you had a hundred goblins back there, I still ain't givin' this to you. It's mine, and I'll fight for it. Besides, savanna's full of animals you can hunt, nearly all of 'em are bigger than this guy, anyway.”
He heard the fingers tighten around the daggers, and teeth grinding against each-other.
“Be careful, he's a consumer. You don't know what he's gonna do.” The Vulpine said nervously.
The human chuckled.
“I've heard what they do. They suck the life right out of you, get's 'em stronger. Bet you'd love a go at us, wouldn't ya? I know why you're still 'ere. Haven't fed in a while, have ya? Otherwise you'd be halfway to Journey's End by now, wouldn't ya?”
Kad twitched his head, smelling the sweat fall from the Northman's forehead.
Clack.
The man crouched down slowly, inspecting the trail behind Kad.
“Running on empty, yeah? Just waitin' for someone to give you an excuse to feed on us, but it ain't gonna happen.”
The hands relaxed slightly as he rose.
“Eugh.” The Duckman spat. “Disgustin'.”
“I ain't interested in feedin' on you. Hope 'bout we go our separate ways, it's a long walk to Journey's End. Need to get a wriggle on.”
The Northman spat.
“Fine.” He said curtly.
Kad nodded, slowly gathering his weapon and bag. He grabbed the cat by an arm and leg, heaving it up with all of his strength, willing himself not to collapse in front of the opportunist predators that watched every twitch of his muscles. He hauled it onto his shoulders, all of his focus sent into his legs to not shake, as he walked amongst them. He heard a tsk and a grumble, but continued to walk towards the jungle.
“Y'know, I just had a thought...” The woman said suddenly, turning Kad's blood to ice.
“Yeah?” The Northman said.
“See, there's some bounties up near The Steamin' Crab back in Promise...”
Ah, here we go...
“...Seems they're lookin' for a Consumer, murdered a guy or somethin'.”
The Northman raised his eyebrows.
“That you, Consumey? You kill a guy and run?”
The Duckman chuckled.
“Does it matter if it ain't him?”
“Hand in the Consumey, take that cat and it's nice fur for ourselves...” The Espyder purred.
Slowly, the group had surrounded him. He turned back to them, dropping the carcass into the dirt.
Clack.
“C'mon guys, he ain't got nothin'. What use is a dead cat anyway? We'd only have to carry it.” The young Vulpine whined.
“You were the one who wanted it so badly.” The Duckman snarled. “Besides, that ain't the point.”
“Well, what's it gonna be, Consumey? You gonna put your weapon down, come with us without a fight, yeah?” The Northman said, grinning viciously.
Kad smiled, drawing his weapon.
Not a chance.
“Thought not.” The man said.
Kad heard the crossbow click as it was reloaded.
No point in saving anything now.
Kad's muscles ached from a lack of feeding, but he was fuelled with adrenaline. Draining the metal monster had lasted him for weeks, but he was starting to run out. He felt the reserves of the energy flood through his body. The sounds became clearer, with less of a radius but a tighter focus. His legs were fuelled with a new strength, already dashing to the side of the Northman, his fingers bringing his blade out of its sheath.
The shape in front of him moved his hand into the air again, sending vibrations towards him, and the crossbow made a different click as the trigger was squeezed. He could feel the bolt perforate the air as it was release, cutting it as it flew towards him. He heard the boots in front of them sink slightly into the dirt, and all around the tall-grass that surrounded them swayed. The Espyder tapped their six long legs into the earth lightly, the Vulpine's tail swayed behind them, and the Duck let loose a droplet of drool between its beak.
Within the majority of a second, he was already strafing the human, who had barely registered Kad had moved, and wrapped his fingers around the top of the vest. Kad could not see the quick terror that flared in the man's eyes, but he felt it in his energy. His pheromones had already begun to panic before he even registered what was happening. The bolt was still soaring as Kad brought the vest closer, and pushed. The sniper had been aiming at where Kad was, which was now where the man stood.
He screamed as the bolt ripped across his back, leaving a scar in the jacket and a thin line of blood. Kad was already moving to his next target, the short Duckman, when the Espyder charged him. She galloped on her six legs, her two swords raised high above her head. The Duck was still confused, losing grip on his axe, before giving in to a fury. He swung the axe above his head just as Kad reached him, shoulder barging him hard in the chest. The Duck dissapeared into the grass as he tumbled. The woman yelled as she was upon Kad, her two blades brought down heavily, carving the air as they reached Kad. He brought up his own curved blade, halting both of them, but unable to hear the sound of two of her legs being retracted from the ground. They slammed Kad in the chest, pushigng him back, but not off of his feet. The Espyder charged again.
“Don't just stand there, Len!” She shouted back to the Vulpine as her blades clashed against Kad's.
He could hear the youngster trembling.
“Len!” She shouted.
Kad saw his advantage, quickly withdrawing his knife from his belt, plunging it into the thin stomach of the Espyder. She screamed, falling backwards with the blade still embedded into her flesh. Before Kad could move, he heard feet pounding on dry dirt behind him. Out of the grass, the Duck yelled as he brought the axe towards Kad's legs. He jumped backwards as the Duck fell upon him, shouting, cursing and swinging. Kad was careful to avoid the axe swings, relying on the blurry shape of energy and the sounds of the weapon being dragged through the air.
Behind him, the Northman had stood up, quietly pouncing upon him, bringing his daggers downward. Kad unmannered around him, unable to hear the click from faraway, as his two attackers came from both sides. He met the blades with his own, but was losing ground. The bolt flew through the air, catching him on the shoulder as it broke. Kad hissed with pain, feeling his upper arm quickly grow hot and damp. The Northman cackled maliciously, coming on Kad again. The Duckman swung and missed, but Kad twirled directly into the open attack. One of the daggers caught him on his collar bone, scratching against his thin chest. He fell backwards, and the Duck brought an executioner's cut down onto where Kad's neck should have been. He rolled away, quickly bringing his scimitar up. It caught the wooden handle of his axe, lifting it upright and out of the webbed hands.
Kad threw his hand onto the Duck's face, just above the bill, and pushed forwards, driving the avian into the ground as his axe clattered nearby. He heard the Duck wheeze and groan, as the Northman charged again, gritting his teeth tightly. He brought the blades towards Kad, who ducked and weaved, catching the human on his bicep with the corner of his blade. The smell of hot metal was instant, if faint. The man yelled out, dropping one of his daggers, and he stepped back cautiously.
There was a sound of running behind him, and a distinct smell of fox. The Vulpine youth emerged from the tall grass, yelling loudly. The Vulpine brought his short-sword down onto Kad, catching him between his shoulder and neck. Kad felt the blade sear through his skin and flesh, scratching against bone. The Northman laughed, and he heard the Espyder rise with a chuckle of her own. The Vulpine gasped. Kad could smell the fear mixed in with the blood as it dripped onto Kad's hand. The Vulpine tried to step backwards, but was now only aware he had fallen onto Kad's blade.
Clack.
The scimitar had entered above the Vulpine's liver. Kad twisted the blade and the fox whimpered, before Kad finally pulled back, bringing the crimson, curved sword out. The lad fell to the floor, his sword slipped away from Kad's wound. Kad turned to the Northman and Espyder, smiling cruelly. He felt the hatred and anger emerging from them, a feeling so familiar, it was almost nostalgic.
“You bastard!” The Espyder screamed, knife still embedded into her torso.
Her and the Northman roared as they charged, weapons akimbo and aloft. The tall grass brushed against them as they pushed it away, their eyes wide with
This is it, unleash me!.
He grabbed at the wraps around his head, pulling hard. Suddenly the two attackers stopped, leaving a small cloud of dust between them. He could feel it, through their sweat and how they're bodies changed. They were afraid.
They should be, they should all be afraid of what we can do!
Kad fought against a maniacal laugh as the wraps fell, and he felt sunlight on his bare-head for the first time in days. The skin around his forehead and scalp grew tighter as he woke his hidden mouth up. The teeth gnashed slowly, the skin beginning to stretch and elongate.
“No, no, get back to the trees!” The man shouted.
“But what about Len?”
Kad braced himself, heels gnawing into the ground. His body began to relax, a luxurious feeling of restraint as the wind graced his exposed skin. The tall grass ebbed and flowed around him, dancing to the hidden drum of his heart-beat. The mouth opened itself, its teeth bared. The shimmer if the Espyder rippled, taking shape in the darkness of his sight. The teeth gnashed, as the siphon began.
“Stop!” The human said, charging.
The energy seeped through the air, and the mouth swallowed it hungrily. Kad tensed his body, tasting the sweet, luxurious sensation of the energy travelling past the muscles beneath the jaw, through his head and into his muscles. It was a singular pleasure, a refreshing, reinvigorating sensation that spread throughout his entire body. The teeth beneath his nose clamped down hard, an effort to stop himself from moaning in delight. He could feel his muscles growing, an electricity forming in his stomach. Pain turned to ecstasy, the flesh that been divided began to sew itself back together. The Espyder screamed as she sunk down to six knees, her blades falling from her hands. He was so entranced by the delighted feeling, he barely heard the pounding footsteps of the Northman.
“You sonnava-!” He called out, daggers falling through the air.
Kad side-stepped the strike, his mouth still draining the fallen Espyder. He wanted to drain her until there was nothing left, leave her like a discarded juice box. He wanted to empty all of them from life, all of those who looked down on him, called him a murderer.
They all think I'm a killer, maybe they're right.
The energy still flowed through the air, as Kad plunged his curved blade into the human's torso. The Northman gasped as the air was driven out of his body. Kad felt himself smiling, a demonic grin as the mouth continued to suck down hefty glugs of spiritual energy. The skewered man coughed, thick globs of blood falling through his braided beard. His body was trembling, the daggers dissapeared below into the mass of grass and into the realm of insects. He grabbed Kad's wrist, which became warm, stinking of metal and flesh. He turned his head towards the trees.
“Stop...him....” He rasped.
Click.
A bolt flew through the trees, striking the Espyder in the back, she gasped, arms going limp, and fell forwards. The energy siphon began to dwindle as she gurgled her last few breaths. The Northman grinned, looking at Kad where his eyes should have been.
“Damn...Consumers...” He wheezed, before sliding backwards, away from the point of the sword.
His body landed backwards heavily, dying just a few second slater. Kad could hear light footsteps hammering as they fled the tree-line. The Espyder's energy began to fade as she too passed, but Kad had never felt more alive. His arms and hands felt strong, his senses were sharper than ever, hearing the buzzing of flies around a massive pile of dung a mile away, and the short, shallow breaths of the fox nearby. The unconscious Duck did not stir, but the Vulpine had begun to crawl, shifting past the tall curtain of grass that tried to obscure him. Kad felt the gums around his teeth begin to itch.
More, there's still more. More we can feed on.
He strode with ominous purpose towards the whimpering fox. Nestled amongst the roots, was the bloody survivor. He turned when he saw Kad, blood seeping out of his narrow jaws. He placed his hands up in meek protection, trembling violently.
“Please...” The Vulpine mewled.
Kad stood, obscuring the sun from the snivelling Fox. Flies were already attracted to the scent of blood, a beetle crawled on the Vulpine's jacket.
“I'm sorry...I'm sorry....Can you help me?...Please?”
The Consumer flexed his hand muscles, his teeth were gnashing at the air, always hungry. The Vulpine's eyes widened as he saw that Kad's wounds had almost fully healed. He had become what they always told him he was.
A monster. I'm a monster.
Clack.
Don't say that. We are only what they made us to be.
Fear steamed off of the Vulpine. His wound still wept, his body and clothes were soaked. Kad flicked his tongue out. The fear begun to taint his desire. The teeth snapped in protest, as Kad fought against their wishes. He relaxed his hands, and the hidden mouth began to lose its control of him. He regained a sense of clarity, the adrenaline beginning to fade, and the quiet of the savanna taking hold. There was a trumpeting sound as the family of beasts sang to one another. Kad exhaled, letting out his pain and greed.
“I can't help you.” He rasped with a solemn tone. “It's a five hour walk to port, you won't make it.”
The Vulpine began to choke as the understanding flooded his body. More blood came up, as the end dawned on him. With a shakey hand, he reached for his neck. Under the neckerchief was a glint of metal. He pulled at it, revealing an oval pendant. There was a decal on it.
“My brother...please...can you...?”
The trembling began to slow until it stopped, the hand falling by his side, the pendant still enclosed within it. Kad sighed. The realization began to set in now.
Hesitation gets you killed out here. It's different. Not your fault.
Kad rolled his head on his shoulders.
Will you leave me alone? I can't justify this. I'm a killer. Just like they always wanted me to be.
They attacked you. Because of what you are. Because they are afraid of you, and they should be.
Clack.
The insects were already crawling over the corpses. He brought the three that were slain together, and began ransacking their bags. The Duck had been bound with a small length of rope he found in their leader's satchel by his arms and legs, and had begun to struggle just as Kad set upon looting the corpses.
“Wha...what's goin' on?” He said in a low, confused voice.
Kad remained silent. There were a few rations of stale bread and salted meat. He took the array of knives they had and wrapped them in a bundle.
“Hey, who's there? Why am I tied...” The Duckman said, bringing himself back into reality.
The smell fo blood hit him quickly.
“Oh no no no no...” He said with despair. “Don't tell me-”
“Yup.” Kad said idly. “Sorry to tell ya.”
He heard the duck struggle against his restraints. Kad had already taken the axe into his bundle, but he had left the Vulpine's dagger by his side.
“You sonnova...you killed all of them?”
“Not all of them.” Kad said, feeling a small book from the Espyder's bag and discarding it. “Your goblin friend did a runner.”
“Why...why didn't ya kill me?” The Duck growled.
“You were asleep.” Kad replied simply, moving onto the human's bag.
“So? I'm awake now, give it a try!” The Duck roared, shuffling closer through the grass towards Kad.
Kad's fingers wrapped around a small pouch, feeling the distinct disc shape of coins within. He smiled.
Clack.
“What were you guys doing out here?” Kad asked.
“We were...we were just looking fro supplies for out settlement.”
“A settlement? Why kid yourselves and not just call it what it is? A bandit camp.”
“You unbelievable...we ain't bandits.”
Kad laughed darkly.
“Sure you ain't, and I ain't a killer.”
Kad took the coins, weapons and supplies, leaving the Duck's satchel and a roll of bread behind.
“You ain't gon' kill me? You coward! You want me to just starve here?” The Duck shouted with some desperation.
“I don't want you to die.” Kad said, sheathing his blade and taking the Fox's dagger. “But I don't want you following me yet, either. You tried to kill me, you failed, I spared your life. I'd call that even, right?”
The Duck growled incoherently.
“Here, free yourself with this.” Kad said lowering the knife towards him, before suddenly throwing it behind him as far as he could.
The Duckman shouted in frustration.
“In a little bit.” He said, flashing a final cruel smile at the bound prisoner.
Under the chorus of cursing and incoherent swearing, Kad silently lifted the corpse of the Savanna-Cat with ease, the silver pendant hanging around his neck.
Five hours march to Journey's End, Kad. Don't worry, we're in this together.