148 years Later

A murder of crows dominated the skyline. Their calls echoed inside Aodh’s head. Little joy could be found in such a sight or sound. Precious little.

For such an activity he supposed the scene was an apt one. Stepping back he whipped his blade around to slice once again across his foe’s stomach. The Beastling growled out in fury. It had been cut a dozen times already but was only now starting to slow down. Aodh could have moved in to try and finish it quickly, but that was a risky option against such brute strength. Instead he kept his foe at range, utilising the length of his two sided blade to ensure he remained out of touch of the deadly tusks. Though it carried a crude looking axe it hardly took the time to use the weapon, it seemed more an inconvenience to it than anything else. Still when it did swing, it was with more than enough force to cut a man in half, even tired and bleeding it was no simple thing to kill such a beast. And it was a beast.

A base gene, what human attributes it must of once had were now almost entirely forgotten. An old one by the looks of him, it had clearly been alone for quite some time, isolated from not only humans but also its own kind it was little wonder it had devolved into the primal animal before him. Though something remained, some inkling of its past military history. Aodh was surprised more than once by a well practised lunge or thrust, relics from its former life. Rusty and rigid they were recognisable movements nonetheless.

The beastling was growing desperate, it understood that it was losing, the loss of blood and myriad of wounds building even on its considerable stamina. It flung the axe at Aodh, a wild throw that went flying over well over his head to implant itself in a nearby tree. Weaponless it took to all fours before charging with all its might directly at him. Aodh was waiting, and easily able to leap aside before jabbing his sword’s point deep into the large neck as it sped passed. Releasing the blade from his grip it remained embedded in the hippoling’s neck as its charge faltered.

Even still it did not fall. Lurching and spluttering out blood it still tried to right itself, tried to turn and charge once more. Aodh waited.

The Beastling managed one final step before it collapsed on the ground in an exhausted and bloodied heap.

Aodh stood by as the last breaths rasped and wheezed themselves out of the Beast’s chest, each one a last painful struggle to cling onto life.

He gave it some few more moments before he made his way over to his victim.

With a deep breath of his own he heaved his blade out of the burly neck. It was no easy task, not after what he’d just done in any case.

He was conflicted. As he generally was after killing a Beastling. They were after all his cousins in a way, created from the same source, the same genius mind. Or the same insane one, depending on who was asked.

The feeling of discord was a familiar one. Just this year alone he’d already been given the unenviable task of killing four similar beasts to the one lying before him. Since the conclusion of the War there was little use for those humans once thought of as being their saviours. Driven out into the wilds most were left to defend for themselves unless they proved docile and serventile enough to keep as slaves.

This night’s particular task had involved a Hippoling. Huge, powerful and quick to anger it had been one of the more animalistic of its kind. The local Dwaelven Eldar compelled to seek help after the sixth victim had met their end on the Beast’s tusks.

The Hippoling had been isolated from the others of its gene, whatever hope it had of surviving with them there was little chance all alone. It had already lost the power of speech by the time it had settled in the swamps on the outskirts of Chairn, during their fight it had only seemed capable of crying out one single word.

‘Hind.’ Most likely its name. Aodh ambled over to a small patch of dry land by the swamps edge. There he sat down and began to wipe his blade.

The gold he would now receive from the Dwaelven Council would be enough for him to return to the Dynasty Manor for a time.

He’d delayed it long enough. Five years without returning, and little in the way of contact. Which made Desra’s summoning all the more strange.

His Great Grandfather had started their dynasty and profession, and all of his progeny followed in his illustrious steps. Aodh was no exception, isolated and away from the others he had nonetheless continued to pursue and complete contracts on behalf of the Dynasty. Killing, assassinating and guarding whoever offered the greatest sums. He just happened to do it a little further away from the others. For the past several months however he had been making his way closer to his old home. He was as close to it now as he had been in years.

Sighing he wiped a hand across his face, glancing up he reckoned it was almost sundown. It would be best to get back inside the town walls before it did. Even for him the outer lands were no safe place at night. He would not be able to rest easily exposed in the open.

Getting back up to his feet he wiped himself down and quickly headed over to the slain Beastling. With one practised swipe he sliced open its mouth to rip out one of its huge tusks. It would have to suffice as proof enough of his success. To carry the head would have been too great a challenge. Wrapping it in a layer of cloth he stretched and set his blade back onto his back.

On foot the town walls were several hours away for a healthy human male. It was fortunate then that Aodh could call on his own beast. Through it he would be there almost in two. He set off, quickly transferring his body into his fox form.

Unlike the other Beastlings, stuck solely between the two, Foxlings could change from human to beast form at will. And in between if it so suited them.

Aodh’s form was a coat of black interspersed with red, different to that of his Brother and sisters, most of which were either completely red or red interlaced with snow white. A fact he had long ago learned to embrace.

He raced through the swamps and trees, it was not long before he came in sight of what passed as the main highway for the Eastern Outer Lands. Staying close to it he made his way ever closer to the Dwaelven town walls.

He was not more than a half an hour away when the first of the human voices came to him.

He pulled up abruptly at their sound, though there was little chance they could have heard him coming. They were huddled up either side of the road, hidden from view lying flat against the embankment. Clearly they were waiting on something. Aodh decided to see just what that something was.

He crept up until he was almost directly behind the men gathered on the left side of the road. There were six on this side, and six on the other. All male and all armed, if poorly.

Raiders then, Aodh guessed. He was surprised to find them so close to the town and main highway. These men were bolder than most, bolder or more desperate. There were two men a little ahead of the others, one young, one old. They were the only ones that kept a watch on the road, and the only ones speaking. The rest remained almost motionless against the embankments. No first time raiders these, Aodh knew there were many such groups in the outer lands. Some grew quite successful in their raids, so much so that he and his fellow Foxlings would be called in. He wondered if this was one such group. He listened in as the two ahead of the others whispered amongst themselves.

“You sure?” The younger of the two men asked his comrade, “It’s almost dark. I thought you said they’d be here well before that.”

“No I didn’t. I never said that. I said they’d be here around dark. As I’m sure they will be.”

“Around dark? Well that hardly makes sense, aren’t we always around dark, relatively speaking.”

“Relatively speaking? Well I am not relatively speaking, I am speaking normatively. So you know exactly what I mean by around dark, now shut your mouth and keep your head down. I’m the lookout, not you.”

“Normatively? That’s not a word. Is it?”

“I just said it didn’t I?”

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“That doesn’t make it a word though does it.”

“Oh? And what is a word then?”

The young man turned to look at the older. He frowned

“It’s….it’s a single distinct meaningful element of speech…or writing.”

“Well normatively is a word then.”

“We’ll see when we’re back home.”

“Yes, we bloody well will. Now put your head down, it’s my watch, not yours.”

“Four eyes are better than two.”

The older of the two grunted, “Not when yours are wonky.”

The young man let out an audible gasp, the sound provoking a series of angry hisses to keep quiet from both his side and the other side of the road.

“I am not wonky eyed. It’s called peripheral vision, you donkey. It’s a rare trait given to only a chosen few.”

“Ah yes, the rare trait of being able to see everywhere but in front of you. That is a fine trait. I certainly wish I had such a rare trait.”

“I can see in front of myself just fine you old fool.”

“Sure you can, so long as you turn your head sideways.”

“I do not need to t-”

“Shhhh.” The old man raised a hand to the younger’s mouth before motioning to those behind. Aodh presumed there were similar lookouts on the other side doing the same thing.

He’d heard the approaching carriages well before the men had, already he could make out a faint glow of torchlight growing in the distance. He padded back a few more paces. He was rather eager to see how this would play out. He’d already decided not to intervene, come what may. He guessed the carriages were Dwaelven ones, likely returning to the town from trading.

Though he was fulfilling a contract for them he had no alliance or love for the Dwaelven kind.

As the carriages drew ever closer the men readied themselves, they pressed their faces and chests close to the embankment. Aodh saw two of the six on his side draw out items from their pockets.

The baggage train was close enough for Aodh to make it out properly now. In front and behind the carriages three riders escorted them, with two more riding along on either side.

The attack was well timed.

The front riders were almost in line with the middle of the six men when it began. Even Aodh could not see exactly what had been rolled out onto the middle of the road. He did not have to wait long to find out however.

One of the riders did manage to sound an alarm as he spotted the device igniting before him, but that was all he managed.

The explosives roared out into the otherwise peaceful night.

Firestars. Though in truth they were rather crude imitations of the once infamous explosive devices created by the Maegist Alacrand. The noise was greater than the explosion they created, but that did not matter all that much. The first three riders were sent flying from their mounts. The horses racing on behind reared up in terror and the carriage they led was thrown from its course and went screeching and skidding over onto its side.

Almost simultaneously the twelve humans leapt into action. Each carried a spear that was promptly fired into the now completely chaotic mass of carriage, riders and horses.

By the time those guarding the carriage were able to mount any kind of defence it was already over for them.

Like Aodh they must not have suspected any attack so close to the town walls, they’d already passed through the most dangerous passes of the Outer lands, no doubt then they thought themselves safe. Their pace had been steady rather than fast, and had made the men’s task that bit easier because of it.

By now the second carriage had been forced to a halt, the men targeted it immediately after releasing their volley of spears. Cutting loose the horses they had clearly mastered the art of the raid.

The last four of the Dwaelven gathered around each other as the men pressed in. Of the four, there were three elves and a single dwarf; he'd been the one driving the remaining carriage. Two of the elves seemed hurt, and all were bloodied.

“Right then.” One of the humans, the biggest of them, called out. The decision a very typical one for their kind. Those who were biggest tended to be put in charge in most all things they did.

“As you can quite clearly see, we have properly fucked you up. Four against twelve. Not good odds for ye my friends. However, we are no savages us, despite what you might think. So, you drop your weapons and we will take you with us. Provided your families or Lords can come up with a suitable ransom, well, then no more of you will need to die. It is a very agreeable proposition I am sure you will agree?”

“Ransom?” The Dwarf snorted. “How would one ransom with an ape?”

“We are not Apes, though we do have hair at least.” Another of the humans replied.

“I had hair,” The dwarf seemed annoyed by that. He had been wearing a hat when in the carriage but it had fallen off in the chaos. “And I do not need hair to take down a few of you bastards with me.”

“Shush it Baldy,” the big man continued, “we know that it is the elves who are really in charge. So, with the size of those ears you must have heard what I said. What will it be then? A massacre? Or will you drop them nice swords of yours?”

The elves shared a glance, quickly, unperceivable to the humans. Aodh saw it though. He was glad when he did.

One of the elves lowered his sword and took a step forward, he appeared to be limping badly. He raised a hand.

“We will come with you. But only on one condition.”

“Which is?” The big man raised his brow.

“You let our dwarf friend go.”

“WHAT?” The dwarf’s voice rose above the humans with ease. “No, to hells with that. One of you go, I’ll not leave the carriage. I was assigned as its driver and its driver I shall stay. Come what may.”

The elf that had stepped forward sighed and made an animated shrug towards the humans.

“A moment please.”

“Just a moment then.” The big human answered. “He raised his sword and took a step closer himself.

“Theov, please listen.” The elf began, appealing to his ally. “We don’t all have to die here and-”

Before Theov could utter his rebuttal, and he looked as if he would burst if he didn’t, the elf had swung around and fired his own blade into the chest of the big human. Hurt and limping he was still fast. As the other men looked on stunned, the elf rushed forward to grab his blade out and launched the attack. His fellow elves, bloodied as they were, charged in after him. Theov, to his credit, recovered quickly. He went straight for the man who’d commented on his lack of hair.

Aodh watched on with interest as the fighting erupted once more. The elves were faster than the humans, much lighter on their feet. But they were tired after their ride, and the men eager to confirm their success and eager to claim their prize.

Theov proved vicious, he took down two more men besides the one that had offended him. Even when his axe was torn from his grip he did not stop, still fighting on with a dagger before he was taken in the back by a spear.

At the end of it only two human males remained. It was a rather poor return after all they had done right to begin with. The two survivors did not seem to mind, both were already rummaging through the carriage wreckages, searching for what gold or valuables they could find.

Aodh chose that moment to step out. He was standing in the middle of the road before either man took any notice of him.

“Oi, Jims. Look, it’s a bloody fox.”

Jims only looked up a moment before going back to his search.

“So? What difference does a bloody fox make to us?”

“He’s a bit big for a normal fox ain’t he.”

That stopped Jims. He ceased his scrabbling and slowly turned around.

Aodh saw the fear.

“No, it’s not that much bigger.” Jims unsheathed the sword about his waist. The other man followed suit.

Aodh changed back, he could have killed the last two men in his fox form, but it would have been difficult.

He was well above a man’s waist in height and weighed more than enough to knock any of them to the ground. Still, though much faster both men did carry weapons. Besides there would be too many questions asked if they bore his beast mark. No, better in all ways to dispatch them in his human form. It would not be difficult.

“Shit.” Jims muttered the word to himself more than anyone else. “It’s one of them.”

Aodh charged, he didn’t bother with his swords, his knives would be enough. He rushed straight at Jims, easily ducking under a heavy swing before coming up hard, dragging his blade up along the man’s chest and face before swinging around and digging his second blade into his back. Using the momentum he’d built up Aodh swung himself around to launch himself at the second man. He didn’t even get to swing his own sword before the knife was plunged deep into his chest.

Satisfied Aodh picked over the wreckages, there was mostly just food and drink within, it was not easy to feed a growing town in the outer lands. Hence Chairn had to bring in outside trade to help sustain its people. For the raiders the supplies from the two caravans would have been enough to keep them fed for months, such a haul would have been considered a very successful one for them. For Aodh it was mostly worthless, it was gold he was after. He found precious little of that. Taking what he could from the elves and dwarves, once he’d gathered it all it was only worth a few nights at an inn. Obviously their payment awaited them back at Chairn. The whole affair had hardly been worth the stopping. Still, Aodh supposed he should be thankful, it had been mildly entertaining at least.

Collecting himself he set out once again, reverting back to his fox form he bounded off to run alongside the road. Though dark it was best he was not seen coming back into the town, particularly now given the problems that had occurred on the road leading into it. He preferred the soft grassy undergrowth of the forest beneath his feet in any case.