The Wolf’s Shadow
Chapter 1:
“What is immortality? It is a gift or a curse? These are the questions that man has pondered throughout history. Yet they foolishly pursue it in hope of becoming an existence similar to a god. Not knowing that something has to be exchanged to gain it. That something can never be returned, no matter how much you regret your decision.
My name is Erik, and for better or worse, I had gained immortality. But in return, I have lost plenty for it. Many years have passed since that fateful day, but I do not age. Time has lost its effect on me, and I'm no longer bound to the cycle of life and death. For many reasons I had decided to travel to distant lands, wandering aimlessly. Like the wind, I travel all over, never settling down. I have done this for many years under different names and guises, but currently, I am a wandering mercenary in search of work.
Though I call myself a mercenary, I’m only willing to accept work as a bodyguard. In another life, I had my fair share of battle. Being a former warrior, I once believed it was honorable to fight and kill all enemies during the time of war. But with age and experience, I learned the error in that line of thinking and choose to avoid killing if possible. Of course, if I have little choice, then I will not hesitate to kill if need be, but if I can avoid it, then all the better. Currently, I’m in the kingdom of Numidia. On a map, it would be somewhere southwest where the climate tends to follow the normal cycle of seasons with it now being spring.
As it so happens, it’s raining very heavily at the moment. Luckily I’ve taken shelter under a huge tree. But I’m almost out of food and hunting in this weather can prove difficult. I pull out my map and start checking the areas near me. “There should be a town nearby. As long as I follow the dirt road, I should be able to make it there by tonight”. It was pretty late in the day and it doesn't appear that the rain will let up anytime soon. Besides, I’m almost out of food and could use a warm bed. With that in mind, I put on my cloak and hood and start walking towards the road. When I reach it, I follow it heading east. After about half an hour of walking in the rain, I can see a stone wall and several buildings, “That must be the town”. Walking up to it I can see a guard at his post in a little guard shack made out of wood near the gate.
“Halt!!!, State your business”
Before I could even answer, he already started shouting orders and pointed his spear towards me. Had this been in my warrior days, I would have cut his head off on the spot but that was another life. So I respond with “I'm just a traveler looking for a place to rest”
“You don’t look like any traveler” As he looks at me suspiciously, which I could understand why. My dark cloak and hood which covers half my face give me the appearance of a thief or an assassin. It wouldn’t help with the fact that I’m armed with a sword on my hip and metal arm guards.
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“I’m just looking for an Inn to rest for the night, and maybe a tavern to eat. I would appreciate it if you would overlook my attire and let me pass” As I said this, I hand him a Numidia silver coin which was the currency for that kingdom. He graciously took the coin and said “Go on, you’re free to pass”
I nod at the man and walk through the gate, entering the town known as Breton. Not that the name is important since I’ll be gone by morning. Soon enough I find a simple Inn that also operates as a tavern. As usual, I order a room for the night and pay the receptionist, who somehow always happen to be either old men or women. In my room, I use a nearby bucket and started wringing out my cloak and bag. I hang them up to dry and head downstairs to the tavern part of the Inn. I only have my sword and money bag with me as I’m lead to a table. I order a simple meat stew with some wheat bread and watered down wine.
As I eat I can feel the stares of those around me in the tavern. The other diners are staring out of pure curiosity at someone with features they've never seen before. I can understand why they keep gawking at me, after all, I had very pale white skin and black hair. My eyes are light brown similar to the color of honey, and I had a very tall and Muscular build. Someone of my complexion usually came from the north which is rare in this country. I usually cover myself in a cloak so that I don’t attract attention, but I had no choice because of the rain. After I finished eating, I paid for the meal which came to a total of 7 Numidia copper coins.
I then headed upstairs to my room and locked the door. After putting my sword and money bag down, I took off my boots and jacket. “Maybe I’ll ask around if any mercenary work is needed. After all, you needed money to stay and eat in any town you went to. With that last thought, I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes, letting my consciousness fade away.
The Next morning I grabbed my bag and other items, and put my cloak and hood back on. With everything in order, I left the room and headed towards the tavern part of the Inn. I eat a simple breakfast and ask if any bodyguard or escort work is available. Sadly I’m told no such services are currently required. But while I was there I did ask for food provisions to be prepared. After receiving them I leave and started heading for the gate. As much as I would like to say that no problems have occurred, I do not have such luck. After leaving the Inn, I started being followed by three men.
“Hey Foreigner!!!, We don’t like strangers in our town, hand over the money and your sword and we might let you live”
I turn around and look at them. They fit the exact description of common bandits. In tattered clothing, worn out leather body armor, and three short swords that haven’t been maintained in a long time. “I wouldn’t suppose you could overlook this and let me go peacefully?”
The bandits look at me and start to laugh and one of them replied “You're funny ain't you, hand over the money and the sword, no more games fancy pants”.
They put their short swords up facing me. I give a small sigh and say “This is your last chance to walk away peacefully, otherwise I will take something from you that you’ll never get back”
The bandits start laughing again and all three lunge forward before any of them realized I was already behind them with my sword unsheathed with a bit of fresh blood on it.
“What the hell??” one of the bandits reply looking behind them. I flick my sword and the blood falls off and I start to put my sword back into its sheath. In the end, the sword makes a click sound as it completely closes in the sheath. At the exact moment, the click sound is heard, three hands fall to the ground.
All three bandits start screaming “AARRGH!!!!!!” as they fall to the ground.
Seeing as they are distracted with the pain, I decide to leave before any guards show up. I make my way to the gate of the town and see the same guard posted there. He gives me a small nod so I do the same and start walking on the road heading to the forest.