Fated to rule

Catastrophe

Norrick continued in his way back home, fortunately, this time without any incident with dragons. Contentedly walking, he was humming for himself, since he had completed all responsibilities and also quickly bought some food and leather bag. It took the almost same time as the journey to the Guenill maybe a little longer thanks to the load. 

Standing in front of the forest, he remembered some of the Guenill´s inhabitant called the forest "Woods of whispers" maybe because of the fact you could be killed there so easily and without noise hearing. What a great place for a baby! 

With a loud sigh, he went into the forest, where the deadly creations were living with him, maybe the deadliest of them all. As the ranger was going through, he heard something, quickly prepared his bow, and soon after the sound even saw it. Young deer was staring right on him not very far away.

Norrick chuckled a little as he was thinking about how the animal got there, but not for long. 

The offspring was decapitated by a giant eight-legged monster with huge fangs and dark black body. Ranger swiftly nocked an arrow, drawn and ... 

The spider was shot right in one of its eyes, but the arrow wasn´t Norrick´s.  As fast as possible, he hid behind one of the trees. A loud noise could be heard as unknown creatures furiously ran to the spot, where the dead spider and deer was. 

It was a group of centaurs, half people, half horses beings. Their brain capacity was almost near to human´s but sometimes the animal site was just dominating. Now it wouldn´t be a good idea showing up to them with the nocked arrow as they were enraged about the death of the offspring. One of them took its dead body and ran in an unknown direction, possibly to their herd. Others were nervously shuffling around as they smelled the scent of a human.  

The ranger put down everything he had, his weapons, the bag with food, took off his hood and very slowly came out of his hiding place with hands above his head. He knew they won´t leave until they will know who is there with them and Norrick didn´t want to hurt them so... 

They spotted him immediately. Glaring at him for a while they noticed he has no weapon. Seeing this fact, their more intelligent thinking came to the scene and with a loud scream, they left him behind. 

Now he was able to continue in his way home. Excited for a well-deserved rest, he sped up. 

Finally, he arrived at the clearing, where his home was standing, but something was terribly wrong. No sound of cattle could be heard. Spotting the damages on his house, he started to run towards it. 

The cow was gone, there were just blood tracks on the ground. He was used to this, it happened sometimes, but what has never happened before, was damaging his house. 

Now realising the fact, why would any creature want to get into the building. The baby. He ran inside. Searching for the baby in the hiding spot, he found only empty swaddling clothes.