The Hybrid Fateful Sorrow

Calm Before The Storm

A peaceful day to walk. The grassy lands that insects relax in. The calm dirt with traces of wanderers going to each of their fates.

The man in hunter's clothes equipped with a bow and axe, prodding down the hill towards Masse, a small and old village. Walking calmly was a Bald old man, with a long white braided beard that ran through his body. 

There was a red vertical parallel lines tattoo on his chin and a red horizontal parallel lines tattoo on both of his eyes.

A furrowed and wrinkled face. His eyes are covered with a white cataract, yet he seems to know where he's going compared to most people that are rushing in their ways.

The hunter continued to descend to Masse as soon as he reached the village. The people recognize him immediately as if he was famous.

“You are back! Everyone he is back!” townsfolk said.

“It's really him! Quick! Tell Geld and Fahrer!”

“I can't believe it, you have returned.”

A young man in fur clothes bowed deeply at the hunter in front of him.

“Welcome back! Magnus Kebnekaise! Master of all!” the young man said.

“Axar Loven! You have grown well! How is Tingsfia? Are you taking good care of her?” The hunter Magnus said as he walked closer.

“I'm deeply sorry Master Magnus! I have taken care of her food and almost everything, but I wasn't always able to keep an eye on her,” the young Axar said with a frazzled-down face.

“What's wrong Axar?” Magnus said as he gave a wide-arm hug to Axar.

“It's about Kassie. She has fallen ill. I had to… I had to help her with her three months old baby,” Axar said as he responded to his hug.

“I understand kid, don't worry. I guess the humor is true. The huntsman is missing?” Magnus said as he guided him to walk.

“Missing! He could just easily leave, he abandoned her! He's an asshole leaving her the responsibility alone,” Axar said as he looked away frustratedly.

“Young man, don't get frustrated. There's a reason for everything bad, good, weak, strong, useless, or useful it has meaning to whatever we do. He will return when he is ready,” Magnus said before he continued to walk.

“I'll try to understand… Lady Tingsfia should be in the hunter's hut, she likes fiddling with the deer's antlers,” Axar said following Magnus.

“I'm sure she likes it that northlander lady loves the wild so much. Do you know why I guard her, Axar?” Magnus said.

“I remember you said she's important to this world,” Axar uttered.

“Everyone is important, Axar. Each one of us has a role that we will have to play. I was chosen to be her guardian. It's my role so that one day she will be able to complete hers,” Magnus said.

“It's a bit vague," Axar uttered.

“Vague answers are all we have right? Nothing is certain in this world. Everything is either grey or vague, white, and black, questions and answers, it will all balance out in the end. You answer one, and there will be three more questions,” Magnus explained.

“I'll keep it in mind, master,” Axar said.

They are getting closer to the hunter's hut.

“It's an awful quiet now?” Magnus uttered.

“Lots of people have fallen ill here Master Magnus! And the threats of Vaxia mercenaries are increasing,” Axar explained.

“They decided to move now huh?”

An old frail lady holding an antler by her hand. Gazing blankly at Magnus with her sleeping amber eyes. Her white long hair flutters in the air, her parting mouth as she looks at him.

“MAGNUS!” Tingsfia yelled.

“I'm back,” he said as he kneels in front of her.

“Lady and The Heart of the woods! I have returned to protect you from the upcoming threat!” Magnus added kneeling in front of her.

“Magnus,” Tingsfia uttered, closing her eyes.

——

Inside the house of Amelia and Elise along with their rooted and aged wood wall listening to their gathering. 

Sitting on their table were some of the townsfolk of Masse and the young motivated Bran Stockholm.

“Ex-knight! Please help us!” the man said.

Sitting across Bran were the sisters Amelia and Elise in the middle was Amadeus who was already uninterested in their plea. 

Thanks to Amelia, Amadeus stayed and agreed to listen.

“Just give them a chance, and decide for your own afterward,” Amelia said quietly.

Bran manages to stay cool from all that's happened to him. He is on a mission to recruit their potential savior.

“Amadeus, it's true we need your help, not just me or the people of Masse but also the one you're trying to protect… Amelia and Elise,” Bran let out.

“What do you mean by this?” Amelia asked, drawing her head closer.

“The village of Masse is in danger. The one Amadeus killed in the Bucklers' inn is the Vaxia mercenaries. They're rich and well-fed now. They have armies against the few warriors left in Masse. We are greatly outnumbered from one of ours against three for them,” Bran further explained.

“How did you get this information? Was it announced or forced?” Amadeus asked.

“No, it was through payment and weeks of building good relations with one of them,” Bran replied.

“We have an inside man? How far is he willing to give? Their numbers? Weapons? And most important the time and day of their attack,” Amadeus let out.

'Woa, he seems really a knight with knowledge in war,' Bran thought before he replied.

“Not everything I'm afraid, but he gave out the exact day of their attack, October 3rd,” Bran answered.

“Does this mean they plan to raid the village?” Amelia uttered.

“Yes!”

“But! But how? If the mercenaries proceeded to attack, wouldn't they be attacking Grisaia and the Queen?” Amelia asked.

“They could make it look like it was done by bandits,” Amadeus answered as he looked at Amelia.

“How do you mean, Amadeus?” Amelia said.

“They'll outfit themselves as bandits and raid the village, with that the Queen won't target their band. The Vaxia mercenaries are a disease in this land,” he explained.

'Disease huh? Well I'd you save us from them you'll be their disease instead,' Bran thought.

“Why does Masse lack guards?” Amadeus asked.

“Lots didn't accept the new ruler, Queen Catherine Whitemaiden. Some might have turned into rebels or become mercenaries,” Bran explained.

“What do you say Ex-knight? Will you aid us? Defend our village? You managed ten of them easily, I have gathered gold from all the villages, and it was worth as long as we have you,” one of the townsfolk said.

“Amadeus we have been paying the mercenaries to let our village free from their harm, but we know that wouldn't last long. We can't keep on feeding them although your attack against them had made the cause of the event to run faster, which triggers them to attack. We don't have the time to request The Queen's support right now,” Bran let out.

“I know it's your decision in the end, but it will not be right to ignore this,” Amelia said, turning to Amadeus.

“I've been on edge lately. Something is missing in my mind that I need to remember, but the only thing in my mind now is for the two of you to be safe. Amelia and Elise are the only two people I care about in this place,” Amadeus let out.

“Are we in danger, Ex-knight?” Elise said while she pulled Amadeus's arm.

“I'm here Elise and I'll protect you both no matter what,” Amadeus said.

Elise let out a delightful smile upon hearing his words.

'Right now her smile is what I need from all of this headache I keep on having. I feel like there's something I'm missing, something I'm afraid of,' Amadeus thought.

“Amadeus they won't stop on us, they will also hunt you down and of course the one you cared about. These people might call themselves mercenaries but that's their real disguise. They are truly just lowlife thieves with years of fighting experience that makes them more dangerous. Don't you hate someone like that? You have the strength to fight!” Bran announced.

Amadeus gazes at Amelia and Elise before he continues to speak.

“If I go out there, who will watch you? And Elise?” he said as he faced Amelia.

“You heard my cry before, Amadeus. Look at my eyes, I'm confident that you'll protect us. I would cry really loud for you to hear. I would scream your name! Amadeus! And you'll come to save me and Elise right, no matter what,” Amelia said as she gave a confident smile.

“I would also cry Ex-knight! I'll do it! I'll be very loud!” Elise said as she smiled.

“I believe you, Elise.”