The Blackguard.

CHAPTER FOUR!

Kyros stood straight without blinking an eye. It was as if he was in a trance.

"Get this b***h out of my room!" Devein yelled, shoving the woman towards the two men.

Snapping out of his frozen state, Kyros ended up grasping the woman by the elbow as she was shoved by his commander towards Evern and himself. Steading on, he took a good look at her before realizing that his commander had retreated and slamming the door behind him.

"What the f**k?!" Evern exclaimed, running his hand through his hair. "A w***e in the commander's room."

Kyros stood shocked at his words, trying to decide what his next action would be.

Whore? he thought as he looked at the woman again. His other half was a w***e?

This can't be happening, he thought to himself. Of all the people in this world, did you have to be a w***e? There was at least someone in the world for everyone, their other half. But he didn't think that he would be paired with a w***e. He never thought that God would find him bound to a w***e. He wanted a simple girl, not one that slept with everyone that came across her path. This was not the life he envisioned for himself. He knew his mother would definitely kill him if he brought back a w***e, not to mention his father.

Oh God, he thought with a cold sweat, he would never survive the punishment his father would give him for this. He knew right now it was just an attraction. If he went farther, well, he didn't want to go farther. He would just dispose of her like the commander ordered and move on and hope for another opportunity along the way for another chance of love. He didn't want to spend his life with a w***e and have others spear him with their insults. He was better than that! He was a Blackguard! He was second in command to Devein the Ruthlesser of Swiss! There was no way in hell he was going to have a w***e stand in his way of becoming even greater than his commander.

"You deal with this whore." Evern said, glancing briefly at Kyros, then at the woman. He gave a slow gruff and walked away, leaving them in the hallway. "f*****g annoying." He muttered as he walked down the hallway. Kyros and the woman heard him but gave him no mind.

Hearing the door slam, Kyros looked at the woman again before leading her to where the Inn sleeper was sleeping. He knew that they probably had not gone to sleep yet. Stalking down the hall, he came to the one he was sure was the Inn keeper. Knocking softly on the door to make less noise as possible, he made sure it was firm enough to be heard.

The door was swung open by an elderly woman full of gray hair, while the body was covered with a shawl. The elderly gave a brief glance at the woman in Kyros's possession and then back at Kyros. She seemed as though she already knew what had happened and it may not have been the first time.

"What can I do for you sir?" She asked, out of the corner of her eyes, she gave the woman a stinking look of disgust.

"Take her away." Kyros said, shoving her towards the elderly. "My commander would rip her apart. She had snuck into his room. Let it not happen again."

Kyros left shortly after, not wanting to find out what would happen to the woman. Hell, he didn't even get her name and he had already rejected her for who she was. This was hell. To find a woman that was your other half and not be able to have her, just because of what she was. It made him sick just looking at her. But then again, these people based them, the Blackguards, on such a pedestal as well. So there was nothing new there.

Turning the handle to his room, Kyros took a last look back to hear the Inn's keep's wife slapping and scolding the girls in all words that were humanly possible. Some were harsh while others were the truth that Kyros heard.

But was there a way that she could take it away from the doorway of her chamber? he thought mildly.

Shrugging his shoulders, he knew it didn't matter to him. She wasn't his problem and wasn't his responsibility, since he laid no claim on her. Fair and share in the game of war of the four countries. Or rather, at stand-off with them. Which was bullshit. There was a chance that if he forgot this matter quickly, then his heart and mind would be able to move forward to seeking the second Olaf of his half.

What f*****g bad luck, he thought as he laid in his bed. His mind was in turmoil and there was nothing anyone could do except the commander. Devein the Ruthlesser is the only one that had the power to push the forward expansion of his mind to find his other half, and just by reciting a few words from the ancients. Groaning with frustration, he rolls over, blocking his mind and falling into a deep sleep, hoping tomorrow will bring a better day.

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Dominiah laid down in her now newly made bed that she had not only built the frame by herself from the wood around the forest, but had sown her own sheets and blankets from the fabrics she had stolen from a caravan a few weeks ago. She had pattered herself on the back when she came across gold treasure when she ambushed the carriage. It was driven by two of the noblemen, Daneth Groth. She knew that he was into any kind of trade that would profit him. He was one canniving bastard among all the noblemen she had a chance to come across. He had pissed her off when she decided one day to take a stroll through the nearby village town just to get a few necessities and he had called her w***e just because she was in the way of his carriage going by. Good grief she had to save the kid that was just about to step out into the path of the carriage, or he would have ended up on a flat rock. Well, when she found out about that asshole, she wanted to give him a piece of her mind and maybe screw with him a little in the process. But that asshole had nearly run her down trying to get away from the, 'rampage woman' as he called it, and called her names. She couldn't let him get away with that. No one got away from her and lived. For some reason, she had this dominant streak and wanted to always be the one in the right. Which technically, she was in this situation. But there are times when she doesn't play by the rules of nature.

Oh well,she thought, as she wanted to get a good rest tonight. With her new bed and a few other things that she had acquired over those months, she was sure that this was the best life that anyone could ever want. Her small rundown, half-broken castle which she had made her home, had been redesigned as she cleared some of the rocks and old timber before putting new timber up. She had made it as half was a log cabin while the other part was the castle with the tower attached to it for overlook view in the nights. She had built tables and chairs and cabinets to store all her things while others were stored in an underground storage she had dug up as part of her exploring the castle, when she first discovered the place. Over a few months, she had raided anyone and everyone that came through the darkest of this mountain. Not that it was any different to the Dark Forest, but it was some. Swords, shields, armor and anything for a war anyone could want were placed against one wall. The other was a good-sized kitchen with a fire pit in the middle for bigger roasting. One wall was covered by nothing but spices that she hung up for drying. Some were for medicine while others were herbs that she had learned from her mother when she was young. Those teachings, from her parents, were the ones that have made her survive. Her parents made her strong that way and she was just getting stronger. She had thought once what her next goal in life would be, but the only option that came to mind was to find out who kidnaped her, and kill that asshole of Henry the Second. There was no reason for him to live because of what she heard from the towns that she raided about what he had done. It was just a surprise that he went this far to get women to bed, or rather r**e and kill.

She didn't think that Henry's lust had traveled so far and not only that, he had just kidnapped the women! He did it in a way that made the towns' people think it was bandits. The prince had a wicked mind and she was going to put a stop to it and fast. She had encountered families that wanted their wives and daughters back. That's right, he even took mothers from their children and sometimes, if they had daughters, he would take them too.

She wondered if the king and queen knew of their son's actions that might sicken them to the core. But she strongly doubted that. They were wicked in their own way, so it probably wouldn't change a thing or would it?

Dominiah didn't know what the outcome of that scenario would be, but she knew it wouldn't be pleasant either way. Pulling her blankets over her, she smelled fresh air of her comfort and was glad she had washed up after dinner that night in the river. There was a small cave opening in the river, which made it easier for her own private bath from any predator's eyes. She felt she had been watching for sometime now, but everytime she had gotten her courage to check it out, there was nothing there or anywhere. She had shrugged it off and continued with her life as normal as she could.

She had to laugh at that. Normal? What is normal for her? What is normal for anyone? Is it normal to be knapped, r***d and tortured in this world? Is it normal to feel vulnerable in their lives? Living day by day, wondering to know what came next. If it was good or bad. At least she knew the outcome of her life, if she kept away from anyone that noble. If she inspected someone's brain and memories, she knew what she wanted when it came to get away unscathed. She made sure that no one knew who she was before she killed those bastards. But she was actually doing the world a favor by killing them. They were the lowest of the lower. They ranged between murderers, r***s, and thieves,but she didn't feel any remorse. That was why she had this power. She felt as if the universe was gifting her with whom she should kill or not. Like the death god. Or maybe just a reaper? That she didn't know. All she knew was that those people would never return to hurt anyone else as long as she lived. She was a good person's salvation to peace. These days were all she wanted and some days, well, they got out of hand.

But she didn't let them live her down. In fact, they made her stronger, and at some point her source of power for the time. She dwells in all the assholes of misery. It was like fresh water taste to her brain. Refreshing her the moment she begins the torture on them. That was why she sought out assholes and bastards from all the neighboring towns and she had more than enough to keep her afresh.

Laughing to herself while falling into deep sleep, Dominiah dreamed about the time her father started to teach about their beliefs.

The sun had partially set on the horizon as Gidden walked through the forest holding on to a 3-year-old little girl. Her innocent eyes taking in her souroundings as she held her father's hand. He had told her it was time.

Time for what? She had asked but her father just smiled and took her small hand into his and started to lead her into the forest. They had walked for an hour now and her little legs were not sure if she could keep the pace up. She had wanted to match her father's footsteps to the max, but in the end, her small legs were no match for her giant of a father. She was glad that they were able to last as long as they were able to at that point.

Whining in a small voice, Dominiah felt his father stop short and look at his daughter. She shut her mouth when she realized that her father was looking at her intently. As if he realized that he was holding his 3-year-old daughter's hand. She was much smaller than he was. He was surprised that she had kept at pace with him for an hour without saying anything until now.

Smiling at her, Gidden slowly picked his little girl into his strong arms. He should have thought about that the first time while deciding to start his training. Surprisingly, she did well for someone who just walked an hour at a fast pace without water. Blalancing her in one arm while the other ruffled her long hair, Gidden gave his daughter a warm hug before continuing on his path deeper into the forest.

He was still thinking about how he should start with the training, but so far he learnt that his daughter was capable of great capacity and patience. Those were two great traits of the Blackguard. She was already on her way to becoming one of the greatest. Even greater than himself. He smiled to himself as he observed his daughter out of the corner of his eye. She was looking around at everything curiously. Taking in her surroundings and her future path for her, as if she knew what he wanted her to learn. She was keen and smart and he had to give thanks to her mother for that.

"Take a good look, Dominiah." Gidden started, "You will need to survive this vast and dark world. All that are out there either live or die. There is hardly no justice in the world anymore. You live and die by the ways you create and the paths that you take."

"How would I know?" Dominiah asked, looking at her father with big hazel eyes. A few strands of hair escaped her tight braid, which her mother took a long time to fix due to the fact that she didn't like her hair messed with. Her pink cheeks filled with hot air as she held her breath.

Gidden laughed at his daughter's cuteness. She was his treasure. One and only, forever. His little girl, Dominiah. She was their clan's salvation to greatness and he knew it.He felt the power surge when she was born, though he didn't tell anyone except Layah, his wife. They rejoiced in silence. Just their moment together with their bundle of joy. He had yet to tell his people, not that they wouldn't be thrilled, but there were things that he wished to keep hidden for now. Not only for his family's protection, but also for his people. Their safety is his main concern while a ruthless king occupies the throne. He was a threat to his people, the Blackguards. They were the strongest and most powerful of any other clans.

"You know when you get a little older and be able to see one's inner demons," Gidden explained as he stopped walking and looked ahead for his target, to whom he could demonstrate what he was talking about. But he had to take baby steps, cause technically she was still a baby in his eyes. She would always be.

Right ahead he saw a carriage being pulled by two black slaves with the whip master not far behind them, ready to unleash the whip on their backs. The slaves' backs were already covered in blood as they were forced to pull the carriage without any help from horses, which were not around. The heaviness of the carriage, Gidden knew that the amount of weight in it, double that for even a normal two horses to pull. How were you expecting two slaves to pull it?

Gidden growled silently at the whip master with hate. He was Gidden's perfect target. He wanted to know how strong his will was. There were many inner demons, as far as he was concerned, just by a little look. Looking deeper, Gidden saw that there was really not much there. Not really bad or good, but still not good according to him.Just enough to see the blood on the slaves' backs was enough for Gidden to kill him without mercy.

"Look closely," Gidden said in a hushed tone, looking at Dominiah and pointing towards the whip master. "What do you see?"

"He is evil," Dominiah exclaimed. Her eyes were the size of apples. Her face got pale from all the things her brain was reading into the whipmaster's.

"He has done so many bad things, daddy." She said, looking back at her father with tears running down her cheeks, "He has killed many good people for little things when he was in the wrong. He hurt little kids, like my age, for a long time. How can people do that?"

It took her a few minutes to realize what had happened, but Gidden was just surprised that his daughter's gift had already manifested in a matter of a few years. She was stronger than he was her age or any other. That he knew for a fact, he just didn't think she needed any training at all. She just took a look and it seemed that it all spilled out of the whipmaster's head into her very own eyes and there was nothing that she could have done to stop it. It took some blackguards many years to master the skill to go in and out of anyone's mind without damaging something in the process. That was why he was just going to demonstrate how to do it, but his little girl was a natural and born with a very powerful gift.

"Can we do anything?" Dominiah asked as she glanced at the slaves again, then back to the whipmaster. Gidden knew her consciousness was that of a purebred child. It would not allow her to move on if she didn't do anything about it, or else it would haunt her.

Smiling at her, Gidden nodded at her as if signaling her about where she should start. He knew that she was a good listener, so he wondered if she had listened to his teaching those months.

"What do you think you should do?" Gidden probed as he keenly watched his little girl in his arms. She didn't look at him, but rather at the scene in front of her. Gidden could see her thoughts as clear as day. The way she was thinking was beyond his comprehension. He had never thought about all the things that she was thinking. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but his little girl had very bad thoughts about what she wanted to do with the whipmaster.

"Can I kill him?" Dominiah half whispered, looking at her father with a clear mind. "From all the things that he did, he should not live."

Spoken like a true leader and Blackguard, Gidden didn't know what to tell his daughter. She was so small and young that he wasn't sure of death at that age. He had only killed when it was necessary. But from what Dominiah had told him, the whipmaster did deserve to die. Not to mention that there was probably something of value in the carriage.

What could they have to lose?

"Do what you think is right?" Gidden said as he watched his daughter continue on her next move. Her cute little face was scrunched up into a cute puppy dog face. He almost laughed if not for the fact that they had to stay hidden. He continued watching as she relaxed her face into a beautiful sunflower look, that gave a bright shine to her smile. He knew then she had already thought of a way to punish the man. The next second went by and Gidden was stunted as he watched the whipmaster start beating himself with the whip!

The two slaves gave a stop as they glanced behind them at the whipmaster. They neither cared or thought about the next moment. But freedom was the only thing that was on their minds. Taking the harness and unknotting the ropes around their bodies, they ran into the forest to get away as fast as they could. It seemed like freedom gave them a surge of strength to runaway like the demons were on their tails.

Gidden watched with amusement at not only the slaves, but also the whipmaster. First, the whipmaster was trying all ways to strike himself and inflict punishment. He just seemed that he was waiving his whip around, barely doing any harm to his body. The slaves, on the other hand, ran and ran as Gidden heard them crashing into trees and branches in the dark forest. He held in his laughter as he kept on hearing swear words from them as well. Being keen on hearing like Blackguard, and the oldest of his kind, he knew the exact words that came out of slaves' mouths as they tried to navigate around the dark. Not only hearing, but also smell and sight. He could see them hundreds of kilometers ahead and only saw mud covering every inch of their bodies. Wet, dirty, mud monkeys , they were.

While Gidden was observing the slaves, Dominiah was changing her movements on the whipmaster. Changing her thinking, she pitched his brain as if he was nothing. Blood started to pour from his eyes, nose and ears. Letting go of the whip, the whipmaster screamed in agony as he grasped his face in pain. Fear-stricken screams howled from his lips as he shook his head from side to side to get rid of the burning pain. There wasn't much he could do, death was around the corner and no one could stop it. Once you start something, always finish it. As Dominiah thought about what her father had told her. Never leave anything unfinished.

Satisfied that the whipmaster was knocking on death's door, Dominiah had a small smile at her satisfactory work accomplished by her own mind. She didn't need her father's help, her mind knew what to do and what to see. There was nothing that proved the whipmaster was anything but innocent. As if her mind was used to this sort of thing.

Glancing at her father, she saw that not only his features were covered by a smile, but at the same time a frightening look. Dominiah thought that she was in trouble by the way he looked, but it was quickly replaced with an approved expression, which made her breath a sigh of relief. She wondered there for a minute if her father was going to punish her.

Did he not say, do what I thought right? she thought as she gazed back at the now dead whipmaster.

"Did I do anything wrong?" She asked, glancing back at her father.

Gidden shook his head and let out a little chuckle. "No, but what made you kill him?"

He asked because he only saw a few dark memories, none of the other ones that she had told him about. His daughter, it seemed, could reach deeper than he ever could with his own mind. He wondered if he just needed practice or was it just her gift.

"He was very bad, daddy. " Dominiah stated, "He would have continued to hurt people if someone didn't stop him. He even stole from people. But it was kids that made me mad."

"What makes you say that?" Gidden asked more from his daughter, as if he was eager for the information.

"He was going to go back and kill those two people after he had them pull the carriage. He stole them and forced them to pull them. The carriage is not even his own," Dominiah said, as she explained to her father in detail. "He should have died long ago."

Gidden laughed at his daughter's straightforwardness. He cherished in the moment that his daughter knew right from wrong. There was no denying the fact that she would do greatness in the coming future and he would be there to witness it all.

"Can we take the carriage with us?" Dominah asked, which made Gidden think of his next words carefully.

"We need the medicine." She continued. "The things that are in the carriage, mama and others might like."

Gidden glanced at his daughter, then at the carriage. He could not deny that was his first thought when he came across this scene, but he had almost forgotten about it.

Agreeing that it was the best option without leaving the goods to waste, Gidden set his daughter on her own two small feet before walking over towards the carriage. Removing the harness and the ropes, he didn't need them as he grasped the handles and started pulling the heavy cart towards their village. He was known for being as strong as an ox, but the heavy carriage felt light compared to the pressures he had been facing for a few years. The carriage held nothing in comparison with the troubles of his people.

Dominah followed slowly behind her father, as fast as her legs could carry. At some point, she jumped on the top from the exhaustion that she fell asleep and never realized that it was a matter of time before her father brought her home the same way they had come.