Tales Of A HUNTSMAN

We are all monsters whether we openly show it or we hide it in the shadows, whether we acknowledge it or are in denial, whether we are aware or blissfully unaware of the truth, we really are monsters.   My name is Tyler, I was once known as Tyler Beasley but now I am Tyler of the north, I am a huntsman. This is my story, the tale of a Huntsman.   My story began in the far north, in the kingdom of Greyland. I lived deep in the woods in a small village far from the capital located on the borders of the kingdom, with my family and neighbors.   The entire kingdom was stuck in an eternal winter, some claim the land was cursed by an evil witch but I believed it to be nothing more than folklore. I remember that night clearly the night I lost everything and began my journey as a Huntsman.   The village was in a joyful mood, a large bonfire was lit in the center of the village lighting up the night sky and all this was done in honor of me. I had just turned 12 and in our culture was the age were one officially became an adult. The men of the village were drunk and made merry, the women singing and dancing round the fire it was truly a beautiful scene.   “hahaha you’re finally one of us brat.” Hogun spoke he was a friendly man, clad in his fur coat made from the hide of a wild beast he looked even more bulky than he was, he had dirty blonde hair with his beard in a braid.   He reached out to ruffle my hair but I was quick to escape, “you can’t do that to me anymore uncle Hogun” I spoke defiantly and puffed my chest out trying to seem more manly than I actually was. “Oh! And why is that huh?” he had a playful look in his deep blue eyes as he waited for my answer. I hit my chest and smiled proudly, “ I’m man now” Hogun looked at me with a look as though he was seriously contemplating what I said before nodding and handing me a mug filled with milk.   “here you are young man.” I smiled thinking I had made my point and drunk the milk, “did you enjoy your milk” “mhm” I wiped away the milk mustache which had formed on my face when all the men including Hogun began laughing uncontrollably. I was confused when Hogun reached out again ruffling my hair “grown men don’t drink milk brat hahaha”. When he said that it hit me, he tricked me. I rushed towards him but he just held me back with hand and drinking ale with the other, whilst I was swinging my arms wildly but to no avail. It was comical really. “alright Hogun let the boy go you’ve had your fun.” A voice interrupted and caused Hogun to let me go but my built up force caused to fall flat on my face when he let go, but just as my face was about to make contact with the ground a hand held me back by my scruff of my clothes I turned only to realize it was my father.   My old man stood at the height of 6ft 4 he was well built, his long brown hair flowing down with his goatee he had a prominent scar located right by his eye and one could tell if it was one cm more to the left he would have lost an eye. He probably looked fierce but to me he was just my father.   “father…” “you’re a man now don’t let others bully you. “ he said with his fatherly smile before turning to the others, “get some ale for my son, today he is one of us!” his words causing all the men to celebrate before they passed me a mug. The ale burned my throat as it made its way down to my belly, the sensation caused my face to redden, everyone began laughing when they saw my face the loudest being Hogun.   I had no idea that would be the last time I saw any of them.   We continued to make merry into the night when lambert ran in screaming the joyous atmosphere broken apart by his screams.   “They’re here! They’re here!” he kept screaming until my father grabbed him by his shirt and rose him up, “calm down man! Who is here?! Out with it then.”   Lambert regained his breath then spoke, “the Drakon empire” as he finished those words there was silence for a few seconds before everything went to Hades. The Drakon empire, there was none in the whole continent who hadn’t heard about the empire. During the new age, ‘the age of empires’ twelve kingdoms rose among the many kingdoms rose among the many kingdoms and declared themselves empires waging war against the other kingdoms.   In the north, the Drakon empire was one of the most brutal empires, our kingdom had managed to stay out of it but we all knew it was just a matter of time before the flames of war engulfed the Greylan kingdom. They had decided to raid the kingdom but worst of all they began with our village.   “MEN GATHER YOUR WEAPONS! ALL THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN GET TO SAFETY!” my father bellowed, everyone immediately went into action.  I headed to go get a weapon but was stopped by my father “go to your mother and sister,” my father looked down at me with his piercing gaze. “But I can fight! I’m a man!” I spoke as I tried to go round him but I was shoved back.   “you want to go fight you think that’s what a man means? A real man does not fight just because he can, he fights to protect!”  his words struck me as I looked around at the men in the village. The men had lost their laid back attitude, gone was the men who did nothing but drink ale and tell tall tales all that remained were fierce men.   I turned back to my father who handed me a sword, “go protect our family.” I nodded at him and rushed for them.   Meanwhile in the woods.   A bunch of men were donned in pitch black armor with a crimson Drakon etched on their breastplates. Behind these me were five more men on horses, four of these men donned armor similar to the mass before them only differentiated by the mark on their shoulder gaurds.   The fifth member on the other hand was in an entirely different get up, wearing a much more streamlined armor and a bronze Drakon etched on his breastplate. The man gave of an imposing aura. These men were all members of the Drakon empire.   A scout appeared in front of the five on horses instantly as though he appeared out of thin air, taking a knee he gave his report “my lords we have scouted ahead there are no knights present in the village but the villagers have already been alerted to our presence but they pose no threat to us.”   The fifth man who seemed to have taken the role of leader spoke up, “good. Men! Gather your weapons for tonight we feast!” his words garnering shouts from the men surrounding him. “Show them the might of the Drakon empire! No mercy!” “””NO MERCY!!!”””