Chapter2
1180 Words
Chapter 2
Brindlemark - Thelline
Brindlemark is a small fishing village east of Thelline. Known for it's charming and rustic cobblestone buildings.
The ride there was slow as people could be seen fleeing on horseback and carts. Dread present on their faces.
“This doesn't look good”. Samuel said looking at a woman leaning against a tree, clad in a dirty black cloak. In her arms was a child who looked barely alive.
“Can you spare some water for my baby ser?” She asked, her voice hoarse and her lips cracked. Arthur stopped, looking at the woman with visible bruises and cuts all over.
Getting down from Balor, he approached the woman, crouching to her level. Taking of the black hood covering his face.
She gasped as she saw his face. A black mask covering every part except his blue eyes.
“How's it?” He asked nodding at the child in her arms.
“He won't make it past tonight…we've not had bread for three days now”. She sobbed. “Sam”. He called as Samuel jumped down from his horse, swiftly taking out a purple bottle from it's saddle.
He handed the small bottle to Arthur. “Here…drink this, give some to your baby”. He said handing her the bottle.
“I…I can't accept this ser…”. She shook visibly, getting to know what the bottle contains. “That’s…an Elixir”. “I know what it is…I want you to have it”. Arthur interrupted, placing the bottle in her cold palm.
“Thank you…thank you kind sers…may Selene’s moon bless you”. She bowed her head severally. Samuel also offered her a cloak, wrapping it around her body.
Opening the bottle, she poured the liquid into her mouth immediately and then gave her child as well. Almost immediately, their bodies gleamed as their natural colors appeared.
Her cuts and bruises healed up, and the baby cooed, snuggling closer to it's mother. “Now…can you tell us what happened?” Samuel asked, looking at the now healthy woman.
“It was terrible…they came out of nowhere, three of them”. She said as her eyes became distant. “What were they?”. Samuel asked, leaning closer.
“Skarvs…bloody Skarvs”. She cursed as she gritted her teeths. “Took me john…tore him to shreds”. She cried as she rocked her already crying child.
“Skarvs?...this far east?” Samuel looked at Arthur confused. “I speak the truth sers…the village is abandoned by now”. She said.
_ _ _
“Jolly nice of you giving that woman provisions”. Samuel said trotting along side Arthur. “I did it for the kid”. Arthur said sharply. His blue eyes fixed on the cobblestone path as usual.
“Yeah right…seems like I'm rubbing off on ya”. Samuel jokes, laughing out loud. “So…Skarvs huh…what do you think?” He asked looking at Arthur.
“I haven't seen Skarvs around these parts before…something's wrong”. Arthur said as they passed some more dead bodies.
“Ahh…these ones died of pure exhaustion…or starvation”. Samuel said looking at the rotting bodies.
They soon reached the entrance of the village. A body could be seen hanging over the wall with an abnormally long arrow protruding out of it's back.
The gates were opened with the streets littered with leaves and dirt. Tables empty and windows hanging from their hinges.
Bodies littered all over, some missing various limbs. Heading deep into the heart of the village, they came across a fountain, it's water now the color of blood.
This was once a busy village where traders get seafood, but now, the only sound that could be heard were the ones coming from the hoofs of the horses.
“Search around”. Arthur said , getting down from Balor. Samuel did the same, looking around cautiously. “Damn, this is my dream all over again”. He cursed inwardly.
They proceeded, checking houses and stalls for any sign of life. Entering a building which seemed like a Library, Samuel walked up to the shelfs.
“Hm…who knew they'd have so much books in a town like this”. He said as he picked a brown book with a hard cover, dusting it.
“The legend of Merania?” He asked no one in particular. “Who in the bloody four names a book like this?”.
“Thud thud”. A sound came from a closet by the wall. Placing the book in his bag, he walked cautiously towards the oak door.
“Hello?...is someone there?... I'm armed”. He said, sweat dripping down his spine as he grabs his lute tightly.
Suddenly the door flew open as a boy lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. “Ugh…what the…get off me!!”. Samuel shrieked crawling away from the boy who seemed lost.
The boy looked up at Samuel, his eyes glowing blue as he grits his teeth. His clothes were torn and he seemed to be missing an ear. His veins popped as he lunged at Samuel again.
“s**t”. Quickly dodging the attack, Samuel bolted out the building, with the boy giving chase immediately.
Tripping over another body on the floor, Samuel fell into the fountain of blood. The boy on top of him trying to bite. “Ahhh…Arthur!!!”.
Suddenly, a sword thrust through the boy's skull in a smooth motion, making a slushy sound on it's way out. Samuel, a little relieved, looked up at Arthur who still looked calm.
“What the f**k was that!!!?” Samuel asked, getting out of the pool, his clothes drenched in blood. “Shhh”. Arthur motioned with his finger on his lips, promoting Samuel to keep quiet.
Samuel crawled closer, his back against Arthur as he adjusted his Lirripipe hood. His eyes then caught the silhouette of a figure beside a building.
“Um…what's that?”. He said, holding his lute like a sword in front of him. “Skarvs indeed huh”. Arthur replied, positioning himself in from of Samuel. “Stay close”. He said, handing Samuel a rondell dagger.
Their only source of light was from the already cloudy moon. The figure slowly crept out of the shadows, a towering, skeletal being with glowing blue eyes and a long bow hung around it's neck.
“I thought the woman back there said there were three?”. Samuel couldn't help but ask. “Well, we'd have to make just with the one we have”. Arthur said as he took his stance.
Just as he was about to attack, a door flew open behind them as two more emerged. Their eyes flaming blue as they surrounded them.
“Well…this
should be fun”. Arthur said as his eyes darted back and forth at the three Skarvs.
- Writer
