Tale of Kairu

Chapter 2, Hunted

As she wandered into the village she smelled the scent of fresh bread. It was a smell she was very familiar with so it calmed her down as she looked for the nearest tavern. It didn't take long her to find the "Drunken Drider". From outside she could already tell the tavern was filled with people. She could hear the cheering and singing from the other side of the street. She took a big breath and walked into the tavern. Inside it was even more rowdy than outside. 

The barkeep noticed her instantly as she came through the door and smiled. She walked over to him, dodging the drunk people standing around, and almost getting kissed by one that misstook her for his wife. At the bar she sat down and tried to relax. The barkeep looked at her for a moment. 

" 'aven't seen you' round 'ere before ma'am. Traveling?" 

The barkeep spoke with a strong accent, it was clear to her that the man wasn't from around here himself. He probably moved here after the war between Lanien and Central Kairu ended. The war had ended quite quickly after it started. The previous king of Lanien was Kurime, and after about 1 year his people took the throne from him. Ever since Kurime had been causing havoc by himself with his undead henchmen in Central Kairu. 

Lanien was the continent south of Central Kairu. Over the last decades it had become known as the land of the dead, and people stayed clear of it. To the east of Central Kairu was The Land of Dragons, its capital, Ryuteru City, was as big as the smallest continent of Kairu: Bor. Bor was to the south of The Land of Dragons, and was were the Dwarves were exiled to after they lost a war in the year 672 against humanity and the divines. During that war, that had gone on for over 200 years, the Dwarves of Iriel-Drum, the city under the mountains, had conquered Central Kairu, slain the Elven king Tallius Bark, and brought the human kingdom of Sibaria, in the southern deserts of Central Kairu, to rise under the command of Dalonen Goldfist. 

"I lived in Razni, the village on the other side of the woods. It was attacked earlier today and so I fled here for shelter." Novella explained. 

"Well, if ye head north, there is a shelter for the 'omeless. You can go there and get yer shelter." 

The barkeep replied. Novella thanked him and got up to leave the tavern when someone was knocked against the floor. Within seconds the whole bar was in a brawl. Novella tried to get out but couldn't see a path to the door that wasn't filled with fighting drunks. A man with blonde hair grabbed her by the hand and lead her through the back door. 

"Sorry if that was too sudden, but a brawl like that is no place for a lady like yourself." the man told her. 

He held his hand forwards to introduce himself. His hands were covered in scars, meaning he was probably brawled in the tavern quite regularly. As Novella shook the man's hand he smiled at her. 

"My name is Kamiron Steelfeather. You may call me Kami if you want" His smile grew bigger as he spoke. 

"Novella Eterno. Nova for short."

She wasn't sure if she could trust this man. 

"I can escort you to the shelter if you want?" Kami offered. 

"I can take care of myself. Thanks for the offer though." Nova said as she walked away from the man, leaving him no chance to respond. 

It didn't take long for her to reach the shelter. It wasn't far from the edge of the village and she was allowed to stay for free for a night, and in exchange for doing some chores she even got some money. After doing chores for about an hour she decided some sleep was long overdue. She dropped down on her bed and fell asleep as fast as she dropped down. Her night was filled with nightmares about the previous day, but despite that she slept quite well. Until she was woken up. It was like she woke up to one of her nightmares. The shelter was on fire and she heard screams coming from inside the village. This time she knew what to do. She swiftly collected her belongings and ran outside. It was clear to her that the same skeletons that killed her family were here now, but they hadn't come this far north in the village yet. She started running towards the northern edge of town as quick as she could. She ran faster than she ever did, and she felt adrenaline pumping through her body. This time she was ready to fight if she needed it. She wasn't scared like last time. 

When she almost reached the edge of the village she ran into someone, or something, and fell. As her vision went dark she saw a large man standing in front of her, and in the distance she could hear the skeletons coming closer by the second. 

Nova passed out