I reached a brook around midday and decided to take a short break, I sat near the water and washed the sweat from my face, I then had a quick lunch of meat and cheese wrapped in a piece of bread. For dessert I had a mouth full of custard. Once finished I refilled the canteen and set off again. My routine over the next few nights didn't change, I would find a good place to stop, eat, sleep, and get moving again. On the third day of my journey, I came into a small village. It was clear that this one had been visited by the same men mine had, everyone was wearing a haunted expression. I looked around and noticed that everyone was staring at me, I really must have looked a sight. A woman out on her own wasn't normal, many of the people rushed into their homes quickly and shut and locked the doors and windows. I blinked wondering what was so scary about a young woman with a walking stick when I noticed that a women was motioning me to her franticly. When I had gotten over to her she shoved me into her hut and shut and bolted the door.
"These are dangerous times to be out and about dear..."
As she spoke she latched all the windows, it was then I heard hoof beats.
"Whats going on? Why is everyone so frightened."
The woman studied me for a moment, then lifting a trap door urged me to get inside. I turned and glanced out the window, a small band of men had just ridden in. The leader of the group, was the very man whom had grabbed me, and once again anger seared in my belly.
"Who are these men...and why are they here!"
The woman quickly shushed me,
"Alright...they're called raiders. They go from town to town looking for women to take back to the king, when they don't find any worthy enough they kill. This village has only survived as long as it has because we have never challenged them. When they come we lock ourselves up, and usually they just pass right on through with their new captives. When they can't find any else where they take our young women...but being as they've taken all our young girls, they don't bother us unless we were to step up."
This was the wrong thing to say to me being as I've waited so long to take down the ones that had killed my village. Without a second look at the woman who was going to offer me safety, I unlatched the door and ran out into the street. The raiders were dragging a small group of women behind them, all of which were crying. Tossing aside my cloak I brandished my staff,
"Hey murderers...remember me!?"
The leader turned around and grinned...a twinkle in his eye.
To Be Continued
 Polar_StarFyer · Sat Apr 19, 2008 @ 07:52pm · 0 Comments |
