A word from Hack: Here's another plot bunny that turned into a shitstorm.
This is for ColdHiddenBlade who gave me permission to user her Male OC Krosis in this story.
Enjoooyyyyyyyy
In all his years as a Master Templar, Krosis couldn't believe what he had just heard from the scouts he sent out to scope the Assassin territory that their convoy had been ordered to investigate.
Reports of strange activity. Such as Templars passing through the forest and never coming out, only to be found dead days or weeks later. It troubled him to an extent.
Then rumors started going around. Tales of those who came back with animal like injuries and too scared to go back, but willing to tell of what they had seen. Always two large dark creatures that had claws and attacked anytime of the day or night, even if one was in a group.
A black monster that had the blue-est of any blue eyes the survivors had ever seen, and the other bigger creature that had several shades of storm grey in its eyes.
All these rumors sounded like something an adult would tell a child, a story to put the fear of Allah in them to make them listen or go to sleep.
Krosis himself decided to investigate on his own; he lost several men already to these supposed 'monsters.' It needed to stop. Whatever the Brotherhood unleashed was clearly effective in deterring Templars from passing through.
Immediately after telling of his decision, the few that had survived the encounters pleaded him not to go.
"It's too dangerous sir! You'll be eaten alive!"
"This is suicide!"
"Just make up something and leave, nobody would know!"
At the last comment Krosis turned; hand on the hilt of his sword, his helmet tucked under the other arm.
"Then what would the higher ups do then? If they found out that still more a dying because of some beast those Assassins had set free to run wild? Do you honestly intend to run with your tail between your legs coward?"
The last commenter hung his head in shame.
"I am going to find out what it is that has my men running scared like children. Bring me my horse!" Krosis grunted in exasperation.
One survivor, who had a chunk taken out of his leg, limped forward with the grey stallion. It nickered upon seeing his owner. The Master Templar smirked; this wasn't exactly the kind of action he'd been expecting but why not?
Quickly mounting his steed and putting on his helmet, Krosis said, "I leave my second in command Dallam in charge! Dallam keep the order here. If I find anything out of place…"
The threat was clear in the air. Dallam nodded quickly, squaring his thin shoulders, trying to stand tall despite his small size. Dallam looked young and out of place, with a slightly angular face and a mop of brown hair, plus almost large brown eyes, but he was reliable.
"Yes sir, Master Krosis!"
"Good." He kicked his horse, Shahtira, into a gallop. Krosis rode out the camp, up the hill, and out of sight.
"Allah help him." Dallam muttered.
Krosis rode over large sand dunes, when he got near the forest he pulled gently on the reigns to halt Shahtira who snorted with impatience. Krosis stroked the stallion's mane as he took in his surroundings.
He eased Shahtira into an easy canter, going down the trail into deeper Assassin territory. Despite the abundance of wild life it was too quiet, until Shahtira flared his nostrils and raised his head, stepping back and whinnying. The stallion was getting nervous. Krosis soothed the horse, caressing his neck and watching the steed's ears as it detected sound.
They weren't even that far into the forest.
It was slow going from there; the Master Templar could feel the hairs standing on his neck. He knew he was being watched but by what? Anticipation kept him on high alert for anything out the ordinary.
It was hours later when Krosis was about to turn around and head back, when he heard a rustle and the neigh of another horse. A familiar Assassin was sitting atop a white mare, a great distance down the now non-existent path.
He subtly turned his head, Krosis squinted. There was no way…
The Assassin appeared to be speaking to someone out of view, but the way he held himself, the scar on his lip. Obvious it was Altair. What was Arrogant Boy doing here? Something was definitely up. Krosis wanted answers.
Abruptly a large shadow ran by Shahtira, who shied away with ears drawn back, whites of his eyes showing. The man tried to keep him calm but to no avail. Then another shadow, bigger than the previous, hurried passed and startled his stallion into rearing. Krosis was thrown off by the unexpected action, landing on his back with a grunt of pain.
His helmet had rolled off as well. Shahtira was stamping and panicking, a huge clawed scratch showed on his somehow bloodied flank. Eventually the horse bolted, leaving his Master Templar behind.
Krosis groaned and cursed out as he rolled to his front, pushing himself to stand. Turning with an irritated look to retrieve his helmet—it was gone…
Huge paw prints were left behind in place of where his helmet had been. Krosis couldn't help but ask himself as he looked around.
What the ever living fuck?
It took a while took track down the supposed black 'monstrosities'. They hardly left a trace, but there were some slip-ups. A small broken branch here, some pieces of fur there, and a single paw print. Whoever attacked Shahtira were big predators and threats to his men, which he now knew.
A few minutes into his musings, the Templar heard the rustle of leaves and a loud snarl.
Slowly drawing his broad sword, the man crouched to peer through a large bush. What the Master Templar saw not only confused him but amazed him as well. Altair was beside his horse, fussing with something on his robe, which Krosis recognized as a slash made from claws in the side of said clothing.
Arrogant Boy stared angrily at both of them, the torn part of his Assassin garb showing, apparently accusing one of two shadowy 'monsters' …
Which turned out to be only be half true, indeed they were large. They were dark. However they weren't 'monsters' as his men had called them. In fact they were animals, with great manes that were different tones of black. Matching the descriptions of his injured men, one had the blue-est eyes he'd ever seen besides his own. The other had several shades of storm grey.
Altair huffed and remounted his horse. Galloping off and disappearing.
The Master Templar continued to observe the two, whom of which proceeded to bask in the sun.
No, these weren't 'monsters' at all. Large felines with tufts at their end of their tails.
No, they weren't demons either, they were wild beasts.
"Black lions..." the man said to himself. Both of them, none of the likes he'd seen before. Krosis wasn't paying attention when he shifted and accidently stepped on a small twig, snapping it in the process.
Both black lions were quickly alert, the one with blue eyes looked up while the one with grey eyes stared directly at the bush. Growling in what seemed to be irritation, the big one pushed the blue-eyed one to stand, head-butting the little one's rump to get him moving.
Krosis stood from the bush, impulse taking over unexpectedly. The grey-eyed one gave him a disturbingly intelligent glare that rooted him to the spot.
As soon as the Templar moved the black lion dashed away, melting with the other lion into the shadows of the brush and trees. Krosis made no move to go after them, knowing it would be in vain.
The man sighed heavily and began his trek back to the camp. His men weren't going to believe this.
Tell me what you guys think! This was a sudden plot bunny, I swear they are everywhere!
Like a swarm of locusts!
Next chap will be up soon.