Claymore
Fickle Sleeves
Chapter I
The lively sound of birds chirping were what I first heard as I blearily opened both eyes blinking tiredly. So last night happened, it wasn't a nightmare after all. My gaze fell to corpses which weren't exactly in any suitable shape to be identified even under a morning sun that had started to rise over a gray horizon and I slowly tried to stand. Yet sharp liquid fiery pain managed to confirm an ankle hadn't even been remotely close to healing. Taking an overly zealous breath I reached out bracing against the trunk I had been essentially left against, "I'll find you one day you ugly bastard. Not taking this lying down!" The memories in seeing that clean shaven face reinforced harshly sworn promises, I kept on hobbling forward trying to avoid every possible means to not trip and I only managed to wave both arms like some demented bird flapping to keep steady.
Both carriages were more than enough to put aside those distant goals to be in favor for a massive haul of loot. Grinning somewhat smug I bypassed the corpse of bear man to see a managed mess of rotting flesh and spat where a face would have been, "For what it's worth you screamed like a total bitch. Least I refused to die on my knees..." Trailing off vindictively to clumsily climb up on one carriages back to see that everything remained where it had been! Slumping down I noticed that large pouch of coin to reach out taking handfuls and I resisted to tear up but failed miserable feeling an immense wave of happiness in knowing I wasn't remaining in this ball freezing piss hole anymore. Among all that coin I knelt realizing it'd been separated oddly enough.
Three separate pouches were tied up inside this larger one as it puzzled me immensely. Breathing heavily to avoid agitating either a sprained ankle, or maybe broken for all I knew I quickly discovered silver had been carefully separated along with two bags full of bars? What the hell is this metal stuff, I've never seen it yet it's not the same as gold, or silver coin? Shrugging since it felt heavy enough to be valuable I'd take it along with whatever I could carry, so I turned all efforts to find bags or possibly something large enough to carry on my own back. If they also had supplies like food which would make everything go well, I'd be able to rig some makeshift pouches and now that I realized horses were still alive it caused a smirk to grow.
"I don't even need to walk, I can ride a horse to another town and get myself patched up. With all these coins and food, I'll be living like a king." I snickered imagining to sleep in a warm bed while getting hot food for possibly weeks given what I had for my newly attained loot. Heading south into familiar grounds wasn't going to be too dangerous given how often marks traveled in groups, I'd be able to slip to play along and easily not have to be on the lookout if I kept traveling by myself. So shifting through more objects I came across several small chests that were ironically not locked, I only had to pop several latches to reveal contents that got my eyes bulging. In fact I sat down trembling before I unleashed laughter that signified my lucky streak.
These idiots were hauling an entire houses, I mean coins and now jewelry? God either you love me, or am I going to get seriously screwed later. I dug through fine cloth that weren't cheap to have been tailored, or rather they had to be made by hand. Sewing wasn't exactly a common skill since I could barely patch together shoddy stitching to keep my own clothes intact, so intently intrigued in rummaging around I happened to find a smaller chest which turned out to be threads, needles and string to grant me something actually useful. But more importantly I'd be able to have someone patch me up as I realized a broken shaft of an arrow hadn't been removed.
The fact I wasn't panicking mainly came from idea if I didn't move around too much it wouldn't get any deeper. Stop wasting time and get what you need! Every minute risked myself to bleed out, or catch an infection from splinters that an arrow head could chip off if I jerked around too quickly. Yanking sheets back finding several grain bags, or an occasional set of clothes that would fit on women soon told me I had to hurry as streams of sunlight appeared outside. If someone from town happened to come across what happened here I'd be in some major trouble, I wasn't in any willing mood to deal with harassing questions and possibly be locked in irons for looking like a ruffian. Yanking both flaps back I paced myself get to work and leaving this shoddy piss hole of a territory.
An hour, or two passed much to my relief as I kept moving trying to avoid every urge to take all the coin to high tail it down the road. Bags were tightly packed once I tied them down to a horse which seemed grateful someone took notice of it, I picked what appeared to be the strongest and youngest steed among the four on this road. It'd been dark brown near blackened colored animal whose eyes were a lively brown, I wasn't any good with riding horses or to set their saddles but thankfully it already had one while hitched to said carriage. I assumed only for emergencies if this carriage snapped a wheel, or they needed to get someone injured to a town faster as those were only tentative guesses considering I hobbled around a lot.
As time went on I started to form guesses pertaining to these mark's on what they did and their supposed purpose for traveling to this place. They weren't exceedingly wealthy given an overly modest amount of gold and silver being moved, I got an impression they were small time merchants at best. Lots of cloth that had been hand sewn, a lot of sewing kits and plenty of furs were predominately in bulk on that second carriage. So it wasn't too difficult to scavenge several daggers which had been left out on the ground near bloodied splatters that painted a grisly picture from last night. However I did score an impressive haul on obtaining freshly minted boots that I tossed my own rags called shoes away, I wasn't going to be rubbing aching feet for a while given who comforting they fit. As long as the leather and its laces held I wasn't going to be sore for some time.
Finding food might as well been discovering a literal feast of wonders. Salted pork tightly compacted in bundles and strips of beef were all neatly packed underneath seats that I greedily took as my own. I wouldn't have to hunt for game yet finding water would be a priority, I wasn't worried if I stayed close to a river to get my newly accursed horse satisfied. As long as I rode smart I'd be in good hands, I wasn't screwing myself over by trying to push an animal to near death and quite frankly I intended to keep it alive for a long time. Getting my own horse this way is hell a lot less expensive, I get it for free and honestly who's going to ask me where I got him, or her I think? Speaking of that possible dilemma given said fact I needed to give this beast a name I hobbled over to kneel while peaking under said animal only to look up at it somewhat surprised, "What in the fucking shit did they feed you big guy?"
Idly patting an animal in mutual respect along with an internally genuine envy I smiled when it nickered happily. Given I barely reached its chest certainly didn't help whenever I'd have to get into that saddle and unfortunately that brought about an entirely new set of problems. I had little experience in riding any horse, so I chalked all efforts in visualizing myself fucking up immensely. All in all I'd be up for saying it'd be a learn curve or at worst a one way trip to the ground as painful lessons. Hobbling around I looked down to consider trying to find anything to replace my ragged cloak with something firmer, or rather anything to stand against winter's arrival in a few months. While southern lands were warmer I'd rather not risk getting cold if I had to forgo a fire, or two if I got into any more jobs that came my way.
Now that I think about it, I'll need new places to stash all this coin because I can't carry it around everywhere and I don't want some piss ant taking my hard earned spoils. Frowning deeply while trying to remember locations no one besides myself knew wasn't going to be easy, it'd have be far away from any settlement so even travelers wouldn't pick up on it and as well trying to leave markers so I wouldn't get lost would be problematic. Eventually I'd have to cross that bridge but shaking it off to tear through both carriages took hold, "Maybe I should try to take these dresses and sell them to few brothel girls, I'd bet my right tooth they'd love to get their hands on this to sucker more idiots for coins." I mused holding up fabric that seemed dark purplish in color along with several red dresses that I had seen spoiled sows for kids wear to balls held in upper priced towns, I winced remembering I wasn't welcomed when I passed on through and it made sense to at least try to earn as much as possible from everything I had for loot.
Eventually I shrugged folding up whatever stood out most to sell, I wasn't going to waste any more time deciding what spoiled sows looked like anymore. Whatever had colors that were eye catching I'd stuff them into a small sack to hold possibly three, or four at best. Idly raising fingers I listed off all the important sacks and pouches tied down on my horses saddle once I came around the first carriage seeing a morning sun clearly over a horizon now. All the mountains seemed to concealing most of this valley in shaded respites giving me ample cover, "Let's see what I got so far. Decent coin, heavenly salted food, lucky sew kits, couple sow's dresses..." I threw that onto my horse who wasn't bothered since most of the pouches were practically nothing compared to what it had pulled, "...and two decent daggers which will do me some good, finally." A rusty piece of metal wasn't going to cut it yet spending anything to get a new one was worth it and as much as I felt attached to the shoddy dented weapon called my bow?
Again shrugging mainly out of annoyance since I'd have to consider buying a new bow as well. One that wouldn't notch an arrow to have soaring right all the time, I hated using cheap wood but I wasn't complaining since it lead into this bountiful payday. I won't forget I lucked out yet it rubs me the wrong how I did so. I clenched both fists hell intent on going through on that threat to mount that fucking creatures head on pike somewhere as I gnashed both sets of teeth together. Fucks around with me like it can, oh I refuse to have that shit happen again, so I'll find a way to gut you open like a bleeding pig and then I'll piss on your ashes once I burn you to a crisp...ugly fuck. That imagery alone caused me to grin openly while idly leaning against a blood stained carriage, I kept a hand supporting me upright to stare upwards to see cloudy skies indicating rough weather ahead.
Absently licking my index finger I lifted it up trying to see if a wind gust would indicate where it'd blow in. Waiting impatiently for several minutes yielded to having it coming over a mountain in the direction where I wasn't going, "Nice! Wind to my back and I can move without getting screwed over by rain..." I hobbled around trying not to scowl as another possibility hit me, "...or hell, I hope it doesn't start snowing early this season. Last year was bad enough trying to boil my fingers to stop from them falling off." Shivering angrily in being caught out up north again wasn't fun, I nearly wanted to stab whoever suggested going for a job would be worth it. Like this season it'd gone bad so it left a distinct impression to never travel anywhere north again for any extended period time.
Fucking done with snow, cold and anything these idiots call turf! Twice I got shafted up here, so do yourself a favor and not have a third time because I'll be completely fucked. Third time wasn't a charm when it got close to killing me, or starving you out to consider eating rats tempting. Irritated I looked over an eager horse whose hooves were itching to move, now I wasn't going to be an ass to let it suffer beyond my own problems and trying to not be sympathetic to an animal that stood all night? I spoke up while hobbling towards it, "It's alright boy, it's alright. Soon we'll be both getting somewhere warmer with plenty of grass and less fucking rocks." Perhaps giving an animal a name wasn't bad considering I never owned one beforehand, so it'd be something to think about once we got underway and go beyond from there as well.
My vision started to blur when I tried to move a little too quickly. As a result I kneel to both knees clutching both sides of a face that desperately started swaying too close dead weight, I took deep breaths trying to avoid agitating one broken arrow lodged just behind my shoulder and that became all too apparent for this dizzy spell. I can't linger here anymore, I'm just asking to die if I can't get someone to yank this piece of shit outta me and patch the wound up. I'm going to be bleeding out faster than some pig with its throat being slit. Baring teeth to avoid tears falling I mustered what strength to stand to stare upwards seeing gray murky clouds lazily moving overhead. No blue skies meant cloud cover and if they got any darker I'd be caught in a storm that been brewing further further indicating winter's potency wanted to arrive early.
Wind gusts occasionally blew leaves, or kicked up dirt to have my hood being tucked accordingly. Making one last mental check list seemed to indicate I wasn't losing my sanity to not leave anything useful, or possibly valuable behind to assist me further in the future. Only problem that struck me harder than a kick to the balls would have been finding peddlers, or only willing to buy whatever I got for loot at a decent price. Fuck it no more worrying stupid shit, it's time to leave finally and once you get a place then worry about making more money later. Dead men can't spend money, or enjoy it long enough, but I swear I'm never coming back north ever remotely close to this god forsaken piss hole. Gathering enough saliva that built up I merely spat it disgustedly, willingly I refused to acknowledge some reddish mixing had begun to further get my ass on horseback.
Sighing painfully avoiding moving an arm turned out to be a trade off when coming to climb up on a horse nearly times my height. I gritted through flash fire after flash fire as muscles contracted to pull this called a battered body, I challenged myself to avoid screaming and I swore I nearly lost all effort to let tears fall. After possibly minutes of a necessary hell I sat up constantly patting down all pouches I zealously tied down, I wasn't in any mood to stop and pick up something fall down especially going hunting for scattered coins. Swaying uneasily in being so high up I settled in patting an overly impatient animal who nickered loudly wanting to move, I patted its neck reassuringly given I nearly passed out for getting onto it.
"Okay, how hard is this going to be?" I muttered reaching underneath a ragged cloak to start cutting away straps linking my horse to its former grinding purpose to pull. They weren't too difficult to cut given newly acquired daggers that were leagues sharper than that rusted piece of metal I once used, I almost felt ashamed I used it often to threaten to cut ball sacks off with it. Oh that's why, it takes longer when using rusted iron and here I thought there wasn't anything worth to using it. Sharper blades weren't as bad since it quickly took off flesh which took all that intimidation down to just expecting something to slice fingers off. Frowning I made a mental note to keep it around just in case I'd have to prove a point against some thick headed idiot eventually.
Cutting through one more strap allowed a horse to nicker all too eagerly moving forward without my hands holding reins. Panicking I yanked both grips back forcing an animal to snort annoyed yet a sudden jerk aggravated a wound that caused a shrill raspy shriek to evoke my body's ability to feel agony. Biting my tongue to stop another fit of screams I eased each foot to lightly nudge an animal to move, "Alright! Ho, forward!" I dumbly stated trying to figure out if this horse responded to words, or physical motivations which turned out to be unnecessary. Hooves belonging to my newly semi controllable mount started to lightly trot themselves forward, he went way too quick to my cringing as I yet again I yanked the reins, sighing loudly only pull off to the side forcing said animal to move in a semi churning circle. Somehow I managed to withhold any control over my own stomach for sitting so high off the damned ground.
"Ho! Come on!" Trying to firmly find a difference between nudging and proding certainly held enough to have myself pray to control the animal's pacing. I wasn't luck once it started to lightly run which every motion threatened to shift an arrow head deeper into flesh that started to leak out warm fluid, I closed both eyes momentarily feeling wind whipping past both cheeks stinging them and I could only hope my luck held out. If I couldn't get to that nearest town without bleeding out then I'd have survived for nothing, I told myself if I wanted to live I'd have to suck this pain up in order to remember I had a goal now.
No saying that I have a goal sounds too easy. I sneered weakly just feeling sweat leaking down past both sides of my head while breathing heavily. The horse wasn't dumb enough to not follow a cleared out road considering it traveled on it last night yet I occasionally pulled reins to avoid it getting too close to trees, or any fallen branches that would've made an injury possible. Clutch leather reins tightly to pop knuckles I knew what I had now based on how much anger I felt, I wanted more then a fucking goal to take down something that wanted to fuck with me and I refused to allow it to get away with it! So goals were utterly pointless when I had an ambition to drive me with all motivation possible to gut open a fucking wise ass.
"You fucked with me because you could, huh?" I spoke quietly unable to hear words over loud winds as I felt every right to go kill something not human, "Well then I guess it's only going to be fair when I'm going to kill you like an animal..." Picturing that clean shaven bastard's face wasn't difficult yet those amber slits were dauntingly clear to gouge them out, "...so I'll just do it because I feel like it!" Perhaps loosing blood made me feel truly delirious to start laughing painfully aware I wasn't going to get any rest until I got an arrow pulled out of my back! Each rough movement practically shifted it so clearly as my own flesh felt its wooden shaft embedded throb, I wasn't immune to sharp agonized headaches that I laughed absolutely furious in how I got myself into this wonderful damned horse shitting of a situation.
You're not getting satisfaction because you killed those fucks I'd gut myself, you think it's funny letting me live? Is that right? Saying those questions over and over internally caused teeth to gnash together and it I almost chipped a tooth. Feeling all that humiliation when I'd been sent to my knees by idiots who were going to fuck me over, I got them killed and I enjoyed it, but I didn't enjoy being on my knees because something less than human found it entertaining. Whether some two bit back stabber like myself cared about anything other then feeding a growling stomach, I wasn't going to take this lying down and be some fucking creature's plaything, I'd get even with it. Not because its kind hunted mine like deep, it'd be only just for a fact that I would damn well make it scream real good when I got through with extracting a willing fury that I self consciously eagerly suppressed
The road wasn't clear of loose rocks as the horse's hooves smacked against them all too commonly jerking a rider in its saddle. I gritted both teeth consistently to use no strength to speak in order to cope with this agonized ordeal getting to safety. I can't remember how far the next village, or town since I've been here for too long as it is. Bare with it since you got yourself stuck into it, so don't scream and do not tell anyone what happened here tonight! I swore to avoid anything beyond the fact I survived monsters who were eating men, I survived because I hid under a carriage and I'd be damned to establish I wasn't in any useful position to stop it. Smiling absolutely pained while realizing I'd have an excuse to run, I blamed it on raiders who'd been impatient to find easy prey and those same animal hide covered cut-throats who happened to walk into a hunting ground, I'd be able to say it wasn't too extremely lucky of a timing at all.
Guiding an overly excited animal around another bend in the cleared out road gave way to an entire downhill sensation. I ignored everything to focus on trying to control an animal that had wanted to run for as long as it been tethered to a cart. If I had any semblance of feeling I'd have been sorry to use victims as an excuse to avoid getting damned, I looked briefly upwards to the skies humming lightly as if feeling guilt. Then without even trying I crushed all those sensations by giving myself a bloodied grin that would make any ignorant mark, or hopefully those overly too concerned idiots that cared for anyone wounded would buy the act. It'll work only because I'm twice as young as any would be lowlife who watched spoiled sows and cocks pretend that living is safe. I already know I'm going to do when I encounter someone willing to pull this fucking pain in the back splinter of any arrow, I'll just do what all kids do naturally.
Falling into a routine I kept myself sitting upright as I remained focused on staying awake. Each time the horse kept running some small bit an arrow head loosened up, I flinched so much it just hurt trying to blink in staying conscious to find any sign of another town. Trees flew by as wind whipped exposed cheeks having me twitch a jaw to ward off tears. Everything just hurt no matter what I tried to cope with, I focused on breathing constantly heaving in huge amounts of air and ultimately trying to stay warm as a sun did little effort to keep me living. Once it became clear for me to accept the fact taking an arrow to the back was officially the worst experience in my entire life. Unable to do much I only needed to imagine seeing a beast tear apart that snake of a shot yet inadvertently I started to realize how much I appreciated in making the deal with a literal devil.
"By the holy father in heaven's mercy, lad are you okay?" Riding for possibly an entire day had taken its toll on myself physically to the point where I slumped almost off a panting horse. Sweat stung both eyes when I genuinely strained myself to look up before slurring words, "Help...monsters...killed everyone and ate them..." This town had similar walls to the place where I had fled from yet more green trees were welcoming visitors instead of constraining them. Two gate guards rushed forward pulling off my hood to see an obviously pale, sweating and naturally delirious expression I called as a confident grin while swaying truly out of it. I hadn't any strength to force these expression mainly out of sheer exhaustion in ignoring the half broken arrow shaft whose wound still leaked blood occasionally.
I began laughing either totally mad, or perhaps more so I found their expression just too god damned funny to not laugh at. One man reached forward pulling me to which I folded like some new born calf and I heard him whisper, "Oh god!" Seeing an armored helmet along with a rugged spear like weapon placed down I grinned closer to a madman then as a wounded stranger, "Think you can direct me to a tavern, I need a room and lots of sleep..." Shouts were able to heard down as voices sprung when I blinked when multiple sets of concern echoed forth. Seeing flashes of white indicated that this place had an actual church, as rare they were so far north, apparently inside these flimsy walls protecting it from attack. Regardless I started mentally praying thanking who much I lucked out in being able to find charitable idiots.
White clothing swarmed over whatever vision I held as hands eased me down onto a side where an arrow wasn't being prodded deeper. Although I expected some white bearded old man whose clothing tailored to being a holy priest, I got a real natural shock when blond hair with intently focused brown eyes brought my sweaty face up. Since when did women wear priest robes, I thought they were just nuns or something? Aside from that unique curiosity in seeing something that rare I figured things could have been a hell of a lot worse as I gave off on exhausted cheeky smirk, "I thought angels weren't real...I might have to read more often..." Someone next to me gruffly laughed beyond bemused because they were either too blinded sided to imagine a comment like that, or perhaps it just seemed to be a good sign when a person like myself rode up with an arrow lodged in his back, so then it must have shown I wasn't going to die.
"Your heavy with fever child, but least you aren't blabbing nonsensical words." My heart practically swooned in hearing an angelic voice belonging to this female priest, or probable nun. Hands started to pull me right yet both of my own feet were dragging along the dirt, "Where did you ride from? Can you remember where and what happened?" That same woman asked me concerned as I made a show to stare unfocused in seeing a setting sun. Briefly awed I had lasted so long I coughed trying to avoid being suffered when warm fingers pried an eye open, "North...way north. Fucking monster ate everyone...hide under carriage and lucked out..." I felt sweat practically dripping down my face when I blinked seeing swirling coloration that mixed with actual buildings and an orange skyline that had clouds coming from where I rode from clearly indicating I out paced a storm.
More shouts were coming into focus as I tried looking back to see where my horse had been taken too. Concerned in them pinching coin off my loot I attempted to numbly flail, "My horse...its all I could salvage from carriages, I can't risk going back north...please god, it's all I got left!" Tears naturally falling weren't faked by any stretch since I did hold a small fear yet a warm voice reassured me, "Easy, easy! Your belongings won't be touched, I'll have them stored in our stable next to a holy chapel where you can regain your senses child." Being man handled by possibly a nun, or maybe those assisting her wasn't something I was too frankly. It flat out felt degrading to be easily passed off like a piece of meat as someone wearing armor propped me up when coming to the front of a large building. One particular detail of ornate cross like windows indicated an actual church.
Wonderful, I get to get warm beds and actual wine to drink! Well at least it beats being stitched up in some dirty basement of a brothel, or anywhere between two rat infested buildings so I'll call it divine grace! Cheering internally while on the verge to pass out I considered donating whenever mass had been called to hear the good book's words. I wasn't putting my faith in some overly preached deity that wasn't around to have me believe was real, so I'd do my next best thing in doing a few actions of good will, I put two and two together it would certainly make up for saving my skin tonight. Things seemed to be looking up when I felt warmth due to entering said holy place to sleep off one long bad day. Doors were slammed apart once I got dragged inside a room and I hissed when my cloak painstakingly got removed.
"How you're remaining conscious is absolutely insane, god's mercy must be the only thing keeping you together..." That praising disbelief came from a lone guard who'd been dragging me easily as I got placed onto an actual comfortable bed spread. Sheets cleaned by devout hands who did such tasks for a living met my appreciate and the once pristine white cloth was being stained by droplets of blood which started to spread ever so kindly making me feel disgusted, "I'm getting...real sleepy...fucking hell." I slurred laughing realizing they'd be horrified in seeing any kid as young as I'd been swearing. However only several scoffs of sheer amusement caught an ear to have someone starting to pad down an exposed wound with wet cloths.
Starting to feel extremely self-conscious in feeling my own body becoming akin to stone, I warily gave a heartfelt warning, "Alright. If I pass out, I just want to say thanks." Gentle soft hands carefully placed pressure where exactly an arrow remained embedded and it promptly got yanked out! One brief moment in feeling something like parchment being torn along with a subtle plop of liquid squirting and I immediately got jerked wide awake! Holy shit, holy shit, HOLY FUCKING SHIT! Both eyes went wide to the point where I felt every muscle strain once it all came crashing together in a singular swift gargantuan movement had plucked an ache away to birth fire so hot, I had no choice but to release all that pent up shock.
Unfortunately due to an overly unexpected action and I granted it's deceive need to help me, I'd say it wasn't an exact way to shriek like an absolute bitch giving birth, so I folded up to scream! God damn it I screamed so loud it'd awaken the dead as I heard that same nun praise me wholeheartedly, "Then it's a good thing your wound isn't lift threatened. Remarkably you're in a treatable condition and sending for our local surgeon here in town won't cause anymore pain for to experience." Perhaps I'd been screamed for possibly a good few minutes while someone resisted my natural instinct to arch the back where the wounds were being to be treated. Or maybe god had a twisted sense of irony in understanding a priest healed pain with words, but whoever yanked this damned arrow out of my flesh wasn't a fucking nun by any stretch to my guessing.
Unworldly fire caused me to spew out something to what had to be vomit spewed onto the floor. Again firm hands gently rubbed my only non-injured shoulder as words of encouragement followed, "It's alright child, let it all out. Longer you remain consciousness is a blessing you won't succumb to pain's hold, so do what you must to stay awake. We'll clean you up..." I groaned out whatever was said next when I blearily looked up seeing two guards coming through the small bed room doorway. They were staring at me to what I assumed to be pure shock, or possibly since I weakly waved completely unaware to what made them cringe openly. I dimly became aware an apparent nun firmly stopped said action to speak up hauntingly concerned.
"Boy do not fret, nor try to move." The woman next to me started very calmly as if she herself were struggling to manage it, "I fear your lack of fever is off set by your...lack of awareness to your own state." That wasn't particularly straight forward as I started to comprehend what those words meant and I got honestly confused. What the hell is this nun saying, I'm fine considering I got an arrow the size of my fist embedded in my fucking back! Scowling faintly even though I couldn't snatch my limb back I questioned somewhat stupidly, "My what not...just the fuck you mean? I rode here practically half dead...what's else is wrong with me, you..." Much a growing shock those words were immediately drowned out when a face belonging to the said person holding my own hand appeared. I hadn't been aware due to being unable to guess what voices belonged to who mainly.
Those brown eyes were beyond beautiful when matched with a fair face. Golden locks belonging to possibly one of these most gorgeous women, I internally had to give this church credit for having a literal hook to get donations for ever mass they held and it'd been my first time to admit this wasn't some spoiled sow that strode around owning life. I blinked rapidly when small sharp sensations akin to a blade's edge slicing into my flesh got noticed immediately once I looked down. I saw three fingers that belonged to my entire left hand twitch crookedly as they moved, I remained speechless realizing I'd had three broken fucking fingers without ever noticing. Oh fucking hell, I guess that explains why I haven't been feeling my hand at all today! Damn I moved all those pouches to tie them up and got onto a horse with broken fingers grasping reins...
Two sets of hands held me securely unable to even twitch once this nun gave me an extremely well conveyed look of sympathy. She took an index finger before unflinchingly snapped it back right into place as an audible crunch filled my ears. Not even three seconds and all that registered pain came back making me shriek like a damned sinner stuck in purgatory. I started to stomping the floor boards so hard I swore I almost snapped my sprained ankle into an actual broken state, I screamed again and again when two more fingers followed suit.
God please...oh, you know what fuck this calm and respectful shit man! Damn that fucking prick for close lining me, damn this horse shit and fuck all! I stark raving yelled internally trying to stop tears from stinging eyes that were done shedding liquid and might have switched over to blood. Each finger got reset into a natural position yet the middle finger needed to be jerked twice, I almost blacked out to instead to wheeze out bloodied saliva and what little spewed out fluid to hit the ground as I practically went into shock. Perhaps it'd been minutes, or hours as my vision spun when I barely held enough coherency to not slump forward with two people holding me steady. Metallic scale like coats greeted half awake eyes in seeing what these guards wore, I'd have to consider getting something similar for what I had in mind.
Gentle pats managed to ward off another wave of nausea once a tenderly kind reassuring compliment made an entire agony worth it. The nun used a wet cloth to cool off inflamed skin over my eyes to have me sigh loudly, "I've never seen a young child such as yourself remain so cooperative. You put most grown men to shame, so take heart your suffering is over and know you must rest to heal if you want to survive." Bandages of some sort of cloth that were smooth to the touch wrapped themselves around my entire back. Whoever tightened them must have done it quickly to stop myself from groaning yet I swayed dangerously close to collapsing right onto a bloodied vomit floor face first. I'd never felt so drained so quickly in my entire life and I knew it'd been pretty brutal so far, I'd not imagine if I hadn't found this town at all.
More voices were alarmed when I stared up to see possibly half a dozen figures looking on in either shock, or disgusted horror. I sneered weakly baring teeth in making them even more afraid, "What? Never see...an arrow in someone's back before...or someone surviving things that eat men in fucking chucks by getting lucky?" Snarling out hastily spoken words revealed they were fearful because two people were frantically gesturing and making signs of the heavenly lord praying for some damned reason. Feeling nothing less then a migraine for going through hell's treatment, I only wanted to sleep and possibly to wake up for the next year until spring came around. But I knew I wasn't that lucky to sleep away like some damned bear who'd be able to hibernate for months on end.
"Enough gawking you useless cowards and cease making pointless accusations you wretched things for people!" I heard this vividly enraged nun say absolutely outraged since I wasn't coherent enough to hear whispering, or mutterings yet I heard one about being cursed. Oh you got to be fucking kidding, I go from one piss hole of a town of chicken shits into ever so heart warming raving religious nutcases who can't believe surviving monsters isn't natural. Fuck you god, go fuck yourself and that book for that says 'help' wounded people, my ass! All those previous considerations in being saved were about to be gutted quicker than a sheep's slaughter. I despised people so much especially they hadn't starved a day in their lives to living inside barely fortified towns, or semi guarded settlements without getting themselves eaten by wild wolves on a nightly basis!
Unable to keep my own mouth shut I weakly raised a finger to those staring at me. Now that I focused what little mental capacity in seeing their suspicion I spat out blood, "You hide under a carriage and pray to god those things don't see you...I hope I'm cursed now, I can't wait till you try..." Intense coughing smeared saliva leaking past fingers when I covered my mouth, I couldn't stand wheezing in air and trying to defend myself from cowardly townsfolk who didn't have a thing I'd peg to be common sense! Wasn't in any mood to play around, or what not as someone started telling them to leave and for once I started to give way to sleeping like an actual corpse.
"Sister we'll deal with getting answers tomorrow, we can't treat him with certain idiots thinking he'll turn when he's lucky to be alive. You'll have my word I'll get them back home!" One guardsman stated gruffly to start waving would be spectators out as mummers were said. Thankfully I had two people steadying myself to lay down on an uninjured side to avoid aggravating me further. Hands were guiding cloths to soak up blood that leaked out from semi opened wounds, I weakly hissed when someone start whispering what was going to happen, "Don't try to move so much. We're going to stitch your wounds shut but it's going to hurt a lot, we don't have any wine or ale to dampen your senses to make you comfortable." The bad news came from the nun herself to which I groaned absolutely frustrated in not being able to drink a barrel full of alcohol to knock me out senseless. I started to believe living wasn't even going to be worth it.
I take it back, I take it all fucking back since it's been bad news after fucking bad news! No ale, no wine, no sympathy and nothing to say I'm going to like being stuck her here for a week or two healing, I hate this cut me open pissing contest! Here without question I gnashed both teeth to ultimately force out breath to relax when something piercing flesh to have me shrilly spit out, "Fuck! Fuck coming north...fucking shit for luck, burn in hell..." Someone laughed abruptly once all these swears came flowing freely akin to a river unleashed when a dam broke, "Least he's got spirit to show he's got some guts to swear in front of you Sister. Remind me to get cut open so I have an excuse, I already like this kid's odds in pulling through your care tonight." That sharp sound of a hand slapping a man's face almost in sheer indignation or possibly annoyance forced me to laugh. It'd be anything better compared to having sharpened points threading through flesh to get them together and I'd be in sheer bliss once all this treatment promptly ended.
"Please quiet down child, I understand it hurts yet the more you squirm it will cause yourself more harm, I ask you to calm down." I got instructed firmly as I allowed my eyes to close to distantly be comforted by darkness. It hurt to even look around once I started quieting down to sleep, I wanted to die now as I snorted in air tiredly. Slowly fading off into sleep I imagined walking around if only to remember it'd all be over soon, I'd be gone from this stage of miserable existence in order to be south again and all that warmth in sleeping under clear skies with roasted meat signified heaven. I almost started to doze into a blissful unconsciousness until something forced me to scrunch up both closed eyes tightly to open them alarmingly. My stomach churned beneath flesh further indicating I wasn't going insane yet.
An overly exuberant tingling crawl down my neck to an entire spine had left me breathless. No way couldn't I not mistake a feeling that left an impression on my psyche, I remembered last night's all too well. Gnashing both teeth together I figured to throw a bone to these people who at least trying to patch me up well enough. Wheezing in one large lungful of air to ward off anger that kept me alive an day I said without even hesitating, "Oh you've got to be fucking kidding me! God loves to piss on my day doesn't he? Hope you...two realize there's a fucking yoma in this town, so enjoy having someone else take a piss on your day!" Whether I knew it or not to possibly grow crazy I swore that tingling feeling jumped itself to grow into a dull buzzing ache that refused to go away. Blinded sided unable to cope with another wave of agony, I gave up trying to fight to stay away in favor to slump forward leaving myself at a pair of idiot's mercy who were strangely silent.
"You fucking half-wit!" I got sent flying into a dried out stone wall as I groaned trying to get up. One massive foot stomped my skull again and again forcing me to cough desperately. Getting nearly crushed gave me a respectful concern to have my skull crack, "You had to stick your hands to want more, you wanted more coin for a job that you had to fuck us over! Kid, or not I'm not letting you off with a simple beat down Fickle." My eyes watered knowing I had gotten caught for pinching a few more silver coins then necessary off a purge I'd snatched off some bleeding sow of an old crow. She never knew what happened until I shifted through my loot yet I had to pay half of it to a guard who caught me.
It'd been arrangement to keep my hands attached to arms and I had no choice. But without suitable consideration he wanted more and more, I just wanted to eat another day without being forced to hunt down rats. Armored first slammed into my back as I spat out dirtied blood, I wheezed in air until I got lifted by the scuff to get flung into piles of trash. Weakly grinning I laughed since I had stashed all I earned in a place where this shit stick couldn't find it. If he wanted more, I'd rather suffer beatings then some populous fat ass of a jackass who thought he'd be able to bleed me dry. Unable to resist I slipped a hand under the cloak where a rusted dagger I had picked up near a smithy's forge became my new found power to get a cut.
"I ain't starving again because you spent all your cut on piss for made ale, so go fuck yourself like a mutt." I rasped out chuckling as an enraged face drunkenly started to choke me. I gasped as fowl rancid breath washed over my nose ever so kindly, "You think you control what you earn rat? I lead this entire city's guard while you're a spawn of a street rat whose not going to do anything except do what your mother did as a whore, oh yeah I think I remember who your mother was now..." He trailed off vindictively making me glare back knowing how much it hurt. My own mother who birthed me had tossed me out of a brothel not even six months ago, she couldn't afford to waste feeding another mouth and I got locked out when it'd been raining no less.
Not even that much time later I'd been scavenging, or borderline stealing off anyone who looked easy enough to pick pockets. While it wasn't spring yet winter wasn't so kind to forgive anyone not wearing clothing to avoid potential frostbite. I stayed by the port so fishermen, or coastal traders would leave unattended cargo so I'd be able to pick through crates if I had the chance. Turned out fishing wasn't hard when I had string and sticks to fasten rusted salted hooks, I needed more coin to get out of this piss infested whole of a home. I wasn't going to play nice anymore, I wanted out and I wanted away from this brute of a half cocked thing called a...
"You got your mother's eye Fickle, I swear you have that but you're my spiting image." I fingered a dagger's hilt dangerously close to stabbing where this bleeding cock ejected me into my mother's waiting legs. After wandering street after street I came across a man who earned a living to kill people and it turned out to be someone that looked myself. My so called donor of a father who had a fling with the whore of the month, I sneered disgustedly for even imagining things would be better. I got cuffed for stealing bread by the very same man who looked at me as if were nothing but an inconvenience to say the least.
I watched this overgrown drunkard that had to be my father laugh, "Think you can survive on your own and not expect consequences for mommy? I heard she's been struggling ever since I gave her a rough fuck, I actually thought you'd be happy to have sibling. Shame she took a nasty fall when you decided on cutting more purses..." He trailed off as I angrily screamed back, "Fuck you! What have you done besides getting drunk everyday you fucking piece of shit, I fucking bust my ass and I bust it every time so I'll get out of this hell!" Tears were streaming down in earnest when I pictured mother's face broken and battered while somewhat pregnant with what I assumed to be a brother or a little sister yet why wasn't I determined to say it effect me? Oh that reason was due to the fact I may have hated this bastard but I still hoped mom would...would help me.
It'd been a false hope to realize I wasn't going anywhere and I fucking begged god by praying at churches to help. Nothing changed, I got my ass beat day after day and I starved so much while trying to find money to buy fucking stale ass bread, but it'd been hell. I got caught to the point where this bastard called a father let me become his personal street rat, I'd steal purses and get a cut, I stole so many almost every guard in this pissing city knew who I was now. It'd been a guarantee to get caught whenever I walked around the market whenever anyone shouted thief, or whatever they said when I bolted to escape into side streets doing whatever I could to remain at large.
My face got sent rocking when a fist jolted me back to reality. I spat once before getting crushed underneath an armored heel potentially ready to cave in may skull. Gnashing teeth tightly to possibly snap a tongue in half I heard the bastard say smugly, "You know next time you get caught, I won't have to lift a finger to help you. Getting a hand chopped off, or maybe letting those other fuck sticks in prison have their way with you sounds better. I heard many aren't pick for young kids, I certainly like them young considering the perks of this job..." He laughed arrogantly amused due to other nastier habits these fucking cock with legs loved to stick itself into a lot. Nights I had followed him home with holding struggling street rates, girls or other boys before they were locked inside that prison called a house.
Being the son of a rapist, murderer or fucking blow hard whatever had crucified my ass into public enemy number one on all streets. Dark, or light and wherever I tried to live I got beaten relentlessly for being a guard captains spawn, I learned enough to enjoy the fact they took it out on me because this bastard wasn't capable to being touched. Fucking the city's leader's daughter, or possibly doing said man's wife earned enough favor to mess around like a god himself. I wanted to end it, I wanted to end this life and fucking assume dying would be so much easier to get over with. I kept one hand on this rusted dagger's hilt just out of sight, I wasn't going to allow this fucker to get off on thinking he had control over me as I wanted out.
"Also that name you've earned, I heard it's quite pathetic considering you came out of this glorious sack." His hand scratched said body part in what had to be a self-centered imagination in believing it to be divine once my real namesake started to mock my half battered body ever so confidently, "Fickle Sleeves. Wow boy, wow you just continue to make me feel like you're less of an inconvenience who hasn't any value. Might as well call you Fuck Stick for what you can't even manage." One semi sharpened boot slated enough into my right side forcing me to wheeze out painful bloodied lungfuls of air, more so I happened to get slammed into an opposite stone wall again for this bastard's thought for the hell of it.
This captain of the guard stood wearing scale platted armor. Apparently it'd been commissioned by the city lord's wife for this servants outstanding performance of duty. I sneered internally knowing she'd been given a ride of her life when her own man couldn't get his own cock up, I laughed for hours once rumors spread of whores and other pick pockets noticing them having their fun along beaches where romance was making a come back. I gagged knowing it'd be impossible to do any damage an armored opponent yet I had an idea as to how I'd be able to pull it off. Smiling insanely pleased I merely flipped this bastard off as he got genuinely angered finally.
"Find something funny Fuck Stick?" He demanded as I got choked with him intently ready to end my existence. I laughed even while feeling hopeless, I'd be so much happier going to find out if death meant anything because living certainly wasn't worth half a god coin. I wanted to die, I wanted to end it, I wanted to see him go through with it and I sure as hell would die knowing I'd take this bastard down. He wanted to pretend to be a god, I'd be that arch traitor who sought to bring him down to earth if that fucking long ass book stated in church and I'd gladly suffer to see him have some eternal damnation placed onto his head! Eventually I continued to laugh refusing any notion to answer a bastard that grew furious for no responses.
"You want to keep laughing? Alright boy, I got something to make you laugh..." One powerful movement I found myself being sent flying face first into a wall. My nose broke immediately as I shrieked half delirious to laugh at how fucked living seemed, or rather I laughed for pissing off someone who actually needed to get his cock cut off. Looming over me he started to unbuckle freshly sewn pants which gold lining for seems and I stopped to spit out blood, "I'll make you laugh as you choke on the very thing your mother should have have swallowed. Not one for boy but I guess I can try something new for a change, I can't fuck up your whore of a mother so the son of one is just as appealing." Him being drunk just made my eyes narrowly hungrily to when he knelt down ready to stick some bug infested thing into my mouth, I waited gripping a daggers hilt hell intent for a clear angle.
"Not laughing now? Oh come on boy, I want to hear that voice of yours gagging..." His hand reached out sharply gripping hair! Refusing to breath I waited until a dangling piece of flesh started to harden and I screamed, "Better to die like a man then some bitch on his knees!" A rusted dagger thrusted upwards as I heard something literally pop followed by an ear shattering shriek. This supposedly untouchable captain of the guard feel clutching bloodied sacks that were leaking fluid besides crimson streams, I got up panting hoarsely yet unable to stop trembling I refused to stop smiling. Stalking forward I looked down to a dagger seeing it drip with actual blood, I brought upwards not before staring down to a man whose defenselessness sparked opportunity.
"Guess what you piece of shit, I get my cut for those purses and I also get..." I screamed wildly jumping onto the man before plunging a bloodied weapon into his neck. I stabbed again and gain unable to stop that adrenaline of excitement in killing this fucking cunt, I refused to stop stabbing until what was a neck had so many incisions fountains of crimson splattered onto both walls drenching them in dark red. It wasn't enough when I stood back up heaving heavily to take in my just reward, I watched every detail as he gagged for air with those blue eyes widening in shock to know he'd be the first to reach hell before his very spawn.
I felt an urge to piss right where his mouth remained open to wheeze in air. So slipping a bloodied danger to have it warmly drench an undershirt, I walked over kicking a sword further away for good measure. Both of that bastard's hands were struggling to contain blood as I callously stretched while pulling down my own pants, "I got a better idea. You choke on what you're supposed to swallow, I'm leaving this piss hole and I'm taking all the coin I earned. So deal with it dad, I'm already feeling real good about myself..." I exhaled happily once a bloodied mix of urine started to fill up where a mouth tried to keep a man alive, I closed both eyes knowing I wasn't chained to hell anymore. I looked upwards seeing dark clear skies with bright stars flickering and for once I actually enjoyed their presence to appreciate.
Gagging gurgles were unable to be silenced as a minute passed until I heard blissful silence. No need to worry about dead men, I felt free and absolutely thrilled to be leaving. No more bullshit, no more beatings and no more men who pretended to be a god. I wasn't bragging yet I accepted it, I accepted I wasn't a person and I fucking despised everyone who said praying would make hope happen. Oh hope happened alright as I pulled up my pants to idly kick a corpse's face to have a mix of bloodied yellow leak onto a rat infested ground. Several said creatures were already starting to gnaw on finger tips, I knew they were starving more so then myself yet I found it oddly amusing. So I started laughing ever so happily to snatch up a stuffed coin purse with my cut, that corpses cut and whatever that had been earned in a weekly service for payment.
Without even looking back I turned around heading for the city's gates. I wasn't going to linger here when a corpse would stink up the air soon enough, I'd allow rats and animals who were starving to eat their fill. I was done here suffering, I'd do whatever the hell I pleased to earn a living and if I had to get my hands dirty to get some coin then so be it. My name may not have been what he had called me, but I certainly would use this new name over a local whore's and bastard's one that they gave me at birth. Without even daring to say I was going to hell when I died, I swore I would never say to anyone my real name because there wasn't anything worth to be mentioned. As far as I was concerned, or to anyone who wanted to know me, I would vow to feed myself everyday regardless of what hell had in store to make me suffer.
No matter who asked whether kindly, or whatever the bleeding hell they'd say. My name to anyone since beyond today were only known by two, I grinned since said two people alone who knew my real name were dead and it ironically also felt great. Feeling a warm wind blowing through an ocean's coast wasn't exactly unwelcome to enjoy, I sighed out happily in feeling a thing called freedom. Walking past scurrying rats that were moving towards fresh meat, I gave on loud scream of release that echoed down the alleyway leading into an emptied market. No more peddling, no pick pocket change and no more fucking around. I told myself my name was Fickle Sleeves, I'd have anyone say that name because it gave me purpose to accept I'd do whatever to survive. Regardless of what I did with my life now, I smiled contently knowing I wasn't going to starve tonight.
Voices were what came to bring myself out an overly oppressing darkness called a nightmare. I stirred once I opened my eyes tiredly to hear what seemed to be a conversation across a great distance, "You're certain? That child actually said those words before passing out?" Softness caressed along my entire back to a point where I refused to twitch in breaking said sensations. Honestly if I had any will to do so, I just couldn't because whatever these sheets were made of that I got wrapped up in were frankly too heavenly. Regardless in deciding to not moving any limbs, I'd inevitably have to face reality once I opened both eyes, I blinked rapidly to try to gain some sort of consciousness recognition to figure out my surroundings.
Sunlight peaked through a colorful window that held tiles picturing one prominent figure holding up something to said sun. It took me a moment to assume it'd been a bundle with some baby in it, I ignored figuring it out to look across an entire room. Two people were talking in a single doorway yet one had been that nun from last night putting me literally back together. She looked fairly regal for being so young considering most women who worked in churches, chapels or whatever weren't so youthful as I encountered them usually. A man stood across folding his arms while wearing mixed armor with chain-main unevenly tucked underneath plates, I noticed he also had a crossbow with some short sword along his hip and overall looked to be quite armed. Somehow I doubted he'd be apart of locals if they had coin to afford making that quality armor as a whole.
"Not even I could mistake it and I fear it's questionable to be concerned..." The blond hair woman stated almost in an awe tone, "...what are the odds? If a child whose never lived in our town, a strange one so badly wounded and struck beyond feverish says a yoma is inside our village after news broke in discovering two bodies last night? How can that be possible to say it isn't a miracle, a mircale sent by the great heavenly lord to send his flock a shepherd to sniff out the beasts?" Her expression looked absolutely hopeful to a point so genuinely I almost wanted to gag in sheer disbelief. Did that nun actually think I was sent to this town by her god to kill something? It sounded so absolutely surreal to think a person believed that so much I started to chuckle lowly as it gave me sense of an uplifting flattery.
Neither person heard my personal amusement apparently when continued to converse. I saw that armed man scratch a beard pondering openly, "I'm not all that faithful as you know. But Lord knows our town needs a miracle due to Father Dio being killed last night with your fellow sister, I know you're scared senseless but you want to preach that a kid says a yoma inside our town when we already told everyone..." I rolled both eyes trying to focus on sleeping again once it became clear neither of them figured out what to do. Pressure someone started speaking if they that concerned, I wasn't considerate to remain in a place where some dressed up sow and an idiot believe god sent me, I'd fucking piss on a book before saying that were ever true. Getting south to warmer weather sounded more hopeful than believe that nonsense they were spouting!
"I thought it'd be best to inform the elder of our village, I mean we were already considering one of them were inside our walls. But we don't have enough money to send for a..." The nun gripped what assumed to be a cross between her chest as I distinctly raised an eyebrow since they were modestly good sized. Least from where I could see when that armed man shrugged particularly not enjoying what she had suggested, "If can't afford to send for one of those silver eyed witches then what choice do we have? If that kid wasn't delirious I'd have been worried yet coming into town heavily wounded speaks volumes to assume he's been in a fight. So if he can actually sniff...that monster out, I'll get my small band of boys to kill it." He stated grimly resolved as I dragged a hand across my face. Wow man, will you just take her to a fucking room and go spread those legs, fucking pissing hell I can't stand listening to this sweet talk when I'm already half dead.
Obviously these two weren't so subtle to not being into each other as their gazes softened when they actually starting to hold hands. If I weren't already in pain I'd start yanking out my teeth for rotting due to this sweet innocence. Now unable to resist I very blatantly took a pillow out from behind my head to use it to ignore what I witnessed. Sighing loudly muffled into one pleasant feeling cotton cloth I whispered, "Bet a solid silver they pop out a kid and it tries to be some hero trying to bring justice to this fucking world." Scratching my neck idly I imagined that prediction before I sat up wincing when across an entire back, I felt liquid pain flare up naturally. Hopefully I'd be able to leave another infested town as I wasn't chancing another encounter with a creature that ate people regardless if they had cocks, or were sows.
"He's awake! My goodness I've never seen a boy wake up so quickly..." I heard that nun say almost in disbelief as a man gruffly dispute it, "It's normal for soldiers to shake off an arrow hit off. Kids aren't supposed too yet I've seen one lass recover from getting her hand sliced off, I gave her three days and she came around in six hours." The two adults walked commented respectfully as I ignored an urge to say they liked to kiss ass, yet again to be honest if they ever asked, I liked all this flattery almost too much. Bracing myself for a lot of questions I looked up offering a somewhat tired smile while coping with their compliments, "Hi. Thanks for taking care of that last night..." I thumbed where I had fully bandaged back, "...and thanks for those kind words, I'd like to think I can do something useful with what I got."
That must have been possibly one of these most kindest, if not a rare humbled thank yous I'd ever say to anyone at all. The nun sat down next to me inspecting bandages as I leaned forward giving her space while unintentionally getting closer to her chest. Man no wonder that guys wants to sleep with her, I'd be tempted to pray for a glimpse and she isn't bad unlike other sow's I've encountered. Idly checking out a sister of the church wasn't on my to do list when I went to hell but it was too much to not peek when they were so close. Unfortunately I got way too obvious when I heard that same man laugh heartily while grinning as well, "Your old enough to look after yourself son, I get that much. But wait till you order or find your own, I don't like sharing with other guys regardless if you're a kid..." Perhaps being a child had its perks when I looked up to see a blushing nun's face and I figured to get back at this guy while being an ass about it.
I gave a cheery lop sided grin framed by an innocent statement, "Nothing wrong with being treated by an angel. She's beautiful both in mind and in body, so I feel like I'm in heaven." Those words certainly pulled strings when a cooing sister ruffled my hair while giving me a warm hug, I grinned intentionally wide directly right at an armored guard who raised both eyes realizing I scored a point, so perhaps with a game in place he decided to not so subtly flip me off. After getting possibly one of the best hugs I effortlessly received I considered trying to push a boundary yet it wasn't going to be as fun considering it worked only once per stranger. These people did patch me up regardless of they thought drove me here in the first place, so in return I'd give them at least a serious consideration if they wanted me to help them somehow.
"What's your name lad? And where did you ride from?" I got those questions to a man who stared intently serious as I gave one particular shrug, "North. I tried looking for work north and it turned out badly, I tried to move south with a group and we got...caught by those things." I trailed remembering those feelings of fear and utter disgusting in being at those things whims, "We came across a bridge and next thing I know I hear screams, lots of shrieking and someone got torn to shreds..." Hissing out that last word vividly enraged in that thing stealing my kill! Fucking clean shaven bastard thinks it probably did me a favor, if I didn't have an arrow in my back, oh yeah I'd have one angle to bring that fucker onto his knees. God damn me otherwise I wanted to rip bear man a new one, I knew what to do and to have his corpse bleed out in front me?
I ignored a reflex to sneer to remain focused on giving myself one modestly well thought out cover story. I felt a hand try to comfort me as it belonged to the nun who smiled trying to coax more out of my story, I obliged kindly enough, "So I see a person getting his face eaten off. Next thing I do is panic like an idiot who wants to live, so I do a smart thing and dive under the nearest carriage closing my eyes trying to remain still, I get front row seats to see what a person's insides look like and let me tell you..." I looked up to smile grimly satisfied, "...I won't be hungry for a while. See a man's stomach along with those linked guts aren't exactly comforting to know I have them inside me as well." Patting one flat abdomen did wonders to know I wasn't a fat sow, or some well fed cock from a city. I earned my right to eat and I'd damn well say I wasn't spoiled like some snot nosed brat.
"You poor thing, I offer you condolences to those you lost last night." That natural loss wouldn't even effect me as I shrugged trying to play it off, "Not like I knew most of them. I only got some job to make ends meat to feed myself, I barely survived because that damned...thing didn't look down when it ate a man into pieces." I reluctantly omitted certain specific details to give a grim smile as both adults seemed to buy my story almost too easily. Even after living out among raiders, or what not, if I can still lie this good I must be something right somewhere. I waited patiently while letting digest what they wanted to know yet I got asked a question I refused to answer, "So what's your name lad? It's only proper."
Smiling once again in recognizing an opening to get them mystified I simply stated, "Call me Fickle. I only say my real name to friends, or people that I actually care to know, so for you two I'll say my name is just Fickle Sleeves." Their reactions were inevitably confused to the point where even a nun shifted uncomfortably for my blatant disregard of trust. While they may have patched me up, I wasn't their friend or close person due to them saving a life, I'd respect them to possibly help for avoiding attachments yet I figured to see how this would play out. And as it turned out I got a negative response all too quickly.
"You trying to be funny lad? Because I ain't laughing when you use a pointless name." He drew out absolutely suspicious as I glared right back refusing to cower, "And trying to get between someone's legs is worthless to watch. It's my only name I have pal, I like it and I intend to use it. So say this with very carefully..." I spoke slowly to make him agitated as I gave off a cheeky grin, "Fickle. Sleeves. That's my name I like, so use it or go fuck off in that corner over there!" My hand pointed to an exact corner not even an arm's pace off to his right, it succeeded to make him absolutely annoyed much to my internal gleeful cheer, I waited ever so readily with clenched fists once tension started to originate with a woman trying to calm us both down, "Enough! Lawrence there's no need to take offense, I've heard stranger names and you damn well know as a boy yourself, you made fun of my name quite a few times."
That revelation caused my throat to let loose laughter that made a grown man irritated. I smiled widely trying to provoke a response, "Wow! Great name Laurence, I think you take first place!" Somewhere I deserved what came next as a nun literally slapped me over me head quite annoyed herself. I gave a half ass glare to signify it got her point across to make me stop, "Men!" She huffed to herself while taking a moment to play mother hen, "Now that you two boys are quite done with your egos, I have to ask you Fickle..." She said my name honestly clumsily yet to be kind I gave her credit to not stop whatever momentum that was beyond us, "...when you went under last night, I and Lawrence heard you state there's an actual yoma in our village? How can you possible know that when we found bodies belonging to people we...well, I knew that were eaten not even an hour just before you showed up at our gates." Her eyes were pleadingly to lay out how emotionally distraught she had felt for those people. So much that it reminded myself whenever a puppy had wanted food in one town I stayed at for a month and I told it to go die in a hole somewhere yet it persisted to lick my hands for what little meat I had.
Almost reluctantly like then I gruelingly obliged to give it some food once it's pouting face broke what resistance I had for pups. What should I say? I get a weird feeling whenever someone stares at me and I have a tingle up my back? Maybe next time whenever said feeling comes back, I don't say shit or squat until I know it's fucking real to believe I wasn't half dead. Unprepared I squirmed trying to form words that would convey how I felt it would be possible! At first I weakly tried explaining how vague it seemed to think it could be real.
However I tried to play it off while being half delirious to be fair, "I... I can't say. I mean I don't know how to explain what I got as a gut feeling. Damn I just felt like there wasn't something human when I got carried in last night, I'm probably crazy for even suggesting it considering I had an arrow in my back..." I looked over to see white bandages as I snorted while trying to convince myself, "...yet it's not exactly comforting feeling it again. Because I got a similar gut feeling before last night happened oddly enough, so your guess is just as good as mine at this rate..." That last part I admitted trying to go over what made sense if I remembered it rightly, or what would have been was blind paranoia to avoid getting loosened up by a strange man.
They were staring so intently I flat out resigned myself to avoid being held back. If they wanted me to do a practical example I'd give a pissing good fit about it, "You tell me how! I almost got killed by those things last night, I sure as hell ain't finding another without getting paid or even getting better weapons to stand a fucking chance..." I muttered angrily clenching both fists regardless if my fingers had been broken, "...so excuse for me being scared shit less. After last night I just want to kill all those bastards I can find, I can't be useless like that again." That admission wasn't drastically altered beyond I actually cared for people who I knew for less then sixty seconds. Yet an intended effect was even that armored man reluctantly agreeing with that motivation with a gruff smirk.
"You may be a crass lad, vulgar and sneaky yet you got guts to admit what most would hide behind Fickle. So..." I snorted in hearing that compliment again from possibly everyone it seemed, "...if you can prove to me and my boys here in sniffing out this monster around my town. Fairly sure I'll offer you something worth your wild." He pitched to me very conversationally as I perked up wondering exactly what, "If I manage to pull it off then what's your offer? I don't pinch coin to feed myself, so it better be something actually worth considering pal." Those eyes turned absolutely playful in a way that reminded me of that clean shaven bastard from last night, "You need to get a job done tonight in order to hear the rest Fickle Sleeves. You get results and you get rewarded, its how I tell anyone who hires me out for a job." He spoke so honestly that I blinked realizing he wasn't flinching yet those eyes gave it away when they rolled briefly due to my silence. I understood all too well what that little look meant on most adults I'd been around.
For a moment I was almost tempted to answer yes you fuck stick, but I don't like working on anything even close to a man's word. Angrily I stared absolutely dumbfounded before sneering truly disgustedly, "Yeah? Take your offer now and shove it up a pig's ass pal, I don't like not knowing what I'm getting shafted about. You want me to help, you pay me well enough and I in turn will do my job, I maybe a kid but I ain't no fucking stupid spoiled brat who gets pampered by a mommy or daddy..." Spit practically flung due to how annoyed I had seen those looks of amusement as this guy thought I was a regular kid. Well he wanted to fuck with me then I sure as hell would fuck him over, "...so you want to play grab ass with my pay? Fuck you, fuck your little precious town which smells like piss and go play with yourself thinking you might ever get a woman. So either tell me straight right here and now, or I just heal up then go ride off keeping myself fed another night."
Two occupants had varying levels of shock and absolute disbelief to what I had just said. They couldn't believe how reasonably cruel it sounded as I leered forward with two hands propping my face. I wasn't an ass for no reason, I became an asshole whenever it seemed I wasn't getting a fair cut, so if he wanted to play hide the gold coin I'd just tell him to go fuck himself. Let him go find someone else who apparently had a gut feeling whether a monster was around, I'd love to see him get something done for a woman he'd want to bed eventually and this wasn't a good way to get that impression. Despite being starved nearly two third of my known life, I knew when a man wanted to get his cock wet and this wasn't a great way to see this man play a fucking hero in my experience. Gold coins, silver coins, hot delicious food along with a solid employment all together I'd say had kept my interest as it damn well made it worth all the pain I endured.
"Good god in heaven. You're serious, aren't you?" Lawrence said quietly in realizing I wasn't any regular kid since I alone had plenty of blood on my hands. More so then what he'd imagine in his darkest dreams as I sneered back quite irritated, "No, I'm a court jester who makes people go ha-ha all day! Of course I'm serious captain obvious!" Spelling it out for any idiot sounded too difficult for my own good yet for any sake of achieving a profitable effort I needed incentives to get my ass to say it was worth it, "Solid worth while pay. Good food to fill my stomach whole every night and guaranteedrewards are what I'm asking, I'll do a job until its done or I'm dead yet I don't enjoy getting shafted or fucked over when you think its a game to me. Not all kids learn you need to bust your ass to get something done right."
Raising both hands to rub them together solidified what I wanted to get if I had to help out a town that patched me up. The fact I wasn't riding out now became their miracle in my eyes, I'd take a job offer and help them kill a monster, if I could. So he had the chance to something right, or else I'd skip town when I got out of bed which wasn't too far ahead in my future. I felt better to ride regardless since I wouldn't be leaking out blood, I even felt my ankle able to turn without too much effort and it showed that someone set back into place. Another small debt of gratitude that I'd continuously put in mind whenever they started to decide to pay me, or let me walk. I wasn't in any mood to get fucked with tonight after being spared on a creature's entertainment of humor. Either way I'd get even with that particular bastard whenever chance gave me opportunity.
"What kind of a child asks for things you demand?" The nun spoke sadly trying to understand how someone my age could be twisted as I offered a fleeting glimpse to jeer cynically, "The best kind that realizes no one gives a fuck if you starve, or cares if you beg. Either pay me, or I walk away." My declaration made her eyes go wide in horror as I nonchalantly threw off blanket sheets that were keeping myself warm, "I don't give a fuck about your faith in god sister. But personally to say he brought me here because you prayed is quite stupid, I just lucked out to stay alive another day and I don't intend to squander it without having a reward for doing something fucking dangerous as all hell itself." Standing upright I eased myself to stretch to avoid tearing up stitches while searching for clothing that I once owned. Luckily I noted a small bundle folded on an opposite which turned out to be my cloak, pants and two daggers which were neatly aligned on opposite sides almost as if someone were trying to impress their owner.
They were silent for minutes trying to get over I wouldn't help freely. Sneering disgusted I walked over suppressing winces to start getting my old clothing set, I wasn't sticking around with another monster until I knew I'd get paid to hunt it, or possibly help anyone hunt it. I could wait on holding off until getting new weapons paid to be forged and start enjoying small comforts in having a warm bed in any distant tavern to have an ale as heaven incarnate. It wasn't much to ask for yet gratitude never translated to free in my eyes as I glanced over see their stunned expressions. I'd never seen a nun look so devastated in her entire life along with a potential suitor, as odd as it seemed, he looked at me as if trying to figure out some impossible. Thankfully what shoddy a thing of a bow had been placed alongside my clothing once I got everything in place.
Reaching to pull over a ragged cloak to conceal my own face I felt right at home. Sighing happily I even tested my bow's string making sure it wouldn't snap. Everything's in order, so either they say something now or I walk out eternally grateful. No time to waste when there's someone willing to pay someone to start hunting things not human, or I hope so. Internally grinning I turned to face them both to offer one last request if they were that stunned, "I'm not asking for a fortune. Thing is if I do have something wrong up in here..." I tapped my skull friendly enough while grinning widely, "...that goes off when I see a monster thing stare at me? Well to me it sounds fascinating to prove right or wrong, so I'll gladly get paid while helping anyone taking care of your town then I'm gone, fair warning I like moving around and I like doing jobs to keep myself fed. So last chance now, or forever hold your peace!"
That snark attitude finally snapped both people out of their dazes as I stood unflinching when Lawrence came to stand over me. He towered upwards like most men his height and build yet I had two newly bloodless daggers that would love to bring him down to his knees. One jab to a nut sack, then another to his throat and repeat process until death. I thought pleasantly to stare at another man who wasn't so intimidating compared to bear's man appearance last night. And funny thing is he'd been dead by morning while trying to kill me, so taking that knowledge with a grain of salt compared to this person standing in front of me, truth be told I wasn't very worried.
I got impatient when no words were spoken as I tilted my head innocently enough. With what little goodwill I had in reserve I grinned, "You got an offer or what? I'm not going to be kind enough Laurence so it's now, or never!" He kept quiet to only stare over towards the nun who trembled trying to have courage to intervene yet that proved to be a problem when I kept on smiling. She was petrified in seeing my smile because I wasn't in any mood to beat around the bush, I wanted payment up front and they in turn would get my services, I loved playing straight when everyone agreed to get their jobs done to see another day. So it begged my self interest to know if they'd play straight, or fuck around to reap their own rewards for what they wanted to sow. Having patience seemed to be a chore though as I gave it another minute or two.
"Felicia." Lawrence called over to a nun whose name actually sounded quite pleasant when I thought about it really, "If your prayers for this kid to be our savior comes true you pay him what we were going to pay to hire a silver eyed witch." I raised both eyebrows curious as to how much considering I wasn't immune to imagination, "But if it's a bust he can leave. Either way we'll solve our yoma problem either now tonight, or we risk waiting later for a response." It sounded like a yes to me, I just tipped my hood to conceal eyes which gleaming eagerly for a chance, "Sounds like a deal Lawrence. So let's get started and see if I can catch you a monster, I'm pretty eager to figure if I can as well, pal." Just like that I was on board without any ifs, than or buts to what could happen to my personal life. It went as simple as simple could get between deals in place. Personally I hated to say I used common sense, but when it came down to hunting anything not human I needed to set a standard somehow, because hunting meant it'd be dangerously set for a hell of a high payout.
"So whose going to help us kill a Yoma?" I tried not sounding exceedingly excited but my tone gave it away as an elder man gave me a rueful grin, "You may be a shrewd little bastard Fickle..." He jerked head towards a doorway as I got lead out waiting almost too impatiently while lightly thrumming my bow's string, "...but you have the guts to make you what people need most." I tilted my head not following whatever strange rationalization he held in full yet I dared to ask, "And what would that be pal? Some mythical prophet, or a religious zealot?" Humoring what they thought to have initially brought me here made this man laugh once his head started shaking. I must have made him enjoy me because he placed an armored hand on my shoulder.
"People need dependable men who don't back down from anything that needs killing. So keep that attitude and all you need are results to back you up Fickle, I'll find out if you got what it takes to be a real man." I smirked enjoying Lawrence's demeanor as he took me seriously enough to know being a killer wasn't so hard to spot. He may have joked around inside that room with his would be woman yet I wasn't playing games to know understood getting a job done, "Live like a starved dog and I learned to hate getting shafted regardless if I got promised more, I wanted what I was owed. Like I said if you pay me straight forward and never think to assume I fuck around, I'll get your job done or die trying, I'm just done being toyed around like life's a big fucked up game." Walking pass doorways leading to a side entrance of a main chapel I looked up seeing a chandelier burning candles. Above it were colorful of blue, red and white panels having an entire roof dedicated to a figure who held up a cross towards a mass of white panels reflecting sunlight.
Candles were lit in a vigil along one horizontal table where a singular yellow cross remained standing. Lawrence directed me to kneel before it which surprised me due to fact I'd wanted to head immediately yet reasonably he felt a need kneel down to pray silently. I wasn't religious to a point but I relented to exhale loudly to at least make a holy trinity. He watched me approvingly in what I assumed to be relief as I murmured dedicated a prayer to the Father, the Son and to the Holy Spirit itself. Kneeling with my head bowed wasn't welcomed when it reminded my imagination of darker days. And in those darker days I went to chapels constantly to have no appeal for change, or begging for hope to uplift me into a happier life.
Cracking an eye open I whispered harshly, "Expect me to burst into flames? I'm not heartless, I just want something rewarding when I risk my life." That would be my only justification to describe my actions as he shut both eyes replying equally cynical, "If you were a demon I'd be hard pressed to assume you'd have died coming to our town. But having god on our side may not changes thing yet it hurts to be sure, I do it anyways." I snorted loudly allowing said noise to echo in an empty chapel while keeping my thoughts secretive to never rely on what wasn't around. If it made someone feel better I whispered a prayer that I held true to my heart, "May our souls of who are faithful depart through our Lord's mercy, for have us rest in peace, amen." Standing up I got an involuntary shudder saying that particular prayer when Lawrence stood up as well. Making singular well wishes weren't long enough beyond the fact we'd risk our lives for either money, faith or through sheer suicidal good will to see people protected.
I'd take money because least I could live with it. An armored man adjusted his crossbow while placing a handle on a blade whose length was my own height. I kept two daggers ready while two doors opened widely in revealing a gray morning dawn. Annoyed in feeling a cool breeze I looked upwards seeing that darkened clouds had indeed followed my arrival into this half dead piss taken grievance called a town. As much as I wanted to leave, I'd have to find out if last night wasn't a fluke and if it indeed turned out true then having a smile in place wouldn't stem my delight in being able to hunt down things which fucked around to play god. If there was one thing I hated more then monsters, it'd have to be things who fucked believing themselves to being untouchable and I wasn't in any mood or to have any desire to not see them get proven wrong. Time to go hunt and see if I can kill monsters that pretend to be unkillable.
Standing in between two piss poor excuses called homes I stood bored while glancing around in seeing villagers go about their daily life. I yawned loudly trying to avoid slumping against a wall to sleep, I'd been looking around for hours for any sign of what killed two supposed chapel members, I ironically believed it'd been driven away by bad tastes. However as cruel as that sounded I absolutely realized there wasn't a damned thing that made this place any different from where I got away last night! It became so horse pissing boring I understood why creatures who ate people would move in, "They do the same shit over and over again. Even I can't get used too doing jobs like sewing, or becoming a merchant when you never stop being predictable. No wonder scouting for marks never gets old!" I smiled realizing last night's events weren't my first, both arms I just folded in boredom when deals went to utter shit because it all came down to loot.
When nothing in an acquired loot got split between raiders as a whole, I'd say value of cuts got shafted too hard. Alright if I don't get a pissing 'tingle' in my head going off, I'm heading to a tavern and getting one big old pint of ale. Tired of this standing in place like some half dim witted sheep, I had enough of playing bait. Several carts passed me by as a ragged cloak flawlessly blended into shadows to a point where local villages carrying baskets full grain came within an arms length and never noticed me grinning. I checked down both ends of a street to see Lawrence's boys hiding among every alley way, I assumed they'd want to rush a yoma if ever came around. Counting to a mere hundred stones inside my own brain I finally decided to explore this piss hole and hopefully if this thing were dumb enough to skip town I'd be happier to leave.
Stepping out spooked several villagers who gasped, or shrieked when I looked back at them while waving ever so kindly. Ignoring another urge to spit out who chicken shit these people had become once a yoma had killed two chapel members, I literally figured to possibly spook them whenever I felt like it, if I could time it just right like moments ago. It'd be worth having them piss their underpants, I would feel very satisfied if I can't find something that stalks humans. Humming loudly to pass more time I came to look around at vendors while occasionally swishing around silver coins in a loose pocket debating to buy an apple or two. My stomach growled when I finally caved in to buy three fresh red apples when I handed over a single silver coin, I got a vendor to look stunned to see myself nonchalantly flip one out like it was natural and to his credit, I'd normally be stealing such items to feed myself.
Eating while inspecting buildings that were alive with activity, or had shutters open revealed people were more confident during daylight. Compared to that last piss hole it'd been completely opposite, I rolled both eyes when some spoiled sow and her spawn edged away from me when I moved past their home too closely. Oh please get scared shit less of little old me, I doubt I'll tear in your pampered folk and get off on it. Sarcastically hissing succeeded in making several villagers quickly part ways as they overhead what I intended to do. Clearing a street wasn't difficult considering no town like strangers walking through and I found it oddly bemusing to well known without even trying to act remotely dangerous.
Walking endlessly past all these same streets over and over again got really aggravating to consider maybe I forced a creature to skip town after all. Well if that turns to be the case, I guess I can find another town and test out if this little warning of mine actually work... I stopped mid step once I came across this town's local forge, I heard hammers banging on an open view of a black smith wearing black crusted aprons and several apprentices were assisting. Chewing an apple I had remaining on hand I felt something strange for a better lack of a word, I resisted an impulse to continue walking yet I got intrigued to see if this town would willingly sell a sword to into my hands. Plus it'd go along naturally if my gut told me right.
Casually strolling up to an open barn door showcasing examples of work this town's smithy proved he, or she wasn't half bad. I blinked trying to guess which quality of armament could assist me considering I had a ton of gold now and getting closer to winter meant heavier clothing to purchase. I could just buy some chain-mail to wear it underneath this ragged ass cloak, or should I get a sword if daggers or my own bow won't cut it? So many questions to answers I wish I had half a mind to consider, I got pulled away when a young woman who had soot covering her face welcomed me eagerly, "Hello! Does anything catch your eye little one, I'd be happy to tell you what interests your parents if they decide to come do to buy..." I snarled angrily walking right up to her while hissing out, "Do I look like some pampered fucking brat whose lived in this piss hole woman? Really?"
Her nervous laughter echoed an uncertainty as I looked over to see two people working a furnace with an elder man sticking raw iron into its entrance. Heat practically surged into a shimmering wave yet something tugged inside my gut to stare carefully. Beyond those three working a furnace I saw another person, I narrowed both eyes realizing it to a plain looking girl whose eyes drifted between all people working in her field of view. Standing rigidly I stared intently when feeling something tug my unease into an overly lively eagerness to test a hunch out. Walking over I caught her attention when brackish eyes stood out while giving off a smile that made me snort how bland it seemed to force itself to play as a person.
Holy shit, I don't believe it, I feel like I have a warning running up my spine to where my head's attached. Considerably all my nerves were alarmingly going off in one unified electrical surge as I shrugged both shoulders calming myself down. It failed proving it wasn't going away yet why did I get all these bad feelings? There had to be something off about what this creature disguised as a person triggered my reactions, so I decided to inspect her while pretending to act curious as it hammered away on some iron blade. It seemed to easily hammer out dents along its edges giving me a picture it'd be strong enough to tear me in half!
"Hi! What you doing?" I asked innocently grinning in a bashful manner making a pair of eyes open slightly. Every hair on my neck stood up when this girl spoke ever so intrigued, "Oh hell there little one! You must be that new comer who rode into town last morning, I heard you were out all night. What you brings you down here into our forge?" Her voice sounded normal almost too polite for its own good as I smiled happily nodding ignorantly, "Yeah that's my luck. Got an arrow stuck in my back for trying to get a job done, so here am I looking for work. Talk about being worked like a piece of meat right?" That double meaning got lost when it laughed deceptively mindful as those brackish eyes were expanding ever so slightly. I kept my hood concealing a face beneath it because it tried to ask me what I looked like.
"Say what color are you eyes boy? I like green eyes because they remind me of apples, so tasty." She giggled making my spine crawl when her face shifted. Whoa! When it moves its jaw side to side, I can see struggle to remain in place? Holy hell, I can't even tell until it tries to talk. I intently memorized anything pertaining to these monsters would be having them talk, I felt nerves flaring up when I pulled back said hood to oblige its interest, "Apples are tasty. I like red apples because they're sweeter, so why green?" This non human creature put down its hammer to hum thoughtfully, I struggled resisting to move away when it smirked hungrily. Mentally preparing to walk away to entice it to walk after me, I gritted both sets of teeth to figure out what seemed appealing to get a monster blindly following myself it into a potential kill zone, that was even if I could even pull it off somehow! Too many problems for one simple solution it seemed.
"I like green because red are too common, I mean if you can't savor something rare then why bother eating it?" It looked right at me hungrily now as I frowned making a show to consider that thought. Grinning I looked up smiling, "Say I like were this is going, now why don't we go buy some apples? I like red a lot, you like green a lot and together I'm sure I can buy enough for both of us! I need someone to show me around town since I just got here, so you interested miss?" I bashfully scratched a half shadowed cheek trying to tempt it forward and long behold much to my utter bewilderment it agreed all too easily! Wow, if I can pull this off then I know for a fact these things are fucking idiots when getting an easy meal! I smiled widely while appearing excited when this creature disguised as a girl asked to be let off, I waved cheekily to an elder man who appeared to be a black smith who looked perplexed.
It barely took a minute when said girl made a show to let her hair down. I gave it credit since it seemed to be enticing enough, so I tried imagining another older boy in my place thinking this girl looked better with longer hair and it clicked! Okay, I think this thing is trying to seduce people or maybe it's just using its appearance? Don't assume, so go with it! I waited like any other ignorant child who'd bounce on their heels to which I forced myself too, I started to realize selling an act seemed way harder then those who performed in theaters made it look easy. Struggling to remain consistently capable I figured to offer my arm to this creature to further have it believe I wasn't aware in what it looked like beneath.
"Aren't you a forward little gentleman, so kind to offer yourself to me." Those double meanings forced an organ called a tongue to be bitten down upon. It slid an arm around my own to have us locked together walking forward into a crowded street. More than a dozen, or possibly two dozen villagers were chatting while peddling goods with one another. I hid a grin knowing if this thing holding my arm wanted to eat me, I'd have to be alone and after hours waiting around, I figured despite being late in the afternoon I'd wager it had enough time to be distracted. Being so close to evening must have triggered a need to feed as any other animal.
Walking almost beyond alive with all my senses screaming to pull and sprint away from this creature took everything I had to remain smiling. It hurt trying to maintain said expression which ironically seemed more natural opposed to scowling which I pulled off more often without trouble. I asked questions maintaining a carefully crafted facade, "So how long have you been living here? I'm thinking about trying to work to get enough coin to buy a home." The seemingly eager creature tilted its head trying to remember or to use words that made sense as I soon found out it wasn't very number orientated, "You need to work a lot for that boy, I know our elder isn't very happy to sell buildings of our home." Resisting an urge to gag in how blatant stupid it sounded, I just laughed playing along while trying to come up with something, "Think I can buy more with gold, or silver? Pretty sure I'll manage it."
Apparently this thing wasn't aware gold meant more than silver and I honestly almost laughed. It smiled charmingly, "Silver is worth more here if I remember. Gold's too rare as it is, so silver's fine and I'd happy to show you some homes for sale, they're abandoned and it'll be a quick walk down these alleyways to cut across town." I snickered faintly while coughing to show off I felt flustered in being escorted around so forwardly and truth be told, I found it's attempt rather stiff when it tried tugging me down the closet alleyway. Either it's completely ignorant, or it knows I'm onto it. So which is more apparent Fickle, c'mon use your head and figure it out. Wrestling in a subtle notion to remain walking forward I looked away to notice several figures waiting in an alley, I bypassed one to notice two armored men. Soon a constant tug of war to remain walking straight, or getting pulled beyond in another potential death, I looked past a third side alleyway where one of those armored men them turned out to be Lawrence himself.
Humming loudly in a cheerful manner I waved at him while gesturing eagerly to what I walked with arm and arm. He practically paled as a corpse once I mouthed to him I had found it. The creature tugged me further towards where multiple side alleys were in between buildings and I immediately pointed out where an apple vendor remained opened. Ironically it'd been the same one I had just been two which gave me a brilliant idea! If I wanted to spook people properly then I'd might as well showcase it where everyone could appreciate my soon to be busy services. For once I wasn't sure if anyone in their right wouldn't get killed if they refused to run yet truthfully I couldn't give a damn to really care about strangers.
"Hello mister! Can I buy an apple for my friend and I, she's showing me around." I stated happily making said person look down at me mystified. I grinned cheekily while he look up to a creature which smiled back innocently enough, "Does your mother know you're showing a stranger around town girl?" Quickly retracting an arm a creature's eyes turned brownish as it smiled revealing teeth, "Mother is quite fine with me, sir. She sends her regards for not getting back with you..." I casually started chewing on an apple to look back down the street seeing more then half a dozen armed guards creeping their way forward. Time to see if this thing turns around, I'll keep it occupied long enough to see if I can survive to see my payday.
Placing a half eaten fruit onto the vendor's stand I slipped both hands to feel cool metallic hilts ready to be used. Whistling happily I caught both an idiot and a monster's attention, "Hey I just thought of something pretty embarrassing, I can't admit in front of him." Glancing upwards I looked bashfully to make a creature eagerly tilt its head when it leaned downward as I said, "Promise not to laugh at me? It's a secret that I think you'll find pretty sweet." Its laughter seemed absolutely forced when I brought my neck within inches of its mouth, I swore its breathing sped up trying to resist taking a bite out of human flesh so close yet it'd too far for it imagine. Unable to resist savoring what it assumed me to be as an easy food source it agreed, "I promise I won't...laugh, so what is it you sweet little delicious thing?"
Glancing past its shoulder I smirked anxiously feel adrenaline pumping throughout my entire body once Lawrence leveled his crossbow. He signal others to form a semi circle as villagers who notice were growing wide eyed as they watch armed guard silently move past them. It's time to see whose a better hunter, me or you. Slipping one dagger upwards to have position underneath a sleeve too large which naturally concealed it's tip where my wrist met a hand. Taking one deep breath I only looked over at an idiot who seemed to be scowling taking time to take about a dead woman, I merely gave him a pointed stare knowing if I did this right then I'd get off scratch free. Grinning widely I whispered right into a monster's ear, "You know your the first person who I've ever met to say your disguise sucks major horse cock."
The dagger's tip plunged fully into an exposed neck as an inhumane shrieking gurgle appeared when I sprinted past it. Purple blood spewed across an overly shocked man who sold apples now covered in a non humane creature's body fluids yet one stab merely enraged it. "You little shit!" I heard it screech angrily when it swiped an entire wooden stand into pieces, I replied ever so happily, "And you're a stupid piss cock who can't catch me!" I laughed wickedly when its jaws extended and innocently enough I tossed it a finger when running behind one stunned villager. Either those amber eyes wanted me dead yet a free opportunity for a meal proved too much when it slammed into a person before tearing him to pieces. I only had to run past screaming people as one man whose idiocy to remain still only provided myself less of a chance to get killed.
"Fire!" Lawrence's command rang out as bolts snapped forward striking an enraged yoma whose formed molded to grow larger. I remained crouched to yank my bow out from underneath a ragged cloak to notch an arrow, I needed to stay low in order to take a shot to piercing an eye socket. My arrows were great to penetrate larger animals yet get close enough it'd be a kill shot, I prayed once a creature roared shedding an details pertaining to being human. Human fell off into white stands with jaws extending so wildly it snapped previously locked tendons, I compared it to when you broke dried out branches when gathering firewood. Although I aimed with my own arrow head I noticed this particular creature wasn't large, or really impressive considering it just stood over a normal person by a head's length best.
Why is it smaller compared to that bastard last night and his bear of a pal? Fuck it, think about it later Fickle and do your job! I snapped those thoughts when two amber eyes practically gleamed when it tore off a gagging villagers throat and reddish spray soaked everyone, including myself, in one huge red mist. Several bolts struck its chest while only two hits legs but they were struggling to hold up a beast whose palpable rage fell onto what caused it. I remained seriously aligned to have this creature eat a damned arrow head and it twitched triggering all natural instincts I held to release an arrow which snapped forward in a twang of strings.
At point blank I watched an arrow literally piercing an amber eye as I dove away letting a monster smash head first into a stone wall. Granite fractured when it howled clearly in an agony that sounded like music to my waiting ears, I drew another arrow while taunting it, "Hey fucker! Over here if you want a piece of me, I'm very sweet in case you don't remember!" Singing happily forced an eye to wide as an inhumane screech clearly wanted my body's bleeding heart. It struggled to stand until more bolts from crossbows snapped sending purplish liquid splattering and I aimed yet again for its lone eye hell intent on making this beast blind. I wasn't getting any closer until I knew its eyes were literally popped for my chances of survival.
"You wretched human! I'll kill you, I'll rip out your guts and gorge on those eyes..." Its arm swung wide sending an entire wall scattering akin to loose stones, I hit the ground avoiding large pieces from impaling. Scowling in a panic I fumbled an arrow when it got loose as a monster literally pounced forward sending me back into an alley! Shit, shit, fucking shit! I chanted back peddling quickly out of its range when I realized it wanted me to go between these piss taken homes! I got a first hand look to see its massive bulk barely squeezing itself right into an arms reach within a confined area. Naturally panicking I leaned back yet there wasn't any grace to save my chances.
Once I hit solid wood indicating barrels were stored along this building specifically. Oh fucking great, god fucking shit! Notching an arrow I knelt upwards aiming right a gaping beast's maw, teeth which yellowed beyond also had pieces of flesh hanging from them. Honestly I smelled it's rancid breath spewing over said rotten flesh yet I managed hissing out vindictively, "Open wide you cock munching bastard! Choke on this surprise!" An arrow snapped forward burying itself more then halfway up into its skull as it howled agonizingly aware I wasn't defenseless. Oh...shit, it's time to go Fickle, move your fucking ass man! Tossing a weapon aside I fished out two daggers to literally take a chance to dive under its legs!
Frantically digging up dirt with elbows certainly going to be bruised I managed to barely avoid getting impaled. Its serrated fingers were twitching desperately to kill what caused its owner so much trouble and I looked up right into a spear's edge zipping past my cheek! Something painful considered as a cut made me yell out enraged, "Will you hit the fucking giant thing that's a monster and not me! Fucking pisser use that pointy end like a..." Yelping when Lawrence grabbed my neck's scuff to send me rolling out of the way as a purple leg almost crushed where I once sat. I barely had time to gather wits and will to see half a dozen men stabbing, or lunging like animals forcing a creature back. Due to its massive bulk it might as well been stabbing pigs in a barrel, I grinned savagely delighted knowing it had just screwed itself over.
"Die you fucking prick, die!" I chanted over and over again as spears prodded a monster down into bloodied chunks. Looking around frantically to add more to its death spiral I noticed of the guard's crossbows were loaded and had been discarded when six men were trying as one to impale a creature to its death. Triumphantly gleeful I walked over tossing my dagger down to hoist a heavier weapon I had literally no experience to reload yet I knew a trigger when I saw it. Heaving what nearly split open my own back I waited impatiently to see bloodied spurts of purple drenching myself along with Lawrence's own part that tried to end a nightmarish creature called a yoma. I inhaled deeply excited when it fell to its knees as two spear-men tore open flesh causing something to walk unspeakable volumes of agony once it wailed to the skies.
Come on open up you ugly son of a bitch, I want to see that pretty mouth. Open wide please and show me your eye, I need to get my fair share. I crouched down to support a crossbow's heavier weight as I lined up a sight with a beast heaving out purplish streams of saliva. I knew it had be dying when it weakly fell to both knees unable to support its own body weight. Waiting impatiently I managed to whistle to get its singular eye focused onto my position, I only needed to say what was needed to be said as it realized it's inevitable doom to being killed by things it considered to be merely prey and I was happy to say it's time was over.
"How does it feel knowing what you eat is killing you?" I said those words so harshly I smirked when it screeched enraged. My mind was made up, "Fair enough! See you in hell you ugly fuck, I won't miss you!" The bolt snapped forward slicing through air in a short distance effectively piercing an eye point blank sending, I heard it pop to which an overly large shock through one body as a brain clicked its off switch. I panted heavily dropping a spent crossbow down to walk forward yanking my bloodied dagger off a soaked ground to smile viciously delighted. Absently I twirled a dagger considerably before I snarled stabbing it in the crouch over and over again, I watched blood practically gush out once its body fell over backwards crushing everything underneath its larger weight. I never cared to realize my own shoddy bow was lost yet for once I felt every urge to declare my victory to whatever dared to listen.
Inhaling deeply I screamed arching my back stitches be damned to declare nothing was untouchable. I allowed myself to spend every second roaring until I ran out of breath panting happily. Glancing back to see half a dozen men stare in wonder as they had killed a yoma, I had to saw they were more scared shit less to see grinning like a mad man. For once I wanted to say something actually wise yet it wasn't technically wise when a person used their brain. Licking both lips I approached Lawrence while sheathing a stained dagger underneath a cloak, "You know Lawrence when I prayed in a chapel when I was a lot younger, I asked a person who I knew a question about something dying. You want to know what he said?"
The guardsmen merely inclined his head as I grinned absolutely delighted. I spoke very confidently when I looked back to see a bloodied corpse spurting up fluids, "If anything bleeds then obviously it can die. So about my payment..." I said smiling widely when villagers started coming out of their hiding spots pointing in fright to my purplish stained form, "...I want a new bow, alright? Such a shame I have to replace something that kept me alive, but what can you say? It seems like God's looking out for us whether we believe it, or not." That happily statement made everyone uncomfortable yet I couldn't imagine hell being so delighted to have a monster enter its welcoming arms. After all I believed all monsters were going to be the devil's playthings, I knew regardless of how much I pretended to be human I'd end up there one day.
End Chapter I
Author's Note: Okay as much as I wanted to have some epic defying clash, I realized it doesn't take much for humans to kill small time Yoma. In the manga it's stated even regular humans can have trouble with small time, I mean it depends on age, size and body type yet it's doable when half a dozen strong men take on a freshly sized creature not much larger then them. It's not perfect yet I do intend to showcase this story isn't just for 'humor' when it's getting very dark, I mean case in point is Fickle Sleeve's little 'daddy issue' which I think everyone can agree is quite...traumatic. Believe me, I intend to deliver a character whose goals aren't so hard to guess yet they're so vague to accomplish. Killing Yoma, sounds easy, but it's going to get a lot more creative once you realize this story is meant to be realistic until a certain point.
As for Claymore themselves, will several make an appearance? Possibly, I don't want to add main cast or notable members merely for the fact I want Fickle to have at least half a decade placing him at 16-17 to encounter those women. Yet if he's very successful in killing off Yoma on a Claymore's payroll, I'd say getting rich and becoming ambitious, or greedy comes into effect. So much to go through, so much to enjoy and so much to imagine when you see humans actually teaming up to take down big 'scary' monsters. Oh I intend to have Fickle go up against small time Yoma yet imagine if he were to encounter a big one, or even dare I imagine an Awakened being while meeting Claymore warriors?
Any way I hope you all enjoyed reading this, I want a review if possible (I demand one for my efforts, mind you I got work soon) so please share your thoughts, suggestions and critic this work. I love reading reviews on break, so take it for what it's worth. When I love writing a subject I won't hesitate to post something while brain storming new ideas to really bring something alive, I love making over the top concepts grounded and personally if you can pitch to me an idea on having him learning off a Claymore by teaching him sword play, I'd be well willing to hear suggestions. So many characters, so many possibilities and I have nothing but time to hear them all out.
Have a good day, leave a review please.
