Chapter 4: A Snake Falls

Samuel walked towards the village, the morning sun felt warm on his back as he realized it was now or never and took his last steps into the village. He was immediately welcomed by the villagers as they crowded around him asking questions. Samuel remained silent he wouldn't speak until Armin arrived. As soon as Armin opened up the door to his house he put his façade of a caring leader on and walked towards the crowd of villagers, feeling accomplished of the plan he devised. "Ah brave crusader you've returned our prayers have been answered… you look tired why don't you come to the tavern and rest you must be tired after killing that monster." Samuel stood still and looked into Armin's eyes and for the first time Armin feared what someone would say. "I didn't kill her… in fact she is here with me now". Samuel then put his fingers up to his lips and made a loud whistle that signaled Asher and Miia to join him. Asher arrived first and stood proudly next to his master, the bandage covering the wound Armin gave him was now stained with mud and blood. Asher growled at Armin causing him to step back, Samuel smiled in anticipation he could forgive Armin for lying to him but no one hurt his elkhound without being punished. Armin's fear turned to rage as he saw Miia slither into the village. Samuel cleared his voice as he began to speak "This is Miia, she is a lamia who was brought here by the Templar order as a refugee. She was brought here to be looked after and cared for so she could adapt to living in a completely new country. Armin volunteered to be her host, but because Miia wasn't what he was expecting he cast her out and created a story so all you would fear her. She is innocent and as a crusader I refuse to harm anyone who hasn't done anything wrong". Samuel smiled he could see the villagers heads turning; he could see that they were becoming less afraid of Armin with every word Samuel spoke. Armin feared that he was losing control and in a last ditch effort he did what he did best, put the blame on something else. "Bewitched he is bewitched I tell you, the monster must have seduced him now he fights for her. Kill him kill the dark crusader before he eats your children and takes your wives!" Half the villagers stayed still the other half moved on Samuel not because they believed Armin but because of what they would do to them if they didn't. Asher growled as Miia spoke up "Please don't harm him, he hasn't done anything wrong I'll let you do what you wish to me but don't hurt him he just wanted to help." Tears welled up in her eyes ever since she was taken from her war torn country people showed her no kindness, and she wasn't about to let the first person who had done so to suffer in her stead. One of the villagers who didn't move on Samuel spoke up "Listen lady we aren't doing this because we fear you or because we even believe Armin we are afraid of what he'll…" before he could finish his sentence Armin bashed his skull in with a club he had hidden behind his back. Armin hissed and shouted "ANYONE ELSE QUESTION ME AND THE SAME WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!" All the villagers hid their gazes from Armin's. He then raised the club and pointed it at Miia; a single drop of blood fell from the end of the club before he began speaking again. "And as for you, you slithering bitch after I'm done with this pathetic excuse for a crusader I'm going to beat you skin you and sell your parts then I'll find a different creature to do my bi…" Armin was silenced as Samuel's fist shattered his jaw he was so quick no one saw him move. Samuel spoke as he lifted Armin in the air by his collar, blood pouring from his mouth. "Armin your days torturing the innocent are over. You have made these people slaves by using fear as chains, you harmed a girl who was innocent of any crimes save being different, you lied to and manipulated me, you harmed my elkhound and slaughtered an innocent man in front of me. How do you plead?" Samuel drew his stag knife and put it against Armin's throat, and for the first time in his life Armin experienced a form of fear he never knew existed, a fear for his mortal soul. Armin tried to plead not guilty but all that came out was a gurgle and mixture of blood, teeth and bone. Miia and the villagers watched in a mixture of awe and fear as this young man the age of nineteen completely shattered the man they feared most in only one move. "S-S-Samuel please no more, his death won't accomplish anything". Samuel spoke again "I as a crusader of the Lord our father God now cast my judgment, you are guilty." Samuel then dropped Armin on the ground in front of the villagers "Do what you wish with him, he has held power over you for far too long". Everyone in the village wanted to kill him but one young and brave voice shouted out. "Lock him up and throw away the key." Kyle stood in front of the crowd and made his statement "Let's bring him to the nearest city with a dungeon lock him up and write his sins on the walls so he can spend what's left of his miserable life surrounded with what we've been through." The villagers confided in themselves before they chose to follow Kyle's plan.

A few hours later Armin was being loaded into a carriage to be brought to prison. Before he left Samuel leaned in and whispered to Armin "I want you to listen to me carefully. Miia may be a Lamia, but you're the snake." With that the carriage took off and Armin sat and thought to himself. One day crusader I'll free myself, and when that day comes you'll regret ever crossing my path. As the carriage disappeared on the horizon Miia found herself being greeted and praised by the villagers each one apologizing for what she had been through. Samuel stood at the back of the crowd and smiled, he may have helped others on his first week as a crusader but on this day he truly felt as he accomplished something. Samuel looked at Asher his dog eyes gleaming their usual happy look, when Samuel said "Come on boy I think we're done here". Then the two left the village.

Samuel walked down the path alone while Asher scouted ahead, when he suddenly stopped and admired the area he was around. The field was warm even though it was night, and the spring breeze reached his nose he smelled the scent of life. He was happy and content yet at the same time he felt a little sad. "I hope she's going to be okay" he whispered to himself. "Well I think she'll be fine now" A female voice said behind him, and before she knew it the tip of Samuel's sword was inches away from Miia's nose. As soon as Samuel realized what was happening he sheathed the sword, dropped to his knees and began apologizing. "Oh God oh God, Miia I'm so sorry I didn't know it was you". Miia immediately blushed and said "No no Samuel it's my fault I never should have snuck up on you". The two went back and forth apologizing before Samuel lifted his head up and said "Hey what are you doing here anyway?" Miia hid her gaze from Samuel her red hair covering her face which was now the same color. "Well I thought since I no longer have Armin as my host, and I don't want to be cooped up in that village I could come with you and see the world". Samuel scratched his chin and worded his next sentence very carefully. "Well it does get kinda lonely out here and it's only right that you get to travel and see all your new country has to offer, so I'd love to have you travel along. Well as long as that's what you want…" As soon as Samuel finished his sentence Miia's eyes widened in joy and she completely coiled Samuel hugging the air out of him with both her arms and snake body. "Miia… Miia… can't breathe" Miia uncoiled as she realized what she did. "I'm sorry I didn't hurt you did I?" Samuel smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "Not at all in fact I think this is the start of a wonderful friendship." And with that both of their destinies were intertwined forever.

Author's notes: Well here it is the start of something great, or not depending on who, where, and what will happen in the next few chapters. Well I hope you all enjoy stay tuned for the next chapter.