Chapter 27: Sweet Disaster
Finally reaching the front of Silverpines I groaned seeing the sun had set and a full moon could be easily seen through the dense forest. I took my Dragonstomper out hesitantly walking around, it was quiet and that bothered me. Hearing the light crunches of the leaves under my feet I could see my breath letting me know it was getting much colder.
Suddenly I heard a large deep howl stopping me in my tracks following the sound causing my eyes to widen, it was a white Balverine. It was much larger than the ones I had fought at Reaver's party its white fur stood out perfectly on this dark night. I went to aim my gun at it but it leaped into the air disappearing while I jogged over to the camp making sure no one was around.
I put my gun away not sensing any immediate danger looking at the tree and seeing a note stuck to a dagger. Taking it I read it cautiously.
Looking for the statue, your majesty? Follow the white Balverine.
I chewed on my bottom lip looking around seeing the white Balverine stood perched on a rock staring at me with his large dangerous eyes. I swallowed my fear needing the donation following the white Balverine curious to where I was being led.
Any time I got close he would jump father back as I made it close to the heart of Silverpines. No other Balverines attacked or wolves making me uneasy as to where they were. Finally, I saw the little village ahead seeing the white Balverine in front of the gates growling before disappearing again.
I saw the silver nitrate lanterns were burning which was probably why he didn't enter as I cautiously walked into the town looking around seeing no one.
Suddenly a shot rang out hitting in front of my feet as I wiped my gun out pointing it to a small man cowering behind some containers.
"Oh you're human, thank Avo I didn't hit you." He said standing up while I put my gun away happy for his horrible shot.
Once he saw it was the Queen he bowed sheepishly saying, "My apologies your majesty."
I put my hand up waving it off replying, "It's fine, just what on earth is going on?"
"We've had a lot of recent attacks from the Balverines, thankfully with the silver nitrate lanterns it keeps them out of the village for it will kill them if they stay in here for too long. Unfortunately, anyone brave enough to get out of the village is picked off easily. One fellow we had guarding the lanterns had fallen asleep on the job, he was banished of course because you can't put a full village at risk for such negligence." He said while I frowned that was a bit harsh, to say the least.
Villagers began to come out of the houses feeling safer with my presence as he told me the white Balverine recently began popping up stalking the village. I assured him I would take care of it as he offered a reward for its head.
"That Balverine knows where an item I'm in need of is, I assure you it will be dealt with quickly." I said while he nodded pointing me in the right direction.
I didn't have to walk for long before I saw the white Balverine sitting on a rock patiently waiting for me to begin following it again. I gave an uneasy sigh beginning my pursuit again with my hand on my gun ready for any complications.
-Reaver's POV-
I drummed my gloved fingers impatiently on the table looking over the hot meal that had been prepared about an hour ago. I looked at my pocket watch pursing my lips, Sophia should have been here a while ago and after all the trouble I went to make sure she was greeted with a nice meal. My servants had long since disappeared from the room after I shot at one of them for asking when I'd be eating.
I was so foolish in thinking she'd actually show up, she was so indecisive sometimes which was positively frustrating. At the same time, though I just couldn't seem to get enough of her, her full breasts heaving above me, her rough passionate kisses and those alluring electrified blue eyes were enough to drive any man wild. I cursed at the thought, I couldn't be possibly falling for such a goody two shoes, much like her father but at the same time was not. Though she cared for her people she had much anger and darkness in her heart which if not kept in check she would end up just like her brother, alone and hated.
I heard the door creak open to my side aiming my gun seeing Maury peak his head out ready to be hit saying, "Master Reaver… news about the Queen."
His words were squeaky and timid, he had much work to go until he would gain any respect from anyone.
"What is it?" I asked impatiently as he looked down saying, "It seems the statue she was supposed to acquire was stolen and brought to Silverpines."
I inwardly groaned, that place was crawling with Balverines and the last time she encountered them she earned that pretty scar on her back. I looked towards the assortment on the table then stood up as he disappeared behind the door once more. I sighed heavily, I guess I could use a little bloodshed before my fun.
-Sophia's POV-
I finally made it to a broken down ruin, Balverines were sitting atop the pillars beside a stone throne as I looked at them skeptically. A man jumped down at the throne causing me to tighten my hold on my gun as he gave me a dark sinister smile.
"Good evening your majesty, forgive my informal greeting but I have business to discuss with you." He said taking a seat while the Balverines stayed put still awaiting something.
"What is it you want?" I said stepping forward while he smirked closing his eyes replying, "You are looking for this statue I presume?"
He held up a statue of a Balverine on it as my eyes narrowed waiting for him to speak, "Well I have no need for it anymore so I'll give it to you, for a favor in return."
I crossed my arms looking towards him saying, "And what is it you want?"
"Revenge." He said glaring while the Balverines growled around him causing my eyes to scan them all in the trees.
"Revenge for what?" I said curiously as I gave a frown looking in the direction of the village saying, "That village left me to die out here in the forest, all for simply falling asleep on duty to guard against Balverines. No one even got hurt but I was left to become Balverine food."
"Well, it seems you're doing just fine out here, why bother?" I said trying to reason with him but he gave a dark laugh saying, "I want them to suffer, be left open and vulnerable while the Balverines tear them apart."
"You would let dozens of innocent lives die because you got the short end of the stick?" I said stepping forward boldly as he closed his eyes, "I simply require you to destroy the lanterns that keep my brothers and sisters from entering. Do this and the statue is yours, if not and you attempt to get in my way they will kill you."
I looked around, my odds weren't the best but I couldn't condone letting people die against these monsters. I closed my eyes slowing my breathing letting out five shots in a flash as five Balverines fell around my feet and I glared towards the man in from of me.
"So be it, I'll find my own way then." He said jumping off as more Balverines leaped out of the trees circling me.
I began shooting my gun and casting my magic at the Balverines, I was very much outnumbered but I wasn't going down without a fight. Every time I killed one another would show up as I was beginning to get angry. I gathered up a great deal of will feeling my will lines pulse vibrantly and let out a huge shock wave knocking over trees and electrocuting Balverines in their tracks. I fell to my knees breathing heavily but was brought back to reality hearing bells from the village signaling they were under attack.
