The Lyngarth Stalker
The creak of the wagon wheels rang high above the market crowd. Turning their heads, the people clamored to see the arrival of the mysterious traveler. As she lifted her hood, the crowd cheered to welcome home the young guardian in training, Rosemary. Her bright pink hair glinting in the sun, she lifted her sword Flowering Thorn and elicited cheers from the crowd. As they watched her climb down from her seat, she lifted the cover on the cart on the back wagon to show the fruits of her labors. There in the fetid pool of its own waste, was the body of a slain beast. Its breaths long since ceased and its eyes still wide, the body of a terrible creature whose visage filled the people with terror. Its long neck and face, almost human in appearance, was split in half by a large outcropping of teeth and a thick tongue which hung to the side. Its body was muscular and seemed to have walked on all fours, with rough talon like claws. Its neck and lower body were cut open, sliced bone and cartilage to reveal its innards laying on the wood of the cart. Despite the shock of the crowd, Rosemary dusted herself and shown a smile.
"Don't worry everyone, I beat this sucker!" she said as she thrusted her sword into its corpse several times to show its lifelessness. After several seconds to adjust the people broke into a staggered and uneasy cheer. Their shock did not seem to register with the young guardian in training, as she waved to the crowd for several second before hopping back onto her wagon and easing the horses into movement. Despite her need to showboat, there was the pressing matter of turning in her bounty and collecting her reward which excited her the most. She whipped the horses into a gallop, parting the crowd as she sped off.
The winter break had been fun, having given Rosemary and her friends lots of time to spend with each other. However, once it was done and they had arrived back at High Guardian Academy, things had taken a change. Due to the attack on the school, security had been increased by order of the Triad. Though they were now deemed "safe" it had taken many a long time to adjust to the ever-watchful eye of the now ever-present metal security golems. Though they were only for security measures against outside threats and were not supposed to be used as truancy officers, the option was always there. Professor Caraway had taken note of their actions during the attack and made a recommendation for them to take on early extracurricular activities. While the four were initially overjoyed at the prospect, they soon mellowed as the weight of the added work fell on them. Sage had taken the opportunity to get a position at an artisan guild which specialized in terraspheres. There her main tasks were helping to find the specific wood and crystal deposits needed for their production. She was tired constantly but managed to find enjoyment. Parsley got a contract to work for the Lyngarth Tournament Committee, creating weapons and armor for participants. It had garnered her much attention as people began seeking her for bespoke items and repairs. While originally a school position, they decided to accept her outright and hire her, allowing her to accept payments. Thyme, having become determined since healing the corrupted tree at school, was now fully focused into the research of the local environment, having joined the Lyngarth Game and Forestry Association to learn what ever she could. She was still unused to being around people, though she had grown fond of her friends. Despite her fear, her passion for healing the corruption superseded and allowed her to find a way to work with others.
Rosemary was not so lucky. After coming home and taking in the same news as her friends, she was immediately filled with visions of grandeur. Using her mothers name, she applied to every single arena, tourney, back-alley fight, and combat centric group she could. Yet where ever she went she was laughed at and mocked for the people, though loving of her mothers' feats, had grown tired and annoyed by her brat of a daughter. The hopeful progeny, the inheritor of her blade, was unlike her mother in every way. Her attitude, her way of getting respect was so revolting that any respect they could have had for Rosemary was removed the second they met her. Despite their provocations, they were unable to deny her skill at fighting and fight she would at every opportunity. Rosemary had made a name for herself but not as the gallant hero her mother was but as a spiteful brat who beat any that questioned her matrilineal claim. With little friends outside of her established group and having burned every bridge available to her, Rosemary had to make due with bounty work. The pink haired youth made an agreement with the Triad to keep watch of the farms outside the city walls and remove any pests which would take after the crops or livestock. While initially expecting to cull the local wolf population, she soon found out that all manner of monstrosities came out after dark. Though she was fearful, she eventually came to relish in the nightly bloodshed which came after each job. Rosemary had indeed made a name for herself, though it would come as a now celebrated member of advanced pest control.
After turning in the body to the collection office, where it would be sold for dissection or alchemy ingredients, she dipped a quill into ink and signed the forms needed to officiate her bounty. Once she was rid of the monster corpse and returned her rented wagon, Rosemary stood to the side and began to count her payment, adding them to her purse. She had built a minor savings from her work, a nest egg she was saving to maybe spend with her friends. With the total now added in her head, she went down the street and turned to go back to the Academy. The citizenry milled about tending to their daily lives, trying their best not to make eye contact with the "problem girl." Though her arrivals where always worthy of spectacle, her personality not made many willing to associate with her. Not that Rosemary minded. To her, they hated her because they had yet to see her ability. One day, she would have all of them love her like they had her mother. Walking with her nose up, she scoffed at the occasional glare. Coming now to crowded section of the street, she looked for a quick way to get around them. Spying a wayward alley, she squeezed past several people as she went towards her shortcut. It was now at this time, as she was caught in the middle of the busy crowd that the hair on the back of her neck stood and her senses were on guard. Though she couldn't see who, she had the feeling that she was being watched. Trying not to look aware, she moved her head as she pushed to get a better look. There some distance behind her was a person in a cloak with their face covered. They followed her as she weaved through small clusters of people, making a beeline for the same alley as her. Itching for a fight, she quickened her pace and ran into the alley, the cloaked figure matching her pace for pace.
Running into the alleyway, the figure looked around to see not but crumbling bricks and the many lines of hanging clothing overhead. Taking several breaths, they whipped around, looking for the pink haired girl. A sudden sound behind caused them to turn and standing there with sword drawn was Rosemary. The youth stood defiantly, her brows furrowed and her face in a scowl. She was quite tired from last nights hunt but she always made time for an opponent. The figure before here merely stood, collecting their breaths and straightening themselves. The many lengths of fabric which surrounded the figures body concealed their skin and face with only two thin pale hands being exposed. As they breathed, Rosemary's grip tightened and she summoned her fury.
"Who are you and why are you following me?" she asked.
The figure did not answer.
"If you wanted a fight, you really should have sent a letter because my schedule is not what it used to be," she said as she took a stance, "I don't mean to turn down a fan but you will have to make this quick."
The figure stood there; its rough haggard breaths audible. After several passing moments, it lifted a hand and raised it to her, one finger with a filthy yellow nail pointed at her.
"Unworthy", the figure said with a rough, grating voice. The sudden speech had surprised Rosemary, causing her to jump back.
"What are you talking about, who are you?" she said, her blade aloft and unwavering.
The figure did not respond. Taking several more breaths, it stood still. Then with out warning, it rose off the ground and flew at her, its feet dragging below it. With arms outstretched, its nails sharpened and made to tear at the girl's flesh. Rosemary backed up, and then ran forward suddenly, slicing her sword horizontally. She cut clean through the figure, and spun around, using her momentum to hit the upper body and kicking the lower body away from her. Taking a second to catch her breath, she looked at the crumbled heaps of fabric which lay on the dirty cobblestone street. Having landed separately from each other, they rolled until coming to a stop some distance from her. Then within moments, the fabrics began to rise. From the spots they stood, they did grow until they were standing as the figure was, now two. Rosemary backed away in horror as she began to realize the depth of the situation. Whom ever this was, was outside of her league. If she had any chance of survival, she needed to reach the school. As she planned, the figures slowly came together, forming itself whole as it once stood.
"Pathetic," the figure called out, raising its arms once again and beginning to rise from the ground. Not wanting to take another chance, Rosemary reached into her back pocket and fished out her ace in the hole. A single glass orb lay in her hand, a gift from Amaryllis during break. As the figure rushed toward her, Rosemary took the sparks spell and smashed it on the ground underneath her opponent. From within the confines of the orb came a great rushing of wind. It shot straight up from the ground, freezing everything, it touched. With only a second to save herself, she managed to duck behind a nearby crate just in time to avoid the biting cold which rushed past her. After waiting several seconds and wiping the sweat from her brow, she looked from past the crate. Standing there encased in subzero ice was the figure, arms still outstretched.
Rosemary breathed a sigh of relief, taking the opportunity to lean on her sword. This stranger was too close to killing her. Angry at her performance, she turned tail and ran to the end of the alley way. She needed to get to Professor Caraway, the Triad, someone who was strong enough to protect her and help find out why an attempt was made on her life. As she ran down the alley, she could once again hear the bustling crowd. Hoping to find security, the young guardian strained to put effort into every footfall. As she was only just a hand length from the edge of the corner, she was shocked to see the ground in front of her rise in a wall in front of her. The sudden rise of the stone wall shot up towards her outstretched hand, breaking her forearm and throwing her back. Rosemary cried out in pain as she toppled backwards, Flowering Thorn falling from her grasp. From behind, a sudden cracking caused her to look back in horror. The frozen statue of the figure began to break and from within her mind she could hear a shrill roar emerge. With great force the figure broke free from the ice, shattering it into a fine dust with a sudden push. Its screaming continued, audible only to its victim. Rosemary brought a hand to her head, rolling on the ground in agony. The figure continued toward her; its anger palpable in the air.
"Impure!" its disgusting voice echoed, causing Rosemary to jump. Despite her pain, she made an effort to drag her self to the wall and force herself to stand. Painfully, she grasped at the stone wall, pulling herself up. A great pain shot through her as she stood, using what left of her strength to hold Flowering Thorn. Seeing double as the figure came toward her, she stumbled forward and made to slash at it. Raising her arm, she brought the blade down on its head only for it to raise arm and in one motion slash the blade in two. The sharp ringing of metal cut through the air. Then with another arm, the figure brought its fingers to her right arm and severed it. Rosemary yelled, unable to clutch her now profusely bleeding stump. Tears welled from her eyes and she fell over in pain, the grime of the cobblestone now staining her face and hair. The figure stood, watching her anguish as it calmly stepped over the fragmented pieces of her sword. Bending over, it grasped the lapels of Rosemary's dress and held her up against the wall. Struggling to breath and one eye filled with grit and blood, she struggled against its grip. She was powerless as it held her there, her legs kicking weakly against its body.
"Who…Who?" Rosemary managed to gasp. She could only watch as a hand was brought to the wrappings which covered the figures face. As it uncoiled the cloth, the wrappings became more and more soiled. Then when the layer closest to its flesh was revealed, it took off a single wrapping which revealed its eye. From within its depths, Rosemary was lost. Taking its free arm, it brought it to her chest and pushed through, allowing access to her innards. There in the broad daylight, horrors untold where committed.
The snapping of the fire did much to warm the inhabitants of the study hall. This late in the evening most had already gone to their second jobs or were in the cafeteria. Yet tonight on this foggy evening, a small group was gathered. Sage, Thyme, and Parsley sat and talked hurriedly amongst each other. They had not seen nor heard from Rosemary since last night, unusual as she would always rush to share of her latest exploits. This sparked concern from Sage which grew until it consumed her. As night fell, she met with her friends, hoping someone had seen her. In the intensity of their discussion, they were unaware that Snapdragon had entered the room.
"What are you guys talking about, I could hear you down the hall," he said as he took a seat.
"We haven't seen Rosemary since last night, no one has!" Sage said. Parsley came to her side and took her hand, trying to calm her down.
"You wouldn't have happened to have seen her, did you?" Thyme asked, her intense gaze now turned to him.
"No, I haven't seen her. I just assumed she was with you," Snapdragon responded. His heartbeat quickening now, he grew concerned at the seriousness of the situation.
"Damn, we were hoping that you had," Parsley said, "With no one else, we have no choice but to tell the teachers."
"What are they going to do?! If anything happens then-", Sage started.
"-Then they will be far more able to help her than we can," Thyme finished. She crossed her arms and came beside the two. She placed a hand upon Sage's shoulder, "I know you are scared but we have to remain strong. If we are going to have any hope in finding her, we can't fall apart while doing so."
"Y-you are right," Sage said as she wiped her tears. Parsley patted her on the back and hugged her. Thyme managed to muster a smile, one more for Sage than herself, for her own worries were eating at her.
Snapdragon's mind was reeling, trying to think of the last time he had seen Rosemary. It had not been for several days, only briefly catching up one day at dusk before she went off on her rounds. Since break, everyone had had a schedule change and were apart more so than last semester. As he sat there, racking his brains, his attention was caught by the sudden noise from the door nearby. With a sudden swing in, the four turned to see that a person was carrying a box in to the room. Stumbling, the person turned to place the box on the ground before standing up. As she brushed her clothing, Amaryllis looked around at the faces staring at her.
"Finally, I find you guys, I have been looking for you since I got this stupid package. Do you know just how undignified it is for someone like me to be seen doing manual labor like some common servant?" She said loudly as she sat in a nearby chair, legs crossed. She took out a file and began to inspect her nails, praying that none of her polish had been damaged. It took her several seconds to read the room and catch on that something was amiss. "What is with the sour faces?"
"Rosemary is missing!" Sage said, tears welling up as she spoke. It hurt her to think anything had happened to her childhood friend.
"Yeah, but she is Lavender's daughter, she can fight her way out of whatever problem she is in, right?"
"She can fight Am but that doesn't mean she is unstoppable. Remember everything that the triumvirate threw at us? Just think of what they have! We were lucky last time but we need to keep improving if we want to survive," Parsley said.
"You know these people right Amaryllis? They are not the type of people to hold back on brutality, are they?" Snapdragon asked, his eyes pleaded her to have some sense of decency.
Amaryllis thought back, thinking of her fathers' friends. They were cold, sell their mother into serfdom to pay debts cold. Many a fortune had been made and lost in Witch Country, and none whom have touched it have clean hands. Their disgusting smiles, their occasional of hand remarks; she knew just the type.
"You are right. Sorry," Amaryllis said, the words rough in her mouth from unuse.
The snapping of the log continued. A silence overcame them as they thought, weighing what they knew and what they didn't. They knew that regardless of anything else, they needed Professor Caraway and the Triad's help. What ever was coming so far outweighed any of their meager skills. They would need professional help. The silence was broken, however, when Amaryllis spoke up.
"Oh, that reminds me, the whole reason I came to you guys, this big dumb box is for you three. I found it outside the front hall just now" Amaryllis said as she gestured at the three. Parsley, Sage, and Thyme looked at each other in confusion. The box that Amaryllis had carried in was made of wood and had been wrapped in twine. On top, the twine was wrapped into a scraggly bow. There was no note, just their names, seemingly burned into the corner. The came and lifted the box onto a nearby table. Snapdragon took out a knife from his belt and began to cut off the wrapping. After a couple seconds, Amaryllis came to help, curious at the contents of the box. They stood there unwrapping for several minute before Sage became impatient and burned the twine off with a small flame she produced from the end of her terrasphere. Finding the edge of the lid, she pulled out the nails magically and set them aside. They stood there, looking at the box. Their heartbeats grew, but everyone put on a brave face. Thyme was the first to put a hand forward, taking the edge she lifted it and peered inside. In an instant, she spun away and began to heave, dropping the lid closed. The group turned to her in surprise and shock as they witnessed their friend throw up on the carpet. Snapdragon, feeling a sudden pull within him, took the lid and then opened it. Sage screamed, a ghastly inhuman scream which rang sharp in the room.
"No!" Parsley screamed, her fists balled and tears welling.
"By the gods," Snapdragon whispered in a hushed breath as he stumbled back.
Amaryllis sat there in shock. She was too busy looking at everyone's reaction and was the last to see the interior contents. Coming close to the box, she tiptoed to see inside. There in the depths of the crate where several small objects laying on hay. The first was the shattered remains of Flowering Thorns pommel, the stone cracked and dirty. Beside it, was the dried right hand of Rosemary. The last item which was there lay next to the other two was a single, still wet eyeball, which looked up at them. As she struggled to restrain herself, she could see that on the surface of the arm, words were carved into the skin. Standing there, her stomach going into knots, Amaryllis read aloud the message:
"Punishment."