INTERLUDE
The Days of our Lives
Even in the eyes of the ennobled, days pass and gone by with nary but a dull moment in their lives.
Wars occurred here and there, minor skirmish and simple brawl…
Thoughts on food and contemplation of marriages and so on…
All of this are moments of the simplicity of life…
But such simple times are far in-between in the southernmost part of Westeros…
And all folks wander… where do we go from here?
When star fell from the sky…
As the Highborns scheme and play, others have their own story to tell…
Memoirs of a Trader
The time is the 8th month of 247 after Aegon's conquest. These last few days of my time has been nothing short of exemplary. The emotions in which I felt at these moments has flown from the edges of fear to wonder in such a short length that I question if all manners of Gods have put me in another world of theirs, world that Is unknown to me.
I look now outside the window of the room in which I stay, where the air is cool and soft like the mid-day wind of the Westerlands small forestry, gone are the expected heat of the coming winds of Dorne that I dread to touch my skin. I occasionally glance to the contraption that dwells on the ceiling edge of the room, a machine that breathes out either cold or warm air with a press of a button. Such innovation very much so bewilders me, to find a clan of people capable of wizardry to control the temper of nature, though small the scope of the manipulation maybe.
I turn back to the outside world where the glass panned window shields its hot air out, numerous manners of people walk here and there, some I recognize, others are strangers in both attire and attitude, in which the latter come with many more than just their attendance. In acknowledgement I saw the building of Westerosi making, stone and wooden houses and roof that are sturdy as they could be, yet by the days and second those familiar views are dispersed, replaced by harder stones and steel that seems to find the challenge of storms and hard winds to be paltry…
These durable and without match structures are given to the people of Starfall, homes are now becoming more than just smidgen comfort of what it once was. I saw all man, woman and children smiling in wonder as they came back to find their old homes became small fortresses in their absent, they entered them structures and proceed to kneel and cried in joy the second they realize that it is to be their own home.
Materials such as these though common to see, are hard to come by. They are many in swords, lesser in shields and lesser so in armor, some are used for tools and the like. Knights roam freely everywhere on the seven kingdoms, Hedge or otherwise, with all these notions it stands to reason the common and peasant folks would think they are as frequent as the wooden contrivances of their own makings.
A thought mistaken and the truth couldn't be further as it is… these steel and metal items are much more luxurious than three smallfolk family earnings combined, and that is the least of it, most beholden knights and man-at-arms are usually armed with gears of their lords making, power borrowed and given.
Thus, to find a small holding for a family and other buildings of the such created, from metals and unnaturally hard stones is no different than seeing a whale walking on the sands, exaggerated the analogy it may be. I found my senses dizzying as by the day these miracles are growing with a quickening pace.
Starfall's house of Dayne is of the greatly renowned line of noble, a principal house a king would deign to listen, even King Aegon itself is a Dayne on his mother's part, the royal line deemed them well to be joined on the Royal fold. An old line of the Torrentine, the old kings of yore.
Hells, being a small noble itself or a knight is enough for the small folks to prostrate themselves. How often do I saw even the pettiest of all highborn, knight only in title would stoop themselves in taking maidens in the nearest inn of a crossroad, where their fathers could only watch in despair from their ravishing and tainting. The knowledge itself is nothing less than disheartening.
Yet for all their powers and wealth, none that I could imagine for them to go this far in elevating even their smallest subject, Steel houses and all. Even the Westerlands from all their wealth find the idea of gifting to the small folks are a laughable and juvenile in design, the Lannister's and their cadets are noblesse in blood but niggling are their hearts.
Yet here I saw the Dayne's trifling their wealth onto their subordinates and people like a waterfall, is it the work of haughtiness or compassion I wonder… then again, the oddities did not stop on that as well.
I looked higher to see the Castle of Starfall, bright against the sun with reflection that rivalled the sea. All in itself is a beautiful thing, as noble as the house it holds, but for all the marvel it may bring, it is not as considerable against the humongous structure beside it. Steel structure tall and wide that dwarf everything behind it shadows, in morning it shields the sun for the villages underneath Starfall and itself, in that everyone is gladdened, more time against the unforgiving heat of Dorne.
I have gone to the north once, going as far as the gift to sell all my commodities. The north does enjoy curiosities of the south and east just the south enjoys northern items and such, the interest is obvious for my calling of trade. In such times I saw the wall in the north, tall and proud as the Starks of Winterfell, but for all it standing this metal structure of the Dayne is taller than it by far, though not as long.
Still… it is without question most would mistake it as a mountain… it does made many wonder if they truly gone the right away after they see such massive new landmark…
The people speak, that it has fallen from the stars no more four months ago, fell with the light of the sun and coiled with the lands near them, as it straddled by the sea. it is ridiculous the first time the words blanketed my ears, yet from all around, where contraptions of the majestic surround me, the story seems so less doubtful with each second.
Most educated men that I have conversed it says it is two thousand feet tall that is visible, it is only the surface length in which they count, I dare to say that it is much taller, as the rest of its body is submerged under the waters. Even the wall only reaches seven hundred feet, what type of mastery of craftmanship you needed to have and the power it took to make such constructions is beyond comprehension.
The Castle of Starfall have been changing as well, just as its settlement below. White stone became white steel, and summoned light with a blinding shine is observable during night.
Like carrion above a mass grave or Seagulls a top a craggy rock of the sea, in all times there are flying steel roaming around overhead of Starfall castle, without stop and pardon. They are as large as two men conjoined as one, wings extended and without flap, their beings elude all watchers. Speculation came here, there and everywhere 'Steel Dragons' they spoke 'Eagles of the Stars' they shouted, 'Confusing' is what I say, how such creatures float with such grace in the air like being held by the divines is truly a wonder, and by the dozens are their numbered.
All this magics in the lands between the Red Mountain, where the gleam of the Torrentine River shines greater with every passing miracle. It is no wonder people start to see the Dayne's as deific themselves in due time, Taverns and bonfire alike men speak of the notion that the coming of the Steel ship is of Starfall's destiny so aptly named.
'Birthright of Gedric and Gawain Dayne' they have said, where the firstborn of the Lord Erick Dayne has been taken within its steely splendor and made him its master, its magic's and phenomenon worthy of Godhood will be in the hands of the Dayne's as a gift of their coming of age in time. As the words has been spoken, men wearing the banners and attires of the Ship they dub the kingdom of 'Alexandria' shakes their head in disapproval on such proclamation, their eagles ordained on their garb, luster gold and silver.
Though they have not loudly spoken on where lies the contempt, is it the notion that the Firstborn of the Daynes of Starfall are mistakenly declared their master? or is it for the fact that the people beneath proclaimed such truth too lightly? I do not know.
I walk to my caravan and horses, once in a while. The very fact that no man can withdraw from the land of Starfall and Dayne is a worrying news, many entered yet none are allowed to leave. They never ordained me the reason behind the isolation. As a trader, traveling is an essential prospect if I wish to reap interest. At the time being no man or woman may walk or ride out of Starfall or High Hermitage.
How does these men of the stars could know when or where every living soul that intended to leave or enter? I do not know. Though I do know what would happen if they do try their peril to leave, the dungeon or death. At night and day often I hear sounds of thunder from afar, one of the magics of the Star folks perhaps? They are elusive on their ways of mystic on aspects of combat, though there are some speculations I dare not think of…
I sold many items in my exchange, foods and trinkets, even weapons though that is on short stature in order to gain the wealth needed for food and other needed commodities for my family. Yet again I found myself with a purse too big for what is necessary, though I am sure it would not be so in a couple of moments in which I will spend it in hope.
The merchants Inn are where I and my wife, daughter and two sons stay for the time being, where the room is as wide as a noble dining room, where the magics are at work and the air is cool and comforting. It even has a place for bathing and drinking much to the elation of my family, I wouldn't give them anything less than the best I could afford, but a room inside of a room where waters pour through the pores of a machine without limits? It is a work of miracle; I say once more.
Still the name is quite uncreative I have to say, but I am here for other reasons, not critiquing a name…
For the time being, the Inn keeper spoke that my stay is paid for the time being to ease the burden for the remaining rules of isolation they have berefted. I breathed in relief from the news, the room looks as expensive as a kiss to a noble cheek's lady.
So I have heard it has been alleviated by the courtesy of the Dayne and the UNSC, though most folks call the later as star folks due to their resplendent origins, yet I assume after the courtesy is lifted, I must pay for whatever it cost, I pray I am already on the road before such exemptions are departed.
Now I am in the place they named the cafeteria, it is large as well as it is in making, quite fortunate of me it is just beside the Inn I and my family stay in, for I have no interest to be afar away from them nor I pursuit a fatigue from walking.
I saw the food in which they sell, it is ravishingly on display behind glass panned shelfs, all of them meat and fruits alike of the highest quality, I found myself drooling as I stare on the exhibition. I usually only eat when the sunsets from the sky, it is of the otherwise for my family, they break the fast as much as they break the evening. Yet the food we often ate are meat and rations of the common type, which are rare despite the category. Often times we only eat fruits and vegetables even berries we can find on the road; we learn to make due with what we have…
I held a hundred and eighty Gold Dragons and five hundred of silver moons and stags, I dread the cost it would take to partake on this quality of food, I assume it would cost half of my wealth to eat for a month, prized banquet such as these are only given in noble or royal feast by the highborn court. I look around the dwelling, where tables are long and wide, where there sits all manner of people, small and common alike, Star folks and Westerosi both conjoined and separate like diverse characters.
They all eat the same prized meat and fruits, the Star folks eat with discipline, all soldier and knights it would seem on their part, using forks and knifes they participate carefully as if one wrong move would mean the death of them.
The Westerosi's however, ate like they are awaiting execution. They do not even deign to use the utensils provided that lay just beside them, going full force and hands they grab the well-cooked meats of various kinds and shove it rightly right on their holes, hells even the women partake in such a fashion. It is understandable, most are of ill-repute descendant, small folks that are of only the working field and even less so the bastard born who lacks the etiquettes even a trueborn common child knows.
How they could afford these much feast, again… I do not know. But then perhaps they are paid for their work as exchange, but then again what type of work such a small folk could have that could give them such indulgence is perplexing, they are not well known to be educated.
The star folks, they all wore drabs as clean and sharp as their faces, they stare on disgust, more than some even left to find another table to be away of such barbaric behavior. Yet, some stayed, either because they do not want to shame the Westerosi of their poor conduct or find them amusing to watch.
Though all small folks realize their behavior the second many of their greater left their table, it seems they enjoy the company of their Star folk's counterpart more than it seems and they looked down in expected shame by the seconds the Eagle clad people are absented from their view. Even I pity them for their plight, there are almost no days they are not reminded of their filthy standings by the common and highborn alike, perhaps this is one of the few days that they could be in a company of legendary congregates, quite unfortunate they have lost their chance in a short time.
They seem like a child as they look down in indignity… though most of them are.
I took my attention back to the clerk of this dwelling and ask him for the price for a week worth of food. Even now my purse is dangling with a fear that it would be emptied like a blood of a man stabbed in a heart, every twinkle and dangle my heart beats the same rhythm as I fear for the coming provisions.
The seller gave me a paper with words listed quite well, it spoke of various meats like chicken, beefs to sea fared cuisine like fish and the like. My wife would thoroughly enjoy all of this manner of victuals, more so my daughter, the boys would certainly ravage the food without end. lips trembling with a lachrymose, I bought more than a handful of foods that would last for this day and tomorrow morning.
"Here you go pal!" The clerk spoke, his accent unfamiliar to me and so is his manner of speaking. In his hands he dropped a small box of honeyed chickens and salted cooked meats with spices that would taunt a bear jealous from a mile away, even concealed I can already taste it on my buds "That would be uhh… a silver stag and ten coppers" he said, nonchalantly like it is just another trifling work of another day.
I froze as I hear the words spoken, I remember the day I bought salted pork on the Stormlands inn mere months ago, it has cost me no less a silver moon, I ask myself if this could be another work of my ears misshaping or perhaps another work of miracle from these star folks. "Can you speak the price once again?" I queried, hoping what I hear is true from once before.
"Yeah sir… a silver stag and ten coppers… that's quite a big order you got, see! You gotta family with you or something?" He said again, and my heart beats faster as he continued to speak "That's like… sixty-six coppers, right? Well, there ya go, pull them up!" He finished, hand on his hip with a grin on his face.
I bear no copper at this moment, the items I sell are all silver and dragons in cost, every copper I own is on my wife's holding with all the savings as well. With face flabbergasted I gave him two stags instead and I settled with the change. I held the box on my arms, and its weight is true. Large are the chickens given and the heft of the pork and beefs are wide, all my life I never thought to go home with food this large in a day.
"Oh, HELL No!" The clerk exclaimed, and in a moment my soul stood still, have I done something wrong? have I made a mistake? I put down the small box and look upon the seller with fear. Here I thought my family would feast and smile for the evening, have I hope for too much?
"No way I'm counting coins again!" He put one silver stag in his pocket and throw me the other one, I barely catch it in my half-way stupor "Keep that one! I don't have time for counting changes!".
Most of my life as a peddling merchant, I have wrought wrath upon me for costs that considered too high for the items and sells that I mistake to be too low of a price only to realize its much greater cost in time with a shake on my head. Generosity comes in low demands in these trying times, but the man behind the food just flick a coin at me back like rain of waters.
I shed a bit of tear in my eye, has the gods gave respite to the people of the seven kingdoms at last, have they sent gift from the stars to ease the pain of their subjects? They say the Dayne brought this wealth to this land, a promise and destiny of old bloodlines, given from the skies… how else is the reason behind the name of the castle now so aptly named?
Will these priceless moments be eternal? I know not… for the time being, my family will laugh on the table with swelled belly and a comforting room to sleep in, as a father and husband rarely have, I feel so content. I am expecting the gorgeous smile my wife can give me the second I arrived home, the laughter and awe of my children.
As I walk away from the cafeteria and on to home, my ears perk on the last words I manage to hear from the clerk "GOD! I miss credit cards already…" he says, it is an odd existence this man of the stars… and so are their words… but I will not have it any other way.
As I head home towards the inn, I saw the light of Dusk pierced through the homes and other structures, all seems otherworldly from below, cavalcades of home with diverse makings surround me, some homes that has been replaced looks twice as tall as their original ones before, in that the people of Starfall is truly blessed to be at the vanguard of divine intervention.
The walk has been eventful although short, as another work of miracle pass beside me on the wide road outside of the village. Therein rides carriages that move with great speed that makes horse play seems infantile, in seconds they could reach the marshes and the mountains where a horse could take half a minute. I almost slipped and dropped my food as I stare at them, an omen of some kind, I watch my way closely now.
As I arrived at the Inn, I saw many congregates of people filling the air with joyous occasion, all smiles and laughs, I am glad for them, these times are truly blessed. Blessed more of me that I have a family to spend this magical night with, in that I am champion in sentiment. I knock on the door of my room to be opened and find my doting daughter smiling with those grey eyes of hers.
"You are home so quickly!" My wife beautiful voice spoke that eases the heart "I am glad, the sun sets so beautiful this day, Clarissa wishes to spend it with you" She said, naming my daughter to miss me already "As am I…" she finished, as she kissed me on the cheek.
"We have been provided with plates for eating as well, correct?" I asked, the idiotic grin on my face has not left it for some time, my wife look at me incredulous and confounded. I set the box below the dining table on the edge of the spacious room.
"Yes… of course, the lady of this Inn has been so generous! And gave us a bigger plate when she saw the boys on their way out" She flicked her brown hair away from her eyes, she looks pretty whenever she did that "oh… I don't know how to tell her that this is too big for us… I put those on the shelf from now though I-… why are you smiling like that you terrify me!" she said, giggling as she touches my shoulders.
"I dare say it would still be too small for us, love… look what I have brought!"
I pointed to the box with eager fingers, my wife features look at me skeptically and playfully, asking what is inside it numerous times. Impatient, my daughter, Clarissa pulled the box away from underneath the table and exhaustively shred it open with the fervor of a restless child. And in a second the smell of a feast colored the room's air.
"By the gods, Varon… what is that!" My wife scurried over to it and see what is within, followed by her hands in her mouth with disbelief. "Varon! How much did that cost us?!" She looked at me as if I am possessed by a demon, she kept on staring with her blues of the skies as my face dreamt over yonder and my eyes locked to my daughter jumping around giddy that she would eat meat again.
I hand her the remaining gold dragons and silver that remains as heavy as it has before I left, and she looked at me the way she did once when I dropped her mother's necklace accidentally years before. "Gods no! Varon… did you stole it?" she accused
"What! No, love! I bought it with a silver stag!" I spoke, her face becoming narrowed and mouth agape by the second "By the name of our four hundred yet to be born children! I swore I bought it at that price!" I said smiling all the way, she had no chance but to laugh on my proclamation bended over on the table choking in her amusement.
It took a bit of time before she actually believed me, using various occurrences from flying steel dragons to steel houses and inns for analogy of the ridiculousness of this world in which we are living in, she of course relented in the end, giving me copious kisses and love for the day, my daughter gave me the biggest hug she could gave me. The night is on its greatness already.
in time we all start to settle the dining table, flapped the table cloth to blanket the wooden surfaces and set all the plates and the foods on top of it. I look around the room and wonder why it is quieter than usual in this flock of family "Nyla? Where are the boys?" I asked, as my wife gave a straight answer.
"They've gone to the outskirts of Castle Starfall, they wish to watch the spar between the Star folks and the knights…" She said, shrugging as she cleans the remaining plates "All the young'uns have been teeming to see the bouts for days now… they usually climb on the tall crags on the side of the Castle courtyard to watch them… I know not how many times I forbade them. But they are boys still, so woe my warnings…"
I chuckled on that notion, I concurred and spoke of the wildness of the young with a remainder of the olden days. "Do you remember twelve years ago… during the village elders' birthday on Blackbuckle?"
"Yes? What of it?" she asked
"Did I not break your grandfathers' window to warm your bed-"
"Varon! You shut your mouth!" She slapped me on the back playfully as I hug her from behind, laughing as she held a death grip as to not drop the plates. My daughter confused on the happenstance asked what is Blackbuckle and what happen on that day, I wisely kept my mouth shut. As we close to finish the dining preparation, a voice boomed through the settlement that even with the closed window still it Is heard
"THE SPAR IS OVER!" someone shouted, like a slow crack of thunder that sail to the air "HAIL! LADY SIGRID AND LORD GWENDAL!". My wife and I looked to each other in confounding expression until a great booming cheer fills the air, it was the loudest I have heard a congregate of people ever yelled merrily. The last I have heard of this like Is of the Tourney at Kings landing during the birth of Aerys Targaryen the second and this almost trump such events.
"My… must be rather eventful…" Nyla said, a smile still lingers on her lips "At least they get what they are coming for…"
The name Gwendal is familiar to me, the young heir of High Hermitage, The Dayne of the Torrentine crossroads, it is typical to think that all the Dayne's would be present on these hectic days, it would be odd otherwise. And judging from the thunderous chant, morale has never been so high for this noble household.
"You wish you could be there Varon…" she spoke smiling
"I am where I want to be" I replied, not bothering to meet her eyes, a peck on a cheek she gave me again a second after.
Not long afterward, a drabble of footsteps came with a knock on the door, the boys came home with spirit rivaling a horse on the steppes it seems, I opened the door to find them dirty on dirt all over. "F-father… you're home"
"And you are filthy!" I scolded "Go and bathe at the… at… Nyla?"
"The Landlady call it bathroom!"
"Aptly Named! Go on then scurry on!"
They rush onto the room with competitive speed, even in bathing they find themselves contesting in notion. "Do they know how to use it?" I asked, worried for the coming trialing if they didn't.
"They do… they fought over the uhmm…"
"The shower!" Clarissa joined with adorable glee"
"Yes! They fought over the shower with glorious passion… Gods, I cannot keep up with them"
The time goes by, and the sunsets beautifully on the horizon. My sons returned to the table just in time for their dinner, in that regard they are punctual, growing men follow their stomach just as much as their fire. They awed on the gargantuan feast that lay on the table, they look upon me with questionable look, I gave them an Ultimatum in action.
if they do not take the food, I will eat all of it…
They quickly stuff their mouth, and shut their word hole.
The rest of the night is spent with familial glee and wonder, all speak of the marvel they found on their way here, flying creatures of steel that I had saw, moving carriages without horses, weapons that shouted thunder and fire. All the works the miracle has been brought by the Daynes and the Star folks.
On their way home, my sons even gotten themselves a keep's sake from them, a symbol made out of solid metal that shines still in the moonlight, an Eagle that grasp thunder and arrows on their claws, it is of splendor making and I congratulate them for it.
Clarissa, my daughter scowled as she did not procure anything on her stay. I gave her a promise that I would bring her out to find herself something to buy on my walks, perhaps something for my wife as well…
The boys took their time telling the story of how Lord Gwendal and the one they call Lady Sigrid fought with a match that cannot be called less than legendary, here I sit listening to a story of a woman matching a Dayne in battle, though Dorne is quite a queer place to be had, I found that there are many warrior woman here as much as there are sands.
They say magics and the likes are the work of the heretic… as the seven proclaimed…
That it is the work of the blasphemer and only evil would use such devilry…
But as I saw the eagles work their hands on their magics, I saw only curiosity, pleasure and joy by their own makings. They put food on the table and man cheering…
I saw no bloodletting and sacrifice on my stay here…
That night when my children go to their rooms, I spent it warming the bed with my wife…
We have everything we could have had here… perhaps a good future as well…
I know of carpentry and smithing from my grandfather of old before my father took up being a merchant, and there are still trinkets on my cart that would sell for hundreds of Golds Dragons more…
Perhaps it is time to settle after all… this is as good of place as any…
I fell asleep with no worries on my hearts…
The moon glows soothingly, and I find my dreams to be wanting in compared to the reality that I had partaken in.
Now in this day, I expect the morning to come as swiftly as it is gone…
Memoirs of a bandit
Here in this outskirt, I stand beside flocks of man that stood with strange presence. Black is their armor that assembled itself with plating conjoined so perfectly that there seems to be no opening to be exploited, the helmet itself is quite confusing, the visor is shielded and shining. How could they see through that? they hugged the body as well, like it is made for them explicitly.
The only thing ordained on their armor are the Words ODST with varying location, some men had it on their chest large and loud. Others have them on their shoulders, sleek and hidden. There are also many items scattered neatly throughout the armor and outfit they wore, odd shapes and glint that is for a purpose unknown to me.
But another thing interest me in that which they hold, they carry it religiously, like a Maester carrying their book or the starving holding their food closely. Rumors spread every now and then on what these arms of them can do, the sounds of lightning casted are often heard very far out from the village beneath Starfall, sometimes a blink of light can be seen before the sound itself appear, an omen that came before the summoned crackle of thunder.
I stand here now not only out of curiosity but out of self-interest as well, I look around the village and saw marvels no man should be held from the teachings of the seven gods, I also saw contraption that does not fit with the pattern of life that I have known and taught on all my years of living. Everything here challenges my notion of reality, and I found myself overwhelmed for every time I step foot outside of my tent to find the world seems so otherworldly from which I know.
In a moment I felt a hand touched my shoulders, the beating of my heart quickened ten-fold in under a second as my eyes widened and vision sharpened, I turn to look to the culprits who dared to lay their fingers on me, only to find I am towered by the same star folk that I am terrified against. "Take it easy!" He said, his voice betrays his bulk of a lofty frame "the names Rick, from the Comet 9-9 squad, I heard you'll be joining us today"
"They don't know what Squad designation is, Rick" Another ODST spoke behind the one they call Rick, I know not of which one brings out the voice, other than Rick here, every one of these bulky warriors looks around them like they are expecting an ambush in every moment.
"Save it Horndog, that was just a formality. Besides, it's a habit for us already" Rick spoke, only taking a glance behind him, nonchalant and cool. Whoever he is speaking too only gave a grunt before he turns his attention back to me.
"So, I've heard you're a Sellsword who knows his way around the mountain parts yea?" he asked, his accent unknown and manner of speech bewildering. Though considering where they are speculated to come from, that trait is the least of my worries. It would seem they know me as a hired sword, unknown to my true callings and plan. Following what they know I concurred with fitting information as I can.
"I have traveled through these mountains yes…" I answered, straining to kept my voice from cracking "Folks usually dared themselves through these mountains if they wish to go quicker to Oldtown, the wisest and living once often hired me and others to defend them from whatever peril hides on those shores of stones…"
"Right, right…" Rick nods his head on my testimony, his dark visor eerie on sunlight gave a reflection of white hue "So… you see, to put it short we've been having some problems lately. My friends and I here are… you know, assigned to protect the people here from whatever are hiding outside of this area" he said, grasping my shoulders as he speaks, his grip is deathly, I found myself struggling to breath by the second.
"Unfortunately!" He continued with a loud voice that covered in emphasis "There were an error of attendance some time ago, some of the people here are absent from the location… you understand what I am saying right?"
My head drabbled on what he could mean, until I fathomed the answer on my own "You refer to the missing Smallfolks…"
"YES! yes! That right… Smallfolks" he concurred "let's say to save time, that we haven't yet gave these missing people the means to monitor where they have gone… therefore, we found ourselves in a tad bit of difficulty here on trying to find them"
He points his finger on my chest, with his other hand hugging around my shoulder as his helmet lean down on me, I am losing my breath by the second, worried for whatever wizardry these Dark warriors would befell upon me, before he speaks once more "now THAT's where you came in! so I have heard you know your way around these mountains… and color me shocked when I found out that these missing people are reported to be abducted! By Hillbillies bandits that lives on a cave like some flintstones hoo-haa…"
He forcefully turns my body to face him, his visor staring at me with horrifying glint "Do you see what I am getting here!? Brionn!?"
He spoke my name with such fervor, a name he most likely acquired the same way why he knew of my bout on the mountains "Yo-you want m-me to… he-help you found these bandits" I spoke, fear seeping through my mental crevices.
"HOLY SHIT! YOU'RE A GOD DAMN GENIUS BRIONN!" He said loudly, as if he found a revelation to life "YOU HEAR THAT HORNDOG!? JIMBO!?"
"Keep it down for fucks sake"
"Just hurry it up so we can leave, Harl"
He turns back to me with a snap and spoke "you will be coming with us Brionn…" words spoken with absolute "you will help us saved those abducted people… You will assist us to find these bandits… and you WILL come and kill those FUCKERS with us! UNDERSTAND!" his tone aggressive, a rabid dog an inch away from a pounce.
"I-I will help!"
"There ya go!" He tuns his back to his allies, and hollered them to follow him. He nudged his head to me as well, indicating that I need to do so as well. I heed the order, unwilling to learn of what would happen otherwise. There are four of them in number, all wielding the same legendary gears of war.
"There are only four of them… they would be overwhelmed…" I thought, I have fears now, But the moment they arrived on the bandit encampment that holds more than dozens within would be nothing less a slaughter. These dark warriors will never see it coming.
I smiled at the prospect, eager to try on these hardy armors of theirs that they wore, mayhaps even looking a bit like a lordling myself as I put it on. Every step I turned eager as my pace becomes quicker, they saw my change of spirit amusing, one of them pat me on the back on our walk. "The fools…" I spoke in mind; I await the moment they writhe in pain on the ground.
We arrived to see a carriage that stood with no horses, I saw what these monsters can do, riding at a speed unprecedented without any cattle or animals carrying them. When the boys get a hold of this magics, the raid would be much more ease and delicious, I can hardly wait.
"First time, right?" one of them spoke, which one is unknown to me but this one has a different voice than the last. "You'll love it, the wind gets your hair flowing and takes away the heat and weather. It'll feel like flying!" I can feel his smile behind the Dark Helmet as he said so, I merely nod my head on his statement, a dead man's voice is hardly a thing to hear.
"Too bad I'm wearing my battle armor… Can't feel shit, but I can imagine it" He pats the sit on the carriage "it's called an M50 Razorback, can fit more or less five people in it… come on in" he invited, I noticed the odd makings of the contraption. Four gargantuan wheels and a curvature shape armored steel, with four seats on top and a large space on the rear that held an odd apparatus on top of it, one of the Dark warriors stationed himself there, holding both hands on it with a strong grip.
I sat on my place and await further instructions, but not long a second after the carriage moves and accelerate with the speed I thought merely as a rumor, just then I felt the hard winds on my face and I barely can contain my eyes open, it felt like I left my soul back there. I hear the voice of the one who hold the wheel of this contraption, his words are barely coherent in the instances.
"Hey!" He shouted; voice muffled from the wind that covered his mouth. Harl is his name or so I've heard from one of his friends speaking of it before "You gotta give me Directions man! Don't know where to go, so you're going to go navigational on me!" I nodded and trying to get my bearings as I try to understand the view of where I exactly am on this moment, my fingers awkwardly lifting up as I try to find the real way towards our destination.
"Remember!" He yelled again "Straight to the Mountain Bandit camps! No need for Detours, yeah!" I hurriedly nodded and as soon as I comprehend my senses, I pointed to the location that they need. It is unknown to me if this carriage can brave through the unforgiving hills and stony pathways of the mountains. But it is a question answered in a short time as we found ourselves gliding on its stony shores.
My body tingled in wonderment as I see how capable this wheeled magical contraption is against any road. If it was a horse, it would have crippled itself on the journey and move in a much slower pace as well if it's going in the same pathways this vehicle tread too. Truly a marvel of great makings, I can already imagine the loot, me and the boys can wrap our hands around with this beast in hand.
As we journey on, I felt another hand on my shoulder, hot as if it is a steel that has been cooked in the sun for too long. I turn around to see that it is the Dark warrior of the ODST, which one? I do not know, perhaps this is the one they call Horndog or Jimbo "by the way, I never got the chance to talk to a local on my time here…" He said "kind a curious on how you all feel with the whole ship that fell from the sky bit... So, how'd you do?"
Is he questioning on the state of the people on the strangeness that they have given them? In that regard I can answer nothing but the truth "They say that… that you are a gift from the gods… that-" as the short words escape my mouth, the Dark warrior that held the odd apparatus on the rear burst out in laughter.
"Holy fuck!" He said "Did you hear that Harl? We're Gods now!" they all buff out in contagious merry worth; one could mistake their glee voices for roars, I would like to join in on the delight but I know a worst fate awaits all of them so I bade my time and kept myself in check. One of them tap my shoulders again as they put their hand on their chest, truth be told it is becoming rather annoying.
"Ahh man… what else, what else?" they asked, eyes looking on me with expectations, yet… I feel as if I am surrounded by predators, waiting to be pounced and tear apart, in a moment I shake a little and a bit of tremble escaped me. I chuckled awkwardly as they kept on staring, my eyes are forward as I am terrified to what I will see if I turn towards them.
"Well, ser…" I told them everything I know of what the villagers feel on their coming, the fear they felt as the ground shake on their arrival, the dread on hearing the firstborn Dayne abducted, the grandeur of the magics they showed and so on. They are listening intently on every word, but I could not help but feel dreaded on every second I spoke… in fact, it is for every second that I stayed.
It is as if something is telling me of how much of an awful idea this is… how going against such forces would only invite true death and torture to me, fire as high as my pain can go. The dread forced my mind to feel dizzy on every moment that I get the bear of reality, I started to feel beads of sweat all over my forehead. It was haunting… it is as if I am walking towards a demon's den.
I started to lose my voice with every word that I spoke, once in a while I choke and in another moment I squealed. It doesn't take long for one of them to move their head closer to me to enquire my state "What's wrong Brionn?" One of the Dark warriors asked "Can't take the speed!? Or are we just to hot for ya!?" they all chuckle at the last bit, yet I could not help but hear a thread of threat on their voices.
I tried to find the source of my fear, I really have. In all my life as a raider and bandit, my guts and instinct has always told me if something is amiss, hidden traps that I have not seen or examining dangerous individuals alike, it comes with the territory to ensure that every throat and purse that I cut did not end in my death.
But I was safe on the hands of these warriors… could they… could they know?
No… that can't be… they would not invite me so cordially if I did. But my instincts never failed me… so what is this danger that I felt…
The silence takes over the moment, barring of course the sound of this carriage roaring and the wind soaring. On the speed we go I dared to turn and look to the other passengers on this vehicle, only to find that they are still staring at me behind those Dark helmets of theirs, their faces shielded still and unseen from the outer world. "Is- is there something wrong?" I deigned to ask, casting away the eeriness for a moment.
"Whaaaaat!? Noooooo… of course, not" one of them said "We were just worried, is all…" all of them turn their heads forward once again, except for one who proceed to speak… "But if there is something wrong…you would tell…, would you?" he asked, for a moment it felt like a shadow crept unto my bosom.
"O-of course, is that not why you deigned me to go with you?" I replied, voice cracking a bit and I hope they did not notice.
"See… Harl" The enquiring Dark Warrior said as he playfully tapped my shoulder "He's fine, no need to worry"
"Yeah, man… serve me right for fussing!" Harl said with a chuckle, though a question followed "How about your conscious Brionn?"
"P-pardon?"
"Your Conscious… how is it? is it good?" He repeated, eyes still focused forward with the wheel in hand "are you a good man, Brionn? At least do you feel like one?"
The circumstances become bewildering by the moment, these questions that came eludes me as much as it is terrifying. I roamed my mind to find a reason and an answer both at the same time for the cause of this event and the questions asked.
"I like to think so…" I answered straight as I lose my breath.
"Aww! You like to think so huh!?" He laughed, one hand on the wheel this time and the other on his head. "That is actually a good answer… isn't that a good answer, Jimbo!?"
"Yep… very fitting!" Jimbo concurred
"Very fitting…" Harl repeated.
'Very fitting of what!?' I thought to myself, this is beyond bizarre. Silence befell us once again, until a voice screamed inside my head.
They know…
They know…
THEY KNOW…
I shuffled in my own seat, trying to find the bravery and excuse to leave. Yet also trying to assure my self that it is nothing, that my head and soul is merely playing tricks on me. But they never did, they never failed me my whole life. Whenever something is wrong, my instinct always knows…
THEY KNOW…
I looked around the carriage to see that all of the Dark warriors of the ODST fell their attention forward again, it is a surreal moment as it Is, as if I do not exist in their world. I started to hear myself breathing as my ears became numb from my anxiety, the uncertainty of my fate fills my essence with Horror as I froze in my staring towards my feet.
"Hey man…" Harl speaks again, hands still on the wheels of course "Point the way, make sure we're not lost here…"
I got my bearings onto me and focus my mind to the task at hand. I gave them directions on where to go whenever there are twist and turns, and if we do manage to go into an open field, I would point the way to our destination. My hands and mouth move on their own, it is a habit that I have done many times as I led many guarded caravans and traders to their doom, and I to my wealth. This one should not be so different…
It shouldn't be… It shouldn't
BUT IT WOULD
My mind retort once more, I pinch my nose hardly to push my senses back to reality yet again. The plan was simple and true, if it is a poor threat of a target, I will lead them to an ambush point on a natural crossroad of the red mountains. If it is a well-guarded one, I would lead them to the gap between the encampment where dozens upon dozens of men will slaughter them and take the loot and gears of their caravan and corpses.
It is not until I arrive at the mistaken destination that I realize I had taken the Dark Warriors to the Ambush point instead…
"STOP!" I shouted. my heart beats in greater panic as I sit in revelation on what I have done. The carriage stopped abruptly, if not for the ODST hands that grasp my shoulder as we stop, I would have been smacked to the hard steel in front of me.
"We forgot to tell you to wear your seat belts…" The Dark Warrior said, though this one is the one that has not spoken for the entire time of the journey.
"Finally, you talked, Clam. I was beginning to think you're a dead man" Harl stated.
"There when you need me…" Clam replied, he looks forward like a man with a mission.
"Course you are…" Harl looks forward to see two large cliffs that surrounds the road "Is this the Bandit camp?" he asked "I don't see anyone…"
"W-wait…" I trembled as I spoke "I took you the wrong way… this is the Ambush point"
"OOOOOOH the ambush point…" Harl Emphasized, I can feel his rapacious grin behind the helmet "That's accidental"
"N-no! I swear it is not what I meant! I-"
"Oh!?" Harl stepped out of the Carriage and Stood up aggressively "You hear that boys? He didn't mean it!"
"Wow… really"
"Didn't see that coming…"
My breathing is becoming harder, it is impossible for them to not see and question it. Yet for some reason none of them stoop themselves to doubt my seemingly irrational behaviors. Some of them went out with Harl and step out "Clam, guard the wheels would you…"
"Right on" The called warrior step down from the rear and sat on the front with me.
I froze over, unsure what should be done. My senses spoke that I need to warn them, but another wants no act of betrayal against my flock of banditry. But they are but three men, surely an ambush of ten would annihilate them? Those weapons of thunder of theirs are surely paltry tricks?
"there's ten people out there…" my lips move on its own "shouldn't you be there to help them?" I said to the one they call Clam, wanting to be as far away from their ilk as possible.
The Dark Warrior turns his head, slow as a twisted knife and my heart beats even faster as he spoke "How do you know there are ten men out there?" he whispered with a deep tone "that is really odd…"
My eyes widened in revelation, now they really do know. The coward's way out would be to bolt myself out of this cursed Carriage and run to the hills where they couldn't catch me. But as I saw this contraption rides, I know full well they can just run me over, there is no escape from that.
My morbid curiosity spoke that I should see what happened, that perhaps all these fears are of nothing and my rogue compatriots would succeed in dispatching them. But in the deepest part of me, I feel as if I am merely lying to myself.
"I have wrought upon my own death…"I whispered in thought unconsciously, but still I hoped that I can survive this. I looked forward to see that the Dark Warriors that left is now standing a little bit below the cliffs that straddled the road, this would be the time the ambush will be sprung.
"Stop Squirming…" Clam spoke, seemingly disinterested in my panic "You're starting to look like a man with a bad conscious…"
I am no educated men, but the insinuation is as clear as a Myrish Glass. I MUST ESCAPE.
Suddenly screams and battle-cry from atop a cliff is sounded, and I saw my ilk sprung their ambuscade in false confidence. The charged towards the three Dark Warriors, sword arms high in the sky, and in an instant…
THUNDERS BELLOWED…
"WEAPONS FREE!" Harl shouted, and what followed are cracking thunder thrown repeatedly. Flashes of fire and cross can be seen on the arms of the three demons that held their crossbows of lightning. I even hear some of them laughing on the slaughter, nothing less than fiendish and murderous.
In that I realize the mistake most true that I have made, these are not normal men that can be fallen with a simple swing of a sword. These are retribution that came for all of my and my thieving scums sins and atrocities. In a moment I stopped breathing as I saw one by one of the bandits fell to the ground, not even reaching striking distance to the Demon that came for their execution.
The bloodletting is without mercy, every scream has been cut short as if they cease to exist at the very moment they open their mouth. Some of there weapons of steel axe and wooden making sword alike has even been destroyed by the demonic weapons unstoppable crack, only shrapnel and snapped hilts remain. A fate their wielders seems to share.
I knew some of them well, old men and young alike. Gone within seconds of bout by divine vengeance. I saw limbs flying off their bodies and blood regurgitated out of them more than I thought possible. In those gores and inhuman view, I finally made my choice.
IT IS TIME TO FLEE, regardless if they manage to apprehend me again, I must try.
But an action come undone, as I made a move to step my leg out, I felt a hand once again pull me backwards firmly. "Where you goin?" Clam asked, his head tilted with a sarcastic body language "Oh I see what it is… you didn't put on your seat belt on don't you? Don't worry ill help you out…" and with a swift movement he clammed what seems to be a thick flattened rope made of unknown rubber around my body and click it to some device.
"There ya go… I even locked it for you… so you can't go ANYWHERE" He growled "Don't you feel so safe now?" he went back to his seat and leaned back in relaxation "Now be quiet and enjoy the show…"
I took a deep breath and turn back to the gory skirmish and what I saw is no less monstrous. They kept cracking thunder towards the only living bandit, I know his name as Loran, a man in his mid-age, well known to be the rapist of the group. The Dark Warriors aimed their weapons on his body, arms and legs, but all of them are not lethal, they intend to torture Loran to his death.
The coming moment made my body numb…
"Brionn! Please!" Loran shouted in depressing request, his arms extended towards me as it is missing some parts of its hands and fingers "BRIONN! HELP ME!". The last shot of thunder is the loudest one as Loran's head exploded from the act.
Corpses upon corpses mangled and some of their limbs scattered the area. The blood pooled over like fountains as Harl and his comrades caked their boots freely on the liquid. I see them approaching the Carriage and my soul felt like it wanted to escape. Their walks are very nonchalant, as if this is just another day of work.
Harl stopped on my side of the seat and lean his arm on the shoulder pad of where I sat "Now… tell me if I'm wrong, but did that son of a bitch just screamed your name?" he asked, I looked down in fear, my vision becoming hazy by the second. I opened my mouth to answer but no words came out, I feel as if I needed to faint.
"Nah man, I'm sure it's just a coincidence" one of them said, who it is, I am unsure. I am in no state to realize my surroundings. "Yeah, probably some guy named Brionn out there, who just happen to have the same name as this bozo right here!" someone said, I feel a hard firm hand pulling my hair and shaking my head. "Or do you have something you want to tell us Brionn!?"
"What do I say!?" I thought, there are no path on this that could lead to my salvation. The light reflected from their dark Helmets sting my eyes as they surround me, I have no choice but to only open my sight halfway as I look down upon my feet. The tears start falling down, and I felt that I am halfway on pissing myself even if my lower body became numb on these instances.
I manage to gave a couple of words "I-I don't kn-" Until they cut me short once more with their voices.
"Nah I'm sure its just my imagination… isn't that right Horndog?" Harl playfully suggested
"Yea I think so too… its s a small world after all" Horndog replied "Come on, lets get outta here, we got a nest to fry, yeah!?"
"That's right" Harl concurred "Scoot over, Clam. Lemme ride again" as he speaks the growling Dark Warrior went back to his original position on the rear and the playful one starts to take the wheel once more.
In this second, I have realized where my true fate lies. These men have known my part from the very beginning… And now they are fucking with me. A bargaining thought starts to coil on my head, wishing that after they toying of me is over, I may come out of this alive. But the dread is still there, and I understand that one wrong move would only end in my insufferable torment.
"Brionn…" I hear Harl spoke as he released me from my anxious stupor "This time, tell us where the Bandit camp is… no more detours. Do you understand!?" the implication of threat is clear for me to hear, and I obviously merely nod on their request, certain there is nothing I can do but follow on like a dog lest they bring hell upon me.
"Good…" He said "lets ride!" and the wind searing through the carriage once more, just as it swept my sweat and tears away from my face. The dark warrior that sat behind me tap my shoulder forcefully as my heart lunged on the contact, I immediately gave them the instruction needed to reach their true destination.
In my mind now I understand what destiny would come even before we arrived on the goal… I already can smell the cooked flesh already. The ride was silent, no one uttered a voice to me and anyone else, not a bit. Uncanny and strange I did find it, it felt like an omen coming and sweeping silently like an arrow in the night.
…
….
…..
"I made my oath to use my weapons for the protection of Humanity…" Harl spoke once again, the statement in which he speaks took my interest though the fear still escalates within "from even before I reach my twenties, I've put myself in service to fight against anything that would be considered as humanities threat… big or small, I would be there waiting and standing on the vanguard against aliens and creatures no man should ever fight"
"I was just a marine when I started… out of date weapons and armor" He continued "Even in that time, I already hear the sounds of giant green intense flames that could split a man in two pass through my ears and giant prickly purple needles that can turn any living thing to purple dust, all of them wielded by aliens as sturdy as they are stubborn… and all I had is a standard armor, an MA5 and an M7 SMG…" He finished speaking for a moment and looked at me "That's like going to a battle with only a kitchen knife for you…"
"M80D body armor is pretty good though" Jimbo interjected
"Yeah, but against plasma weapon and needlers? Especially brute hammers? It might as well be plastic…" Harl responded. The words and key terms they use are lost on me, though I understand that they fought against monsters and greater demons that even their weapons and protection could hold nothing against.
I marveled for a moment at the thought that something out there actually is without match for them. That even these Dark Warriors were once facing odds unreal and against them as they fought. By the second I feel myself shrinking.
"Imagine…" He continued "Spending all your life fighting, for the lives of those who can't or won't do so… just to go home to your family and friends… and find them scattered in fire and dust." His voice slowly turns to a snarl, subtly still "Imagine the rage you'll feel… when you found out that they died, not because of the monsters you fight against… but because of a fellow human being, thieving and stealing for the fuck of it…" I can hear his breath haggard with anger, like a wolf hunting out of grudge.
"I protected these people… shield them from harm… me and my friends… and I came home to my planet to find that they have taken away one of the greatest reasons I fought for… never I could have imagined in such times, when we are facing extinction… someone actually THINK to go so low and turn against their own fellow men!" he roared the last part. Without even seeing them, I felt the other Dark warriors' gloom and grief.
"I always hear the saying, 'evil came in many forms'… but I would never have thought about it that much, that it's just a quote someone shoved to each other's ass… never would have thought that it would came onto me like that… from another human being!... I mean… Fuck Me! I am I right!?"He smacked the wheels harshly as emphasis, I winced at the sudden noise.
"Clam…" Harl called out "Can you remind all of us here as to why we are doing this mission please…"
"Right on…" Clam heeded "five days ago, we find a scattered group of caravans on the outskirt of the village near High Hermitage. Most of them are scarred and wrecked with injuries on their way down from the mountains… most of them came as merchants and immigrants from a place called Oldtown, trying to find their way to Starfall for new trade and life… not all of them arrived, and most that did, didn't came in one piece…" Clam followed the next words with grim intent "some even lost their minds and can't speak… Woman and Children"
"All of them gave more or less the same testimony and intel as the others…" He continued "They were ambushed in the mountains on their way here by mountain bandits… And most of them gave a few bits of essential information… they said that all the bandits have marking on their bodies… 'A hammer in the middle of a mountain…'"
Harl interjected once more and took the attention "one of those women that managed to escape the bandits now work on Starfall… I know the woman, she is at the place they call the uhh… Merchants inn… she told me she was Violated a month before we arrive on this world… she told me the man that did it have the same bandit marking on his shoulder… she also told me what he looked like and what he does… a Sellsword, with brown hair, a crooked nose and hazel eyes… topped with a scar on the chin all the way to the neck… sounds familiar to you!?"
He asked me as I froze on the indicators, every trait he spoke is a true description of who and what I look like…
"Ohhh but I'm sure it's just a coincidence…" He said with a sardonic tone "Isn't that right fellas?"
"Yep"
"Yeah man… coincidence"
Harl focused forward again as he spoke to me "Go on then… show me the way"
I proceed to do so with trembling voice and fingers, every turn and landmark I feel the call of the seven hells awaiting me. I wanted to laugh on my predicament, to do so knowing for all that I have done, it has led me to this point.
With the speed of the mystical carriage, we arrived no less in half an hour. In front, the fires of the encampment from afar between rocks and stony walls can be seen, and also the hurried voices of the outlaws intending to strike the ODSTs with their guards down can be heard, unknown to them that their supposed victims already know.
"Looks like the party's coming to us…" Horndog said "I'll take point…" and with those words, he unleashed a large weapon, much bigger than the rest of the others.
"Jesus, Dog! Is that an M45E?! Where did you get that?" Jimbo questioned.
"Victor gave it to me on the armory after I gave him that Henry Jayer Wine I nicked on the storage sector!" Horndog answered. "Time to give this classic a good workout…"
"This is Comet 9-9 to HQ; we found the Red's COB." Harl spoke, his hands on the side of his head "Roger that… Jimbo! Fire the flare up, more troops on the way!" Jimbo gave a quick nod and shot a bright blue flame onto the skies, I wondered on its use, these Starfolks arts of the mystic never seem to end.
"You'll be coming with us Brionn!" Harl said, unlocking the strap around my body and trashed me out of the carriage. "I want you to see all the reckoning we're bringing!" He pulled me roughly from the top of my gambeson, like a grown knight pulling a child I stumble forward as my feet barely touch the ground.
"Clam! Get on that Chain gun! Aim for the big groups!" Harl ordered, hands still on me. "We'll take on the sides! ODSTs ON ME!"
"YES SIR!" Horndog and Jimbo Chanted, voice filled with incoming justice. I stood behind them as they stand and took aim on every side, they hear a scream and charge. I am paralyzed and shaken; my knees twist inward as I struggle to stand. it did not take long until the first victim of their judgement came.
Horndog was the first to loosen and cast away a giant blast of light that severed and mutilate the first charger where he stood, his torso became a hole as wide as it can gape. Most of my bandit compatriots stopped their tracks as they hear the thunderous sound beyond their wake. They look upon the gorged corpse as if it is something unhuman, frozen in time as fear intensify in their body.
The first act of mistake that cost their miniscule chance of survival, as the ODSTs did not bother to wait for their senses to return. Flashes of light and crack of thunder ripped through my reality once again, as dust and rocks fly away and apart all around the front, with reflections of light sometimes taken by the stony walls around us.
Some of them charge to the Dark warriors with reckless abandon, diverse faces of fear and constrained anger upon their features. Most however chose to flee from the spot, a choice most wise in the circumstances. But in the end, it means so little, the fires of the Dark Warriors reached them nonetheless.
Against such powers they are of the powerless…
Another wave of the outlaws appeared on the other side of the metal carriage that I have taken. Many are their numbers, but again it meant so little on such occasion. Clam turned his arms that attach itself to the carriage and unrelenting burst of fire fell upon the ambush.
It seems like half a hundred man fell to the rocky crags of the mountain; their lives cut short so quickly like an ant near the ocean taken by the waves. I still stare to the field of liquid reds before me with my face utterly numb, everything has gone wrong and more, I know not the end of this chaotic endeavor, but it is clear that it will end with my peak suffering.
"I think that's all of'em" Jimbo spoke, his voice as haggard as an aftermath of a pleasurable night.
"No… that was the welcoming party" Harl interjected "Figured the rest should be on the main camp… though considering the numbers we tint, safe to say it wouldn't be that much. Since, this is just a small fraction of burglars is all" He glanced back towards me "Unless you got something to say…"
"You are correct… that was just a large group intended for a giant mark" I elaborated, hoping an assist through information would dissuade them from banishing me to the seven hells "There are actually hundreds more w-within… amongst other woman and children"
"Woman and children, you abducted!?"
"Y-yes-"
"OH sorry! I mean… they abducted…"
I swallowed a lump "Y-yes"
They eerily turn their heads to me for a moment, followed by a glanced towards each other "Looks like the situation has changed" Horndog said "it's potentially a three-digit numbers in there… which would considerably make it an FOB…".
"It doesn't matter…" Harl retorted "We're not facing the covenant, the created or the prims… these are just manchildren with wooden toys. To even call it a COB is just a formality and a gross overstatement".
"touché…" Jimbo chimed in "We gonna wait for the backup or we just strode ride in"
Harl immediately strangely clicked his thunder weapon with an emphasis of movement.
Jimbo snorted "yeah, I'm impatient too…".
"We're going in…" Harl finished the conversation. "Brionn… Follow closely will you…" He added coolly.
"Brionn…" Clam spoke from behind "If you run away… we will know" He finished, haunting words and deep tone. I numbly complied and relent.
As I follow behind them, I watch the way they move onward. They kept their weapons ahead and on chest, as their heads lean on aim on every moment, not a second wasted on redundant movement. Everything is tactical and immaculate, and of course with a purpose. Pace of greatly trained individuals that move ahead without doubt or fear.
They become one with the darkness, their armor a silhouette that hides in the shadows. If they are unknown to me, I would mistake them for a haze as well, hidden thoroughly and without compromise. The only reason I manage to kept pace is for the hands that guides me from behind, my eyes did not even notice that one of them manage to sneak up onto my rear to direct me onwards.
The bonfire became gargantuan as we move closer, my sight caught all the denizens that are currently at full height as they gaze onto the direction where their and mine compatriots are slaughtered with impunity unbridled, nothing less than a mass grave above ground for the crows to feast.
All of them froze and bewildered on the event, none moved as they contemplate their next move on the occasion. Their hands grip their feeble weapons tightly, as if they have any hope to survive using nothing but worthless tools against such force of nature.
"Liren… should we not check on'em…" one of the bandits speaks, unbeknownst to the fleeting darkness that stood beside them.
"I know not, Jer… it is silent now" the other replied. "What could make such deafening sounds like that you think?" He asked
"I am as clueless as you are, Ron… But shouldn't one of'em comes back and tell us the raid is o'er?"
They stood silently from that last statement, ill dread the insinuation from the strange instances that is befalling them. It is not a moment after they started an argument once more, quarreling and shoving each other to see who will scout ahead to bear the news of the slaughter. The Dark Warriors has no interest to wait.
"Flash'em" Harl ordered Jimbo.
"Wait!" The other whispered sternly "Look over there!". He pointed towards a line of cages where all manners of people have been confined, most if not all are under dire straits, their figure indicates that they are at the edge of death and desperation.
"Fuckers…" Harl breathed out silently but with Vitriol "They'll get what's coming… alright no flashbang, we go in Old School on my mark".
They all nodded, and as more than many bandits turned their head away from the Dark warriors location, a word is said "Mark!"
They lunged forward in an instant, and the show of light started once again. A dance of death complimented with songs of thunder and screams of pain, the faces of shock and awe at once also makes a good paint for the background. Like the beat of drums that are struck every second, the bodies dropped one by one, sometimes two or three at once as their blood fly through the air with their limbs.
The ones that manage to live through the first three seconds are paralyzed as their senses are overwhelmed with multitudes of flashes and sounds. It did not take long until their body flop down like the rest. The others that manage to recollect chose to flee rather than fight, some even mistaken a direction and go straightforward to the Dark Warriors, regardless they are cut down like the dogs they intend to live their life as.
All the Folks that are contained in the cages rattled, kneeled and coiled on the ground, Terrified and confused by the ultimate carnage that are occurring before them. Even beyond the sounds of explosive cracks, the cry of children still shrills through the air, an unescapable fact that the Dark Warriors cannot seem to ignore judging by their next act.
"Harl! The children!" Jimbo shouted, his voice shaking and cracked as he let down his weapon.
"Damnit!" Harl Exclaimed "We're finishing this fast and snapp-" before his words escaped him, another sound of a metallic roar course through all of our ears. In the opposite side of where we all are, another beam of light shot out of another one of those mystical Carriage the Star folks bring. Harl immediately spoke with urgency towards his compatriots "Friendlies at 3!" He continued "This is Comet 9-9 to Pyre 2-1; we are at your 12!"
As the thunderous noise died down, I manage to hear a voice of regurgitation and iron on the ears of all the Dark Warriors around me. Many ideas flail onto my mind that these so called ODSTs are speaking to demonic beings that have possessed their lobes, yet they claim vengeance upon the wicked, then perhaps it is the word of the Seven Gods they hear after all.
Not soon after, the sounds of thunder boomed once more as another flocks of bandits jut out of the entrance of a cave right on the middle-end of the encampment. If it was a beautiful show of light before, it is a radiant bloom of heavenly beam now as lines upon lines of concentrated fire cavalcaded the entrance without mercy. Various rays of many colors of blue, green and orange-red littered the air with a pace of lighting.
"Fun's over Horndog!" Harl shouted "Put him out for now!"
After the word spoken, I felt a heavy thud on the back of my head… and Darkness takes over me…
…
…
…
I awoken myself with a numb shakiness that throbs on interval on every part of my head. I lightly shaken it as I try t get my bearings, I intend to ease the throbbing by pressuring it with my hand yet I found my limbs to be squirming but struggling to move itself from where it lies. As my senses starts to return, I felt a course tightness running all over my body.
After I recovered completely… I realized that I am bounded with ropes all over my frame onto a large wooden stake.
My voice is still incoherent and mumbling, I tried to speak and scream but what came out are only incorrigible nonsense no different than a hound squealing. As I struggled to free myself with my sight examining my figure for any leeway out, I froze as I notice what lies around me.
A dozen of my bandit associates sitting on their knees, circling around me with ropes bounded just as tight if not painfully tighter than what I have. I saw that the constrained even writhe itself onto their skin as blood seep out slowly from it, both on their legs and arms. their whimpers and cries incoherent and insane, believing that these are the last days of their lives.
I tried to reach out to call out to them, none but one manages themselves to heed my call. "Brionn… you're awake" one of them spoken, I turned my head towards the voice only to look with dread on who it belongs too as he continues to speak "Brionn, what have you brought upon us!?' he whispered sternly and with contempt.
"It was supposed to be just another haul…" I replied softly, the strength on my throat still partly absent. "I did not know it would come to this"
he shakes his head with a sneer unmatched on his features "You… you-" the words of great disdain is stuck in his throat, whatever verses the man seeks is too filled with hatred to be let out on mortal tongue. "Everyone is dead! Brionn…" He finally spoke with contempt still remain "Everyone… except for us here, with an unknown fate that awaits us!"
"Where I come from, we've been called another name…" a familiar voice surrounds my ear, I look around to find I am bounded on familiar grounds. The same encampment where the slaughter begins and ends. I lift my head up to see a congregate of fierce faces and Dark Visors.
"We are sent to battlefields and skirmishes where everyone thought to be suicidal or straight up hopeless circumstances…" Harl spoken, around him stands dozens of ODST and the very peoples me and my associates have caged and worse… "Behind enemy lines, surfaces our armors barely can manage to tolerate… sometimes they just toss us around to the vanguard, to buy time for evacuation and what-not or for the fuck of it. A giant hound to be thrown away for a better day…"
The Dark Warriors of the ODST stand vigilant as ever, with the people that are rescued listening intently on the milieu, their faces circling wonder and true admiration as wide as their eyes "whenever anyone saw us on the battlefield, the first thing they thought was that they are in hell… what else is the reason for us to be there? To be trained and molded as inhumanly a human can get against the odds no one should have taken…"
"Whenever we dropped from the skies, the first thing we see is fire rising and earth quaking… even before we touch the ground, we need to be prepared to die…" Harl continued, on his hands an object appeared. A small thing the size of his palm, round and long whilst glowing red "The Inferno, that is where we are fated to go…" with every word, every civilian around all dirty and unkempt forgotten where they stood as they listened.
He turns his back towards me as he addressed his kinsmen proudly.
"ODST!"
"SIR, YES SIR!"
WHERE DO WE PLUNGE!"
"FEET FIRST INTO HELL!"
He walks toward me in a hurry, so close I can feel the heat from the sun still have not recede from his visor "I should thank you… for listening to me during our ride" Harl Spoke "I Never did find the bastards who took away my family on my home planet… but I did find you…" The Orange ball in his hands started glowing brightly with a dim "In this new planet, everyone can have a new start… and I think I should start with you"
He walked back toward an old man. Gray is his hair and his body trembles as Harl approached him. "Its alright" Harl said to him "I'm here to help". The glowing ball on his hand he gave to the Old man, before he start speaking again "They said vengeance is a dish best served cold… but I think this one is better warm and spicy!" he playfully shout, his other ODST compatriots chuckled on his show.
"And it is a meal I'm willing to share…" He turns to the old man and spoke rightly "You're the one who's little girl was…" The next word lies unspoken, but the recipient merely nods his head in sadness as he understands the implication "I'm sorry… I can't give her back to you, but I can give her justice…"
Harl points to the side on my left, I turn to see that there is another circle of my accomplices, with another man in the middle tightened on a palisade just as I am. "Turn the top of the grenade sideways to the right, and then throw it" Harl instructed to the old man "Throw it before three seconds alright…"
As the old man proceed to do so, the balls ray of light became brighter it could be a torch in its own. Not a second longer, he threw it right to the face of a man who knelt. What comes after is a great rise of flame, both green, blue and red. Within a moment, everyone of that circle burns bright and screaming high as their body is scalped slowly by the fire.
Everyone excluding the ODST looked on with fascination and horrid fear. Some man squirm as they watch, the other looked on with a villainous smile and content on their faces. The mutilated scream of the burnt bandits still remains loudly on the area, the fire is bright yet it took its time smoldering them until there is nothing left but cooked meat and visible bones.
"H-how can you wield such power…" The old man queried, his face circling from wonder to pale fear.
"We have them in surplus…" Harl lightly touch him on the shoulder "Don't worry, we have that and more on Starfall…"
After the demonstration, some men joined on the barbaric butchering. No ODST partaken, only the very people that have been confined. Each and every one throw their fair share of contained flame, faces high with glee and vengeance. It did not take long until I am the only one remain, just then I hear voices beneath my feet…
"Please!" My associate spoke "I Swear! I Swear by my mother who bore me! I swear I wouldn't do it again" Others joined on the plead, swearing and making oath with creativity unheard of by many folks. In my shame and piss, I joined in with the plea as well.
"I Beg you!" I shouted with a fractured voice "I've told you everything! Everything about the camps! Everything about these heathens!" I continued, even now I felt the disdain of the other bandits below me as they hear my treachery "Please! Let me go!"
"Jesus… a thief and a fucking snitch" one of them spoke, a voice that I find unfamiliar.
"Ahaha…" Harl chuckled lightly, as he approached me once again. Though not as close as before "we'll see each other again soon Brionn… for the ODST" a shade crept onto his figure "Hell is our domain…" a familiar click is sounded.
And the fire rises below my body.
Every pain that I have felt all over my life is nothing to this searing heat, the leathers and gambeson that I have made multiplied the flames ferocity tenfold as it crawls all over my body. Within instants, I immediately felt my flesh peeled out and mutilated like a thousand knife having their way all over my body. I screamed with the greatest pain as my tongue and throat blistered and popped, I started to shake uncontrollably, trying to find respite in this hellish pain.
It was no use… I felt my cheeks started to fall off, and I lost my capabilities to speak…
And then…. Eternal nothingness.