A Song of Ice and Fire: The Hunt Begins
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Chapter Three: Bigger Prey
It had been several hours when it began to stalk these strange creatures. Men, it believed they were called. The group, four men, had woken up as soon as the sun had risen over the horizon. There was a fog, so it was hard for the men to see, but not for the hunter.
It stealthily hopped between the trees, not making a single sound. Its quarry moved through the woods, keeping track of them by their heat signatures. It was able to catch some parts of their conversations.
"The fuck we going?" The first man said.
"To an Inn, I need to get my lips and cock wet." The second man spoke.
"Are drink and whores all you care for?" A third man asked.
"You damn right I do!" The second man exclaimed.
The fourth one, the leader of the group, stepped forward and pushed them away. His body movement and behavior indicated that he was annoyed. "Shut up! And keep moving!" He yelled.
The others simply looked at each other before following their leader.
The hunter drones out the rest of their conversations, not really caring. As the group moved forward, it silently followed. Never leaving its sights on them. Hours passed and the group of four men it had been following, came across a family unit. A father, a mother carrying a child, and a child, a female. The family unit had a wagon full of supplies, such as cloth and food. The hunters notice the group of men gain cruel smirks. The four men approached the wagon, causing the family unit to stop.
The patriarch asked them if there was trouble. The leader replied no. They continued to talk, the hunter could tell it was just a distraction.
Suddenly, the second man grabbed onto the patriarch and slit his throat open. The matriarch and the child let out terrified screams. The other three grabbed onto them, the fourth holding the child and pulling it away from the matriarch. The other that held the older female began to tear away at her clothing, exposing her to them. The men gave evil smiles as they undid their trousers. The second man who killed the father simply looks on with sick satisfaction. The fourth forced the child, a young female, to watch, telling her that they're gonna keep her prisoner until she's of age. The other two pinned the mother to the ground, the sounds of her weeping echoed in the forest.
The hunter knew what they planned and it did not like it one bit.
Unconsciously, it broke the branch that it was latching onto. The noise caught the attention of the men. " The fuck was that?" It heard one of them yell out. The mentally cursed itself, oh well, time to hunt. A red light came from the sight of its head, pointing at one of the men that were about to violate the matriarch.
Said man looked down onto his chest to see three red dots. The red dots soon moved upwards, until it reached his head. The man snapped his head up to move but it was too late.
FABOOM!
A blue ball of light appeared from the trees and flew towards the man.
SPELCH!
It was quick, too quick for anyone to react. The other three scoundrels stood in shock as they saw one of their own get part of his head obliterated. Bloody chunks of skull and brain flew everywhere. Leaving behind only the lower part of his head.
The near headless body soon fell to the floor, allowing the mother and daughter to slip from their grasp and run into the forest.
Taking advantage of their shock, the hunter leaped off the tree and landed in the middle of them. Its quarry heard it land in front of it but they couldn't see it. As the hunter stood up, it decloaked itself as it stood up.
The men were shocked when they saw this behemoth appear out of nowhere. It was unlike anything they had ever seen before. It wore armor that looked like it was made of Valerian steel, a strange mask with horns coming from the sides. Its head looked turned and looked at them, like it was observing them.
SKNIT!
Suddenly, blades came from one of the creature's gauntlets.
Seeing this as a challenge, the three men charged at the hunter, with swords in hand. It easily dodged the swings. The second man tried to swing at it again but the hunter blocked the blade with his own. After pushing him back, the hunter swiftly slashes against the man's stomach, causing intestines to spill out. The man let out strained cries of pain before he was silenced. The hunter's blades pierced his heart swiftly and cleanly. Removing his wrist blades, the man drops dead.
The other two men were stunned, this thing just killed one of them just like that. The leader of the group stood strong, however, his compatriot had other ideas. He turned tail and ran, leaving his leader behind.
Coward, the leader thought. He mentally steeled himself, he was going to kill this demon.
The hunter glanced to where the other man ran off to before turning to the leader. Seeing that he was not backing down, it decided to give it an even fight. Putting away its wrist blades, it reaches into his back. Pulling out a battle ax. The hunter had gotten into a stance, ready for battle.
The leader was the first to make a move, his sword struck against its ax. He quickly withdraws the blade before again. The hunter blocked it by knocking it to the side. The man quickly swung upwards across the hunter's chest. Scrapping the armor by just a little.
The hunter was quite surprised, this creature managed to scrape some of its armor. Any more to the left and he would've drawn blood. Going on the offensive, the hunter quickly rushed at the man. Its ax swung swiftly, making the man try his best to dodge and parry. However, the man realized that this was a losing battle. He was running out of breath quickly, while this thing had not even begun to show fatigue. Though even if he knew he was going to die, he still held strong.
With one final swing, the man went for an overhead strike. The hunter retaliated with a powerful swing, taking the arms of the man at the forearms.
The man stood stunned, his arms flew from his body, along with his sword. Landing a few feet away. The man looked down onto his bloody stumps. He did not make a sound as the pain was too much for him to do anything.
SQLEUCH!
The man felt cold, a warm liquid ran down his abdomen. He looked down to see the hunter's ax embedded in his chest. He felt the life drain out of him, falling to his knees. Dead.
The hunter looked down, its quarry put up quite a fight, this was an honorable kill.
It then turned to where the other had run off. It lifted its left wrist, pressing into its other gauntlet. Like a lizard, its body had disappeared, becoming one with the landscape. Unbeknownst to it, the matriarch and child had watched the whole thing. The both of them were shocked by what they had just witnessed. Taking its absence as an opportunity, they quickly ran to one of the horses and rode to the nearest town.
ELSEWHERE
He ran as fast as he could, trying to get away from that demon. His breathing was becoming ragged, his legs were burning. But he needed to keep running, if he got far enough away he would be safe.
He then heard a snap in the trees, he stopped. Panic and fear filled his being. He turns his head rapidly, scanning the area around him. He started hyperventilating, gods help him.
After a brief moment of silence and no movement, the man let out a sigh of relief. He managed to escape from the demon. He turned to leave.
STAB!
He let out a choked cry, blood came pouring out of his mouth. He saw it shimmer, the demon. Its blades had stabbed him in the chest, coming out through his back.
His vision was getting dizzy, the world around him was becoming a blur. His skin became pale as snow, his eyes glazed over. With one last breath, he dies.
SKNIT.
The body slumped onto the ground, the hunter looked down. It let out a huff. It then used its knife, in its right boot, and approached the body. Making a small incision on the back. Once it was big enough, it reached its left hand into the back. With a powerful pull, the spine and skull were removed with ease. It raised its trophy in the air, letting out a victorious roar.
It had finally found a great trophy. Now the hunter must find the perfect trophy.
JON
Jon let out a heavy sigh, his body was sweaty and bruised. His uncle Arthur did not let up this session. Though, that's how he has always been. Pushing Jon to do more, to be better. If it wasn't about combat then it was his studies. His uncle made sure he knew his history and then some. However, as much as he appreciates it, it can be a bit much sometimes. Though that was a worry for another time.
He entered his room, ready for a nap. Only to find himself quite a sight. On his bed was Mya, lying on it, wearing nothing but a shirt. A sultry smile adorned her face. Jon was stunned for a bit, but soon smiled.
Mya lifted a finger and beckoned him to come. "So are you going to stand or are you going to come over here?"
Jon walked over to her, closing the door behind him, taking off his shirt. He pounced on Mya as he captured her lips onto his own. The two then broke the kiss as they laid their foreheads against the other.
"We just did it not just last night, and you're aching for more?" Jon asked with a smile on his face.
"Only because you make me scream like a bitch in heat." Mya teased as she gently bit his lower lip. Before bringing him into another kiss. Both were ready for another night of passion.
NED STARK'S CHAMBERS
Ned lied in bed as he stared into the ceiling above, his mind filled with thoughts about the argument he had with Arthur. The dornish man was right, Jon had a right to learn about his family. However, like he argued, there were dangers about what would happen if Jon learned the truth. He promised his sister that he would protect him, but he felt it was getting harder to keep that promise.
"Is something wrong, my love?" Ned turned to his wife, Catelyn. She was resting on his cheating, wearing a nightgown.
"Nothing." Ned replied.
"Oh, don't be like that. I know you Ned, so tell me, what's wrong?" Catelyn asked.
Ned sighed, "I had an argument with Arthur, about Jon."
Catelyn grimaced, one thing she learned in her time here was that Arthur Dayne and Ned Stark did not get along. Especially when it concerned Jon. She was aware of Ned's previous marriage to Ashara Dayne before it was annulled in order for house Stark and house Tully to unite.
Originally, she was set to wed Ned's older brother, Brandon, but when he was murdered by the Mad King, her marriage contract had gone to Ned. At the time she had no idea that Ned was already married until he brought Jon home. At first she was furious that her husband brought home a bastard but then Arthur pulled her to the side and explained the situation. She felt guilty upon learning this fact. That she was responsible for Ned being forced to leave the woman he loved and the child they sired in order to do his duty. Arthur reassured that he didn't hold it against her, though she could tell that was a half-truth.
"I take it that it's about Arthur wanting him to know more about the rest of his family?" She asked, though she already knew the answer.
"He belongs here, Cat. In the north with his family." Ned said.
"Aye, but he also has family in Dorne. Jon has a right to get to know them." Catelyn said.
"They didn't raise him, they know nothing about him other than he's Ashara's son." He said. Ned hated lying to his wife, but he needed to maintain the secret of Jon's heritage.
"I can talk to Arthur, see if the two of you can come to a compromise." Catelyn suggested.
"No, Jon will stay here in Winterfell. It is his home." Ned said sternly.
Catelyn sighed. Knowing that this was a losing battle. Her husband could be quite stubborn. He then decided to change the subject.
"Robb's name day is coming, Maester Ludwin has sent ravens to all the noble houses in the north. Inviting them to come." Catelyn said.
"Aye, Ludwin told me this morning." Ned replied.
"We also need to talk about matches." Ned groaned at his wife's words. Something that she picked up.
"We both knew this was going to happen, Ned. Robb and Sansa are already getting older, plus all the sons and daughters of other noble houses are already married and siring children." Catelyn turns to look Ned in the eye. "We can't keep pushing this anymore."
Ned let out a sigh. "We'll talk about it in the morning."
"Alright." Catelyn gave him a chaste kiss, before relaxing. The two were ready to sleep until someone knocked on the door.
"Lord Stark! You must come at once!" The voice of Jory Cassel came from the other side of the door.
Ned got up and put on his robe, opening the door he was met with the younger Cassel.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"There's been a rider in the night. She says that a murder has been committed." Jory explained.
Ned's face grew stern. "Get the men ready, ask her where these murders have been committed. Get Jon, Robb, Arthur, and Theon. We ride at once."
"Yes my lord." Jory nodded as he left to do what he was told.
Ned retrieved his clothing and sword. He turned to Catelyn who looked concerned. "I must go." He told her. Catelyn nodded as she knew that Ned had a duty to perform.
Ned left the room, preparing to do his duty as Lord of Winterfell. Little did he, or anyone else, know that this was only the beginning.
To Be Continued.