《Revenge of the Golemman》


 Squire Balin of the Rivervalley

    It was early spring when the note from the lord arrived at the village. It was a letter informing Sir Egbert that a big horde of monsters was on collision course with Rivervalley. After a moment to comprehend the danger he called for his oldest squire.


    ¡°Balin!¡±


    Called the knight.


    ¡°Go to the village and warn everyone of the danger. I will start preparations for the task ahead of us. Now move!¡±


    Balin knew the danger they were all in. A monster horde could easily kill everyone in the village if they aren¡¯t ready in time. He had to warn the people. Looking back, he overreacted considering the time they had left. He didn¡¯t even bother to take of the chain armor that he wore for practice and ran. He left the small fort that his master lived in and sprinted towards the town square. He ran towards the river bifurcation around which the village was built. Out of breath he arrived his destination. While he took a moment to catch his breath at the tannery, Rose the witches apprentice approached him clearly in a good mood despite the strong smell from the tannery.


    ¡°Balin hey, why are you running like an idiot in full gear around? Did you f¡¯ck up and Egy sent you on a punishment run again?¡±


    Balin caught his breath and quickly said.


    ¡°Monster horde¡­ on collision course with village¡­ I have to warn everyone!¡±


    Rose quickly lost her cheeriness.


    ¡°Wait! You¡¯re serious. Sh¡¯t. Go warn everyone in the town center! I¡¯ll help you by warning the people here.¡±


    Rose turned around and entered the tannery. To warn the people there. And Balin kept running. As he approached the town center the ran into other friends and acquaintances. He told all of them the same bad news. Their reactions varied. Some like Rose went to help spreading the message others ran home to see if their family is ok and some broke into panic. When Balin reached the town square he shouted out loud.


    ¡°In less then a month a horde of monsters will attack the town. Everyone stays calm! We will inform you of the what will happen. But please tell everyone what is going on and don¡¯t panic!¡±


    At first there was a moment of confusion among the villagers. Then one woman from the small crowd asked.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    Balin took a deep breath and loudly answered.


    ¡°I am Balin. I am the oldest squire of Sir Egbert and my master has gotten a letter from Lord Conway. In that letter he wrote that a horde of monsters is on collision course with the village. Sir Egbert has already started to take the necessary steps to keep everyone safe. But I am asking everyone here to not panic and follow the plan that we are making right now. So please: Don¡¯t panic!¡±


    As Balin was shouting his message into the crowd the people got louder and louder until Balin was barely hearable and despite Balin¡¯s orders they started to panic. From everywhere a ton of questions were asked such as.


    ¡°How many monsters will be there?¡±


    ¡°What type of creature will the horde consist of?¡±


    ¡°What does Sir Egbert plan to do?¡±


    And many more. At first Balin tried to answer to as many questions as he could, which didn¡¯t go as well as he hoped. Realizing that this was a hopeless endeavor, Balin didn¡¯t even bother to try and calm the people down and left the place as soon as he was done. Sneaking his way out before someone could approach him and ask him questions that he couldn¡¯t answer. So Balin made his way to his family¡¯s home at the end of the village. As to be excepted only his mother and youngest sister were around. His father was probably still working as a scribe for Sir Egbert and probably won¡¯t come home due to the upcoming emergency.


    ¡°Say Balin! Do you know what that commotion outside is all about? Since an hour all that I¡¯ve been hearing from outside is people running around and yelling.¡±


    His mother asked her son. So Balin repeated what he has told everyone for the last one and a half hours.


    ¡°A monster wave is coming. And I just warned the people here on order of Sir Egbert. I just wanted to come quickly to you and make sure you know. Chances are that I won¡¯t come home a lot in the coming weeks since in addition to training I now also must help with the preparations for the attack.¡±


    ¡°Will you be ok?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I probably will. After all that is exactly what I¡¯ve been training for all those years. Now I must go and report back. Love you.¡±


    Balin hugged his mother and left making his way to the fort. When he finally arrived Sir Egbert was already expecting him. Both Balin and the second younger squire Dilan were brought into a room a bit by the side of the main areas. It was the records room.


    ¡°Listen you two! I want you to check how much money we have. We need to buy all the help we can get. No matter the price. If we want everyone to make it. So, I want you to help here and look for everything that can be cashed in as soon as possible. Once we have decided what kind of services we will get I will send you and some others to get what we need. This will be a long month. Now move!¡±


    Two weeks later. One week until the attack


    Balin and Dilan just returned from a longer training session. Ever since the note arrived the two squires did more anti monster and group tactics exercises then they are used to. Balin¡¯s father was standing in front of a large chart filled with various bottles and kegs.


    ¡°Hey over here! I need your help if you aren¡¯t too tired. I need one of you two to get Madame Mine. We¡¯ve got a few loads of supplies that need to be checked. Can one of you two get her? I would go myself, but we have more stuff that needs inventorying.¡±


    He started to walk way as he yelled in an almost sarcastic manner.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Both youths were tired from running around with heavy gear for the last two hours. So, without even having to say anything they made a short game of rock paper scissor to see who would have to go and get the witch.


    Half an hour later Dilan came back with the middle-aged witch and her apprentice. Balin showed her where the tonics and potions were stashed, while an out of breath Dilian showed his friend the finger as he left since he was still unhappy over picking scissors instead of paper.


    ¡°These are the potions that were ordered?¡±


    Asked Rose.


    ¡°They better be. According to Dad they cost us over one hundred aguri. I have trouble even imagining that much money at once.¡±


    ¡°They better be worth it.¡±


    Said the witch.


    ¡°The emergency taxes nearly bleed us dry. Those dumb potions better all be worth it. Rose¡±


    The witch pointed to a chest filled with tubes of balsam.


    ¡°Test these over there please. I will start over here.¡±


    The next few minutes Balin mostly stood around while the two women were experimenting with the various mixtures. Until Rose mumbled.


    ¡°What the f¡¯ck.¡±


    ¡°Watch your mouth!¡±


    ¡°Sorry Mother. What I wanted to say is that this Ichor is weird. Here smell it!¡±


    She gave her mother the tube. The witch sniffed it shortly, closed her eyes and proclaimed.


    ¡°You are right. Although the color is shimmers golden the smell is wrong. There is a distinct lack of Moly in there.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    Asked Balin from the doorframe out.


    ¡°Hmm oh right you can¡¯t know that. Ichor is a potion that you can put on wounds to¡­ well not quite heal them but close the wound so that you stoop bleeding out. It also helps the body to make more blood to replace the blood lost.¡±


    ¡°And that Moll stuff...¡±


    ¡°Moly is a key ingredient, very expensive. It also has a very strong smell that even most un experienced alchemists can recognize. I hope that this was just a mistake. Rose, we must dig through all the tubes with Ichor and find all the ones that miss the Moly. I hope this was just an accident and that the rest is ok.¡±


    The women went back to work sorting out the rest of the inventory. Sadly, it ended with Rose kicking and breaking a valuable looking bottle.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be f¡¯cking possible. Those ASSHOLES ripped us of.¡±


    Balin wanted to calm her down. But it was pointless.


    ¡°What is going on? Madame Mine could you please tell me what is going on!¡±


    The woman explained tired and defeated.


    ¡°One fourth of the Ichor bottles are useless, there is no shamrock in any of the Lionsbrew containers making it essentially poison and the pain relief medicine is literally colored wine. And that is just what we were able to quickly find. Based on that we have to assume that most here is just trash.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll report this immediately to Sir Egbert. Please keep checking the things! We will need everything that we can get.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    The witch left out a sad sigh and continued her work. Balin left to do as he said. It took him a moment to find Sir Egbert as he wasn¡¯t in any of the main areas of the fort where he usually resigned. Instead he was in the stables where he was cleaning Sunrise, his favorite horse.


    ¡°Oh, hey Balin. Good that you came here. I was going to call you soon anyways, so I might as well tell you now that Lord Conway has agreed to send us support troops to help us fortify the area. But he also ordered a ban on leaving the village for the people for the time being. Don¡¯t ask me why. I barley understand the reason. Something about reinforcing the area and supplying the troops. Shouldn¡¯t be too bad with the lord¡¯s men here.¡±


    ¡°Sir, I come with bad news.¡±


    Sir Egbert turned around to face Balin quickly became more serious.


    ¡°What happened? Tell me!¡±


    ¡°The big shipment of medicine that we got turned out to be¡­¡±


    Balin was struggling with finding the right words.


    ¡°a big part of it was¡­ is trash.¡±


    Sir Egbert stamped on the ground and threw the brush he was holding against the wall, scaring his mount. He took a deep breath to calm down from his outburst of anger.


    ¡°Ok¡­ this isn¡¯t¡­ as bad as we might think it is. After all the lord¡¯s men are coming. And some of the mercenaries that we hired should come in the next few days. Yeah¡­ all is ok¡­ Balin! Keep me updated on everything that happens. And tomorrow morning you will go to the town square and tell the people that the lords soldiers are coming and that they must stay here. Alright? Got it? Good. You are excused. Go to your chambers and we¡¯ll se tomorrow. After all Gabriel supplies aren¡¯t the only ones we paid for help. If the rest delivers without a hitch nothing too bad will happen.¡±


    One week later. Two days until the arrival of the horde


    Everyone was on the edge. According to the calculations in about two days the horde will arrive and attack. But they weren¡¯t ready. A small group of sorcerers drew some magical lines and runes to help defending. Some erected invisible walls for some short time others exploded on contact and a third kind emitted a loud sound and light as a warning signal, in case that some monsters were flanking the village and attacked from an unexpected angle. Balin and Dilan had to memorize the positions of every single one of the runes. The one who was the most on the ropes was clearly Sir Egbert. The Lords men were nowhere to be seen and the mercenary band that they hired for extra support was nowhere to be seen. The knight and his two squires were doing some last weapon exercises before the chaos starts. Right now, Sir Egbert was sparring with Dilan, while Balin watched from the sides.


    ¡°God dammit Dilan. Hold your lance correctly! If you mess up, we can all DIE in a few days. So. concentrate!¡±


    Sir Egbert was yelling at his son. Castigating him for a mistake that he didn¡¯t make. Both Balin and Dilan knew that Dilan didn¡¯t make a mistake, but Sir Egbert was not in a state where he could fairly judge the exercises. Dilan was about to complain when Balin¡¯s father entered the training area.


    ¡°Hey Egsy! Do you have a minute!¡±


    ¡°What? I told you NOT to call me that!¡±


    The knight barked at his brother, intimidating the newcomer.


    ¡°Some guys from the mercenary group we hired just arrived. They wanted to speak with you.¡±


    ¡°Finally, some good news. Bring them here!¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Shortly after the scribe came back with six people. They were all armed. Three were wearing chain mail and melee weapons while one had a large bow around his shoulders and the last two were carrying staffs.


    ¡°Thank you for answering our call for help. I know that a dangerous horde is approaching us but don¡¯t worry you. The rest of the money that we owe you will be giving to you and your group.¡±


    The guy with the large bow was the one to answer. He stepped forth and said.


    ¡°That is what I wanted to talk to you about. There is no rest of the group. Our other 16 members all decided that the risk was not worth it, so they just decided to sack in the money but to not come. Me and my friends here¡±


    He pointed at himself and his five companions.


    ¡°We decided that we can¡¯t leave you all to die. Especially since we have already taken the money and request. We are sorry that we can¡¯t do much more and apologize on behalf for our traitorous companions.¡±


    The mercenaries bowed their heads in shame, but it wasn¡¯t enough to satisfy the knights anger. As Sir Egbert cramped his veins with fury he took a deep breath and said while suppressing his anger and frustration.


    ¡°Alright. Balin and Dilan go and discuss the plan with the mercenaries. I will stay here and¡­ do some exercises and will think things¡­ over.¡±


    The knight turned around and decided to vent his frustrations on one of the trees nearby but as he started to smack the tree with his pole the man with the bow yelled one last message.


    ¡°I also have a message from the hero of three front. For reasons we don¡¯t know he won¡¯t come to our aid. I am deeply sorry.¡±


    A loud cracking sound was heard as Sir Egbert¡¯s pole broke from the abuse. The knight started to throw the pieces of broken wood at the other people at the trainings area while screaming.


    ¡°Get the F¡¯CK out of here! Everyone! Leave NOW! ...¡±


    Everyone left the man to rant and rage on his own as they fleet the rocks that he started to throw when he had no pieces of wood left.


    ¡°What is his problem?¡±


    Asked one of the chain mailed mercenaries.


    ¡°We are going to risk our lives to help him only to get yelled at what a dick.¡±


    Answered one of his friends. But Dilan tried to put it into perspective by explaining.


    ¡°Normally he isn¡¯t like this. It¡¯s just that a lot of the help that we have hired or asked for just didn¡¯t come to help. He is scared. The way it seems this will be a death sentence. And the town isn¡¯t allowed to evacuate due to Lords orders.¡±


    ¡°Great we have accepted a suicide mission. Well if we are going to die in two days anyways how about you give me a blowjob Anne? Since you and Sasha aren¡¯t together anymore you might as well.¡±


    ¡°Suck it Thel!¡±


    The clocked magician answered.


    ¡°Come on I asked first.¡±


    They continued they friendly banter as the man with the bow turned to Balin and Dilan and asked them.


    ¡°So, what is the game plan? Do you have any information that can be of use for us?¡±


    ¡°Hum oh yes. In my room I have a map with magical traps and warning runes. You should take a look at it! I already learned the positions of every single one. I¡¯ll go get it wait in the common area.¡±


    Dilan ran of to get the map while the bowman said.


    ¡°Thanks. Where will you guys be during the fight?¡±


    He turned his head to Balin and Balin¡¯s father who has been as usual quiet for the whole conversation. It was Balin¡¯s father who explained it.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be able to help you during the fight. I have some old wounds which I is why can¡¯t do much for you, except for tending your wounds from time to time. But as squires of the knight Balin and Dilan will be able to help you guys in combat.¡±


    He lifted his left sleeve where a big scar from the elbow to the shoulders was visible.


    ¡°Wow that is a big scar.¡±


    Said the man.


    ¡°If you think this is a big scar you should see his hip! There is a big chunk missing same with his leg. It looks kind of creepy.¡±


    ¡°My son exaggerates. But yeah it is surprising that I can even walk semi properly. As you can see I do stagger a bit while walking. But it is ok. Me and more importantly my wife Kelly got used to it.¡±


    ¡°Is it ok to ask how you got those wounds or is it inappropriate?¡±


    ¡°HA. Nah its ok. When I was young. I fell from my horse and then off a cliff while hunting a boar and got impaled on a tree. Hurt like a¡­. well you can imagine. I think I drank Madame Mine¡¯s entire storage of pain killing medicine in the first week almost died of that. She is still mad about that.¡±


    Dilan came back with the promised map and gave it to the bowman.


    ¡°Thank you. Well if it is ok with all of you I and my team will go and study this so that we can use it to its fullest. Once this is all over we need to go and get a drink. Thel¡¯s treat.¡±


    The big guy heard that and yelled a playful.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    The bowman just chuckled at this and said good bye. As he was about to leave Balin asked him.


    ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t tell us your name. Could you please tell it to us?¡±


    ¡°Oh, did I forget that. Sorry. My name is Alrik. But call me Rick.¡±


    One and a half days later. The day of the attack


    Both Balin and Dilan were on lookout on an improvised watchtower that was build one and a half weeks ago. It gave them a good look around most of the valley especially upwards the river from where they expect the horde to appear. For the whole day they wore their armor and most of their equipment in case a smaller group of monsters split of and attacked early. It was only the two of them and past noon. Bored and hungry they were waiting for someone to deliver them lunch. When Sir Egbert came riding on Sunrise. He climbed the tower to reach his two pupils. He was almost worryingly pale.


    ¡°Did you sleep well Dad? You don¡¯t look to good.¡±


    ¡°Do I? Guess that is to be expected. Today is the big day, the thing we¡¯ve been preparing for a whole month.¡±


    He took a deep breath. It was clear that he didn¡¯t want to be here, but he continued.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be honest with you two. It doesn¡¯t look good for us. We aren¡¯t prepared enough for what is about to happen. There isn¡¯t enough medicine, the lord didn¡¯t send us any men and half of the people that we have payed to help didn¡¯t even show up. You two are still young and I don¡¯t want you two to die here. So, if you want to get out.¡±


    He paused for a second.


    ¡°I won¡¯t stop you. I know that leaving the village is illegal and you probably would have to change your identity. But there are some guys that owe me a favor. So, if you would¡±


    He got stopped by Balin.


    ¡°Sir. I could never leave. This is exactly what we have been working for all this time. I appreciate the thought, but I¡¯ll stay.¡±


    ¡°I know you just want me to be save Dad, but I can¡¯t leave either. If we leave then there won¡¯t be anyone to protect the people. This is their home. OUR home. And we are ready to fight for it.¡±


    Sir Egbert nodded.


    ¡°You two are two good kids. No, warriors. There are so many people out there that should take an example of your bravery. Thank you.¡±


    He hugged the two young men and said with teary eyes.


    ¡°I am so sorry I you all have to go through this. No matter what happens today. Know that I am so proud of all of you.¡±


    Then he left. Dilan didn¡¯t look very good so Balin asked him how he felt.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I feel. My father just told me to leave everyone and thing behind just to save my own life right after telling us that we are grossly underprepared for what might be the deadliest event of my life. If you hadn¡¯t said that you¡¯d stay I don¡¯t know if I would have accepted his offer.¡±


    ¡°Just so you know if you were to run I would kill you.¡±


    The boys started to snicker at the terrible joke.


    ¡°Even if you tried you wouldn¡¯t be able to. I am still better then you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, fuck off!¡±


    It would take another half hour until someone else would come to the duo. This time it was Alrick the archer. He was holding a small bag in his hand and waved to them as he approached the tower. Alrick climbed the tower and joined them. He opened the bag and gave the squires two sandwiches and bottles with water.


    ¡°At first, I didn¡¯t want to come to you two but I met Balin¡¯s mother on the way here and she asked me if I could bring the food to you two and since it was either that or getting crazy in anticipation of today evening I thought: Hey, I might as well annoy you two. So how are you two holding up?¡±


    Dilan started to eat the food so Balin answered first.


    ¡°Aside for the boredom great. Sir Egbert just came through here and¡­ told us to hang in there. Since this won¡¯t be an easy fight. By the way. Thank you for bringing the food. We were starving here. And how is your group? You are making it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Tension is high. It usually before a fight but it is worse since most of the Gaus-group isn¡¯t here. We are used to defending villages or areas from monster attacks but until now there usually wasn¡¯t much hesitation to help but this time we aren¡¯t a complete group. So, I can¡¯t tell.¡±


    Dilan finished his sandwich and asked.


    ¡°Say why did only so few of you guys come? You didn¡¯t tell it us.¡±


    Alrick didn¡¯t look to happy to be asked that question but he decided to tell the story anyways.


    ¡°There was a fight inside our group. Sasha our leader decided that the monster horde was too big and dangerous for us to fight. So, he just took the commission and called it a day. It is completely normal for us to deny a request if we can¡¯t handle it, but he accepted the quest and took the money pay some dumb gambling depts back. Sadly, it appears that most of our team doesn¡¯t have too much of a conscience and accepted our leader¡¯s decision. So, I took the ones that had one and brought them here. It broke our heart to leave those guys behind, we fought, lived and laughed together and then they just stab their employers in the back. They are the worst kind of scum. Making all of us mercenaries seem untrustworthy. It¡¯s already hard enough to get people to trust the random stranger with a sword without them killing our credibility. Screw those guys! Sorry, I rambled here for a second, but this is a very touchy thing for me. I hope I didn¡¯t annoy you too much.¡±


    Alrick became more and more exited and angry as he kept talking and both Balin and Dilan realized that it was an uncomfortable topic for their ally. So Balin reassured him.


    ¡°No, it is ok. It seemed like you had to get that of your chest. It is ok. We understand.¡±


    There was a quiet pause in the conversation since no one knew how to progress from this weird and awkward topic. Until Dilan asked.


    ¡°Say, Rick how do you plan to fight when the horde comes? Are you going to use that bow of yours?¡±


    ¡°Mostly. The plan is that me and our two mages start on a house near town hall so that we can rain spells down on our foes while the other three defend the house entrance so that no monster can come to close. My job is to spot enemies, protect my guys at the entrance and pick of lone targets from a distance. Like that we should be able to mostly secure a small area. Would be easier if we had more people with whom we could do a similar setup on different houses but that won¡¯t happen. Where will you two be?¡±


    ¡°Most of the towns men and some of the women want to fight as well. So, there will be three groups one lead by Sir Egbert one by Dilan and the last one by me. Most of the villagers who won¡¯t fight will be in the town hall or in various basements, waiting for everything to blow over.¡±


    Alrick gave an understanding nod and said good bye. He wanted to meet up with his friends since they only had a few hours at most left to prepare.

 Monster attack. The horde collides

    It was less then an hour until Balin and Dilan should have been replaced on the watchtower. Dilan was taking a nap while Balin was on lookout when Balin spotted something. It was far way but rapidly approaching. The main reason Balin even realized that something was there was because the forest trees upstream was shaking unusually strong for the weather.


    ¡°Wake up! I need you to confirm if it is what I fear it is.¡±


    He gently kicked his lying cousin. Who quickly stud up and after taking a moment to orientate looked at the same direction as Balin.


    ¡°This is clearly the horde. We should go and warn the village. If they keep that tempo up they will be here at the watchtower in less, then a half hour. And in another half hour they are at the village. Move!¡±


    The two climbed the tower and mounted their horses who were nearby and rode of as fast as their mounts allowed. So that after only a few minutes they arrived at the fort where they met a messenger who went to ring the bells to warn the village. While the bells rang the two changed their outfits. They took of the lighter clothing they where wearing and replaced them with heavy hardened leather armor. Since none of them where knights yet they didn¡¯t have a full set of metal plate armor. So, they only wore a full body leather outfit. One of the main benefits of that get up is that they could get on their horses without help. Since in full plate armor they could hardly even mount them due to the weight. Next, they grabbed their weapons. A short sword, a knife and a shield. Balin also took a war ax as his primary weapon while Dilan opted for a mace with a spike at the top. In less then forty minutes they were prepared and remounted their horses.


    There was almost no time left when they met up with the volunteers who were going to accompany them and split up to do their units job.


    Balin¡¯s group was stationed a short distance away from west entrance. The idea was to let the beasts come at them while forcing them to come in smaller waves since they will have to squish between the houses. The groups will be in an arrow like formation pointing from the town center outwards towards to where the rivers converge since that is where the horde will come from. Balin left his horse go. It would be to narrow for combat on horseback. Balin¡¯s father would be in a house about 20 meters away from where the collision was expected to happen where he would tend wounds with his wife¡¯s help. Balin¡¯s younger sister was in the town hall where her godmother would be caring for her. Balin looked at the 27 people that were under his direct command for this fight all of them were people Balin knew and grew up with. The tailor, the smith-twins and others. Balin knew that a lot of them wouldn¡¯t make it. So, he decided to do one speech for his people to motivate them and ease their fears.


    ¡°Today is the day. The day that we were all preparing for. We will be probably outnumbered, and we probably will lose some of our own. But we will make those beasts curse the day they decided to attack us. We will slaughter every single one that dares to even come close to the city. I am Balin of the Rivervally the squire of Sir Egbert the swift. And I promise you we will send those things to the mortem. Who¡¯s with me?¡±


    His allies started yelling out their battle cries. At the beginning only half heartedly but as time progressed they became louder and louder as they convinced themselves that everything will be good. They screamed for minutes and as the last of their cries died down they heard the monsters and the ground started shaking. When the first of their foes made an appearance.


    It was a Lesorse a lizard like creature that was known for its ability to run for long distances. It had something akin to fur on some areas and was brown. It was as big as a horse indicating that it was a grown male. Balin made a signal with his left hand. Ordering the four archers on the surrounding houses to shoot it. The creature quickly fell but there was not time for celebration. Because as soon after it fell all hell broke loose. One Lesorse after another came running at the men. Most of them were just bigger then a big dog and the archers couldn¡¯t keep up with the masses and Balin prepared for impact. As the commander of the group he stood behind his men. Trying to give them orders to stay together and to not let go. Until he heard a scream of one of his men. One of the smith-twins at the vanguard got bitten in the shoulder and was losing blood quickly. Balin ordered his friends to replace him and to shove him back so that one of the volunteers could carry him to be treated. But as soon as the man was taken away from the fight one of the bigger monsters crashed into the men in front making them fall and incapacitating two of them. Only fifteen minutes into the fight and they were already losing ground. Balin already started to realize that they wouldn¡¯t be able to hold his street. Sure, further back where the mercenaries who could hold the monsters back for a while but at the rate that they were coming it would only be a matter of time until they would fall as well. But for now, it was important for this unit to hold this ground for as long as possible. But while in thought more lizards started to appear and by the 14<sup>th</sup> one they already lost nine men, at least four of them were already dead rest heavily wounded or near death. Now there was a hole in their defenses that had to be filed. Balin immediately jumped at the hole in the vanguard and hit a wolf-sized in the leg with his ax to cripple it so that one of the others could stab it. The next thing he knew was that the man at his right was knocked over and was being bitten in the head by another monster quickly Balin chopped his weapon into the monster¡¯s head where it got stuck killing it instantly. Now they have lost ten fighters to the horde. This could only end badly.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Fall back! Everyone retreat!¡±


    Balin ordered in the heat of the fight.


    ¡°And bring the wounded with you!¡±


    Balin bashed a Lesor with his shield to stun it while his allies tried to fall into the area protected by the mercenaries. He saw some people carry the wounded and another one fell while running only to fall prey to the monsters¡¯ hunger. For half a minute he just ran, looking occasionally back to ensure his distance to the monsters. They weren¡¯t following yet. Probably they were too busy feasting on the corpses of his fallen comrades. He was the fastest and first to reach the safer zone so that when he turned back he saw many of his comrades stumbling and running towards him. His mother was one of the last once to arrive. Her crying face was enough information for him to figure out what happened. His father was a cripple and he wasn¡¯t seen anywhere near the survivors. His crying mother looked him into the eyes and opened her eyes wide. She took a small flask out of her robe and pulled his left leather gauntlet off. It was bloody. Due to the painkilling adrenalin Balin didn¡¯t even realize that he severely hurt his arm when he shield bashed one of his foes. His grieving mother just spread the cream over him without saying a word.  But there wasn¡¯t time for a break. One of the magicians on the roof just blew the way behind him up. Leaving it in rubbles and temporarily stopping the monsters from passing through it. But even that barely gave him time to breathe. One Thel of the heavy armored mercenaries approached him with a big hammer in one hand and a shield in the other. Looking at the man¡¯s shield made Balin realize that he lost his one on the way.


    ¡°Balin! Everything is going wrong. Sir Egbert didn¡¯t show up to lead his group. There were only four survivors of that group. They are a taking a second to breath in this house. We already have blown up that way here. We haven¡¯t heard of Dilans group yet. But no monsters have come through there yet, so they should still hold. You are the only local with any authority here. What should he do?¡±


    ¡°What! Where is he?¡±


    ¡°No one knows. He wasn¡¯t seen for hours.¡±


    Balin counted how many people where here. The six mercenaries, the four survivors of Sir Egberts group and the eleven of his men that he was able to count, including himself.


    ¡°We need to support Dilan. Rick, who is the fasted your men? I need to check up on Dilan.¡±


    ¡°I can help you! Anne you are in command!¡±


    He climbed a ladder down to reach Balin while Balin gave his orders.


    ¡°This will be our last stance. If this post falls they will reach and attack everyone in the town hall. So, I need everyone here do stay and fight until they die. You will all listen to the Mercenaries since they have more experience then you do! Alrick and I will go and support Dilan¡¯s group. And if necessary bring them here. Magicians, prepare to blow the last way here up! Now fight!¡±


    Balin turned around and he and Alrick started to run. They were both tired and Balin started to feel the pain of a possibly broken arm. So, without slowing down he opened one of his pockets. He fished out a pill. It was one of Madame Mine¡¯s last presents to him before the fight. It¡¯s called a lionheart pill. Expensive and difficult to make but in a life or death situation it could numb all pain and let the person consuming it become a fighting machine. The plan was that every villager would have some. But they where one of the many unusable medicines that they purchased. Madame Mine only had to resources for four of these. On for Sir Egbert one for Dilan and one for Balin and a fourth one that he didn¡¯t know where it was. Balin swallowed it dry. Since there wasn¡¯t time to stop and open the wine pouch.


    ¡°A lionheart?¡±


    Asked Alrick.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Gasped Balin as they ran. There wasn¡¯t much more time for a deeper conversation since they arrived Dilan¡¯s battlefield. It looked better for them when compared to the other groups. They were able to mostly hold their formation and the monster-corpses made for a small wall and slowed the attackers down.


    ¡°Are you guys ok?¡±


    Asked Balin. One of the villagers who was taking a breather in the back.


    ¡°Mostly. But we lost seven until now. I don¡¯t know how long we can hold out. Wait you probably wane talk to Dilan.¡±


    Tired he stood up and switched places with a man drenched in red. Dilan was now standing in front of the two.


    ¡°You two are here. That isn¡¯t good. Did they pierce throw your way already?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and Sir Egberts as well. Look there is no time. Tell your men to retreat we need to strengthen our hold around the mercenaries or they will swarm through the other ways!¡±


    ¡°Ok. But we must evacuate the wounded ones first or this will go haywire. Can you two help defending while I help them to evacuate?¡±


    The duo nodded and took battle ready stances. Since he Alrick was carrying a bow he couldn¡¯t bethe vanguard. So, he stood a few meters behind the line and tried to snipe between his allies. While Balin prepared to replace two of the vanguards at the same time.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    Yelled Dilan and everyone moved like a flash. The men in the back grabbed the wounded three and carried them of while Balin ran towards the monsters and crushed the skull of a Lesorse that tried to bite one of the villagers. The next few minutes went by in a flash. Left and right the villagers evacuated, Alrick shoot a monster in the neck and Dilan took place next to Balin. They single handedly fought off four beasts at the same time. Balin¡¯s ax broke in two, so the quickly drew his short sword and cut the same monster that broke his ax in the tail. Dilan had lost his even before Balin arrived and replaced it with a heavy hammer that one of his fallen comrades brought with him. They fought until it was only them two at the front and Alrick ordered.


    ¡°We have to move now!¡±


    Dilan bashed the monster that he and Balin were holding of with his shield then the tow squires turned around and ran closely behind the last of the retreating villagers. Balin didn¡¯t feel anything. His body couldn¡¯t feel the pain from his broken hand or any of his numerous wounds due to the medicine and the adrenalin. He didn¡¯t even feel tired or was afraid. He just ran and ran. But despite not being able to feel anything his wounds were slowing him down. He was the last one or arrive to the area secured by the mercenaries but just as he was about to leave the street leading to the place he fell. He turned around to see a especially ugly beast jump towards him with his foul smelling mouth open, ready for the kill. When an explosion erupted burying him and the monster under the rubble.

 Birth of the Golemman

    After a long time Balin woke up. He doesn¡¯t know how long he was knocked out nor what happened, but he felt weak and cold. So cold. He could barely lift his head, but he had to stand up, he had to move. When he tried to move his right arm, nothing happened. He didn¡¯t know what happened, but he saw red, red everywhere. He knew it was blood. A lot of it was probably his. He tried to stand up again. His left arm didn¡¯t move. It was still broken. But his right arm didn¡¯t move either. He painfully turned his head around and through the sand and dirt he saw it. A big rock buried it. He realized why he couldn¡¯t feel anything from it. It was squashed and dead. Balin didn¡¯t even have the energy to get angry. He was just so tired and cold. Balin knew he was dying. He tried to move his head so that he could see upwards. It was still dark only the only light source was the moon. He didn¡¯t know if Dilan or anyone else made it, but it was quiet. Then his eyes started to close again. Balin was just so tired. But he couldn¡¯t afford to lose conscience. He knew that he wouldn¡¯t ever regain it. When he heard a voice inside of his head


    ¡°Well you have experienced a terrible fate, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    Despite having his eyes closed Balin was able to see a man in front of him. He wasn¡¯t very big and seemed to float on his belly looking down at Balin as if he were barely more than an interesting bug.


    ¡°The people that you paid to save you and your people didn¡¯t come and now.¡±


    The man sat up on an invisible chair.


    ¡°Everyone that you tried to protect is dead and you are dying. Buried under a small hill of rubble with his arm crushed and countless wound bleeding all over the place.¡±


    The man paused.


    ¡°Come on say something!¡±


    ¡°Safe me!¡±


    Answered Balin in pain.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hear you.¡±


    ¡°Safe me!¡±


    Yelled Balin into the darkness of his mind and the night.


    ¡°Safe you? Well I could do that but tell me! What would you do if I saved you? What would you use your second shot at life at? Answer fast! Unlike you I have all the time in the world.¡±


    Answered the man in Balin¡¯s head. Sounding cocky, like a person who was trying to convince him to do something bad. Balin took a painful breath and answered.


    ¡°Revenge.¡±


    ¡°Louder!¡±


    ¡°I will slaughter everyone. Every single one who didn¡¯t deliver. Who didn¡¯t come despite having the responsibility to do so!¡±


    Yelled Balin in his head.


    ¡°Revenge huh. That sounds like fun. Alright, I will save you. But are you ready to give your very humanity for your revenge? We will see. Do not disappoint me!¡±


    The man picked up some dirt from the abyss that both he and Balin were in and rubbed it all over the areas where in the real world Balin was hurt and immediately Balin felt better. His left arm didn¡¯t hurt anymore, and he started to feel warm again. But as his pains disappeared his ability to think started to come back and he started to question to the man.


    ¡°Who are you? Are you the grim reaper? Am I dead? And what happened to the others? Please tell me!¡±


    The man looked disinterested at his arm and casually responded.


    ¡°Guess we still have some time until you are fixed again, so I might as well. My name is Epidex-curs, but you can call me Epidex and I ain¡¯t quite the grim reaper but close enough. And no, you are not dead. You weren¡¯t quite dead yet and with others I assume you meant everyone in the village correct? Well they are all dead. Every single one was slaughtered by the Lesorses.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°All of them?¡±


    ¡°All of them. The villagers, the mercenaries even your cousin Dilan. They all fought bravely but it wasn¡¯t enough.¡±


    ¡°They¡±


    Balin was shut down by Epidex.


    ¡°Look I would love to keep talking with you, but I have things to do and you should wake up. After all, you have gotten a second chance to have your revenge.¡±


    Balin woke up again. His body was aching and itching but it didn¡¯t hurt anymore. The sun was burning on his head and he was finally able to see things clearly again. He had to stand up. So, he tried to push himself up again. This time with more success. His left arm wasn¡¯t broken anymore, and his right arm easily shook the rock of and he pushed himself up. He was woozy and looked at his arms. His right arm looked weird. It was as brown as the ground itself. The arm moved but Balin didn¡¯t feel anything from it. That remembered Balin of that exchange he had in his head. Was that real? It had to be since his arms were working again. Well his right arm was now brown but still. Wait if that just happened then that means that everyone was dead. Balin shook his head towards the direction where the villagers should be hiding and ran to the town hall. On the way he saw dozens of cadavers a lot of them were of Lesorses. Balin fell over one landing head first into a dead monster. It started to smell. The smell of death was everywhere and Balin just noticed. As he stood up again he looked to his right. He saw the house that the mercenaries tried to secure. The entrance door was broken open and next to it were the leftovers of a man. Since he wore armor Balin assumed it was one of the mercenaries who tried to defend the door, but it was so badly damaged that he couldn¡¯t figure out which one of the mercenaries it was. Balin walked the rest of the way afraid of what he will find once he reaches the town hall. When he arrived, there was barely a building left. Most of the walls were destroyed up to the point where the roof crashed down. There was no way that anyone could have survived this. This was when Balins legs gave up. He would have yelled out his frustrations but there was barely any liquid inside of him anymore. He felt sick and would have vomited if he could. All of this was for nothing. The deaths of his comrades wasted, the mercenary¡¯s life wasted, the hundreds of hours that he and Dilan spent training wasted. There was no one left for him. Balin was alone. He wasn¡¯t really thinking anything, nor did he feel much. Neither pain nor sadness. Balin didn¡¯t know how long he just stood there. When suddenly he felt hungry. Slowly he trotted too his parents¡¯ home searching for something to eat. The house wasn¡¯t raided by the monsters. Probably since there was no meat stored in it, since even a faint smell would have attracted the monsters. That was also the reason most other buildings were left mostly untouched. The small village in the river valley has become a ghost town. Balin started to feel worse at the mere thought. It became clear. He was going to leave the ruins of the village and never come back. After eating some stale bread Balin started to collect things that might become useful a bag, a knife and some miscellaneous things but most importantly money. He didn¡¯t know how long he would be travelling but until he had avenged his people he wouldn¡¯t return, he owed them at least that much. Balin¡¯s next stop was at the inn. The ground floor was ravaged by the monsters, but the upstairs were left mostly alone. The reason he broke into the inn was because that was where the brave mercenaries were staying. They obviously had many things that were necessary for traveling, like maps and good clothing. He even found the journal of one of them, it was Annas the mage but Balin didn¡¯t read it. It was one of her personal items and he had no right to investigate it. Instead he grabbed it and some other clearly personal items that he could find and put them into his bag for later. It took a few minutes but Balin finally found what he was looking for a road map. Balin rarely travelled outside the village so he didn¡¯t own one and he didn¡¯t feel like it was right to go back to the fort. In fact, Balin didn¡¯t want to stay in the village longer then necessary since he felt guilty and ashamed over being the only survivor. So, after scavenging everything that he felt was useful Balin left first the inn and then the village river downwards without even looking back once.


    After walking for a half an hour Balin reached a small abandoned monastery. It was empty for months since the last priest who lived there died at the start of winter and he wasn¡¯t replaced yet by the church. In the back of it there was a small graveyard with a shack. Inside the shack there was a spade that Balin needed. So, he tried to open it. It was locked. Frustrated Balin punched the door with his right hand and surprisingly he was able to punch through it without feeling pain. Balin was surprised until he remembered that this wasn¡¯t his arm anymore. Whatever Epidex did with it, it made the arm super strong. But Balin didn¡¯t have any time to wonder what his arm was, he had something to do. So, he grabbed the spade and dug a hole next to the biggest gravestone that he could find. It wasn¡¯t a great or deep hole. But deep enough so that he could bury the personal items of the mercenaries and something that he took with him from home. It was his father¡¯s favorite carving knife. Balin thought back to the many cold nights when his father was carving things and telling him stories of back in the day. Those were some nice nostalgic times. Balin buried the items and made a small prayer. It was late in the afternoon when he left the graveyard to search for the first target of his revenge, the Gaus group.

 Search for the Gaus group

    Balin followed the map for two days now. While they didn¡¯t note in which city the Gaus group has their headquarters, the areas where they had to pass through are clearly noted in it. So Balin only had to follow it backwards and sooner or later he should come across their headquarters. But for now, he had to prepare himself. They were experts in fighting. Taking them out won¡¯t be easy. So, he had to get some intel on them beforehand and come up with a plan. Right now, he was resting in an inn on the side street. It was marked on the map indicating that the mercenaries planned to come through here on their way to the river-valley and maybe they left some clues in here to where they were coming from. It was still afternoon, so he decided to wait until the tavern part of the inn fills up and he could get someone to talk. Until then he had some time. Since he had time he decided that it would be good idea to test out what his arm can do. He wore long sleeves and traveling gloves so that no one could see his unnatural arm. The gloves he bought form a vendor a day ago after he realized that it did attract stares and rumors. Balin left the in and went into the forest along the road. He walked into it for about ten minutes when he decided that no one would find him here and took his glove and long-sleeved shirt of. He didn¡¯t want to ruin them after all. It was a bit chilly but that was the first thing blain realized. In this arm he didn¡¯t feel the cold. Remembering what he did with the door of that shack in the graveyard, he decided that he should test it out how hard he could punch. For that he took aim at a big pine tree and punched as hard as he could. He punched about tree centimeters deep into it before his hand was stopped. Still shards of wood broke of and hit him in the face, which annoyed him. Despite punching with enough force to easily shatter a metal helmet and the face behind it, he didn¡¯t feel nothing in the arm. Sure, he somehow registered that he hit something hard and the roughness of the wood there was no pain. Balin looked at his hand again. There was no scratch on it. Weird. Next, he grabbed a high branch and tired to pull himself up on it. It was as if there was no resistance and he almost flung himself up. As a last test he picked up a fist sized rock and tried to squash it in his hand. It broke almost immediately. Satisfied with his new strength Balin did some other exercises to test his power until sunset. Hours later when the sun started to set Balin was out of breath. He sweated all over his body and was tired but in his earth arm he didn¡¯t feel a bit tired or worn out.


    When he returned to the inn a lot of the customers already started to come. Balin looked around the tavern. There were all kinds of people here. Most of them were probably merchants or other vagabonds, but there were two people with expensive looking clothing in there. Probably some nobles who were visiting their family or something. Balin didn¡¯t really care. Balin knew a few nobles from his time as a squire but most of them didn¡¯t see him as one of them. Even fully-fledged knights are beneath them, but they liked to be associated with powerful knights for various reasons. Like the fact that they could command their armies or could give they honor in a tournament. Balin remembered that Sir Egbert apparently even won a sword fighting tournament years ago, that was the main thing that brought nobles to Rivervally that and vacation.


    ¡°You want something to eat?¡±


    Asked the innkeepers daughter.


    ¡°Hmm¡±


    It took Balin out of his thoughts.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°Yes please. I would like the daily special please.¡±


    ¡°Ok, that would be one bowl of bean soup, and as many potatoes and sausages as you can eat. The first beer is free but if you want more to drink that costs extra.¡±


    ¡°Please¡±


    ¡°Coming right up. Sit down somewhere. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Balin sat down on an empty table and waited. The waitress quickly came back with the food and gave it to him.


    ¡°Anything else?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please I would like some company!¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the offer but I have a fianc¨¦. So, no¡±


    ¡°No that isn¡¯t what I meant. I just need some info on some people who came by earlier.¡±


    ¡°Ah ok. I think, I have a moment, so why not.¡±


    She sat down on the other side of the table.


    ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Six people of the Gaus group came by here earlier. Do you know from where they came from?¡±


    ¡°The Gaus group? Hmmm haven¡¯t heard from them in a week. Why do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°They died defending a village from monsters. I¡­ want to inform the next of kin. But I don¡¯t know where they are from. So, I need to know where to start looking.¡±


    ¡°They died. What a tragedy. I liked that one tall guy and his girlfriend they were nice. They are mercenaries, right? I would start looking in a mercenary guild. That is where most mercenary groups stay during their travels. Maybe they have like a register that you could look up. Most bigger cities have one, so you might want to start looking there.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you that will help.¡±


    ¡°No problem. Now I got to go. There are other customers. We can talk later, ok? Until then enjoy your meal.¡±


    She stood up and left. Deep in thought Balin started eating.


    It took Balin another day reach a bigger village with a mercenary guild. The building doubled as a tavern and an inn, so that Balin was able to stay there after he asked the man at the counter for information. Despite him being a big man with an intimidating cut on his shaven chin he was very polite and professional when Balin asked him about the Gaus groups location. He opened a big book and searched for the Gaus group. Luckily, they appeared to be semi regular customers of this establishment. Other wise it might have taken a while to find information about them. After thinking for a while the man recommended to Balin.


    ¡°They are affiliated with the ¡°West coast mercenaries AG¡±. So, I would recommend looking in Beachline. That is where West coast stays has their headquarters. So, the Gaus group probably doesn¡¯t stay too far from there. It is a three-day hike to get there. So, I would recommend going in the morning. That ok with you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you. I have a question what is the ¡°West coast mercenaries AG¡±?¡±


    ¡°Guess you don¡¯t travel a lot. They do things like organize where mercenaries stay and help them do things like budget and taxes. At first, they were just some people from the West coast trading company who made something by the side helping illiterate mercenaries out but that evolved into a big business. They know almost anything about the groups affiliated with them. In fact, if someone is affiliated with them they get discounts in stores like mine. It is a good deal.¡±


    ¡°Ah, ok. That is all I wanted to know. I¡¯ll go to bed then. I must leave early. Good night.


    After three days Balin reached Beachline. It was quite a big city. Not as big as the capital but still impressive. Balin wanted to make a b-line to the West coast mercenaries AG but he took a moment to reconsider. If he were to ask around chances are that the mercenaries might hear of him and Balin might lose the surprise factor. He didn¡¯t get a second shot at living only to be killed by his first target. No, he had to be smart about this. After checking at one of the various inns he took inventory. There wasn¡¯t a lot of gear to kill with, so he had to organize some. His golem like arm was impressive but aside from smaller areas with earth all over his body, he was still mostly human and that means that he is vulnerable. So, he had to get some gear. Luckily his pockets were quite full, and he knew it was time for some shopping.

 Lyel the shield

    It was early afternoon. Most members of the Gaus group were in the small villa that was their main quarters and home. Lyel wanted to spend some time in the main salon to read. He held his book in his left and climbed down the stairs to the main floor. On his way down, he heard some movements coming from the saloon, but he didn¡¯t worry. If someone was dumb enough to intrude their home, he would have to deal with 14 experienced mercenaries. He opened the door and found the one doing all the noise. It was Sasha the leader of their group. He was deep inside his chair with a bottle of booze.


    ¡°Drinking again?¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    Mumbled Sasha.


    ¡°You have to get over her! It¡¯s been almost three weeks since. Come on, you are better than this.¡±


    ¡°I am over her. I am over her and her traitorous asses. It¡¯s just that I ain¡¯t feeling very well.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. If you say so.¡±


    Ever since he got into that dumb tri-dice game he wasn¡¯t the man he was and lately he only got worse. The other members were talking about denouncing his leadership and replacing him with someone else.


    ¡°No point in hiding it.¡±


    Mumbled Lyel.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°No point in hiding it.¡±


    Repeated Lyel.


    ¡°Hiding what? You guys wanne betray me too? Is that It? Everyone is leaving me. Please don¡¯t, don¡¯t leave me! You are all that I have left.¡±


    Sasha started to cry. Lyel felt bad about his friend, but he had to be honest to him.


    ¡°Listen Sasha! We aren¡¯t going to betray you. It¡¯s just that lately we¡¯ve been thinking that maybe you should take a break from leading us. You know just until you get yourself back on your feet.¡±


    Sasha started to cry harder.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t leave me! I can change. I swear Lyel. Please I swear.¡±


    By now Sasha was just whining unrecognizably. Although it really started to annoy Lyel he went to comfort his old friend. They have been together for years now, fought side by side and have become something of a family. In fact, most of the Gaus group has. That is why most people stayed even though Sasha started to become unbearable. People only started to leave the group when Sasha made that choice. Lyel still felt bad about it. Sasha got in deep with some bad people after losing a lot of money in the tri-dice game, and to pay it back he took the reward money of a quest to dangerous for them to fulfil without planning to help that village that requested the help. That lead to Alrick and five others leaving the group to calm their consciousness including Anna, Sasha¡¯s girlfriend for three years. That is when Sasha got into drinking, becoming so unbearable that two of the newer members also left. Lyel wasn¡¯t too close to those two yet but still, losing almost half your members in one month is usually reason enough for most mercenary groups to disband. And Sasha knew that, leading him too get even worse and more unbearable then before.


    ¡°I love you Lyel. You are like a brother to me. Have I told you why I made this group Lyel?¡±


    ¡°Only every second day for the last two weeks.¡±


    Thought Lyel, but he knew that saying yes would be futile and anger the drunk. So, he instead answered.


    ¡°No, not yet.¡±


    ¡°I lost my family during a plague and was alone until that man came along. He was a powerful strong and unfeeling warrior. I wanted to be like him. So, I wanted to become strong like him. But I couldn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t just feel nothing. Lyel help me feel nothing. Help me feeee.¡±


    Sasha dozed of in the middle of his sentence. Lyel just sighed and sat down on a free chair to read his book only to fall asleep himself shortly after.


    Lyel woke up later. The sun was about to go down. He was hungry. Luckily one of the groups magicians Gene came to tell him that they were having dinner soon. It was decided that they would go into the wood to have a barbeque. As it turns out two of the group went with some hunters earlier and caught quite the catch, some smaller critters and even a deer, that the two mercenaries claimed. It would take another hour until the meat was ready, but it would be nice if the ones who stayed at home could bring some things to them for dinner. Like eating knifes and an ax for cutting wood. Sasha woke up earlier and Gene saw him changing. He would join them later. Gene and Lyel were going to the meeting place. It is the same as per usual. An hour into the woods there was an abandoned cabin that the mercenaries found and like to party at. But something was of. Lyel felt like he was being followed. He was an experienced warrior and was usually able to feel the difference between being paranoid and being stalked. It was weird but since Gene didn¡¯t fell anything he assumed it was nothing. When the duo arrived at the cabin almost everyone was there. With him and Gene there were 11 people at the cabin right now. The only people missing right now were the Steel brothers and Sasha. Sasha would come later, and the Steel brothers were out chopping some wood. As it turned out there was already an ax in the cabin from the last time they were here, so that the extra that Lyel brought was unnecessary. Since there wasn¡¯t anything left to set up right now he joined a trio of his friends who were aweing the new bow with which the deer was allegedly killed. As it turned out Kevin secretly commissioned it last fall and was already happy with his new toy.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Shortly after the Steel brothers returned with more fire wood but everyone was surprised when Sasha turned up. He was unusually well dressed. Now well dressed as in for a meeting with some nobility but well dressed as in a mix of leather armor and leaderlike clothing. He even brought his one-and-half-hander sword with him. It was that kind of equipment that he wears when he meets a customer and tries to sell himself as an experienced fighter.


    ¡°What are you so formal for?


    Yelled Gene. At first, Sasha mumbled to himself and then he collected himself and declared to his comrades.


    ¡°Well, hi everyone. As you all know I was going through some things¡­ I still am¡­ But I realized what I have become and that you were talking about replacing me. I know that I must pull myself together. But If you allow me¡­ then please let me keep on leading you all.¡±


    After a moment of silence some started laughing.


    ¡°Seriously that get up for that?¡±


    ¡°Dude you looked like an idiot.¡±


    But Lyel realized that for a change his friend remembered what they talked about and he calmed his comrades down.


    ¡°Listen if you just never do the things again that you have done, we can get past this. We will keep on following you. Got it? Am I right?¡±


    He asked everyone, and they cheered in response. When an armed stranger approached them from the woods. The stranger shouted.


    ¡°Are you guys the Gaus group?¡±


    No one seemed to recognize the brown-haired man so instead of answering directly Sasha asked a question in return.


    ¡°Why do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s polite to answer the question you were asked first before asking one yourself. So, I repeat myself. Are you the Gaus group?¡±


    The stranger got increasingly angrier.


    ¡°Yes, we are the Gaus group. All fourteen members are here. Now, who are you?¡±


    Instead of answering the stranger just started clenched his right arm and started running at the nearest member of the group. She instinctively retreated towards to the rest of the group to escape the mans attack. While running at her he drew a long knife, clearly with the intent to attack. One of the Steel brothers drew the ax he was carrying with him, stepped between the female archer and the assailant and quickly swung his weapon towards the man. The man pulled his right arm up to defend against the lethal hit when something incredible happened. The weapon hit the arm and stopped moving. Even with a thick piece of armor that shouldn¡¯t happen. The arm should at least be broken form the inpact. The mercenaries were astonished but the stranger just ripped the mercenaries arm towards him, tripping the taller man in the process and stabbed him in the neck. All in a single swift and calculated move. The next thing that happened was that chaos broke lose. The older Steel brother screamed at his brother¡¯s killer, drew his knife and charged him. Sasha screamed orders at his comrades. Half of the mercenaries started to retreat and gain distance and those few that carried a weapon armed themselves while others drew them knifes or grabbed some sticks defend themselves. Lyel ran towards the extra ax that he brought with him only looking back to see how assailant was doing. That is when he witnessed the man punching the even bigger Steel brother in the throat with enough force that the way bigger man was nearly decapitated, he died immediately.


    ¡°Marder, Rider surround him! And Kevin shoot him shoot!¡±


    Sasha ordered while Lyel grabbed his ax. Marder came at the attacker from the front and Rider tried to surround him, when the attacker spotted Kevin drawing up one of his few arrows only a few meters away. Marder quickly stood in between the stranger and Kevin and threatened the man with a glowing piece of wood that he snatched from the fire. But the man just jumped him, throwing the defender backwards then smashing his head with his devilish strong punch. Lyel has often seen people die, some of which were his friends, but this was absurd. He would stay back for a while and wait for orders from his leader. If they worked together maybe they could fend of the devil that has already claimed the lives of three of his friends. Kevin tried to shoot the devil while he was still sitting on Marder¡¯s chest but missed giving the devil enough time to attack him and stabbing his with the knife in his left arm.


    ¡°Lyel, Rider attack with me at the same time!¡±


    Lyel and Sasha with their weapons drawn ran at the devil but Rider dropped the rock he was using as a weapon and ran off scared for his life. Realizing the danger that they were really in Sasha ordered one last thing while the devil assaulted one of the few women in the group.


    ¡°Everyone except Lyel RUN!¡±


    Lyel and Sasha reached the female magician after the devil and couldn¡¯t save her. The devil already broke her neck. Instead, the duo circled the devil. Forcing him into a two versus one situation. Lyel on the right and Sasha on the left. They both attacked at the same time as they have done it countless times against countless foes before. Lyel with the heavier weapon attacked high aiming for the head and Lyel attacked low trying to cut of the devil¡¯s left leg. But they were to slow this time. Their timing didn¡¯t match and the devil blocked Lyels ax with his arm and then punched his gut. Lyel could feel his stomach leaving his body in one painful moment and collapsed. He was lying on the ground unable to move due to pain and blood loss, so he could only watch. But in a moment of hope Sasha was able to swing his sword and cut of the devils leg making it fall. But before the devil entirely collapst he jumped at Sasha and punched a strait hole threw his head. Killing him instantly. The devil fell over in pain over his lost limb when another impossible thing happened. Around the devil¡¯s wound the earth started to move. It moved toward the hurt area and started to twist itself around it. It stretched and molded itself until a new leg out of mud formed. The devil stood up again, preparing to chase the rest of the group. That is when Lyel used all his remaining energy to ask.


    ¡°Why? Why are you killing us?¡±


    The devil looked at him and answered in pity.


    ¡°Because you left my people to die.¡±


    It hurt Lyel to even ask but he continued.


    ¡°When have we...?¡±


    The devil became angry and yelled at the dying man.


    ¡°One month ago, you accepted a request to aid the village in the Rivervally but didn¡¯t fulfill your part of the bargain. They all died including those of you who did come to help. YOU killed them all!¡±


    The devil was almost crying. Lyel didn¡¯t know what to answer but even if he did he couldn¡¯t. The last of his life was leaving him and the last thing that he saw was the devil leave to chase after the rest of the mercenaries. It was the end of the Gaus-group.

 Further Plans

    After Lyels death it took Balin only a few hours to track down the last of the Gaus-group a trio of two men one big and bulky, one tall and skinny and an average sized woman. He found them hiding in one of the houses next to the main building of the Gaus-group. The big guy was stabbed in the lungs with a knife that Balin took of one of the Gaus mercenaries, the skinnier one got his ribs crushed and the woman was chocked by the earth hand. Balin could barely recall the last few hours. All he remembers is the satisfaction of avenging his comrades and village. Then he suddenly recalls what happened earlier. One of the Gaus-group cut of a big part of his leg. Balin sat on the ground and inspected it. His left leg was detached about one hand with above the knee in one clear almost horizontal line. The swordsman who did this was skilled since a cut through that much bone requires a lot of skill and force to pull off. Under the still meaty part of the leg was a now earthlike replacement for the lost limb. It had the same color as Balin¡¯s right arm and Balin felt the same from it. He knew when the leg touched something, and he was able to control how strong and where it moved. In many ways it was like his right arm. Balin concluded that whatever Epidex-curs did to him, it didn¡¯t just fix him up. It somehow gave him the ability to replace everything that he loses with earth. He knew that would come in handy for his further plans whatever they were.


    Balin thought back to everyone who was responsible for the catastrophe in the Rivervally. He killed the Gaus-group but who was next on his metaphorical chopping block. Balin recalled the thing that scared Sir Egbert the most, the fact that the feudal Lord¡¯s men never appeared. He would be next. In a way he should have been the most obvious target. But Balin was just so focused on the Gaus-group that he forgot the Lord Conway¡¯s crimes. He was next. Balin made another oath of revenge and started planning. Balin went to the main building of the Gaus-group to take any useful items. Since he didn¡¯t know how long he would have to travel nor what he had to do to achieve his goal. He needed to be prepared. In a way he would take the money back that they have stolen from the Rivervalley. At least that was how he justified what was essentially just looting but he did not care. He searched to whole building. He found some jewelry that he could cash in, some gear that he could use. From new cooking utensils to new clothing. He even found some bags with coin. Not nearly in the amount that the group hustled form the Rivervally but enough to fund his further plans. By the time he got what ever he could carry the sun was almost gone. He didn¡¯t want to spend anymore time near the crime scene and left to return to the inn where he was staying. He would have to leave tomorrow early since as a stranger to the area he was suspect to his crimes once the bodies would be found.


    The next morning Balin traveled back east. Since Lord Conway lived only a few days away from the Rivervally, Balin already knew the way. After all, until a few weeks ago he was a knight¡¯s squire and due to that a lower noble, so he had to be affiliated with many of the higher nobility and some of the lower royalty. Specially Lord Conway since he would be the one Balin and Dilan would serve under once they would be knighted.


    Balin already traveled a few days in the right direction when he took a day rest in one of the inns of a smaller cities that he had to pass through. It was important to rest occasionally. Not just to orientate oneself but also to keep your feet healthy. It was common knowledge for everyone who had to spend many days on the road and wasn¡¯t a true nomad. That day Balin made an interesting discovery about his right left leg. It didn¡¯t have any blisters. In any other circumstance that wouldn¡¯t be anything that Balin would notice. But his right leg was full of them. It made it uncomfortable to travel but Balin would have to get used to it. It also made Balin think about his condition and once again he recognized the fact that the earth like limbs had none of the weaknesses that their fleshy counterparts have. For a moment Balin was thinking if he should just cut his remaining arm and leg off to replace them with their earthy counterparts but that thought was quickly dismissed since having his leg cut of earlier was incredibly painful. Not as painful as when he almost died but it still hurt, also he didn¡¯t want to arouse any suspicion and the less normal parts he had the easier it would be for him to be found out. Later the same day he was eating dinner in one of the local taverns. The most noteworthy thing about it was the taverns size. It was gigantic for what it was. Apparently, this building used to be an old chapel that the church sold of cheap. While Balin was sitting there eating in silence, he overheard two guys talking.


    ¡°Did you hear? A few weeks ago a monster horde collided with a small village in the east and completely destroyed it. There were no survivors.¡±


    ¡°Really no survivors? Why didn¡¯t the local lord do anything?¡±


    ¡°He wanted to help. But apparently, they arrived two days late. It was a tragedy.¡±


    ¡°Two days? Mann that must stink. Why were they late?¡±


    ¡°My friend who told me this said that a part of the horde split of early and attacked the soldiers on their way to the village. Although they didn¡¯t have any casualties their equipment was badly damaged in a fire that erupted during the fight. So, they had to postpone their arrival but by then it was already too late.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Balin accidently crushed the keg that was in his hand and emptied the liquid inside it all over the table. One of the men who was talking looked over to Balin and asked with concern.


    ¡°Everything ok? Have you hurt yourself?¡±


    Balin was clenching his hands into fists.


    ¡°Yes, everything is fine. Excuse me. I have overheard your conversation. Do you just so happened to know the name of the village that was wiped out?¡±


    The concerned man turned to his friend and asked him.


    ¡°Do you know the name?¡±


    The man who was asked thought for a second and remembered it suddenly.


    ¡°It was R something valley if I remember correctly. I want to say Rivervalley but don¡¯t quote me on that.¡±


    ¡°So, the lord is completely innocent in this?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was tragedy. Why are you so concerned young man? Did you know someone form there?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I knew a few people from there.¡±


    ¡°I am sorry to hear this. Losing someone always feels terrible. Are you sure that you are ok?¡±


    The man pointed a hand towards Balin¡¯s left hand. As it turns out Balin clenched his hand so hard that his fingernails cut his palm and it bleed lightly.


    ¡°Ohh. Yes, I am ok. Please excuse me for a while. I need to¡­ get a dry shirt.¡±


    Balin stood up and left the two men and the mess at table that he created to go to his room in the inn to think.


    ¡°God dammit! It wasn¡¯t his fault. This was a waste of time.¡±


    In his frustration over the new revelation Balin punched a nearby tree with his right hand. Shaking the tree in the process. He looked at his still bleeding left hand. It wasn¡¯t magically healed by the demon¡¯s power. Probably since the wound was shallow, so his healing powers didn¡¯t activate. He would have to disinfect it the old-fashioned way. That is when Balin recalled the incident with the medicine delivery. They were handled by the Gabriel supplies company. And they only brought them trash. They were responsible for many of the dead. If they had done their job there would have been enough lion pills and other potions to save more people. The blood of the Rivervally was on their hands just as much as it was on the Gaus-group. They had to pay. But the company was big and powerful. Balin would have to plan this carefully. But that won¡¯t save them. Not from Balin.


    Balin made his mind up. He would hunt down the one responsible for the scam inside the Gabriel Supply company. So, for the first step Balin visited the local market, searching for the both where an affiliate of the company was selling his wares. But Balin couldn¡¯t find a representative at the market. This slightly confused Balin since this city while not big was clearly big enough for Gabriel to make shop here and try to sell their wares. After carefully checking every single table Balin gave up finding it on his own so he asked around.


    ¡°Gabriel Supplies? They stopped selling stuff here in weeks. They used to have a booth near the city entrance but for whatever reason about two months ago they just packed up and left. No one really knew why. They usually sold well around here. But hey, that¡¯s their loss. And their loss is my gain. So, can I interest you in something? These herbs here for an example. They drive of insects at night and can be used to make a delightful tea. Interested?¡±


    Out of politeness Balin bought the herbs. If anything, it would help him when he must sleep in a foreign bed that is filled with lice. While walking away Balin thought through what to do now. He could go to another city and try again there? Balin didn¡¯t really feel like searching forever to find the culprit but he owed his village at least that much. So, Balin left the city in search of information of Gabriel Supply company. Balin didn¡¯t want to keep going east. That was his original destination in the first place but after getting that information on Lord Conway it only left a foul feeling in Balin¡¯s stomach. Heading south wasn¡¯t really an option. Since then he would have to traverse mountains and then he would most likely only get home sick. He just was westwards, and he didn¡¯t want to be seen in the same area for too often. So, by default towards the north it was. Balin crossed multiple villages on his way to the north but in none of them was a single person who worked for Gabriel¡¯s. It would take Balin four villages and a week and a half of traveling too get hold of someone who worked for Gabriel¡¯s Supplies up until a few months. His name was Ernest. He used to run the booth for Gabriel¡¯s in a nearby city but when the shop was closed by his superiors he had to move back home. Luckily, he was able to work as a fisherman under his ageing parents in a village next to the river called ¡°Snake¡¯s tongue¡±. Balin was able to find him next to the huge river. He was fixing some nets that got broken after the last salmon season. The monotony of the work meant that he appreciated having someone to talk to.


    ¡°Gabriel¡¯s Supply company had to close down many of their shops due to a financial crisis. Some said that it was sabotage others say it was bad speculation of the market. I don¡¯t really care why it happened, but I am still pissed. I really liked my job. Talking to people and getting them to buy stuff was a lot of fun, and I didn¡¯t want to return home. But what can you do? Say Boy! Why are you even so interested in the company? You should know that they don¡¯t look for workers right now and you are wasting your time if that is the case.¡±


    Balin knew he had to choose his words carefully.


    ¡°I am not looking for work right now. I guess you could say that I am going to file a complaint about some of the wares that my village bought from them. And it is important that this works out as I hope it does.


    ¡°Must be one heck of a complaint for you to go through all that trouble. But if I were to guess I would say that the medicine that you got wasn¡¯t that good. Right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Good guess. How did you know?¡±


    ¡°There were rumors at the shop. Apparently, they were stretching some things like the Ichor where they put less Moly in then the recipe needs. But there weren¡¯t too many complains, at least while I worked there. No idea how bad it really was.¡±


    ¡°So, can you direct me towards too where I can find Gabriel¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t think that it would help you a lot. But if you really want to know where to start, I would recommend going to King¡¯s hold. Their main branch is stationed there so if there is a place where you could get something out of that complain it is there. But I¡¯d say you should go home instead. It probably won¡¯t be worth the journey.¡±


    ¡°Well it is really important. So, I must try at least.¡±


    ¡°Alright. But you don¡¯t have to go right now. There should be at least enough time to have lunch at my place at least.¡±

 Flint of accounting

    The last couple of months did not treat Flint well. He was used to calculate losses and earnings but in the last few months he mainly wrote the numbers in red. It didn¡¯t look good neither for the company nor for him. It all started with the fire last fall. It destroyed over a third of their stockpiled supplies. From herbs to mining equipment nothing was spared. The reason behind the fire was still unknown and will probably never be found out. But the fire was only the start. Because of an especially successful last year the taxes that they were expected to pay were high. Usually not something that would be a problem, but the fire killed a lot of the material reserves that were planned to be used as payment for said taxes and there were not enough assets around to liquidate for that to be solution, so a lot of harsh short-term loans had to be taken. Many other payments and problems arose because of that, to make things even worse the weapons that they planned to sell this quarter year to compensate for these losses were never sold. Flint heard that the medicine and herbs that they usually sell had to be massively stretched since the deliveries would be impossible otherwise. Flint was probably one of the few people in the company who really knows how bad the situation really is due to his position as head accountant. To make things worse he has trouble sleeping. How could he not? He was over forty and served this company for almost 30 years. It was more then his workplace but also his home and if the company goes down, so will he. After all there aren¡¯t a lot of places that would hire a 43-year-old skinny accountant of a failed company. He rubbed his hands over his eyes to keep himself up. He just spent the last few hours calculating the worth of long term assets the company had in the eastern mountains and how long it would take to liquidate them.


    ¡°You ok Flint?¡±


    A sudden voice woke the middle-aged man out of his trance. He looked up from his papers to see it was Edward Gabriel. The son of the current CEO and grandson of the companies¡¯ founder of the same name. He was one of the logisticians of the GS main branch.


    ¡°Yes, sure Ed. Just a little tired. Is something up?¡±


    ¡°Not really. Just wanted to ask you if you cared to join me for a late lunch. But I see you are busy. I can come back later if its inconvenient.¡±


    ¡°No, no, no. it¡¯s not inconvenient. I was just about done with this anyways. You go ahead! I¡¯ll come soon.¡±


    ¡°Same place as always. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±


    Edward was about to leave the room when he heard Flint yell.


    ¡°Please order for me the duck with that brown sauce I can¡¯t pronounce!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called maronen.¡±


    Flint was happy to hear that faint answer from this friend. Not just because he liked that sauce but also since it was reaffirmation that at least someone cared for him in this crisis. So, just a bit more motivated he finished what he was doing and left to join his friend just a bit later.


    When Flint entered the rather full establishment Edward immediately spotted and waved him over.


    ¡°Hey, Flint over here! I saved you some space.¡±


    Flint went over to the bench where his friend sat and sat himself between him and an angry looking young stranger in a long travelling cloak.


    ¡°Did you already order?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the waitress was just here a few moments ago.¡±


    This softer voice came from the opposing side of the table.


    ¡°Ah Veronica, didn¡¯t see you there. How are things going with you?¡±


    ¡°Everything is going fine. I still have my job and a roof over the head. Could be worse. I am more worried about you guys. Are you still going through that dry patch? Because if not, you might have to consider a buyout. Isn¡¯t there that offer from West coast trading? It isn¡¯t perfect but if you start bargaining now maybe it won¡¯t be that bad?¡±


    The buyout, Flint knew about it. Most employees haven¡¯t been informed about that possibility yet, but Flint was obviously informed about it. He looked over to his friend. Edward just looked tired and took a sip from his drink.


    ¡°You know that it isn¡¯t up to me. It is still fathers and the investors decision.¡±


    ¡°Dad, you know that he listens to you. Please talk to him!¡±


    Her father just shook his head and drank a bit more, so she turned to Flint.


    ¡°Uncle Flint, please help me here!¡±


    ¡°I can only talk about this from the perspective of an employee. Most of us would feel a lot safer knowing that our jobs stay secured. That is all I can say.¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Edward clearly lost his patience. He smacked his keg onto the table and complained.


    ¡°Stop pressuring me! You think I don¡¯t have already enough going on? My family¡¯s legacy is dying here. My father is old and is getting weak, so I am taking care of a lot of the business already. Everyone is worried and looking towards me for answers. I just wanted to get out of this madness for one hour. I just wanted to have a good time with an old friend and my daughter. Can this please wait just one hour?¡±


    After taking a moment to breathe he realized what he just did and apologized.


    ¡°Flint, Ver I am sorry. For yelling at you two. You didn¡¯t deserve that. You are right. I will talk with my father about that, but at least for now please. Can we talk about something else?¡±


    Flint wanted to answer something, but the waiter just came with two of the orders, he placed the plates in front of the right person and left quickly. Leaving the trio in an uncomfortable silence. Until Flint tried to rekindle the conversation.


    ¡°Veronica, are you still together with that merchant guy? What was his name¡­ Garfield I think?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am still together with Garry. He has gotten a stable position at the West coast trading cooperation. He is right now away to bring wares from the west here to sell. It is going well.¡±


    Edward was obviously more comfortable now that the topic has changed and joined in while the others started eating.


    ¡°You know Ver, I always thought that that kid has the potential to do something great. Maybe you should¡­¡±


    After the meal they all went separate ways again and Flint went back to work. He continued doing what he had to do until he got a bit tired a two hours later. Looking for a place to take a brake he walked upstairs to building until he reached the top level. That was where the Gabriel family lived. Flint was in that apartment countless times and didn¡¯t even knock before entering. He was greeted by the house maid and the help too the elders of the family. They greeted him as they always do and offered him some tea and a comfortable chair to sit in. There he sat, sipped his tea and finally fell asleep.


    Flint was woken up hours later by Edward. After the initial moment of confusion, he found out why he was woken up, the smell of smoke entered his nose and he heard the sound people yelling from the lower levels.


    ¡°Flint, we have to leave. Come with me now!¡±


    ¡°Where is your family Ed?¡±


    ¡°No idea, but the apartment was empty when I arrived half an hour ago. Now come!¡±


    Flint grabbed his friends arm and pulled himself out of his chair. He looked out of the window and saw that the sun has already set, and I was starting to become dark. He and Edward rushed down the stairs down to the third floor where a young man ran into them.


    ¡°What is going on?¡±


    ¡°The grim reaper has come. He is here to claim our lives. Let me through here!¡±


    The youngster pushed the older men to the side and ran upwards. Edward fell down the last few stairs from the shove. Luckily, he wasn¡¯t too hurt. Now it was Flints turn to pull his friend up.


    ¡°What was he talking about?¡±


    ¡°No idea, but we have to keep going downwards.¡±


    The duo had to walk towards another staircase since the one from the top only goes towards the third floor. The smell of burning wood was starting to become stronger the more they walked, same with the screaming. On the second floor a panicked woman was hiding inside one of the rooms.


    ¡°Mam please. It isn¡¯t safe in here. Come with us, we are escaping.¡±


    ¡°Nooo!¡±


    Yelled the woman scared for her life.


    ¡°It is dangerous when the fire gets up here we will die please, come with us!¡±


    ¡°No, no, no. He is down there. If we go, there we will die.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°The grim reaper. I¡¯ve seen him. He is a terrifying man with an arm as dark as the night. Blood was everywhere. He crushed Lin¡¯s skull with one hand and he is coming for us.¡±


    ¡°Mam please. I don¡¯t know what you have seen but we must get out of here.¡±


    Edward tried to grab the woman, who just slapped his hand away and ran pass the two friends.


    ¡°Another one who claimed to have seen the grim reaper. What is going on?¡±


    Flint asked, but his Edward only answered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I am not staying long enough to find out. Let¡¯s move!¡±


    They moved on. Once they reached the stairway they found something that would scare Flint forever. Half of the floor was on fire and near the staircase a bearded man was lying against the wall with one of his legs broken beyond repair. There was a long trail of blood connecting him to one of the board rooms from where screaming was being herd from. Flint wanted to help the man when the screaming stopped, and a man exited the room. It was the silhouette of a man. A man with a dark arm that was crimson with blood of his victims. Scared of the grim reaper that just appeared Edward turned around and ran the stairs upwards. Not even a moment later Flint was following him but not before he saw a glimpse of the mans furious face. Based on the sounds that he makes while walking it was clear that he took his time. Before reaching the third floor again Flint swore to have heard the sound of a skull cracking. He didn¡¯t want to think about what just happened to that poor bearded man. Edward was a bit a head of him and signaled Flint to enter the room the woman was hiding in. After Flint entered he closed the door.


    ¡°Flint help me move that table to block the door!¡±


    Flint nodded and together they lifted the heavy table towards the door barricading it from the inside. Just seconds after barricading the door they heard steps. The grim reaper was standing in front of their hiding place. He must have heard them moving the table. After trying to open the door unsuccessfully there was a moment of silence until a fist broke through the door and broke the upper half of it away. Then the grim reaper climbed through the hole. That is when Edward assaulted him with a conveniently placed broom. Despite hitting the grim reaper in the back, it didn¡¯t do much more then pissing him of more. Edward was preparing to hit him again, but the grim reaper just blocked him with his dark arm, unarmed the older man, broke the broom in half and impaled Edward with the now spiky end in a single precise push. Flint was cowering in a corner hoping that the grim reaper didn¡¯t see him. But to his misfortune he was spotted.


    ¡°Please spare me! I beg you! I have a family.¡±


    The man slowly moved over and grabbed Flint at the throat and pulled him upwards. Strangling the accountant. The grim reaper now angrily growled at Flint.


    ¡°They had a family as well.¡±


    Shortly after Flint lost consciousness. Ending his life.

 After the fire

    Balin reached the highest floor of the building murdering everyone on the way. He was it who has set the building on fire so that no one could escape his wrath. The fire yet to reach the fourth floor yet so, Balin opened a window and looked down. About one floor lower and directly under the window there was a sturdy looking tree. Without hesitating Balin jumped, trying to be caught by the trees branches or to at least to slow his descent down. Balin protected his head with his arms on the way down, since hopefully everything would regrow if he doesn¡¯t destroy his head. Balin miscalculated the jump and hit his hip on a think branch, the resulting pain immediately made it clear he broke it but that wasn¡¯t the end of it. Immediately he slid of the high branch and fell onto the floor where he lied in pain for a moment. As expected his healing abilities kicked in. Replacing the broken parts of his body with the earthlike substance that healed him before. Balin heard someone yell from one of the sides.


    ¡°I think someone fell out of the building.¡±


    Balin knew he couldn¡¯t be caught by the citizens since his of colored arm and bloody attire would leave him in a situation he didn¡¯t want to be in. So, he painfully stood up and limped away before anyone could catch up to him. As he moved his healing factor made it easier to move. Soon after long he was able to run and escaped without anyone catching up to him. Balin went to where he had stashed a set of clean clothing in a bush next to the lake on which shores the city was build around. While there Balin jumped into the water to wash the blood of him. In the water he also tossed the incriminatingly bloody clothing into the lake never to be found again. Now naked and out of sight he looked at his body. Aside of the areas where he was prior heavily wounded there were many new brown spots. Most notably from his right hip downward. Over half of the leg wasn¡¯t natural anymore. The earthly part started at his hip and extended all the way downwards to Achilles heel. As usual he could really feel anything at the brown parts. Once he felt clean enough to not look suspicious he but his clean clothing back on and went towards the house at the towns entrance where he stayed for the time being. He was renting a room from a family of three that was welcoming the extra coin. When he entered the woman of the house asked Balin.


    ¡°Have you seen the fire that erupted at the main quarters of the Gabriel¡¯s Supply company. It was enormous.¡±


    Balin tried to fake his answer as good as possible to not arouse suspicion.


    ¡°So that was what I saw. I was at the lake earlier and I only saw smoke coming from the city. But I was too afraid to check it out. Did everyone escape?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how many of them were able to escape. I was here all the time and heard of it from a second-hand source. One of the neighbors, you don¡¯t know him, told me about it.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Did you know someone who works there?


    ¡°Not personally, but my husband used to work there before we got married, so he was probably close with some of them. Well not much that we can do anymore. Are you hungry? I¡¯ll have dinner ready in half an hour. Is that alright with you?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll go to my room for the time being. I am a little tired. See you later.¡±


    The woman just nodded and went into the kitchen, leaving Balin to his own things. Once in the little room of his he fell quickly fell asleep. He didn¡¯t lie when he said he was tired, after all he did spent the last hours doing a lot of things.


    Balin was conscious in the abyss. It was the same one where he ended up when he was bleeding out the first time and just like that time a man was levitating in the nothing.


    ¡°Well you left quite the mess down there.¡±


    ¡°You were watching?¡±


    Asked Balin Epidex.


    ¡°Not just me, but that doesn¡¯t matter. You did quite the mess over there. Are you feeling better now?¡±


    Epidex floats around Balin while asking him. Conflicted Balin looked at his unnatural arm.


    ¡°No¡±


    ¡°No what, please use full sentences. I have trouble understanding.¡±


    ¡°I am still angry. I don¡¯t know what I do and how to go on.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡±


    Barked Balin. Almost mockingly Epidex answered.


    ¡°Yes, what?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t feel better. I am taking responsible at the once who cheated my people and lead to their demise, but I still feel terrible. I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    Balin was now ranting uncontrollably like a little kid until Epidex silenced him with a twist of the wrist. He didn¡¯t stop Balin from attempting to talk but Balin literally made no sound when he opened his mouth. Balin was surprised that he didn¡¯t make any sounds so Epidex explained.


    ¡°In my domain I control what you say and do. So, would you kindly be let me talk? Thank you. Now, where were we? Oh yeah. What do you think of your new body? It does seem like you¡¯ve figured out how it works for the most part at least. Seeing as you relied on it when jumping out of that window.¡±


    Balin was able to talk again.


    ¡°What have you¡­¡±


    Balin didn¡¯t want to risk annoying the man again so he didn¡¯t finish his question.


    ¡°I am¡­ grateful for it. It is the only reason why I am still alive. And it does help me, a lot.¡±


    ¡°Mmhmm. Now what are your further plans? Are you done with your revenge or is there someone left on your hit list?¡±


    ¡°The hero of three front he is my next target. He is the last one we payed who didn¡¯t show up.¡±


    Epidex flew close to Balins face.


    ¡°Ohh, the hero of three front. Well that is quite the dangerous target you have chosen. Alright. That sounds like fun. If you want to know he lives in Kings Hold, but on the way there, I would recommend that you visit the village of Woodquarry? I have a feeling that this would advance the plot.¡±


    Balin rapidly woke up, hours have passed since he fell told the woman that he would lie down. It was dark and Balin has probably missed dinnertime. But that doesn¡¯t matter, for now he would follow Epidexes advice and make his way towards Woodquarry.

 Travel and twists in Woodquarry

    Balin was melting on the back of a merchant¡¯s carriage, it was finally summer, but the rising heat was killing Balin. It doesn¡¯t help that he still wears long clothing and gloves to hide his abnormalities. He has paid a small fee so that he would take him with him for part of the journey. Since the merchant was going to Woodquarry to restock on lumber wood he had space on his cart for travelers. There was one other guy traveling on in the cart that being an above averagely dressed middle-aged man who started a conversation with Balin to pass the time.


    ¡°So where are you going young man?¡±


    Balin, deep in thoughts was taken by surprise by the question.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Where are you going young man?¡±


    Sensing no danger Balin answered semi-honestly.


    ¡°I am traveling to Kings Hold. I¡¯ve been told that the safest way towards there was through Woodquarry. So here I am.¡±


    ¡°The capital huh. I used to live there. It¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve been there. Maybe I should visit that place once I have the chance to. What are you hoping to do in the capital?¡±


    ¡°I guess you can say that I have a once in a life time opportunity there. I can¡¯t afford to fail this.¡±


    ¡°Ohh so you are an ambitions young man. That is good. You should always be ambitions while you can.¡±


    The merchant entered the conversation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have to pay attention towards the road?¡±


    Balin asked.


    ¡°Nah there isn¡¯t a lot of traffic on country roads and Bojack is trained to not leave the road unless ordered to. Ain¡¯t that right old boy?¡±


    He patted his short but powerful horse and asked his other passenger.


    ¡°And where are you going?¡±


    ¡°I am going to stay in Woodquarry for the time being. I am supposed to help a new knight to settle down there.¡±


    ¡°Woodquarry gets a new knight? Why would a place like that need a knight? Isn¡¯t it already well protected from all sides? Who is he?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know a lot yet. Apparently, he has had a hard time. For some reason he fell from Lord Conway¡¯s favor and the merciful Lord Edgar offered him this low-key position as an overseer in that village. His main job will be to be a glorified judge. And as a manservant of Lord Edgars I will help him settle down and get familiar with his position.¡±


    ¡°How are you going to recognize him? You said that you didn¡¯t know who he is.¡±


    Asked Balin while leaning over the edge of the cart in boredom.


    ¡°He is already in Woodquarry. He stays in the small mansion of Lord Edgar. I will meet him there and teach him his duties and help out in the house until he gets around to hire some professional help. Shouldn¡¯t take too long. A few months at most. Excuse me for a second!¡±


    The well-dressed man redirected his attention towards the merchant.


    ¡°Is it still long until Woodquarry?¡±


    ¡°A day and a half if we continue at this pace. If it were a bit cooler, we could be a bit faster, but I don¡¯t want to hurt Bojack here. But don¡¯t worry soon we will reach a forest. There is a small lake where we can cool down. From there we can just follow the river upstream until we Woodquarry. So at least it will become a little more comfortable. So just sit tight and relax.¡±


    The rest of the journey was uneventful. The only other thing that happened was that the manservant recommended Balin to take his long sleeves off to not get a heatstroke but Balin said something vague about sunburns and ended that conversation. In Woodquarry the merchant let his two passengers off at the entrance since as a merchant he had to first check in at the customs post. Balin wanted to go the inn the merchant recommended but the older man stopped him before he was able to leave.


    ¡°Maybe you should be in town tomorrow. Since now that I am here we will officially introduce the new knight and make a small show about it. You should come and watch, if you have time.¡±


    Balin just smiled and responded out of politeness.


    ¡°Maybe, I will have to see when I can continue traveling towards Kings Hold. Depending on it I will come. If that¡¯s all I would like to find the inn before it gets dark. So, have a nice day.¡±


    Balin rapidly left the talkative man and checked in at the inn. At the desk he found out that there would be no carriage that would be willing to take him until in two days. Since tomorrow the carriages would be full and the day after that it was the holy rest day, and no one would leave the city on that day. So, until then Balin was stuck.


    There wasn¡¯t much for Balin to do in the coming days. He still had a nice bit of money left of his previous raids and more time then he would have liked. So, he decided to visit the market, maybe find some new gloves since there were some small scorched parts in his left one. Balin strolled the small marked place looking at some nice knifes that a blacksmith put on display, when he heard a familiar sounding voice announcing something to the whole city.


    ¡°Listen everyone, so listen! I am here to announce the arrival of your new guardian.¡±


    It was the manservant of yesterday. It seems like Balin just so happened to be at the marketplace when the knight would be introduced.


    ¡°Here he is, the one Lord Edgar sends to protect and guide you. Here is Sir Egbert of the Rivervally.¡±


    Balin was barely paying attention until that name was said. A million thoughts flew through Balin¡¯s head, none very clear. They ranged from. ¡°How did he survive? Over to ¡°I am not the only one.¡± Balin needed confirmation. He put the knife down and tried to get a better point of view of the knight. Balin had to stretch himself to see over the masses. That is when Balin saw him riding onto the market place. Although he lost a lot of weight and his eyes have sunken in form a lack of sleep Balin was able to recognize his uncle. Balin did not know how to react to the revelation of his uncle being alive. When Sir Egbert looked at the masses Balin quickly disappeared to not get discovered. Although he was out of sight of the knight, Balin stayed nearby. Spying the man. After the introduction Sir Egbert said some meaningless things about himself and his relationship with Lord Edgar and his past accomplishments. Mostly meaningless things meant to kill time and make himself greater then he really was. Even the crowd had trouble getting excited by the inspirational words, but after a short while a select few started to applaud and shortly after the majority clapped for their new knight. With a clearly forced smile Sir Egbert waved and left the crowd. Balin was only a bit behind them. Hiding in the masses or the shadows depending on where the knight and the manservant went, Balin was stalking his former master. Sir Egbert visited a few other places like the second well, or the great tree in the middle of the village. It wasn¡¯t too difficult for Balin to stay undetected. The one time it became a bit more difficult was when Sir Egbert entered the soldier¡¯s barracks to greet them, since there was no way for Balin to enter that building unnoticed. So, Balin wanted to wait near the horse so that he could follow his target when he left the building but there was a soldier cleaning there, and Balin didn¡¯t want to appear too suspicious so he had to leave. Instead Balin went the way he assumed Sir Egbert would go the most likely. There were three ways from the barracks one that to the town entrance, one that Sir Egbert came from and another one that Balin didn¡¯t know where it lead to. So Balin walked along the last of the three ways until he found part of a tree trunk that people used as a makeshift bench, where he sat down. Balin pulled his hood deep into his face and pretend to sleep and enjoy the sunlight while carefully paying attention to the noises and people who came through. It took about two hours but Balin¡¯s hunch payed of. When he heard a horse nearing, he looked. As predicted it was where the knight and the manservant passing through. As they were leaving the area Balin was back on their tracks. The knight lead Balin to a rather secluded part of the town that was still paved nicely. Soon thereafter the knight arrived at a small mansion, where he left his horse in a stable while the manservant opened and entered the house with a key. Balin was watching from the nearby bushes. He had a feeling that this was the new house of Sir Egbert. Balin wasn¡¯t sure what to do now. Should he confront the knight? And if he does, what should he say? It took Balin a few minutes to come up with what to do but he found a solution that he was happy with. So Balin knocked on the door. It took a few tries but after a short while the manservant opened it and asked the hooded Balin.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°I am sorry, but Sir Egbert has had a long day. Would you please come back tomorrow!¡±


    It seemed that the man didn¡¯t recognize Balin from the ride here. But Balin didn¡¯t really care about that.


    ¡°Tell him it¡¯s Balin son of Brand. And tell him that I want to speak to him in private!¡±


    Balin ordered the man in a tone reminiscent of a Nobleman ordering his servant around. The man gave an annoyed sigh and replied.


    ¡°One moment please Sir.¡±


    The servant closed the door and Balin heard some faint steps walking away. Shortly thereafter faster steps came back, and the man was back.


    ¡°He is waiting for you in the saloon. Would you please follow me!¡±


    Balin stepped in and followed the man into the prepared room. There on a chair sat a tired man, it was Balin¡¯s uncle next to him was his sword on the floor, he probably put it down to sit more comfortably. Balin didn¡¯t say a word when he entered. So, Sir Egbert started.


    ¡°Is it really you Balin?¡±


    Balin has prepared his hood in a way, so that his face wouldn¡¯t be shown. He didn¡¯t answer directly. First, he turned his head towards the servant and ordered.


    ¡°I said I wanted to talk in private.¡±


    Sir Egbert waved his hand and ordered the man to leave.


    ¡°It is you.¡±


    He faintly answered.


    ¡°Either that or his ghost is here to haunt me.¡±


    ¡°I am here.¡±


    ¡°How? How did you survive this?¡±


    Balin held his hand in front of him. Signaling his uncle to stop asking.


    ¡°You tell me first! And don¡¯t lie to me! I will know if you do.¡±


    Balin tried to do his best to send out a domineering aura, and it seems to work. The knight was clearly intimidated by the wrapped-up figure claiming to be his nephew. So, he gave in and told his story.


    ¡°When I came to see if you or Dilan wanted to flee, I had already made up my mind. There was no way we could win this. Everybody looked towards me everyday and I had to tell them: ¡°It will be fine, help is on the way.¡± But it never came. It would be suicide. I tired to save them all. I send letters to convince Lord Conway to allow us to evacuate the village, but he always reassured us that it would be alright and with his men it would all work out. So, when that day came I prepared Sunrise took all the supplies I could find and tired to get my family to join me in my escape attempt. None of them was willing to leave. So, just left. No one even questioned me when they saw me. They probably all assumed that this was part of the plan. About two days after I left I met some soldiers sent by Lord Conway, who shortly after brought me to him. I lied and told him that during the fighting I split off from everybody and that I didn¡¯t know what happened. He told me the village was destroyed and that there were no survivors. He kicked me out of his castle for my failure. So, I went to Lord Edgar who still owed me a favor. He prepared this for me. So that I could spend the rest of my days here in peace and quiet. And that¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it all. There isn¡¯t anything more to how I survived. I thought I was alone, lost and doomed with the loneliness that I was burdened with. Now tell me! How did you get out of there?¡±


    Balin was more than angry, he was pissed of in ways words can¡¯t even describe. But he tried to hold back.


    ¡°How I got out of there? I did not.¡±


    ¡°But there was no way anyone could have survived this attack. Not with what he had.¡±


    ¡°I stayed, I fought. I¡¯ve seen it all happen.¡±


    ¡°Then, how did you?¡±


    Balin stopped him.


    ¡°You want to know how I am still alive? I¡¯ve show you.¡±


    Balin pulled his mantle angrily of. He threw his gloves at the floor. Showing someone for the first time the monster he¡¯d become. Sir Egbert couldn¡¯t comprehend what happened to Balin and was left speechless. Balin was getting angrier than ever before and loud.


    ¡°I was dying, bleeding out on a battlefield that smelled like death. I made a deal with a demon or something, I don¡¯t even know, and he turned me into this. I won¡¯t ever be able to show my body to people, and I lost the ability to feel things in those brown parts. Luckily the demon also gave me the power to avenge our people.¡±


    Balin was interrupted by the servant.


    ¡°Excuse me what is going on?¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth and leave! We are talking.¡±


    Balin yelled at the man scaring him enough that he left. Balin turned back to his uncle and continued his rant.


    ¡°I¡¯ve spent the last few months tracking down every single person who had a responsibility to save and protect us and making them pay. I thought I was alone, that no one was left and now when I finally find someone who should know my pain, I find you. A knight who left his village behind. The man whose main responsibility it was to protect his people and what does he do? He leaves everyone left to die and just goes somewhere else and does it all again.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t the only one who is being tormented. I am seeing them every night, I can¡¯t sleep or eat out of guilt. I¡±


    But he gets interrupted by Balin.


    ¡°Oh, you can¡¯t sleep. That is cute. The man who left his family to die feels bad about the fact that they are dead.¡±


    ¡°It was a hopeless scenario. It was the only way I could have survived. You know who bad it was, no help was there.¡±


    ¡°Then you should have died there, fulfilling your duty and dying for your people. But that doesn¡¯t matter anymore. I will serve them justice.¡±


    Despite not yelling anymore it was obvious that Balin was beyond any reasonable measure of anger right now. Balin rolled his right hand into a fist and threadedly closed the distance to his uncle. Sir Egbert recognized the danger he was in and picked up his sword from the floor, drawing it in a single swift and trained movement. Sir Egbert now held the steel blade between him and his ex-squire.


    ¡°Please, it doesn¡¯t have to be that way.¡±


    ¡°Oh, now you are ready to stand up and fight? That is great. You can tell Dilan how brave you¡¯ve become since he died.¡±


    In a last attempt to get his nephew to calm down Sir Egbert ordered.


    ¡°Balin, put your fist down now. What happened in the past gone. We can both settle down here and begin anew. Everything will be good this time.¡±


    ¡°You should have taken your own life so that you could have died with at least a tiny bit of dignity!¡±


    That insult was the last straw for the tortured knight.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough. If you come one step closer, then I Sir Egbert of the Rivervally will strike you down.¡±


    ¡°Just die!¡±


    There was nothing left to talk about between the two. Balin jumped his former mentor to strike him down with his bare fists. Sir Egbert in return turned himself around his chair and kicked it towards Balin in an attempt to get him to fall. Balin was hit by the back of the chair in the stomach. While the knight jumped further back standing in a clearly defensive stand. What Sir Egbert didn¡¯t anticipate was the inhuman strength his former discipline possessed in his demon arm. So Balin threw the chair right back at his former master. Sir Egbert was knocked down by the projectile but that didn¡¯t stop the experienced knight. He quickly jumped back on his feet and as Balin was rapidly approaching him he attempted to stab him in his right shoulder as he was trained to do. Sadly, the blade just slides of the hard arm doing no damage to his assailant. He quickly pulled his weapon back but Balin was able to catch the blade and broke the front third off. Realizing that Balin¡¯s earthlike parts are impenetrable, he jumped towards Balins left side since there were less rocky parts. Balin tried to swing at him but he was to slow, Sir Egbert dodged toward Balin¡¯s left to stab him in the lung, but he missed and only scratched Balin¡¯s side. Balin tried to turn and reposition himself with his rock arm in front of him but Sir Egbert turned with him so that he could attempt another stab. This time the stab with the broken weapon connected and hit the area around the heart. In pain Balin turned around his left, leading the broken weapon to slash across his chest leaving a deep wound. Sir Egbert expected that this his would be enough to put Balin down, but he underestimated his foe¡¯s anger. Balin tackled the knight despite the pain he was in and knocked him over. Balin climbed onto his uncle¡¯s chest, while locking the older man¡¯s movement with his legs. Now leaning above Sir Egbert Balin looked down at his victim, who was out of breath. Sir Egbert was aware of what his nephew was about to do and despite the unnatural parts that were already on Balin¡¯s body Sir Egbert was able to see the wounds he inflicted already healing and being filled up with the earthlike substance. Balin put his hands onto Sir Egbert¡¯s throat and begun strangling his victim. Sir Egbert was desperately coughing and struggled for any air to enter his lungs. Tired of those noises of pain Balin decided to end it once for all and relocated his hands on his uncle¡¯s head and with a single powerful movement he snapped the mans neck by snapping his victims head by over 180 degrees. Sir Egbert of the Rivervally was dead. Balin stood up and put his mantle back on. Without even looking he left the building but on his way out he found the servant cowering in fear. Balin didn¡¯t want to leave any survivors so he slowly walked towards the man then he grabbed the man¡¯s head and smashed it hard enough against the wall to kill him instantly. Balin tried to control his rage but it would not vanish unlike his previous kills, where he got calmer after the kill . So, he would hide it, hopefully good enough that he could finish his vengeance.

 On the way to the capital

    Balin¡¯s anger didn¡¯t vanish for the rest of the day. When he was back at the inn he just quietly went to bed without talking to anyone. He hoped that Epidex would reappear, he wanted to talk with that guy. He wanted to ask him a few things. Balin had trouble falling asleep but after a while he found himself back in the by now familiar abyss.


    ¡°You knew he was here, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Balin asked the levitating man but he didn¡¯t get an answer. Balin got furious again.


    ¡°Answer me!¡±


    ¡°So, what if I knew? Would that have made a difference?¡±


    ¡°So, you did know? What else? What else didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know? Maybe it turns out that there are other people who left the Rivervally to die, or maybe my family is still alive, and I didn¡¯t know. You knew he was here, you told me to come here. You knew it would turn out like this.¡±


    ¡°Would it have made a difference?¡±


    ¡°I am asking the questions here. You owe it to me.¡±


    ¡°Firstly, I don¡¯t owe you nothing.¡±


    Balin wanted to protest but he was unable to make a sound. Epidex was using his powers to shut him up.


    ¡°Secondly answer me. Would it have made a difference?¡±


    Balin was released of his muteness.


    ¡°Would what have made a difference?¡±


    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t told you to come here. Would Sir Egbert of the Rivervally still be alive or your anger rekindled?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it would have. Why wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°All I told you was that you¡¯d have to go through Woodquarry. Nothing else. If I hadn¡¯t mentioned it, you would have left the next day anyways towards the capital. You would still pass through Woodquarry and meet your old mentor and the result would have been the same. At most you would have left one or two days later, not much else would have changed.¡±


    ¡°But you still knew what this would happen, and you know more. Please tell me!¡±


    Again, Balin got no answer. Defeated and tried to at least find something else out.


    ¡°Why are you making me do this?¡±


    Somehow this enraged the Epidex. With his mood the whole world changed into an intimidating red and Epidexes voice echoed through the whole room.


    ¡°I¡¯ll only tell you this one time, because I assumed you¡¯d know this already. But I am not making you do anything. You can not shove the responsibility of your actions over to me. Everything you do is your choice and your pain is yours alone.¡±


    The next thing Balin knew was that he woke up drenched in sweat. It was obvious that Epidex didn¡¯t feel like talking anymore and just threw him out of where ever that was. For the rest of the day Balin stayed in his room only coming out to get something to eat. He didn¡¯t want to meet anyone until he had to leave.


    For the next week not much happened. Balin made his way towards the capital without any incidents to slow him down. He knew the Hero of three front was living there and attacking him would be easy once he found out where he lived but Balin felt like it would be better to learn about his prey¡¯s exploits. The title Hero isn¡¯t given to just anyone after all and Balin wasn¡¯t dumb enough to just assault someone who became a legend while still being alive. Therefor whenever he had time or the chance he asked people about the man. Usually the people he approached weren¡¯t too well informed about that specific subject but during one conversation he was able to learn a few things about the man. Balin was having listening to a minstrel¡¯s song in the inn of an unnamed village when a woman in her late twenties approached him.


    ¡°Hey cutie. You are looking lonely. Would you like to have a good time?¡±


    ¡°I am sorry mam. But I don¡¯t think I could afford it even if wanted.¡±


    Balin faked poverty hoping to be left alone by the prostitute but she didn¡¯t leave after that statement.


    ¡°I understand. It happens. Believe me when I say I know how it is to be short on coin.¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    She sat down on the bench next to him and continued anyways.


    ¡°So, where are you going pretty boy?¡±


    ¡°I know you are just trying to be nice and all, but I already told you that I am not interested.¡±


    ¡°And I understood what you said. It¡¯s just that it is still early into the night and not many potential customers are drunk enough to consider cheating on their wives yet. So, I might as well try to kill some time while keeping you some company.¡±


    Balin knew what she was trying to do. She was trying to seduce him over the span of the evening so that he would try her services anyways. It¡¯s not that Balin wasn¡¯t interested in her, since she was pretty, but he was still trying to keep his unique body hidden.


    ¡°So, tell me! Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°I am on my way to Kings Hold. I have a job to do there.¡±


    ¡°Many people pass through here on the Kings Hold.¡±


    Realizing that he couldn¡¯t get rid of her Balin attempted to ask her about the Hero of three front to at least get something out of this conversation.


    ¡°I have heard the Hero for three front lives there. Is that true?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t met him. Why are you interested in him?¡±


    ¡°I was just wondering. Because I wonder what he did to be called a hero? Most heroes died in the line of duty. So just want to know what makes him so special.¡±


    ¡°You got me curious as well. Wait a minute! You got me curious as well.¡±


    She turned around and asked the minstrel who was finishing a comedic song about an old and greedy man who was digging his own grave to save on burial costs.


    ¡°Hey Burt. What do you know about the Hero of three front?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Hero of three front. What can you tell us about him?¡±


    ¡°I know one or two things. Give me a second!¡±


    The traveling singer took a sip of water from a cup that was next to him and started to tell his tale while underlining the atmosphere with his lute.


    ¡°The hero of three front. I am sure that many people have heard that name. But not many know where he is from or how he got that famous title. Well let me take you back about thirty-five years ago. That is then Aubrey the elder, cousin to the house of kings came back successfully from the half year war against the hommes in the east. Aubrey had many children with many women. Ema the first one he married, and his main wife birthed him a son and a daughter, Stella the younger sister of Ema who he wedded only two years after, she birthed him a son and Rita his last concubine, who birthed him two sons. Now for this specific tale is about Rita¡¯s elder son. He is the kid who would later become the Hero of three front. She named him Bernhard Xavior son of Aubrey the elder. Quite the mouthful doesn¡¯t you all agree?¡±


    The minstrel took a sip of water once again and continued.


    ¡°Being the son of the third wife he had barely any right for inheritance, still he was of noble birth, so it was early decided that he would join the military where his status alone would have given him a comfortable position. But no one could have expected how talented he turned out to be. Aside from the fact that it turned out that he could use magic, he was also a natural with the sword and a genius tactician. He was able to work his way up to the title of centurion and he commanded his own cohort. Now all of that would be impressive in theory but at that point he still didn¡¯t have the big victory to his name that would make him a living legend. The war that made him a legend was three years ago when the hommes came back to take revenge for the humiliating defeat in the half year war. The promising young centurion was send out with his unit of almost 400 men to defend the northern borders. What the generals didn¡¯t expect was that the hommes tried to send a 1500 men strong army to flank with the goal to split our forces. A collision between those two groups was inevitable. Yet under his command the army of Bernhard were able to repel and crush the invasion force.¡±


    The minstrel took another sip.


    ¡°If they didn¡¯t win the war on that front it would have been likely that big parts of our country could now live under foreign rule. But that wasn¡¯t all. I once talked with a man who served with the hero in that fight and he claimed to have seen how Bernhard killed over 20 enemy soldiers by himself. It is being speculated that he has killed at least 45 people in that fight demoralizing our enemies and strengthening the moral of our people. After all that the king himself proclaimed Bernhard to be known as the Hero of three front. The name coming from the fact that they were attacked from three fronts and that they were outnumbered three to one. And that is the story of how the Hero of three front came to be. While he has retired from active duty in the military he is still helping people to this day by slaying monsters and defending villages.¡±


    Out of breath the bard ended his story and took a deep gulp from his cup. The people who were sitting around and listening to his tale applauded his performance and some even gave him some coins as a reward for the entertainment he provided. Balin on the other hand was trying to come up with a battle plan for his confrontation with the hero of the tale. While most of the information didn¡¯t really matter to him, he did get two pieces of information out of the traveling singer. Firstly: the hero is trained in both magic and sword play. And secondly: he is skilled enough to kill almost 50 people in a single fight. While Balin had amassed an impressive body count himself by now, he never fought more then four people at once. Even when he killed the mercenaries he scattered them and picked them of in smaller groups. This could be a problem. Balin looked at his gloved hand and wondered. Could he even be beaten? By now every major injury that he suffered was healed by Epidexes powers and made him stronger in return. Balin left the establishment in deep thought, ignoring the whore who was still trying to pull him back and seduce him. Balin walked out to a few trees. He remembered when he first tested the power of his artificial parts on a similar tree a few months ago. Looking behind him to reassure that he was alone Balin repeated the test he did back then. As expected he got similar results, a small hole was punched into the tree with splinters flying of in all directions. One of the splinters even hit Balin in the face. Reminding him that he should get a mask for the next murder. Since he probably will be stuck in a well populated city hiding his face would become more important. After a few more experiments to test his abilities including throwing a heavy rock with ease and kicking it to dust Balin decided to call it a night. After all he had something big planned for when he arrived in the capital.

 Bernhard Xavier, the Hero of three front

    After arriving in the capital Balin quickly bought the mask he wanted and some white paint to further hide its origin. The wooden plain face looked kind of creepy like this. Almost like a ghost or another supernatural being. The form of the mask even reminded Balin a little of Epidex-curs. A detail he found a bit funny. Next up he looked for the Hero¡¯s house. Finding the Hero¡¯s house wasn¡¯t very difficult for Balin. The man¡¯s address was commonly well known. The house was quite impressive by itself. With the title the Hero also got this house to live tax-free in, combined with the allowance that his father gave him he didn¡¯t really have a reason to work at all. He supposedly goes monster killing and defending villages out of the goodness of his heart and to earn something extra by the side. Nobody seemed home when Balin arrived. As usual Balin spends some time planning what how he was goanna tackle his task. After watching the house for a while he decided that he most optimal course of attack was a sneak attack by breaking through the window and ambushing the man when he expects it the least. The window through which Balin expects the most success was the one on the ground floor. While it was big there was a bush behind it. Balin is sure that he could jump over the bush and through the flimsy looking glass with a single leap of his improved legs. As Balin was walking around the house a few times he was approached by a woman caring groceries.


    ¡°Excuse me Sir. What are you doing here?¡±


    Balin was caught off guard and had to quickly think of a lie. So, he mumbled something vague.


    ¡°I¡­ wanted to see where the famous Hero of three front was living. I am sorry if I appeared suspicious. I should go.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t leave!¡±


    The woman innocently ordered.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since someone came to visit and the master always appreciates meeting his fans. He isn¡¯t here right now but if you were to wait a few hours he should return soon.¡±


    ¡°No, I really should go. It is rude to just interrupt someone I don¡¯t even know. Good day Mam.¡±


    Balin quickly left, he hoped that the woman didn¡¯t see him to well. Because he didn¡¯t want to leave any witnesses behind. After making sure that he was out of her sight Balin recomposed himself and thought through what just happened. He realized that the woman just gave him some important information that he otherwise might not have considered. Firstly, that the hero had at least one help at home. Seeing as she did call him master. This means that Balin will have to do the attack especially fast. To make sure that no alarm goes off before he gets away. Secondly, the Hero is going to return soon. Balin had to make a choice. He could wait a few days or weeks until the woman had forgotten all about him, to make his attack. Or he could attack today evening, when he can guarantee that the hero will even be around. Balin knew that as a noble¡¯s man and a person of note the hero could easily leave for weeks at the time, either to meet people or to go away for a job. Balin decided then and there that tonight he would make his attack. During a moment where no one was looking Balin ran into the garden where the bush and window were. The room behind the window seemed like some sort of saloon. Balin expected that his target would appear there some time during the evening. All Balin now had to do was hide in the bush and wait until he could hear steps coming from the saloon. Whenever he heard a sound coming from that direction Balin would peek for just one moment, to see if his target would be here. Twice he heard footsteps coming from the room but both times it was the maid doing things like picking stuff up from the floor or searching for something. The sun was almost gone when he heard a distinct male voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m back. Tacey did I miss anything?¡±


    ¡°Not much. There was a guy staring at the house a while back. Probably a fan. I offered him to stay so that he could meet you, but he left. Also, a you received some mail. I¡¯ve put the letters in the study. That¡¯s all that happened here. And on your end? How was your day?¡±


    ¡°Nothing special. The kid I was teaching was a pain in the ass but not much else happened. Could you please bring me something to drink? I want to take a break.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Then Balin heard steps coming close. They were heavier then the ones of the maid. Balin prepared to strike. He peeked at his target. The hero was sitting on one of the soft chairs. His fingers rubbing his face to wake himself up. Feeling the rage rekindle in him, Balin turned towards the window, he covered his head with his arms and leaped into the room. Shattering the window as planned. Balin didn¡¯t plan his landing as well as the jump and fell flat on his face. It took a moment for Balin to stand up and reoriented himself. That split second was enough for his target to prepare himself. The Hero jumped up from his chair and positioned himself behind it to gain distance between himself and the intruder. Balin drew a dagger that he had on his belt.


    ¡°Who the he¡±


    Was all the Hero had time to say before Balin rushed towards him. The hero kicked the chair towards Balin strong enough to let it fly. It hit Balin right in the chest knocking him over. While Balin pushed the furniture of himself and stood up he heard the maid yell from the kitchen.


    ¡°What is going on?¡±


    ¡°A guy is in here and attacked me.¡±


    The Hero replied, while running across the room towards a decorative hanging sword. He had just enough time to pick it up when Balin caught up with him. Since his target was now armed Balin didn¡¯t rush him again. He has heard stories of what the legendary soldier could do with a blade.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    The hero tried to ask. Balin was just annoyed by the question and tried to punch the Hero with his deadly right, only to be blocked by the man¡¯s sword. The Hero stepped to the side and tried cut Balin¡¯s extended arm of. Balin knew that he couldn¡¯t cut his arm of and let him try. Despite the arms sturdiness the force of the hit was enough to knock Balin¡¯s arm towards the floor and pulled Balin with it. Being forced into a position with his knees bend Balin tried to tackle his foe against the wall. But the Hero was too fast. He sidestepped the attack and pressed the closer of Balin¡¯s hands against the wall. That triggered a spell of the swordsman which glued Balin¡¯s right against the wall. Balin was trapped. He tired to swing his left arm with the knife to hit the super soldier but couldn¡¯t even come close to score a hit. The attacked man casually rammed his sword into Balin¡¯s still human hip. Nailing that as well at the wall. Balin was completely defenseless and unable to move. He screamed and yelled in pain and anger while the heavy breathing hero stood just a few meters away from Balin. Apparently waiting for Balin to stop screaming. After a few minutes of this Balin lost his voice and just started crying.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Alright. You¡¯ve seemed to have calmed down a little. So, let¡¯s start this slowly. Who are you and why did you attack me?¡±


    Balin was just crying in place without answering.


    ¡°Alright. Since that isn¡¯t going anywhere I must do this the old-fashioned way.¡±


    He stepped closer to Balin, who tried to hit him with the knife again. So, the experienced soldier quickly knocked the weapon out of Balin¡¯s hand. After that he unmasked Balin. To look him into his crying eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know you. So, let me tell you that I don¡¯t like to repeat myself too often. Who are you and why are attacking me?¡±


    Balin still didn¡¯t answer. The Hero sighed and told Balin.


    ¡°Listen! We made quite a lot of noise. In a few minutes the guards will be here. They will see you and take you with them. After that they will torture you. Seeing as you have attacked a high ranking ex-army official and part of the higher nobility they can execute you without a trial. I can stop them. But you must talk to me! Do you want everything to end here like that?¡±


    The last sentence hit Balin hard. It reminded him of how he almost died and how everyone he knew died and ended. It also reminded him of Epidex and how he was saved. Realizing that he had nothing to lose Balin replied.


    ¡°Untie me and I¡¯ll talk.¡±


    ¡°Will you attack me again?¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°Then I can¡¯t free you. How about this. I can turn you around and take the sword out of your body and so that you are a lot more comfortable. Is that fine?¡±


    Balin just nodded. The Hero then pulled the sword out of Balin¡¯s wound and turned his free hand around. Locking it against the wall but in a different position. So that Balin could turn around once his right would be freed. With a quick hand movement Balin¡¯s right was freed.


    ¡°Will you talk now?¡±


    Balin nodded and answered the man¡¯s questions.


    ¡°My name is Balin of the Rivervalley. I used to be a squire under Sir Egbert of the Rivervalley and I am here to kill you!¡±


    Balin put a lot of emphasis onto the last part. Surprising the man.


    ¡°Rivervalley. But that place was destroyed. There were no survivors?¡±


    ¡°That is why I am here. We hired you. Relied on your help. And you didn¡¯t show up. You stole our money and left us to die. Everyone there was massacred. I¡¯m the only survivor and I owe it to my people to hunt and kill everyone who left us behind and you are the last one on the list the great Hero of three front. So, now that you know. What now? Will you kill me too? Finish the job? You can try but it won¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it work? You bleed like any other person that I have stabbed so far?¡±


    ¡°Look at the wound again!¡±


    The soldier payed attention towards Balin¡¯s stabbing wound. He was surprised to see that is has healed completely and been replaced by an earthly substance.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡±


    ¡°I have time.¡±


    It was clear that Balin didn¡¯t trust the hero and didn¡¯t want to open himself towards him. While Balin was searching for the best way to tell his story the Hero came to the realization that he had to gain Balin¡¯s trust before he could learn what he wanted to know.


    ¡°Do you want to know the reason why I couldn¡¯t come to help your town?¡±


    Balin was surprised at that sudden change in the conversation, but before he could answer the Hero continued.


    ¡°My wife was pregnant. We expected the baby in middle to late spring. I thought that by the time of the birth I¡¯d be back, so I took the job. But the day before I wanted to leave something terrible happened. My wife got sick. It was a heavy case of the flu. It was so bad that I had to call a medic. He told me that due to a combination of the sickness and the pregnancy she could suffocate. So, they decided to take a risk. They performed a c-section and got the baby out prematurely. He was so small and weak, but it didn¡¯t help. Amalia died that night. Despite my grief I had to make a hard decision. I had to bury my wife and I couldn¡¯t leave my newly born son behind. So, I¡¯ve sent the money with a letter of apology back to the town I was supposed to protect.¡±


    The Hero knelled down in humility in front of his prisoner.


    ¡°Where is he now?¡±


    Balin skeptically asked.


    ¡°Sieg probably was upstairs sleeping when I arrived. I think Tracy took him and fled when you attacked.¡±


    ¡°Show him to me!¡±


    ¡°Why? I don¡¯t believe you. It seems just too convenient of an excuse to be true.¡±


    ¡°If I bring him here, will you tell me your tale?¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    The Hero nodded and left the room. Leaving Balin alone. Balin tried to pull but he couldn¡¯t move him arm from the wall. He was thinking of breaking it off and then to ambush the Hero again but for whatever reason he didn¡¯t do it. After a few minutes the Hero came back with a baby in his arm and his scared maid behind him.


    ¡°His name is Siegfried. Amalia thought that the name would bring him luck. I help up my end of the bargain. Will you now please tell me your story?¡±


    ¡°Alright. It might take a while to tell. It all started when a letter arrived warning us about an intimate collision with a monster horde¡­¡±


    Balin retold his story up to this point not leaving any important details out or taking a break. He was only interrupted when the Hero asked for clarifications. Balin even told him about his encounters with the strange being call Epidex-curs. Until the moment when Balin burst through the window to attack the Hero. For the first time Balin was able to tell anyone what he experienced and had to go through. He started cry half way thought but he continued to explain what happened. The Hero just nodded and once he was finished he wanted to know.


    ¡°If I release you now, will you attack me?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°Tracy bring Sieg out of here!¡±


    ¡°Understood¡±


    She picked the boy up and left the building once again. The Hero drew his sword once again and slowly approached Balin carefully. While making sure that Balin didn¡¯t make any sudden movements he reached over to where he sealed Balin to the wall. And with a small movement of his fingertip he lifted the spell that bound Balin to the wall. Balin didn¡¯t move after being let go.


    ¡°What will you do now? What are your plans?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know.¡±


    There was a moment of silence between the two. The Hero then declared.


    ¡°I feel responsible for what happened. Words cannot describe how sorry I am. If you are ready to accept it, I would like to offer you my help. Until you know what you want to do. I can give you a place to stay for now. I don¡¯t want to risk you living in the same house as my son does. If you are ok with it, please say something!¡±


    Bernhard offered his hand to the defeated Balin and after a moment of silence Balin took it.

 First steps to healing a broken mind

    When the authorities came, to check up on the noise Bernhard held up his promise and got them to leave. Balin was sitting in the now destroyed living room waiting for the police to leave. They did enter once to see what happened and when they asked about Balin Bernhard told them that he was the nephew of a friend who was staying with him. The chaos and destruction were handwaved with a lie about them drinking and getting into a small fight. Although the policemen weren¡¯t convinced at all Bernhard¡¯s word still held a lot of weight, so they didn¡¯t press any further. Now alone again Bernhard asked Balin if he had a place where he was staying, so that they could gather his belongings. There was an awkward silence between the two. On the way to the inn where Balin had a room he asked his former enemy an important question.


    ¡°Why are you not angry at me?¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°I attacked you out of nowhere, I threatened the life of you and your child. After beating me you didn¡¯t just let me live but you are also offering me a better place to stay. Why?¡±


    Bernhard rubbed his hand over the back of his head looking for the right words to use.


    ¡°I told you already. I am feeling responsible for what happened. Yes, I wanted to cancel the contract but still, you relied on my help and as a result¡­ This happened. Helping you out is the closest thing I can do to redeem my mistake. Furthermore, I lost my dear Amalia at the same time. I know at least part of the pain that you are going thru. If there weren¡¯t people around to help me to sort things out for me. I might have done something I¡¯d regret later. I think part of the reason why you reacted so violently is that you were all alone. No friends or family. Not even the people you knew a little were still living. I can¡¯t imagine how this must have been for you.¡±


    Balin didn¡¯t know what to add to that. So, he stayed silent until Bernhard asked him what he was going to do now. Like last time when Balin was asked that question he still didn¡¯t know and he let Bernhard know.


    ¡°Are you sure that you are the only survivor?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Epidex said so. And the Army would have found anyone still alive when they arrived. There is no way anyone in the village had survived.¡±


    ¡°I understood that, but what I meant was do you think that someone might have escaped before the monsters came?¡±


    ¡°It was illegal to leave the village. The lord ordered it, furthermore I don¡¯t think that anyone would just leave their stuff behind to get robbed without them knowing. And I would have known if a family was missing. We counted after all.¡±


    ¡°Ok, but what if, and just if. Someone has sent their child away. Maybe to a relative or a friend. I know it is unlikely, but we could search for any survivors. It might be a fool¡¯s errand, but it might be worth a shot. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Do you honestly think that we can find someone?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, it is unlikely, but I have connections. I could ask my friends in the army or policemen if they have noticed someone. Come on Balin, let¡¯s do this!¡±


    Bernhard stopped walking and offered Balin his hand and partnership. Even though Balin didn¡¯t trust him he felt the man¡¯s honesty. So, he accepted the Hero¡¯s hand and for the first time since he killed Sir Egbert Balin smiled. The rest of the walk was uneventful. They reached the inn where Balin stayed, grabbed his things and moved them into a small flat that Bernhard owned. It was small and dirty it was clear that for a long time no one lived in here. When they entered the apartment, Bernhard explained.


    ¡°My father told me I should invest my money. So, I bought a few houses, I couldn¡¯t find a tenant for this apartment since the last tenant died about three weeks ago. You can have it. It¡¯s a bit dusty but it should be alright. That fine with you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it helps a lot.¡±


    ¡°It has already gotten dark outside and I have to go. But I will be back tomorrow morning. Are you going to be fine until then?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Alright. We will brainstorm on how we will search for survivors then. Good night Balin.¡±


    ¡°Good night.¡±


    Bernhard left, leaving Balin alone. Balin better inspected the apartment. The last tenant left most of his possessions behind, so there was still a lot of furniture left. There were two rooms, a bedroom and a main area. In the main area was also the kitchen, a table and a few chairs.  He sat down on a nearby chair and thought about what happened on this day. His head hurt from all the mixed and confused thoughts and feeling he was experiencing. When he realized that even if he didn¡¯t plan to for the first time in forever he opened himself up to someone, and someone listened. Balin started cry in the dark until he fell asleep from pure exhaustion.


    Balin woke up at sunrise. He was still sitting in the chair from yesterday. Bernhard didn¡¯t come yet. Balin was thinking of running away. He didn¡¯t want him to get involved but it was too late. The cat was out of the bag. If Balin ran now, Bernhard would alarm the police and the army and tell them to apprehend him. Even if he wasn¡¯t chained, Balin was still the Hero¡¯s prisoner. There was not much else to do then waiting. Balin didn¡¯t feel well being left alone with his thoughts. If only there was someone else to talk to. Balin remembered someone who could talk to him right now. That is if he wants to talk. Balin doesn¡¯t even know how to contact the little man in the abyss but he might as well try.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Epidex if you are around would it be ok if we could talk?¡±


    Silence. It¡¯s not like Balin would expect Epidex to answer his call. That is when he heard from behind him someone growl at him.


    ¡°I am still mad at you.¡±


    Balin turned his head around and there he was as always floating around the air.


    ¡°Yes, I am sorry for accusing you of making me do bad things.¡±


    ¡°You are not, believe me I know.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could float in the real world like that. Does that mean that all of your powers work even outside your realm?¡±


    ¡°My powers always work. They are mine. But that is not important. So, what do you want? I am a busy man.¡±


    Epidex flew around the chair that Balin was still sitting in to look him in the face.


    ¡°I wanted to talk.¡±


    ¡°Then talk!¡±


    ¡°I¡­ no. What do you think about what happened yesterday? Isn¡¯t it disappointing that I didn¡¯t kill Bernhard?¡±


    ¡°I expected you to try to kill him. I assumed that you would lose, but it wasn¡¯t impossible. It was a closer match then people might think it was. Overall it was an interesting development. Not too bad nor too good. Is that all?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have anything else to planned.¡±


    ¡°Then I will take my leave now.¡±


    Epidex turned around and made a gesture indicating that he was going now but Balin stopped him.


    ¡°Wait I have one question!¡±


    ¡°Spit it out!¡±


    ¡°Why did you save me and what do want me to do?¡±


    Clearly annoyed he gave the answer.


    ¡°We just wanted to see how your story would unfold. That is all. We hope that your story would be worth following, but we don¡¯t want you to do anything. As I said. Those are your decisions.¡±


    Epidex made it clear that he doesn¡¯t want to talk anymore, and with a snap of his finger he disappeared. He made no sound or effect while vanishing. He was just gone. Before Balin could analyze what just happened someone knocked at the door. Balin opened it and found Bernhard with a heavy looking bag. He was smiling as if he would meet an old friend and entered the flat.


    ¡°Good morning, I brought breakfast. I don¡¯t know what of even if you eat so I brought various things. Sorry that I took so long. But the market isn¡¯t open today and the few stores that are around had lines you wouldn¡¯t believe.¡±


    ¡°Why are you acting like this?¡±


    Bernhard dropped that overly open act and tried to explain himself.


    ¡°I thought about what you told me. What happened and how lonely you must have been. It¡¯s obvious that you never really gave yourself the chance to grieve and sort your emotions out. Back when Amalia died, my friends helped me to clear my mind and you don¡¯t have any friends left. So, let me at least pretend to be your friend so that we can work things out. Ok? Let¡¯s try this again.¡±


    Without even waiting for Balin¡¯s response Bernhard left the room closed the door and knocked again. Confused Balin stood there for a few seconds until he Bernhard knocked again. Balin opened the door.


    ¡°Good morning, I brought breakfast. I don¡¯t know what of even if you eat so I brought various things. Sorry that I took so long. But the market isn¡¯t open today and the few stores that are around had lines you wouldn¡¯t believe.¡±


    Realizing the sheer ridiculousness of the situation Balin had to laugh and he decided to play along.


    ¡°Thanks for thinking of me. Very considerate. Come let me carry this!¡±


    Balin took the bag with groceries of Bernhard and brought them to the table in the middle of the room. The bag was filled with various fruit, vegetables, bread and even some pieces of meat. Balin smelled the meat to better figure out what it was. Bernhard meanwhile sat down on one of the three chairs available.


    ¡°Do you like those things?¡±


    ¡°Yes, its ok. This is smoked sheep, right?¡±


    ¡°Good nose. You have it a lot?¡±


    ¡°Not as much as I used to have goat.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about it!¡±


    Balin became nostalgic.


    ¡°Our village was in between two mountains. In the valley was a big forest. It surrounded most of our village but on the mountains, themselves were big grasslands in rocky terrain. Therefore, our village had two main products. Wood that we send down the river and various goat-based products like cheese and meat. Logically I grew up on a lot of goat meat.¡±


    ¡°Must have been nice.¡±


    ¡°It was.¡±


    There was an awkward pause. Balin searched the cabinets in the kitchen for cutlery. When he found some. He returned to the table and started to cut the bread into pieces for him and Bernhard. Bernhard broke the silence.


    ¡°Do you have any idea who could have escaped?¡±


    ¡°There aren¡¯t many, who could have realistically gotten away. We counted to adults and it is quite a march to the next inhabited area. If someone hid in a nearby village the army would have found them soon after and punished them for going against the lord¡¯s orders. So, if someone got away they must have left the region. It is unlikely that a parent would have sent their kid that far on their own. Specially since not many of them are experienced with travel.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Bernhard cut a piece of meat of the slab and put it on his bread.


    ¡°That does limit the possible range of age quite a lot.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°You said that you counted the adults and that kids could not have made the long travel to a safe place on their own. Therefore, only teens could have made that journey. I¡¯d say that the range of age should not be bigger then 13-17-year old¡¯s. Can you recall people in that age range that you didn¡¯t see in the last two days before the attack?¡±


    Balin shook his head.


    ¡°I was too busy in that time. I can¡¯t recall anyone that I meet during that time frame aside from a few notable exceptions, who are all guaranteed dead.¡±


    ¡°Alright. How about teens that have family outside the village. Can you come up with any of those?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Maybe some of them have used that as an excuse to get away. Come on Balin think! There has to be someone.¡±


    Balin held his face trying to come up with someone who fulfilled the conditions.


    ¡°I remember Lawrence having an older step brother who moved out of the village half a decade ago. I think he was a shepherd and left the village to work for one of the wealthier men in the region. I think it was the merchant Roller. We could find him through that. Then there was Tina her mother left her father to live with another man. They still had a good relationship or, so I heard. Andrew once told me that his aunt would be in Kings Hold.¡±


    Balin tried his best to remember anyone else. After two minutes the last person he could come up with was.


    ¡°Grant. I think his grandparents lived in Beachline. But I don¡¯t have much else to go off. I am sorry.¡±


    ¡°Only four huh. Guess this is more then we could have hoped for. You said that one of the kids had an aunt here in Kings Hold. Andrew was it?¡±


    ¡°Andrew and if I remember correctly he said she married a tailor. That is how I knew that he had family outside. He told me that he was going to her wedding about two years ago. Don¡¯t know much else. Not even her name.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t a lot to go on. But I think we can make that work. I know the people who sell taxation rights. If we ask them about married tailors in Kings Hold, we might find something to go off. If we hurry, we might catch them at their lunch break today. How does that sound?¡±


    Balin smiled, took a bite of bread and nodded in agreement.

 A new goal and direction

    The next few steps went off without a single problem. They were able to meet Bernhard¡¯s friends during their lunch break and with the help of a cashed in favor and a small pouch Balin and Bernhard got access to the wedding register the for the same day. The folder for weddings from two years ago contained a small stack of various wedding papers. They weren¡¯t ordered by occupation but by birth class and family names. Sadly, this only took away four sheets that contained the information of nobility, which didn¡¯t save a lot of time. So, the duo split the registered weddings and searched for tailors and the first name of their spouses. After almost two hours they found what they were looking for. A tailor that married a woman that has been noted to originate from the Rivervalley. It had to be her.


    ¡°Here it is Arnold Woolman (born in Kings Hold) married Tea Meatman (born in Rivervalley). I also have the address. Oh wow, there even are the birthnames of their parents and the address of their last employers on here.¡±


    ¡°Thank God that the bureaucracy is so specific. I was afraid I had to pay extra for the address.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you also get married here and do those papers?¡±


    ¡°Yes and No. My dad sent a guy to do those for me. All that I remember is sitting down and write my name on a bunch of boring papers. Whatever you have the address, right?¡±


    ¡°I wrote it down. It¡¯s Merchantsrow 6.¡±


    ¡°I think I know where that is. Then let¡¯s put those papers back and let¡¯s get going.¡±


    It was late in the afternoon when they found the house they were looking for. It was a stable looking three-story house with the ground floor being occupied by a tailor shop. Business seemed to be going strong since even now there were still some customers in the shop feeling the merchandise and discussing prices with the shipowners. It took another twenty minutes for the stressed-out man in his early thirties to even acknowledge the duo.


    ¡°Hello and welcome to Woolman and son. How can I help you today?¡±


    ¡°We are looking for a Tea Woolman. Is she here?¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me it isn¡¯t about those dumb drapes again! We told the madam, already twice, that we don¡¯t return burned merchandise.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s something about her hometown the Rivervalley. We would like to talk to her in private.¡±


    ¡°Sounds serious, give me a minute.¡±


    The man went into the backrooms of the shop and shortly came back with a slightly chubby young woman of similar age as him. When she came close Balin asked.


    ¡°Can we talk in private?¡±


    ¡°Is it ok if my husband is with us?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It is alright.¡±


    The woman led them into the second floor of the house. Before the man followed they heard him shout.


    ¡°Dad, can you look after the store for a while? Thanks.¡±


    Upstairs Balin and Bernhard were led into what they assumed was the living room. It might have been the working area since there weren¡¯t just books and comfortable chairs, but also a table filled with cloth roles and scissors. Tea offered them a seat and sat down after the duo.


    ¡°Honey can you make some tea for our guests please!¡±


    Arnold asked of his wife. Annoyed she stood up again and hurried to the kitchen leaving the three men alone in silence. Shortly after she returned with a cheap tea set. Politely both Balin as well as Bernhard took a cup.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that we have introduced ourselves yet. My name is Bernhard Xavier, and this is my associate Balin.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am sorry, I didn¡¯t know that you were the famous hero. I will get the expensive tea set. Please excuse me for just a moment!¡±


    ¡°No, no. It¡¯s perfectly fine. Today I am not here as a hero or as member of Nobility. I am merely here as Bernhard to accompany Balin. He is the one who needs to talk to you.¡±


    With a stern look Bernhard ordered the still quiet Balin to ask the important questions. So, shyly he started.


    ¡°This is about the Rivervalley and as you might know it has been attacked by a monster horde and destroyed because of it. There were no survivors.¡±


    Tea, who was about to take a sip of tea, put the cup back down and quietly responded.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t. I had a feeling that something has happened. Usually my uncle sends me a letter around early summer time but this year nothing came. I have heard of a monster horde destroying a village in that region, so I had a feeling. Thank you for coming here and confirming it.¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Her husband put his arms around his wife in a comforting manner.


    ¡°Oh, so you didn¡¯t know, what has happened. ?hem.¡±


    Balin looked at Bernhard for help. But he just made a hand movement ordering Balin to continue.


    ¡°Yes, sorry that you had to find out like that. But I¡­ we aren¡¯t here to tell you that. We wanted to ask you something.¡±


    ¡°Yes, what is it?¡±


    ¡°Has anyone of your family maybe escaped here? Maybe come here with a family visit as an excuse?¡±


    ¡°No, why?¡±


    ¡°We are searching for any possible survivors and we were hoping maybe Andreas could have escaped without anyone knowing by hiding here.¡±


    ¡°The last time I saw Andreas was¡­ I think two years ago during my wedding and the last thing I heard of him was that he started to learn the family trade a year ago in his mother¡¯s letter.¡±


    ¡°I am so sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that was all I wanted to talk about.¡±


    Balin put his half empty cup on the nearby stand.


    ¡°Thank you for having us. We will now take our leave.¡±


    ¡°Wait one question Sir. Who are you and why do you care about what happened to the villagers?¡±


    ¡°I am Balin of the Rivervalley. I am the only known survivor of that catastrophe, and I just want to see if maybe anyone has escaped.¡±


    ¡°Balin, I think I know that name. Weren¡¯t you Sir Egberts son?¡±


    ¡°No, I am¡­ was the knight¡¯s nephew and squire.¡±


    Shortly after Balin and Bernhard were back on the streets, on their way to Balin¡¯s place. It was a somber mood between the two.


    ¡°Was to expect that they didn¡¯t have the kid. Cheer up Balin! We both knew it was a long shot and unlikely to succeed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it. It was about the last thing she said. About my association to that man. I don¡¯t even want to say his name anymore.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. Can¡¯t help you out with that one. This is something that you must figure out on your own. But stay optimistic! We still have a few other places to check out for potential survivors. Don¡¯t give up hope now!¡±


    Despite their best efforts the three other leads were all dead leads. They visited all other family members that they could find but that was it. They didn¡¯t even had to bother to go to Grant¡¯s grandparents¡¯ house, since it turned out that they died years ago and their house was inhabited by strangers unrelated to anyone in the village. Despite what Bernhard expected Balin, took the news well. They were in a carriage on their way back to the capital when Bernhard asked Balin what he felt.


    ¡°What am I supposed to feel. I was sure that they were dead all along. This trip only gave me confirmation.¡±


    ¡°So, do you have any idea on what you are going to do? Now that you have confirmation.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t really thought of anything. I guess I could try to become a civilian, maybe learn a trade. All I ever learned was how to be a knight, never even finished my training and I don¡¯t think that anyone would like a squire of unknown origin.¡±


    ¡°Then I have a proposal to you. I want you to become mine.¡±


    ¡°What? Do you mean, like as your squire or slave?¡±


    ¡°Kind of both. Here is my proposal. I am of noble birth and my position as hero does give me many privileges. That includes the right to make and own slaves and to fight for money. As you know I from time to time kill monsters to ensure people safety and in exchange for money. It is a dangerous thing to do, even for me. Here is where you come in. I will enslave you to be my personal combat slave. Now don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t treat you like a normal slave. You will still have many freedoms and even get paid for you services. With your unique abilities and knight training you will be able to save people from having to go through the same thing as you did. But I will warn you. If you go against my wishes even once. I will have to take your head. Since you are way too dangerous to be left unchecked. So, what do you say? Deal?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s say I take that deal. How would you enforce it? I could just run of never to be seen again. Normal chains can¡¯t stop me. We both know that.¡±


    ¡°You are an honest person Balin. While we were traveling to find potential survivors, I asked some friends to do a check your various claims. I got their report a few days ago. I just waited to talk with you about them until we checked all the potential survivors.¡±


    ¡°So, you didn¡¯t trust me. Guess that is fair. Also, what claims were you talking about. I never claimed anything.¡±


    Bernhard took a small letter out of pocket.


    ¡°Balin, Squire of Sir Egbert the Swift was never found in the ruins of Rivervalley. The corpses of the mercenary group called the Gaus group were found in the forest near where they lived, the cause of their death is suspected to be murder by various weapons. Their wounds indicate death by a mix of heavy blunt weaponry and a shorter stabbing weapon. The trading group Gabriel supplies was burned down, after investigation it was confirmed that the cause was arson. Sir Egbert the Swift was found dead only days after accepting a new his new position as knight of Woodquarry under Lord Edgar. Evidence points towards a brutal fight taking place in which the knight fell. All those incidents happened exactly in the order as you told me. Also, you provided information that only the offender could have known.¡±


    Bernhard gave Balin a few seconds before he continued.


    ¡°I have sympathy for you and what happened to you but see it from my perspective. You killed many people on multiple occasions and even attacked me at one point. I could turn you over to the official authorities, they will publicly execute you for your crimes, without a doubt. I could just let you go and pretend I never met you, but who knows what you will do if you are being left by yourself. What I am offering you here is a chance to redeem yourself, to get a second chance. Or maybe¡­¡±


    He points at Balin¡¯s inhuman parts.


    ¡°¡­even third one. So, this is the only thing that I can still do for you. Please think it over. You have time to think about it until we are in Kings Hold.¡±


    ¡°You said that if I misbehaved even once you¡¯d take my head.¡±


    ¡°Ok that might have sounded a bit harsh. What I meant is if you ever knowingly went against me or my wishes. I wouldn¡¯t kill you if you dropped tea on the floor or something, that would be an unrealistic expectation, but if you ever disobeyed my orders in any even semi serious manner, I have to assume that you went rouge again and that is a risk that I am not willing nor could be expected to take for both mine and everyone else¡¯s security.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t really giving me any real options, but it would not be fair towards you to say no. I don¡¯t even have to think about this any longer. En¡±


    ¡°No. I want you to think it through until we are home! That is an order.¡±


    For a few minutes there was almost total silence in the carriage until Bernhard out of nowhere started to do small talk. As if the harsh discussion just now never really happened. Catching onto what his future master was going for Balin joined in. After all none of the two wanted this uncomfortable silence to go on longer then necessary.

 Another big decision

    It still took a few hours in the carriage until the duo returned to Kings Hold. Balin exited after Bernhard. Once the driver left the two alone again Bernhard asked Balin the question he set up earlier.


    ¡°So, tell me Balin what will you do?¡±


    Balin took a knee and proclaimed.


    ¡°I thought this through and you are right. I do deserve punishment for my actions and even attacked you. Someone who was completely innocent of the crimes that I thought you committed. After everything you did for me, including having spared my life, it is only fair for me to give myself to you. I am yours.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Balin then this will be my first order towards you as my slave. Go to your quarters and stay there the night! Do not leave until I return! Do not break my trust towards you! Understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes master.¡±


    ¡°Good, you are dismissed.¡±


    Without even waiting for a response Bernhard turned around and left Balin. Balin made his way towards the apartment given to him, wondering why Bernhard acted so uncharacteristically harsh toward him. In the darkness of the night Balin finally arrived at his residence, he was walking up the last few stairs to the house entrance, when he thought about what he has done. He gave away his right of free will, to a man he¡¯s only known for a few weeks now. For a moment Balin considered running away. It would be the one way to preserve his freedom. He was just about to go to the other direction and not come back when his thoughts turned over to Sir Egbert of all people. He ran as well but unlike Balin that was to preserve his own life. Something ever greater and of more importance of his freedom and Balin judged him for that end even killed him. Then Balin thought about the other people he killed. Who was he to end their life¡¯s. Was what he did justice or just blind anger on his part? Did Balin even deserve to be free after all he did? There was no one around to answer that question to him. Maybe there was someone who could tell that Balin.


    ¡°You are here right?¡±


    Out of the Shadow of a nearby house blew up the the weird little man like an inflatable balloon and he started to approach Balin. As he walked closer to Balin the world started to turn into the abyss again.


    ¡°I am not a dog that you can just call if you feel like company.¡±


    ¡°Yet, you still come.¡±


    ¡°That is because I am a professional, so what do you want?¡±


    ¡°Am I doing the right thing?¡±


    ¡°Is there a right thing to do?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Is what I am doing the right thing? Am I following the bigger picture? Is there a reason why I am doing this? Balin listen to me. You aren¡¯t the first one that I work with and you won¡¯t be the last. There is no bigger picture, no end goal in life. At least not one that I am aware of. If there is one, then it¡¯s being made by someone even higher then me. What matters is if you are comfortable with what you are doing. That is all I can say on that matter.¡±


    ¡°A higher being, like what? Are there even higher beings then you?¡±


    Epidex sighed and answered.


    ¡°Maybe. Maybe there is a God out there who is truly omnipotent and has a plan for everyone and thing. I am just an entertainer. I wouldn¡¯t know. Listen I am a busy man and I am not in the mood for deep philosophy.¡±


    ¡°So, you are saying you don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Yes, exactly that is what I said. Did I mess up fixing your ears or something? This is getting dumb, I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    And as fast as he came he disappeared and Balin was on the stairs of the house again. Even more confused then before he talked to Epidex. Concluding that this is too difficult for himself to find out, he just gave up and entered the house.


    After waking up Balin waited patiently. Usually Bernhard would be here by the late morning hours but today he wasn¡¯t here, so Balin kept waiting. As the morning turned into midday and then to evening Balin became worried, but he stayed in the apartment. He concluded that Bernhard wanted to give him a chance to escape and was testing his loyalty. Therefore, he didn¡¯t even leave for a walk or to get fresh air. It would take until the day after that in the afternoon when Bernhard reappeared.


    ¡°You are still here as expected. Good. Please come with me! I have to take you somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mater.¡±


    Balin made a respectful bow but Bernhard stopped him halfway through.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that with me in private. Keep treating me like normal. I don¡¯t want things to get too uncomfortable between us.¡±


    They were on a busy street when Balin asked where they were going Bernhard explained.


    ¡°We still have to mark you as my property. We have to do this as part to make your enslavement official.¡±


    Balin put his hand onto and massaged his throat. He knew that there were two popular places on the slave¡¯s body to mark him as property. There was the throat and the cheek. Two obvious places that could be seen immediately on the person¡¯s body and would be difficult to hide. Then there were two popular types or marking themselves. The tattoo and the burn mark.  The burning mark was mainly given to enslaved captured enemy combatants while the former was more common for day to day use. Both were very humiliating. Especially since as a knight Balin should have kept his face in peak condition. As was told by tradition. The great knight only had markings of battle and honor and no others. Bernhard noticed Balin¡¯s uncomfortableness.


    ¡°Why are you so nervous?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I used to be a squire. And yeah¡­¡±


    That was when it hit Bernhard.


    ¡°Oh right. The whole purity for god thing. Must be uncomfortable. I am sorry, but we must make this official. Don¡¯t make me order you to do this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok. I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll get over it.¡±


    And the two fell into a short silence as they went their way. It took Balin a moment until he restarted the conversation.


    ¡°Where are we going to put the mark? I just want to prepare myself.¡±


    ¡°You are not a normal slave. You are entering my service as a combat slave and out of your free will. So, I don¡¯t think making it too obvious on your face or throat should be the way of going about this. I didn¡¯t think about yet. Give me until we are at the tattooing place.¡±


    ¡°So, I am getting a tattoo. Alright. This might hurt less than the burn mark.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s also cheaper. Like this I won¡¯t need to get a branding iron made with my family¡¯s insignia.¡±


    So, the duo went to their destination. Balin anxious about his tattoo while Bernhard was thinking of how to give Balin a marking that wouldn¡¯t hurt his pride too much. Bernhard led Balin to his house where a burly man with a polished wooden earing was waiting in the guest room drinking tea. When Bernhard entered, he stood up and grabbed Bernhard by the shoulders and shook his hand.


    ¡°Commander, it¡¯s so nice to see you again. How have you been. It¡¯s been ages.¡±


    ¡°Mostly great Al. How were you?¡±


    ¡°Good as well. How long has it been like two years? Haven¡¯t heard from you since you got married. Next thing I know you¡¯ve sent your maid requesting my craft.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I need to get a slave marked. And I know you knew how to do it.¡±


    ¡°A slave? Didn¡¯t expect you to take one. Don¡¯t your people usually someone for this type of thing?¡±


    ¡°Usually we would but this one is kind of special. So, I hoped that you could do this for me.¡±


    ¡°Commander listen, I love you but if you want me to mark some illegal people I have to decline. I have a girl and I promised her father that I would stay away from shady things. I can¡¯t risk losing her.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry this is all absolutely legal. Oh right. This is my friend Alfred. We go way back. We served together. And this is Balin. He is a friend of mine.¡±


    Balin held his gloved right hand at the man to greet him as well. Alfred shook the hand wildly.


    ¡°My pleasure.¡±


    ¡°Mine as well.¡±


    ¡°So, Commander where is that slave that you need inked.¡±


    Bernhard just pointed at Balin as said.


    ¡°I need him marked as a combat slave. Think you can do it?¡±


    ¡°I am not too experienced with marking slaves, but I imagined a slave looking a bit more run down. Are you sure that he is the right guy?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story and I don¡¯t want too explain it to you right now. Just know that we both talked this through and are ok with it.¡±


    ¡°Alright, but before I do this you should know that I won¡¯t do this for free.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will pay you for your services.¡±


    ¡°Where do you want the mark to be?¡±


    ¡°Mark him around his right ear!¡±


    ¡°Alright. But I think he will have to shave that part of his head beforehand. I can¡¯t work if he has so much hair there. Do you mind shaving it while I set up? Also do you mind if I set myself up in your salon? I do need some space to do this.¡±


    ¡°Of course, do as you please, Balin please come with me! We can use my razor upstairs.¡±


    It took the duo a few minutes and multiple attempts and help from Tacey to shave all the hair of that part of the head off. As they discovered there were some almost scar like pieces of the earth like material on Balin¡¯s head that they weren¡¯t aware of. Bernhard mumbled something about this hopefully not being a problem as they continued. When looking at himself in a mirror Balin thought he looked dumb but didn¡¯t say anything. Bernhard on the other hand snickered at how uneven Balin¡¯s head looked. As the two men retuned downstairs they found Alfred already set up.


    ¡°For a man of your status this room does look kind of empty. Is this in style with your noble types these days?¡±


    ¡°No, there was an incident and some of my stuff broke as a result. Look can we come back to the task at hand?¡±


    ¡°No reason to be rude. Alright, please Balin lay down so that the target area faces face up. And if you don¡¯t mind Bernhard, could you please hold his head? Some people start moving and that tends to mess up my work. By the way, this is going to hurt. So please bite on this until I am done!¡±


    He handed Balin a polished piece of wood, while Balin laid down in the ordered position. Balin bit into the wood, that did disgustingly taste like polish, and Bernhard held him down.


    After some painful minutes of forcing the ink under Balin¡¯s skin the work was done. Despite Balin still feeling the pain of the process Alfred ensured him that this was totally normal and should go away in a few days, if they treat it right. When they came talking about payment Bernhard payed in addition to the original fee an additional amount to silence Alfred about the weird scar tissue. As the tattoo artist left Balin asked Bernhard.


    ¡°Why did you tell him to mark me around my ear, if hair grows back it will be difficult to see?¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t a normal slave to me. And I think that you should keep at least that little dignity after everything that happened. That reminds me. Do you want to know how it looks? Alfred left behind a little sheet where he painted the tattoo on before he did it for real. Here I¡¯ll show it too you.¡±


    Bernhard pulled out a small piece of paper with a drawing on it. The drawing consistent out of three parts. Above in the left there was a stylish B.X, which stood for Bernhard Xavier. In the middle there was a shield like form with a simplistic depiction of a sword in the middle and three lines, splitting the uncolored parts of the shield to the outline of the shield. Representing Bernhard¡¯s title as the Hero of three front. And in the lower right corner was a simple capital S, which stood for slave.

 A hunt for beasts

    Over the course of the next week Balin¡¯s ink induced headaches faded away, but Bernhard didn¡¯t let Balin just wander around aimlessly during that time. Despite being his slave, Bernhard explained that Balin would work mostly as a bodyguard for him. Despite Bernhard being more than capable to dispatch anyone who would dare to threaten him, there were clear benefits for him to have a guardian around him. Firstly, Bernhard regularly went out to dispatch monsters that threatened other people and having an experienced warrior on his side would improve his chances to make it out alive. After all Bernhard was powerful but not invincible or dumb. The second use of Balin was that Bernhard did start to enjoy the younger man¡¯s company and being a naturally social person, he got lonely fast. The third and by far most important use of Balin would be that at higher social gatherings it is considered impressive to come with extra protection. After all, anyone who would be worth killing has to be an important person. But no matter the situation Balin would have to be dressed for the occasion. Therefore, Bernhard took Balin clothes shopping. From elegant clothing over to battle dresses of any conceivable situation, Balin had to be ready. At first Bernhard was afraid of having to teach Balin the etiquette expected from a servant on his level but Balin¡¯s years of squire training have included the use of all the tools of his trade. From the sword over to the fork, Balin had learned those, saving Bernhard a lot of patience and time. When not organizing Balin¡¯s equipment the duo spent a lot of time training either in Bernhards garden or being teaching Balin the few things that he should be aware of in the future. Like certain hand movements that allowed Bernhard to non-verbally communicate with him. For both the former of those things were more fun. Despite the big difference in raw skill between the two it was always challenging to fight each other. Bernhard outmatched Balin in skill, but Balin¡¯s unnatural body parts made a lot of Bernhard¡¯s common tactics unviable. The day after Balin got new travel gear Bernhard approached him after their sparring session.


    ¡°Balin, I have accepted a request to kill a big monster. Prepare your things! We are leaving at dawn. Also pack something presentable. I have been invited by my father to a family meetup. We will go there on way back and stay until the meetup is over. That is all. You are free to do as you please for the rest of the day!¡±


    Balin did as his master ordered. So, that when the time of departure came, he would be ready. Bernhard preferred travelling with carriages over riding his own horse and therefore he rented on for the trip, driver included. This was also convenient since this time they had to carry more than just their combat equipment. Most of the travel to the village was uneventful. When reaching the village, they were welcomed by the major of the village at his home. The major was a sturdy man in his late forties, with a bald spot that nearly split his hair into two sides. He gave the duo a rough description of what they were dealing with.


    ¡°We have multiple places where it left scratch marks and left other imprints, also it has been spotted twice. While the descriptions were vague in both cases, we were able to determine two things. Firstly, it was bearlike but bigger than a normal one. Also, it had long legs. The legs were size almost like the ones of a horse. It has attacked our livestock and even a traveling merchant who was brining supplies to us. That is how we got the eye witnesses. The merchant survived and when investigating the scene later one of our miners swore to have seen it running into the shadow of the forest. We can¡¯t have that thing running around much longer. We must prepare for winter and if it keeps killing our livestock and scaring away merchants, we will have serious trouble.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a runnerbear. We can deal with it. Right Balin?¡±


    ¡°I am not too familiar with those. We didn¡¯t have to deal with one of those since before I was born. Although I have read up a little on them as part of my training, I wouldn¡¯t say that I am a master at killing them. But my will doesn¡¯t matter, I¡¯ll do as you say.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the right attitude. I¡¯ll explain to you later how we are going to deal with it. Thanks for the information mister major. We¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    The duo left the man and Bernhard explained Balin what they were going to do about the beast. Bernhard was inspecting some livestock while he explained his plan.


    ¡°Runnerbears are a lot like normal bears but there are a few key differences. Firstly, their legs, they are a lot longer than the normal ones. This makes them a lot faster and some say that they have even more stamina than the normal ones. Secondly, they are smaller. They weigh about two thirds of a normal one. And the most important difference between them when trying to hunt them is that they are a lot more social than most other bear types. And wait a second!¡±


    Bernhard has found an old sheep. Despite it smelling horribly, Bernhard signaled the owner that he wanted to buy this creature. After a short verbal exchange the shaped put a small nose around the animal¡¯s neck and handed that one to Bernhard. It took Bernhard to remember what he wanted to say earlier, but he remembered it and continued.


    ¡°As I said they are more social. Which is why they rarely travel alone. In my experience they stay with their mate for life and tend to have two kids at once. After a year those kids leave the parents in search for territory. They then stay together until they find a suitable mate, which is when they then leave their sibling and the cycle restarts. And having to fight two bears at once is not something a normal man can do. But lucky for us. Neither of us is normal. So, we should be able to kill them. Got that all?¡±


    ¡°Yes, got it. So, are we going to use this sheep as bait?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Normally runnerbears don¡¯t attack humans or come too close in our territory. But they like to hibernate throughout the winter, warming each other as they sleep. So, they must eat a lot to get through the winter and if they don¡¯t find enough it can happen that in fall, they might take the risk and attack people. So, if we perfume our little stinker here, we should attract one of them. Then he will drag Stinky to his hideout where we will find the second one. From there we will have to kill both at once.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t we lure one away and then kill the second? It would be safer.¡±


    ¡°Runnerbears get really loud and scream when they die. This will alarm the second one and chase him away. Then he will be more cautious, and we won¡¯t find him again before something terrible might happen.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°There have been records of the bears wanting to take revenge if they were a pair that mated and then they could attack civilians.¡±


    With the help of the shepherd that Bernhard bought the sheep of they found a small clearing in the nearby woods. It was about a kilometer away from one of the bear attacks and gave the duo a good place to hide and prepare the bait. With each other¡¯s help they covered themselves in mud so that their smell wouldn¡¯t alarm the beast so easily of their presence, next they rubbed Stinky in with some aromatic herbs that supposedly would help attract the runnerbear and increase its appetite for the small little sheep. Lastly, they bound Stinky onto a tree, ensuring that it won¡¯t be able to escape, before the predator could make an entrance. The two hunters were lightly armed, with two armlong spears and a knife each. Afterall they couldn¡¯t hide well if they were to carry anything bigger and at least one of the short spears could be thrown as a projectile out of a sneak attack each. The duo then hid in the bushes, covered in dirt, hiding and waiting for the beast to come. From his long knight training Balin had the patience to do hunting like this drilled into him, so he wasn¡¯t very bothered by the long waiting times required. Still they had to wait some long and lonely hours. Bernhard even specifically ordered Balin to stay quiet for the duration of the wait and to only communicate with some very specific hand movements, for when they spot the beast and must follow it. At first the duo was very enthusiastic. After all, despite its dangers, the idea of hunting a big monster is inherently exiting. But the mandatory silence became boring fast, and Balin did start to think back to how he ended up in this situation. Which is how he came to think back at the last time he laid in hiding to ambush someone or something. It was when he tried to kill Bernhard, the very same man that lies near him in another bush to hunt the same creature. It felt like a long time ago, despite it happening less than two months ago. The sun has already passed over the duo¡¯s head and was about to set when Balin spotted a large moving brown rock moving into the clearing from the left. He turned his head towards his master and after catching each other¡¯s view they both nodded, confirming that the other has spotted the runnerbear. It held it¡¯s head up high, clearly sniffing out the various scents lingering around cautiously. It was clear that it had a feeling that something was up with the sole sheep in the middle of nowhere. After about a minute and a half it seemed to have come to the conclusion that nothing dangerous was around, that or the poor sheep seemed to smell so good that he decided that it was worth the risk and he attacked the sheep from against the soft breeze, so that Stinky couldn¡¯t even smell it, before it was already too close. The bigger animal easily smacked its prey over with its front paw and killed it afterwards with it¡¯s dangerous bite. Balin didn¡¯t know if the sheep died from the blood loss caused by the bite, or if it suffocated from the strangling position of the bite. In the end it didn¡¯t matter since the result stayed the same, the sheep died. The bear tried to pull his prey away but the rope that bound the sheep to the tree stopped it. It took the bear a moment, but it quickly figured out a solution to its problem by biting and tearing it into two. Now unbound the runnerbear dragged his prey into a different location than where it came from. Occasionally leaving behind some drops of blood from the carcass that he was dragging and not much else that the untrained eye could recognize without help. Balin now observed Bernhard, waiting for his order and about half a minute later he opened his hand and palm out, signalizing that it was ok to come out of hiding.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Ok, this might be a little problem.¡±


    Wisped Bernhard.


    ¡°Why, have you seen something important?¡±


    ¡°I have seen a lot of important things, but first what did you catch onto?¡±


    ¡°It smelled a lot around before actually attacking and it knew how to deal with the rope quickly, I think this isn¡¯t it¡¯s first time dealing with humans. Other than that, not much.¡±


    ¡°For your first time hunting one of these things this isn¡¯t bad but there are more things to read from this short interaction. Like the fact that this seems to be a female, which means that we aren¡¯t dealing with a fully-grown mating pair, but with siblings.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think that?¡±


    ¡°It didn¡¯t have testicleless, which means that it is a female. If it was part of a mating pair it would be pregnant and would stay in the hiding spot for as long as possible, while the male provides her with food to get through the winter. This also implies that they aren¡¯t too old yet. Which improves our odds. Still your guess with their human experience is a good one as well. So, we must follow it carefully. From now on no talking until I say so and stay alert. We only get one shot at this!¡±


    Following the faint trail left behind by the beast the two men slowly came closer to their target. It didn¡¯t take long until they got to spot it again. Keeping their distance, the duo followed the beast. While it sometimes made an unexpected movement, the bear didn¡¯t spot the hunters following it. As Bernhard speculated it dragged its prey straight to its hiding spot. Which consistent of multiple trees and bushes, which were dragged together to create a rudimentary hole or cavern. As the bear approached the construct its sibling came out of the hole to have a share of the bounty. The bear leaving the cave was a male. While the two beasts were happily munching on their prey Bernhard uncharacteristically shivered in clear anticipation for the fight coming. Bernhard aimed his spear and Balin quickly did the same. And almost at the same time they threw their spear onto the nearer of the two bears from behind. Bernhard hit her onto her right shoulder and Balin hit her hind leg on the same side, but unlike Bernhards spear it didn¡¯t drill deep enough to stick. Still it left a deep wound. The bear screamed in pain as the two hunters ran at her screaming with their weapons drawn. The female was turning around to face the attackers and the male came to his sisters¡¯ side to help her. But just as the two bears faced the enemy Balin threw a handful of mud at the females¡¯ face. Blinding it temporarily while Bernhard actively ran to the side of the female where her brother wasn¡¯t. The male ran to Balin but halted his attack when Balin threatened it with his remaining spear. The female was trying to regain sight by rubbing the mud of her face while Bernhard stabbed her from the side. Bernhard pushed hard and was able to dig his weapon deeper into the crying beasts¡¯ side, when the male stood up onto his hind legs and with resolve swiped at Balin, who protected his face with his arms. Still the hit was hard enough to knock the lighter fighter of his feet and onto his back. The female tried to chase Bernhard away with an attempted sweep of her uninjured paw, but since her target was on her other side, she couldn¡¯t reach him, and Bernhard pulled his spear back out of bears side. Only to hop a bit further back to regain his footing. The male bear in the meantime landed back onto his front feet and tried to bite Balin, but Balin reacting in a split second, was able to shove his unnatural arm to where the bear tried to bite, so that his forearm was being bit. The bear bit hard, but Balin¡¯s arm was harder. The beast pulled his head, trying to rip Balins arm of but it wouldn¡¯t work. So, with his free natural hand, Balin pulled his reserve knife out of his belt and stabbed into his foes neck. The Beast was wounded but Ballin missed the trachea, making the attack not immediately fatal. The bite became weaker and Balin was able to push the monster of after a kick onto the chest. The deeply wounded female tried to escape but Bernhard¡¯s almost supernatural speed and her wounds made escape almost impossible. So, Bernhard almost immediately caught up with her again and jumped onto her back, clawing onto her like a kid onto its parent. She tried to shake Bernhard of but his grip onto her was too strong and he was able to wrestle her onto the ground, by moving the spear that was still stuck to her side. Cutting muscles that connected her long legs to her body in the process. The male in the meantime completely let go of Balin to help his sister in need. Sitting back up Balin saw something he didn¡¯t expect to see. A third bear was running to the battlefield, straight to Bernhard. Balin knew that even Bernhard would struggle with three bears at the same time. He had to catch the attention of at least one of them. So, Balin threw his remaining spear at the bear that just let go of him, hitting it on the back and slowing it down. But Balin didn¡¯t leave it at that. He started running himself. He almost tripped on the slightly wet ground, but he was able to reach the new bear and tackled it. Due to the weight differences Balin couldn¡¯t knock it over but did what he was trying to do. He gained its attention. Bernhard in the meantime was finally able to wrestle the bear to the ground and climbed onto her now exposed stomach. Unlike Balin he still had his spear and with one last attack he was able to stab the bear through its chest. This time he hit the beast¡¯s heart. Finally killing it. The bear that Balin left behind was now in a confused rage. He saw that the two others were having problems and didn¡¯t know what to do. In the end he decided that his sister was lost, so he ran up to Balin and the third bear, which was still trying to shake Balin of, and with his mighty paw slashed Balin¡¯s back. The hit was heavy enough to rip open Balin¡¯s hunting clothes and into his skin, while still hitting hard enough that two ribs of Balin broke. Despite the pain Balin kept his grip on the new bear. Lucky for him Bernhard has left the dying bears body and attacked the bear that just hurt his slave, giving him a chance to move upward to the bears neck and with his unnatural hand he started strangling it, through its thick fur and skin. The bear that¡¯s being strangled tried to push Balin away with his long legs, but Balin was too far sideways for that to work. Bernhard was fixated on his own prey. Lucky for him that bear was already heavily wounded from it¡¯s fights with Balin making to easy for Bernhard to stab it multiple times across its body until Bernhards spear broke, leaving its tip deep inside the beasts¡¯ body. This was too much for the creature. It finally gave in leaving the third bear alone in its struggle to free itself from Balin¡¯s deadly grip. Struggling to breathe the last bear stood upright, trying to shake the smaller fighter off. But Balin¡¯s unnatural arm was just too strong. Balin was flailed through the air but still didn¡¯t let go. His arm would never let go unless Balin wanted it too. The bears struggle resistance became weaker with every second where it couldn¡¯t breathe, until it fell to the ground. While it was still alive it has lost consciousness. So Balin didn¡¯t let go. He was obsessed with killing the creature. It took minutes until Bernhard tapped Balin¡¯s shoulder, bringing him back.


    ¡°You can let go, it¡¯s dead.¡±


    Balin looked at his hands. The bear struggled so hard, that it scraped open its throat against Balins hand, bleeding all over it.


    ¡°Are the other two?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I got them.¡±


    ¡°Why where there three bears? You said they usually were in pairs.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. If I had to guess, I¡¯d say that they were siblings, triplets most likely. They didn¡¯t have split up to find mating partners yet and stayed together. This might be why they attacked humans. They couldn¡¯t find enough food to get all three through the winter.¡±


    ¡°That so?¡±


    Bernhard¡¯s adrenalin level was starting to decrease, and he started laughing.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°This has to been the first time I¡¯ve seen someone strangle a bear to death. I know they were runnerbears and therefore smaller than most of their kind, but still. That was an achievement.¡±


    Balin started to smile from the sheer ridiculousness of their victory as well.


    ¡°Coming from the guy, who stabbed two to death in less than a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s kind of absurd as well.¡±


    Bernhard had to gasp for air.


    ¡°But in all seriousness, I¡¯ve seen you take a pretty bad hit to the back. Are you ok?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, you know how my body works. Still hurts but I¡¯ll get over it.¡±


    ¡°Take of your shirt and show it to me!¡±


    Balin did as was ordered and revealed his backside. It looked brutal, there were pieces of meat almost cut of from his back and along multiple deep wounds Balins unusual regeneration started to do its work by replacing his flesh with the unnatural earth like substance. Bernhard fumbled in one of his pockets around and pulled out a small tube.


    ¡°I know you will heal but this should help with the pain.¡±


    Bernhard rubbed the ointment onto the back. When the cold substance touched Balins skin he shivered for a second.


    ¡°Where did you get that from?¡±


    ¡°A friend of mine is a witch focused on pharmacy. She gave me buckets full of that stuff as a thank you for hunting down some rare herbs during a hunting trip with my family. Why are you asking?¡±


    ¡°Out of curiosity. She hot?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s almost sixty now. Why, is that your kink of something? Banging old witches?¡±


    ¡°Nah, its just it reminds me of Madame Mine, she was a witch in her forties. But I assume a lifetime of healthy potions and herbs made her age nicely and¡­¡±


    Balin suddenly got quiet.


    ¡°Sorry, does the memory hurt?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that¡¯s not it. She had an adoptive daughter, Rose. She wasn¡¯t born in the Rivervalley and I haven¡¯t seen her for weeks before the monsters came.¡±


    ¡°Do you think that maybe she?¡±


    ¡°Can we please look for her? It doesn¡¯t have to be a focus, but maybe we could ask if a pharmacist or a witch have taken a female apprentice in that age range. If that¡¯s alright with you.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. I promised to help you look for possible survivors and I will uphold that promise. But first, you are going to get to meet my family.¡±

 Familry Reunion part 1

    Balin and Bernhard were celebrated as hero¡¯s in the village who¡¯s bear problem they¡¯ve solved. No one has expected that just two men would be able to kill a duo of runnerbears, much less a wild trio. To prove that they have slain the beasts, they have cut of the heads of all three bears and brought them with them as trophies. Balin felt uncomfortable being the center of attention but luckily for him Bernhard reveled in it. They stayed in the village for two more days before Bernhard decided that it was time to make their way to the family reunion. The carriage ride was long, but rarely boring. Since the two, despite their difference in status in their relationship, have become good friends. They talked, played games or, when the carriage stood still, trained. They were half a day away from the estate of Bernhard ordered Balin to change into their presentable clothes. From that moment on they would have to deal with the intricacies of royalty and had to dress the part. Bernhard¡¯s dress was an almost black, dark blue, decorated with various expensive looking accessories. Somewhere medals other royal emblems and some meaningless pieces of jewelry. Balin on the other hand got a monotone brown vest and a white shirt beneath it. But before putting on the expensive clothes Balin had to shave the sides of his head, to make the slave crest more easily visible. Bernhard helped him to make sure that the unnatural scars on Balins head wouldn¡¯t be visible.


    They reached the area where the party would be held. Bernhard explained earlier that they would meet in one of his fathers¡¯ main residences and that the estate would reflect the kind of status that Bernhards father had. And it did. The whole estate was not just one house. It might as well have been called a village. The estate was a castle surrounded by a ginormous wall, which even isolated part of the nearby lake. Balin was barely able to see the ends of the wall on either side. At the main gate of the estate the carriage was stopped. A guard asked for their invitation and verification of identity. Casually handed the man the invitation and showed him his necklace with his emblem printed on it. The guard welcomed Bernhard and directed him towards where he would stay. Bernhard explained that the whole estate was split into multiple parts. In the middle was the castle from where you could reach the other parts. The first part contained the luxury houses, where high ranking guests of Bernhards father stayed. Those houses were set up in three lines, each of a different level of luxury for the different statuses of the guests. In the most forward line are the houses for royal guests like kings and other royal houses. The second line was reserved for members of nobility and members of the church. This included the most children of the baron that weren¡¯t from his first wife, except for Bernhard. His legendary status as a hero gave him the right to live in the front row of this estate. In the third line stayed wealthy commoners, like big merchants and doctors. The next part of the estate was a small village where the commoners, that worked around the estate stayed. Its also where the army barracks where. Since the estate was planned to be self-sustainable in case of a siege or a plague outbreak the next two areas were dedicated to the production of food, one part of produce and one for livestock. Then there was also the area connected to the lake, which bordered at both the farms and the entertainment area, which was the last area in the estate. It contained multiple areas designed to entertain the wealthy and powerful. It contained horse tracks, training fields and they even planted an entire forest, in which they organized hunts for foxes or whatever critter was unlucky enough to end up as entertainment for the baron and his posse. Despite being tired from travel Bernhard and Balin couldn¡¯t retreat into their house but had to fulfil their social duties first. So, when the carriage finally stopped at its destination, they had to wait for a messenger to go and get the Baron. They had to wait for almost an hour. Until the out of breath messenger returned.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°The Baron is currently in the study, but he wishes to meet you in the red saloon. Sir. Do you know the way, or shall I guide you there?¡±


    ¡°I know where the red saloon is. Thank you. Balin, move!¡±


    Bernhard tipped the young man generously and after twenty minutes through the labyrinth that was the castle complex, they arrived in the red saloon. It was large room, decorated with various trophies of exotic animals and most of the furniture and walls were pained in variations of red and brown, after which the room got its name. Alone in that room was elderly Baron Aubrey the elder. Balin put his gloved right hand onto his chest and respectfully bowed to the father of his master.


    ¡°Father. I have arrived.¡±


    ¡°Ahh Bernhard. It¡¯s nice to see that you could come to my birthday. How are you? I heard what happened to Amalia. I am so sorry that I couldn¡¯t come to her funeral or to you in your time of need. But I myself laid in bed with sickness, so I couldn¡¯t travel to you.¡±


    ¡°I am still in grieve. There isn¡¯t a day where I am not missing her. But it¡¯s been over half a year. I have started to heal and in a better place than I was back then. Say, Father! Has my son already arrived? I have ordered that he should be brought here as well, and I hadn¡¯t have had time to go and check for myself if he is in my house here.¡±


    ¡°He has arrived two days ago. And if I dare say so myself, your son must be one of the liveliest of children out there. He barely screams and crawls around like a child trice his age. Something that he must have had inherited from you. If you want to meet him after our little talk, I will make sure that no one will bother you for the rest of the day, until the time for dinner has come. By the way, who is your companions over there? I don¡¯t think that you ever employed a butler before to stay with you at all times.¡±


    ¡°This is Balin. My relationship to him is complicated. Officially he is my combat slave. But he is a mixture of bodyguard and hunting companion to me.¡±


    ¡°Really, interesting. You never showed interest in owing slaves before. Boy, introduce yourself! Tell me how you meet my son!¡±


    Balin took his hand of his chest and stood upright.


    ¡°My name is Balin. I don¡¯t know if I can properly explain how we met and how I came into his servitude.¡±


    Balin broke eye contact with the baron and turned over to his master.


    ¡°What shall I answer?¡±


    ¡°Tell him the truth! I don¡¯t want to hide our relationship or people to undervalue your worth.¡±


    Balin turned back to the old baron answered.


    ¡°Based on a misunderstanding, that helped to cause the destruction of my home, I tried to kill your son. After subduing me and explaining his perspective he offered me salvation and his friendship. Ever since I¡¯ve haven¡¯t left his side, unless specifically told to do so.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve tried to kill Bernhard. And after you failed, he didn¡¯t just let you live but employed you as his slave. Bernhard, don¡¯t try to take me as a fool, what really happened.¡±


    ¡°While being a simplified version of the events that happened, this is exactly how it happened. Maybe I and Balin will give you more details later over a drink, when you have time. For now, it¡¯s enough for you to know that he is one of the most powerful warriors and most loyal companions I¡¯ve ever had. But now if you excuse us. It¡¯s been a long journey and I wish to retreat into my quarters and to meet my child.¡±


    Balin bowed again and followed his master to the house prepared for them. The house prepared for them was luxurious as to be expected. It had three levels, expensive carpets hung in every room, hiding the high-quality wood that made up most of the house. There were rooms for all kind of every day luxury a member of royalty expected. From a kitchen, where snacks could be grabbed over to a small library, containing a handful books from Bernhards prefeed authors and even a room containing a table made only to play cards on. Bernhard didn¡¯t care about those luxuries and instead went straight into the room where the small Siegfried was playing with some colorful bags filled with sand. He immediately sat down and cuddled his son before joining him with the toys.


    ¡°Tracy!¡±


    Ordered Bernhard his maid.


    ¡°Show Balin his room!¡±

 Familry Reunion part 2

    ¡°Balin, we will have some long days in front of us. Dealing with the ego and expectations of royalty is always a pain but I am sure that we will have fun. You are free until dinner. But stay in the house. I don¡¯t plan to leave until the big dinner festivities, and it would be seen as unprofessional if someone saw my only bodyguard running around without me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep it in mind. Tracy please, show me the way!¡±


    The two left the room where Bernhard stayed behind, showing his son how to build towers out of sand bags


    ¡°Was the travel over here difficult? I can¡¯t imagine having to travel with a little child for more than a few hours. How did you do it?¡±


    ¡°It was not that difficult. Bernhards contacts have organized a mostly comfortable ride of us. At least it once we were on the road it became tolerable. We had to delay the departure for almost three days because Sieg got suddenly sick, just before we had to leave, both me and my husband have had no time to rest because were always watching over him. I have called a doctor over to make sure that he would be safe to travel. I just hope that the salve that this quack prescribed us would be worth it.¡±


    ¡°You are married? I didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never told you about Darren? He works as a butler for the head of the royal court in the capital. I used to work there as a maid as well, until Bernhards wife died in child birth and they needed a wet nurse. I had a few weeks earlier a miscarriage, but I still produced milk. My master, the head of the court, owed a favor to Bernhard. So, he asked me to do the job. There was a pay increase in it as well, so I accepted and replaced Bernhards original maid and she took over my position at master¡¯s place. Oh, sorry have I stared to blabber? I am so sorry. It¡¯s a bad habit of mine. Once I start going, I rarely stop. I¡¯ve told you that before, haven¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°No, its ok. We haven¡¯t had the chance to talk much and even if, I am a better listener than talker myself. If you are going too fast, I¡¯ll tell you, ok?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s sweet of you, but not necessary. Well anyways here is your room. Right next to the master bedroom on the first floor.¡±


    She opened the door to the small room. It contained not much space but was crammed with all the essentials. A comfortable bed, a wardrobe with multiple storage rooms a table with a preinstalled holder for ink and two different chairs. One for the table and a second free one for clothing or possible guests.


    ¡°As Bernhards bodyguard you are going to sleep next to his room. From where, in case of an attack, you could reach him as fast as possible. My room is on the floor below, were I will be closer to Sieg¡¯s room. Also don¡¯t worry if foreign maids come into this house at different hours. They are employed Bernhards father and will take care of the house, cleaning room, polishing silverware and so on. Chances are that you won¡¯t come across them too often. They tend to be very good at avoiding people during work. Got that all? Good. Well there is¡­.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Tracy kept talking for quite some time. Balin was aware of a lot of these things already. His uncle hammered them into him as part of his training after all. But out of politeness he didn¡¯t want to interrupt his coworker.


    The rest of the day went for the most part uneventful for Balin. He slept for a few hours in his room and was content being alone for a while. When time for dinner came Balin was woken up by Bernhard and they left the house just before dusk. Apparently, Siegfried as deep asleep already and Bernhard didn¡¯t want to wake him up. They would join later if Tracy thought that it would not be too late. As it turns out today evening would be the first day of the week-long party held in honor of Baron Aubrey¡¯s birthday. There were feasts and games planned to entertain all the guests, with no expense being spared. Balin wouldn¡¯t have to spend all the time next to Bernhard, seeing as the place was well guarded already but at least until most attendants were drunk, he should stay nearby. The first dinner would be held outside with a huge barbecue made from a wide assortment of different meats and poultry. As the two entered they were greeted by an already drunk man, who was introduced to Balin as a retired general. He and Bernhard talked for a while and then took their seats. At least Bernhard had a designated seat, Balin would stand behind him until given permission to leave. Bernhard would seat near the Barron¡¯s right. Not as close as the Barron¡¯s closest or the highest-ranking attendees but still close enough to be one of the first ones being served. The out garden was built around one big fire place, where a delicious spit-roasted ox already was searing on the open flame, being close to being ready to be served. Directly around the fireplace was an open circle of tables, where the highest-ranking guests would sit, near that circle where multiple tables stationed in strategic places. Some where for lower ranking guests and others were filled with food and around those were multiple decorative areas with either water pods or various plants, from rose bushes to trees with delicious looking fruit, ready for the picking. Most of the place was already filled with wither guests or servants. Officially no festivities would happen until an additional half hour passes but that didn¡¯t stop anyone from already having plates filled with lighter snacks and glasses filled with wine. Bernhard mingled with friends and introduced Balin to some of them, some where people he served with, others were members of higher nobility and lower royalty and even two commoner merchants who got rich enough to become unofficial members of the highest society that Bernhard was part of. Balin knew some of those by name but due to the small divide between higher and lower nobility Balin never actually met any of them personally. This went on until Bernhards father sat at his designated spot and everyone else followed. For such a big group they were surprisingly fast at finding and sitting quietly at their place. Then some people that Balin didn¡¯t knew stood up and held speeches and congratulated the Baron for his birthday. For Balin these speeches all went on for far to long and he was afraid that the ox would be overcooked by the time that he would be served.

 Trouble at the reunion chapter 19

    The rest of the day went for the most part uneventful for Balin. He slept for a few hours in his room and was content being alone for a while. When time for dinner came Balin was woken up by Bernhard and they left the house just before dusk. Apparently, Siegfried as deep asleep already and Bernhard didn¡¯t want to wake him up. They would join later if Tracy thought that it would not be too late. As it turns out today evening would be the first day of the week-long party held in honor of Baron Aubrey¡¯s birthday. There were feasts and games planned to entertain all the guests, with no expense being spared. Balin wouldn¡¯t have to spend all the time next to Bernhard, seeing as the place was well guarded already but at least until most attendants were drunk, he should stay nearby. The first dinner would be held outside with a huge barbecue made from a wide assortment of different meats and poultry. As the two entered they were greeted by an already drunk man, who was introduced to Balin as a retired general. He and Bernhard talked for a while and then took their seats. At least Bernhard had a designated seat, Balin knew in which area he should stay. Balin were stand behind him until given permission to leave. Bernhard would seat near the Barron¡¯s right. Not as close as the Barron¡¯s closest or the highest-ranking attendees but still close enough to be one of the first ones being served. The out garden was built around one big fire place, where a delicious spit-roasted ox already was searing on the open flame, being close to being ready to be served. Directly around the fireplace was an open circle of tables, where the highest-ranking guests would sit, near that circle where multiple tables stationed in strategic places. Some were for lower ranking guests and others were filled with food and around those were multiple decorative areas with either water pods or various plants, from rose bushes to trees with delicious looking fruit, ready for the picking. Most of the place was already filled with wither guests or servants. Officially no festivities would happen until an additional half hour passes but that didn¡¯t stop anyone from already having plates filled with lighter snacks and glasses filled with wine. Bernhard mingled with friends and introduced Balin to some of them, some where people he served with, others were members of higher nobility and lower royalty and even two commoner merchants who got rich enough to become unofficial members of the highest society that Bernhard was part of. Balin knew some of those by name but due to the small divide between higher and lower nobility Balin never actually met any of them personally. This went on until Bernhards father sat at his designated spot and everyone else followed. For such a big group they were surprisingly fast at finding and sitting quietly at their place. Then some people that Balin didn¡¯t knew stood up and held speeches and congratulated the Baron for his birthday. For Balin these speeches all went on for far to long and he was afraid that the ox would be overcooked by the time that he would be served. In the middle of the speech of one of Bernhards brothers Balin heard a whisper


    ¡°Psst Balin! I forgot to mention, but I will give you food later, you can eat that. Don¡¯t grab anything for yourself, it would be seen as unprofessional and undisciplined if a bodyguard just takes food. Please restrain yourself.¡±


    ¡°I have undergone training to be a knight, my patience is strong enough to withstand the temptation.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    Bernhard resumed to fake interest in what the speaker was saying and Balin kept standing still until he heard the Barron exclaim.


    ¡°One last thing for everyone who wants to join the hunt tomorrow morning, don¡¯t drink too much. Wouldn¡¯t want anyone to hang hungover over their mount¡±


    Some people laughed formally at that pun, then he continued.


    ¡°Enough of the formalities, let¡¯s now indulge in todays main event! Let¡¯s dig in.¡±


    The dozens of guests almost immediately started to indulge in their servings and started to talk to their neighbors. After a few minutes Bernhard starts to get approached by his various acquaintances. Balin mostly stood up straight and kept a professional distance to his target. After a while Bernhard and his friends started to laugh loudly and Bernhard winked Balin closer.


    ¡°You asked who this is? Well this is my bodyguard and slave Balin. Come on don¡¯t be shy! Say hallo!¡±


    Balin did a respect full bow.


    ¡°I am happy to make your acquaintance.¡±


    The two addressees started laughing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bow like that, you aren¡¯t talking to some royal snob, we are working class anybody¡¯s, who got rich, due to our daddies getting rich, no offence Berny.¡±


    ¡°None taken¡±


    ¡°So, Berny, didn¡¯t think I¡¯d ever see you taking a slave. Specially on to be your bodyguard. If there is one person, I never thought needed one. I¡¯ll be honest, he doesn¡¯t look like much. You sure he can protect you, out of all people?¡±


    ¡°He might not look like it, but he is near unkillable. Probably the second most dangerous man here right now. Right Balin?¡±


    ¡°I do have a useful condition.¡±


    Without further explaining this comment the quartet kept talking for a while. Shortly after Balin started to get because Bernhard kept refiling his glass with various spirits over the course of the evening, until the moment came where it became obvious that he was completely drunk. Unluckily for Balin it seems that wit each sip his master was becoming more and more confrontational, even provoking random passerby¡¯s


    ¡°I am telling you, even if everyone here at once wer to come at me and Balin here at onzze, we could beat you all.¡±


    This time he was talking to some distant cousin of his, a short but sturdy build man clothed in the world¡¯s finest and who still sober and even closer related to the crown than Bernhard. Unlike others he seemed to take Bernhard up to his provocation.


    ¡°Is that so? How about a bet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take everyone on. Jusst bring them here and I¡¯ll show you.¡±


    ¡°I am well aware about your power, but I am more intrigued by what this bodyguard that you seem so proud of can do. How about it. Tomorrow afternoon, while the bounty of the hunt is being prepared for dinner, I¡¯d pit one of my best fighters against your friend over there.¡±


    ¡°Of course, we will be there. Just make him a challagne. Right Balin? We will be there and flatten whatever you have.¡±


    Balin, unsure about his feelings towards the challenge answered his master.


    ¡°If this is what you want. I will fight, I am just not sure if this is a good idea. I don¡¯t want anyone to get hurt too badly.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine, you have that thingy. So, tomorrow we fight! Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Bernhard started to swing at an invisible enemy, making the challenger slightly uncomfortable, so he excused himself, pretending to be busy with other things. As night continued the party atmosphere started to slow down until the Barron excused himself publicly ending the official festivities.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The next day Balin woke up late, after the Barron left, he kept accompanying Bernhard for another hour or two. During which he was allowed to eat and drink himself. He didn¡¯t get drunk enough to be in serious pain but had a slight headache. The same couldn¡¯t be said about Bernhard. Despite his overall weak tolerance towards alcohol he kept drinking for two. It ended up so badly that Balin had to carry his master home on a shoulder, making sure that he wouldn¡¯t vomit onto Balin. Bernhard himself didn¡¯t move much aside from the occasional moaning from his room. Tracy would bring him water and bread at certain intervals, making sure that his pain would be cared for during his hangover. It wasn¡¯t until two o¡¯clock that someone disturbed the peace in the house. A young courier was sent with a message announcing the time of the match for the late afternoon. Balin and Bernhard sat down together at the table in the kitchen. Despite Tracy¡¯s best efforts Bernhards head still hurt, so he grumpingly apologized.


    ¡°I am so sorry that I have forced you into this challenge. I shouldn¡¯t have drunk at all. I should know better. But I can¡¯t back out now, I would become a joke at the court and people wouldn¡¯t take me as serious anymore.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t think that you¡¯d care so much about your image. You always seemed to be more casual and down to earth to me.¡±


    ¡°My entire lifestyle is built around the fact that people think that I am some sort of near unbeatable monster. Image is everything. I am so sorry, but please do this for me!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, leave it to me.¡±


    Shortly after this conversation took place, another the same messenger from earlier returned. This time to bring Bernhard and Balin towards the area where the fight would take place. That place in question was a small trainings area where both people of status and local commoners would train in various forms of combat. There are rings for unarmed fighting, sword fighting areas, places to train your aim with a bow and even two rows made specifically for jousting. Some of these areas even have small podiums for spectators to watch and mingle. They were led towards one of the podiums in front of a small ring. That ring was little more than six posts connected via a long rope, standing on ground that has been trampled on so much that now greenery could ever grow there again and a thin layer of dirt like sand layer on top of the ground there.


    ¡°Ahh, there you are.¡±


    They were greeted by the same man who yesterday issued the challenge towards Bernhard and Balin.


    ¡°I am very happy that you have accepted my challenge and as coincidence would have it, some while ago I did adopt a powerful slave myself. You are going to love him. He is already waiting in the ring!¡±


    He pointed towards an unusually tall dark-skinned man, standing in the middle of the ring. Despite the fresh breeze, he only wore his pants to show of his impressive muscles and big statue.


    ¡°Impressed? His name is Noah. I bought him of an exotic slave trader from the colonies half a year ago. His previous owner has had him work on a boat and the second I saw him I knew I had to have him. So, I bought him and have had him trained for occasions like this. Isn¡¯t he beautiful? A truly rare specimen¡±


    Balin realized what he was going to compete in. It was an unarmed, fight until combatant either loses consciousness or leaves the ring, occasionally the fights even end with someone dead. He has heard about how some of the richest of royal and nobility like to buy and train slaves to have them fight for their amusement. Sometimes an especially brave nobleman would jump into the ring himself and try his luck against someone else¡¯s slave, usually only to either get beat up or to fight in a fixed match and dominate for the show. It was then when someone from the audience said to his friend, loud enough to be heard even from where Balin stood.


    ¡°That little guy is going to get eaten alive, I have no idea why the hero of three front would ever hire someone looking like this as his bodyguard.¡±


    Just as Balin was about to step into the ring with the bigger man Bernhard ordered Balin to do something that he didn¡¯t see coming.


    ¡°Take off your shirt and gloves! Show them what you are and why they should fear you!¡±


    The order was loud enough for everyone present to hear this. In shame Balin turned towards his master and begged him to not make him do this, but Bernhard only repeated what he said.


    ¡°Take it off! You have nothing to hide and run from. Obey your master!¡±


    Unwillingly Balin did as he was told. First, he took of his gloves and then his shirt. Uncovering the inhuman parts that he tried to hide all this time. Various sounds of shock came form the audience and the one who criticized Balins build even yelled.


    ¡°WTF is wrong with this guy?¡±


    Then Bernhard announced Balins condition as if he was some sort of exotic animal at a circus.


    ¡°This is Balin from the Rivervalley, as he was about to die in battle as he was given a gift from god. He gave Balin another chance at life and a new body and strength to help him take revenge at those who wronged him. And now, he is here. Working under me to make this world a better place and as a demonstration, he will fight here today for your entertainment. Show them why no one should mess with me or you! Prove your strength my vassal!¡±


    Balin was unsuccessfully trying to cover up his mutated arm and scratches all over him but when Bernhard pointed him and then the arena, he hushed over there and changed into a fighting stance.


    Noah was towering over Balin but clearly seemed uncomfortable due to Balins weird body parts. One of Bernhards friends from yesterday evening was acting as the referee and gave the signal to start. None of the two combatants was willing to engage first but the audience was loudly cheering, most for the dark slave and only a few for Balin.


    Balin decided to engage first. He went low, trying to rush his opponent and then get a few hits in with his normal arm. He didn¡¯t want to kill the other slave after all. As he was coming closer the big one quickly sidestepped Balin to the right and made a wide swing towards Balins head. And the hit connected, making Balin lose balance. So, Noah grabbed Balins stone arm, pulled it backwards and tried to make Balin kneel by kicking into his knee from behind, which was an unsuccessful attempt at hurting Balin. He didn¡¯t know that Balins legs were both replaced and could withstand more than any human legs could. Instead he hurt his foot and from the shock of the impact he lost his grip onto Balins arm, which allowed Balin to make space once more while he regained balance from the painful hit from before.


    After another second of scouting the opposition the bigger slave was the one to take action this time. He came closer and tried to punch Balins left side, but Balin was able to intercept the attack by blocking it with his rocky right arm. Noah felt like he just punched a wall, while Balin barley felt the shock form the punch. As usual he was aware of the impact but the damage on him was nowhere to be felt. Balin tried to push the other man¡¯s arm away with his rock arm and punched Noah in the stomach with all his mortal strength. While the punch was hurtful and strong the weight difference made it all up for Noah and he was able to shake it off easily. With his unhurt hand Noah grabbed Balins arm and knee-kicked him in the stomach, never letting the hand go. Balins felt this kick hard because most of his stomach area was still normal and he lost footing from the impact, landing on his butt. Now Noah was towering over Balin, still holding Balins arm and now he is putting a leg onto Balins chest, holding him in place and suffocating him. The audience started going wild and Bernhard ordered from the audience stand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold yourself back! Use your gift!¡±


    Understanding that he can¡¯t beat the giant pushing him down fairly Balin decided to use his unnatural body parts to retaliate. He grabbed his opponents¡¯ leg on his chest, similarly to how his opponent is squashing his arm, but with the unnatural power of his demon arm. Immediately Noah let out a scream of pain as his leg was about to be crushed until it was broken. Noah let Balins arm go and instead of breaking the leg he flung it away from him, tossing the man attached to it like a toy onto the ground. Leaving the rallied-up crowd surprised from the reversal. After a moment of holding his hurting hand Baling climed on his now grounded opponent. Noah was laying facedown on the ground, but still conscious. Balin turned the man around and sat on him, one knee on Noahs chest and one on Noahs right arm. He still didn¡¯t want to kill the man, but he knew that the audience wanted blood. So, he balled his left and started to repeatably punch the other slave in the face. When Noah tried to use his free left arm to push Balin away, Balin grabbed the arm with his unnatural one and mercilessly crushed the bone in it to bits. Making the man cry in pain, but Balin was not done yet. He kept punching him over and over again until he heard Bernhard yell.


    ¡°Stop now! This is going too far! Let him go!¡±


    It took Balin a moment until he realized that Noah lost consciousness long ago and that his hand was bloody from all the hits. The blood being both from him and he opponent. Noah was still breathing, so at least he didn¡¯t kill him. Before the referee was able to say anything Balin grabbed Noah and pulled him out of the ring, taking the need for the referee to declare a winner. After a moment of confusion, the audience went wild, this time to celebrate Balins brutal victory. Bernhard went up to Balin and directed him towards their house. Balin was still angry at Balin and they were going to have a talk with each other.

 Chapter 20

    ¡°Why did you made me show them my freakish parts? You knew exactly that I don¡¯t want to be seen as some sort of freak.¡±


    Balin blew up onto Bernhard. He could not believe what his master made him do.


    ¡°Well, I thought it was time for you to come out of your shell. It¡¯s been a long time and you should accept who you are. Your anomaly makes you strong.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t come at me with that! Your anomaly might make you strong, but you are still sure that you are fully human and not some sort of freak of nature, who made a deal with what might be the devil. People will stare if they see me like this. You heard their reactions. If people, see me they will all think the same. You out of everyone should be aware.¡±


    Balin was just about to cry and it took Bernhard until now to realize how his actions have hurt his friend.


    ¡°I am sorry, I didn¡¯t realize that it would hurt you to this extend. I¡­ I think I got carried away. I am sorry.¡±


    Without even answering Balin just turned around, went to his room and slammed the door behind him. Not answering the worried knocks of either Bernhard or Tracy until early the early evening, when the voice of a stranger could be heard in the house. After a few seconds a more forceful knock and more forceful voice ordering Balin to leave the room were made. It wasn¡¯t until Balin heard his master order.


    ¡°Balin, I am sorry, but please come out. We¡¯ve been ordered by the Barron to come immediately.¡±


    After quickly making themselves presentable Balin and Bernhard went to see the Barron. This time he was sitting on a throne in a room with soldiers at every corner, looking both threatening and concerned.


    ¡°Bernhard Xavier!¡±


    Boomed the older man¡¯s voice.


    ¡°What are the stories about you bringing a demon into my estate? Explain!¡±


    ¡°Well he isn¡¯t a demon. His name is¡±


    Before Bernhard could make any explanation, the Barron made a signal with his hand. Immediately a few of soldiers came closer towards Balin and pointed their spears at him from a safe distance. Then two other soldiers came even closer towards Balin and started to grab his shirt. Balin was startled by this and tried to push them away in confusion. Bernhard tried to calm his friend down.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fight back Balin, its ok. Just let them!¡±


    Balin pushed the two men away and immediately the spearmen closed in, nearly touching Balin¡¯s skin with their sharp tips. It was then when he Balin yielded.


    ¡°Bernhard, keep your slave in check and answer the question!¡±


    ¡°He is nothing to be feared. His name is Balin from the Rivervalley. He used to be a squire the knight of Sir Egbert the Swift, his uncle.¡±


    ¡°Who, is that Egbert the Swift? I seem to vaguely recall the name.¡±


    ¡°He was supposed to protect land from Lord Conway. A village in a valley after its been named. About 13 years ago he was second at one of the king¡¯s sword fighting tournaments. His impressive ability to doge earned him his name.¡±


    Shouted Balin. After a moment of thinking the Barron responded to that.


    ¡°I am sorry, that doesn¡¯t ring a bell.¡±


    ¡°The village he was protecting was destroyed by a wild monster attack in early spring. He was reemployed to look out over an area called Woodquarry. A few days after starting his new work he was found dead in his own house. He was murdered.¡±


    Once of the Barrons previously unnoticed advisors added.


    ¡°That is all fine and all but that doesn¡¯t explain that freak in front of me. How did you come to be?¡±


    It took Balin a moment to choose his wording, but he answered truthfully.


    ¡°That monster attack completely annihilated the village. There were no survivors. I myself was mortally wounded and buried under a wall that came crumbling over me. But something saved me. It replaced my lost body parts with ones made off rock and made it so that any lost parts would keep being replaced with new rocky replacements.¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    It took the Barron a minute of almost deafening silence to process what he heard.


    ¡°That Sir Egbert was murdered right? Was that you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, he ran from his duty of protecting the village. When I found him by chance, I killed him for his cowardness. He wasn¡¯t the only one I killed. Others haven¡¯t come to our aid despite having the obligation to do so. So, I killed them.¡±


    ¡°And how have you ended up in Bernhards servitude? That seems like quite a jump to make.¡±


    ¡°He tried to kill me as well. After subjugating him during his attack I took him in. I owed him so much.¡±


    ¡°What grudge has he had against you to do this?¡±


    ¡°The same as the others. I took up the towns offer to help them the defend from the beasts, but I couldn¡¯t join the fight. My wife just died and my unborn needed my attention.¡±


    After another minute of silence, the Barron said.


    ¡°This seems like quite the wield story. I can hardly believe it. But Balins autonomy is proof of this story¡­ And he is under your full control?¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t ever refuse my commands and in an emergency, I can beat him in a fight. We have agreed that if I ever consider to be losing control over him, I¡¯d kill him for good. We are sure that a decapitation would do the trick.¡±


    ¡°This is quite the predicament you have put me into. I don¡¯t quite know what to do with all this information. On one hand he is an incredibly dangerous freak. On the other he is a powerful pawn. I need to think this over. Me and my advisors will need to retreat and discuss this for a while. Someone bring Bernhard and Balin a chair to sit down on and also put your spears down! They won¡¯t leave this room until we come to reach an agreement.¡±


    With that the Baron called his advisors from his side and left the room in a hurry. Neither Balin nor Bernhard said a word for quite a while. As ordered a servant quickly brought them chairs to sit on and water to drink. While the servant was attending towards the duo the guards left the room and were replaced by a fresh unit, who kept them under the same watchful eye as the ones before.


    ¡°Well this could have gone a lot worse. I guess.¡±


    Bernhard tried to reinstate the conversation, but Balin didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°Father hasn¡¯t sentenced us to death yet. So, we have that going for us.¡±


    Balin still didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°You still angry with me? You can really hold a grudge.¡±


    He got an angry and condescending stare back.


    ¡°I knew it was dumb the moment it left my mouth. I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have said that. Also, I am sorry about forcing you to reveal yourself to everyone. The atmosphere has gone to my head. Please talk to me again!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say. Today has been a bit much for me.¡±


    ¡°Understandable. Listen Balin, from now on. I promise you I wont ever make you do something like this ever again. It wasn¡¯t necessary and outed you as a freak. And, once this is over, I will help you follow that last lead that you had about that girl. I promised you that and you know, I never break my promises unless necessary. Is that alright?¡±


    Bernhard offered Balin his hand in friendship in an attempt to reconcile and after a second Balin took the handshake.¡±


    While the two of them shook hands, the door opened again and the both of them and the guards immediately took on a more serious pose as the Barron and his advisors entered the room.


    ¡°We have come to a conclusion. We think the potential reward of keeping a power like him alive and a secret outweighs the risk of him going rampant. Bernhard you can keep him. But you must promise to keep a watchful eye on him. A single misdemeanor and he must die! We will keep the truth behind his existence a secret and about his crimes prior to his enslavement. Balin was completely justified in his actions. Not following your contracts and obligations towards the people and endangering them as a direct result is an offence second only endangering the crown. But punishment is necessary because even if his actions were justified, they are still horrendous crimes because he acted outside the law. We believe that living dangerously as a combat slave for the rest of his life is enough of a punishment. Furthermore, due to safety concerns, leaking the information about Balins body out will be considered a crime as well.¡±


    Bernhard immediately fell to his knees and Balin quickly followed suit.


    ¡°Thank you, father, thank you for showing mercy towards my friend.¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you for sparing me my Lord. I am grateful.¡±


    ¡°You are dismissed.¡±


    The two left the room in which they were imprisoned just a few minutes ago. By now it has already gotten dark. The Barron has skipped today evening¡¯s festivities to deal with Balin. On their way back Balin asked Bernhard.


    ¡°You do you think he let me go? Wouldn¡¯t it have been easier and safer to just have me executed and be done with it?¡±


    ¡°It probably would have. I can come up with two big reasons for why he did choose to spare you. Firstly, you are a powerful weapon. A soldier that wont die from most wounds and can crush a skull though a helmet with a single hand is obviously valuable in case war breaks out. But I believe there is a second just as big factor at play here. Which is me. Not just am I a symbol of strength and a favorite among the people but I am just as, if not more dangerous than you are. Risking losing my loyalty and having me defect towards a political rival will rip a lot of influence. Furthermore, just having to try and subjugate you would probably be an investment that wouldn¡¯t be worth it. You have already a frightening record. Losing Soldiers over an easily avoidable issue is not my father¡¯s style.¡±


    ¡°That so. I came up with similar reasons. What now?¡±


    ¡°I guess we will continue as planned and search for that last girl you mentioned. Rose was it, right? But maybe we will leave a bit earlier than originally planned. I don¡¯t want to run into the risk of exposing you more than I already have. So, for the time being I would suggest you stay in the mansion. Rumors will probably emerge but the less people in public are aware of what you are the sooner the rumors will die out.¡±


    They spent most of the way back into the mansion in silence, both still thinking about the events the conspired that day. Balin did not leave the house during the rest of their stay and two days later Bernhard ordered them to pack up and they all left.

 Chapter 21 the last search

    A few days after leaving the Barrons estate Bernhard and Balin were back in Bernhards main house, discussing potential leads. Bernhard is holding pen and paper in his hand trying to write down everything the duo could come up with.


    ¡°Ok, let¡¯s review what we know about that Rose.¡±


    ¡°We she is trained as an witch and her age is slightly below mine. If I remember correctly, she was about 1.65 meters tall and she had either brown or ginger hair, it deepened on the light and her age. Once she colored it completely black for fun, so we have to consider her doing something similar again.¡±


    ¡°Great, her hair could have any color. Really useful information. Is there anything that people could immediately recognize from her? Like a scar from when she fell or an unusual beauty mark?¡±


    Balin thought for a second until he remembered something.


    ¡°She has a unique way of speaking. She always talked very dirty.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s something. So, we have a seductress that we are searching for. That is usually something that people won¡¯t forget quickly.¡±


    ¡°No no no. Not like that. She, how do I put it? Swears a lot. Like in every other sentence.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°She thought it was funny and would help her to express strong feelings towards things. Then it just became a habit. Her mother always had to correct her speech. Madam Mine was really embarrassed by this.¡±


    ¡°Ok, that¡¯s something I didn¡¯t expect. So, we are searching for a 16-20-year-old witch of average height who is very vulgar. Not too much to go off but it could be worse. I guess we can start by asking local witches, alchemists and herb sellers, if they know something. Let¡¯s go in 20 its starting to get cold and I need to search for my jacket.¡±


    Balin and Bernhards search started as was to be expected. There were three competing shops with witches selling their tonics and salve in the capital alone, with many more spread throughout the country. At first having two men coming into their shops and asking about a girl made the women weary about what they were planning to do with her, but after some explaining they were more understanding. Still none of them were able to help them with their search. Even name-dropping Madame, Mine didn¡¯t seem to ring a bell for either one of the three ladies. But at least the third shop visited did give the duo a hint based on which they could search more efficiently. She recommended them to ask for the name of common herb and mysterious ingredient suppliers in the area from where they Madame Mine lived. After all it would be likely that if she survived that Rose would stay somewhere, where her mother¡¯s contacts would carry weight and as a supplier of her goods those businesses would probably supply the whole region and therefore have a list of names that could help the duo in their search. Bernhard bought some expensive mixtures form the lady, as a form of thank you before they left and went on their way. After quickly going back home Bernhard informed Tracy that he would leave for a while and that he wouldn¡¯t be sure when he would come back. After packing everything necessary for a longer trip the duo left two days later. Finding the distribution company turned out to be surprisingly easy. In a village near Rivervalley they asked a regional potion maker, who told them that the main supplier for the entire region was the Yellow Caravan. Named after the primary color in their banner. They specialized in trading foreign and exotic goods but also regional the rarities that both witches and alchemists needed. While finding out who they had to ask was surprisingly quick, contacting them to find important info wasn¡¯t. While they had smaller stores from where potion makers could buy and order smaller and more common items, it turns out that no one in any of the three regional stores knew who either Madame Mine or Rose were. After bribing a few employees, they did find some older receipts mentioning the adult witch but the personal that knew her personally was now moved towards companies¡¯ main seat in Beachline.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Neither Balin nor Bernhard were happy to go to Beachline. It was at the other end of the country and a long way from where they were. Balin especially didn¡¯t like having to go there, because it reminded him when went there to find information about the Gaus group. After another weeklong trip the duo arrived at Beachline and found the Yellow Caravan headquarters and after some more asking and bribing, they found what they were searching for. A skinny receptionist called Mary in her early thirties who worked at the shop where Madame Mine frequented remembered the witch and was more than willing to talk during her break. So Balin, Bernhard and the woman were meeting in a teashop, where the woman couldn¡¯t be stopped. She was always moving her hands, distractingly so. Even while talking she always has either grabbing the sugar, hyperactively stirring the spoon in her cup or grabbing the expensive biscuits that Bernhard offered to pay for.


    ¡°So, Madame Mine. She always came to the store when she needed something and always ordered in bulk, which is normal for bigger companies in large cities, but she was living in such a small town in the middle of nowhere. Like I do know some things about alchemy myself, it required for the job and I always wondered how she was going to use nine kilos of serene leaves before they went bad or how twenty-two bags or eichen sand would ever be necessary. Was she secretly supplying an army or something? Anyways she was such a pretty lady, I never understood why she never found a husband to settle down with and¡±


    Bernhard stopped her.


    ¡°Excuse me, but what about her daughter? We are trying to find her, and it is very important for my friend. Could you¡±


    ¡°I was coming to that. Just be patient! Where was I? Oh, no I forgot. Give me a minute to remember! Oh right. So, she never found a husband and ¡­¡±


    Balin was barley listening anymore. This woman was seemed to try to use every word in the dictionary twice in an hour.


    ¡°God, the lesorses were less painful than her.¡±


    Mumbled Balin under his breath, while this got a barley audible chuckle out of Bernhard, Mary seemed to only register one word.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t interrupt a lady while she is talking dear! But lesorses. That reminds me. Me and Mini, she told me I could call her that, were sitting down to have a cup of tea after she came by to grab her order. And she told me that her village would be attacked by monsters soon. Now I wasn¡¯t worried. Sir Egbert was there and obviously the army would intervene, but she seemed to be less optimistic and told me that from now on, at least for a while her daughter would go working at a different place and that our store loyalist program points should be transferred over too that place. Normally I wouldn¡¯t do such a thing, especially if asked during my break time but she was soo insistent on it. Sadly, that was the second last time that I¡¯ve ever seen her. Apparently, she died during that monster attack that destroyed that dumb that she called home an¡±


    Balin crushed the teacup in his gloved hand.


    ¡°That dump was my home and I almost died defending it from monsters. So, you better choose your next words very carefully!¡±


    Balin threatened her.


    ¡°Oh, I am¡­ Sorry.¡±


    For the first time she slowed down and became quiet.


    ¡°Just tell us where Rose went!¡±


    ¡°Rose? Oh right, her daughter. I assume that she went to the same place where the loyalty points where transferred to. ?hmm, I think that place was¡­ Give me a minute, its been half a year¡­ Sorry, this is embarrassing, usually I remember those names but this time I can¡¯t seem to recall. But I think that it should be noted in our archives. These transfers are kept in our archives for a long while. I will search for it. By the end of the week I should have the info. Come to my office by that time! So¡­ see you later.¡±


    Mary stood up and left without paying for her tea and leaving Bernhard behind with the tab.


    ¡°Does this mean that she is alive?¡±


    ¡°There is a good chance. Don¡¯t get your hopes up too high! We have yet to find your friend.

 chapter 22 the alchemists

    When Balin and Bernhard visited Mary the next time they got the address they were looking for. The loyalty points were transferred over to an elderly alchemist going by the name of Wanderman. No first name was known but that didn¡¯t matter for either party involved. Sadly, no address was known but Mary was able to find out which location supplied the man, meaning that the duo had to travel over there for more accurate information. Balin was getting sick of all that aimless traveling but Bernhards optimism made it a lot more bearable. The store in question was very far down south at the west coast. Once there they asked around for information on Mr Wanderman once more and after only fifteen minutes they did were able to find a person who knew the address. Turns out it was only half an hour away by foot in an unnamed location with about four other houses, all of which are occupied by other alchemists and wizards who have gathered there for study related reasons. Since there was still a lot of time before nightfall the duo didn¡¯t want to wait another day and immediately went to find those houses. The houses were right by the coastline about ten meters away from the ocean. They were unexpectedly big for being built in the middle of nowhere. Four houses standing near each other in form of a square. With a sheared garden area in the middle in which stood a tree tall enough to be seen from the outside. As Balin and Bernhard approached the buildings multiple strong and uncomfortable smells started to hit them. Causing light nausea even to the two experienced warriors. The two were only steps away from the entrance of the closest house, when a purple dust cloud erupted just behind them and a coughing could be heard. An angry man could he heard yelling from the room, the just opened window.


    ¡°I told you this would happen if the lion dust isn¡¯t tempered correctly! How many times do I have to repeat myself?¡±


    After which a hoarse young woman¡¯s voice answered.


    ¡°I am so f¡¯ing sorry Sir this won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    ¡°It better won¡¯t!¡±


    Bernhard turned his head over to his friend.


    ¡°You said she spoke dirtier than a sailor.¡±


    It took Balin a moment to process what he just heard. Once he understood what Bernhard implied, he turned around and ran towards the now purple window with the falling dust cloud.


    ¡°Rose! Rose!¡±


    ¡°What? Who is it? I can¡¯t see sh¡¯t?¡±


    Rose stuck her head out of the window. It was filled with the same purple dust that just exploded out the window. Her eyes were closed tight together and tearing. Balin went up to her and touched her face with his gloved hands.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me pervert!¡±


    She slapped his hands out of the way, throwing purple all over Balins arms. She tried to open her eyes despite the pain, but after a split second of opening them she immediately closed them again


    ¡°Do I know you?¡±


    ¡°Its me. Ba¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt us during class! If you want to make an appointment wait at the entrance like everyone else!¡±


    Balin got interrupted by the man they heard earlier, who unlike Rose seemed to have gotten very little into his face, so that he could still see.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s¡±


    ¡°Now!¡±


    The teacher turned around and told Rose.


    ¡°And you go clean yourself and especially your eyes up! Can¡¯t have you becoming blind, now can we?¡±


    He chased off Rose leaving a teary eyed and very confused Balin behind. Bernhard in the meantime was laughing harder than Balin has ever heard him laugh before.


    ¡°Come Balin. Let¡¯s wait in the designated area, and maybe we can find a wet cloth to clean you. You are filled with pink!¡±


    He pulled his friend who was just about to break down crying along. As they entered the building a bored looking middle-aged man with a slightly charred brown beard was sitting half asleep at a table near the entrance.


    ¡°Hello, what do you need?¡±


    Balin took control of the discussion before Bernhard had the chance to say something.


    ¡°Yes, is Rose somewhere? I need to see her.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I think she is in class right now, but can search for her. Please wait here!¡±


    ¡°Wait! We saw go clean herself because she exploded in a dust cloud. So, she isn¡¯t in class.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, then I know where she is. I¡¯ll tell her teacher and get her over too you. Please sit in the room over there! We¡¯ll come right back.¡±


    He directed the duo towards a light door with paint falling of from it. Inside was a small room with very little to look at. It contained a few old wooden chairs, polished from years of use, a small table with some withered flowers in a vase and no other decorations. Besides the wood walls there wasn¡¯t even anything to look at. Balin was calming down from his outburst earlier and Bernhard didn¡¯t seem to have anything to say, except for some light mockery over the situation that happened earlier. In the meantime, the two got used to the smell of the area, even if the air was stale. It took about a quarter hour when the door opened once more. A young woman with wet hair and a clean top and purple stained skirt entered the room. She started the conversation slightly annoyed.


    ¡°Alright, who are you and what do you want?¡±


    ¡°Rose, it¡¯s me Balin¡±


    Rose took a closer look at his face. As her facial expression slowly changed from, annoyance over to surprise, bewilderment and in the end even disbelief she mumbled.


    ¡°What the f¡¯ck? How? When did you?¡±


    She couldn¡¯t continue because Balin quickly launched himself at her and hugged her tightly.


    ¡°Ahh, ouch, stop that! You are hurting me.¡±


    Balin unconsciously pressed too hard with his augmented arm. He quickly let go, giving her a chance to take a breath.


    ¡°I have so many f¡¯cking questions.¡±


    None of them knew quite how to continue. But the silence got quickly broken, when the guy from the desk from earlier ran into the room.


    ¡°What is going on? Is someone hurt?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­ a guy from my village he has come and hugged me a little to hard. It¡¯s all ok. We just have¡­ a lot to talk about.¡±

 Chapter 22.5

    A short while later Balin and Rose sat at a table on a bench under the tree in the middle of the garden that Balin saw earlier. Bernhard excused himself, saying that this would be a personal discussion between the two and that he would find them later. Balin just finished giving a cliff notes version of his story, only taking a break for when Rose had something to say.


    ¡°F¡¯¡¯ck me! That sounds like an impossible story. But you are here¡­ and your arm is weird. So, I guess I believe you. How does it feel, to not have human parts anymore?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t feel a thing in the weird parts. Its used to be uncomfortable at first. But I never really had the time to be bothered by it, until now I just have gotten used to it.¡±


    ¡°You feel nothing?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°Can I touch the arm?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Balin took of his many layered clothing to reveal the whole arm. It was chilly, but Balin wasn¡¯t bothered by the cold yet. Rose took a second to look at Balins numerous earthly scars but didn¡¯t mention them. Softly Rose poked the arm in the middle, then after getting familiar with it, she caressed and patted the whole arm down, all while openly saying her thoughts to a silent Balin.


    ¡°Fuuu. This feels like¡­ You know when the earth is sticky and cold? Like fresh Clay but hard? And also, somehow dry¡­ It¡¯s f¡¯¡¯ing weird. And you don¡¯t feel a thing?¡±


    ¡°I can tell that something is in contact with it, and that that something presses against me with little resistance, but not much else.¡±


    ¡°What about now?¡±


    She stood up went around Balin over to his still human arm and slowly petted it.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Its warm, soft¡­ This feels good.¡±


    Now more energetic Rose started to get into an experimental spirit.


    ¡°Ok, now close your eyes and describe me how this feels!¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°How does that feel?¡±


    ¡°You are continuously trying to touch a certain spot on my forearm.¡±


    ¡°Ok, now I do the same thing on the other side. Tell me what you feel!¡±


    ¡°Sure. Ouch!¡±


    Rose pinched Balin hard.


    ¡°That hurt. What was that for?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to know how elastic your arm was and how much pain you felt. It wouldn¡¯t be science if I wouldn¡¯t have a point of comparison.¡±


    Balin was still rubbing the pinched part.


    ¡°And what did you find out? That pinching me hurts me? Because that was obvious.¡±


    ¡°Firstly, not wasn¡¯t. Secondly that arm is really uneslastic I couldn¡¯t even grab the¡±


    She put her hands up to make quotation marks


    ¡°¡±Skin Part¡± separately. Does that arm even have skin or is it just a single connected piece of rock?¡±


    ¡°How would I know? I never opened it to look inside.¡±


    ¡°Well then maybe you should.¡±


    They were interrupted by Bernhard who came into the area.


    ¡°I heard screaming. What is going on?¡±


    He saw the half-naked Balin and Rose all over him.


    ¡°Seriously, I know you are happy to finally meet each other. But can¡¯t you two at least wait until nighttime to do this.¡±


    ¡°Shut up¡­ Beee¡­ Ba¡­¡±


    ¡°Bernhard¡±


    Helped Balin Rose.


    ¡°Bernhard! You are just jealous that you aren¡¯t getting any.¡±


    ¡°What is that supposed to mean?¡±


    Bernhard answered uncharacteristically gloomy.


    ¡°He is a widower, I just told you that.¡±


    Rose immediately red of shame.


    ¡°I am sorry Sir. I wasn¡¯t thinking.¡±


    ¡°Hm. So, you are both alright? I heard a scream earlier.¡±


    ¡°Yes, everything is fine. Rose just experimented with my weird parts.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ok. But then why the scream?¡±


    ¡°She pinched me and surprised me.¡±


    ¡°Really, that was all?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Balin, I¡¯ll return to the inn. Come back whenever! Take your time!¡±


    ¡°Yes Bernhard.¡±


    ¡°Again, I am so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to offend you.¡±


    ¡°I am still annoyed, but I¡¯ll let it slide.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I am so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Enough of the apologizing. As I said, I am leaving. See you soon.¡±


    Once Bernhard Balin asked Rose.


    ¡°Do, you still need me naked or can I put my shirt back on? It¡¯s chilly.¡±


    ¡°Oh yea, sure. Do that! So¡­ that was the Hero of three front?¡±


    ¡°Yep¡±


    ¡°I always imagined him to be bigger. Not as in taller, but more, you know to the side.¡±


    ¡°That so? Listen, I basically told you everything that has happened to me. How about you tell me how you spent your days!¡±