《Marked By The Storm》


 The Stranger in the Room

    The forest was calm, the rain carefully dripping against the leaves. Logus adjusted his grip on the bow, his fingers brushing against the string. His breath was slow and calculated, visible in the cold air as he crouched low beneath the roots of an ancient oak.


    Beyond the rain, a boar was moving, his nose scouting the ground. Logus pitied the animal at a glance, he looked malnourished and his movements were sluggish, he wouldn¡¯t offer much of a fight. The winter this year had been cruel.


    Logus released the arrow, cutting a swift and precise path towards the boar¡¯s neck. The creature was confused at first, stumbling on its feet, Logus took the chance and rushed towards it, and as expected, the creature didn¡¯t offer much resistance, falling to the ground a few meters ahead.


    The boar¡¯s breath was slowing down as Logus approached it, he crouched down closer to the creature and extended his hand onto it. Small sparks started to form on Logus¡¯ palm and upon touching the creature¡¯s fur, he released the tension, spreading it towards its body. The animal finally ceased to breathe.


    ¡®I thank you for your sacrifice,¡¯ Logus murmured.


    Holstering the bow on his back, Logus grabbed the boar by its feet and carried it over his shoulder. Logus looked towards the path he took; the snow had already covered his footprints.


    With a sigh, Logus turned back and began to make his way towards the village. The trees grew thinner, and the vegetation hidden away by the snow. He lightened his steps. Logus didn¡¯t want to take risks, the scent of the boar on his back would attract predators and with this fierce winter, time wasn¡¯t on his side.


    The smell of burnt wood found his way to Logus¡¯ nostrils. The village was close now and he could already hear the murmurs again. ¡°There he is. The marked one¡±. They wouldn¡¯t thank him for the hunt, they never did. But they would take the meat all the same, just as they always did.


    Logus adjusted the boar on his shoulder. The sooner he delivered his burden, the sooner he would retreat to the village outskirts, where the shadows would comfort him, at least for a while.


    The wooden gates of the village finally greeted Logus. The wood cracked as the tall wooden doors opened up to him.


    Two men approached him, wearing long green coats, their faces tucked in the scarfs, carefully hiding the greed in eyes as they looked towards Logus¡¯ back.


    ¡°What you brought us this time marked one?¡± said one of the guards, his hands slowly reaching for the boar''s feet. His tone was mocking, the same disdain Logus had endured his entire life.


    Logus had little patience to deal with the village guards. He carefully slapped the guard¡¯s hands away from his catch.


    ¡°For the last time, Marcus, my name is Logus,¡± he replied, not bothering to hide his frustration.


    The guard, Marcus, snorted, a smirk escaping the corner of his mouth ¡°Names are for people, not for marked things like you¡±.


    Before Logus could fight back, the other guard stepped forward, his hands clutching the hilt of his sword. His voice was colder than the snow beneath their feet. ¡°Watch your tone, boy!¡±


    Logus clenched his jaw, his grip tightening around the boar¡¯s leg. He could feel the familiar tension on the palm of his hands, spreading through his body slowly.


    ¡®Calm down¡¯. Logus said to himself, ¡®I don¡¯t want that to happen again¡¯. With a deep breath he looked towards the guards. Steadying his voice he added, ¡°Listen, it¡¯s cold outside, do you want the Boar or not?¡±.


    Marcus hands reached his left pocket as the other guard reached for the boar, carefully analysing its fur, his hands reaching for the neck, where the arrow struck. He looked back towards Marcus and with a small nod he added, ¡°This will suffice¡±.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    With disgust on his face, Marcus took some coins from his pocket and extended his hands towards Logus. Ignoring them both, Logus counted the copper coins. Exactly 15 copper coins. Enough for a few days of lodging.


    With the transaction concluded, Logus skipped passed both of the guards, overhearing one of them saying ¡®Ungrateful bastard¡¯. he had spent more than enough time with those idiots in the cold.


    Logus headed towards the village outskirts, away from the villagers, who looked at him like he had the plague. As Logus walked, he grabbed his quiver from the back. Tucked in were two small rabbits hidden away from the village guards. While the copper coins provided a ceiling, it wasn¡¯t enough to buy some sustenance. With a small smile he went towards his place. Logus felt tired after spending half a day in the forest hunting.


    Finally reaching the outskirts, he knocked on the door of a small bakery, the smell of fresh breath escaping the fringes as he patiently awaited.


    The door opened, revealing an old lady, her calloused hand reaching for the door frame while the other carefully wiped away the remains of flour.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± said the old lady, her voice sharp and rough.


    ¡°Paying the rent for the next few days, Mrs. Marna,¡± Logus replied as he delivered the copper coins.


    With a scoff, the old lady accepted the coins. Her satisfied eyes shined as she counted the coins. ¡°Keep the place clean. I don¡¯t want rats hurting my well-earned reputation,¡± said Marna.


    Marna allowed Logus to sleep in the attic after she lost her husband and son a few winters ago. Losing two working hands at the bakery made things difficult for Marna. Her age had long taken her vitality away.


    Logus gave the old lady a small warmth smile and headed inside. She didn¡¯t treat him as harshly as the other villagers, maybe because it reminded her of her lost son? Or was it because of the coins? Logus didn¡¯t pay much attention to it.


    Carefully dodging the flour bags and the wooden logs, Logus headed towards the attic, climbing the stairs. The smell of dust and cobwebs greeted him. At the corner of the attic was his bed, made of straw, while it wasn¡¯t very comfortable it was better than sleeping in the streets.


    Logus dragged his feet towards a small opened barrel closed to his bed, storing away the two rabbits and his bow. He then landed on the bed and let himself fall asleep.


    For a good while, Logus slept unperturbed, but gradually a faint sound creeped in his room, slowly waking him until a loud wooden bang jolted him away. His hand instinctively reaching for his bow when a raspy familiar voice forced Logus to come to his senses.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t wake up this instant, I¡¯m tossin¡¯ you in the oven with the bread!¡± Logus drowsy eyes fell upon the figure at the entrance of the attic. It was Marna, she was holding a small candle in her hand while the other repeatedly hit the wooden wall with her cane.


    ¡°I¡¯m awake!¡± urged Logus while slowly lifting himself up from his bed. ¡°What¡¯s with the noise? What¡¯s happening ?¡± he asked while rubbing his eyes.


    ¡°The village elder demands to see you right now!¡± answered Marna, her voice pressed with concern.


    Logus mind overloaded with questions as he heard Marna. A sudden meeting like this with elder means trouble. He didn¡¯t recall himself doing anything wrong besides the occasional quarries with the village guards, but that certainly wouldn¡¯t take him to the elder, he thought.


    ¡°Why are you standing there? Go!¡±. The old lady commanded, with her cane high up in the air . She added, ¡°And you better not bring any trouble to my shop¡±.


    Ignoring Marna, Logus rushed to grab his things and headed downstairs. He almost tripped on a few bags of flour near the end of the stairs. He then saw the light sneaking its way out from the windows, it seemed the village guards were going to escort him.


    He opened the door, revealing the two guards that looked at him with concern.


    ¡°Come with us and fast,¡± said one of the guards, his legs already moving towards the council hall. Logus nodded and followed the guards. The fact they weren¡¯t treating him like usual only made the situation more precarious.


    As they walked towards the council hall, the guards¡¯ torches illuminated their path. The village was quiet. The market was tidily kept and organized. The surrounding houses shied away, their curtains closed. It was the first time Logus walked in the village so freely, away from murmurs and uncomfortable looks. He would have found it peaceful if it wasn¡¯t for his current situation.


    They finally reached the council hall. It stood proudly, rising above other buildings in village. The council had seen better days. The cruelty of time had scarred and aged the wood. The iron doors were rusty and old, screaming in protest as they allowed them inside.


    The guards stood vigilant at the entrance, while Logus continued his way inside. Awaiting him was the elder, sitting patiently at the round table. He was slowly sipping a hot drink, vapor slowly caressing his face as he set his eyes upon Logus.


    ¡°We need to talk marked one, sit¡± His voice was calm and composed.


    Logus grabbed a chair on the opposite side of the village elder, far away from him. Logus still remembered their last meeting.


    ¡°What do you need me for, at this time of the night?¡± said Logus. He didn¡¯t hide away his discontent, the lack of formality was clear in his tone.

 They Weren’t Supposed to Be Here

    The elder took another sip from his hot drink. His movements were slow and calculated. He lifted his gaze towards Logus as he sat down on the chair.


    ¡°Have you noticed anything strange in the forest recently?¡± the elder questioned. Logus felt the sharpness of his tongue, almost accusatory.


    ¡°I have not¡± he paused, looking directly in the elder¡¯s eyes, his voice confident ¡°Fewer animals lurking in the woods than last year, but I take it as the winter¡¯s fault.¡±


    The elder took a while to answer, which only made Logus more agitated about the situation. He had never inquired Logus about his trips to the forest.


    ¡°A few days ago, the alchemist¡¯s daughter went to the forest to collect some herbs for the shop.¡± He paused; his eyes drifted away as if lost in thought. He took another sip and continued. ¡°She hasn¡¯t returned ever since¡±.


    Logus mind lingered on the elder¡¯s last words. In the two years he has been hunting in the forest, very few things would prove dangerous. Sure, there were the wolves but their hunting grounds were far from the village. ¡®The smell of burned wood was a good deterrent for the majority of the animals¡¯, Logus thought.


    The elder seemed to take notice of Logus¡¯ silence. His brows dipped slightly; a small hint of displeasure ran across his face.


    ¡°Answering the pleads of my friend, I ordered a small scouting force to the forest, in hopes of finding the girl. And just like her, they went missing¡± ¡°


    Logus was shocked by the revelation. A missing girl in the forest was one thing. Disasters can happen, especially with in harsh winter. But a small scouting force, experienced and well-armed, was different. Just how did he fail to notice anything in the forest? How could a group like that disappear without a trace? Logus mind was overloaded with questions.


    ¡°The snow only made their job harder, something very dangerous is lurking the woods,¡± said Logus, a small chill running down his spine. He too could have been part of the list, though he doubted anyone would care if he disappeared.


    ¡°That something could very well be you,¡± said the elder. His eyes grew darker and his tone wasn¡¯t nothing less than accusatory.


    Logus was used to the way the villagers treated him, but this was going too far for him to tolerate. He snapped and with a swift motion he punched the table.


    Irritated, he pointed towards the elder. ¡°I¡¯m barely surviving with scraps from the forest! I live isolated from everyone and you dare to accuse!¡±. Logus hazel eyes were slowing losing its colour, and a bright purple colour was taking its place. The palm of his hands leaking small sparks.


    The elder was unmoved by Logus reaction. He took a small cloth from his inner pocket and cleaned the table while never taking his eyes from him, gesturing the soldiers at the entrance to step back.


    ¡°Just look at you right now, barely controlling yourself¡± said the elder, his gaze filled with quiet superiority ¡°You¡¯re a marked one after all¡±.


    ¡°You called me here in the middle of the night to accuse me!¡± replied Logus, his voice heavy with disbelief and injustice. Sparks leaked from his legs towards the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯m the perfect escape goat; the village would finally be able get rid of me.¡± Said Logus, the realization hitting him suddenly.


    The elder was taken back by Logus¡¯ words, his expression betraying his surprise.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    ¡°Prove your innocence to the village, tomorrow you will joi---¡± the elder was suddenly interrupted by a large whistle that ended in a bang.


    The guards at the entrance reacted immediately, two similar sounds followed as they entered the room, their usual disciplined expressions were gone, instead a worried look was engraved on their faces.


    Ignoring Logus current state they headed towards the village elder, with a small courteous bow, one of them added.


    ¡°We need to escort your grace out immediately, something terribly wrong is happening at the village walls¡± The guard¡¯s voice was rushed, but he did not fail to convey the message properly.


    Ignoring them Logus rushed outside, the privileged location of the council would allow him to observe the village from a high ground, helping him understand what was happening.


    Logus saw a faint red glow in the night sky. His eyes wide open in disbelief. The village main gate was under fire and it was slowly spreading inwards like the roots of a tree.


    ¡®Could this be related to the disappearance of the scouting force today?¡¯ Logus asked himself, he had never seen such thing happen in the village in his 17 years of life.


    With the lingering energy of his legs, he swiftly headed towards the village gate. On his way he dodged a few villagers who were too panicked to notice Logus running. Some were carrying buckets of water trying to stall the fire to spread away while others were trying to assess what was going on.


    Logus covered his noise with his scarf, the smell of burned wood and blood was too strong. The closer he got to the gates the chaotic the scene around him became. On the top of the wall¡¯s soldiers were firing their arrows. On the ground closer to the well, was the alchemist and a few of her workers tending to the soldier wounds.


    He saw a familiar face among the soldiers. It was Marcus, his left arm was missing, in its place was a cloth servicing as a tourniquet to stop the blood. His face was pale but his eyes showed unwavering determination.


    Logus approached him, he crouched to stay at eye level with him and asked ¡°What the hell is going on?¡±


    ¡°Marked one¡± Marcus replied, his voice was low and weak. ¡°By the time we noticed something was wrong it was too late, they had already climbed the walls¡± He touched his wound with his remaining hand.


    ¡°Attacked by what exactly?¡± asked Logus.


    ¡°Monsters, they look like spiders¡± Marcus replied, his gaze grew distant as if lost in thought


    Logus was at disbelief at his words. ¡®So that¡¯s why the animals at the forest been scarce lately, it was not only the winter¡¯. Logus thoughts were interrupted by Marcus¡¯s plea. ¡°Please use your powers to help us¡±.


    He would help, but only because of his mother, this was her birthplace. Logus felt disgusted by the warrior¡¯s request. Both he and the village shunned him because of his birthmark and the powers that came with it. How dare they ask for help now?


    Logus turned his back on Marcus and headed towards the village wall. He climbed the stairs towards the top and grabbed his bow. The soldiers around him looked tired, the supply of arrows was slowing growing thin. He gazed down below and sure enough a small swarm of what looked like spiders were chirping away the wooden gate. A spider in the middle grabbed Logus attention. It was bigger than the others and her fangs were sharper and larger.


    Grabbing his bow, Logus took aim and fired a small volley towards them. Some of the arrows grazed the creature heads, failing to cause any damage.


    With a quick thought Logus took aim again, this time aiming towards the creature¡¯s chest. The arrow reached its mark. Digging dip at the spider¡¯s body. The creature stumbled almost if it was crying in pain.


    Realizing this Logus screamed towards the soldiers nearby, his voice hoarse ¡°Aim for the body, it¡¯s their weak point¡±.


    The soldiers hesitated for a moment, exchanging confused glances with each other, but they quickly followed Logus advice. They knew this was a battle against time.


    Logus took aim again towards the small swarm but this time he would give them a small surprise. With a deep breath, small purple sparkles started to form at the point of the arrow, Logus short brown hair slowly reacted to the static.


    As he released the shot, as it shot forward, it left a glowing purple trail in its wake. In mere moments, they were dead. The arrow crackled with electricity as it struck one of the spiders right in the chest. The charge spread like a chain reaction, jumping between the nearby spiders. Their legs trembled violently, and their mouths frothed as the energy consumed them.


    Logus clutched his fist in celebration as he saw the effectiveness of his powers against these creatures. However, his celebration was short lived.  Shortly after a sudden impact shook the settlement walls.


    Worried Logus quickly looked down below. His heart skipped a few beats as he noticed the large spider had managed to break in the settlement.


    ¡®Shit, this is bad, really bad¡¯.