It's been three nights since I fought the mutineers of the Order, and I can't stop thinking about my experience. It was a really good hunt. The enemies were powerful and cunning, and I managed to outfight and outsmart them, the predatory part of me being harnessed in the service of a well-executed plan. this is necessary. Glemgor, Perry and you, the unknown mage, may you rest in peace in the afterlife.
Between hunting parties, patrols, and the occasional lone traveler, I stayed well fed and didn't leave anyone dry. Including tonight.
I was walking across a meadow when suddenly, something caught my attention.
Not far to my left, I felt a powerful aura, not from a person, but from a spell. This doesn't track or warn, it's a polite invitation.
How curious. Making a phone call in the middle of nowhere?
I don't detect any malice or any coercive effect in my work. In fact, this is equivalent to a businessman shouting his goods in the market.
Although nothing seems wrong, it is prudent to move on. Curiosity killed the cat, but vampires only live once...
I'm getting bored too. I should have brought a book, a romance about a rich gentleman and a poor but resourceful woman. Oh well, I was so worried about my physical health that I didn't take my mental health into consideration.
This is probably nothing too bad.
Just a quick look.
I walked towards the source of the magic. Whoever designed it made sure it couldn't be missed. I still managed to get off the trail and get closer to the edge of the grove I came across. A few minutes later I came to the edge of a vast wilderness.
This is the largest valley I have seen recently. Despite the overcast skies, I could see a mile away in any direction, so I didn't miss the strange building thirty paces away from me, nor the three locals approaching it .
The structure is a wooden pillar covered from top to bottom with carvings. I made out several human and animal heads and body parts, covered in bright colors. Branches were drilled into limbs that could hold a variety of objects, including spears and drums. This is the magic lighthouse.
The three finally stopped in front of it. They're a good bunch of people.
The first man staggered forward and was supported by the other two. I'm not familiar with the local customs, but his clothes seemed to be worn haphazardly, as if he had opened a drawer and piled together whatever he could find. Despite the various cuts and fabrics, he still managed to bare his chest in near-freezing temperatures.
He was also very drunk.
The second man was wearing a combination of Chinese and Western clothing, glasses and a bowler hat. I appreciate the effort you put into making it stylish. He looked scared.
The last man is a warrior. His scowl and muscles would have been revealed, if not for the eagle's feathers, spear, and javelin that gave him away. He had the look of a man who had lost all patience and would start a quarrel if he said the wrong word.
I observed them with fascination. What are they doing here so late?,Why?
The drunk man knelt before the statue and began mumbling and screaming curses in a language I didn't understand. His frenzied ramblings culminated in a sentence that he screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Come and eat."
What! ?
What? !
This clown is really...impossible. unbelievable. This must be a coincidence, right?
This guy quickly proved me wrong. He grabbed a bowl from the recesses of his clothes and stabbed his arm hard, causing the recipient to bleed several times. Then he knelt down and offered the sacrifice in my general direction.
The soldier couldn't bear it anymore. When he was about to take action, the man wearing glasses stopped him. They started arguing, gesturing at the kneeling madman, the statue and where they came from.
I smelled blood, my fangs sticking out despite what I was being fed. There is powerful magic in this man's blood. Drinking it can be very beneficial, not to mention delicious.
Right here, cooling in that bowl.
It would be a shame to let it go to waste.
After one last check of my surroundings, I left the safety of the woods and quietly approached the madman. My gut tells me that this is safe and that the supplicant should not be ignored.
Yes, that's right.
After a while, I drank the water in the bowl and licked the wound. The madman looked at me with brown eyes filled with wonder, and I realized he was much younger than I had imagined. He waited for me to let go of his arm, flashing a fang-like smile.
This was not the reaction I expected. Regardless, the beacon and offer mean they have an offer, and now I'd love to hear it.
"You may speak, supplicant."
The other two finally noticed me, jumping and screaming. Before the warrior realized anything, he immediately pointed his spear in my direction. His eyes turned from anger to fear, and he made no move as his companion knocked the weapon down.
I waited motionless while the madman rested his head on my lap and sighed. I hate physical contact from strangers, but his gesture was so innocent and harmless that I decided to tolerate it.
I placed a dedicated hand on the young man's head.
"Um?"
The two looked at each other, and the man with the hat raised his hat and greeted me in French.
"Good evening, ma'am, I am Iskani, from the Choctaw Nation. We invite you here because we humbly ask for your help."
He clutched his hat nervously. I motioned for him to continue.
"Our tribe is hunted by a giant cursed alligator. The beast is said to be as long as three men and as black as night. It comes out to eat a man or a child every month. We cannot let this continue. Go down.
My leader, Minko," he pointed at the warrior, "led several hunts against this creature without success. It hides, deaf to the challenges of the brave hunter. ” The warrior crossed his arms as if daring me to laugh at his efforts.
"Our shaman Nashoba had a vision. He said there might be a pale man willing to help." The man swallowed fearfully. He knows what we are capable of. He also knew that he stood in the wilderness without weapons or plans.
However, I was curious about this beast.
Baudouin told me that vampires cannot feed on animals. In fact, the blood of beasts lacks the vitality I crave. That being said, I successfully sucked blood from a werewolf, but I'm not convinced that a seven-foot-tall, fur-covered wolf hybrid still qualifies as Homo sapiens.
Of course, he's technically a cursed human, but with that form...
Can I feed on magical beasts and become stronger?
I'd love to try it. At least I can use it as a distraction.
"What are you offering in exchange?"
The translator turned to his leader, and the two argued for a moment, until the leader pointed at Nashada with a silly grin. His companion frowned, but made the request nonetheless.
"Mingko said if you kill the beast, we'll have the shaman drink it for you."
I remained silent and motionless. this is not right. Only a free man can become a supplicant. Only what is available for free can be fully exploited.
My non-response had the desired result. The two men began to move nervously, Minko holding his spear, the wood creaking.
I turned to the kneeling shaman.
If I do what your leaders say, you will give me your blood willingly.
"Forgive me, pale man, our shaman cannot speak..."
“Breed for you, and earrings for you, that you may be better hidden, thorn and hungry child.”
He blinked slowly, first one eye, then the other, like a wave. One of his pupils is much larger than the other.
This young man was as crazy as a March hare and I had to be careful not to believe a word he said. This is wrong. As soon as I reached the clearing, Nashoba appeared. Given our respective speeds, he might have left his village before I noticed the lighthouse. He also spoke in tongues twice, which is no coincidence.
It is said that genius and madness go hand in hand. Maybe there is some truth to this.
He also gave me something I didn't ask for. Earrings that can be hidden for me? Does he know why I need these things? Does he see a future for me?
This man is dangerous. Maybe I should kill him before he betrays me.
No, this is not right and the supplicant should not be harmed. What am I thinking?
"agree."
The shaman nodded as if my agreement was unquestionable. He stood up and pointed to the side of the valley, which was deeper into the native land. A low slope leads to a sparse canopy of trees, with occasional glimpses of gray water.
I nodded to his two companions as a sign of goodwill, but they just stared at me in horror. It was a bit rude, although I hold no grudge. Their concerns are not unfounded.
I grabbed my backpack and headed out, and so did they.
Once I'm out of sight, I change into my combat uniform. The clothes that were once spotless now had bloody stab wounds, bloody gunshot wounds, bloodstains and burn marks on his left shoulder. So it also smells a bit bad. I really need to stop and do some laundry.
Ariana, the vampire washing bloody rags in the moonlight. Maybe I should sing too.
I soon reached the edge of the swamp. Now, how to proceed? My prey is either in the water or next to a body of water that can hold it. Even allowing for exaggeration, this beast is supposed to be so massive that only the largest ponds would be suitable for its habitat. I have reason to believe I can feel its magic.
My plan is set. I'm going to walk along the aforementioned pond, keeping my senses sharp. I'll start on the left, circle around the swamp, and then go inward. I will use this opportunity to find a hiding place if this mission proves to be too difficult for one night.
I nodded to myself, set off, and spent a few hours searching. The swamp is eerily quiet this time of year. Wisps of mist swirled over the water and around the leafless trees. Their black limbs stretched out like the withered hands of an old woman, ready to snatch and strangle. Only the sound of my traveling boots in the strange pool of water broke the ominous silence. Finally, I found the first trace of my prey.
Under a gnarled tree root I found a severed arm. Only my keen sense of smell led me to the relatively new appendage. Its shoulder was sliced off, and I pushed it with one shoe, staring at the horrific wound.
I counted three tooth marks. The entire shoulder.
Ah ha.
I backed away slowly, almost losing my footing when I stepped on a hole. I cursed as I quickly regained my balance, stopping in my tracks when I realized what I'd walked into.
This is a footprint.
It's... quite big.
Really big.
Surely it couldn't be that big, could it? Iskani was kidding when he said the creature was as long as three people, right? That's poetic indulgence, right? Its feet are very, very big. Right?
OMG.
That thing must be as big as a damn elephant! Leave my rifle alone; I should have brought a naval cannon, no, a frigate, fully manned with naval troops!
Do I really agree to go looking for this behemoth? Am I crazy?
Forget it, better coat the whole swamp with black tar and set it on fire. The problem is solved.
I stayed like that for a few seconds, but my cold soon returned. This is a hunt. Prey is deadly, and so am I.
I strapped on my backpack, took out my pistol, and loaded a silver bullet. If a beast attacks me, I'll rely on my speed to shoot and stab it in the eye. Alligators have small brains and unarmored eyes. OK.
I hope.
After a few more minutes, I stopped when I saw something promising. Farther inland there is a small lake with almost no vegetation on parts of its shores. I crept closer, and my suspicions were confirmed. There were some stumps and dead trees, as if something huge had passed by a few times. This could be the lair of my prey. I started walking along the edge until I picked up something, a halo of life.
I left the water's edge when I realized two things. First, it didn't come from the water, but from the woods a few steps away. Secondly, this is wrong.
This aura doesn't feel like what a swamp animal should have. Yes, it's powerful, but as strong as a mountain, as strong as steel. It is indestructible, impenetrable, and ancient.
I turned toward the fire, aimed the pistol, and squeezed the trigger. Without prompting, a nightmarish form stood up.
Up, up.
In the name of……
It's an abomination! An insectoid creature covered in moss and dead grass, with two arms and two legs, and...
oh.
This is a very tall, very strong man, wearing a strange black iron armor covered with camouflage.
"Are you okay, little girl?"
With an annoyed click, I shut my mouth and holstered the pistol. I must have looked like a scared redneck just now. Shame on you! Giant insects? Please.
"Um, yes I am, thank you for your regards, sir?"
The man before me was a force of nature. He was the tallest man I had ever seen, and his shoulders matched the rest of his body. What can be seen not hidden by the armor is the scarred muscles and tanned skin. The armor itself is a magical thing. It looks like it was built from a locomotive, with tons of rivets and additions, and is shaped like a giant beetle. There are even gauges and buttons everywhere. He wore a conical half-helmet and a pair of glasses like a tinted monocle, and I couldn't see his expression. The rest of his face is covered by a thick beard that lies beneath a large, rosy nose.
Very personal!
"Rose of Skragg, girl, it's nice to meet you."
The man's voice was deep and cultured. It's much softer than I expected, even with a slightly gritty texture.
"Ariana," I replied, bowing. This is new and exciting! "Can I ask what you want to ambush here?"
"Of course. I'm hunting a giant alligator that's been terrorizing the locals."
I freeze.
Yeah?
"Maybe three Choctaws made you do it?"
"Ah, have you seen their ads too?"
Hi! Of course! They just attract everyone who gets a chance and then throw their problems at them. Is this a scam? Have I been scammed?
"Can I ask what compensation you received?"
"A few obsidian shards. Nothing too fancy. What about you?"
"A trinket, and I can drink the shaman's water."
Oops, I spoke too hastily! Instead of answering, there was a whirring and clicking sound from his helmet, and the lens of his left eye was replaced with a red lens.
"Ah, a vampire. I never thought I'd be so far away from a large settlement. Well, to be honest, I was more interested in the beast's scales, and unfortunately, it refused to come out and attack me. I had planned on it Wherever you go, you wait, but your arrival changes everything. Tell me, how did you notice me, girl?"
"I……"
I hesitate. The man raised a hand.
"I apologize for my rudeness, vampire. It's been a while since I've had a proper discussion and I'm understandably rusty."
He stood up straighter, his armor creaking and making a sound like an old barn containing him. That thing must weigh a ton!
"Hmph, hum. I, Loth of Skragg, would like to invite you to cooperate in the hunt. Since our prizes are different, there is no reason for us to compete. Instead, I would like to ask you to use your keen senses to sense my presence. In return , I will cover you and provide remote support to defeat the beast."
I didn't see a field gun on the guy.
"So, tell me, what are you going to use to pierce its thick dermis?"
"I thought you would never ask, little girl."
Loth turned and leaned forward. There were a few clanks, a few grunts, and finally he turned and proudly showed me his weapon, held in front of his hip.
"Oh my gosh, it's so big!"
He smiled as I admired his gear. Looks like a harpoon launcher taken from the deck of a whaler. It is huge and no one can use this monster.
"Yeah, just wait for me to shoot."
My poor pistol seemed inadequate by comparison. Oh, what an unpleasant feeling.
"Before I agree, I want to ask you a few questions. Buzz. You're not human, are you?"
The man stopped moving.
"What...what gave it away?"
"Hmph, you have aura, but you are not a mage, and you have your size, your strange armor, and your oversized harpoon..."
"Yeah, okay, what about my voice? My mannerisms? Close your eyes for a moment and imagine we're having this conversation in a nice salon, okay? Am I going to look weird?"
"This conversation? The one where we hunted a giant magical alligator together at night on Choctaw territory in exchange for blood and obsidian shards?"
He nodded wildly.
"Ah-ah-ah, other than the obvious, I think you sound pretty normal, right?"
"Power! You had me worried for a while, girl. It's been three months since I've had a speech for such a long time! I was worried about appearing special. You know? Borderline? Crazy? Isolation does that to you."
"I...I understand. Wait, you haven't spoken to anyone in three months! What on earth are you doing?"
"I'm looking for magical hides."
“…”
“…”
"Amazing crocodile skin?"
"Yes, miss, that will do, that's why I need your help!" When I saw the towering magic pillars erected by the lads and heard their proposals, I thought I was blessed. But that beast is cunning! It will hide from groups and things that are too big. I walked around; swearing could be heard from here to the North Pole, even showing my butt, but it was all in vain! The beast would not take the bait. I've been trapped in that armor for three days! Do you know how hard it is when your heart is itchy..."
Is there anything to blame this person for?!
"Are you okay, girl?"
With a click, I closed my mouth. I just want to know what he is! How did we end up chatting about his tickling crotch? Parameters!
"Oh, you asked me what. Well, I'm a vampire."
I stared silently.
"Hey, don't look at me like that!" I told the truth. I'm probably the only Dever on this continent, well, the only one of pure blood, who knows what he is. "
"What do you mean?"
“Well, we have a very low birth rate, and yes, we are very close to humans, most people can’t tell, so many of us just marry into human families. Why, my second wife is human! "
"What happened to her? Where is she?"
"She died of old age!" That was about three hundred years ago. "
"What?! How old are you?"
"Yeah, little girl, this is a little personal, isn't it?"
Isn't it personal to tell me about the state of his underwear? PAHs! Man, I swear.
"We're close to stone and steel. Always have been. We love metal and magic, and we use it well! Why, I built that thing myself! By the way, we love good wine, too. Girls, boys! Ah! , we could live a long time. My maternal grandfather Locri, God bless him, was already an adult when Rome fell to the Huns. He would probably still be alive, but for his succubus wife... "
I spent a good three minutes listening to this man talk about his cousins in Norway and Raponi, and things like that, and I grew more and more worried. I believe the Choctaws will not mention me, not because I trust their honesty, but because no warrior worth his salt would admit to asking a foreign woman for help.
However, I plan to kill Loth. He has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he cannot keep his mouth shut. However, the more he talked, the more it became clear to me.
Loth is a battle-hardened veteran who wears magical armor of his own making. I'd rather try my luck with a crocodile with my bare hands.
Can I wait until he lets his guard down? He can get away when the hunt is over. I can still join him in killing our prey, although I don't enjoy murdering a man who fights alongside me.
Then three weeks passed before their wives discovered the twins had switched places, hahaha! Lok
i and Takk are such pranksters!”
"Lolth of Skragg?"
"ah?"
"I suggest we kill the crocodile together. You can take as much skin as you want, I can taste its blood and then we can go back to the tribe to collect our respective rewards. Do you agree?"
"Yeah, sure, girl, it works for me. We've put it off long enough."
Whose fault is this, you tongue-tied woman! Hi!
"Then let's set off."
I walked forward, closer to the water's edge, Loth covering me from further away. When I asked him this question, he responded that trolls only go after "cute, juicy targets" and that I shouldn't worry about my "pretty head" because it could "take Francesca off a hundred paces." (F
a
cisca) into the troll's nostrils", whatever that means, so I was "as guarded as a dragon's balls". From that point on, I decided not to ask any more questions.
Loth was blunt, vulgar, and talkative, but I had no doubt he would only protect my back when I gave it to him. My gut agrees.
I don't want to fight him, but I don't want to fall into the hands of a vampire again...
We circled the whole pond without success, and the stranger led me to another lake, where our object might rest.
"You know, there's a swamp tree east of here that has bare roots. It's a little indecent, I say. If you think about it, they have their legs exposed for everyone to see."
"You know, this mud reminds me of Aunt Gerda's cooking. She couldn't cook a decent meal to save her life. We used to say, spit it out, it'll taste better the second time! I remember even that hungry fox..."
"You know, I think a vampire should say last night, because technically it was never yesterday."
He never shuts up.
I know a few nasty words can shut him up. I did not say it. It would be unwise to fight him now.
Who am I kidding, I totally understand him. He spent three months alone and now he has someone he can talk to about what happened 200 years ago without being viewed as crazy.
He's also the only Devig in the neighborhood. I know I should avoid other vampires like the plague but at least they're still around. I'm not the only one. I have Jime
a. I have my father and Ancha. Loth was alone.
How can such an old person still be so lonely?
"Okay, classmates, I hope I didn't bother you with my nonsense, right?"
"Not at all, Loth. Should we continue as before?"
"Understand that's all it is. Keep your eyes open, I guess."
Let's keep walking. The stillness of the marsh disturbed me. At the same time, I felt myself growing sluggish. There's a difference between a tedious search and an active hunt, and since I eat almost as soon as I wake up, I...
There's a voice behind me. I turned around.
Huge jaw.
Impossible, impossible! I didn’t feel anything?!
I move and it compensates. With a snap, it closed.
Her husband knows.
Dragging. its stuck. Trapped. Must be cut.
This thing was too fast, its skin was too thick, and it dragged me away. My head was overwhelmed. There is muddy water in my mouth; there is muddy water in my lungs. This breaks my heart. My legs hurt.
Ignore the pain and kill the fight.
I grabbed the silver dagger and stabbed it wherever I could reach: in my nostril, in my gums, in a broken tooth. I fight like a rage. I grabbed my chin and tried to push it away.
Suddenly, I surfaced.
I managed to open its nightmarish stomach and rescue a bleeding leg. I crawled away. The beast remained motionless.
I coughed up a mouthful of salty liquid. I turned around again. It's dead. I coughed harder.
"Ariana".
I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay...
"Ariana! You're safe, classmate, and it's over. We killed it."
"Cough, I...cough, I didn't feel it coming at all! Cough!"
"Yes, I understand now that it can mask its presence. I kept looking at the water and saw nothing. Its eyes should be visible."
I stared at the carcass of the beast. The crocodile was as big as expected and its scales were completely black. The darkness was so intense that it seemed to swallow up the light. Even the corridors of the arena have never been so dark. This behemoth's eye has a huge harpoon stuck in the hilt of the sword. Clear liquid dripped slowly from its sides.
This is an incredible shot. Ross means what he says.
After a pause, the man continued.
"Taste the blood, and then we can go back. I'll skin it at dawn tomorrow."
Yeah, I shouldn't have allowed myself to be distracted by a near-death experience with a giant lizard man.
I took the knife and stabbed it in the throat. A thin trail of blood dripped down. I had to hurry before the energy wore off.
I took a gulp.
"Ble
gh."
So bitter! It's completely undrinkable! I can feel its power but I can't stand its medium.
"Yeah, I think that might be the case. I met vampires in Boston, you know? Some of them can extract the essence from the blood of magical beasts. I think it's weird that you want to drink it raw."
He looked at me, frowning.
This sucks and I don't want him to...
"We should go back to my camp. I've got rain. Let's wash the worst off."
I looked down at myself.
This dress is completely ruined. A huge tear went from the waist down, showing my pale left leg on top of the existing damage. It's also disgustingly dirty. The walk back to camp felt like an eternity, an eternity spent pulling weeds out of my hair. Finally, we returned to the place where we first met.
"Come, sit down."
My mind is not clear. I'm exhausted now. I still had to pack my gear and find a roof over my head. This will be a closer call than I would like…
I sheathed the knife and lowered the holster. I have to wash them thoroughly, preferably before going to bed. I really need to spend an evening on supplies and cleaning...so annoying.
Loth grabbed a full barrel of wine and slowly tipped it over my head. I wash my hair and face. I took the worst parts of the dress off. I need clean clothes.
"Hey girl, that hunt was a bit anticlimactic, don't you think?" We had all the anticipation, all the nerves, and then boom, it was over in a second. It's kind of disappointing, you know. I hope there's something exciting. "
It dawned on me that I was weak and completely weaponless. He...he won't...
"I know what I want to do for a little thrill, a challenge if you will. I hear vampires are good at that."
No, he wanted a real hunt. I can't beat him, I'm in bad shape right now, he's dangerous, even deadly! Must recover the dagger, create distance, hide, first aid...
"Hey, let's do it!"
What
What? !
"What?!" I said angrily.
"Yeah, to celebrate the hunt, to celebrate that we're alive and the beast is dead, huh?" We Dve
gu
…”
His hand touches my shoulder...
I'm crying. The front of my dress was torn, but my right arm was still there. I grab around. I found a stone. The abomination had stopped moving. It was staring at me to see if I dared to act.
"Go on, try."
With a cry of defiance, I hurled the rock against its temple. I might as well have hit an iron door.
"I don't think you need to use that arm anymore."
A heavy hand grabbed my shoulder.
"NOOOOOO!"
I jumped up, grabbed the knife, and waved it in front of my face.
"leave me alone!"
At first he looked too surprised to move, then he slowly raised his hands in a harmless manner.
"You, stay away from me, don't touch me. Don't touch me. Leave."
"All right."
"You, you don't come near me."
"I'm not going any closer. I'm going to sit down."
He did it, but at the same time, he was discouraged. I knew he was my age, but he seemed like he was going to collapse. Loth slowly raised his hand, opened something, and took off his helmet, which fell to the ground with a thud. Then he waited in silence.
I realized I couldn't breathe. Ariana, the only hyperventilating creature that doesn't need air. sad.
I'm pathetic. I am very weak. I am very weak. We killed the alligator? What a joke. He killed the crocodile. I was just struggling like an idiot. I'm still very much the same monster that only lived four days before being abandoned by its owner. not welcomed. Bargaining chip. The butt of this damn joke. damn it.
We spent some time in this strange impasse. I stood there with the knife trying to regain control of myself while he sat quietly waiting for God knows what.
"I'm sorry, Ariana."
I looked up and took his measurements for the first time. Now that his head was revealed, I could see that Loth had a cheerful face, a rugged gentleman look. His hair was black and cut short, and his chestnut eyes stared at me. Now, he looks like a beaten dog. A harpooned, heavily armed, beaten dog.
I said nothing.
He waited.
Why does this happen? I've been touched before, without triggering any memories or turning into a quivering mess.
With the exception of my father, I had never been touched by a man who was not a cow or a beggar. They are all under my control.
To me, they are not men, not really. Unwilling. He is mature, strong, and we are not bound by oaths or covenants.
what do I do?
Overwhelmed, I looked up to the silent watcher. Once again, its quiet gaze gave me a modicum of self-control.
"You're a fugitive, aren't you?"
Okay, that's it. He saw right through me. Things have come to this. I shouldn't have agreed to a truce, I should have fought him right then and there.
I stood up.
"What if I am?"
"Yeah, don't get your panties in a twist. I'm asking you because, well, because I can help you."
I scoffed. Does he think I'm stupid?
‘Why would you do something like that?’ We had just met. "
I must escape. Even with his helmet off, I didn't believe I could kill him.
Loth's expression became determined. He stood up, took a step back, and methodically removed the gauntlet. I watched, mesmerized, as he picked up a knife and sliced open the palm of his hand. Blood well. smells good.
"I, Loth of Skragg, do hereby swear that I will protect Ariana's life, liberty, and happiness until midnight next year, or die for it."
A powerful wave of magic washed over me. It tasted like snow, like mountains, like hard metal, all things that were unfamiliar to me but felt like they were familiar to me. The strength of the blood oath is astonishing.
Devigour closed his fist and kissed me, keeping his eyes on me.
What?! What just happened?
I do not know what to say. I certainly didn't expect this. Lolth of Skragg, warrior and craftsman, who would die to protect me if necessary. I know this as surely as I know the sun will rise in the east. This is inevitable.
"but why?"
"Maybe I felt like a fool for ignoring all the obvious signs. Maybe it was my ruthlessness that put you through this, and I owe it to you.,Maybe..."
He paused for a long time and I waited quietly. This moment feels important. It would be blasphemous to interrupt him.
"Maybe I feel lonely."
I pondered this strange confession for a while. I couldn't understand what he said. I couldn't make them fit my image of him.
"I don't understand. You look and sound like a human being. You can drink, eat, and walk under the sun. Why are you alone?"
"You're asking me such a question at such a young age... I should have known better, Tyr." I should have noticed. Yes, humans make great companions. Did I mention my second wife Agna?"
I nodded.
"I stayed by her side until her head turned white. Eventually, she couldn't walk anymore and could barely see. She never resented the fact that her body was failing and I was going to carry on."
It was a heavy pause. The pain in his eyes was sobering.
"I was devastated when she died. I promised myself it would never happen again. By then our children were grown, so I picked up my stuff and left. I spent a century in the mountains grinding Practicing my craft. But it was to no avail. To this day, I can see her smile as a young girl, as a mother, as a mature woman, and as I held her hand because she could no longer see me. If you live long enough, you'll know it too. Human life shines brightly, but it fades quickly. I can't let myself get burned like that again."
"Maybe I'll be dead in two weeks. On the run, remember?"
"Maybe you won't, especially if you accept my proposal. To the effect, maybe a hundred years from now, you'll still be here. Humans won't, and there's nothing I can do about it. Just knowing is enough."
"Not to mention, when you talk about your nephew Rollo baring his butt to Edward I, people will start to wonder how old you are."
"Yes, little girl, you stumped me. Rollo, two bearded men, we called him later!"
"Well, after what you said and what you said, I think... I think I want to hear your proposal."
"I will tell you tomorrow. Now you can't sleep anymore, we have to find you a place to hide."
"Yes ... I'm afraid you have to carry me."
"This is not a problem ... Do you don't want to change your clothes?" You are all swamp water "
