Androchus made the horse run as fast as he could on the icy road. The first quarter moon had set and the light was dim. Although it was dark, the contrast between the snow and dirt was enough for the horses to find their way, and they even managed to trot slowly, confident that the road would be clear.
However, he doesn't believe the road will be clear. The thought that one of them would find a rock or a hole and break its leg unsettled him. Those disgusting, hateful demons certainly didn't help either.
It didn't help that Flower's leg seemed to be causing him more pain than expected. As soon as they were out of sight of the king's hilltop fortress, Flower began to feel the wound, and he remained huddled on the floor of the chariot, whimpering and hissing, thinking only of his wound. For the past hour or so, the boy had been restless and restless, unable to find a comfortable position. Whenever the car bumped, he stiffened violently.
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The okles also couldn't stop the tank and couldn't do anything. He couldn't even put the reins aside and bend down to look at him - horses were trained to stop moving if he let go of the reins.
Worst of all, he wasn't sure what Flower thought of him, not sure. To put things into perspective, he found this little Orc Kit and adopted him less than half a year ago. Most of autumn and early winter together, then two months of slavery. The boy was happy to be reunited with his family, but that was a long time ago, and so far his rescue operation has ended with him lying on the hardwood floor of a wagon with a nasty gash in his leg and his dad while trying to get rid of a group of hungry demons. He was clearly no longer excited.
Androx looked down at him lying there, wishing he could rest easier. However, it was too dark to see what was underneath the carriage. Maybe the gray smudge was the pair of white ears peeking out from above the blanket, and another could be its fluffy white tail peeking out from the other end of the blanket, but that's impossible. At least Flower isn't running around like he used to. Or not moving at all, really. Or make a sound. "Flower?" Andrew kicked him gently. "How are you?"
The boy shuffled under the blanket, and Ankerix saw his yellow eyes, gleaming like a cat's in the dark. "I'm okay, Dad. It really hurts. Can we stop?"
"Not yet. Is that a bandage to stop the bleeding?"
"I think so."
"Is it dripping?"
Flower paused and replied, "I don't think so. Why can't we stop?"
"We could do that, but the demons will come after me, and I don't want to fight them all at once without an army. Or with one. Or none at all."
"A demon is chasing us?"
"Can't you feel that smell in the air? That sick feeling? Makes you want to throw up, then panic and flee, then throw up again." Every demon I've ever met feels this way, except Sev. It's kind of like the killing intent that veterans like me develop after enough combat. “It’s getting weaker. I'm pretty sure we're leading. "
A strange, high-pitched sound, like a flute or a bird's call, pierced the night sky, and as they both fell silent to listen, it gradually died down before Androx could figure out what it was. Some kind of nightjar? A northern owl? Soon another shrill whistle sounded in the darkness. It seemed far away, somewhere behind them, but couldn't pinpoint it. Just like before, it repeated a series of notes and tones with no rhythm or song that he could detect. After a while, an answering call came from far ahead of them; maybe on the road, maybe on a treetop or a mountaintop—no way of knowing.
"What's under that... droopy nipple?" he muttered. He looked around carefully, worried that some new danger would leap out from the shadows on the side of the road, but there was none. The horse kept its pace, completely unaware.
Flower said, loud enough to drown out the sounds of the road, "It's not just my legs, Daddy. It hurts so much, but that's not the only thing. My insides too." He went on slowly, his The light from his golden eyes disappeared as he closed them. "The prince gave it to me." I felt weird in my heart. "
"how are you feeling?"
Hua thought for a moment, leaving them alone to listen to the rumble of horses on the dirt and the creak of axles. "I have no idea."
"Where did you feel it?"
"In me...in my heart. And my stomach. And my head."
It had been so long ago that Androx had first killed someone, and he had forgotten how difficult it was for a young man, and Flower wasn't even ten yet. Gods, what has he done to his poor children? He said very gently: "Do you think you have done wrong?"
Hua didn't answer.
"Who was that man you killed? What was his name?"
"A
thfael. prince. "
"What did he do to your family?"
"He turned us all into slaves."
"He did. What did he do to your father?"
Flower opened his eyes again, looked up, and said in a voice barely above a whisper: "He was laughing at you in front of everyone."
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Okles sighed deliberately. Then, with great difficulty, he managed to let some shame show in his voice. He made himself sound vulnerable so that his son would understand the truth. He said: "Yes, my son. He has greatly shamed me. I would rather die than be so humiliated. I endured all this for your sake. But it is not just me he has humiliated. I am the patriarch and I inherit The family name. That is to say, he brought shame to all my fathers, and to all of you. The prince brought shame to all of us. Now tell me, how did he treat your mother, your sister, and your brother?"
"I don't know," Flower said. "No one will tell me anything."
Another burst of whistles, birdsong, or something else interrupted their conversation, but Androx's speech drowned out the sounds. "I'll tell you now. He sent them to opposite ends of the kingdom. If I save you, the knights will send men to kill them. I can catch one rider, but not the other. Anyway, someone will Die before I get there, and chances are I won't be able to catch any of the riders. That's how he trapped us. Aguin and Gabi together Wolfsca
Told me they were safe, but Pepper was sent away on her own. Some ferocious demons attacked the village where he was imprisoned and captured him. He may be dead. We have Altfer and the King to thank. "
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Before okles could continue, the torrent of grief broke the dam and swept him away, and Flower burst into tears.
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Okles frowned. This was handled very poorly. He's had enough time to come to terms with it, he's been through enough death to face the pain if necessary. Flower did nothing. This conversation is about to get bogged down and kill its neck. This kid deserves better.
His voice was loud, covering up the boy's cries, and he hurriedly added: "Wait, wait. I said he might be dead, not definitely dead. Wolf Sca
Haven't given up looking for Peppe yet
. He thought he might still be alive. He's looking for a demon's village or camp, and he won't give up until he's sure of it. Neither would I. If there was nothing else, Agun could ask God. He will tell us this, won't he? If we can't find him, Partos, who looks after the orphans, will tell us what happened. "
It took some time, but Flower managed to hold back his sobs.
When Androx was sure the child had calmed down, he said: "It's too early to cry for him. He might still be out there, and if we knew he wasn't, you wouldn't be the only one crying. I offer you Promise. Now, back to the prince. You told me what he did to your father, and you just found out what he did to your family. What did the prince do to you? Just to you."
"He..." Flower paused, and Androx could barely see his son wiping his eyes and cheeks with the palm of his hand several times. "He turned me into a slave."
"what else?"
"I had to sleep in a woman's house, not a man's. I couldn't go near other children or talk to anyone. I was left alone most of the time and they barely gave me food, so I Always hungry. I had to stay in the dark unless I needed water. They would beat me for messing up, but they wouldn't tell me what to do until it was too late. I did what they said I learned to dance, but they didn't want me to do it right. The prince wanted me to mess up and be a joke in front of everyone. He made them throw food at me. Someone even threw a head at me from the wall! One was Severed heads! It almost cracked my skull!" Flowers sounded particularly painful on the last part. Then, he gritted his teeth and said angrily: "It's not my fault, right? I did a good job from the beginning. He made me screw up!"
"Before he interfered, you did everything perfectly. I saw it. You danced as well as you sang. So, after all he did to you and your family, what did you do to him?" Ender Rocks looked down at him sternly.
When Flower didn't answer right away, Androcks said, "Go ahead."
"I killed him," the boy said, so softly that the horse's voice was almost inaudible.
"how?"
"I stabbed him in the neck," he said, louder this time. "Just above the collarbone."
"And what did he do?"
"He tried to get up but he bled out and died."
"Did he deserve it?"
"Yes."
"Then did you do the right thing?"
He hesitated, then said, "Yes."
"He disgraced your father, sold your family into slavery, abused and ridiculed you. He may have been your brother's murderer. I ask again. Did he deserve it?"
"Yes. I agreed."
"If he deserves it, is it justice for you to kill him?"
"Yes."
"So did you do the right thing?"
"Yes," said the flower more forcefully. It sounded like he was convinced.
"Then don't worry, little one. Instead, be proud. Be proud of it and never forget what you have done. Never. For yourself, for your family, and for your father's name."
"Yes, Dad." Hana sounded more relaxed, or maybe more confident. As long as the memories don't torture him too much, he'll probably be fine. What the boy needs now is Aguna, her warmth, love and healing power. Gods willing, he would soon find his fiancée and she could do the rest to make sure the boy's little heart fully recovered.
They rode in silence for a while, listening to the rumble of the road and the rhythmic creak of the huge carriage. The strange whistling sound echoed in the darkness from time to time, and Andrews still didn't know what it was. The cry seemed to carry for a long time up and down the road, as if he had disturbed the lair of some beast, and it warned his companions that he would soon be upon them. No doubt they'll be pulling all-nighters.
One of the horses stumbled and the carriage staggered and hit a large bump in the road, but all was well. However, Flower screamed in agony as he was thrown against the wall. A
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Okles stopped his horse and bent down to help the poor boy settle again. With the darkness underneath the chariot, he couldn't help much, but he couldn't help but notice the flower flinching under his touch. He might just be surprised, but who knows?
As the boy settled down and the horse began to move again, Androcles said, "You know, I remember the face of the first man I killed. Can you believe it? But I remember, I remember." I only remember a few interesting ones after him though. After you do so much, they all run together. But that one, my first, I'll never forget. I was just a young man. I must have been fifteen. I told you before; it was my first fight. I shot him in the eye with my spear and then shot him in the chest as he dropped his shield. My friend They all cheered me on, right in the middle of the fight. But what do you think I did that night to celebrate?"
Flower looked up, her cat eyes sparkling. "Did you and your friends drink? Were there any girls dancing?"
"That's a good guess, but you're wrong. I went to bed early and huddled in my tent all night, afraid that the shadow of the dead man would appear and curse me. I was so scared that I cried, and Tas rested my head in his arms, Until I fell asleep. I didn't fall asleep very quickly. To save my dignity, he never mentioned it again and no one else knew about it. No one would give me any trouble because even at that age, I had He’s the biggest guy in the army.”
In the silence that followed, Anjax was sure he heard Flower's jaw drop open.
"What, you thought I'd never be young enough to be foolish?" His shadow never appeared, in case you were wondering. "
The flowers may smile back. It's hard to tell; the boy's teeth don't catch light the way his eyes do. However, he doesn't seem as agitated as he used to, and maybe he's found some peace.
After a while, however, Androx began to wonder if admitting such a thing was a good idea. Flower has seen enough of his weaknesses lately. His once revered father was humiliated, degraded, enslaved, and defeated in battle by a barbarian.
What did the boy think of him now? It had been almost two months since Androcles had given his family into slavery. It seemed like an anxious, depressing time for him, but not long; it could have been worse. There wasn't even a season, and he was worried he would have to wait several years. But how long seems to have passed for Flower and others? A lifetime? For children, the passage of time is different. Does the boy still love him as before?
The further they rode in silence, the more Angelus wondered what Flower was thinking, but he didn't ask. How could he say that without looking stupid? It became unbearable. Even the strange chirping birds began to upset him every time he heard them, calling each other from horizon to horizon with their strange songs without melody or rhythm.
Flower seemed to notice his discomfort, or at least react instinctively. The toolbox became restless again, rolling back and forth as he tried to get more comfortable. Finally he gave up and stood up carefully, holding on to his injured leg and clutching Anchorex's woolen shirt for balance. He gasped in frustration as he tried to find a comfortable standing position, but never quite succeeded. A
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okles moved the reins to one hand and supported Flowe with the other
, which seemed to work.
The boy kept looking up, as if he had something on his mind. Androx could guess what was going to happen next. Flower would blame him for getting them into this trouble, and he would be right. He may ask for some kind of favor. Gods be damned, he might just want to go back to his people and end all this pain, and let his new family be snatched away by crows. Ankrex braced himself for what was to come, and a wave of fear began to pound in his chest.
"Dad," Flower said at last, his voice gentle and thoughtful, "I don't think Pepper will die from this. If the devil came to kill the stone man, he would hide, wouldn't he? If Scar hides, He couldn't find Pepper either, so neither could the demon. Wolf Sca could see better in the dark than me and Pepper. That way Pepper could sneak away. Wolf Sca
He must be found. "
Andrew breathed a sigh of relief and almost laughed. Fortunately, he got a hold of himself and thanked Patos for his kindness to the boy. He replied in a suitably thoughtful tone: "That's true. Pepper could shave a mouse if he wanted to. But a wolf can shave
Finding him missing, all the people were talking about the devil stealing their children, so we couldn't imagine where else he would be. "
"I bet he's hiding with his family. He's going to go to another family where he can be warm, right? He's not going to... try to wait in the snow."
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Okles sighed. Pepper would literally wait in the snow, or try to walk to where he thought Androx was by himself, and freeze to death. It doesn't help that this little mouse always overestimates himself, and he often does stupid things he wants to do. However, he couldn't tell Hua this, so he said: "Pepper is very smart. He will hide in a warm place. If the devil doesn't catch him, Wolf Scar will find him."
Flower raised his head again, grabbed Androll's shirt higher with both hands, and said: "Dad, if he is caught by the devil, you will bring him back, won't you? You won't Leave him?"
The boy raised his head unwaveringly, his brows furrowed in worry. He tightened his grip, and Andros answered hesitantly.
A bunch of demons... It's one thing to be bold, but that's crazy. But Androcks has made a commitment. He said: "I told Scar Wolf that if he found Pepper, to tell him I was coming for him. It was an oath, so I didn't have much choice, did I?"
As the gods bear witness, he had no intention of making such an attempt. To the handsome little rascal, death was almost better than abandoning his oath to his father and having everyone die over something so hopeless as attacking an entire demon horde. King Lugobelenus had dozens of guns, while Androcles died with almost no guns in battle with the king and his princes. If it weren't for the charming singing voice of the flower, I would have died long ago.
The king and prince knew magic that Androx thought was impossible, but even they did not have a complete tribe. There are only a few dozen. So who or what rules the wild demon that took Pepper away? What kind of monster could control hundreds of people at once?
"How long until we find Agun and Gabi?" Flower asked.
Androx smiled and snorted. "Don't know, kid. Not at all. I'm not even sure this is the right direction. I think it is, but I'm not sure. I hope the wolf sca
Can find us before the king. Aguun and Gabi are in the north, that's all I know. Remember wolfsca
How bad is the command? Imagine him trying to tell me how to find something that's days away. "
Flower moved his cheek closer, hoping he wasn't too cold because he was bleeding under the bandage. He said, with a hint of mirth in his voice, "I remember one time he said, Gabby dropped her glove next to something red, past something green, and behind it was a strange rock. 'Do you remember that?' We After riding for a while, he didn’t want to get it himself because he was tired.”
"I do remember. He was right too. Once you understand what he meant, you will see that he was right. It didn't work at all before..."
Another shrill whistle sounded in the darkness, and Androx interrupted.
"Dad, do you know what they are whistling to each other?" said the flower.
"Huh? You...who are...why, what?" Androx said. "Let me try again." What do you think that sound is?"
"It's people putting their fingers in their mouths like this -" Flower said, demonstrating by placing his index fingers on either side of his mouth, "and whistling. But the songs they do are different. They're different, but there's something Parts are the same. They do these parts the same, but not in the same places—" Here, Flower pursed her lips and whistled more quietly, imitating the sound, "but the rest is different."
Androx looked down at his son with a frustrated half-smile. Hua raised her head, saw it, and asked sheepishly: "What?"
"I don't know whether to be proud of your intelligence or angry. By the gods, boy, you are the bastard son of the Muses. That's not fair to us mortals."
Hana smiled a little shyly for a moment as he tried to figure out how to respond. Then his eyes suddenly opened wide and he said, "Oh! Dad, they're talking! They're sending messages about us!"
It's a fairly obvious connection once people realize it's men whistling making the sound, but who would have thought they'd have an entire fleet of spies standing out in the cold waiting to send a message? The speed of communication must have been amazing, though. The message will outrun the fastest horse. Maybe even a bird, for that matter. The fact that calls were going back and forth on the road indicated two-way communication, which was unheard of. No doubt the message was something along the lines of "The King's trophy bunny just passed me." He's still on his way. “All the armed men loyal to the king for miles around should now be aware of the pursuit.
Androcles was freed, lost his silver, and one of his sons was riding in the grand carriage. Things were supposed to get easier from now on. This is not funny at all.
Hua asked sadly: "What do you think they are talking about?"
"They're setting up an ambush." A dark feeling of fear and anger came over him as he began to realize just how bad things could get.
