It's strange. He isn't supposed to be here. Noises drift through the trees at a distance. I turn my head to see the Duke's men approaching. My plan is about to unravel and yet I cannot relish in the moment with a pest in my presence.
The crackle of branches in the fire feels soothing.
"You look relieved," he says, his tone deep, and calculated.
I glance over to him, but he has disappeared. Like a fox, gone without a trace. It becomes unnerving, something about him seems unhuman. No time to rattle my head about this strange character, I focus on the oncoming troubles. I mount on Orphnaeus, and wear the hood of my cloak.
I shiver in excitement, smiling ear to ear. I ride up to the group as they travel closer to me. I request to be part of the group, seeking companionship to the next town over.
"Just, whatever, as long as you don't cause a ruckus," the officiant shoos me away.
Stepping aside, I allow them to pass me to join the back of the group. I walk with them, keeping silent, plotting. They argue among themselves over how to split the bounty for my capture. I stare at them with animosity, murderous intent.
"What's that?!" a beer bellied man whips his body towards the back.
"What's wrong with you old man!" another man confronts him.
The beer bellied man storms down to me,
"It was you wasn't it?! That killing intent!" he grabs my collar, lifting me slightly off the ground.
"Please let go sir, that wasn't me, I swear." I put on a show.
"Show me your ID," he snarls.
I give him my identification card and tell him I just received it this morning. I act weak, innocent, unintelligible. People from the crowd begin to take my side saying someone as inexperienced as I cannot have expressed something so surreal.
He lets me go and I fall to the ground.
"I'm watching you," he says before he stomps away.
Oh, how intriguing. He dares to insult me?!
I keep my facade as an overly friendly, and an awkward person. They announce, they will need to rest soon. I decide to gain their trust. I begin helping to set up camp, serve food, and even pretend to drink with them. I wait alongside Orphnaeus, watching them get ready to sleep soundly without a care in the world. The high troll should be nearby, taking its stroll through the field.
"Wait here boy, I'm going to get something for us. Come get me when you see me running to you," I whisper to Orphnaeus.
I rise to my feet, and discreetly walk with each snore. I walk up to the watchman, guarding the camp, while everyone is asleep.
"Hey, are you not going to sleep?" he asks, tired, eyelids heavy.
"No, I used to work as a night watchman for a noble family. I'm used to the odd hours," I lie through my teeth, chuckling.
"Oh!" his face lights up, without a second thought he says, "then you wouldn't mind taking over," he chuckles.
"Not at all," I smile.
I watch him find a spot and close his eyes. Within seconds, he's in deep sleep, snoring the night away.
What a bunch of fools.
I quickly get up and walk with long strides. As soon as I gain enough distance, I begin to run.
This might be the craziest idea yet!
I spot the high troll in the distance. Without a second to waste I shout.
"Hey! You fat troll!"
It turns, eyeing me as I flail my arms and jeer. The high troll roars, sending a shockwave. I wait for it to take a step towards me, continuing to taunt.
Boom— Thud!
It's moving, trampling over anything and everything in its way. I bolt towards the camp, panting, laughing.
I can't tell if I'm laughing from excitement or fear…
I glance back making sure the troll was following me. It raises its staff to the sky and begins casting. Hurdles of boulders flying my way. I weave left and right while running, trying to dodge.
The vibrations as the boulders fall near me make me stumble. I roll on the ground, scrapped and bleeding. I look up to a boulder coming my way. I scramble to my feet and bolt.
Getting close to camp I see the beer bellied man standing with a torch.
"I told you he was no good!" he points toward me.
They are holding onto Orphnaeus as a hostage.
No!
"Run boy!" I scream as loud as I can.
Orphnaeus, hearing my shout, goes wilds. Kicking everyone around him, stomping on people, he runs toward me. Gasping, clutching my cramping sides. I grab a stamina potion and chug it down.
Orphnaeus arrives, I seize the reins, and swing onto his back.
"Let's go!"
The men become alert seeing the high troll behind me. They get ready to attack, not only the troll, but also me. I feel the energy coursing through me, and without casting a spell, I use my power.
I trap them in a ring of dark flames. Distracting them from their inevitable demise stomping their way. When the troll gets near, I use my dark flame on it. It becomes angrier, and casts spells while waving its club. Killing everything, everyone. Blood splatters and rains.
I escape right between its legs. Watching them be slaughtered, as I hide in the dark. The troll's anger ceases as it finishes killing the last of the men. It walks away, into the fields where it came from.
I wait for it to reach a certain point, before I make noise. I come out from hiding,
"Let's go collect some goodies," I say to Orphnaeus, like a child waiting to receive gifts.
I dismount near the wreckage and tell Orphnaeus to wait. I skip joyfully in the pool of blood, humming a tune, scouring for money.
"Where was it?"
I search every nook and cranny.
"Ah! There it is!" I say gleefully, hugging the mini chest full of gold.
All that is left is the crackle of the flame. I walk to it and with a forceful kick to the ground, the blood splashes on the fire. A slow fizzle to complete silence.
Ecstasy.