The Lizard King

Part 3: A Dark Road

Brenner set the two pints of ale down in front of em and quickly went back to grab the pitcher. He knew better than anybody that, even though she was tiny, Marlana could more than handle her alcohol.

"So lemme get this straight girlie," she started up, "You were knocked on your ass by some freak in the woods? That's the best gotdamn story I've ever heard!" Marlana busted out laughing.

"It's true!" Kayla exclaimed, "That stag was all mine up until whatever it was literally trampled me to get to it first."

"You sure it wasn't some wolf or a bear Kayla?" asked Brenner from behind the counter, who'd come to fill up Marlana's mug.

"Bears don't leave three-toed tracks." Kayla said.

"Aye," he said, "And my dog knows how to piss in an outhouse. It was just a bear or something taking advantage of an easy meal."

"Aye to that beardie," Marlana chimes in, "What's next? Ya gonna tell us dragons are swooping in and snatching horses offa your porch? Or better yet, your mind's going the way of your mother's. Actually, that seems pretty damn likely huntress!"

At this comment, the whole pub broke out in laughter. Everyone from the doors to the bar began cracking jokes about Kayla's mother and sang songs of shame about her.

"I did not make this up! Something ripped a live stag apart right in front me and then left. I even have proof!" She pulled out the scale that was left at the scene.

Brenner immediately discounted it. "Bah! Nothing more than a rock with some moss on it. You've been living in the woods too long."

Kayla's hand slowly went down. It figures no one believes her. The story was unbelievable at best and insane at worst. That's when she noticed it: no cackling. She couldn't believe her eyes when she turned and saw Marlana sitting there quiet as a ghost.

Marlana snatched the scale out of her hands and immediately started looking it over. Kayla watched as her eyes graced over the whole thing, paying extreme attention to detail. She's never seen Marlana act like this. The way she looked it was almost as if she was...afraid.

All of a sudden, Marlana stood up and stuck the scale in a hidden pocket in her dress. "Gotta go beardie, put these ales on my tab!"

"Marlana, ya haven't had your other ales." Brenner said as Marlana made for the door.

"I ain't feeling it," she said, "I'll make up for it tomorrow." And she was gone and out the door before anyone could say another word. For a second the whole pub was silent. Marlana was in there everyday and she never quit before her fifth ale.

"What's with her?" Asked Brenner.

Kayla was wondering that herself. It looked like she was almost entranced by that scale. Almost like she was seeing a ghost. Of course Kayla didn't want to embarrass herself further...and she definitely didn't want to be on Marlana's bad side by spreading rumors. "Beats me." She said.

"Ah I get it," he said, "Don't wanna get yer arse stomped in by Marlana. Fair enough, last time she was pissed off cuz of rumors she came in and beat the shit outta my cousin with a cane. He's a stupid lad anyhow. I know she's a cunt but who'd believe she's a witch?"

Just then, the door to the pub opened and a woman stumbled in. She took a few steps forward, tripped a little, but got to her feet and planted herself at the bar next to Kayla. She looked over at Kayla and her ale and looked at Brenner. "Ale sir," she said, "So I can drink with my daughter."

Kayla didn't turn her head. She didn't even look in her mother's general direction. The last thing she wanted was to give her that satisfaction.

"Aw come on girl don't be so cold. It's a time for merriment!"

"Making merry isn't a good pastime for me." Kayla said coldly.

"Come on," she said, "Just have a drink with me. Just one."

Kayla turned and looked her mother in the eye. She saw pain. But not enough to justify herself. "You have reason to make merry. I don't." Kayla stood up, walked slowly to the door, and left without another word.

As she stepped out onto the street, Kayla could feel the knot in her stomach hardening. She never forgave her mother for crumbling like that after her father died. At first, Kayla thought she was just taking longer to grieve. That was when she was ten. Now, nine years later, she realized that she'll never be able to escape that pit. Maybe her mother just doesn't want to.

Why else would she let her own daughter nearly starve several times? Why else would she allow a girl, not yet eleven years old, venture into the woods to contend for game with wolves and bears? Why else would she shut down and drown herself in drink every night? It was all selfishness. Kayla was sure of it.

Kayla walked along as well as her freshly healed foot would allow, soon approaching the outskirts of town. The day had flown by and by the look of the orange sky, the night was coming on swift wings. Kayla didn't want to go back right now. The brigands would be out and about at this time and Kayla wouldn't be able to defend herself well. But her only catch of the day was in her house and she didn't have money to pay for dinner or housing in town. She'd have to brave the dark road ahead of her.

The sun was just setting as she began on her way. She could make for her home much faster now that Marlana had done her work but it would still take time. Meanwhile, all Kayla could do is keep her hand on her dagger's hilt and her eyes on the tree line. Every little sound was cause for concern and she stopped every time she heard one.

She couldn't help but look over her shoulder every so often to make sure she was alone. She tried to stay focused on getting home as fast as possible. Kayla's vigilance was paying off. She was only three minutes from home. That's when she heard it.

A snap of a twig. A rustle of the leaves. Is there something there? Anything? She didn't know. She couldn't stop. She won't let them take her.

Another snap. Kayla wheeled around. Her eyes searched the trees. Nothing.

Did she imagine it? Did she actually hear something? Another snap. From the same direction.

She didn't imagine it. Something was there. It's close. What is it? Is it dangerous? Another snap. Leaves rustling. Just a little to the side.

Is there another one? What is it? She can see some outline. A big shadow. Very big. How big is it?

Her hand went for the dagger. A low, rumbling sound hits her. A growl. A bear? A wolf? She pulls the blade. Now a new sound comes from the trees.

A hiss. Shivers run down her spine. She's never heard that before. She doesn't know what this is.

Kayla's eyes look down the road. Her house is just a half-mile away. She thinks about running. She looks back at the shadow. The hissing is louder now. She doesn't want to find out what it is. She can't help it. She bolts.

A loud, screeching roar follows her. Her feet fly across the dirt road. She dashes for the house. A new sound assaults her ears.

Thud. Thud. Thud. The sound is loud. Fast. They're footsteps. But not hers. It's following her. It's chasing after her. She doesn't dare look back.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Another roar. It's much closer. She can see her house. The warm light offering safety. The light in the dark.

Thud. Thud. Thud. It's right behind her. She's in a mad sprint.

Thud. Thud. Thud. She reaches for the door.

A loud roar. She almost makes it.