Darak 1 - Smoke and Flame: Part 1

CHAPTER 4

The minotaur was met with a beautiful, dark blue sky and a slightly pink horizon. He felt refreshed. Loving his new ax and outfit.

While he wasn't normally one to think of what he'd do in the future, he had no choice now. No longer would he have his normal chores to do. No longer could he just wake up and know exactly what was going to happen. A new and dangerous world awaited him.

Darak found a dirt road. A dirt road meant civilization, it meant that he would be closer to the one who burned his cabin.

The sounds of screams interrupted his thoughts.

He wasn't a lean fighter, he wasn't much of a climber, Darak chose to hide behind one of the various large trees which stood to one side of the large dirt path.

He lied on his belly, where the tall grass would somewhat mask his brown fur. The minotaur heard the voices of men and the soft cries of women and children, nearing closer and closer.

A large cage on wheels slowly revealed itself and lurched its way towards where Darak hid. A massive brown draft horse was pulling the metal object. Inside the moving cage, three women and two children were crammed inside, crying and whimpering. Covered in bloody whip marks. Wearing nothing but cloth shorts.

The soldiers who walked with the cage were dressed in silver metal, talking about the events of the day with laughter. The rider of the horse remained silent.

Fearlessly, Darak stepped in front of the horse. The stallion neighed in fear as the minotaur glared at the soldiers, the cage, and the rider.

The rider looked upon Darak's bulky frame, his leather kilt and the long golden ax slung over one shoulder.

"State your business, beast." Pulling the reins, the horse came to a complete stop. The four soldiers who accompanied the cage drew their weapons and approached the minotaur.

The captured women and child said not a word. Didn't cry one bit, for fear that the monster might attack them.

"Darak. Is my name." He spoke in a deep, thundering voice.

"Well minotaur, step out of the way or I'll have your head." The rider wearing a black cloak drew his sword and dismounted from the steed, who nickered. The animal stood, nervous. Ears perked.

"Release the people. Darak demands you." Extending a long muscular arm, he narrowed his blue eyes and pointed to the cage.

"Are you a simpleton or something?" Chuckled one of the soldiers.

"Darak said. Remove. The. Prisoners." He held his ax defensively.

"You can't even speak properly." The rider, a younger, cocky man with a brown beard and short haircut, proclaimed. He struts to the minotaur, twirling his sword theatrically. Destined to be one of those 'kill the monster and rescue the damsel' types. He was handsome, and he knew it. "I'll ask once more. Step aside, fool."

He placed the blade of his sword on Darak's neck. The beast felt the edge of the cold metal against his fur.

Darak sighed deeply and with two large fingers, he gripped the blade with a grunt and tug, broke a part of the sword clean off.

Filled with rage, the rider swung to hit the minotaur's neck, but Darak dodged this easily and kicked the man. A kick from a minotaur wasn't too dissimilar from a kick from a horse. The force from the blow sent the rider flying and landed on his shoulder. The muscle was pulled instantly, causing the rider to writhe in pain in the dirt.

The four soldiers ran for the minotaur, swinging in different directions, yelling profanity.

They cut the beast on the top of his hand, but with one mighty swing of the ax, he killed three of the soldiers in a row. Blood flew in a circular motion, splattering the trees and Darak. Dead bodies collapsed to the ground with large gashes. Bathing the ground in dark red blood.

Darak picked up one of the remaining soldiers by the throat. The knight cowered in fear and the minotaur threw him. He landed against a nearby sharp branch which jutted out from the tree nearby. Acting like a spike-the branch impaled the soldier's gut, and he yelled loudly. His impaled body hung limply from the sharp branch, blood dripped down the trunk of the tree.

People in the cage were beyond stunned, seeing how quickly Darak took care of their problem.

Darak approached the cage, gripped the locked door, and gave a large yank and a grunt. The lock fell to the ground, and Darak tossed the door into the woods.

The Clydesdale who pulled this cage didn't seem to react to any of the actions going on. He was busy munching on some nearby grass.

Three women quickly got the children out first. They were maybe four or five years of age. The women were probably in their thirties.

"Thank you, mysterious beast, for saving us. The Gods must have sent you. I am Felicia, the other two women are Abina and Adzo. The two children are Duku and Likem." Felicia shook Darak's hand. Never had Darak heard an accent like hers.

The children were close to the minotaur, looking up at him with inquisitive brown eyes. Their hair is curly and cut short.

Darak had no sense of other countries or cultures. He took notice that four he rescued had dark skin-but they were kind, and that's all Darak cared about. In fact, he felt terrible that they held very nasty-looking scars and bruises.

"Darak. Is my name. Why you hurt?" The beast's ears lowered as he looked at Felicia's smaller frame and height.

"Because those who are different in this world get taken advantage of."

"Darak doesn't like seeing people hurt." He kept calm.

"Queen Adina's men hurt us. She wanted us. For hard labor-and who knows what else? Townspeople say she is a witch. And needs blood to stay young and healthy. The queen is nasty. But do not repeat that. Or she'll have your head. Stay away from her, minotaur. We wish we could repay you." Felicia nodded, petting his soft hand.

"Darak will find the queen," Darak spoke heroically. The children still stared at him in awe, but he didn't take notice.

"You probably shouldn't. You are a mighty warrior, but she has a lot at her disposal." Adzo spoke. She had golden earrings, which Darak admired.

"Darak will go. And slay her." He insisted, glancing at his golden ax.

"If you must go, I suppose there is no stopping you. However, is there anything we can do for you?" Felicia sighed deeply.

"Darak likes the golden hoops." The minotaur smiled softly. He gestured to Adzo kindly. With a smile, Adzo gave the beast one of her gold earrings. He kissed her hand.

The beast looked at the soldiers he had killed, realizing he needed some armor. And the garb of the dead men may be a perfect fit.