Flame of the Huntress

Toss a Coin

The viking stumbles back from my blow to his jaw, wiping blood from his obnoxious mouth, "You bitch", he spat.

I continued to prowl around him, wiping the hair from my eyes, "Aw, upset?" I mock, "I personally think red is your color," the crowd roars in laughter, he scowls–how menacing.

Before the disjointed brute of a man can blink, I sprang behind him wrapping my legs around his bulking neck with a somersault, smashing his already bruised face to the ground. One minute he was laughing at the woman who challenged him, now he has just been knocked unconscious by her.

Unhooking my legs from around his neck, I prop myself up on one knee and look down at him, "Next time," I whisper to his pathetic face, "Don't underestimate a woman." Wiping sweat from my forehead, I stood victorious, the crowd cheered.

  ~~~~~~

    I rolled a gold coin between my fingers while walking through the dimly lit city.

The rest of my reward is carefully stowed away under my dress. There should be plenty for new attire and dinner. A sigh escapes my lips at the thought of a fresh, warm pair of leather pants and a full belly.

There are less people crowding the streets, but luckily the vendors are still selling.

A small clothing shop catches my eye. It's filled with leather and darker clothing–Perfect.

A bell chimes as I enter the old wood door, "Welcome," A scratchy voice from some place in the store says–or more like screeches.

I hear the woman's footsteps before she appears in front of me. Her voice perfectly matches her rugged appearance–back hunched in half, hair like salt and pepper.

She gives an unnerving smile through yellow decaying teeth, "Aren't you a pretty girl," Her breath reeks like decaying bodies, "What would you like?" I can't help my shiver at her question, from any other person I would think the gesture to be innocent, but from her it makes me wish my dagger was back on me. She walks through the store, disappearing behind the clothes, I hear her voice again, "I have a few dresses in the back".

"That won't be necessary," I walk through the clothes, trying to find anything suitable so I can get the hell out of here.

I grab a pair of black leather pants and a jacket–this will do for now.

I head over to the table so she can ring me up, keeping a wary eye.

Wow. My eyes are fixed on the ornate daggers in the glass table.

"Aren't they beauties?" I shift slightly at the woman who is now in front of me–how did I not sense her? Her eyes glimmer with the same lust for weaponry as my own, then looks up at me with a new amusement.

God, this woman is damn creepy.

I toss the leathers, covering the daggers, "How much?"--so I can get the hell out of here I might add.

Her black orbs squint, "Just a small price", she gives a repulsive smirk and licks her lips with a black tongue.

I reach for my bag of gold, "Name your price," I give a bargaining smirk.

She doesn't give a moment's glance to the shining golds, just keeps staring at me, "I don't sell for money," She gives a muffled laugh, sending chills down my spine, "The leathers for your head"--Wait, Wha-

    In unnatural speed for anyone, nonetheless an old woman, she leaps over the glass pinning me to the ground. My head aches at the impact, Shit.

    I hold on her arms away from my face for dear life, "Come on," Her breath is hot against my face, the repulsive smell threatening me to hurl, "Just one bite", she emphasizes her words with a bite in the air –her teeth now silver and jagged–

Shit, she's a damn witch–double shit.

I awakened my power, burning her arms. She screeches–a horrid sound, giving me enough time to kick her off me.

    My head is spinning but I quickly get to my two feet. The witch immediately jumps towards me, claws aimed for my throat. I dodge her deadly blow, but she manages to scrap my cheek. Never have I encountered a witch, let alone an ironteeth.  I knew the tales of their strength–but none has done their speed such justice or their breath.

The blood pours down from my cheekbone–Now, she's dead. My arms ignite in a giant white flame.

The ironteeth witch starred in astonishment, "What remarkable power," her voice sctahing as her dark power looms over me,"So raw and powerful", we continue to circle each other waiting to strike, "How delightful your fiery blood will taste," She leaps once more, and I shoot my fire aiming for her legs. She screeches in pain as my hit lands.

Before I can shoot another burst of flame, her darkness wraps around my body thrifting me from the ground. A wave of panic washes through me, as I try to break away from the hold that's about to squeeze me to death. A malicious laugh echoes through the store, as the world spins and I smash into something sharp and shattering.

Pain rushes through me, I can feel a plethora of gashes all over me.

She threw me on the dam table–or was once a table.

The witch comes looming over me, limping on her burned legs, a hint of satisfaction at her struggle comes, but it is overwhelmed by my pain. I try to move but I can't– my legs are frozen.

I look down in horror at the dagger now lodged deep in the back of my thigh, my breaths come in uneven pants as I watch the pool of blood beginning to form.

Everything comes in blurs, her power in jagged spears–ready to pounce once again–the witches iron teeth gleaming in a wicked smile ready to rip me to shreds.

The dagger– I rip it out of my thigh, biting down a scream at the unbearable burn that shoots down my entire leg. All I see is an open mouth and darkness, before I quickly inflame the dagger and throw it straight through her heart as hard as I can manage.

Blue blood sprays, shrieks fill my ears and the darkness falls away–bullseye.

I stay on the table for a few moments until her shrieks die away and her eyes go dull.

                         ~~~~~

    Once the pounding in my head calmed down, I burned the witch's body, wrapped a cloth around my thigh, all but smoothly put on the leathers–which hurt like hell with all my new scratches and gashes, and pulled out the gold dagger with a purple stone in its handle from the witch and sheathed it in one of my thigh straps.

    I am more than exhausted, my limbs weak, stomach starving as I finally buy a meal and spend the next hour consuming as much food-and some whiskey-as I can afford.

    My wounds are slowly healing, but I am in no shape to continue my mission tonight–My mission.. gods, I completely forgot about the dam High Lord and his dogs.