Cult of the Lamb : The Man in the Forest

Chapter 1: The Brute

Aym nearly fell over as he dodged the next swing. He managed to escape the worst of it, but the sharp blade left a shallow gash against his cheek. In this moment of uncertain balance, his relentless foe struck again. The blow landed into his chest with surprising force, knocking him to the ground. It took him a moment to regain his breath. Once he did, he sat up with a huff, and wiped the blood from his face with his forearm. Upon seeing the red now smeared in his robes, he nodded approvingly.

"Very good..." He chuckled a little and took his daughter's extended hand. She helped him stand, beaming with pride in herself.

"Does this mean I beat you?" Merida smirked from beneath her wooly, black curls. Aym rolled his eyes, picking up his staff from the ground.

"I suppose you have, but don't let it go to your head." She practically cut him off with a loud whoop of joy.

"Ha! I knew I could do it!" She grinned, pumping her fist in triumph.

"You shouldn't be so cocky, Merida. You'll underestimate your enemies with that attitude." He motioned for Merida to follow him back towards the temple. She did so, mostly out of the desire to gloat.

"Oh, let me have this, Dad." She chuckled, "I've never beaten you before, I want to bask in it for a bit." She gasped, "I can't wait to tell Uncle Baal! He's going to be so proud!"

"He'll never let me live it down either..." Aym sighed. Once past the massive group of followers sitting at the shrine, the temple came into view. Merida wasn't surprised to see her twin sister, Lydie, sitting on the steps beside Cassius. Attiscesus and Aurelia had two children, Cassius was one of them. He was a strongly built, white ox, and only a year younger than the two girls. Lydie had been utterly obsessed with the boy for as long as Merida could remember. The two had begun a relationship some months ago, and tried to hide it from their very protective father. Aym was smart though, and Lydie was terrible at lying. The moment Lydie's eyes met Aym's her hand pulled quickly out of Cassius' grasp to land innocently in her lap. Merida couldn't resist the snort that escaped her at the feeble attempt. How stupid could Lydie be? To hold hands with her supposedly 'secret' boyfriend right on the temple steps, in plain sight. Their father had certainly noticed it as well, he stopped before the steps, watching his daughter with that disapproving, stoic stare that Lydie had come to know too well. "Dinner will be ready soon, go inside, Lydie."

"But, Dad..." Lydie pouted.

"Go now, help your mother." He spoke sternly. Lydie slowly stood, glaring at their father. She turned and stormed into the temple with a dramatic fury that nearly caused Merida to crack up. "Cassius, you should get home too. Don't keep Aurelia waiting for you."

"Y- Yes, sir." The ox rushed off. He certainly didn't need to be told twice. Merida smirked a bit at his cowardice, it was amusing for someone so bulky to be so easily intimidated. She followed Aym inside the temple and on to the back. He opened the door that led into the main room of their home behind the temple walls. Mir̃alai peaked out from the kitchen doorway, her brow furrowed.

"What happened to Lydie?"

"I made Cassius go home." Aym answered simply, resting his staff against the wall.

"Aym... She's nearly an adult now, surely she can-"

"No, she cannot. She is too young to have a partner, Mir̃alai. I will not be swayed on this." He spoke with finality as he strode across the room towards their bedroom. Mir̃alai shook her head and turned her attention to Merida.

"You, go wash. Dinner will be ready soon. And see if you can convince her to eat at the table."

"What, is she throwing a fit in our room?" Merida sighed, crossing her arms. She was so tired of Lydie's childish behavior.