Series: The Mountain: Book 1: The Awakening

Decision

"Where's Xavier?" Sylvie asked sheathing her sword, ignoring the pain as she laboriously climbed to her feet. 

"He was chatting with some of the villagers that managed to escape before I rushed back here," Helen answered swiftly, panic still written plainly across her face, "I tried to listen in but I couldn't hear anything over the commotion."

"I'll go take a look," Liam volunteered already heading towards the wagon's exit.

"I'll join you," Sylvie said, buckling her slender swords to her waist as she hobbled after him.

"Is that really a good idea?" Helen asked, arms outstretched, blocking Sylvie's path, "you're in no shape to be running around out there!"

"There's no use in me staying in here," Sylvie countered, "It's my job to protect you my lady, not the other way around."

Frustrated, Helen turned to Liam, eyes pleading for him to back her up. To her dismay, rather than helping her convince Sylvie, he agreed with her tagging along.

"Another pair of eyes are better than one," Liam stated logically, earning a look of appreciation from Sylvie. 

"Fine," Helen sighed, finally giving in, "but don't say I didn't warn you when Xavier starts scolding you for not resting."

Helen climbed out of the wagon first, followed by Liam who gingerly assisted Sylvie to the ground. On exiting, the trio was immediately greeted by a sorrowful band of villagers heading in the opposite direction. As they travelled, tears filled the eyes of their battle-worn bodies as they glanced back at what was once their home. Stepping out from behind the carriage, Liam observed the direction in which the downcast villagers were coming from. In the distance, vibrant fires raged as they consumed the tiny wooden buildings from all sides, illuminating the overcast, afternoon's sky. Staring at the rampaging flames, Liam stumbled forward, holding his head as a scene similar to the one before him flashed periodically through his mind.

"Liam?" Helen called out to him, noticing his movements, "what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," he replied instantly.

'Have I been through something like this before?' he wondered, as the feeling passed."

"Maybe you should head back inside," Helen suggested. 

"No need," Liam said holding up a hand as he straightened himself, "Stay here whilst I head out for a closer look."

Despite Helen's protests, Liam melted into the shadows as he head in the direction of the burning village. As he neared his destination, he picked out the form of a man dragging two small, distraught, children behind him. Judging from their current path, Liam ascertained that they were stragglers, trailing after the escaping villagers ahead. Deciding it was better to acquire information rather than heading into an unknown situation, he stepped out of the darkness behind a clump of trees before confronting the man. Noticing his presence, the man drew the sword at his waist, shepherding the two, teary-eyed children behind him. 

"Y-you, are you with them?" the injured man asked, barely capable of levelling his sword at Liam, "Don't you dare come any closer!"

Stopping dead in his tracks, Liam studied the wounded man closely. He was under the impression that the village had been attacked by wild beasts, however, from the man's hostile reaction to his appearance, it would seem that this was not the case. Looking over his injured body, Liam discovered various lacerations on his sword arm as well as a few bruises covering his neck and open chest. Although he'd only faced Dire Wolves thus far, to his knowledge, wild beasts seldom used blunt force, if any at all. 

"I'm not sure who you're referring to," Liam said soothingly, "but I mean you no harm."

"Let me see your hands," the man said skeptically, sword still trained on him.