The Complete Guide to Morgaanis

Garrin Lu Basset (2)

Let’s fucking go then

Weeks of training passed, most sessions with Blodeuwedd, Cadoc sparred with Garrin the odd time. Garrin’s body grew stronger, his axe becoming more like another limb to him. 

One bright day, during the hour of prime, he hummed to himself as he cleaned the mess hall, wiping tables and gathering dishes. He jumped as a strong fist jabbed him in the shoulder. He turned to see Blodeuwedd chuckling. 

“Grab your axe,” she grinned. “You’re coming with us on this one.” 

Garrin set the bowls and cutlery down. “Wait, really?” 

“Would you rather do dishes, cub?” 

Garrin shook his head. Blodeuwedd laughed. 

The young man jogged to his quarters and grabbed his axe, then ran back to his leader. She punched him in the shoulder again, and the group headed out. 

It was an escort mission. Their job was to guard a merchant group that was travelling from Llanelle to the border of Unu, where another mercenary group would take over.

The company met up with their client, a short, stocky man with long brown hair. He had a couple other merchants working under him and was able to provide ten horses to the Winn mercenaries. Garrin was brought on at the last minute, the eleventh member of their party, and thus was told to double up with someone. Cadoc waved him over, he groaned, but didn’t have time to find another partner. 

“You can wrap your arms around me,” Cadoc chuckled. “If you get excited, you can hold it against me.” 

“Shut it.” Garrin grumbled. The horse started forward, faster than he was expecting. He yelped, and without thinking, grabbed onto Cadoc for support. 

“Buy me a tankard first!” The shorter man grinned.

Garrin groaned, “You’ll ride us off a cliff before then.” 

The road was long, the sun was hot, and just when it seemed as if it would be an eventless job, a group of bandits leaped from the trees, brandishing swords, axes, daggers and bow and arrows. 

Blodeuwedd rode in front of the merchant carriage, her feet hitting the ground in seconds. Pulling her axe from her back, she stood before the attempted robbers. 

“Are you sure you want to try this?” She arched an eyebrow. 

The bandits stepped forward, readying their blades, “A nice lady like you is going to stop us?” One burly man laughed. 

As the rest of the Winn mercenaries descended from their mounts, Garrin noted fifteen enemies. 

“Ladies first,” Cadoc nudged Garrin. Garrin scoffed and bolted towards his foes. 

Two were upon Blodeuwedd. The large woman kicked one away, then brought her axe down on the other, digging the blade into his side and knocking him to the ground. 

Garrin clashed his axe with another man’s sword. A faster weapon than his, he grimaced, quickly passing the hilt to his other hand. With speed his foe didn’t expect, he sliced upwards, his axe breaking through the man’s leather armour. The man cried out, stumbling backwards. 

“Leave these good people alone.” Garrin huffed. 

The bandit grinned, “Sorry, I don’t like my lassies goody-goody.” He lunged forward, swinging his sword at Garrin’s arm. Garrin tried to avoid it, but the blade caught him near the elbow. 

He bit his lip to keep from whimpering and slammed his axe into the man’s shoulder. The man yelped and dropped his weapon. Blood poured from the open wound as Garrin pulled his axe away.