A Crumbling Society

Part 2-16

"You called it your prisoner, why?"

He let out a laugh that came more from his chest, "it's still none of your business!"

"I see it my business as I so choose to help this creature, so I'll ask again, what do you want with it?". My scowl worsened.

"It killed some people, and a bounty was put on its head, so I came to collect."

"You alone managed to capture a being of such high power?"

His face changed, now realizing I know what it is, "yes I did, therefore it is now my property", his lie aiding his assumption.

"Funny because I saw four of you and a carriage earlier, and besides, no Valsyrian creature is your "property"".

The lip on the left of his mouth curled as I contradicted his statement, showing the slightest number of teeth. His eyes then moved discreetly, telling me to check my surrounding. "I'll have you know that per contract of bounty, once said object, persons, creature, place... etc. is in my possession they are henceforth seen as my property until I collect payment".

Searching around with my normal senses, I couldn't hear anything close by or trailing around the corner of the trees. "And who decided upon this contract of bounty?", I asked actually curious but a little pissed. Nobody owns anyone or any creature in Valsyri, there's a domestication list and even that's small.

"Why, the Hunters Guild decided so."

One eyebrow raised, "what's that? I've never heard of the Hunters Guild."

He looked confused, "we've been around for six years, causing trouble or making a difference depending on whom you ask."

"Yeah no, I've been gone for more than six years, never heard of you"

"Ah c'mon, we stretched out through Carrus and Blekson"

Quite the stretch, Carrus must have finally finished being built, "yeah no, like I said I've been gone, still, never heard of you"

"You're about to find out then!" He grabbed at his side and that's when I heard the other footsteps on the rocks.

Looking again I was now surrounded, the other three horsemen had joined us, each removing their cloaks to what seemed for a fight. The chests had a silver curve from the right shoulder to the left hip. One carried a chain, another the whip I heard earlier and the third a flail. A sliding metal sound told me the first guy in conversation drew his weapon as well and as I turned there was a sword sticking into the air. Four men with weapons and a Mythic passed out on the ground, no magic, and no idea what to do. I can try my best to beat each of them, but I'm screwed if I get injured, I don't think my healing will work either at this point. The man I conversed with was now inching closer to close in the gap of my circle. I ran a few feet away to keep the Mythic out of harm, I'll help it afterwards if I survive. The men followed me and thought it was funny like I was scared. We jumped right into the fight of course as the flail came down right at the top of my head and I backed up in time. Rocks flew into the air as the spikes made contact making a dinging noise. They tried to corner me towards the water which was sort of working from their perspective. I hadn't much room to go anywhere, the word swiped at me just missing my gut lurching my body. Not a second later the chain came at me towards my face, I had to come out of dodging the sword to miss this one. My foot now splashing as it hit the water, I was actually running out of room. Taking turns again, I ran from the sword only to be stopped by the chain. Ducking out of the way the flail tried to meet my face, so I flung my weight and spun. This got me out of the water but closer to being fully enclosed. Laughter filled the area as the men felt they had gotten me trapped. Finally, the one with the whip attempted to lash out, the crack was loud and powerful.