Kaskia: A Hero's Awakening

Chapter 5

"Are you ok Ellie?" Erik asked, petting her on the head, only receiving an agitated bark in return. Erik knew it was not towards him, it was due to the fact that they were attacked. Ellie was still anxious about the battle, she was alert and sensed everything around her. She heard squirrels in the bushes, causing her ears to perk up, just to go back down when she realized what the sound was. Ellie was searching for the sounds of metal, armor, and the clanking sounds that came with the people who wore such gear. She sat on the seat of the wagon next to Erik, head darting back and forth, left to right, ears perking up and settling back down for the remainder of the day. The sky was blocked by the tree's above them. As the sun set, the life of the woods grew bleeker. Knowing that he would never make it through the woods in the dark, Erik decided to stop the wagon and set up camp for the night.

Erik pulled the wagon off the road and into a small clearing, leaving the horses tied to the carriage, and placing a block of wood under the wheels so it could not move. Ellie jumped off the wagon and searched the nearby woods, making sure there were no enemies around their camp. Erik went to the back of the wagon and pulled string and cans out of a sack, tying them together and then to trees around the perimeter. Giving him some peace of mind that he would hear someone coming, or at least knowing Ellie would hear it first and alert him to the threat. This was the usual routine that Erik and Ellie had whenever they were camping outside on a trip.

Feeling that the camp was secured, Erik and Ellie made a small fire, sat down together, and ate some jerky that they got from Terran. "Taste good doesn't it Ellie?" Erik asked, petting her on the head. Getting a yip of happiness from her as she devoured the meat. "It's getting late, let's try to get some sleep." Erik commented as he tossed dirt on the fire, extinguishing the flame. He climbed in the back of the wagon, rolled out blankets, and laid down for the night with Ellie curled up at his feet.

Erik was restless all night, nightmares of the past haunting his sleep. Memories of the war, the people he killed, and those he watched die. It had been nearly twenty years, yet the nightmares continued as if it were the previous day. He was scared that the King would come after him for deserting during the war. A blacksmith of his level that was also a skilled warrior was of short supply. He had heard that the King was furious that he had lost one of his most prized possessions. Something that fueled Erik to leave, the King was mad and sought strength. Cladon cared not for who was harmed on his crusade of power.

The sound of Ellie barking stirred Erik from his nightmares, covered in sweat. "What is it girl?" He asked, trying to focus on his surroundings. He stumbled out of the wagon, sword in hand, Ellie stood just outside, still barking madly. "Who's ever there, come out! Your cover is blown!"

"Very good little man!" The bandit leader replied, stepping out from the bushes with his ragged group. "Your dog is very troublesome."

"What do you want?" Erik replied, pointing his sword at the man. "We don't have anything worth your time."

"But you do. We were told to find someone, and I believe it's you. So, here we are little man." The leader replied, hefting his giant hammer in his hands. "We will take you alive, do not worry. Can't say the same for your little dog."

"Watch my back Ellie." Erik told her, tired of the games, he charged the group. This time, he did not hold back. The six bandits met Erik head on, one after another, they swung their swords. Slicing or stabbing at Erik, and one by one, Erik dodged, sidestepped, or ducked all of them. Erik was fueled with ferocity, he needed to end this and end it quickly. Their cover was blown, which meant his wife and children were in danger. Each time he dodged their attacks, Erik punished them, breaking their legs, hitting them over the head, or wounding them too much for them to continue. It was only a matter of minutes before it was just Erik and the bandit leader. This time, the leader was at a loss for words. It was Erik who broke the silence. "Tell Kerd that he will be next if he comes after me." At the words that Erik knew who his boss was, the leader was stunned.