Blood and stars

Chapter 4

The night was dark and starless the only thing that lit up the sky was a dimly glowing crescent moon. Several different creatures such as large herbivorous and hairy beasts roamed the valley along with small carnivorous reptiles. At the center of the valley stood Duncan's village. And Duncan at the moment was wearing ragged clothes while bloodied and beaten. Dark bruises and scrapes covered his skin while he was wearing shackles. He was on his knees infront of all the tribe members his uncle was yelling and cursing at him while his father the chief stood next to Duncan.

???: "Do it boy recount the events that took place!"

Duncan's father demands in a loud and angry tone of voice and Duncan with his bruise covered face and blackened eyes faces the crowd with an emotionless expression.

Duncan: "I was out hunting Scarface and I heard a roar. When I went to see what it was I found out Doran nearly killed a crocodile that I was supposed to kill. I got angry and I attacked him. We battled one and other and I killed him."

When the words leave Duncan's mouth the crowd erupts in yells and cries of anger and they hurl obscenities at Duncan. Doran's father is especially angry and a few members of the crowd have to hold him back as he screams.

???: "You fucking bastard! You God's forsaken boy! I'll kill you do you hear me!"

Duncan's uncle screams before a chilling breeze blows through the village and everyone goes pale and dead silent. They all turn to look at a wrinkly old lady with a hunched back wearing robes and beads. She carries with her a staff adorned with skulls and trinkets as she steps near Duncan.

???: "Shaman!?"

Duncan's father says in shock as he and everyone else bow their heads at the grey haired woman. She turns to look at Duncan and gives him a pat on the cheek with her wrinkly hand.

???: "You did good boy the demon has been dealt with."

The shaman says to Duncan in a raspy voice before she turns towards Duncan's uncle with rage filled eyes. The man visibly trembles under he penetrating gaze.

???: "Your all the biggest bunch of fools. This boy you have all taken turns beating and cursing fought off a demon. And you big fella your son barched into my shack, knocked me out cold and made a contract with the devil."

The shaman says while addressing Doran's father who is bewildered. The rest of the crowd gasps in horror at the revelation. The shaman then turns to Duncan and with a wave of her star the shackles holding him fall loose.

???: "Alright back to your homes the lot you! I'm too old and tired to deal with such bull crap this late in the night."

The shaman demands and the crowd reluctantly leaves and heads back to their homes. Duncan's father shamefully slinks away while Madeline comes rushing towards Duncan.

Madeline: "DUNKY WUNKY!!!"

Madeline screams as she hugs Duncan tightly and cries into his chest sobbing and wheezing.

Madeline: "Why? Why do you put yourself through all this? Why do you suffer like this? If you married me you wouldn't need to worry about strength."

Madeline says to Duncan as she looks up at him through tear filled eyes but he just gazes up at the stars.

Duncan: "I was born a sickly child Madeline I had neither the genes nor the strength my tribe has upon entering this world. What's wrong with a weakling like me wanting to become a warrior?"

Madeline hugs Duncan tighter and cries even harder.

Madeline: "Everything! Everything's wrong with it! Duncan...your...your not strong enough. You...you won't be able to become a champion when you keep getting yourself into some kind of mess."