The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage: Wandmaker Vol.2

WM [32] Die on Your Feet

The small hunting cabin had only one window, allowing just enough light to pierce through the thick curtain to cast a dim glow on the room's grimy interior. It was a pitiful, forgotten place, all but abandoned after a monster attack had killed its previous owner. There was a strong scent of alcohol in the air mixed with the acrid smell of mildew from dirty surfaces left to rot in the oppressive humidity. The inside was one room which had everything someone would need to stage a hunting trip. A bunk bed sat in the corner next to the fireplace which doubled as the location for food preparation and it had all the tools strewn about haphazardly.

The center of the room featured a small table, barely large enough for two. Shelves and cupboards that once held the owner's treasures were now barren, scavenged by the next of kin. The cabin was a husk, much like the gnoll who occupied it.

Sabec had found this place and rented it to have a location close enough to the town that he could watch Tanisha and not be caught. The werewolves abandoned him the moment they found the hydra, it was all they were really after. He knew they found out what he was, a gnoll war merchant and as soon as they didn't need him anymore they cut ties. He didn't care, all he wanted was for the hydra to die.

It took everything from him, his mate, his pack and his children. There wasn't anything left but the burning desire to kill Tanisha. The werewolves had already mobilized to kill Bjorn and he should be dead by now. Tanisha on the other hand was not their target, they told him they would not kill her unless absolutely necessary, unless her mind was poisoned by Bjorn.

Sabec was face down on the table and looked over the surface covered in empty bottles of booze. It wasn't a celebration for the death of the hydra but a pathetic attempt to drown the regrets he harbored. He wasn't sure how he would get to Tanisha, Joha was always close by and Sabec knew he was no match for the demon. If Bjorn was dead then maybe she would slip up and leave Joha's side long enough for him to cut off her head. It wouldn't matter if Joha found him then, he could die knowing he had avenged his pack.

"Sabec has nothing left," he whispered, the words catching in his throat between sobs. "Nothing but hatred."

He closed his eyes, the alcohol dulling his senses but not his pain. If he could just get to Tanisha, if he could just see her die, maybe then he could find some semblance of peace. Even if it meant his own death at Joha's hands, it would be worth it. To avenge his pack, to finally have some closure, it was all that mattered now.

"Sabec will wait," he murmured. "Sabec will wait and strike when the time is right. This one will not let them get away with it. This one will avenge his pack, no matter the cost."

He looked through the bottles until he found one that had some alcohol left and chugged it. He threw the bottle against the wall once it was empty. He then found another and drained it as well. He prepared to throw it when the door flung open, startling and blinding him as the light flooded in.

He quickly rose to his feet and reached back for the sword he had laid across the bottom bunk bed. His blood shot eyes had to focus for a moment for the image of the person at the door to finally stop spinning. When it did his expression turned into a growling scowl. He stopped reaching for his sword and instead shambled back to the table.

In the doorway stood the one he was after. The one that ruined everything, the owner of that beast. She was different now sure, a new form likely the result of exposing herself to maya. Joha was a shapeshifter, teaching her to do the same was not so far fetched. She stood straighter, had the walk of a warrior or at least someone that saw themselves as one.

"If this one knew you were coming, Sabec would have cleaned up." He said as he plopped down in his seat.

The girl didn't say anything as she walked closer to the table. Her golden eyes locked onto him like a hawk swooping down from the clouds onto its prey. Sabec grabbed another bottle, trying to keep his hands steady enough to see which had more alcohol. He swigged it and rested it under the table so she couldn't see his hands.