Faded Scars Trilogy

Chapter two: Moon Behind Bars

Looking Back

Chapter two: Moon Behind Bars

They walked a short distance into the forest and crouched behind a small hedge.

  I looked through the hedge and couldn’t believe my eyes.  A small tent camp of soldiers was hiding in the forest just outside the town.  A long cooled anger inside me began to rage anew.  I wanted to tear into camp and seek revenge for my mother and my village.  Sensing my urge, Nuvola pounced on me as I started to push through the bush.  Her weight pinned me down on the soft forest floor.  I took a few deep breaths to calm myself.  “Let’s avoid killing our self, shall we?” she said, removing her great paws from my chest.  I nodded and stood up.  “Let’s go back and tell the town.  I don’t want another village burned,” I said, gritting my teeth, the images of burning Inizio dancing through my mind.  The wolves simply began walking back in the village’s direction, but I could feel their shared anger rolling off them. 

            I entered the town and walked back into the shadows where the man had pulled me aside.  He was still there and attacked me the second I entered.  “Relax!” I said, dodging a spear point.  The man froze, recognizing me.  “Sorry,” he said, lowering the spear.  “I know where the soldiers are hiding,” I said bluntly.  He looked surprised and asked disbelievingly, “Where?”  “The forest,” I answered, “Bring your men and we can ambush them.”  He nodded and ran off.  I felt surprised he would trust me so easily.  I waited for a while before he returned, followed by about twenty men.  I heard some of the men snicker.  “Before you criticize me,” I said to some of the men whispering to each other, looking them dead in the eye, daring them to look away, “I’ve survived a rebellion.  You haven’t yet.  Trust me on this.”  They instantly silenced their whispers and some even looked at me with something resembling confusion and respect.  “Come,” I beckoned and began to lead them to the forest.  I showed them to the camp and they began to become nervous at the sight of so many soldiers.  The man I had encountered earlier, apparently the leader, signaled for them to fan out.  The setting sun hid the silent men in shadow.  Two half amber half blue eyes peered out of the shadows.  “Stay put,” I whispered.  They blinked and disappeared ruefully. 

            The man, apparently the rebel leader looked around, making sure all men were in position.  “Now!” he yelled suddenly and the villagers charged into the surprised camp from all directions.  The startled soldiers sprang into action, grabbing swords.  One soldier caught sight of me and smiled.  I recognized him instantly, his face forever burned into my memory; he was one of the two soldiers who attacked my town!  If I remembered correctly from my blurred memory, his name was Gemein; the word seemed to leave a vile taste in my mouth.  I pointed my sword at him in challenge as I had done that fateful day.  The world seemed to blur around me in a flurry of noise, motion, and color.  Only Gemein remained in sharp focus.  He came toward me, whispering something briefly in his comrade’s ear.  His comrade ran off, probably to spread a message.  The soldier drew his sword and charged me.  I sidestepped his attack and tripped him.  He toppled but sprang back to his feet.  I was not afraid of him anymore.  He attacked me again, slashing to the head.  I ducked and countered with a slash to his forearm barely missing the artery.  He grunted angrily and made a wild swing.  I parried and dodged another strike.  I danced around him tauntingly.  He feinted to my head.  I went to parry as he swept his blade around, making a long cut across my abdomen.  I doubled over in agony.  I had never encountered such a maneuver, particularly one so crippling.  I righted myself, clutching my stomach with my other arm.  He laughed at me.  “Children shouldn’t play with swords!” he taunted.  “I am not a child,” I replied, trying to remain calm.  Why must I always be called a child?  He attacked me again and I sidestepped, tripping him.  I quickly placed my foot on his back and pointed my sword at his neck.  “Drop your weapon,” I commanded.  He released his sword and I put in underneath my other foot.  “Ironic isn’t it?” I jeered.  I raised my blade for the final strike. My life was climaxed to this very point; vengeance was at hand!