Erika, A Barbarian's Tale

Chapter Two

The men sat in the corner of the tavern, discussing approach, tactics and escape. Weapons were strewn about, and the general demeanor on the men's faces was one of grim desperation; illuminated by several flickering candles.

But these men weren't city guards, warriors or soldiers, they were farmers, and the weapons were pitchforks, wood axes, and daggers... with only one ancient sword in the bunch.

One man, dressed in a cloth shirt and simple trousers, pointed at a spot on the roughly drawn map. "Here, this is where they are holding him. This is where they are holding my boy."

"If we all attack at once, we may be able to kill enough of them to free your boy and run these bastards out of the region," another offered.

"No, we should sneak in under the cover of darkness and free your boy, and then kill as many as we can on the way out," a third suggested. The group nodded in collective agreement... along with a general feeling of insecurity.

"Then it is agreed," the first replied. "We will sneak in and slaughter this scum, and then..."

"Whatch'er goan do is getch'er selves killed," a feminine voice stated.

The men turned to see a redhead sitting at the edge of the bar, sipping ale. "Be gone, woman, this doesn't concern you."

"No, it doan concern me. What does concern me is money, and fer 'nuff 'ov it I will bring yer boy back alive."

"But... you're just a girl. We are the strongest men in the village..."

Erika stood and approached the men, and her full height added credence to her claim. "Ya, yer right... I'm jes a poor little girl. What would I know 'bout killin'?" She removed her claymore from the iron ring on her back and laid it on the table. The notches on its blade spoke volumes.

The tallest of the men stood, and at full height he only came to the young woman's shoulders. "Are you... a barbarian?"

"Aye. Now, how muuch is yer boy's life worth to ye?"

The men seemed to quietly consider her offer, when the first man sighed. "They know I have the largest farm in the region, so they seem to think I'm rich. They want five hundred gold."

"An' how muuch would 'ye pay me 'ta bring him back alive?"

"You aren't seriously considering sending a girl... a child to do a man's job, are you?" One of the men asked.

The first man shook his head. "We aren't soldiers... look at this girl... look at her sword! She may be the only answer. I just want my boy back; no matter the cost." He looked up at the enormous redhead. "Can you do this... can you save my boy?"

"Aye, but I ain't doin' it outta the goodness 'ov 'me heart. What is he worth to 'ye?"

"I was scraping together some money for the ransom... I have a little over two hundred."

Erika leaned in close to the frightened farmer. "Do 'ye really have two hunnerd, or am I gonna haf'ta rip it outta yer hide when I come back?"

"Yes... I have the coin. Just, please... bring my boy back."

"Alnor, you can't be serious! I don't care how big she is... she's just a kid!" One of the men cried in exasperation.