Fields of Crimson

Gray Pine Goods

Out the door and down that same pebbly pathway with the hound at her side, Fatel and Akhira rounded about a nearby house and down the road. The war dog sniffed away at the fresh scents of the Winter passed, wandering around yards ahead of his master.

His wet nose twitched away as he examined nearby herbs and vegetation. Once his eyes landed on the goats that roamed down the path where the stone led up to the Jarl's hall, he released a low and mischievous growl followed by the beat and sway of his burly tail.

Fatel seems to lead her along to the nearby store where local sundries and goods were sold.

Soon enough, Gray Pine Goods was within clear view. They had weaved their way around a few stray goat and slipped indoors just moments before the light rain had begun to fall.

Inside was warm, comforting, smelled of herbs and exotic things.

Fatel stayed by her side obediently, keeping his ribcage at her knee and head down only a tad.

Akhira's eyes wandered around the shelves where things lied messily around. A few sacks of gold septims sat on the countertop along stray pieces of gold scattered here and there.

Her oddly colored eyes closed for a good moment as she passed a string of dried herbs that hung from the ceiling above. Taking in a deep whiff of the rich scent before passing by and crossing to the empty counter top, Akhira examined the bits and bobs for sale.

"Hello?" Her low voice droned through the first floor, glancing over to the stairs that led to the second floor, "Is anyone here?" She continued, tapping her fingertips across the counter. "Solaf? Is the shop closed..?"

Fatel looked spooked, eyes darting around nervously, a low growl escaping his slightly opened mouth.

From deep within the storage room a shuffle could be heard. The stirring had alarmed the mutt at her side, causing him to urge towards the entrance.

"Fatel-no." Akhira made an attempt to reach out for the dog, but he was well out of reach by then.

The gray dog slipped into the back room with hunched shoulders and a low head.

There was a long moment of silence.

Nothing.

No sound, no movement, nothing at all.

Within a split second, a sharp slice was heard and a sharp whimper broke the deadly silence like a high note to glass. A thump sounded and more shuffling commenced.

"Fatel..?" Akhira could not stop herself now; rounding behind the counter and creeping into the doorway.

There at her feet lay her dog, in a puddle of crimson that swelled around him and only seemed to grow. In a way he looked at complete peace- so old.. So calm... He had only wanted to protect his girl.

Standing over the dog and the dead store owner, Solaf, stood a figure dressed in red and black. A cowl covered all of their face beside those green venomous eyes that glinted in her direction. In hand was held a sharpened blade, stained with blood and hate. It was a man, he stood tall yet was crouched and ready. Akhira's first impression was horror no doubt, ready to scream and run for the guards- but her body would not allow her.

A breath was hitched in her throat, barricaded up and releasing with sharp tension.

"I- I-" Akhira could not speak, nor move, she felt her feet stuck to the ground out of pure shock.

The figure took a dangerously fast step toward her, grabbing a bar of iron ingot from a nearby shelf before striking the girl over the head with it.

Black.

She hit the floor with a thud, and was instantly sucked into a dreamlike state.