Woods

TWO

Damn!

I jumped over roots, running for dear life, my pursuers not far behind me. As I was looking back, I felt something yank my hair harshly. Some of my freaking hair escaped from my braid and thus, stuck itself in a branch.

Great.

Still, I ran forward, not having time to stop, and left a strand of blonde hair hanging off of the branch. Now they would know I ran in that direction, I should find a way to hide. Fast.

How did this all go wrong? Well you see, earlier tonight I was waiting for my target to come fishing. I was beginning to loose my patience as I was freezing my butt out there, then I saw him arrive near the lake. I instantly armed my bow and without thinking shot. I got him.

I killed him.

And that's the problem.

I was so impatient to go home that I forgot to check if the guy was indeed alone! And of course, he wasn't. His companions (dear Lord, they were five) panicked and began to chase after me, leaving me no choice but to run.

So that's why I was now running with no escape plan in mind, loosing my stamina from cold, hunger and tiredness. Master won't be pleased. Not at all.

Wondering if I had the time to climb up a tree and jump from one to another, I decided it was my best option. I then proceeded to grab branches and hoisted myself up as fast as I could, praying that the soldiers didn't find me.

But it was already too late.

I had no choice but to fight them all. Otherwise, they would have fired me like a rabbit (a rabbit in a tree at that).

Sighing I jumped on the ground, put my bow and quiver down and took my daggers. Steadying myself on my feet, I closed my eyes and took deep breathes in order to calm the beats of my heart.

As I was entirely focused on the combat that was going to happen, the five men came in sight. As soon as they saw me they unsheated their swords.
Swords, good, that meant they weren't ready for close combat. I just had to pierce their guard, and then they will be mine.

With a smirk I flexed lightly on my knees and waited for the first one to approach. The first soldier came at me yelling and swinging his sword in the air.

What's the point of yelling anyway, he was right in front of me. If I didn't see him, I would've understand that he wanted to warn me of his presence (hear the sarcasm), but I was staring at him! Man you have no style, you look like a wild bear. And I'm being rude to the bears.

I promptly ducked his blow and invaded his personal space, pressing one of my dagger on his throat. He froze, not wanting to die that quickly.

I then, turned around with the said man under my grip and looked at the others.

"If you want him to live the rest of his life peacefully you will put down your weapons and let me leave without tracking me. Am I clear?"

The soldiers looked at each others dumbfounded before sealing the fate of their comrade by running in my direction.

With a swift movment I cut the man's throat, letting him fall on the ground with a 'thud', blood dripping from his body. I was ready for the others to come.

~~~~~~~~~

Cleaning my daggers with one of the men's clothes, I looked at all the mess I created.

Master is going to kill me. I wasn't supposed to kill someone else than the first dude.

There. My business in Clovelist Kingdom was done. For now.

What a shame, I didn't visit the country at all. Didn't have the time. Didn't want to.

Without losing any time, I walked away from the scene, grabbing my bow and quiver. Hurrying towards the base camp that was three days at horse from here. The thing here being that I didn't have any horse.

I left the corpses on the ground without burying them. They were my gift to the other predators of these woods, as a thank for sharing their territory.

I was worn out.

Hungry as hell.

And my journey back had just started.