Godsworn

Chapter 2: Monster

Savoy recognized a hyena when he saw one, but to see a pack of them led by men was an odd occurrence. He watched them shamble down the trails, failing any attempt at stealth. Their weapons, loosely hung from their frames, clanked and knocked about. A small village in the distance was illuminated by the sunrise, the woman's shack from the night before lay on the outskirts. Her home seemed to be the first target. Savoy gripped the handle of his bow and looked down the sight. Clear shot on at least one of them, but then the element of surprise was out the window. Need to wait for them to have less room to get away, he thought, sliding the arrow he was ready to nock back into his quiver. They continued down the path, Savoy following closely behind among the trees. Whoever they were, they didn't seem to be paying very close attention, because as quiet as he was, Savoy slipped a few times along the way. One time in particular, a branch nearly snapped as he stepped on it, and one of the hooded figures turned to look. To Savoy's surprise, he didn't see skin, or a nose. He saw a snout. The thing grunted and kept on its way, as Savoy had already moved on to the next tree line.

It was just daybreak, but the farmers had already begun their work, completely unaware of the encroaching threat. Savoy laughed quietly to himself at the irony of the situation. He was going to do something, magic or no magic, city or no city. He was bound by oath, regardless of the Rangers being disbanded. He observed with patient eye as the creatures drew closer and closer, seemingly preparing for their raid on the people of the village. Savoy watched them as he carefully wrapped his hands, ensuring his tattoo was sufficiently covered. Just as they drew close to the outskirts of the town, he produced his bow again with arrows at the ready. One of the creatures reeled back with a spear aimed right at the woman's house, and another raised a torch to set the weapon alight. Savoy's eyes went wide, and he drew his bow back with as much might as he could muster. Breathe in. Focus. Time seemed to slow around him as he took aim, leaves from the surrounding trees blowing away with a breeze from behind, perfect to ensure the distance of his shot. As Savoy released his breath and bowstring in unison, sending the missile straight for the creature's hand with blistering speed. The arrow shot halfway through its forearm, producing an animalistic yelp as the beast dropped the flaming spear. The flames ignited a patch of dry grass and burned the feet of the creature with the torch, the whole brigade sniffing and looking around for the source of the shot. People from the village began to peek out of their houses and make their way over from the fields to see what the commotion was, so Savoy dropped down from the low hanging branch he had perched on to draw the monsters' attention away from the easier prey. "Hey!" The things snapped to look at him, revealing their true form. Gnolls. Horrific combinations of humans and hyenas that consumed every living thing in their path but were never full, and they had found their next meal in the people of this village. They yipped and growled as they slowly advanced on Savoy, who already had another arrow nocked and aimed at one of the hyenas. The arrow flew before they got too close and took the nearest one, giving Sav time to sling his bow and draw his sword. That's the easy part. Beasts are no problem, but who knows what their humanoid counterparts can handle? Sav flipped his short blade in his hand, the handle upside down in his grip, and braced himself for the fight.

The first that got to him advanced with its spear, striking Savoy square in the shoulder. Savoy gritted his teeth and pulled back with his sword, plunging it into the creature's gut. It howled in pain and looked Savoy dead in the eyes, snarling and coughing up blood. It was wounded alright, but certainly not dead. Its eyes flashed with a ravenous hunger as it looked down on Savoy with rage. The next one came up out of nowhere, sweeping behind Savoy while he was stuck with the spear. It tried to jam its jagged dagger into his knee, but Savoy kicked it out of the way, knocking the blade into the grass at the gnoll's feet. He pulled his blade from the original and sliced across its neck, sending it staggering back and grasping at its throat, eventually collapsing as it gasped for air. As Savoy turned, one of the three hyenas lunged at him, biting down on his bracer, which kept the blow from breaking skin. Still, the beast writhed back and forth, throwing Sav off balance for a moment as the other grabbed at his leg, its teeth barely sinking through the leather. By now several of the townsfolk had gathered around and were watching with great caution at a distance, until one farmer gathered enough courage and plunged a pitchfork into the side of the last gnoll standing. As Sav slashed down at the hyena on his arm, several of the other villagers approached with rocks and other farming tools, managing to beat down the remaining gnoll as it clamored for its dagger. One maid dashed up to Savoy and kicked the hyena off his leg, sending it whimpering into the woods.