OUTCAST : THE PATH OF A WARRIOR

2. INTO THE WOODS

CHAPTER 2

It was almost dark. The bats seemed braver in this part of the world, swooping low to the ground and barely missing my head. Before me, three men of the so-called 'pure' humans were on their knees, seemingly locked in desperate prayer.
​"What are you doing? Get off the ground!" I said firmly.
​They remained still, trembling. I reached up and grabbed the hair on my chin, slowly stroking the long knot that fell close to my chest. "Go on, then. Tell me more about my species."

They exchanged wary glances, remaining exactly where they were as confusion washed over their faces.
​"We have heard of your kind before..." one of them explained, pausing as he tried to read my intentions. He swallowed hard. "May we speak freely?" he braved, gathering his courage.
​I crossed my arms over my chest and gave a single, slow nod.

"In stories told to us as children". He hesitated to tilt his head up toward me.
"The bull God Taurus came down from the heavens and fell in love with a human female. Their offspring took the form of part human..." He said gesturing at his torso." And the head of the bull." He continued, gesturing at my horns sitting on my head.

"But we didn't think you existed. Is it true that you are all... cannibals?" He queried nervously, awkwardly stretching his face, and shrugging his shoulders.

I snorted, letting out a forced, chilling smile. "Do you always believe in children's stories?"
​"In reality, nobody knows where our origins lie," I continued, baring my gritted teeth. "And as for cannibalism... we have been known to indulge in the past. Human flesh is quite delicious and nourishing—whether it is cooked or uncooked." I held their gaze, watching them the way a wild animal sizes up fresh meat.
​"Now, get off the ground!" I barked.

They rose slowly, their knees trembling as they struggled to find their footing.
​"Who was the man you fought earlier?" I demanded.
​"He is foreign to us," one of them explained quickly, desperate to please me. "But he is definitely from the Guild. Anyone with enough funds can hire professionals like him from there."

He looked around nervously. "She most likely stole gold coins from our employer to pay for her escape. But the woman must be important to him—he is willing to reward us handsomely for her safe return."
​"She is the mistress to—" another started to blurt out, but he was instantly cut off.
​"Someone important!" the leader finished sharply. His eyes were cowed with fear as he whirled on his companion, shooting daggers at him with his gaze.

"I see," I said, my voice trailing off thoughtfully. "Will you continue your pursuit?"
​The leader shook his head quickly. "I think not. We don't venture into these woods after nightfall." He gestured toward the thickening darkness enveloping the trees around us. "And besides," he continued, "these woods stretch seriously far and wide. You don't want to meet the nasty creatures that dwell within."
​"Oh?" I murmured, a faint smile touching my lips.

"So..." the leader added, squinting up at me through the gloom. "If you are considering letting us go... we could share the reward if you help us capture them! Besides, they couldn't have gone far."
​I crossed my arms and jerked my head back toward the path they had come from. "I suggest you leave now, while you still can."
​Absolute relief washed over their faces. They scrambled to their feet, backing away slowly. "Come look for us at the Crossroads Inn, just south of the woods," the leader said, braving a cheeky grin as he turned to leave. "If you make it out, that is."

With that, they gave a parting gesture and took the reins of their horses.
​"Be sure to ask for the Jaxon brothers next time you're in the area!" one of them called back as they made their way out of the trees.
​I watched them disappear. My instincts urged me to go after the woman and her hired hand to see where their trail would lead.
​But the sudden, sharp chirp of a nearby robin cut off into dead silence. I stood rigid, my muscles locking as my nose picked up a new scent on the wind.