OUTCAST : THE PATH OF A WARRIOR

12. MURDER

CHAPTER 12

We spent whole day moving further into the woods, foraging for food and planing for what our next move should be.

Just before sundown a few more slaves had left the group, trying to get back to their home, far away and in different directions. But a few must cross the sea, and are willing to risk everything, hoping for passage on the pirate ship.

I decided to wait and see, since the Master, who was sitting rather quietly strapped around a tree, and was not forthcoming with any more information on the witch's whereabout.

The General and Captain Briggs, sent a couple of scouts earlier in the day, two former soldiers, dressed in civilian clothes, in order to get news from the city and the harbour.
Even Jonah, aka the Tinman, had left the group on an errand of his own.

As I waited, leaning on large tree , a little away from the rest of the group, my sensitive hearing heard a small twig snap, several paces, north of the woods, so I decided to investigate.

I didn't get far when my nose got a familiar whiff, the stink of an unnatural creature.

" Come out old man." I said to the demon, lurking behind a thick tree trunk.
Tall slim and masculine, unlike the frail old man we last saw squirming in the battlefield.

His appearance could best be described as more like a demon, his charred black leathery skin, seemed to have come out straight from the fire pit of hell.

"Why have you come here?"

"I mean you no harm...! In fact I came here to warn you and your compatriots! It seems the witch cares about you after all."

"And how is your sister? I last heard she was captured.... Where is she, is she with your child, Nara?"

"Don't you worry about the witch or the sibling, they're both safe and well...! I've been told that you are searching for your brothers!"

" Yes and what of it , old man!"

"Well I am here as a courtesy, first for saving my life in the Arena, and second, for stupidly fulfilling my foolish sister's wish, by trying to help me. And I hope you realised I didn't need your help, Pet and I had it all under control!"

"What ever you say old man...! So what are you going to warn us about?"

" Your brothers....you must warn them, as soon as their ship enters the harbour, they will be attacked!"

"How do you know all this?"

" My sister has her ways." Said the old man.

"Ah yes, her magic crystal....Is there anything else i should know?"

"The cripple, you have tide to the tree.... kill him.... he's a liar his words are not to be trusted. And he will use you to get to the power he seeks! And your two brainless brothers, have unknowingly brought something extremely powerful aboard that ship!"

I heard footsteps approaching from behind, and turned around to see a familiar face glaring cheerfully at me.

" Who are you talking to my friend?" Said Morat.

I looked back to see the demon had disappeared from sight.

"Hey, how good to see you again my friend, so what happened, did you all make it out of the city, or just you?"

"Yes, thankfully we found a way out before the lockdown. So glad we found you. We are all here to repay you, for saving our lives, and ready to lend you any help you need."

"What...Jaxon too?" I chuckled

" Yes especially him, he's been sobbing and wailing ever since his two brothers lost their lives in the Arena, and wants to take revenge on the one who put them in there."