The Journey, Warrior

Chapter 8, Humarf's

"Shit" Nekonata jumped in Kimbo's saddle. He stood up in the stirrups. "They are close, I don't know if we can make it" Nekonata commented. He kicked his mount into a gallop and they all charged across the fields. A cheer and roar came from the army as they saw Nekonata fleeing with his companions. Nekonata looked back over his shoulder to see it was an army of 50 or 60.

Another small army of people started rushing towards Nekonata coming from the direction of Edena Village. Nekonata was surprised to see how fast they were moving. He caught up with them and stopped. The army that was chasing Nekonata also stopped a good distance away as they spotted the other army approaching.

"Vivi said we're to expect you." Said an elderly man. "You look exactly as he described, he wasn't expecting any trouble from the King for some time yet, did you by chance get a look at their standard?"

Nekonata turned and looked back at the army in the distance, he could see a dark red banner with a green stripe down the side and a green bird in the middle... "Green bird." He replied confused.

The elderly man turned and shouted "Humarf's" His warriors were even more confused than Nekonata.

"Lancer's form on the attack front, footmen behind Lancers. Archers at the rear, Horsemen split up come round the back and attack the flanks, on my third signal." The elderly man then turned and looked at Nekonata. "I want you to follow me, we will need your help." Nekonata sat there mounted on Kimbo with his mouth wide open. "What's wrong with you? You're not a coward are you?" The elderly man asked.

Nekonata shook his head, regained his composure, and calmly asked, "What are Humarf's?"

"To put it simply..." The Elderly man replied, "They are the offspring of humans and dwarves..."

Nekonata looked back at the now advancing army... "Are you serio:-"

"YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, NOW MOVE OUT" The Elderly man shouted before Nekonata could finish his sentence.

The lancers crouched down and raised their spears, angling them towards the enemy horse's chests. The Footmen stood behind with their shields in front and swords at the ready, the archers moved back some distance to allow a space between themselves and the frontline attack in case the enemy broke through. Nekonata followed the Elderly man, as he and his riders swung to the right while the remaining Riders swung to the left.

The enemy, the Humarf's started to advance, they roared loudly and savagely, the defenders were quiet and calm. A horn close by blew loudly and the Lancers steadied themselves for impact, the footmen moved their shields up to protect their torsos and heads. The archers notched their arrows and pulled back to wait for their command. Nekonata watched as the plan started to play out.

Loud shrieks broke over the roaring savage screams of the enemy, Lances pierced through the horse's chests, killing them instantly, their riders being thrown from the saddles as their mounts fell. The Footmen jumped in and stabbed at the enemy to make sure they didn't rise again... A second horn was blown and the Archers swung their arrows aiming for the sky, piercing the air in a big arch flying down to rain on the enemy with deadly precision.

The riders met up again at the rear of the enemy, the Elderly man raised his sword and swung it down in their direction. The riders roared loudly and charged. The enemy was shocked and now deadly outnumbered. Another horn blew and the archers stopped with their volley of arrows. The enemy closed together back to back, sidestepping slowly in a circular motion. The defenders gathered around them in a big circle and closed in on the enemy leaving enough room between in case the enemy was stupid enough to try and attack. The Elderly man looked at Nekonata expectedly. Nekonata looked back at him and shrugged his shoulders silently say 'what?'

"You are the one who is actually in charge here... by the way." The Elderly man whispered to him.

Nekonata looked back at him shocked.

"Er... Lay down your weapons and... "Nekonata coughed, his mouth dry, "Erm you won't be harmed..."

A man walked forward from the middle of the enemy group laughing. "It seems that you are weak... and pathetic... I'm surprised these idiots listen to someone like you!"

The rest of the crowded enemy started laughing and sneering... "Who are you to tell me what to do?"

Nekonata stood on the saddle of Kimbo and jumped straight into the air, the man swung out his axe, aiming for Nekonata body, which Nekonata had anticipated, so drew his sword and swung down with so much force his blade cut through the shaft of the axe in one clean cut, with Nekonata landing gently on his feet right in front him. The man stumbled backward in shock staring from Nekonata to his axe blade that had narrowly missed his foot.

Nekonata's cloak had billowed in the air from his jump and revealed his armour, his sword still in his hand reflected the light from the sun making the blade shine brightly. Loki flew down from the sky and undid the clasp of the cloak with his beak, causing it to fall to the floor. The enemy dropped their weapons and cowered in fear, at the sight of this man who looked so strong, deadly, and Regal in his armour...

The man dropped to his knees in dismay, "Who are you?" He asked quietly...

Nekonata looked down at him, sheathed his sword, and replied, "It doesn't matter who I am, you are the enemy and we are the Defenders of this Village." He turned to the Elderly man "Do you have any jail cells?"

The Elderly man nodded, shocked at what had just happened, "Yes, in the Termini Cliffs"

Nekonata nodded his head, "Bind their hands, and take them there." A group of men stepped forward to do as was asked.

Once the Humarf's were bound they were surrounded by the defenders, and they all started to walk towards Edena Village.

"Tell me about Edena Village..." Nekonata said to the Elderly man.

"It once was a village but now more of a city, we've expanded a lot in the last few decades. You really don't remember anything do you?"

Nekonata looked at the man, "What am I supposed to remember? I've never been here before."

The Elderly man shook his head. "I am Tyler, I'm the one who taught you your swordsmanship when you were seventeen years old, you were such a fast learner we couldn't keep up with you. You know just as much as Master Vivi, yet he tells us you are ten times stronger than him."

Nekonata looked straight into Tyler's eyes, he could see the man was telling the truth, but he still couldn't remember...

Nekonata stopped and dismounted Kimbo. He walked up to a soldier and asked to borrow his sword. The man hesitated.

"You'll get it back I promise," Nekonata reassured him. The man handed it over.

Nekonata walked over to Tyler. "A practice duel."

Tyler dismounted and drew his sword, Nekonata walked away from the horses so they wouldn't get spooked. Tyler didn't wait but charged straight for Nekonata while his back was turned, Nekonata swung the sword over his shoulder and parried the blow. He turned around and they're blades crossed, Tyler smiling. Nekonata face showing no expressions. They both pushed back of each other's blades and moved in a slow circle. Nekonata jumped in with a jab that was deflected, he turned his waist slightly and quickly brought his sword up in an upswing motion again Tyler parried. Nekonata stepped back, it was Tyler's turn... Tyler jumped in with a flurry of blows, twists, and turns, but Nekonata deflected them all with ease. Tyler stepped back panting and sweating, the other troops watched in awe, the Humarf's clearly surprised at the display of swordsmanship.

"Enough..." Nekonata said, and Tyler nodded sheathing his sword. Nekonata looked at the blade in his hand and noticed it was chipped and dented. "Look at your blade." He told Tyler, "You are going to need a new one... as will you, I'm afraid." He said as he handed back the borrowed sword.

The man looked at his sword, "You must be strong to chip, dent this blade."

Nekonata looked back at him, "What do you mean?"

"This is a dwarvish blade... the only other blades stronger than this are those that are made by the Elves... Your sword is of an Elvish blade but I've never seen the likes of it before."

Nekonata unsheathed his blade and looked it over.

The man held out his hand, "May I have a look?" Nekonata nodded and gently handed the blade over. "My name is Broyd, I am the master Blacksmith in Edena Village... I was trained as a smith by the dwarf Prince Althor... This blade of yours could have been made by only one of three Elves: Gabija, Martheel, or she who we do not name. "Nekonata looked confused. "She will reveal herself when she feels the need to, all I can say is that she's a shapeshifter." Broyd handed the sword back, and Nekonata sheathed it.

"A shape-shifter?" Nekonata asked.

"Yes a person with the ability to change themselves into an animal, there are few shape-shifters strong enough to change into more than one animal, only one has been heard of in recent times, and you know that person." Broyd looked ahead and noticed Edena Village getting closer. "I must go ahead to check the jail cells."

Nekonata nodded and watched as the master Blacksmith raced ahead.

"I go, I must." Said Loki, "I see people, I must." Loki looked at Nekonata, Nekonata nodded.

"Don't be gone for long Loki, or I will miss your company," Nekonata replied.

Loki chuckled and flew away. Nekonata watched him go. Santaya growled and looked up at Nekonata, Kristolia's tail wagging.