Magic and Destiny: Fate

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The sun was beginning to rise in the east, and the sounds of the morning birds could be heard. Dominic's stomach was stretched to bursting. He smacked his lips, running his tongue across the top of his mouth, finding it dry, and coppery tasting. Things kept jabbing him in the back, and whatever he was laying on was beginning to really hurt him. He opened his eyes, not really wanting to wake up just yet.

The site that met his eyes was horrific. He was lying on top of a pile of bones, and now he realized the taste in his mouth was blood. He couldn't remember anything that happened after his mother told him where the group had gone. His eyes snapped open, realizing what happened. All over the ground, and him, was the enemy's blood.

He rolled off the pile of bones, and immediately disgorged the contents of his stomach. Heaving could be heard for the next five minutes. Every time that he tried to stop, and open his eyes, he could see the half-digested flesh, and a new wave would come up. He turned away, not opening his eyes, and crawled about ten feet or so away from where he was trying to make himself feel better.

His mind was a blur, as was his vision. Standing, he could feel his clothes falling away. He grabbed his pants, noticing the seams were ripped. Cursing, he looked around; stumbling over to a spot he saw a bunch of supplies. In the supply pile, he found the rags of his victims. The torn pants, leather armor, blood soaked shirt and other garments.

He stomached his reaction to what he was about to do, and put the clothes on that would fit him. Investigating further, he discovered his prisoner. He looked closely at the man, and then looked at his stomach where the mouse was curled up, knocked unconscious by his beast breath.

"Avery will be happy to see you in one piece." He said, recognizing the mouse kin. Taking only the supplies that were necessary, which was the food from the farms, and one of the carts, he began to pile everything in. Once ready, he put his fingers to his lips, and gave a shrill whistle. That would alert the Wood-Cutters, and the village, that it was safe. Then again, he would have to stop in a mile or two and whistle again in case no one heard him. He was roughly seventeen miles from the village now, and it was a long journey back.

He picked up the poles of the cart, and began his slow journey back to the village. It was a slow process, and he had to keep his senses open to danger. One foot in front of the other, he kept telling himself. He would get home when he got home. He was just glad it hadn't rained.

The prisoners hadn't even begun to stir yet. Dominic guessed his Beast breath was more powerful than he thought. It was smooth sailing from the river back to the main trail that lead to the village. Every couple of miles he would rest his arms, and give a shrill finger whistle, in hopes that someone would come and assist him.

He was about four miles from the village when help finally arrived. It was beginning to get late into the day at this point. Horses were hitched to the cart, and they were on their way, a bit faster. Dominic sat in the cart, arms sore and weary from exertion. He fell asleep for the brief span of time it took to get to the village.

Maya was waiting in the village for his return. She greeted the warriors that went out to help Dominic, and when she saw him snoozing, she splashed some water in his face. He gasped, sitting upright quickly. "That. Was. Cold!" He nearly yelled, looking around for the perpetrator. He spotted his wife, and his eyes narrowed, spotting the bucket. Her eyes traveled to the bucket as well, and then quickly hid it behind her back, smiling at Dominic innocently.

"Welcome home, love." She said, leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek.

He grabbed her as she began to pull away and kissed her on the lips. "Good to be back. Hope Avery is close by; she wouldn't want a chance to miss scolding a few people when she had the chance to." He yawned, looking at all the gathered villagers, and then down at himself. "So, uh, what happened when I left the village?"