Matty thought that the bag of gold he had found hidden within the empty tree trunk was a sign from the gods that his life was taking a turn for the better. He wasn't sure what to make of the message the gods were sending when the band Skanish soldiers ran him down and took his belongings.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeCYayrqLU
The one-eyed man spoke first, his grizzly face looking Matteus over with a pang of hunger. "Do you speak the Skanish tongue? You have the look of one of us."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD83AGe64WX
The rat-faced one spoke next, his pale hair kept too long for a man. "He spoke. You answer. This is the official business of King Ander." He raised his fist as if to strike Matty.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWXFzWZw6g
"I am Skanish, yes," Matteus said with a whimper.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuKwuQbz94
"Good, you'll live this day and our commander will be takin' half yer money."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLnmKw3K2X
"Thank you, thank you," Matty cried, looking up with fear in his eyes.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfstzpqR0x9
"We take his money and he thanks us. What have they been feedin' you lot down this way," said the one-eyed man.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaNEFRoey9
"Perhaps he's half Era, that'd explain the cowardliness," the rat-faced man said with a laugh. "The best part is that he's thanking us before we've even told him."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcmolxMVXi
"Har, dear boy we are no robbers. This money goes to fund yer arms and armor," the one-eyed man croaked. "You'll be joinin' the king's men, today boy. We need fighting age boys, skinny as they may be."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TnbKbZPEF
"Please, I have to find my family."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVO3D4Esea
"What do you mean boy, we're right here."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5bQMHJFZQ
The line of boys was as pitiful as it was untrained and underdressed for the cold. More boys than Matty could count walking in front of and behind him, corralled by soldiers on horseback in armors of leather or chain, with helmets that covered their cheeks and noses.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4wO6tNCcm
They had been walking for hours. Matteus didn't know where they were headed and was too scared to ask. At the head of the group rode a man with a horned helmet and long brown cloak with fur that bunched at the neck. Before long he ordered the men to halt and make camp.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ61deMT6Oj
Matty was told to sit in the back by the prisoners as he showed the least promise. Around him sat three men, a lean and strong-looking man with red-brown skin, black hair and high cheekbones sat down next to him by the low fire, his face sour with discontent.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yhQNIu1NJ
"I hate you, people, first you take our lands then you force us to fight your wars. Tell me, can your lust for gold, power, and blood ever be satiated?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQctYC6ngN
"I..I don't know what that means. That word you said with an 's' I've never heard it," Matty said trying not to stare at the brown man.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5KfNMvRd8
"It's a shame I know your own tongue better than you. What's wrong with your voice? Are you some sort of half-wit?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiDl4w0HUS
"No, I no-"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuv8lxA3k3
"Leave the poor boy alone, half-wit or not it isn't any of your concern," said the muscular boy that sat across the fire. He reminded Matty of Burrin if Burrin were to be born thrice as strong and twice as handsome. "And enough with the 'my people, you people' we're all here together now, all against our will."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYKY19FOd0
"We shall see," the brown man said with the wave of his hand.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTizaOWpHD
The four sat around the fire without a word spoken until sunset. Only the sound of wood cracking and distant conversation comforted Matteus until the plump boy with black hair spoke up. "Well, I figure since we're going to be working together we might as well get to know each other, yes? I'm called Declan, what are all your names?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS9IO1puJV
"I'm Matteus, some call me Matty."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB63yUfeNe
"Well met Matty, I can see why they placed the two of us back here as undesirables, but these two I don't really understand you both have the look of true warriors."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDIOVKQ6Yq
"You know why they put me here pig, I'll never be seen at the front unless it's to lead the van or perhaps the day my skin turns pale and splotchy like yours," snapped the brown man.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxuQU7vis2
"I'm not like them, I'm Eritanian, we hold no bad blood with any man of any kind," Declan said reassuringly. "I actually find you Apiatons and your customs quite beautiful."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnyIchdgmr
"I did not ask," the Apiaton said, trying to mask the clear surprise that ran across his face.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplIKys5F7k
"Well, I'll ask you then. What village are you from? I'm well-read on your people and judging by your free hairstyle I'd guess you are of the Tiagon tribe, yes?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xqN8KcwoE
"What does it matter to you, hungry boy? You'll die soon enough anyway. I doubt you last through the first battle."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblMuXNdG06
The look of irritation on the muscular boy's face seeped into his voice, "Are you always such a cunt?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6UJFWJ3tq
"I've had enough of you pale bastards, do not disturb me," he said, laying down and facing away.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KfcKt3dKo
Declan gave a look of thanks and relief. "Thank you for that, what was your name?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahJppIHAhi
"Steig."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT01smZSYF
"Well Steig, what has a strong man like yourself back here with us? It's certainly not for a lack of promise."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWx68lDMM0
"When they came to my city they took near all the boys of fighting age, tanners and smiths, bakers and masons, even pleasure boys."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf8lCiHrKN
"So you were a prostitute? I'm not sure how that lands you back here with us, I'm sure many of them secretly envy you, nothing but beautiful women all day and night."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc4bLRVk7o
"I was with a man when they came for me."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGtFzaxBLL
"I see...well I suppose you had no choice in the matter, I assume you were sold as a boy?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmixRgvbOJ
"No I joined when I was seventeen of my own free will and I enjoyed all four years of it."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXt99P0VmT
"So you...you're-"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSGQI0LNtk
"I enjoy beauty, the gods gave us eyes to see it and cocks to feel it; men and women both have beauty so why limit yourself to only one kind?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdc3EYoPje
"I'm curious as to what kind of city would allow for such...liberties."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKVuuiagI9
Any brewing admiration Matteus felt now fled his body, replaced with disgust. No holy one that is certain, the gods will burn such a place in the end.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl330GvcN4t
"That city would be Torr," Steig said with confidence.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWhGXAHyyu
No, no it's impossible. Torr is a holy place.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMNZF38xRk
"I expected as such from a place like Torr," Declan said.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEgN8IQfsV
"I take it you don't approve. My being upsets your gods or something?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc99XWRpEwV
"Oh, I suppose I do sound rather standoffish, no, I have no gods and no quarrel with your...lifestyle."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7vnr3FBKm
Matteus' face was plagued with disbelief and disgust. A bugerer and a godless demon worshiper, why have the gods seen fit to place me here?
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ9xeHVdsB
"What about you Matteus? I can tell by your face-"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uJatpuCxZ
"I don't like it," Matty blurted out. "To lie with a man is unnatural, why would you not be discreet about it? and you," he said turning to Declan. "To worship demons is...is evil."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjZa5qAEfS
"I'm not discreet because everybody already knows about me, they found me..mid thrust so to speak. I really don't care what you think is unnatural," Steig said with a glare.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKq6o41aIO
Declan spoke up to ease the tension. "As for me Matteus, I do not worship demons."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppkoL8EtbF
"You said you had no gods."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ514XlZR1s8
"I did and I don't."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XGDHz9zas
"If you have no gods then you must worship demons."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZknEdNzfu
"The world we live in is not so black and white Matteus. Is or isn't, must or mustn't these are almost never the exclusive answers. I believe in no demons and I believe in no gods. Thus, I have no gods."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXDydHjLEP
"So you believe in nothing!?"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHHU7ayfV4
"Think of it in this way, I do not 'believe in nothing' I lack belief altogether. My faith is in the tangible and the testable, in reason and thought."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfGq0cDDng
I can't believe this, such blasphemy! "Then you have no morals!"
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrTv3K9GTp
"No morals because I don't share the same beliefs as you? Morals do not come from faith, they come from experience."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h8XleGPCW
"Aran tells us in the holy books how man and woman should behave."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gLRtY4F88
"And yet the exact morals and rules found in Arans works are found if faith's that predate it, if-."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL23S9FDRcw
"I will hear no more of this! How dare you mock the gods," Matty said as he laid down on his side away from the two and closed his eyes."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk9B6NHXd1
"Tell me stories of your travels Declan," Steig said.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt4CKmJ2ji
"Of those I have thousands. I have seen the Titans of Jhyr in combat when I visited the lands of Qabar to the east. I once met an Alorian woman that could make flame dance in her fingers and a Khidori scholar that had a collection of four thousand books. I have even...."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkViweIQSQ
Matteus covered his ears and prayed until he could no longer hear their voices.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4hy6ncNca
As quickly as his sleep came, it ended with a stern kick to the back. Matty looked up to find a soldier staring down at him. "If you need to relieve yourself go now before the prisoners."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvNjoxwaiw
Matty scrambled to his feet in the fresh morning air and began his walk into the woods alongside twenty or so other boys with soldiers close behind. His relief was cut short by screams from two different voices, they went on for some time until only one voice screamed, then none.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEB24hJfdA
When Matteus and the rest of his group made it back to the road they looked around and made sure all were accounted for. Soldiers yelled and drew swords, attempting a formation only to be stopped by the sight of him.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTdOhFCqmD
One of the prisoners exited the woods covered in blood and bits of bone and meat. His eyes told stories of horror and his hands were clasped together as he looked to the skies and did what Matty could only assume was pray.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2267saQcB
The soldiers searched the woods for hours with no sign of the missing prisoner and guard. They beat the man all day until the sun had begun to set, trying to get answers out of him but he only muttered one word.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaPLmNHSdc
"Wilkolak...Wilkolak."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGgMUoBywN
The Apiaton stood next to Matty as he watched the man be beaten.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEOYsimGuJ
"They're fools, you cannot beat speech from a man that doesn't speak your tongue and we've spent too much time here, these woods are cursed."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8jmACgyHz
Matty squinted in curiosity. "I wonder what he's saying."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sohJ8LkUs
"Wilkolak, It is how his people, the Sylacians, say werewolf."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs63DmKErd
"Werewolf," Matteus gasped.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOg26CUgqd
"These lands belong to me people, or so they did before yours came. The legends of werewolves came with you, such beasts do not roam these woods, I doubt they ever even existed. No, something far worse lurks here. Something hungry."
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64yl7qUiyG
As if summoned by the Apiaton's words a scream ripped through the evening air coming from all around them as if the woods itself cried out. It was the sound of an elk, then a bear and finally a man.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrppg3Ijig
The camps quieted and the soldiers froze. Matty looked to the Apiaton to find him frozen with fear too. That's when he saw it.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzhRezpKaJ
Through the treeline, just within the shadows, a pair of antlers moved behind a tree.
ns 15.158.61.48da2
