Farewells and New Beginnings

Kairan had grown strangely accustomed to having his blood siphoned daily. Of course, it was more the conversations that occurred during those periods that he was actually fond of. The topics for discussion were varied, ranging from the simplest of daily grievances to matters more complex – from the intricacies of chemistry to the turmoil of politics. In truth, all pointless jabber meant to pass the time. But something he would miss.

Blake had finished her research, only now needing to compile it into a presentable report and had done her best to instruct Kairan on the basic principles of magic. Unfortunately, her tutelage and a mere fifteen days were far from adequate or enough. Much to his dismay and as with any skill, time was a necessity in developing any meaningful mastery. Magic required a degree of dedication Kairan simply was not yet ready to commit to.

No longer able to help further each other’s interests, Kairan felt it best he return to his quest. Time may not have been strictly of the essence, but the longer he lingered the more of an unsettling feeling began to take hold of him. The dreams of his past grew more violent and disturbing with each passing night, the only consistency being the strange voices that whispered sweet promises to him.

He set out early on the sixteenth day, long before the sun had risen. A mist hung to Kairan’s words as he and Blake shared their goodbyes. Mixed in with their sentiments was a promise that if the future allowed, he would travel to Arken someday and they could reconvene there together. The truth lay just out of grasp, but there in Arken they might find the answers. For now, what could be said was that his body toed the line between miracle, curse and mutation.

Shouldering only a small pack carrying a week’s provision of hardtack, a water skin, and a spare set of old clothes once belonging to Blake’s brother – he set off for Sintri.

Based on what Blake had told him, the journey on foot would take at least 35 days – with every 6th day acting as a rest day. A hard journey, for one with limited resources like himself. Water and shelter weren’t a problem, food only minor so long as he was frugal with the 4 silver coins he held. Odd jobs paid well enough…if you didn’t have to spend any of it, leeching off another. A guilt he’d carry until he repaid Blake tenfold in Arken.

The first day of travel was peaceful. Compared to all the fervorous excitement within the town of Ryk, the wilderness was almost boring, something Kairan enjoyed. He relished the chance to be alone, only accompanied by his thoughts.

Occasionally, a cart would roll past, ferrying with them either people or goods. The drivers would always offer a curt nod, not the most expressive of greetings but they weren’t dashing passed him in fear.

Even the weather was uneventful, choosing to remain sunny with an occasional light breeze that would blow through. It rendered the coat Blake had lent him useless, but he was still thankful to have it as the nights were cold. Without any camping equipment, he’d simply pick a spot that seemed most comfortable.

On the first night he found a place near a small brook, refreshing water babbled calmly along it, offering the occasional bubble that would drift aimlessly before popping. Upon his first discovery of it, he mistakenly identified several bubbles that in truth were anything but. River elementals, different in material composition to their muddied kin but still passive nonetheless, wholly ambivalent to his presence. He took the chance to study them, endeared by their simple nature.

For the most part, he was enjoying the journey so far, pleasant views, a sun that felt nowhere near as harsh as when he was a human and no collar around his neck that forced him to keep going, he was free to take a break when he pleased.

It was midday on the second day when events went awry. The roads had been quiet, nary a cart or wanderer. Until a fancy, polished cart passed by. Perhaps it was more apt to call it a coach.

The driver nodded a greeting to Kairan.

On the inside sat a distinguished man dressed in a black suit, next to him sat a woman in a white lace dress. Two young girls sat across from them, the oldest of which glumly stared out the far window while the youngest sat near the window closest to Kairan. The young one pointed at him and in response the father tapped the coach’s ceiling.

The driver spurred the horses and sped up, throwing dust into the air. Kairan hacked and swatted the rising cloud away, “How nice of them.”

It didn’t take long for him to catch the coach again. It had been stopped in the middle of the road; the family were on their knees outside, surrounded by a group of six men. The driver still sat in his seat, seemingly biding his time.

“Well, isn’t that rather unfortunate,” Kairan murmured to himself slowly coming to a stop. Aren’t we too close to a town for bandit attacks? Actually, shouldn’t there be some guards patrolling the main road? He gave a quick sweeping view across the plains – there was no one in sight.

“…what do I do?”

***

“Please!” begged the father, “I promise I’ll pay you any amount of coin you want.” He twisted but the binds on his wrists held firm.

“Hah! Whatever you can offer pales in comparison to value of your wife and kids,” mocked one of the bandits as he twirled the tip of his blade underneath the father’s throat. The mother began to sob and the youngest tried to cling to her despite the bindings.

“Please, sir. I have plenty of gold, take what you want from the coach, just-”

“Shut it!” yelled the bandit and planted a kick against the side of the father’s head, knocking him to the floor. “Your incessant pleas irk my ears.”

The mother screamed and tried to come to her husband’s aid but was held back and forced to the ground.

As the scream reached Kairan’s ears something took hold. Visions sprung to mind of the young girl in his dreams, how an assailant had once attempted to force them-self upon her. The crying pierced deep into his psyche.

It bubbled within his stomach, hatred and disgust churning and convulsing together into a sickening broth.

“Easy, Braun. They sell for less with bruises,” said the one bandit.

Flesh traders! Kairan thought. The vile decoction within him slowly grew volatile. He knew what he needed to do.

There was now danger in his step, each akin to a stomp as he marched forward. A fearsome glare radiated from his eyes.

“Now that is the look I love seeing,” sneered the bandit as the father looked up at him, “That pitiful stare filled with hatred, how I wish to savour it, but we haven’t the time.”

Kairan approached holding a stare with the nearest bandit who shook his partner and pointed at Kairan, words passed between them. He caught none of it, disbelief, concern, fear? He couldn’t tell.

“That’s close enough,” said another one of the bandits, in a threatening but almost cocky manner, he drew his sword to further emphasize the danger of his threat.

Kairan eyed the man, if he struck first, he might win. A powerful punch to the stomach, or maybe a kick to the shin. Could try disarming him and get his arm in a lock, then hold him hostage. Would the rest even care if I took one hostage?

“Didn’t you hear me?” asked the bandit, snapping Kairan out of his thoughts, “Take a step back or you’ll lose that head of yours.”

Kairan raised his hands and did as he’d been told.

“Hey boss, what do you make of this thing, think we can eat it?”

The boss turned his attention from the merchant to Kairan; a sinister smile stretched over his face. “Is that a walking mushroom? What madness has come of this world? My but fortune does seem to smile on us today, Gentleman. A big haul and a proper dinner. Kill it, I bet we can turn it into soup.”

At his words, the closer bandit raised his blade, his stance set that he may thrust forward at any moment.

“I wouldn’t recommend it, the flavour tends to have a nasty punch,” Kairan replied, his voice had sunk low and filled with gravel.

“Impressive. It can speak.”

“Technically, all of us speak. Guess you weren’t blessed with smarts...or looks for that matter.”

The boss chuckled, “It comes equipped with petty insults. Braun, secure that coach and get the woman back to camp.”

“And the father?” asked Braun, the black-haired dwarf.

“I’ll deal with him after we have dealt with this thing.”

Braun ripped the youngest from her mother’s embrace, kicking and screaming. It did nothing to stop him

“Let go of the girl, lest you wish lose a hand,” Kairan ordered. The bandits watched him with toothy grins, chuckling amongst themselves.

“You must feel really strong, pulling little girls from their mother’s arms. You’re worth less than the muck between my toes,” Kairan spat, a fat globule landed at the blonde bandit’s feet. He surprised himself, but made certain to hide it from his face.

The blonde bandit’s mouth twisted into a snarl, and he made to lunge at Kairan, but the boss stopped him.

“Easy Don, look at its smirk, it wants to goad you into an attack.”

“Master got you on a tight leash little pup, best listen,” Kairan remarked but Don held his composure. A pity that was.

“You know our language well, but you aren’t all too smart,” the boss said before giving a short whistle.

“Oh, I’m sure I’ve got plenty more smarts than you.”

Something whizzed past Kairan’s face, faster than he could anticipate. He flinched and grabbed his face where the arrow had nearly grazed him.

“Don’t think we dance at your behest. We could have you riddled with arrows before you even threw a punch.”

Dammit, since when did they have an archer? That complicates things greatly…I bet arrows hurt like hell. Would they kill me? One in the head definitely. But chest? Stupid to even risk it. The rest I should beat, right? I’m double, maybe triple their weight…tch but that doesn’t matter to a sword and especially a spear…No. I can beat them, I have to.

“You raise an excellent point.” His eyes darted to the family, then back, “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to settle with just these folks’ valuables and let them go? It would save you plenty of trouble.”

“It’s incredible, how quickly you were to tuck your tail and try fleeing, but no, you will be dying here today.”

“I won’t be dying to the likes of you,” Kairan taunted further. “And make no mistake, no one said anything about running. I was only giving you a chance.”