Chapter 2:

The Seed of Greed

The One-Man Army


A small rooster peaked its head through the small coop’s entrance. Its small stick-like legs clamped themselves down to the wooden ramp leading up to the coop’s roof.

With the sun slowly rising from the east, more and more roosters sang their morning songs, creating a harmony of screeches to start the working day. Light, barely managing to skim past the tall tiled houses.

A morning with a perfect, cool temperature to refresh the stand owners and give them a breath of life. Periodically a stronger gust of wind navigated the main streets from the North blowing clothes away from their drying racks.

Although it was an early hour, some adults were already out and about shopping for their daily necessities. Children, going out after their long slumbering hours to meet up with their friends to frolic about.

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A girl, running through a darkened alley. Her basket bounced up and down to the rhythm of her steps. The handkerchief that had been keeping her hair hidden began slowly retreating to the nape of her neck.

As she approached a small garden fenced off with beautiful dark wood her attention changed to the overgrowth of vines, moss, and flowers which gave more colour to the lifeless grey alleyway.

‘’Hello Miss Nectaria!’’ Her pace slowed down to a simple walk until she had reached the fence.

‘’Hello there, Miss Emilia! You usually aren’t awake at this hour, what’s the special occasion?’’ The elder woman who had been watering some flowers on a windowsill named Necataria answered.

‘’You don’t say. Well, today there is a special discount on a cut of meat I have been looking forward to trying out for a long time!’’ Emilia’s mouth drooled just thinking about the mouth-watering slab of meat that could be roasted, steamed, or made in a stew.

‘’And here I thought my young Emilia finally found a partner. I seem to have overestimated you.’’ Nectaria spoke as she slowly climbed down the short wooden ladder.

‘’Your sense of humour is quite twisted. But I must get going, I don’t want anyone getting there before me!’’ Emilia waved her arm and picked up speed towards the east side of the town.

As she approached the main road, which has now been populated with more shoppers, Emilia’s pace quickened to that of a panther. Her hunger-ridden eyes focused on the quickest path to the butchery.

Shoppers created space for the flurry of winds she created from her speed.

Her hair flowed like water against the wind while its brown colour wooed men that happened to be watching her run. Light glistened in her honey-colored eyes.

Meanwhile, on the grassland north of the town, an army of twenty thousand strong marched onwards. Light glistened off their polished sets of armour and weaponry.

Their military prowess was not only visible by the massive army of men but by the ballistae and catapults which were dragged along by dozens of horses. Among the soldiers, green banners flowed bearing their crest with pride. It could be no one but the ‘Bounty Kingdom’.

Their arsenal ranged from swords, bows, spears, mages, maces. Etc. Weaponry that would cost thousands of gold coins which even most high-ranking merchants wouldn’t dream of buying.

Them flaunting their flags was not something that they were simply proud of. Every banner that was held up high is equivalent to a town or kingdom they brought chaos upon.

Their military leader had brought them many victories within a short time of becoming the captain of his army. His abilities were unmatched when it came to combat prowess and strategic plans.

Their target this time was the third son of a wealthy family of merchants, Gregory. While his family focused on selling fine liquor and potions of many varieties, his main source of income was through selling slaves of different races to high-ranking nobles.

The contractor’s conditions were quite simple. Kidnap Gregory and deliver him to the elven forest where he will be put up for a large sum of coins.

In terms of defence, the town did not have more than one hundred guards since for most of its history it had been regarded as a safe haven for different races and merchants.

Her pace never faltered, as if her stamina pool was as large as the great blue ocean. While there are butchers closer to where her home was she enjoyed making the trip out to the east side of the town. On top of that, she knew the owner quite well and would get discounts quite often.

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Her pace slowed as she neared a large tavern-like building that stood out beside the houses. Vines swung from the many planks sticking out of the wall. Moss had started blocking the windows of the building as it built up in the damp, cold shade.

The door swung open and a short dwarf flew out with his arms spread wide.

Startled, Emilia dodged the catapulted dwarf. His face planted straight into the stony path.

Emilia’s face rested in the palm of her left hand. Her head shook from side to side.

‘’Have you forgotten again that I haven’t allowed you to touch me?’’ She spoke with a cold voice without lifting her face from her palms.

‘’Of course, I forgot, my age is getting the better of me.’’ The short dwarf laughed to himself as he lethargically got up from the ground.

Heading inside, the first thing that stood out was the two large chandeliers that hung from the wooden beams that ran along the roof. It lit the entire room with a flickering auburn flame.

There was not much in terms of furniture in the small butchery. Just the cashier desk and a few tall tables with stools surrounding each one.

‘’Well Emilia, what can I get for you today? The usual perhaps?’’ His cheeky air from moments previous had disappeared into a professional and vibrant man.

‘’If you don’t mind, I would like to purchase some beef from the sky bulls, a little honey roast ham from the wild boars, and maybe if you have some mutton.’’ Emilia couldn’t stop herself drooling as she voiced her request.

The short dwarf hopped off his stool and walked into the backroom.

Emilia’s nose flared, taking in a whiff of a faint warm air that blew from the north. It was smokey and hard to push down and it made Emilia feel uneasy.

Shattered_Hope
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LordHermes
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The One-Man Army


LordHermes
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