~Treasure~ 1
“Hey Victor come and see this!” The man I hear calling out is unfamiliar, his voice is deep and raspy.
My semi pointed ears twitch as the new voice makes them itch. The rest of my senses slowly coming too, the sedatives in my system are wearing off fairly quickly. I inhale deeply scenting many new comers mixed with fresh blood.
Something is off out there but it has nothing to do with me currently. I rub my eyes with sore fingers lazily, wondering why my captors didn’t give me anymore.
“What is it Nevius?” Another strange voice echos loudly, this man’s tone is much deeper then the one pounding on the hatch now.
“There seems to be a hidden room.” His hand slams loudly on the hatchway of my resting area, “This must be that dead fool’s treasure, King Kushin.”
That is when I understand what is happening instantly, I focus harder and pick up on the sounds screaming ladden in the background. I can hear jeers and the clash of swords beyond the building I’m in. It seems the resident raiders are being over taken today, I chuckle at the irony of it all.
Taking full advantage of war sounds outside, I grip the chains holding me to the wall. I time it perfectly and when the man beats the hatch I yank hard. The sound of his mad banging drowned out my actions. I still for a moment as a few more bangs vibrated around me.
I inhale deeply, letting the scent filled air fill my nose.
The pungent scent of blood is mainly that of my captors. For the air seeping in through the cracks around me is full of blood of many felled warriors. I won’t have to worry about any repercussions now when I make my escape, these invaders have helped in many ways.
I grip my blades firmly, I had planned on making my move today as it were. Having this lot raid has aided me immensely. I jerk the ends of my chains, making sure they are fully detached from the wall. I crouch forward, ready to pounce the moment the invading warriors let in the outside light. My long and dirty sliver hair drops over my small frame, my nerves on edge as my fangs sharpen. I can feel the tension in my thighs building, my joints starting to crack.
I have been storing as much as energy as possible for this day. No longer will I be trapped and forced to fight for amusement.
“Your fist aren’t gonna budge that Nevius. Here, move out the way.” The one called king states calmly.
The sounds of shuffling drift in to my pointed ears just before the swoosh of a large foot slams the whole wall. I waste no time and spring forward, leaping on to the falling flank of wood. I push against it and land on a wooden beam, flying over the heads of many large burly men unnoticed.
The one who kicked the door, is easily seven foot tall, I can feel his gaze on me however. His eyes are a stunning blue and only he seems to have notice my movements. I chuckle and then leap towards the exit without delay.
I land nimbly in the open doorway of the building behind the lot, casting a last side ways glance at the dead bodies laying on the ground. I spit on the closet one then sprint for the forest ahead. It takes awhile for my body to adjust to the open air. It has been so long since I have been outside but it does feel wonderful.
A few of the native raiders dare to try and stop me but I easily kill them and slip further into the woods. The feeling of dirt beneath my feet makes me smile. Memeories of running through the battle stricken fields flicker breifly, making me chuckle slightly.
Soon my sharp ears pick of the sounds of the raiding vikings scouting the woods. It seems some villagers must have fled from their clutches. These warriors are all obsessed with plunder of any kind I suppose.
I duck down into a muddy river bank I been hoping for, these always provide excellent hiding spots. Tree roots hang over the bank, creating little nooks behind them.
I press myself against the mudd, listening to more of their shouts as they search the woods closer to me. I can even pick up the sounds of hounds in the distance and my breath hitches.
*They would most certainly detect me.....but would their fear keep them away?*
Minutes go by as the dogs get further away, confirming my hopes but my senses are still on edge. There is definitely someone close by, I sniff the air softly. I can barely detect it but there is most certainly a stench of blood coming from above me and something else slightly more inviting.
Tightening my grip around the handles of my twin daggers, I steel my resolve. I kick off the river bank, landing in the center of the stream now.
I ignore the bliss the cool water brings my bare feet and take on a fighting stance. I hold my hands out in front of me steadily, ready to defend myself against whatever this fighter comes at me with.
I glare at this opponent differently though, these people indirectly aided in my escape. They gave me the cover I needed to break my chains and indirectly aided in revenge. I don’t want to kill him like I did with the others who resided here. I fought and killed far too many to judge these vikings for doing the same now.
I glance at the shackles still around my wrist, blood dripping as they continue to dig into my flesh. The chains that once held me in place hang freely in the wind, sunlight glinting off the ringlets. My gaze softens slightly as I return to staring at the tall man on the bank.
He is hunched over, in thick heavy leather armor, parts are linked together with metal bands and strands. His beard is subtle grey and has faint streaks of silver. Tribal tattoos adorn the sides of his shaved head.
The hair he does have is a blonde shade and it trails down from the center top of his head. He has it braided tightly and pulled back into a woven black wrap. His expression is blank yet his striking ice blue eyes carry heavy curiosity. I watch as he slowly stands and jumps down into the river. His true size startles me a bit, I have never seen men so tall.
Easily a few feet taller then myself currently. I step back as he places his hands on either side of his hip. Lifting his cloak off his sides revealing two swords. I knew what was coming and braced for his attack. His speed is impressive but so is mine, no matter how big the opponent is, I can dodge. I slip downwards, stepping towards him.
My hair flowing over my face as I set my sight on his left shoulder. His blades now crossed fully behind my back, the moment I been waiting for. I spring forward as I slice my dagger towards my mark. He jumps back quickly, pulling away from death.
I straighten up, *Death?*
I glance quickly to where his hand moves, eyeing the slice across his neck. Looking down at the blood dripping from my dagger. I step backwards, ashamed of myself. I didn’t want to go for a kill, I just wanted to incapacitate him. Curse my instincts I swear.
“Well now, I wasn’t expecting that. You didn’t have a shred of intent to kill me in your vivid blue eyes. How dangerous you are indeed and your sliver white hair just adds to your charm.” I recognize this voice, he is the one called Victor Kushin.
“You are the one who killed the Master and kicked down the wall...” I groan internally, “To think I almost killed the one who aided me to boot!” I shake my head in disappointment.
The raiders here would always attack and turn on the ones who offered them help. I don’t want to be like my captors, I also don’t want to be weak like my challengers.
Such a fine balance to learn now. I bite the hilt of my dagger in the corner of my mouth and scratch at the shackle around my neck. These shackles are what keeps me from shifting into my trueself and I hate it. Unsure of what to do next as I tug and prod the neck restraint, not having a lick of luck.
The Viking man just stands in silence, he is fingers tracing the slice across his neck with complete fascination. The clanking of my chains brought his focus back on me sadly. I eye him warily as my fingers feel for the clasp. I can deal with the others later but this one needs to go first.
“If you let me, I will take it off.” He points towards my neck.
“Why are you still here. I am just a meek child, not worth any value.” I roll my eyes and motion to my thin body that’s barely hidden under a tattered shirt. “Surely there are better choices back in that village. Why waste your time on a scrawny one like me?” I step back a few more feet, hoping this man just let’s me go.
“I highly doubt that is the truth young one, you have unquie features as it stands.” Kushin leans against the bank and crosses his arms. His deep blue eyes watching me with great amusement. “Tell me how did you come to be in such a way?”
I stop fiddling with my neck shackle and remove my dagger from mouth, gripping it tightly again. I look him up and down once more with utter confusion.
“I will answer your questions if you let me leave willingly.” I raise an eyebrow hoping to disappear off into the woods after this.
He doesn’t say a word and just waits silently. I pick up the sounds of his commardes off in the distance, seems they given up hunting for any more runaways.
“I am a child of war.” I cross my arms, giving him a half truth.
“Quit remarkable.. Is this your home village?” I can feel him taking in every detail of this form, I do indeed look like a young human aside from the points of my ears.
I snort hard and look at him like he is a fool none the less.“What kind of stupid question is that? No. The warriors who killed my kin sold me at port here.”
“So you were raised on the battle field. How old are you now?”
“At least early 20s I think.” I look down at the ground, not entirely convinced of what age I am.
“How long have those shackles been around you?”
“Why do you care?” I raise an eyebrow again, not too sure what to make of this viking.
“You interest me, now go on. You said you answer me, unless you are just a beast free of a cage.”
“I truly do not know but it has been many years that much I am sure.” I take another step away, nearly cross the stream now.
“Why?”
“Why what Viking?” I snap, my impatience growing with freedom so close.
“Why were you sold, why did they keep you in that back room... Why such shackles on a you?”
“Ha that is simple, they couldn’t handle me. I killed many warriors and so my captors sold me off here years back. But every chance I had, I’d try to escape bewteen the fights.” I shake my hands then my feet, “So they shackled me cause they couldn’t kill me. No, I was their prize fighter earning them coin. Though the chains did hinder a bit.” I spit on the ground with utter disgust at that sentence, there was no honor to gain from those fights.
“How did you end up with those daggers then?”
“Months of planning actually.” I felt a wave at annoyance that my well laid out plan ended up being useless. “I was preparing to kill them and leave today anyway. Clearly the Goddess wanted a laugh today and sent yall here.”
“What is your name?”
“My...name..” I choke on air, a feeling of surprise washes over me as I realize I never got one and I never bothered to remember what the raiders called me.
“Oh so this is where you wondered off to brother! The men are setting up a feast for tonight!”
“I see you found me Nevius.” The large burly man looks to his side as the skinny one steps closer.
“So who is this you got?” Nevius asks sitting down on the bank, eyeing me oddly.
“The wild thing that gave our men the slip. I was just about to get his name.” Kushin smirks glancing my way, humor in his eyes.
“Ouch, I know I may not be in proper health condition but I am definitely not a male.” My voice cracks with intense anger.
“How well you hide your femininity then.” Kushin nodes to my appearance chuckling teasingly.
“That scrawny little slave is what that the traitor was going on about?” Nevius jumps to his feet and eyes me skeptically. “She is what he was trying to hide? What is so valuable about a weakling like her? She isn’t even old enough to fuck. The only thing interesting is her hair..”
“She says she is a child of war. Not many are born on the battle field survive.” Kushin shrugs his shoulders.
“Well that was a wasted endeavor. Here I thought we find riches not some worthless slave. Highly doubt she has any value left in that state anyway. Kill her and be done with it brother.”
I feel a growl rise up from my gut, my eyes locking on the tall slinky man. I couldn’t stop the impulse nor the actions my body followed. The insults he hurled.. not even my captors dared to be so bold!
I lunge at Nevuis, bringing down both my hands fast. I stab a blade in to his left shoulder and wrap my strong legs around his chest. The next thing I know I am tasting his extra foul blood in my mouth. I may not be able to shift at the moment but my fangs definitely sharpen as I bite harder. Wanting to rip his voice from him, though I missed his throat, Nevius is fairly quick with his own reflexes it seems.
I feel Nevius’s cold boney hands trying to rip me off of his shoulder, his blood trailing down his right side. Pall his yanking just pulls more feral snarls out from me, I bite down deeper into his flesh. I can feel my otherself just lingering below the surface, my eyes burning with the urge to finish off my prey.
The real reason as to why I have such shackles is now on full display with my natural side peeking out. Then another set of hands wrap around me, strong thick hands firmly grasp me now.
Kushin peeling me off his friend with ease. I squirm against his hold now, rage fueling me. I twist in his embrace and growl a warning. My nails sharpening as I dig my claws into his arm. When he still shows no signs of releasing me, I snap my jaw down upon his bicep.
“Settle down wild thing.” He coos out gently, as though to calm an angry child.
I can feel the confusion coming off of Nevius as he holds a hand over the gaping wound. Taking in Kushin though is different, he is completely calm despite my outburst. I slowly still and retract my claws, my nails returning to a more reasonable length.
Kushin’s blood taste better then the other man, but I too relinquish my bite. As the tension leaves my body he sets me down, eyeing me with more intensity then before.
“What...what form of demon are you...” Nevius stutters as he falls backwards.
“Why Nevius, didn’t you learn a lesson already? Being so rude to one who is clearly a child of the Gods?”
“How can you say-”
“You seen yourself Nevius, she took on parts that of a wolf. Most certainly she must be a child of the Gods, a warrior from Valhalla itself.”
While the two are distracted I turn to make a run for it, only to be scoped up the a 3rd man from behind.
“King Kushin, she tried to run.” The new man states holding me firmly over his shoulder.
“Lord, you don’t mean to seriously bring that with us do you?” Nevuis voice nearly cracks.
“Indeed Brother I do. We can not leave her on this island. Horus, take her to the ship and secure her there, pleasantly please.”
Kushin walks around his man to look at me, “I will be there to see to you shortly. Be a good young one and listen to your elders.” He pats my head and motions Horus to leave.
Not left with much of a choice, I remain complacent and let the man named Horus do what he is tasked with. After all it seems Kushin is the leader of this band of warriors. I offer no resistance as Horus sets me down on their ship and fits a rope around my already shackled wrist. At least he is securing me to the main sail beam in the center of the ship, I’ll be able to see the sky.
He drapes a fur blanket over me before turning and leaving me alone on the ship, not once did he speak to me. I glance around admiring the beauty of the wood. I can see the love the crafter has for his work, each blank of wood is delicately carved and tended too. I can feel the joy this ship radiates, the pride it has for the men who sail upon it.
I shift my position a bit, placing my bare feet against the cold blanks, I close my eyes and focus on feeling the waves rocking the boat. A feeling I nearly forgotten. I sniff the air hungrily, savoring the heavy scent of salt and fish. I can’t stop the smile gracing my lips as a cooling breeze blows through my long hair. I look up at the expanse of sky above, watching the clouds dance over the sun.
Soon I doze off, some how feeling peaceful despite being a captive once more. When my keen ears pick up the sound of heavy foot steps in the soft sand, I start to stir. The pace is calm yet the heart beat is erratic, perhaps it is with excitement.
