The man's scream echoed through the alleyways like the scraping of metal. Shameful and audibly grotesque, it's tune was like the song or lullaby from his early childhood. Nyx twisted the blade like a doorknob; the resistance of bone and flesh should have made it impossible for him to do, but through the monster's pressing need his body was able to perform like a stringed puppet.
The brawny arms flailed about, barely jolting upward before plopping down. The metal had pierced the frontal lobe, sliced part of the optical nerves, and poked out from the other side. It was a sordid sight to see.
As soon as a scream broke out, the men in the front had turned around to witness the horror. Shaken by the sound, the boy was supposed to be weak, a small rabbit that could easily be hunted by them. Wasn't it just that morning when they had chased him through town, toying with him like a poached animal? They never would have imagined that the prey they just caught could turn the tables with something worse than the devil himself.
"Holy fuck!" The toothless man's hand immediately took hold of his own weapon, that previous smile no longer evident on his face. His mind directly remmbering to the legends they had just mocked. Holding the knife up, he pointed it to the small child - no, to the thing behind the child.
Nyx let go of the blade's handle, letting the body convulse on the bed of the cart. Foam and blood oozed from the man's orifices like the core was being squeezed. With an inscrutable expression, the boy turned to the front of the cart where the tiny pocket knife threatened him with a quiver.
The toothless man's hand shook seeing how even the whites of they eyes were stained by the darkness. Red was no longer visible as the blackness took control. His breathing stopped as he preyed to the holy one. He wished for a savior. Yet reality stood still as his fate was being devoured.
The boy had barely taken a step when the other man pushed his partner toward the monster and jumped down from the coaches seat, quickly unfastening a mule from the tack. Like the people from before, he couldn't get away fast enough. He didn't even look back when he was at a fair distance.
There was no amount of distance that would be far enough from a uhyre.
Pushed on the bed of the shoddy cart, the toothless man felt the betrayal, however, his focus could only remain on the closeness of the predator. Inky eyes without a soul paralyzed his entire body. His knife quavered again like a flickering flame as those eyes watched him.
Those eyes... Just last night, how much money was he paid to take them?
If only he had known. If only he had believed.
~~~
When the carriage returned to the General's mansion, it was as if chaos descended on the earth. In the morning, the young master had left in perfect condition. In the afternoon, he returned with a high fever and a mind full of delirium.
The one to immediately notify the Marquis was Isla. Not wanting to waste a second, he ran to the study in great haste.
Sifting through paperwork and files that were collecting dust, the General's back was stiff from a day of stationary desk work. He had always been a man more proficient of wielding a sword rather than a pen, but when need be, he still had the capability for administrative tasks.
By his side, Avery Randell took care of writing down anything the General said.
The day was quiet as it usually was when they were home in the capital. This was why the noise of rushed footsteps immediately caught their attention.
The rapid knocks sounded at the door. Avery hadn't even gotten up to open it when it was urgently pushed open. Such behavior was improper and worthy of severe punishment. But seeing who it was the General set aside those thoughts for now and urged the man to speak.
"An uhyre is in the Capital. The young master had been sent back to his chambers, a fever formed in no less than a quarter of an hour. Piers already sent for a doctor." Isla explained the exact event leading up to the incident, his final note being the odd reaction of Jamie.
If one were to be caught by and uhyre, their body would be nearly turned into stone. Jamie touched the being but was still kicking and screaming when they were leaving. Although this seemed like good news, there was also the sudden sickness and unsound, erratic behavior.
At the mention of the monster, the General had already stood up from his chair. But hearing who what happened to his son, a conflict formed in his heart. The child was alive. Affected, but still alive.
Keeping this in mind, he ordered, "Gather the guards all but the hundred will stay in the mansion, patrolling the walls in ten meter intervals. The gates are to be closed and not opened until the uhyre is caught. As for the rest..." The General grabbed the sword on his weapon stand. "All must be in full armor, we will set off as soon as possible."
Isla saw the General was still only using his left hand but said nothing. Receiving the orders, he once again hurried to perform his duties.
The General then turned to Avery, the other man knowing the danger that may unfold should the reports be true. "I will watch over the child and mansion. You must stay safe," Randall demanded. Each time, the man left was another needle to the heart.
But a man has his duties. And he must perform those duties well.
The General saw the reluctance in his lover's eyes; he was sure that his own eyes reflected the same. Assuredly, he promised. "Wait for me. I'll be sure to return as soon as possible." As he left the study, his body automatically headed toward the child's courtyard. He wished to go and see him before he left.
But, at the last moment, he caught himself. Now was not the time. Avery will watch over him. 'He will be alright.'