The lackey was running through the castle, for the second time this week.
He was rushing towards the office of the prime minister.
He was in such a hurry, that he didn't even think about knocking at the door.
As soon as he entered the room, seeing the shock on his face, his heavy breathing and most importantly the fact that he didn't knock, the prime minister knew.
I'll hang him later, he thought, now we got more important things to do.
-It's them again ? he asked the lackey clearly out of breath.
-Yes...sir, he said between two breaths, but there's something different this time...
The prime minister was very attentive to each word he said , not only because it was different but also and mostly because he didn't call him sir the second time.
-And how is it different ? he said after a moment of silence, giving the lackey enough time to try and make for his mistake.
The lackey didn't say sir again.
I'll torture him before hanging him, he thought.
-They killed them all, sir, said the lackey after finally recovering his breath, they didn't let one as a witness this time, sir...
-Hmmmm, I see, they are getting more and more violent, he said while touching his long beard, good now go rest a bit, eat and drink as if it was your last day on this earth, you deserved it, he said with a large smile on his face.
-Yes sir, thank you sir, said the lackey before bowing and leaving the office.
- And don't you say a thing to a single soul, he added right before the lackey left.
-Guards, prepare the torture room and a rope, and catch that lackey.
They are becoming a real danger, but i can't put too much troops on their case, or it would look like we consider them as more than just mere bandits, hmmmm well it's not like it matters to me, they don't approach my castle and all they do is kill some guards and attack some merchant caravane, maybe I'll eventually send an assassin or two, oh well all this got me really tense a little session of torture will do me the greatest good.
He then went to his wardrobe to put on his torture tenue.
**
-I WANT CANDYYYYYYYYYYY
-Alright Neila, you'll have candy, when we reach next town i'll buy you as much candy as u want, said Sfar
-Oh sweetheart, you are buying her way too much candy, she'll end up sick, said Rosa
-Yes, and she always get what she wants, and I never get anything, said Moris clearly upset.
-Ugh you fuckers, the king will hang you by th...
Scaf crushed his trache by putting his boot on it.
-Shut up, you scumbag, working with the prime minister and his corrupted nobles.
Some of the guards where still standing, the one that throw an arrow in the face of the teenage girl was still in shock.
He was sure his arrow did hit.
It actually did hit.
What he wasn't expecting was that she would catch it with her teeth.
He prepared himself to shoot a second arrow but he was too late.
She was already at his level, attacking from under him, she throw an uppercut that was so powerful it went through his helmet and crushed his jaw, causing him to have an internal bleeding, killing him in place.
Another guard at his left used that opportunity to attack her with a slash attack.
She dodged the attack so smoothly It looked like she was dancing.
A lethal dance.
She punched him with a fast jab in the throat, just strong enough so that it would cut his breath, she then attacked the solar plexus, totally stopping his breath.
She didn't even finish him and went toward another guard, right at that moment the last one took an arrow right in his neck, going from left to right.
Scaf exploded in laughing.
Rosa softly laughed.
Moris was shooting arrows at such a speed that before the first arrow hits it target he was already shooting the second one.
He never misses a shot.
Scaf then punched a guard that was coming toward him, he went flying and his head hit the floor so hard parts of his brain where getting out of his helmet.
Scaf's extraordinary strength and his strong body make him look like an ogre more than a human.
Rosa then got attacked by a guard, she simply dodged his hit by doing a fast rotation, She Then kicked him between his legs from behind, getting him on his knees, then she left a kiss on his cheek before snapping his neck.
Scaf got red of rage, he rushed in the middle of the enemies, swinging them like if they weighted nothing and crushing their skulls together as if they were nuts.
They were 30, now there's only one standing.
Neila appeared at his side, hitting him on his knee, breaking it, before hitting him with her elbow right on the jaw.
-You lucky devil, you are the one we are gonna let live. Said Scaf while he was getting towards him.
But the guard wasn't totally unconscious, he reached to her leg and touched her.
-Oh boi, you made the mistake of your life.
Neila's childish and happy expression totally changed to the one of an enraged, insane beast.
She broke his wrist so he would let go, she then started kicking him like a furry in the ribs, breaking many of them, she then sat on him and started punching his face, again and again and again, until her fist was tainted in blood, and his skull totally smashed, you couldn't even recognize it was a human face before, but she didn't stop, the poor devil was obviously dead but she kept hitting everywhere on his body, she even took his sword and started randomly slashing, cutting many of his fingers, You could see his ribs, his arms where full of cuts.
-Neila, it's enough, said Scaf.
She wasn't listening.
-I SAID ENOUGH?, he yelled.
She wasn't listening.
They had to go all three to get her off him and calm her.
-Oh I'm sorry...I can still have my candies ?
-Yes...you can still have your candies... said Scaf, out of breath.
**Later that day**
Something that looked like a human was hanged by the neck.
Under it was a sign, where it was written:
Tortured for not saying sir to the prime minister.
Hanged for not knocking on the door of the prime minister.
That's what happen when you disrespect the hierarchy, know your place.
*****
-Here have your candy sweet heart...
-Thank you mummy
-Now if you go with this man he'll give you all sort of candy
-But mommy you won't come with me
-No sweetie, but I'll join you later don't worry, mommy and daddy love you
-Come with me girl, we'll have a lot of fun just you and me
-No mommy no don't let me...mommy come back...I don't wanna fight anymore...no I don't wanna do what the big man asks....mommy please...
A door open.
-Come now girl, you have new clients.
-NO I DON'T WANNA NOOOOOO
Neila wakes up, screaming, like every night since she was a child, that's why she always sleep outside, or else she wakes people up in the inn, and they don't like It.
But it was mostly because she didn't have the money to pay for a room, so she sleeps with the horses.
She usually goes for a walk after waking up from a nightmare, and that's what she did.
It was a normal night.
Until she heard footsteps.
She moved by reflex, she always walks close to the trees, so that she could climb.
She didn't have the time.
Three figures appeared.
She judged them.
One was big, really big, like an ogre, she couldn't see his traits correctly since it was dark, but something was for sure, it would be complicated to take him down.
On his right was a women, she seemed so small in comparison with that enormous thing on her left, but she was walking with assurance, like she wasn't impressed at all, her arms were thin and she didn't seem to be that strong, she would be the first one to go down.
The third one was a bit behind them, he seemed younger then the two others, he seemed afraid, he would probably run, he would be a pain in the ass.
-Oh look sweetie, we scared the child, she looks so frightened. Said the small figure that seemed to be a woman by her voice
-Oh sorry kiddo, um you're fine ? Asked the big guy
The man reached for her with his hand.
At the moment he was gonna touch her she attacked.
She rushed towards the one that was in the back, attacking him directly in the throat, but for the first time since she was a child, someone was faster then her.
He dodged the attack and hit her on the back of the neck with the side of his hand.
Any normal person would have been knocked unconscious.
She just looked more angry.
She pivoted and threw a kick right towards his jaw.
She was too fast, he couldn't dodge it.
Suddenly she felt a strong arm closing on her leg and lifting her up.
-Would you look at that, we got a little fighter in here. Said the one holding her like she's a cat.
-Oh sweetheart, what happened to you to be like that ? Said the woman with a tone she never heard before.
-I don't care what happened to her, that bitch tried to kill me !! Screamed the little boy, with a really angry face
-She was just scared Moris, chill you didn't get hurt. Told him the big guy with an authoritarian tone.
Neila was trying her best to get off his grip, but it was just too strong.
-Look kiddo, we don't wanna hurt you, you clearly don't have any money on you and you aren't some kind of noble's kid, so am gonna let go, and you won't attack us okay ?
Neila nodded.
As soon as he let go of her, she ran into the woods and hide.
She then started following them, from afar, so that they won't see her.
But not too far, so she could keep an eye on them
Until one day, the three made an ambush to a caravan.
The couple were in front line while the third one was backing them up with his arrows.
Weirdly, it was only now that she actually noticed what they looked like, the big guy had beautiful yellow eyes, a blond bird and his hair were tied in a bun, he had a square jaw and a small nose.
His compagne had beautiful long dark hair, green eyes and she was so fit, her body was truly beautiful.
The young boy, had a round face, a big nose, red eyes, and white hair, actually his whole body was strangely white, as if he was dead.
It was at that moment she noticed someone, approaching him, with a dagger in his hand.
She moved by instinct, she didn't even know why she moved, she hadn't even realized it, until she felt the blood of the man on her face.
She had just cut his throat with his own blade.
She hit his wrist, then she kicked in the blade, grabbed it and slashed his throat, her movement was so perfect and fluid that it was as if she was dancing.
A lethal dance.
-Thanks for the backup, the boy said, Moris was his name if she remembered correctly, the two others were Scaf and Rosa.
She just nodded and threw the blade directly in the jugular of another assassin who was coming towards them, killing him on the spot.
She then joined in the battle, killing without thinking, just letting her body speak and that's when she realised It, she actually enjoyed it, killing people, and by killing them she was helping the only people who didn't try to hurt her.
Since then, she followed them, but not from afar, she was close to them, and since then, she slept, in a room, in the inn.
-Neila, Neila, yoohoo, are you daydreaming again ? said Rosa in her sweet, soft voice.
-Um yes haha sorry, she said, smiling.
-Now am curious, how you, Rosa, accepted to marry that big ogre right here, said Moris.
-Well euh...how to say that, he brought me food, and then he started talking, and he proposed, and I was kinda focused on the food, so I kinda said yes without thinking and then it all went too fast...
Moris exploded in laughter.
-That's the best story I've ever heard, now if you'll excuse me, there's a beautiful lady right there waiting for me to come and get her.
-Good luck with that kiddo, said Scaf, still on shook. So...you didn't really wanna say yes ?...
-Oh sweet heart don't think too much about it, it's not like we can afford to have a wedding with all those bounties on our heads, she said while laughing
-I guess you are right..., he said, looking a bit sad.
Moris walked towards that absolutely gorgeous woman, she was even more gorgeous than Rosa, which is quite impressive.
He walked towards her trying to be nonchalant and acting like he wasn't going towards her, but everyone could see he couldn't take his eyes off her.
-Now now, what we got here ? she said, her voice sounded so sad and sleepy, which made it sound really attractive.
Now that he was close he could see her face better, she got beautiful hazel eyes, gorgeous lips, long hair.
-So, are you gonna say something or You are just gonna stare at me ?
-I euh... ye no am not boring at all. He said, with absolutely no assurance, I have plenty of things to say. Like euh...
-Of course, she said while rolling her eyes, well, since I'm already bored and there's nothing to do down here, what about you try and take my boredom off up stairs ?
Moris couldn't believe it.
It was too beautiful to be true.
He then followed the lady who looked like a goddess upstairs.
Neila woke up the first, as usual. She got out of her room, and when she was reaching the stairs she noticed something was wrong, she couldn't hear breathing in Moris's room, she looked through the keyhole, the room was empty.
She went down stairs, outside, she looked around, he was nowhere to be seen.
She woke Scaf and Rosa up,and told them all about it.
-That son of a bitch, he must have drank too much and ended up getting caught.
Moris woke up, attached, in a cell, it was cold and his back hurt like hell.
-Look who just woke up, the sleeping beauty, said the woman he was with last night with a little laugh
-Fucking bitch...where am I ? he said after a moment.
-Calm down my dear, don't move too much your head might still hurt, she said with a wink.
-It's you, you tricked me and knocked me out ! he said with anger fusing from his eyes.
-What did you expect ? you really thought someone like me could have any physical interest in someone like you ? Don't be silly.
-You fucking bitch, he said as he moved towards the door, just wait 'till I get out of this cell and i'll skin you ALIVE !
-Oh my oh my, I'm so scared, she said while letting a little laugh and having a devil smile on her face, and how are you gonna do that ? with the little lockpick in your sleeve ?
Moris opened his eyes wide.
If she knew he had a lockpick on his sleeve, trying to escape would be totally useless, she probably have guard waiting on the corner.
-Don't worry I don't have any guard waiting on the corners or anything, it won't be necessary. If you try to escape, I can take you out myself.
-Huh really ? I would love to see that, said Moris as he put his face really close to the little window in the door of cell
-Alright, now while you try and open the lock of the door we could get to know each other, she said with her back to the wall. Well of course I know who you are, I mean I could spot you from the second you got inside the inn, even if you don't really look it.. even if you try to act cool and relax, your body is used to fighting, so even when you aren't fighting you move in a certain way, and you're maybe skinny but we can clearly see your arms muscles are well developped and also your legs, which makes total sense for an archer, so it was really easy to know who was who, from the moment I eliminated who the weak link was.
-Excuse me ? Moris stopped his lockpicking in the second and gave her a confused look, the weak link ?
-Oh sweet heart, you don't know ? You are the weakest of the group.
-Am gonna show you who's weak, Said Moris as he swung the door open.
As soon as he was out, Moris jumped on her, throwing punches in all way, going for the throat, the nose, the kidneys, but he couldn't put even a blow on her, she dodged every hit as swiftly as if she was dancing with Moris, and it was all just a choreography.
Until Moris could put one blow, it wasn't even really a blow, he just scratched her cheek with his fist, but it was enough to trigger her.
Her facial expression instantly changed, the smile she kept all the time disappeared and now her face had no expression, it was like she was a robot.
She instantly put herself in fighting pose and started attacking.
Hit to the humeral head, dislocation of the right arm.
Swing under his left hook, hit with the elbow to the ribs, fracturated two.
Uppercut to the jaw, hit with the elbow to the right jaw, break it.
Hit to the throat followed by hit to the solar plexus, breath totally cut.
Kick to the left knee, break it.
Hit with the palm to the torso, target went flying to the floor.
She jumped on him, putting her knee on his chest and punching his face.
-YOU ARE GONNA SKIN ME ALIVE, HUH ? I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT YOU LITTLE SHIT, I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LIVE THE WORST PAIN YOU EVER FELT !! AM GONNA POP YOUR EYES OUT, CUT YOUR EARS, AND I'LL ALSO CUT YOUR PEN...
-I don't think you'll be able to do this, we still need him.
The voice of the prime minister sounded way less confident than usual.
She hadn't notice but they were surrounded by guards, all pointing their spears toward her.
-Tell me, mr the prime minister, she said with a demonic smile on her face, and a look in her eyes that made her look more like a dangerous beast than a human being, do you think those guard could protect you from me ?
-Certainly not, said the prime minister while he started to walk backwards, but they can certainly give me enough time to fly away.
-Wanna try it ?
-Um no, not really, he said, his hands started sweating heavily and he was thinking if all of this was a bright idea, but before you do anything, don't forget I'm the one who pay you, and if you kill me, a revolution is sure to rise, and if a revolution rises, no one will pay you.
-Hummm...she seemed to have calmed down, makes sense to me, alright then I won't kill him, but I still want to play with him.
-Yes of course, he'll be all yours, but for now he needs a little bit of rest, since he seems to be already knocked out, I think taking him back to his cell is a bright idea.
-Of course, she said, with her little smile back.
She leaned over him, gave him a kiss on the cheek while she put back his dislocated arm at the same time.
-Sleep tight sweetheart.
-We are NOT saving him, said Scaf, clearly enraged.
-But we can't let him, he's our friend! said Neila.
-Friend, friend, that's a big word, we are just merely travelling companion.
-Oh sweetheart, we all know you don't mean that.
-What the hell is wrong with you! screamed the guard that was under Scaf's foot, you make an ambush, kill everyone except me, interrogate about if we have your friend, and now you casually talking about NOT saving him, are you totally crazy?!
-Crazy? I think that's about right, said Scaf before exploding in laughter.
-Now, hun, said Rosa, I propose you something, you tell us where our friend is and we won't kill you? So what do you say?
The guard gave it a thought for a second then he answered.
-He's in the lowest level of the dungeon, it's right under the castle, there's a rumor that say there's a secret passage from the sewer, but that's all I know I swear.
Scaf lifted his boot from his chest.
-Obviously we don't need to tell what would happen if you told anyone about this, said Scaf while he lifted him up with a big smile on his face.
The guard started taking his clothes off.
-Am quitting this bullshit of imperial army, you just gave me the perfect opportunity to disappear, thanks, and if you need help to get your friend out, I know some guards in the castle that are as done as me, they won't mind helping you if you help them disappear like me.
-Well, for once we are gonna need a plan to get in, we can't just rush in, and we're gonna need more infos, hold on Moris, even if it takes us a bit of time, we'll come for you.
-Oh look who's getting all emotional, said Rosa while squeezing her husband arm and looking at him with sweet eyes.
-Me? Emotional? You are totally wrong, I just want to save him so I can kick his ass myself, this MORON !