A woman stood before God, her face wet with tears. She didn't want to die so hopelessly the way she did. She wanted to make a difference in the world.
"Please God, send me back." She fell to her knees with a slight thud, her hands covering her face as she sobbed. "I can do better this time. Please." She pleaded while God stood before her with a soft look on his face. He bent down on his knees and softly touched her head. "Hush my child. There is no need to cry. If going back is what you truly want then I can send you back." The woman looked up at God with puffy eyes.
"I want to go back."
~
Estria shook her ridding her mind from the images that flashed across her mind. They were images from her past life. They appear with a strong headache then disappear before she could grasp onto them. The ground beneath her feet started to sway and before she could hit the cobblestone path a black snout came out and stopped her.
Estria steadies her footing as the black beast helped steady her swaying. "Thanks Bear." She smiled faintly and rubbed the black bear's head that stood beside her, reaching her chest in hight easily.
Bear was a changeling that inhabits the mountain in which Estria's village was carved into. She saved his life from rage driven villagers that wanted his kind dead and since then Bear has been following Estria around, acting as her companion.
Once her swaying stopped she re-adjusted her hood that covered her face. She can't risk people seeing her here, they already hate the title Hunter and they loathe Huntress even more, especially other male hunters. Hiding her gender may just be the only way she can get in and out of this village alive.
The village was called Devil's Hollow because of the plants that surrounds the place. One whiff or even cut or prick and you will die in seconds. The village is only inhabited when the winter arrives, because living here in the summer will be your death-sentence.
Estria kept her head down as she and Bear walked along the street. Villagers and other Hunters, clothed in black just like her, littered the side-walks and shop entrances. Some came out and stared at Bear. It might as well be the first time they saw a beast like him. Bears aren't common in the east.
When they arrived before a small shady tavern between the blacksmith and butchery more than half of the people out on the street were looking at them. Estria fidgeted with her sword handle under her cloak. This attention might bring unwanted company, company Estria doesn't want.
Outside the tavern drunken men staggered about, others were passed out on the side-walk. She shook her head in disgust. Men only want three things. First, booze to get drunk on. Secondly, a weapon they can kill for sport with. Then lastly, a wife they can boss around like some lap dog. It disgusts Estria to no end when a women bends onto her knees before a filthy man. Men should be the ones who fall to their knees when a woman speaks.
Estria entered the tavern with her head hanging low and Bear on her heels. Bear studies the broad, drunken and scar faced men inside with a killing intent clear as day.
Regard everyone as a threat until proved differently by their actions. Her Master's words rang across her mind when her fingers tightly wrapped around the hilt of her sword. The bartender saw her and Bear enter and immediately ran to stand before her. The rest of the tavern turned their gazes from their glasses to Estria. It was a good thing she remembered to cover her face.
"I won't let you enter any further with that beast." He spat at her. Estria remained calm and smiled faintly from under her hood.
"Alright then. Do you want to tell `the beast' that he has to leave his master?" Her voice held a bit of amusement as she spoke. Bear in turn growled lowly at the man, baring his razor-like teeth to scare him away. The bartender gulped loudly and feverishly shook his head.
"W-what can I get y-you?" He asked and tried his best to smile like she was just any other customer but with a beast that looks like he is about to tear his head off. Yeah, this was just a normal customer.
"I believe that you have a letter that is addressed to me."
" Y-Yes, I do. I will retrieve it. Wanda get a glass of beer for our customer over here!" Before she could protest against the beer the bartender ran to the bar and disappeared behind a door. Having nothing other to do then sitting down and waiting for the bartender, Estria chose the table at the far back surrounded in darkness. There she can hide and watch the tavern from all sides. Bear chose to spread out and lay beside her stool, facing the same direction as his master.
She barely warmed the wooden chair when a young girl, dressed in a restricting baby blue dress came and set down a glass of beer before her. "It's on the house." She said softly and went back to the bar.
Disgusted, Estria watched the bubbles float to the top of the glass. She doesn't like drinking, it turns men into fools. She doesn't need more reasons to not to drink. Besides she hates the taste in anyway. Not a minute later did the bartender return with a letter in expensive paper. It was sealed with red wax and bared King Regment's crest. She could already guess what the letter was for before she read it.
She broke the seal and slipped out the letter, it was written in a hurry. The letters were partially smudged by wet ink, but it was still readable.
~
Hunter.
Kill King Lupin and I will pay you twice the amount of your weight in gold. He will be passing through Thorn's Pass. I will expect to hear from you as soon as you finish the job.
King of Drakmore.
~
The amount of gold he was willing to pay prickled her interest but it died when she saw King Lupin was the one she had to kill. Sure Thorn's Pass was the perfect place to kill him but there is a reason why he is King. King Lupin was a brutal man that only thought about killing. Maybe killing him won't be a bad thing. This world can live on with one bad man dead, and King Lupin was the king of all bad men. They all look up to him.
The mountains can provide perfect hiding spots. And if push comes to shove she can always order Bear to rip him to shreds.
Estria smiled at the idea. This job lets her kill two birds with one stone.
Leaving the glass of beer just as it was, Estria and Bear left the tavern without as much as glancing at the men. The streets outside was rather quiet and calm.
Her hand flew to the hilt of her sword, adrenaline started pumping through her. Something felt off by the way everything was so quiet. The sun was also starting to go down and she needed to get away from this place before it was completely dark. Estria grabbed the saddle she had on Bear but just as she was about to climb onto his back a hunter appeared in their path, drenched in booze.
"Whoa there. Don't leave so fast." He said and continued to stagger closer, more hunters started to stick by his side. "It is a mighty fine beast you have there, how much do you want for it? I can pay you right away." He said laughing, the other hunters laughed along with them.
Estria's stomach started doing somersaults. She was outnumbered, fourteen to one, well she could only see fourteen hunters apart from the main hunter. God knows how many might be hiding in the shadows.
"He isn't for sale. Leave now." She said and drew her sword, Bear started growling at the hunters. They are drunk, she could get away but with a wound or two. She can take down the first hunter, while Bear kills the rest. But he is a big and broad man with hands that look like they could crush skulls. Estria knew that this will be a difficult fight.
"That's sweet. Everything has a price and I am not leaving here without that beast, am I right men?" A chorus of yes erupted all around. More hunters appeared and blocked Estria from behind.
"Very well then." She said and unclipped her hood, revealing her snow white hair and blood red eyes. Ever since bonding with Bear her eyes change color just before a fight. It symbolizes that they are synced in battle, master and servant as one. Estria isn't fond of fighting but seeing as the hunter won't back down, she has no other choice.