The smell of smoke was in the air. Lowell walked through the snow covered forest carrying a dead deer over his shoulder. The smell of smoke wasn't uncommon near the village, you had to keep a fire to stay warm. Lowell's casual walk turned into a jog as he saw not just chimney smoke, but big billows like someone's house had caught. The snow crunched under his feet as he dropped the deer and ran towards his village. Every home was smouldering. bodies were in the streets, burnt to a crisp. Lowell in shock and horror ran through the streets towards his families house. It was mostly burned down, the roof had collapsed. He ran on top of the rubble and pulled away what he could, not caring that it burned his hands. He uncovered the body of a young girl burned beyond recognition.
"No.. no no no no..." He said quietly, falling to his knees.
"Elizabeth..." Tears started to stream down his cheeks, then he heard foot steps. He looked up and saw a woman in a black dress with red eyes. She pointed down to the body.
Lowell looked back down, there was now a dead woman, unburt with auburn braided hair.
"Yvette...?" He questioned with more horror and grief. The woman in the black dress cackled with laughter.
Lowell awoke with a start, breathing heavily. He took a deep breath, it was just a bad dream. Lowell got out of bed and geared up for the day. He put his glace wolf pendant on and tucked it under his tunic to better hide it. He finished getting ready by putting on his dark green cloak and gloves. He went into the hallway and locked the door to his room before heading downstairs to the Inn's entrance. Katlyn was already there, sitting at a table eating a bowl of porridge.
"Good morning." She said it with a warm smile.
"Good morning to you as well." He responded, sitting down across from her. The innkeeper brought over a bowl of porridge and a wooden spoon for Lowell.
"Thank you." He said, the innkeeper just nodded and went on to the other customers. He then looked over at Katlyn, "so, we buy supplies and head out around mid-day?" He asked her as he started eating his breakfast.
"Sounds like a plan. I assume you have a horse?" She replied.
"Two actually."
"Then we're good to go." She said, finishing her breakfast.
The sun was at its highest point in it's arc across the sky when Lowell and Katlyn stood at the outskirts of Bridge Town. It was a day's journey through the forest until they reached the Blood Bridge. It takes another day to cross it, then they would be on the Isle of Shadows. Katlyn sat on her horse, gently holding it's reins as Lowell finished securing the supplies to one of his horses. He got on his other horse when they were ready, and they set off.
The path to the blood bridge was light in traffic. After the war, the vampires shut everyone out. No one knows why.
The forest was quiet, beams of sunlight filtering through the branches and pine needles, the crunching of freshly fallen snow was relaxing as the two journeyed.
Katlyn looked over at Lowell, "So what's your story?"
He sighed a deep sigh, then took a breath. "I'm afraid we're heading towards where it started." He paused. "I lived in a small village at the base of the mountain on The Isle. I was 10, it was near the end of the war. The Asèna were advancing towards Morgana. Everyone thought they would ignore our village, it was too small, we only provided a small amount of steel to Morgana's army. My father and I went for a hunting trip for the day. When we returned, our village was burned to the ground. Dragon fire took my mother and sister." He sighed, looking off into the woods. Katlyn was about to speak when he continued.
"You said you advised King Emrys. For how long?"
Katlyn hesitated for a moment, "I specialized in diplomacy, once the war started he basically ignored me. I was against him using Tayena, he didn't listen. I'm sorry for what happened." She said sincerely.
"It's alright, I believe I've moved on. Anyways, after that trauma we headed for Morgana. We didn't get there until after the battle, My father didn't want to stay in Morgana so we went with the Lunarian army."
Katlyn could see where his story was going. The Lunarian werewolves would let anyone into their kingdom, granted they pass a trial in whatever the person's trade was.
"My father failed his trial. But I passed mine."
"You passed a Lunarian Hunting trial at the age of ten?" She questioned, surprised.
"I was a small target, and apparently good with a bow." He said with a small laugh. They were well into the forest now, away from the bustle of Bridge Town's market. The sound of birds chirping and wind was all they could hear.
"I'm sorry you had a rough childhood. How'd you get cursed though?" Katlyn asked after a moment.
"After seven years of training in the army, me and a few other soldiers were sent to a town to defend against the Lycans. When they eventually attacked, we defended it of course. I saved an old woman and she offered to grant me a wish. I thought she was just a little mad in her age so I sarcastically said I wish I could kill a dragon. A few hours later I was sparring with my friend and when I touched him he died. That was a rough week. I eventually got back to Lunaria and explained what happened. They debated on whether or not they should throw me in jail. They decided to train me to be an assassin when they saw my "gift" was no farce. 2 years in, and I fell in love. Her name was Yvette. She was one of few who went near me outside of training. You can probably guess what happened." He paused, "After her funeral I went on a short hunting trip by myself. A woman randomly approached me and said "be careful what you wish for." Then laughed and disappeared." He said, then took a moment to admire the forest. Katlyn was silent for a moment.
"I-"
"I don't need pity, it was a long time ago, you asked my story and I am simply telling it." He interjected politely.
She nodded, then said, "would you like to continue?"
"Maybe in a bit, we do have all day."
They road for two more hours before taking a break by a stream to let the horses drink. The sun was beginning to set when they got moving again.
Lowell decided to continue his story.
"I poured myself into training after that. Completed my first contract, then another, and another. My reputation grew quickly, then I was asked by the queen to kill the Lycan King. After that I was made the queens personal assassin, and received my glace wolf pendant. I stayed in Lunaria for a while as a member of the queens guard. Then I was asked to kill Tayena. I'm supposed to return to Lunaria as soon as possible, but then you came along and offered me this opportunity." He said with a small smile.
"That witch deserves what's coming. I've been waiting 800 years."
They continued well into the night until they reached the Blood Bridge. The ocean clashed with it's supports. The bridge was 50 feet wide, entirely made of stone. The pale light of the crescent moon illuminated it and the surrounding area. There was an empty inn and stable for people about to cross it. Katlyn and Lowell tied up their horses for the night and went inside the dark inn. They went upstairs to the rooms. "I expect to hear your story tomorrow while we cross the bridge." Lowell said before entering his room.
"I have many to tell." Katlyn responded.
The night was cold, but they both slept soundly, knowing they would get their revenge.
{Authors Note}---
Hello! I plan on publishing a chapter roughly once a week. If I take longer it's probably because of school or other things. Thanks for reading!