Moving along the winding road Eduard's' speed increased and as he progressed he found newer and newer tracks. Looking at the wagon wheel ruts and fresh footprints, he came to the conclusion that there was a town or settlement nearby, probably based on the tracks it should be larger than a village. Coming to that conclusion Eduard kept on moving towards the suspected town. Ever since he had awakened from the temple he hadn't felt the need to rest walking through the night without sleep, he still felt fine though, "it must be because of what I've become" he mumbled.
Pushing further north he saw some smoke rising in the distance not far from him, assuming it to be humans he fastened his hood over his head hiding his horns, "no need for trouble" he mumbled. Moving up the trail past tree after tree over hills and down them he walked, rounding a sharp bend in the path, he heard rustling. Shapes sprang out of the underbrush, humans dressed in leather armor and cloaks wielding swords, daggers and clubs, these were petty bandits. A smile forming under Eduard hood he continued forward towards the bandits waiting in the road.
"Stop here traveler, this is a pay road" the biggest of the bandits said with glee.
"I don't have any money, just move out of the way it will end better for you." Eduard responded with a mocking smile under his hood.
"Don't try to fool us, boys look at the sword on his hip this man is rich" the largest bandit chided.
"We know all the tricks traveler just give us everything you got and well let you go" another bandit said.
There seemed to be about twelve of them, they showed little mastery in any skill, confidence boiling up in him he stepped forward. "Move I don't have all day, I don't have time to play with you" Eduard growled.
The large bandit seemingly agitated stepped forward, "kill him boy's" he shouted, swinging his club towards Eduard's head.
Reaching out his hand faster than the bandit could see he punched a whole through the leaders chest sending blood spraying out behind the bandit, unsheathing his sword Eduard swung it with ease towards the bandits, bits and pieces of them flying off. Without so much as a scream the bandits bodies were cut into bits, arms and legs falling off, Blood soaking the ground. The blood that had splashed on his cape was absorbed as if it was a sponge. Reaching down and taking the money off what remains of the bandits body's Eduard stopped. That was the first time he had ever killed a person, but what his heart lacked in remorse it made up in glee. The blood flowing across the ground was slowly seeping into the earth though blood had splashed on Eduard his cloak had absorbed it without a trace.
Looking into the coin pouches he took he counted twenty seven gold and nine silvers, with this he could live for a few months in luxury in any town or city. Shaking his head Eduard continued on towards the chimney smoke, and the town, leaving behind the minced outlaws.
Continuing on, after rounding the final corner he could see it, stone walls twenty five feet off the ground, chimney smoke rising out of the town, and thirty to forty guards patrolled the walls and five watched the gate. Walking towards this town Eduard scoffed, he could see a line for those who had to enter the town for the first time. Even though not that long ago he would have been fine with waiting for other people for some reason now his pride outshined all others, his demonic blood refused to wait for those inferior, shrugging off his drastic personality change, Eduard advanced towards the gate. With his black and red cloak rapt around his head covering his horns.
Reaching were he should stop for the line he continued walking, the guards seeing the approaching dark figure signaled for him to wait behind the other people, disregarding them completely he continued on. The guards growing annoyed shouted at him, "stop stranger get back in line and take your cloak off, now!" the guard spoke with anger.
The guard seeing no response and the figure continuing past him into the gate pointed at him with his spear. Eduard without even looking stretched out his hand and grabbed the spear, "move worm." Eduard said with anger, increasing the strength of his grip the spear's iron tip was crushed, then slapping out with his hand he sent the guard flying. Nocking into the other four guards at the gate, as they struggled to get up to go after him they saw his red and black eyes from under the hood and they stayed on the ground, sweat flowing down their backs.
Smiling wickedly Eduard continued on into the town leaving a baffled crowd and terrified guards.