Yeah it was somewhat stupid to execute my plan so impatiently, but I just wanted to leave, I've had enough and couldn't stand waiting around any longer just to suffer the blizzard that almost killed us last time, I run through the forest like wild and crazed animal.
"I've already gone through that once, there is no way in hell that I'm doing that again."
I continue to run, hoping that I don't black out from the pain or dizziness.
"this is one of those times I wish I could use bloodlust, but I don't want to ruin my plan, by letting them know that I'm still here."
I take a moment to stop, so that I can catch my breath.
"I think I created enough distance, so I can take it easier."
I continue walking, thinking.
"I should look for a cave so that I can rest my eyes for a bit."
as the adrenaline in my body subsides, I begin to stumble over with each step, I lean on a tree and think to myself.
"damn it, this body doesn't have the endurance to get me through this easily."
I sit down on the ground, with my back against the tree.
"I've got no choice, but to let my body rest."
I then begin to close my eyes, but I'm immediately
interrupted by the voice of Frautz yelling in the distance.
"Darius! where are you buddy!?"
I grit my teeth.
"damn it, I can't rest now."
I stand back up, hoping that my exhausted body will allow me to continue.
"Frautz why do you gotta be so damn stubborn?"
at this point I can feel aching pain, and the exhausting, hitting me hard.
"that frost troll really took a lot out of me."
but I try to find the positive out of that encounter.
"at least I know where I stand when it comes to how much damage I can take currently, before becoming exhausted."
I sigh.
"it was smart of me holding back my anger against Mistress Isabelle, or I would have been dead before leaving the castle."
I continue on, getting as far as I can from where Frautz is yelling, for what seems like hours.
"good thing there is full moon tonight, or I wouldn't be able to use the moon's light to see where I'm going."
I continue fighting the feeling to rest, by using my thoughts.
"Troy's village is near this mountain, I just hope the humans that spot me, don't see me as a threat and allow me to enter the village."
the mountain range serves as a natural border between the demons and humans.
"I don't know if I'll make it tonight, but if I can keep
up the pace, I shoul be able to make by morning."
determined to not stop, I keep on walking until I hear the sound of running water.
"this is good, I could drink some water from the river, I can easily endure without eating of it becomes necessary, but water is something my body can't survive without."
I follow the sound of the water running until I finally come across the river, I then approach it and think to myself while staring at it.
"can't afford to be picky."
I get on my knees and scoop up some water with both hands take a sip."
I cough.
"that is as good as its going to get."
I scoop up some more and sigh after gulping it down, I then splash a little in my face to clean up some of the blood, I then look around still feeling a bit paranoid.
"I can't stick around for too long, I need to keep moving."
I keep walking thinking.
"the water did taste a little dirty, but it quenched my thirst for now."
a few hours pass by and the air grows colder, up to the point, where I can feel my body starting to shiver.
"It's impossible to see any caves without proper lighting."
I shake my head.
"you should at least learn some illumination magic, for situations like this."
I then hear the distant sounds of chattering, between multiple people, I wonder.
"are they on my trail? no, it can't be right? the voices sound deeper and grown."
As I get closer to the voices I hear the clopping sounds of the horses hooves steeping on dirt, and the sound of wagon tires rolling, I then ask myself.
"traveling merchants? are they human or demon?"
since the sound is coming up ahead, I quicken my pace to get closer and hide in a bush, to peek through, and already notice heavily armored humans riding the horses around the wagon that is carrying their merchandise, I think to myself.
"they might be hired mercenaries, helping to protect the product, so they shouldn't give me much trouble, if I act like a lost and injured child."
I take a deep breath and hit my broken nose, I dig my nails into the dirt and grit my teeth, fighting the urge to yell in pain, I then leave the bush and start shouting from behind them.
"help! I'm hurt!"
they all turn around, pointing their weapons at me, but immediately lower them when they get a good look at my condition, tattered clothing, bloody face, and most likely my misshapen nose, one them slowly gets down from their horse and takes off their helmet, revealing her appearance to me, a woman in her mid twenties, with light brown hair tied up in a bun, and brown eyes, she looks at me with a worried expression and asks.
"what happened, young child?"
I quickly make up a story.
"I was traveling through the mountain path with my parents, until we got attacked by some frost trolls."
she grabs my hand and asks hesitantly.
"what happened to them?"
since I've never been good with showing my true emotions to anyone, I pretend to act like I'm in shock and answer with a detached voice.
"I saw them get ripped apart, and some of the mercenaries we hired."
she hugs me.
"you poor thing."
someone approached us from behind her, a man with slick black hair, and a thick moustach, isn't in armor, he was we wearing a grey cloak, with, a green tunic, green trousers, tan leggings, and various accessories like rings, necklaces, and bracelets, he asks.
"is something the matter?"
she slowly pulls away.
"this child survived an attack from frost trolls and he appears to be in shock."
he sighs.
"I see, these frost troll attacks are ridiculous, if the mountain path was under human control, the problem would have been solved a long time ago."
he then asks me while looking at my broken nose.
"what happened?"
I answer.
"I got hit in the face by a frost troll."
he asks surprised.
"you took a hit from a frost troll and lived?"
the mercenary gently touches my face and I whince in pain, she then said to him.
"sir, I say we take him to the village and see who can help him."
I reply, already thinking about Sister Melani.
"there is a family friend, who lives in the Capital city Makendon."
she responds.
"he doesn't have any business in the capital, but I'm willing to take you there myself, after I finish this job."
I nod.
"okay."
I think to myself.
"holy crap, this is great, if I had avoided them then
my journey back to the capital would have taken forever."
the merchant wags his finger at her.
"fine, but he'll ride with you, I don't want anyone near the merchandise."
he hops back on the wagon and signals everyone to get moving, the female mercenary grabs my hand and said.
"don't worry young child, I served under the army for a few years and I swear on my honor as a knight that I'll protect and take you to the family friend."
I take a closer look at her and see that she's a very capable warrior, I try to act like a child and hug her.
"thank you."
she smiles.
"come on, let's get moving or that grumpy merchant will chew me out."
he shouts.
"I heard that Miss Margaret!"
she giggles.
"see."
she helps me up on the horse, and then climbs behind me.
"now hold on tight, it shouldn't take us long to arrive at the village."
the small convoy of mercenaries protecting merchant and his product, keeps moving a steady pace for like half an hour, until I see a couple of lights lit up ahead and smoke coming from a couple of chimneys, the merchant shouts.
"we made it! there is the village!"
I think to myself.
"there is high chance that Troy is in the village that we are going to."
the female mercenary Margaret who I'm riding with, said.
"once we get there, we are going to get the face healed and get some rest and then we'll set off to the capital in the morning."
I reply.
"sounds good."
we enter the village, where we are met with a couple of patrolling human soldiers, one of them notices my face and asks the female Margaret.
"what happened to the kid's face?"
she replies while stroking my head gently.
"this poor thing survived a brutal attack by some frost trolls and lost both of his parents in the incident."
he sighs.
"another attack huh?"
she nods.
"yeah."
he takes a close look at my face, and said.
"well lucky for you we've got one of the best healers living here, and he'll be able the fix that broken nose for you."
she replies.
"thank you."
she gets off the horse and hitches her horse on the nearest hitching post, she then helps me off the horse and said.
"let me collect my payment and we'll head straight towards the healer and maybe if you are hungry we'll get something to eat."
I stand by the horse as she goes off towards the merchant.
"even though I didn't plan any of this, I'm glad I finally got away from them and the castle."
Margaret returns to me and grabs my hand.
"come on, let's go and visit the healer."
while walking together, she asks.
"I never asked what your name was did I?"
I shake my head and then answer.
"My name is Darius."
she replies.
"I wished we would have met under better circumstances Darius."
she guides through the village until we arrive at a medium sized hovel with a sign written.
"Troy's Healing Services."
Margaret knock on the door.
"hello!"
the door swings open and a tired looking man, with short piky blonde hair, and a five o'clock shadow, wearing sleeping garments.
"wha? who iz it?"
Margaret asks.
"are you Troy the healer?"
he nods.
"yeah, I'm Troy."
I look at him and notice that their a more relaxed vibe about him that he never had, when I knew him.
"it must be because he is leading peaceful life here."
he looks at me and his tired expression quickly goes away.
"oh shit, that looks like it hurts."
he signals us to come in his house.
"come on in, and try not to make too much noise, the wife and the kids are currently sleeping."
he sits me down on a chair and then ask Margaret.
"will you be able to pay for my services."
she nods.
"that won't be a problem."
he takes a deep breath and puts his open palm on my face.
"okay, this will only take a few seconds and your face should be healed."
I then think to myself, about everything that's happened so far.
"maybe not all humans are bad, Margaret didn't hesitate to help me, even with my dark skin."
Troy close his face and mumbles to himself, causing his hand to glow green, and in a split second my face feels relieved and I can breathe normally through my nose, he then opens his eyes.
"there you go, you should feel much better now."
Margaret gives him a three pieces of gold coins and thanks him.
"you did a great job, thank you."
she asks me.
"how do you feel Darius?"
I reply.
"great."
she grabs my hand and said.
"good, let's go to the inn and get some rest, we've got a long road ahead of us in the morning."
as we wave goodbye to Troy, I think to myself.
"when the war starts, I'll come back here and make sure the demons don't find out about his healing abilities, since in the future he'll evolve to the point where he can regrow missing limbs."
I walk with Margaret and get some shut eye after renting a room at the inn.