The days that followed the original the news of bandits in our area were filled with a sense of urgency and preparation throughout the entire village.
A depressed vibe began to bloom over the entire village as the news spread.
The men worked tirelessly to fortify the village's defenses under Thorne, while the women and children assisted in any way they could.
The once shabby and worn down wall surrounding the small village slowly returned back to life.
It was still a far reach from being anything comparable to a proper defense, but it was better than having nothing.
There was also a decently made watchtower at the entrance.
It was one of the better built buildings in the village, only fourth behind the Chief's Residence, Church, and Blacksmith.
I saw Thorne working on it personally with the other men, which made sense.
It seems he had much more knowledge than the other villagers.
My mother has continued to her work in the fields dutifully, her strength and determination day after day inspired the other women to do their best aswell.
She was very sociable and kind, her presence was became a small light during this time.
On many occasions I wondered why she would not be included in the main workforce with her monstrous strength.
I soon found my answer through the looks and disdain the men of this village.
They were not open towards women doing anything out of 'normal' womanly duties.
『A women wanting to log lumber? Hah! Go back and take of that milk baby on your back!』
Saying this, the gruff man came up and started pinching me all over.
I made sure to remember his face. I'll surely take my revenge.
However, through this interaction it seems the view of a woman here was the same as it once was in the Middle Ages.
A closed mindset.
After tirelessly working on the fortifications day and night,
They were complete.
The villagers were all struck with a moment of relief.
Anxiety of what was soon to come shortly took over.
However, the battle that was expected did not come.
The day after completing the defense of the village, my mother was happily gossiping with a few other women.
From her back I was observing the women's children and doing about my daily information gathering.
But a large *crash* woke me from my reverie.
As I looked towards the direction of the sound,
I saw the village chief Urien storming out of his residence.
The elderly Hagan was hobbling on his cane, chasing behind him in a panic.
Hagan yelled at him,
『Don't do it Urien! It's not worth it! We don't know if they will even attack us at this point! The village can hold out another two weeks before the food becomes urgent! Just stay here and fight a defensive battle! You know all the scouts we sent out did not return!』
With a ravenous expression, the bear like man turned back with even more vigor and loudly said,
『You are saying we should wait here like prey? The same Frostbury village that warned us was completely wiped out! The women rap*d and tortured! The men hung from the walls as trophies! Their chiefs head is being used as a cup!
Do you want us to experience that torment? I won't allow us to be ravaged by these devils as they were!』
The argument caused a commotion in the village square.
All of the surrounding villagers began to quiet down immediately, taking notice of the conversation.
Hagan's expression faltered and his mouth was quivering.
His old body was weary and looked like it was it was on the verge of collapse.
He used the last of his energy to engage in a staredown with Urien.
But a few minutes of looking at the resolute expression that would not be changed, the old man finally gave up.
With a quivering mouth, his defeated and low voice rang solemnly,
『Please... Please come back.』
When those words echo'd in into the ears of the Chief, his twisted into one of resoluteness mixed with madness, turning on his heel..
With a thunderous roar, he spoke to rally all of the men in the village capable of fighting.
『All of you men! Meet me at the entrance to the village in ten minutes! Say goodbye to your loved ones and prepare to fight! We will march and wipe out these bandits!』
His voice rang through the entire village like a thunderclap.
The men capable of battle, the hunting party, and including those with permanent injuries, Immediately began arming themselves with whatever they could find.
Sounds of crying rang out as a background, and the children were looking confused at their mothers sad expressions.
The elderly had dark grimaces watching this unfold.
They had an understanding about what was happening through their age.
Some of them began praying and others started muttering incomprehensible elderly jibberish.
From the corner of my eye, I sawa the village chiefs wife, Liora, looking at her love from a distance.
She had but a single tear running down her face.
Her hands were clasped in prayer, just like the others.
At the entrance of the village, under the newly built watchtower, the families gathered to send off their loved ones.
But soon, the ten minutes were up.
Urien gazed deeply at the two suns hanging in the sky, before getting a the full headcount of those prepared for battle.
Only a sparse 60 men, nearly the entirety of the capable males in the village.
Most did not look like warriors, but farmers armed with shoddy weapons.
With 1/3 of them being veterans with injury.
The rest were young men.
As he was observing the others...
A group of teenagers walked into his vision.
The one in the lead looking like an identical version version of the chief, albiet smaller, stepped forward and spoke out.
『Father! Take us with you! We want to follow you to slay the bandits.』
Hearing this, the Village Head turned to face him, while looking like he had swallowed a pile of sh*t.
『Daniel! I told you to take the other boys and stay back. You all are not ready for this. Don't cause me unnecessary worry.』
Hearing this, the boys face subconciously became docile from his fathers tone.
But, with his 'brothers' around him, how could he back down?
His immature voice rang out once more,
『How can you say that! We trained everyday with old man Thorne! You even took us hunting and complemented our skills! We know how to fight! How can we all sit behind as you go confront those bandits!』
Hearing this, the chiefs expression softened for a split second, before hardening once more.
『You dare talk back to me? It seems you think you're a warrior now!』
A palpable tension appeared in the air when he said that,
To me, it appeared as if sparks were colliding in the air, between the father and son duo who locked eyes.
The Chief started to feel the gaze of the other men around him, who were also looking at their sons in the crowd that wanted to join a losing battle.
His boar like voice rang out once more to the youngsters,
『How about this. If you can take one of my blows... I will allow for you all to come with us.』
The boy, Daniel, realized that this was his opportunity.
The others teens around him also had expectants gazes.
With all the members of the village watching, he drawed out a well made iron longsword.
This was something that the others around him did not have.
It was surely from Thorne, I thought to myself.
The chief saw this and muttered something, before an entirely different aura began to seep out from his body.
『It seems it has come to this...』
He stuck the two handed greatsword that was resting on back into the dirt.
Then took a boxing-esque posture.
When he switched into battle readiness, a beastial aura permeated throughout the entire surroundings.
Some of the villagers subconciously stepped back.
His breathing sublty shifted as well, something I took note of immediately.
When he saw his son was prepared, the Chief made the first move.
As my gaze intensified on the impending showdown... I lost sight of the chief.
Better yet, I could not track him with my eyesight.
He shifted like on the dirt a large ghost, something incomprehensible for his size.
Before realizing what just happened, a massive sound of impact rang out from his son's armor.
*BANG*
In my vision, his boy, who was by no means small, flew like a ragdoll through gliding in the air.
At the moment of impact, he was already unconcious.
But that did not stop him from flying a full 20 feet, before heavily crashing into our freshly built village 'wall'.
Damaging it once more.
Daniel's eyes were rolled back and a small line of foam was seeping out of the corner of his mouth.
I widened my small eyes and mouth at the sight of this.
They contorted into the 'O' shape that was all too common in these recent months.
Somehow, Mother took notice of this immediately.
She thought I was afraid and began soothing my small self.
(How is that even possible? I only have vague memories, but I know for a fact that is not normal for a human to do. Even the strongest men in my previous life were nothing compared to this.)
Seeing his son was passed out, he was satisfied.
The Chief turned to look at the other young men, whose eyes wear now filled with a mixture of fear, envy and respect.
A stark contrast to the image of courage they were portraying moments before.
He said to them,
『Go collect Daniel! And defend our homes with your small lives! When we make a victorious return, be ready to welcome us. There will always be more battles, but you need to live long enough to see them! Men, lets head out!』
With these words, and without looking back, he walked to reclaim the large greatsword that was imbedded into the ground.
He pulled it out before swinging it around like a toothpick, before inserting it back into the large scabbard on his back.
When the other men began heading out, they all took one or two last looks at their loved ones.
I saw the man who played with me a few days ago in that group as well, saying bye to his wife and children.
Both of his children happened to be sons, swaddled on their mothers back just like myself.
As they slowly marched out of our vision, and crested over the hill...
Only sounds of tears and crying were left in the village.
On the edge of the crowd, I noticed Priest Ramon from a distance.
He was on his hands and knees looking towards the sky, devoutly praying.
Surely hoping for their safe passage into battle.
As I thought about the men who left to confront the bandits in our area...
I felt that many would not return, for they are simple farmers and peasants.
Not warriors.
However, deep in my heart, a sense of belonging sprouted had sprouted to Rosshire Village.
I wished they would all return safely, and that I was wrong.
It was destined to be a sleepless night, as my Mother and I lay in our hay bed once more.
But on the verge of drifting to sleep, the Church bell ringing woke my us up immediately.
She promptly bundled me up, and rushed us to the village square.
We were not the only ones.
Everyone was making their way towards the entrance the men left from earlier.
As we approached the gate, a bad feeling crept over my small self.
And as my mother slowly positioned us closer to the front of the crowd, I caught a glimpse of those approaching.
I slowly became horrified...
Because what I expected to happen.
Came true.