"Mrrrrooooorr...."
Sun...Hungry...walk, walk, walk, walk.....waaalk...
Sniff. Sniff. More sniff and walk.
Food. Hungry. Walking..
Hmm....Deer.
"Grrrooor!!"
Bit and slash!!
Dead.
Yummy. Yummy. Chomp. Chomp. More Chomping.
Water. Thirsty.
Walking. More walking...
Water...Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
Too hot. Need river. JUMP!!
Mmmmh....cold. Out.
Ground. Comfy spot. Sit.....
--------------------------------------------------
"Come on Kara, get down. If something happens to you, you can't compete in the tournament."
"Don't be a baby, Nyx. It's part of my training. HA!"
"A handstand on the top of the roof is all well and good, but you can do the same thing on the ground! Please come down before I run into trouble!"
"You always say that!"
"Because I do Kara, pleeeasee?"
In some acrobatic fashion, Kara jumps off into a tree and lands on the ground on both feet.
"Ooh yeah, a straight face down jump off the roof. Ten out of ten. Applause, lots of applause." Sarcastic.
"Thanks a lot". A genuine smile appears on her face followed by one of Kara's punches in Nyx's shoulder, in a mean-playful way. "Now cut the sarcasm and let's get back to work. "
"Eeeeh?!?!?! You're the one who snuck off from work to have a little fun!"
---------------------------------------------
My eyes pop open, thinking about what I just dreamt. But I don't sleep. As I get on my feet, I realize the bear is no longer beside me.
Even with my eyes closed and somewhat asleep, I realized when he had left. Probably in the woods looking for food.
As I look at the sun, I realize it's already past noon. I've had plenty of rest. Where to now? Maybe I'll go down the river and..
But I remember and I reach in my bag and grab the map. Country of Latarr.
Immmh...sounds familiar. But I'm not sure. According to the map it's pretty big. A huge peninsula full of towns, villages and harbor towns, some mountains to north and south. A few major rivers. Lots of roads. Lots of forests and wilderness to the southeast.This tells me shit!! I still don't know where I am!
I roll the map back and put it in my bag.
This sucks. I guess we'll stick with going down the river.
Getting up and throwing my bag over my shoulder and the spear on my back I set off downstream.
Walking up and down the river is boring. But a sense of curiosity clouds my mind and I approach the water. So my name is Kara. Ha! I look like one. Except for my stone-dead face. But it all still feels a little off.
Two more steps down the water and out of the corner of my eye I see the bear from yesterday. Curled on the grass and snoozing. But as I look away he seems to sense my presence and begins to follow me. With a light jog he catches up and tails me about 5 meters behind.
Should I scare him to leave me alone? I put my head to work for a solution. I don't want to kill him, but bears are dangerous to humans. Maybe I'll hit him with a spark.
Moments later I decide that swinging the spear at him seems the quickest way to get rid of him. Ready to enact the plan, I slow down and grab the spear but as I look back I find the bear in the water, apparently trying to catch some fish.
Ooooh fishing!!! Somehow that sounds like fun. Happy thrills make me excited for whatever reason thinking about going fishing. Ok maybe I'll freak him out later.
I follow the bear in the water with the spear in my hand. He stops his concentration for a second to look at me and goes back to hunting.
I do the same. I begin to concentrate. I wait and wait, not taking my eyes off the water. I notice a movement to the left and I stick the spear into what looks like the tail of a black fish.
Wohoo! I almost lost him.
Looking at the fish makes me curious. Maybe...
As I take the fish in my palm and squeeze the wound, I feel it suck blood from its body.
Eeeeh..I could catch a million fish and only then it would be worth something. Turning my gaze to the bear that looked at me somewhat lustfully. He sure would like it.
I approach but about 5 steps before I'm in reach hand, he jumps up and bounces back. Looking apprehensive.
Oh, I hold the spear. Gently I put it back on my back and slowly approach with the fish in my hand making it look like I want him to take it.
Any worry of the bear vanishes as he sniffs the fish before it takes a bite that rips it in half and another one which takes the rest of it.
A smile forms on my face. Pretty bear. Maybe we keep doing a little more fishing? eeh?
They both turned back fishing and after an hour or so of fun we decided to end it.
I'll save the rest as snacks for the road. But as I look down the river and I can see beyond the trees a roof. Placing the bag on my shoulder I start walking, bear following beside me.
--------------------------------------------
A grain mill. And it looks like it's at the edge of this village.
It's a good thing I didn't run right into someone's yard. But what now? Maybe, just maybe I can talk to somebody?
I sit on a crate against the wall. The bear looks around for something but finds nothing and settles down at my feet. Hungry again I guess. Pulling out a fish for him I wonder where I can get in without causing trouble. Maybe a tavern? Naah..And I bet this countryside place has no town hall or library.... Aha! Maybe there's a small clinic or a simple doctor! Yes, I can pretend to be sick! That's perfect!
Vigorously I get back up on my feet and find my way to the rest of the village. Followed by the bear.
Oh no. What to do with you?
Sigh...I take the fish out of the bag and leave them on the crate and try to mimic the bear to stay here. "You stay here" pointing at him and pointing at the ground.
I hope he stays put.
Taking it down the road, it looks clean and wide enough for the wagons to go down on it to the mill. I come to a junction where off to the left the road seems to continue on through a couple of barrows, but the road to the right seems to have a church in the way.
I don't know what day it is, but there's a crowd in the square, I'm sure I'll find something there.
Approaching I look around people, some distracted with their work or talking to customers, others noticed me and were either shocked or even scared.
This looks more like people trying to sell to travelers passing through the village than a conventional market. One gentleman looks at me and as I approach him, I can see that we are both a bit tense.
"Yes, miss?" He asks taking an upright posture after sitting propped up on his elbows. "What do you want?"
I gesture to my neck hoping he understands that I can't speak.
"No voice eh?" He says. He looks up and down at me with a somewhat sly grin in the corner of his eye but he gets to see my daggers on my belt and stops at my spear. "Cough...Cough...Eh you look pretty crappy, you sick?"
YES. I nod.
"Lucky , our doctor's down the road, just visited an old wench. It's the house with a tile roof. He must have put a ton of money into that roof I tell you. He says it's very useful. Not a drop of water all year, but I don't believe him..."
Before he goes on chattering, I throw him a coin as a thank you.
Uh, a coin and a pretty sight all in one minute. Gods, I wish my wife was that hot. But that skin looks terrible! Still sexy though. KA HA HA!
-------------------------------
It's a nice house. Made of both wood and polished stone, with a large porch, a table and three chairs. Knock knock. Who's there? Ha... I'm thinking half a joke in my head when..
"Who's there?" I knock again. "One second, please."
I hear footsteps and a man a little shorter than me opens the door. He's a doctor, but you can tell he's worked. Big hands and strong legs. A mustache and a half bald head. And he looks at me.
"Jeez Louise! Girl, you look cursed!" After he says that he takes a step back.
"No, that's just how I look." I try to communicate with signs so he understands and I don't get in trouble. "I want help with my voice." I point to my throat.
By some miracle he understands what I want and the mood cools down.
"Sure, sure. Please come in." He makes way for me through the threshold. "Eeh...please leave your stuff by the closet."
His house his rules I suppose.No blades, but I don't think I'll need them.
I leave the bag and belt on the cabinet and the spear against the wall. There's a coat hanger and I leave mine on it. And my boots by the door.
The doctor leads to a room that serves as an exam room.
"Please get on the bed."
Now that I think about it, maybe only bad things can come out of all this. Maybe I should cut the crap and ask for help right now.
But before I do anything, he puts a band-aid on my forehead. "This helps me get your body temperature." And another move gets him to stick a chopstick in my mouth to look at my throat.
Her oral mucosa is no different from her external skin! Not to mention she seems to be hard as a rock. A little bit of axiety is growing in his head. The patch indicates a rather low body temperature. There's no point in looking for a pulse.
"So what are you really here for? Certainly not for unnecessary treatment." He folds his hands across his chest with authority waiting for an answer.
Sigh..I get up and leave the room. A second later I come back with my bag. The doctor apparently reassured that I didn't take the spear or daggers to try to hurt him and I pull out my map.
"So is that all you want? Directions? You could have asked that on the street or in a tavern. This is Yuodr village." He takes two steps closer and puts his finger on the map."We're about three days' ride west of a small port town , Elth, on a riverbank that flows into the western sea."
I gesture to continue.
"Eh? What else can I tell you...eeeh there's been a war going on for a few months on the southern border. Tribes of anthropomorphic savages. You know... lizardman, orcs, goblins and other nasties."
Pfff...everyone's at war. Common men against an orc or a lizardman have slim odds. But still soldiers aren't very weak, plus various forms of magic are useful in battles and different circumstances.
"So..what are you anyway..if you don't mind?" asks the doctor.
Simple and straight to the point I knock on my temple twice.
"HA..so you're just a rock" a big smile appears on the man's face."My name is Wilson."
I wave my hand to show him that I acknowledge his politeness and then I get an idea. On the table I see a piece of paper and what looks like a ..pencil?
For a second I'm in doubt, but eventually I figure I can write with it. And I write my name.
"Kara."
"Nice to meet you, Kara. Although I don't meet many stone people, I like that you were the first."
I nod.
"I'm sorry, but I've got other business around the house. If that's all, I'll get back to it."
I write on the paper and show him. "Can I help?" Then before he answers, I write on the paper again, "for some petty coin?"
"Ehh..sure. I know! Could you cut some stumps in the back. I'll give you a silver if you get done all of them."
I confidently flex my arms in a tough pose, showing my big shoulders and hard biceps, accepting the offer.
"HAHAHAHA!! Nice arms!" He copies me and does matching pose."Maybe yours look better but I'm bigger!!! HAHA".
I try to laugh, but all that comes out is a little bit of sizzling and squeaking.
Wilson's cool.
----------------------------------------
There are about 30 or 40 stumps in front of us. Shit.
"The job is easy. You cut them and then arrange 'em on the wall in a pile." He throws me an bearded axe. "I go fetch my horses from shoeing. And stuff. I'll come back when I'm done."
After Wilson leaves the yard through a back gate, I get to work.
First stump. Not very big, but there are bigger ones. First shot cuts it in half. I think I'll have to do it again. Oof... Wilson didn't say how thin I should make them.
I take a look where Wilson said to set the wood after I cut it. Yeah. There are a couple pieces of wood left.
Once I get some idea how to chop the stumps right, the job's coming along fine. Almost fine. One hit on the side. One completely in the ground and sometimes the axe gets stuck. Again and again.
But one by one they break into pieces. Sometimes I break them myself with no axe. Breaking them in half with my hands. But I still have many to cut and now I'm getting to the thicker ones.
Maybe I should have asked for something more than just a silver coin. Fucking 'petty coin'.
------------------------------------------
"So the horses are done. I stopped by that old lady's again and got paid, and had a drink with my friends. Perfect day it is. HAHA! And a helper for cheap. With all the money I make, maybe I can put her to work full-time."
"Wilson darling, where were you?" a voice reaches my ears and sends a shiver down my spine.
" My dear wife!" a brief fright makes its presence in my voice. "I was just bragging about all the work I did today."
"Including all that wood?"
"Eeh had a little help there. I think it'll be finished soon."
"Oooh but who took my place from your chores?"
Behind the lady approached a young man dressed in chain armor and a tunic over his thick trousers, carrying a short but fairly tough sword on his right thigh.
"Son, you arrived! We've been expecting you for days!"
"I found him on my way from the farmers' market."
"Sorry I'm late, Dad. But I'll tell you all about it over dinner."
"Yes, yes, please do tell."
"Ildy chopped up a pig and I bought some pork chops from her."
"Ooh hooray! I'm famished."
----------------------------------------
Sunset.
Hours have passed and all the logs are cut. Now I just have to finish tidying up.
As I lay the wood against the wall, I see through the window some burning lights. Wilson must be back. But whatever is going on in there is not my business.
----------------------------------------
The door opens and the young soldier walks in followed by his mother and her husband.
"I'm going to start the fire to roast the meat." Wilson says to his family.
"Honey, please wash and cut some tomatoes and cucumbers." says the woman to her son.
"Are we out of pickles?" he says, hoping there's some left.
"Oh we do have some left. You can get them from the pantry but I want some fresh ones."
A few minutes pass. Wilson has lit the fire and he and his wife are frying the meat on a griddle. The son makes a salad in a bowl for everyone, but in addition to what his mother wanted he adds a green onion and sets the table.
"Okay, I've finished laying the table."
"And we're done cooking the meat."
Once they're seated at the table and already eating, Wilson strikes up a conversation. "And why did you stay over your shift, son?"
Finishing chewing, the boy begins to gather his thoughts about everything that happened the past few days."Well you know how me and the rest of the guards are stationed around this region. This week I've been stationed in the neighboring village, being my weekend off it was perfect to come home."
"But there was trouble. A girl was kidnapped the other day." the boy says with his hand now under his chin. "I thought she was just staying with someone and having fun. Mom knew she wasn't seeing anyone and with nightfall we were called out to look for her." The boy takes another bite of the steak and steals a salad fork from the bowl. "My colleagues and I found her the next morning dead in an old church."
"Oh dear me. Do you think they raped her?" the woman says in a sad voice.
"Worse. They used her for some spell. She was in a circle, slit throat and a nasty blow to the head."
"What do you think they wanted to do?" Wilson said curiously.
"We don't know what they want. Or what they wanted. Later that day while I was asking around the village for information, my colleagues found two burned bodies in the woods between us and that village." Another bite of steak. "We learned that two siblings, a brother and sister, young, not over 20s, had stopped by the village store but bought nothing. They were the ones in the forest."
"And you suppose they got the girl?" says the woman. "But then who got them?"
"We're waiting for someone who can understand what the circle means, but I don't think we need him anymore."
"One of my colleagues who lives in the village says that he and his friends used to sneak around the area to cause trouble, and that there should have been a statue in that old church."
A shock pierces Wilson's entire body. "You mean?"
"As pewter as it sounds...the statue could be alive. Captain says they're called golems. Made from magic and other concoctions. Pretty stupid and usually follow a master." With one last bite, the son finishes the steak. "My superior believes there is a third person involved but so far we have no proof."
Fear and shock overwhelm Wilson and after a few seconds of silence he says. "Son. That golem... is here." his voice quivering slightly.
A heavy air falls over the whole room. Son and wife in shock. "What?" they both say in unison.
"Yes! The girl from earlier, Kara. She pretended to be sick when she just wanted directions. But when I examined her I saw she was actually made of stone." Wilson says followed by brief hyperventilation.
"And what you did with her. Where is she?"
Wilson feels that what he is about to say is going to get him and his wife in trouble for the rest of the summer. "She's out back. She's the one I paid to chop wood."
The woman flies out of her chair and begins to rage at her husband. "Dear Gods, how could you let something like that in our house and give her something she can cut your head off with."
"She already had weapons on her! They're in the corner of the hall." says the man.
The son worried about what's going on takes a look through the belongings of the so called 'Kara'. A spear, a dagger belt, a bag and shoes? Strange. No, she's intelligent. She collects things. The spear. The store owner said the boy was carrying one. As soon as I open my bag, I come across a fancy book. This one has spells in it! She's definitely tied into all of this.
Thinking quickly I come to a conclusion. If I take a horse and leave now for the garrison, I can get back with a few men tomorrow night. Aaah but that would be too late and right now there's no patrol in the village. Sigh...
"Dad, do you still have that war hammer I gave you last year?" the boy asks in a serious tone, showing that he's ready for work.
Wilson nods and pulls the hammer from behind his bedroom door, "I always keep it close in case of anything. But are you sure?"
"Nothing we can do otherwise. I can't leave you two alone with that thing here and by myself it would be too hard to pull anything off. You get close and do a little talking and I'll give the signal to attack. Okay?"
Wilson nods.
"Fine. Mother please leave to one of the neighbors."
"I..I'll go. I have faith in you two." says the mother assuring his son peace, taking her coat and leaving.
---------------------------------
It's evening but all the work is done. Puuff.
Before I can knock on the door and get my payment, the door opens and Wilson comes out of the house.
A little shock on his face. "Aah Kara! You scared me! Hehehehehe" before he can say anything else a young man appears behind him. "Eeh this is my son, Henry"
"Hi."
This girl sure is a golem.Looking undead and so pale, no life under those eyes.
I wave and eventually hold out my hand showing I want my payment.
"Oh yeah, yeah. Your payment." At that moment, at the top of the stairs, the boy shoves Wilson twice in the back. Now.
On cue, Wilson pushes Kara down the stairs and falls to the ground. With the hammer now in his hands, he does a leap and one good blow cracks her chest.
With a look full of fear she looks at Wilson trying to show "Why?"
-------------------------------------
But Wilson says nothing and gets ready to swing another blow. I try to protect my head but the hammer breaks my guard, along with two fingers and hits my face.
Half of my face smashed, I take a swing at his knee.
"AAh!"
Once I'm on my feet, the son comes up to me and swings the sword again at my face. Missing me.
I stretch out my hand and as it says in the book, I cast the ignition spell. Hit him right in the face and make him take two steps back.
Every little chance I get I look around for something to defend myself with. The axe!
Heavy body but still having the need to fight I take a defensive stance. All three of us in a three-way standoff. But...
"Mrrrrrrooooaar!!!!!"
"Son watch out!" but it's too late.
The bear appears from the trees and grabs the boy by the arm trying to gnaw through his chain armor. Shaking him and slamming him to the ground.
Wilson turns his focus back to the bear and wants to help his son. I take the opportunity and with the flat side of the axe I hit him over the head but I only just graze him.
"Ah.. you should have hit with the blade, you stupid cow!
Even if his son is wrestling with the bear, he has to finish this girl off.
Taking a deep breath, he swung his hammer at Kara again, but this time he missed.
I swing the axe at him and this time I hack him across the collarbone. Blood running down his chest.
"AAAAAAAAh!" Wilson screams in pain.
Full of rage I rip the axe from his shoulder and with a strong swing I crack his skull in half.
His last moments of life are filled with fear and probably regret followed by a quiet but quick death, dropping to the ground.
Trembling, I drop the axe and fall to the bottom hyperventilating. Even though I don't need air, I really felt like I did. With the fight over, the bear closes in on me.
Aside from a cut on the lip and a cut on the top of the head, he seems okay. I look behind him where I see Wilson's boy dead just like his father. Just he was bit and mauled by bear right through his armor.
I pet him a little, trying to comfort and cheer him up. But I see my hand and realize I'm not in as bad a state as those two, but bad.
Looking at what's left of Wilson, I put my hand on his wound and begin to suck blood, enough to begin to heal. The cracks on my chest have closed and my face and hand are slowly healing. But I need more.
I get up and put my hand in the boy's stomach wound. An ecstasy passes through my body as soon as I finish drinking the blood and all my wounds are repaired.
Turning back to the bear, I see him gnawing on one of Wilson's hands.
I try to protest but who cares at this point. I'm tired. Mentally.
I didn't feel this bad when I killed the brothers. What's going on? I am feeling bad for killing them but why not before?
-----------------------------------
Back in the house with the lights still on I wander aimlessly between the rooms.
Nobody in the house. But there are three plates on the table. Someone left before all this. Leaning against the wall I walk into a bedroom.
From the clothes on the bed and the shoes by the window, this is Wilson's and his wife's room.
I rummage through a couple of drawers and find a bag of silver coins. Must be about 50 of them. Wow. Feeling guilty about the theft and especially their deaths, I take only half and leave the rest on the table.
My stuff. I better not forget 'em.
Belt, coat, shoes, spear and bag are ready.
Sigh.... I better get out the back.
But before I get to the back door, the front door opens and I slowly manage to hide behind it without being noticed.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!! PLEASE LEAVE! NO MORE!
Freezing from panic I wait for exactly what I wanted to happen but getting none of it.
"Are you sure Wilson and Henry are around? They didn't answer when I yelled for them." says a man about the same age as Wilson. Entering the house followed by a woman.
"They must be in the back." says the woman.
"Ok but if what you said is real then...GIIAAAAAAAAH!!!"
The man looks terrified as he sees me staring at them with wide white eyes, slightly gaping and and a mess of a hair, looking like a wild, hungry predatory monster stalking its next prey.
"It's her!! The monster!!" says the woman.
I made the first move. I slammed the door and grabbed the spear ready to attack.
The man pulls what appears to be a rifle from his shoulder. But he's too slow and my spear goes through his chest and pierces the heart. Dead instantly.
"AAAAh nooo!" the woman screams in hysterics as she falls to the ground and begins to cry. "Where are my husband and son?"
Still trembling from all this and my latest victim. I turn to the woman. You shouldn't have come back!
And the tip of the spear goes through her head in a moment of rage and agony. Falling dead on the floor after I pull back the spear. I tremble even worse.
Ha..HaHa..HAHAHAHA!!Ohh what have I done? What have I done??!!
The sensation of crying breaks my whole soul and I slowly sway away, leaning on the spear towards the back door.
The bear is waiting for something. Probably for me.
Looking around to see if someone else is here but none are. A moment of relief touches me. Please no one else...
I take two steps and step on the bearded axe handle.
At least something useful out of all this. But I'm not stopping there. I search the boy's body for the sword. Still holding on tight to it.
These are enough. I put the sword on my left side next to a dagger and the axe on my back beside the spear.
Looking at the house one last time I concentrate my mana for ignition. As hard as I can I snap my fingers and ignite the wood stacked on the wall.
The fire starts to grow and eventually reaches the roof, igniting it in turn.
Exhausted I approach the bear and as if he understands me he lets me climb on top of him and carries me off into the night leaving all this mess behind.