At First I Didn't Hear Him At All I Was Still Scared Of Myself

What Attack?

Prepare for the Onslaught

Rrëmêmbêãrr zê ãttâck?

There it was again. What attack? It all flushed back into my mind in an instant. I was there again.

'...Survive' She yelled. I ran out back. Suddenly she started crying 'Leave me be, please. I don't want to die' 'Like I give a shit. It's all on the king's orders' Hahahahaha

That laughter. I knew it from somewhere. She started screaming. Louder and louder. You could feel her pain in those screams.

I turned around and ran. Ran to the forest. I didn't turn back anymore, I just ran. Ran for my life, hoping I never have to feel the pain I heard in those screams

Picture Burning House by Nemo-Li

Music Prepare for the Onslaugt by Epic Score

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Suddenly I was in another place. There was tall grass all around me, taller than me. The sky was clear, the sun stood high, and it was awfully warm. Something was calling to me, bidding me to come closer, and without much of a choice, I followed. After a few dozens steps I got out of the grass, and there were large stone steps before me. As I looked up I saw a large temple made of nothing but stone, with plants growing all over it. There were figureheads in some places, some looking human, others more animal-like. I wanted to go on further. Suddenly something heavy was pushing me to the ground, standing on me, clawing into my back. I felt the blood drain from me. I looked behind me, a huge feline was standing over me. More sturdy built than a cat, and with fangs going beyond it's lower jaw. I stared into one big golden eye with a pupil that was so dark and deep, that I couldn't look away. Before I knew what was happening it bit right into my neck. I woke up disoriented. What just happened? Where's that cannibal? I looked down at myself, my hands were covered in a dark, red, sticky fluid. I knew the feel, blood. Then I saw that guy on the ground. I was sitting on him, his throat slit, but he was grinning.

Maybe a lil warning for those who... don't like blood, there'll be some of it in this episode :D

To everyone else Enjoy :D

And another. Pox!! Why can't I hit him?! I'm the best swordsman of Father's sons!! I even beat the tutor!!!

I sent another powerful swing in this maggots direction.

How dare he jump out of the way. I AM Bhaltair, son of Eoghan!! NO ONE insults me and gets away with it!!

I noticed Hector running towards him from the side. Jumped at him. And bit him in the Arm!! Getting what you deserve you scum!!

Good boy, defending your Master.

He looked at me, and I looked back, into his eyes. I could see the fear, finally he acknowledged who was standing before him. That I, Bhaltair, am better than him. That I will bring justice upon him!

Suddenly Bryn appeared behind him out of nowhere and bit into his other arm.

Bryn? That means Roderick must be near.

Just as I thought that, I heard a sharp hiss, a 'wet' thud and the felon fell to his knees.

Right! Kneel before me, Bhaltair!!!

As I looked up, behind the outlaw, brother Roderick stood a dozen paces behind him. Sitting on his horse, lowering his bow. He came towards me.

Suddenly the hounds whined, loosened their bite and backed away from the guy.

I inspected him for a moment, something was off. There was blood... no... flesh on the ground right in front of him. I knelt down to inspect it more closely. Took up a bit.

Flesh... but so warm.

I looked up, at my captive. All of sudden he raised is head and screeched at me. His eyes were black as night. His face was like the insides of an animal. His teeth long as daggers.

I fell to my back, crawled away.

W... W... Wha... WHAT!?!

Slowly he stood up, flesh falling from his limbs as he began to move them. Long black claws came out of his hands.

“Hector...? Hector...?! HECTOR!!!”

I didn't see him anywhere near. Damn dog. No loyalty towards his Master!

That thing was just standing there, watching me. Was it waiting for something?

Suddenly Roderick rode by it. With a swift move it sliced into his horse and chopped of one of Roderick's legs. At first it seemed like neither even noticed they had been hurt. Then the horse fell and Roderick began screaming.

Another swift move from the abomination. Moments later Roderick stopped screaming. Then...

Rod... Roder... h... h... h... his... he... head...!!

It just fell off. Blood was coming out of his neck and flowing onto his steed.

I... i... i... is this still this felon?

Suddenly he turned around and towards me. I began crawling backwards again. After a few steps a tree stopped me. It came slowly closer, taking his time.

I closed my eyes...

Oh please lord, do something against this demon, I don't deserve to die.

...as I opened my eyes it stood directly in front of me. On all fours. Eyeing me down with those eternally black eyes. Drooling all over my legs.

“Please... please... spare me. I... I do not deserve to die... I have done nothing wrong. I'm sure you want stuff, don't you? Right! I can give you everything you want. Jewelry, Clothes, Food, Women. Everything! Just please spare me. I didn't want to hurt... y... you? Or Him? I didn't want to hurt this scu... eh... Bjork... no... Bjorn! I didn't want to hurt him. Just please please spare me.”

Somewhere in those sentences I began crying. I didn't want to die. What had I done wrong? Justice was on my side. My will is justice.

It came closer to my face. Hissing fiercely at me. Drooling more and more on me.

“please... please... let me live... you've taken my brother... isn't he enough?”

It changed it's weight on it's hind legs, moved its claws to my chest.

“...please...”

Then I felt this pressure on my chest, and saw his claws disappear within me. Blood soaking my clothes. Then an unbelievable pain began moving through my whole body.

“...p...p...please...”

It pressed to the sides and ripped Bhaltair apart. Blood spurting all over itself and the surrounding. Both his horse and the hounds had run away a long time ago.

It just climbed on top of a tree.

Hid there.

And fell asleep.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Note from the Author

Ok, this one got a lil bit longer than usual but I thought it'd be fun to show you guys some stuff Bjorn doesn't really witness. And I guess if I have any further chances to do this I will, it was defintiely fun to write.

Thanks for Following, Thanks for reading & Thanks for your feedback (altho I'd love to get some more of that)

That was by far easier said than done

I waited two days and nights by the road but not a single person came by Why hasn't anyone come by this road yet? No, don't give up now, you need some clothes you gotta be more patient.

So I waited.

Three more days I waited Then finally someone came by

A man. He was wairing a basket on his back, probably filled with stuff he wants to sell somewhere. He was older than me, already had snow white hair but he was very young for having such white hair. Last time I saw Martin he probably was older, and had just grey hair Guess it's different from person to person

I followed him for a while it was hard to attack him This helpless, innocent, old man who just was looking forward to earn some coin

Still I had to do it Either that or I had to wait even longer

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Floating

I woke up again.

So, my name… my real name is 片 Kata. It’ll take time to get used to, I think. And IT doesn’t want to tell me its name. Why?

With all these thoughts it took a while till I noticed that it’s dark around me.

Am I blind now? Don’t I have eyes anymore?

Carefully I got up. Something in my view was changing. I could see silhouettes like before, but it wasn’t because something was gleaming. I saw things in the dark.

I found my way out of the cave. It was already morning again. The sun had risen and the birds were chirping in the trees. Suddenly I noticed the difference. I could see everything normally again. My view was clear, normally coloured. No blur, no gleaming things.

I looked down at myself, but I got disappointed. Still this burned flesh, these claws. Without much more hope I went to the pond again.

No ears, no nose, no hair. Razorsharp teeth, but my eyes weren’t black anymore.

So, somehow I did make progress. Only question is; How?

Picture Forest Pond by Ruth-Tay

Music Floating by Andreas B.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Note from the Author

I’m sorry guys (& girls) but I have some private matters to attend to so there probably won’t be any posts this week. I’ll try to make it up for you with some extra posts next week.

Ancient Stones

I slept very good that night. No nightmares and after those cold nights in the forest this hay was as soft as a cloud.

Next morning, after we ate breakfast & Martin went out on the field, Ruth repaired my clothes. I was wearing one of Martin's cottes in the meantime and did stuff around the house. Afterwards I helped her in the garden. And I helped her spin yarn from wool.

My days were back to normal again. But, although I knew that Martin & Ruth treated me like there own child, it was still not the same.

Music Ancient Stones by Jeremy Soule

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I found a flint and iron, neatly bound together with a piece of thin rope, a small whetstone and some dried flesh in the pockets of that guy. His bow looked fine too, and it also was stronger than mine, so I took it. Arrows included naturally. I hadn't looked what Lord half'n'half had with him yet, but that guy definitely seemed to be the better prepared, and probably more skilled, hunter of the two.

Naturally there was blood on all of his stuff. Have to wash that off later, at least as good as possible.

But more importantly... I turned my attention towards the horse again.

I cut out a few chunks of meat and inspected them closely. Doesn't look foul... doesn't smell foul... nothing moving inside... Guess it's all good then

I went a bit away from the site. Altho I was eating chunks from that horse, and I guess it wasn't hard to see that someone had cut chunks out of that horse, I didn't really want to be seen there.

I made a fire and roasted the meat on it.

Ok, lesson learned, no more drowsy excuses for not sleeping up in a tree. That there could have ended seriously badly... or it would have if...

Hey! You awake? Why'd you get me out of that mess?

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Whø ëls$ê shøµld håvæ döné ìt?

Errh... I don't know

Æxåctlý

But still, why?

Årë yøû såýìng yôu'd råthër bê dæd nøw? Håd räthêr gôt chøppéd òf yøµr hëâd bý thîs såd ëxcú$sé ôf å swørds$smân?

Nono... Just wonder why you do help me

Ëâsy, yøû'ré nøt thè önlý ønë thât dïê$s

...Wait... what?

Yøû hærd mê, nów léàvê mê bë

No! If I die, you die too? But you're just some... thing, you'd just go back to where you came from.

He didn't answer anymore. What he said really left me wondering. If I'd die, he'd do too. But that shouldn't cause any problems for him. He's just some... I don't know what he is, but I can't imagine dying being of any concern to him and his like.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

“What was it you wanted to talk about earlier? Had enough time to sort your mind?”

“Well... I've sorted my mind but... I still have no idea how I should ask this”

“Then work around it, what is it you wanna ask me about?”

“It's... it's this... well my, or rather our, 'contract' “

“Oh you mean the staying for winter? You're right, winter is over but... if you wanna stay for longer do so”

“That's... not really it, tho I'm thankful for your offer, but... hmmm”

“What are you worried about?”

“I... I'm... … I'm worried I leave you without giving you anything back for what you showed me. That I leave without repaying you properly”

She put a hand on my shoulder and looked into my eyes“Do you really think I did this with the plan to get some compensation for it? I did this because I wanted to, because I had a feel you could use it in the future. Compensation neither needed nor wanted.”

“r... really? You sure?”

“Yes, and besides, you gave me lots of fun memories” she smiled

“...but-”

“No buts! It was fun for me, that's more than enough pay”

She hugged me suddenly, the first time since IT forced its way out. At first I was scared, worried, but I didn't wanna take this hug from her... and didn't wanna let it slide myself. We both needed it.

“Thank you Ingrid, a thousand times and infinitely more”

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016