Chapter 36
I apologize for the extended hiatus, my friends and readers. School got hectic, and I lost my writing edge for a little bit there. Luckily, I've been writing more, and I'm prepared to try to tackel this story one more. And as out of tradition as this may be, I'm going to dedicate this entry, and I'm going to dedicat it to Antto, who has been Kaamos's biggest and more persistent fan. Without her, this update wouldn't exist. ~Tom
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“Henrik, Henrik, Henrik. What did I tell you about getting in my way? If I remember correctly, I believe I told you to back down, and stay away from this mess. And now look at you. You’ve gotten yourself all mixed up with these miserable orphans.” Rasmus has turned the corner in the path, flanked by an army’s worth of guards. They were in two groups: City Guard to his right, and the Guard of the Order to his left. Sofia was right in front of him, still prepared to pounce. If she did, he wouldn’t be able to move in time. “Speaking of the orphans, I see one. Where’s the other?” He took a step forward, and Sofia growled. Rasums ignored her. “Ah, there she is, on the ground. You didn’t kill her, did you?”
“Don’t worry Rasmus, she’s alive and well. You won’t be much longer, though.”
“Oh, stop with the cryptic nonsense, won’t you? Look, I didn’t bring a small army along for no reason. You’re outnumbered, out classed, and surrounded.” Santeri looked behind himself at this remark. Sure enough, Tuuka was staring back at him, the remaining members of the pack stretched across the road. Tuuka was stepping closer, moving in an arc motion. But why…? He followed Tuuka’s future path with his eyes. Anja.
“Henrik, I’ll cut you a deal.” Rasmus tried to walk forward again, but Sofia inched closer to his leg. He decided he liked where he was standing. “Hand over the girl, and my men will leave you, Santeri, and your animals to live in peace, never to bother me again.”
Henrik tightened his grip on his weapon handles. They were still sheathed, but there was no sense in not being ready. Santeri, meanwhile, had drawn his sword and was crouched between Anja and Tuuka, using the sword as a sort of balance.
“No.” Everything fell quiet when Henrik spoke. He knew that one word was the most powerful one he could use. He also knew that if he had even tried to form a sentence, his voice would have fallen apart halfway through.
Rasmus sighed. “Fine. I try to be reasonable, and you just don’t listen. Captain.”
“Yes sir!” Two men answered simultaneously, one from each of the Guards.
“Gentlemen, these are your targets. An owl, a panther, two armed men, one unconscious woman, and an invisible pterodactyl that can be brought down with a well placed arrow or two. Survivors only take up space. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes sir!”
“Good. Tuuka, you and your pack help my men. When you’re all done, your wolves can have their fill on meat. Gentlemen, have fun.” Rasmus began to turn and walk away, as the two Guard factions started to advance.
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“Henrik, Henrik, Henrik. What did I tell you about getting in my way? If I remember correctly, I believe I told you to back down, and stay away from this mess. And now look at you. You’ve gotten yourself all mixed up with these miserable orphans.” Rasmus has turned the corner in the path, flanked by an army’s worth of guards. They were in two groups: City Guard to his right, and the Guard of the Order to his left. Sofia was right in front of him, still prepared to pounce. If she did, he wouldn’t be able to move in time. “Speaking of the orphans, I see one. Where’s the other?” He took a step forward, and Sofia growled. Rasums ignored her. “Ah, there she is, on the ground. You didn’t kill her, did you?”
“Don’t worry Rasmus, she’s alive and well. You won’t be much longer, though.”
“Oh, stop with the cryptic nonsense, won’t you? Look, I didn’t bring a small army along for no reason. You’re outnumbered, out classed, and surrounded.” Santeri looked behind himself at this remark. Sure enough, Tuuka was staring back at him, the remaining members of the pack stretched across the road. Tuuka was stepping closer, moving in an arc motion. But why…? He followed Tuuka’s future path with his eyes. Anja.
“Henrik, I’ll cut you a deal.” Rasmus tried to walk forward again, but Sofia inched closer to his leg. He decided he liked where he was standing. “Hand over the girl, and my men will leave you, Santeri, and your animals to live in peace, never to bother me again.”
Henrik tightened his grip on his weapon handles. They were still sheathed, but there was no sense in not being ready. Santeri, meanwhile, had drawn his sword and was crouched between Anja and Tuuka, using the sword as a sort of balance.
“No.” Everything fell quiet when Henrik spoke. He knew that one word was the most powerful one he could use. He also knew that if he had even tried to form a sentence, his voice would have fallen apart halfway through.
Rasmus sighed. “Fine. I try to be reasonable, and you just don’t listen. Captain.”
“Yes sir!” Two men answered simultaneously, one from each of the Guards.
“Gentlemen, these are your targets. An owl, a panther, two armed men, one unconscious woman, and an invisible pterodactyl that can be brought down with a well placed arrow or two. Survivors only take up space. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes sir!”
“Good. Tuuka, you and your pack help my men. When you’re all done, your wolves can have their fill on meat. Gentlemen, have fun.” Rasmus began to turn and walk away, as the two Guard factions started to advance.