"Cursed forest." Victoria muttered, cleaving a branch in her path. Yet another took it's place, and she slashed it apart as well.
The red headed mercenary walked through a deep, overgrown forest. Her most recent client, a noble named Clarisse Wainright requested she 'eliminate' a bandit who'd been preying on all the rich passerby. And, the client would be taking that path soon, and didn't like the prospect of being robbed.
None of that mattered the frustrated swordswoman, as she again cursed the forest. Small creatures scrambled to escape as she walked past, and branches upon branches got in her way. Possibly an attempt to avenge their fallen, Victoria thought with a laugh.
Then, something caught her eye. It was a tree, like any other. Well, unlike the others; had been broken at the base. A rope held it aloft, tied slightly higher than the crack.
"A trap?" The snake maiden guessed, walking around it. Well, she thought, whoever was supposed to set it had abandoned his post.
She walked on past it, looking to see that the rope securing the tree was tied to another tree. She sighed, and continued her search. After what seemed to be an hour or so, she was ready to simply anounce her prescence to the entire forest.
But then, she heard a distant cry. It was a cheer, and the voices, for their were many, seemed jovial. Narrowing her eyes, the mercenary walked closer. After a few moments, she heard it again, closer this time. And again, closer still. The glow of a fire began to illuminate the woods. Finally, she saw what she was after.
A whole band sat around the fire, raising flagons toward the air. They were all dressed in white furs, only their backs covered (Save the women) and fore arms covered with clawed fur gauntlets. The furs on their backs came to the top, still connected with the top half of a wolf's head. Their lower bodies were covered by simple black pants, and feet clad in thick fur boots. Wolves sat nearby, some even right beside a human companion.
Victoria even saw children, wearing simple shirts and pants. They had pups of their own to play with.
"We're gonna be rich, I tell ya!" Cried a behemoth of a man, standing closest to the fire. The others seemed to be watching him. "Soon, noone in Runia will be able to tell the Wolfpack what to do!" He said, before chugging the content of his flagon. This elicited several cheers from the assembled group. "We'll have our own land! We'll....." He trailed off, eyes catching a glimpse of Victoria.
"Hail, friend!" He called, waving her over. "We've got warm mead, and a nice fire!"
"Rather inviting for a bandit, aren't you?" Victoria replied, arms crossed.
The man smiled. "Sometimes." He chuckled.
The others around him were staring at her apprehensivley. Some clutched children close to them.
"What brings you to my neck of the woods?" The leader asked, still grinning.
"Business." Victoria said, brandishing her sword. "Someone wants you dead."
The man kept smiling, as he cracked his knuckles. "But none of them can kill themselves? Figures." He said.
The other adults stood as well, as the children drew back. The wolves got to their feet, snarling.
"I'm Tokin Brand, alpha of the Wolfpack!" The giant declared. "Who are you, red?"
"Victoria Engelbrekt, the Snake Maiden." Victoria replied.
"That sounds scary." Tokin observed. "They call me the grey wolf."
"Funny. I don't care." Victoria said. Then, in an instant, she charged. One of the wolfpack attacked, only to be batted aside. She swung her sword at Tokin's neck, but the beast was faster than he looked, and bent back. He swiped at her, fingers outstretched. He barely missed, but it was enough of an edge for Victoria. She hooked the bend of her arm around his own, then smashed her knee straight into his stomach. Tokin stumbled back, snarling.
"DIE!" Another pack member shouted, leaping at her, dagger in hand. Victoria easily blocked the blade, and sent her free hand straight into the woman's stomach. Almost immediatley a wolf pounced her, attempting to hook it's teeth in her neck. The snake maiden tossed it off into another bandit, knocking him off his feet.
"ENOUGH!"
The forest went silent, and the wolves stopped growling. The wolfpack and Victoria looked back at Tokin, who stood with his arms held out, legs bent, in a primal stance. "You want me, you snake?" He challenged. "You got me."
"Fine then. Let us be done with it." Victoria replied.
Tokin charged, fists together. As he closed on Victoria, he brought both hands into her chin. As the swords woman was brought of the groud from the force of his blow, he grabbed her shoulder, then sent a powerful straight into her stomach. The snake maiden flew back, crashing into a tree.
Victoria grabbed her stomach, grunting. "Stupid bandit." She growled, getting to her feet.
Tokin grinned, chuckling. It was more like a rumble, deep in his throat. "Come on, Red, what happend?" He asked, before, charging again, running on all fours. Then, he leapt forward, as Victoria got to her feet. She grabbed him in the air, and directed his face directly into the tree he had slammed her into.
Tokin yelped in pain, falling onto his side. "Dammit, dammit!" He shouted, as he rose. But, as he got to one knee, Victoria's sword came around his neck.
"It ends." She said. "Now."
Tokin smiled. "Ya have to DO it first!" He said, one of his arms gripping her lower legs. Then, he stood, other arm grabbing her own. She lay across his shoulders, sword still to his throat. The snake maiden remained calm, face never changing.
"Was this supposed to accomplish something?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I was trying to get you off me." Tokin said sheepishly.
"Break the bitch's back!" One wolfpack member shouted.
"Well, Red-"
"My name is Victoria!" Victoria interjected.
"It seems we've reached a bit of an impasse." Said the Grey wolf, undisturbed.
Then, an arrow flew past his head.
Three men stood near the trees, all aiming bows. "Yes." They're leader said. "It would seem we have."
They all wore chain mail, with white tabards, that all had a golden eye in the center.
"Who are you?" Tokin asked. "They with you?" He asked Victoria, who finally withdrew her sword.
She shook her head. "I've never seen them before." She narrowed her eyes.
"Regardless." Said the leader, a man with light blond hair, and grey eyes. "Our lady wants you dead. So, dead I shall make you!" He said gleefully, unleashing another arrow.
Instantly, the wolfpack descended on them, but the men drew swords, and swung wildly. The outlaws were kept at bay, as even more men wearing the same tabards arrived, unleashing more arrows.
"How about we kill each other after this is all over?" Tokin asked, dropping Victoria.
"Fine, but not a moment longer." Victoria said, rushing toward the new attackers. She held her sword high, and the Wolfpack members parted for her, as Tokin ran just behind. The Snake maiden brought her sword down, slashing the hand off one man. He dropped to the ground, screaming.
Tokin jumped over her, crashing down on another man, and tearing into him with his bare hands. Another man would have stabbed him, if Victoria hadn't lopped his head off. She turned her attention to a charging opponent, who held an axe. Victoria side stepped him, then brought her knee straight into his gut, the force knocking him off his feet. But as he fell, she grabbed his axe, and tossed it into his ally's chest.
Tokin ran forward, grabbing a man by the throat. He swung him in a circle, knocking two of his friends off their feet. Then, he snapped the poor man's neck, and tossed his corpse into a small group. The Grey Wolf brought his foot down on the chest of downed man, as his fist found it's way into another's nose, both killed from the sheer force of his blows.
Victoria watched, as the attackers and the wolfpack fought. Her eyes scanned for one in particular. Then, she spotted him. The man who seemed to be the leader. He was retreating, a dagger in his hand.
The scarlett haired woman chased after him, tossing two fighters out of her way. She finally caught up, crashing into him as he weaved through the trees. They went sprawling in the dirt, the soldier scrambling for his dagger. Victoria grabbed his hand as it searched the ground, and pulled him up. She stood, dragging him up as well.
Then, she punched him in the jaw, and finally grabbed his throat.
"Stupid wench!" He choked out, blood trailing from his broken nose.
"Shut it." Victoria ordered. "You'll have one chance to survive this. If you answer my questions."
"Why should I be scared of you?" He asked, smiling. "I could nail your hide-"
He was interupted by another punch to the face.
"ARGH!" He grunted, trying to pull back. "All right, all right! I'll answer your questions!" He spat, as Victoria released him. She kept sword ready, glaring.
"Who is your 'lady'?" Victoria asked. "Why does she want me dead?" Her gaze still penetrated the man.
"The supreme Clarisse Wainright." Said the man proudly. "It was something about not paying you, if I recall."
"WHAT!?" Victoria cried out, grabbing him by the collar. Her sword's tip came to his throat.
"I've always hated the witch myself!" The man said hastily, holding up his hands. "Honest, the woman is a horrid monster!" He yelled, gulping in fear. He pulled away, sensing his words were doing nothing to sway the woman. "I answered your questions, please, let me go!" He cried, trying to force her off. Tears ran like rivers from his blackened eye.
"I said you had a chance." Victoria said coldly. "You failed." She dropped the sword, lifting the man off his feet.
"No! No, please, I'll do anything!" The man begged, voice cracking, as he pushed against her with both hands.
Victoria ignored his pleas, forcing his head into her mouth. Before he could try to struggle, her hands pushed both his arms to his sides. He kicked and squirmed, as Victoria swallowed, forcing his chest down into her mouth. The next gulp pulled his stomach closer, and his chest widened her throat. He was still kicking, but only served to force himself deeper, as Victoria wolfed down his waist. Her mouth moved over his thighs, and she grabbed his feet. With effort, she used her hands to push him in faster, even while steadily swallowing his legs.
The bend of his knees proved a slight more challenging, as her prey almost instinctively bent his legs. Victoria pried them up, and bent her neck back. With a final swallow, she sent his feet sliding down into her gullet, and then, into her stomach.
The snake maiden sighed with satisfaction, letting her stomach settle. The massive orb of flesh reached at least three feet from her body, the squirming form of her meal pressing against her flesh. Victoria pat her stomach, but decided to ignore her struggling victim.
"So," Tokin's voice said, "I see you've got this under control."
Victoria turned, to see the behemoth of a man leaning against a tree, smiling as always. An cut ran down his arm, bleeding. A small stab wound was on his side, but he paid neither injury any mind.
"I did. What of it?" She growled, grabbing her sword.
"Nothing. Want to go around eating your enemies, it's none of my business." Tokin replied, chuckling. "But, I noticed you didn't take well to something your....dinner said."
"The client who wanted me to kill you has tried to do the same to me." Victoria replied, already turning to leave. "So I'll spare you death today."
"Woman doesn't seem to smart, does she?" Tokin asked, walking beside her.
"What are you doing?" The mercenary snarled. She walked easily, despite her girth.
"Someone tried to have both of us killed," Tokin replied, putting his arm around her shoulder, "I figure both us return the favor."
Victoria sighed. "If you must. But don't get in my way." Victoria warned. "Or you'll end up with him." she pointed at her shifting stomach.
Tokin smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it."
The red headed mercenary walked through a deep, overgrown forest. Her most recent client, a noble named Clarisse Wainright requested she 'eliminate' a bandit who'd been preying on all the rich passerby. And, the client would be taking that path soon, and didn't like the prospect of being robbed.
None of that mattered the frustrated swordswoman, as she again cursed the forest. Small creatures scrambled to escape as she walked past, and branches upon branches got in her way. Possibly an attempt to avenge their fallen, Victoria thought with a laugh.
Then, something caught her eye. It was a tree, like any other. Well, unlike the others; had been broken at the base. A rope held it aloft, tied slightly higher than the crack.
"A trap?" The snake maiden guessed, walking around it. Well, she thought, whoever was supposed to set it had abandoned his post.
She walked on past it, looking to see that the rope securing the tree was tied to another tree. She sighed, and continued her search. After what seemed to be an hour or so, she was ready to simply anounce her prescence to the entire forest.
But then, she heard a distant cry. It was a cheer, and the voices, for their were many, seemed jovial. Narrowing her eyes, the mercenary walked closer. After a few moments, she heard it again, closer this time. And again, closer still. The glow of a fire began to illuminate the woods. Finally, she saw what she was after.
A whole band sat around the fire, raising flagons toward the air. They were all dressed in white furs, only their backs covered (Save the women) and fore arms covered with clawed fur gauntlets. The furs on their backs came to the top, still connected with the top half of a wolf's head. Their lower bodies were covered by simple black pants, and feet clad in thick fur boots. Wolves sat nearby, some even right beside a human companion.
Victoria even saw children, wearing simple shirts and pants. They had pups of their own to play with.
"We're gonna be rich, I tell ya!" Cried a behemoth of a man, standing closest to the fire. The others seemed to be watching him. "Soon, noone in Runia will be able to tell the Wolfpack what to do!" He said, before chugging the content of his flagon. This elicited several cheers from the assembled group. "We'll have our own land! We'll....." He trailed off, eyes catching a glimpse of Victoria.
"Hail, friend!" He called, waving her over. "We've got warm mead, and a nice fire!"
"Rather inviting for a bandit, aren't you?" Victoria replied, arms crossed.
The man smiled. "Sometimes." He chuckled.
The others around him were staring at her apprehensivley. Some clutched children close to them.
"What brings you to my neck of the woods?" The leader asked, still grinning.
"Business." Victoria said, brandishing her sword. "Someone wants you dead."
The man kept smiling, as he cracked his knuckles. "But none of them can kill themselves? Figures." He said.
The other adults stood as well, as the children drew back. The wolves got to their feet, snarling.
"I'm Tokin Brand, alpha of the Wolfpack!" The giant declared. "Who are you, red?"
"Victoria Engelbrekt, the Snake Maiden." Victoria replied.
"That sounds scary." Tokin observed. "They call me the grey wolf."
"Funny. I don't care." Victoria said. Then, in an instant, she charged. One of the wolfpack attacked, only to be batted aside. She swung her sword at Tokin's neck, but the beast was faster than he looked, and bent back. He swiped at her, fingers outstretched. He barely missed, but it was enough of an edge for Victoria. She hooked the bend of her arm around his own, then smashed her knee straight into his stomach. Tokin stumbled back, snarling.
"DIE!" Another pack member shouted, leaping at her, dagger in hand. Victoria easily blocked the blade, and sent her free hand straight into the woman's stomach. Almost immediatley a wolf pounced her, attempting to hook it's teeth in her neck. The snake maiden tossed it off into another bandit, knocking him off his feet.
"ENOUGH!"
The forest went silent, and the wolves stopped growling. The wolfpack and Victoria looked back at Tokin, who stood with his arms held out, legs bent, in a primal stance. "You want me, you snake?" He challenged. "You got me."
"Fine then. Let us be done with it." Victoria replied.
Tokin charged, fists together. As he closed on Victoria, he brought both hands into her chin. As the swords woman was brought of the groud from the force of his blow, he grabbed her shoulder, then sent a powerful straight into her stomach. The snake maiden flew back, crashing into a tree.
Victoria grabbed her stomach, grunting. "Stupid bandit." She growled, getting to her feet.
Tokin grinned, chuckling. It was more like a rumble, deep in his throat. "Come on, Red, what happend?" He asked, before, charging again, running on all fours. Then, he leapt forward, as Victoria got to her feet. She grabbed him in the air, and directed his face directly into the tree he had slammed her into.
Tokin yelped in pain, falling onto his side. "Dammit, dammit!" He shouted, as he rose. But, as he got to one knee, Victoria's sword came around his neck.
"It ends." She said. "Now."
Tokin smiled. "Ya have to DO it first!" He said, one of his arms gripping her lower legs. Then, he stood, other arm grabbing her own. She lay across his shoulders, sword still to his throat. The snake maiden remained calm, face never changing.
"Was this supposed to accomplish something?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I was trying to get you off me." Tokin said sheepishly.
"Break the bitch's back!" One wolfpack member shouted.
"Well, Red-"
"My name is Victoria!" Victoria interjected.
"It seems we've reached a bit of an impasse." Said the Grey wolf, undisturbed.
Then, an arrow flew past his head.
Three men stood near the trees, all aiming bows. "Yes." They're leader said. "It would seem we have."
They all wore chain mail, with white tabards, that all had a golden eye in the center.
"Who are you?" Tokin asked. "They with you?" He asked Victoria, who finally withdrew her sword.
She shook her head. "I've never seen them before." She narrowed her eyes.
"Regardless." Said the leader, a man with light blond hair, and grey eyes. "Our lady wants you dead. So, dead I shall make you!" He said gleefully, unleashing another arrow.
Instantly, the wolfpack descended on them, but the men drew swords, and swung wildly. The outlaws were kept at bay, as even more men wearing the same tabards arrived, unleashing more arrows.
"How about we kill each other after this is all over?" Tokin asked, dropping Victoria.
"Fine, but not a moment longer." Victoria said, rushing toward the new attackers. She held her sword high, and the Wolfpack members parted for her, as Tokin ran just behind. The Snake maiden brought her sword down, slashing the hand off one man. He dropped to the ground, screaming.
Tokin jumped over her, crashing down on another man, and tearing into him with his bare hands. Another man would have stabbed him, if Victoria hadn't lopped his head off. She turned her attention to a charging opponent, who held an axe. Victoria side stepped him, then brought her knee straight into his gut, the force knocking him off his feet. But as he fell, she grabbed his axe, and tossed it into his ally's chest.
Tokin ran forward, grabbing a man by the throat. He swung him in a circle, knocking two of his friends off their feet. Then, he snapped the poor man's neck, and tossed his corpse into a small group. The Grey Wolf brought his foot down on the chest of downed man, as his fist found it's way into another's nose, both killed from the sheer force of his blows.
Victoria watched, as the attackers and the wolfpack fought. Her eyes scanned for one in particular. Then, she spotted him. The man who seemed to be the leader. He was retreating, a dagger in his hand.
The scarlett haired woman chased after him, tossing two fighters out of her way. She finally caught up, crashing into him as he weaved through the trees. They went sprawling in the dirt, the soldier scrambling for his dagger. Victoria grabbed his hand as it searched the ground, and pulled him up. She stood, dragging him up as well.
Then, she punched him in the jaw, and finally grabbed his throat.
"Stupid wench!" He choked out, blood trailing from his broken nose.
"Shut it." Victoria ordered. "You'll have one chance to survive this. If you answer my questions."
"Why should I be scared of you?" He asked, smiling. "I could nail your hide-"
He was interupted by another punch to the face.
"ARGH!" He grunted, trying to pull back. "All right, all right! I'll answer your questions!" He spat, as Victoria released him. She kept sword ready, glaring.
"Who is your 'lady'?" Victoria asked. "Why does she want me dead?" Her gaze still penetrated the man.
"The supreme Clarisse Wainright." Said the man proudly. "It was something about not paying you, if I recall."
"WHAT!?" Victoria cried out, grabbing him by the collar. Her sword's tip came to his throat.
"I've always hated the witch myself!" The man said hastily, holding up his hands. "Honest, the woman is a horrid monster!" He yelled, gulping in fear. He pulled away, sensing his words were doing nothing to sway the woman. "I answered your questions, please, let me go!" He cried, trying to force her off. Tears ran like rivers from his blackened eye.
"I said you had a chance." Victoria said coldly. "You failed." She dropped the sword, lifting the man off his feet.
"No! No, please, I'll do anything!" The man begged, voice cracking, as he pushed against her with both hands.
Victoria ignored his pleas, forcing his head into her mouth. Before he could try to struggle, her hands pushed both his arms to his sides. He kicked and squirmed, as Victoria swallowed, forcing his chest down into her mouth. The next gulp pulled his stomach closer, and his chest widened her throat. He was still kicking, but only served to force himself deeper, as Victoria wolfed down his waist. Her mouth moved over his thighs, and she grabbed his feet. With effort, she used her hands to push him in faster, even while steadily swallowing his legs.
The bend of his knees proved a slight more challenging, as her prey almost instinctively bent his legs. Victoria pried them up, and bent her neck back. With a final swallow, she sent his feet sliding down into her gullet, and then, into her stomach.
The snake maiden sighed with satisfaction, letting her stomach settle. The massive orb of flesh reached at least three feet from her body, the squirming form of her meal pressing against her flesh. Victoria pat her stomach, but decided to ignore her struggling victim.
"So," Tokin's voice said, "I see you've got this under control."
Victoria turned, to see the behemoth of a man leaning against a tree, smiling as always. An cut ran down his arm, bleeding. A small stab wound was on his side, but he paid neither injury any mind.
"I did. What of it?" She growled, grabbing her sword.
"Nothing. Want to go around eating your enemies, it's none of my business." Tokin replied, chuckling. "But, I noticed you didn't take well to something your....dinner said."
"The client who wanted me to kill you has tried to do the same to me." Victoria replied, already turning to leave. "So I'll spare you death today."
"Woman doesn't seem to smart, does she?" Tokin asked, walking beside her.
"What are you doing?" The mercenary snarled. She walked easily, despite her girth.
"Someone tried to have both of us killed," Tokin replied, putting his arm around her shoulder, "I figure both us return the favor."
Victoria sighed. "If you must. But don't get in my way." Victoria warned. "Or you'll end up with him." she pointed at her shifting stomach.
Tokin smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Because I am creatively bankrupt.
Anyway, this is the third story I have written for Tales of Runia, though this one shall be a two parter. And like the others, this one features characters for my own, so far unwritten, fantasy story.
Victoria belongs to Sibon13
Everyone else belongs to me.
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Posted by Sibon13 14 years ago Report
I think I've told you this before, but I really enjoy reading your fight scenes. You pull them off way better than I'll ever do. x3
Interesting characters, exciting dialogue and as always, it's nice seeing Victoria in badass mode.
Great job, looking forward to see more, if you're still planning to continue that is.
Posted by Ruler101 14 years ago Report
You have, and I thank you again.
Thank you again. I'm glad you liked Tokin. He's a character I've spent a lot of time on.
I'm planning on doing it. I'm in a bit of a fantasy kick at the moment, so I might get on it soon.