Born a Monster-Chapter 465
465 One Night, Outside Whitehill
I sent to Black Legs.
he admitted.
He blinked at me.
I turned my back on a poisonous spider that was larger than the backpack it settled on. he sent.
๐r๐๐๐๐๐๐ป๐๐ท๐ฒ๐ญ.cเซฆ๐
My backpack jerked as he looked around.
he sent.
.....
But for all his doubts, we survived that night, and in the morning he had his fill of bats. (Minus three, because the mother could ask for her release, and those of her two daughters (who were able to send pictures and sticky feelings).
Black Legs asked.
I said,
[Transformation: Human, Achean Lineage has begun. Please do nothing stressful for the next thirty three minutes and twenty seconds.]
The transformation process always leaves stray bits outside; Black Legs was happily scarfing them down as the red faded from my vision and my pulse began to slow.
I cursed.
Black Legs said.
Hrm. Humans, second or third place in most things? No, not by a long shot. But they were... flexible.
I sent.
I said.
he said.
He leapt onto a nearby tree trunk.
he sent,
Dang it. What was I suddenly doing wrong or different? I used to have friends... er, okay, maybe not. Maybe they were all attracted only by the money or loyalty to other people.
But, once Iโd gotten past the patrols, I made it to the house of someone who obviously wasnโt my friend. His mansion was guarded; both humans and hounds patrolled the grounds. I decided to make my way around the front, approach through the gate.
โI wouldnโt move suddenly, if I were you.โ a man said.
I blinked into the darkness. โI call upon...โ
โAnd nothing that resembles magic, if you want to keep your skin intact.โ
โMostly intact.โ said the short one, โWeโll be scuffing you up a little bit.โ ๐๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆwe๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐๐ฒl.com
From looking at him, I was able to ... almost ... locate the other. I knew where he was standing, where he HAD to be standing. Still, it seemed he literally stepped out of the shadows.
โUnless there is reason, perhaps, not to be doing that.โ he said.
I squinted at him. โAre you, perhaps, brother to Gerald the Blade?โ
He smiled. โCousin, and sometimes a sparring partner. How do you know him?โ
โYou wouldnโt believe me if I told you.โ I said. โBut before we get to this, are you on Lord Oriestes-sonโs side, or against him?โ
He stopped, sword suddenly in his hand. I pulled Heartโs Defender from my own inventory.
โTHAT blade,โ he said, โis sadly in need of some sharpening.โ
โI am aware.โ I said. โIt happens when you use your weapon.โ
The shorter man circled around to my right.
Into my left hand, I drew the barberโs razor. Iโd have preferred one of the shields, but I didnโt think either of them was going to give me the time to strap it on properly.
โRandal, stop.โ the taller man said. โThis boy is under half his maximum health, already.โ And to me, he said. โWhen was the last time you ate?โ
โA few minutes ago.โ I said. โFound some berries.โ
โI mean an actual meal, lad. Cooked food, infused with care and bursting with nutrition.โ
I shrugged. โOnly a few days, now.โ I said. Randal, I noticed, hadnโt stopped. He was working himself around to my back.
โIs that so?โ he asked. โFortunate for you, then. But rather than steal a meal, how about you...โ
Randal chose that moment to use Shadow Step. I kicked backward, grabbing for the very arm he was trying to work around to get his dagger at my neck. A quick pull, and he was prone before me.
And the otherโs blade was flat against the bottom of my chin.
โThat,โ he said, โwas impressively better than most people do.โ
โProfessional wrestlerโs throw.โ Randal said, actually sounding happy about it. He made no effort to rise. โBest drop your blade before he makes you drop it, kid.โ
Instead, I put both weapons back into inventory.
โNow.โ said the taller, โhow do you know my more famous cousin?โ
โHe tried to train me to fight, once.โ I said.
Randal began laughing, all need for stealth abandoned.
The taller slid his blade forward, pricking my neck. โTry again.โ
โI told you that you wouldnโt believe me.โ I said.
โAnd so I donโt.โ he said, sliding just a few inches forward, to hold his blade in place, but with an easier to maintain bend in his arm. โNow, try again.โ
I yawned. โYou wonโt believe this either, then. I literally cannot lie to you.โ
โThe missus will know the truth of that.โ Randal said.
โBind his wrists, if you please. Behind him, this time.โ
โThis time?โ I asked.
โThere was an unfortunate time, this once.โ Randal said.
โIt was last week.โ tall man said.
โAnd having her wrists before her, a young lass thought to work her hands free and run for it.โ
Tall man looked away. โWe ended up having to kill her. So donโt think weโll hesitate to do the same to you.โ
โNah.โ Randal said, tying my wrists one across the other. โHe wonโt give us any problem. Not when there might be a meal in it for you.โ
I sighed. โProvided weโre headed to the house, I suppose I have no reason to cause either of you problems.โ
It was not the missus, but Lord Mortimer himself who met us on the wooden porch that surrounded his house. โMister Durham, Mister Hapston. This is a clear case of why both of you are OUTSIDE the property tonight.โ
Randal looked confused. โWhat do you mean, your lordship?โ
โLook at our guestโs eyes, if you would, gentlemen.โ
They did so, Randal reacting with shock, the other with annoyance.
โYou may leave us now, gentlemen. And remember, attention to detail.โ
I flexed, loosening the rope enough to slip my wrists free. It was only when I brought it around in front of me that I realized that I had broken it in two places.
Waste not, want not; I popped a loose end of it into my mouth and began chewing.
โSo, Mister Rhishisikk, to what do I owe this visit?โ he asked.