2- The Village Festival, Part 4

The creatures had the appearance of severely disfigured men; their skin hideous shades of colour, some physically larger than men in all respects, others warped in other unimaginable ways. One of the creatures; the one at the back of the pack was at least ten foot tall; and it was twice the width of a normal man. Its bulk was immense. Its skin was grey and it wore only a loincloth around its waist. It carried a large, wooden club with several iron spikes protruding from it.

“Is-is that a-a troll?” Salla asked, indicating the large creature, “I thought they were only in stories”.

The troll swung its club, and the body of a villager went soaring through the air. The smaller creatures spread out; some carrying torches, others with swords, others with spears. They attacked anyone they could get their hands on. The ones with the torches set fire to houses, stalls, anything that would burn.

“Markus, take Salla somewhere safe, then find your friends and gather with me and the rest of the men. We must defend the women and children”. Markus nodded as Master Amathorn vanished. He took Salla by the arm and led her quickly from the square. As they were leaving it, one of the smaller creatures jumped at them. Markus ducked, pulling Salla with him. He swung round and hammered his fist into the creature’s skull. Its flesh was slimy beneath his skin, yet the blow appeared to daze it. Markus and Salla took the opportunity and fled. They entered his home and he shut the door behind them. Daein ran from the kitchen, a knife in hand. He stopped once he saw them.

“I thought you were....”

Markus nodded. He brought Salla to the kitchen where he sat her down. “Where is Sed?”

“He went home to grab his bow and knife. We are going to fight”.

“I know. I am too. Salla, I want you to stay here and wait for us to come back. Do not open the door for anyone but me, Daein or Sed. Please”. She nodded; she was visibly scared. Markus stared into her eyes for a moment, kissed her, and then ran to his room. He retrieved his bow and quiver; slinging them over his back, then bent to pick up his spear and hunting knife. He strapped the spear to his back alongside the quiver, and held his knife ready in hand. He moved back into the kitchen where Daein stood ready; a large, double headed hammer in his grasp, his bow strapped to his back. He had a sword strapped to his side; one he had made while working at the forge. He seemed nervous.

 Markus gave Salla a reassuring look where she sat, and then he and Daein left. They moved quickly back toward the village square where some of the men had gathered and were fighting back against the invading forces. Markus spotted Nanor, a short-bladed sword in one hand as he fought the cloaked man. For an instant, he thought he saw fire spout from Nanor’s free hand, but as he blinked, the fighting pair was engulfed in the battling crowd once again; and he put the fire down to one of the many surrounding them.