Age of Brutality

The sun of Gaia-Seven was rising. Shimmering faintly, the sunlight began to brighten the landscape around Rothgarr's palace. Amidst the veil of darkness, still pervading the land, the glimmering shapes of sturdy-yet withered-farming machines revealed themselves under the benevolent sun. Following them, small hills, shacks of the peasants, plots of farmlands each varying in size, scarecrows, and even the ramparts of the Governor's place were then illuminated.

On the small road near the manor's town hall, located close to the palace, there rode an army truck, returning from its duty, carrying a squad of soldiers that all seemed tired from their overnight patrols. The truck was riding at the velocity of 40 to 50 kilos per hour, barely crossing the narrow road without plunging into the farming land beneath it. Despite the speed, however, the noise coming out from its rusted engine was, indeed, unbearable to anyone with their ears open. Though the soldiers were putting their earplugs on, this alone hardly helped them with such horrifying sound. It could even be well said that, in fact, the noise was actually making them stay awake despite their fatigue. As such, the soldiers were on their way back to the camp, bearing both their drowsiness and the terrible sensation reaching their eardrums, until a shrieking voice pierced through the engine's noise and was heard.

"As we have all heard it, from the initial reports from our patrol unit this morning, some of the body parts that went missing from the corpses-that is, the victims of our recent incident-have been found hung on top of the town hall building. Our good medics are currently on their job identifying the true owner with scrutiny. Still, all other evidences, the very circumstances of it, are leading to the conclusion; this is, indeed, the work of a devil, not a person, which is almost the same in nature as that of Glen-gohr in its miserable lifetime."

"To begin with, I must say that, as one of the Empire's governors ordained by His Majesty himself, I am quite disappointed with the church of 3-Divines-especially its clerics, by their failing to be honest with me regarding the whole matter. Even at this point I do not understand where, in the Divines' name, lies the source of such distrust; nor do I comprehend why the governor of this land should have been alienated from the vital information regarding our latest event."

While saying such, Rothgarr's gaze was fixed mostly onto the face of Esteban, who was not, likewise, shying away from his lord's sight. Rather, his head was held upright and firm, with his eyes straight on the Governor's throne, as if he had nothing to hide before the Governor himself. Noticing so, Rothgarr then lifted his eyes elsewhere, seeming tired of every trifles upon his life.

"Nevertheless, we still have such matter of ours, grave as ever, on our very hands. We need solution for this, and that is why Prince Aelthred, our noble hero who saved us from Glen-gohr's threat not so long ago, is hereby present in today's meeting. Prince Aelthred of Geats, pray you step forward."

Aelthred, from where he stood, approached closer to the Governor's throne. Meanwhile, everyone else in the room began to talk among themselves, in agitation, wondering their lord's true intention of summoning the barbarian prince to this place. Even the Cardinal could not help himself but rather become surprised. He had already expected that Rothgarr would be somehow borrowing some help from the barbarians. However, beyond his expectation, this was reminding him of the whole occasion where the Governor had hired them to hunt down Glen-gohr, promising them plenty of the land's gold and silver. Not only had they paid those savages with their hard-earned wealth, but they had likewise put their honor, despite being proud citizens of the Holy Empire, at risk by doing so. Esteban had already known his mundane lord's pettiness for a long while, cowardly enough, in his nature, not to solve any of the issues on his own. Yet, this was getting too much; would he ever dare to get their help once more, as he had done about the matter with Glen-gohr?

"For the time's sake, I have not been able to let you all know, in prior, about the decision I shall make today. Nevertheless, my will is set, firmly determined, and shall not be altered no matter how many of you wish to go against it. I believe that each and every one of you, whether you are serving me in my office or in service of 3-Divines themselves, will understand this, considering the importance of today's issue."

At the announcement, people were even more wavering in unrest, retainers and clerics alike. Whispers between the people were getting louder, and more talks were being heard amidst the crowd gathered in the palace. Aelthred, too, was heeding closely to the words that were coming out of Rothgarr's mouth, with both anticipation and nervousness.

"This is our opportunity, my lord. We praise the Divines, for they are helping us from heavens with our cause." Whispered Gael to the Prince.

"As the Governor of this land, and as one among the deputies of His Majesty, I therefore call upon thee, Prince Aelthred, to renew our terms of the hunt, for there is yet another spawn of evil roaming upon the land, slaughtering my people and seeking to plunder my wealth."

"Hereby I ask you to slay that demon, be it the foul offspring of Glen-gohr or not, spill its marrow and bring the trophy to me. In return for your such toils and sweat, I shall generously grant you the same amount of bounty, in gold and silver, as I did with the previous hunt of Glen-gohr."

Rothgarr finished his words. Then, one of the retainers cried out among his group of people.

"Nay, my lord. I implore you to rethink your proposal, for such is unthinkable in essence, unacceptable from its roots!"

In the same way, the others began to plead with their lord. They strongly protested, urging him to revoke what he had said earlier. At this, Aelthred's people, likewise, started to raise their voice in agitation. Then, however, the Prince and his lieutenant, Gael, held the barbarians down, making them silent once and for all.

"Governor Rothgarr," Aelthred said aloud. "Due to the perturbing nature of your suggestion, where you want us to hunt the beast for the piles of gold, I hereby desire to confirm what you have generously offered us, making sure we both clearly understand what is being discussed here and now. Thence shall we be able to further proceed with our talk." So suggested Aelthred with courtesy.

"Yea, you have heard it correctly, Prince of the Geats. I want you to hunt down yet another beast, and I shall grant you plenty of coins should you succeed in doing your part of the deal."

Now was his chance. Should he strike the heated iron in time, even more wealth and glory would be promised upon him. Aelthred cleared his throat a little, and spoke out his version of the contract.

"Governor, we, the proud sons and daughters of Geats, appreciate your kind proposal hereby, and yet thank you again for your trust on our skills in battle. However, we dare say unto you that we have already acquired all the gold and silver we need. Instead, we are in need of some other thing else at present."

This was a dangerous gamble, indeed, where he and his people's lives were at stake. Yet, he pressed on, believing that such was an opportunity which should not be slipping away from his fingers.

"As you may know, Governor, the lands of Geats, across the vast northern sea that freezes her intruder alive within a few seconds, have been barren and fruitless from the beginning. There, we are growing so little upon our frozen land, harvesting even fewer of them by the time we are in dire need of good meals. Our people therefore, since the times of our ancestors, have so far relied upon trading or mercenary works for living, both of which often prove to be unstable for us to sustain ourselves."

"I, as a son to King Aelfred-the greatest among all Geats, a prince to those suffering people of the north, could not bear such sights of misery and torment, any longer, among my brethren. For so many years, I have always wished them to settle upon the land warm enough to grow a crop, living in peace and joy, no longer bound to the evil laws of unstability. Thus, o' ye generous lord of this entire dominion, what I require of you, in return of our service, shall not be that of glittering gold and silver. Rather, it shall be a plot of land, near the northern seas, where some of my people could move in and live there for the rest of their lives."

Upon hearing the barbarian prince, finally the people rose up-all of them without an exception-in utmost fury. As if a beehive had been innocently poked by a stick, letting out its furious inhabitants as a consequence, so was the place where this whole meeting was taking place. All at once they poured onto where the Prince was standing, while some of them rushed toward Rothgarr's throne, begging him to expel the insolent barbarians out of the dominion. Soldiers came in, and barricaded the mob from approaching either the Prince or the Governor. Struggles between soldiers and the angry mob persisted. Aelthred's people were, likewise, on their guard protecting the Prince from any possible hostilities. At last, Rothgarr pulled out his firearm, shooting burst-fire onto the ceiling above. The entire room went silent shortly.

"Listen well, thou damned, noisy curs of mine. I have made my mind upon the matter, and none shall dispute it nor-"

The automatic pistol clanked once more, shattering the decorated table before Rothgarr's throne.

"shall ever talk about it any further. Do ye all understand? So then, here is my answer to you, Prince Aelthred; I shall kindly accept your offer, and promise you some portion of the land near the harbor in return.

Then, Rothgarr continued with his additional condition. "However, should you fail in your task killing the beast, then I shall personally skin your hide. Bear in mind."