18 Blood Price

The beast's head fell on the ground. As the head rolled, there left a stain of thick, half-clotted blood on the marbled floor. With its lower part completely, yet violently torn away and missing, the bloodied trophy was truly a gory sight to behold. Except for a few, most of the crowd standing there-while some even shrieking-gasped in astonishment. It was evident that Glen-gohr's tyranny, indeed, had been terrifying enough to make the people, once tormented by its presence, shudder even to the sight of its mere corpse. Rothgarr, not like the others, however, was rather coldly looking down at it without emotions. It seemed like he no longer cared any other else, beside his own soul, among this world he had been born into. His mouth was in silence, and his dark eyes, too, were blank without hue. Yet, despite all these, he was there, sitting in his throne, to carry out his end of the deal.

Aelthred then walked toward the Governor. Still its blood on his hands, He lightly bowed his head, and began the story of how he and his warriors had put it out of its misery.

"Governor Rothgarr-who, by the very rights from the Great Emperor himself of the Holy Empire, wisely rules this land and his people alike, I shall, honored by your presence, hereby tell you how we had slain the evil, rampaging beast named Glen-gohr; I plead you to listen well."

"From thence, shortly after we had defeated the demon and had sent it back to its hideout, I, the Prince of Geats, led my valorous people in pursuit of the wounded beast so as to finish off its miserable life, once and for all. Since one of my warriors-blessings to those who had given birth to this skillful brother-in-arms!-had managed to put his tracking device on it, we were able to locate its position rather with an ease. However, our deadly labors began as soon as we set our feet deep inside its nest."

"There, we fought the beast bravely, our lives at stake, with all the skills and strength of mind we could possibly employ. Such was truly a dire moment, for the very place where we fought it did not favor us in our struggle, while our hideous enemy still proved to be deadly despite its deep wounds. Yet, regardless of the blood we all spilled, in spite of the casualties, we did not lose our spirit. As all of us valorously fought on, our wise ancestors finally granted me the wisdom that would bring doom upon the vicious foe. We lured it into open ground, set it ablaze, and butchered its flesh. Not able to hide into shadows anymore, the beast became a prey, making us the apex predators."

"Eventually, I tore off the head, bare-handed, out of its socket. I, thus, hereby present it to you as a trophy, and as a solid proof of our triumph. With its permanent death now known and declared, I affirm you that you and your people shall be forever free of its rampage, no longer enslaved by the torment and terror it had brought upon you. As such, we have so far succeeded in upholding our duties as per the pact we had mutually agreed on in prior. For the sake of both preserving our honor and your lives on the earth, we have risked ourselves in defeating the terrible brute. Now, it is time, Governor, you uphold your ends of the contract and risk losing some fortune of yours, for the very sake of your name and honor."

Finishing his words, he stood a few steps backward and waited for the Governor's response. Rothgarr already knew that the barbarian Prince would eventually bring an end to this chaos, by spilling the blood and guts of its brutal culprit. He knew, as well, there was a payment to be made, in return for the splendor Aelthred and his minions had done for him. As he came to think of the matter, however, regarding the gold he would be paying them, his spirit awoke from slumber. Glen-gohr, his once living nightmare, had been sent back to oblivion, and, in such way, so destined was one third of his entire gold to the hands of savages. One third of his toils and sweat would go in vain. His spiritual monument, the very evidence of his achievements so far, that had been built upon the bones of his friends and servants, would soon collapse. Upon having these thoughts in mind, his body started to shiver. His forehead was, too, sweating badly; but he soon wiped it out.

Then, his eyes were now burning with greed, just as Glen-gohr set on the banefire made out of napalm. He could not just let it all slip away, like sand held in a child's grasp. It belonged to him. He was rightfully in possession of every single coin in his vault. It was more than just earthly wealth to him; it was his legacy, the history of a man named Rothgarr. He wanted to prove himself, by means of stockpiling more and more fortune of this earth. The price he had paid so far, in pursuit of such wealth and honor, it was of no matter to him. He had sacrificed everything, no matter how it was dear to him or even worthless at all, just for the piles of gold and silver. Yes, he indeed had been willing to throw away anything; he would even choose again to leave his dear friend behind, if it meant preserving his wealth and pride. Then, a faint image of Glen-gohr appeared, only visible to himself, and shortly faded away.

With his mind now struck by a sense of guilt, and sorrow alike, Rothgarr finally stood up and opened his mouth. Not even having any recognition on what he was telling them, he spoke to the barbarians about their rewards.

"Prince Aelthred of Geats, a noble son to the honorable King Aelfred, I clearly, well understood what good you and your people have done so far to all of us here. As honorable, and pious servants of the Holy Empire, we hereby show you our gratitude, and shall deem your actions of valor as a token of our everlasting fellowship under the Divines' blessings."

After showing his formal gratitude, he moved onto the matters of their promised gold. "We, however, do not ever intend to have you return to homeland emptyhanded; it shall be our utmost disgrace and shame to leave your feats and deeds unrewarded. Therefore, I, by our unbreakable oath made in the sacred names of 3-Divines, declare that Prince Aelthred, the leader of the barbarians and the slayer of Glen-gohr, shall from hence have full rights on one third of my entire gold and silver. For his officers and soldiers, I, as well, grant them the very rights to take all the valuables for themselves, which are to be found inside the beast's lair. All these I have spoken hitherto, shall be made into an eternal pact that no one, other than His Majesty and the Divines whom we all serve, would dare break nor nullify forevermore."

The barbarians cheered, and roared aloud-an outburst of joy and fine spirit-as their promised prize became secured by their employer's own words. Along with cheering, they praised their ancestors, with whose guidance and blessings they could have achieved such glorious triumph against their brutal foe. They, too, blessed their lords and leaders, especially Prince Aelthred, for they did not yet forget whom they served, and for the reason that it was apparently their beloved prince who had eventually finished off the beast's life on this earth. Seeing this, even noble Aelthred could not conceal his smiling face from anyone, including his own siblings in arms. He gave a short, heartily laugh at it, and lifted his hand to silence the crowd.

However, there was still one tech-maiden who was not satisfied with the Governor's announcement so far. Her prize, albeit rightfully due to her from the beginning, was not yet affirmed, nor even at this point heard out loud in this hall. Rothgarr already knew about this well. In fact, even now he could not help but occasionally give a glance to her face full of dissatisfaction. He knew, as well, she legitimately had a right to her promised reward. Nevertheless, due to its very nature, different from that of lifeless gold and silver, he hesitated. He then turned to see his precious son, who was trying his best to hide his terrified countenance. Alas, his beautiful son, like a lamb to be snatched away by the wolf's fang and claw, was shivering in horror, seeking silently, yet desperately, for his father's helping hand-this he was able to perceive from his dear child.

Gael could not contain herself any further; out from the crowd, she stormed into where the beautiful boy, her bounty, was standing. A number of tech-knights soon came in her way to protect their master's heir. Tension started to build up between both sides.

"Step aside. I am here to claim my reward." Gael snarled.

Awkward silence continued. No one would ever dare to open his or her mouth. Staring each other, there was a tension building up between Gael and a group of loyal retainers. Some knights were slowly putting hands on the hilts of their war-gears, as if they were meant to threaten her away. This, however, did not intimidate her even a little. She paused for a moment, and soon proceeded onto Rothgarr's boy behind the tech-knights.

"You shall proceed no further." One of the retainers warned her.

"Out of my way, fast." So, too, did Gael to him.

He roughly pushed her with his hand, showing his hostility well enough. Gael snorted at it, and she stepped forward once again. The knight then stood right in her way. Now, she was at the limits holding both her anger and terrible lust for her prize. With a speed of lightning, she drew her sword-though short in its length, but it still made a good sidearm to any soldiers or warriors-and aimed it right at the middle of his eyes. This made almost everyone in arms, knights and barbarians alike, erupt into fury. Nevertheless, Rothgarr and Aelthred shortly signaled them to stay their weapons and remain still.

"Make way for that insolent brat, in speed of Divines." The Governor ordered his retainers.

"But, my lord-"

"Move it, I said!"

They obeyed, reluctantly, yet without hesitation. Now, there was none between Gael and Wycliff, her beloved bounty, the eldest son to Governor Rothgarr himself. Not even wearing his power-armor, he barely had any of his war-gears at his disposal. As she walked toward him, step by step, the boy, on the other hand, backed off. This however could not prevent his fearful destiny approaching him; Gael was soon able to hold the beauty's chin with her bare hand. Full of desire, she lightly rubbed his face, feeling his pale, tender skin under her fingers. Gael then moved her hand elsewhere, this time caressing his groin above the silky garment. Out of utmost humiliation and terror, he smacked her face by instinct. Gael stumbled, and shortly after returned his blow by punching him hard in his stomach. Wycliff collapsed on his knees. Grinning, she wiped off her bleeding nose. She then approached the boy, and forcefully pushed her tongue into his mouth.