Terric

I thought my life was ending. I closed my eyes and waited for my unfortunate fate. At a sudden moment, the gods bestow upon me salvation. It was a dark-haired man. His skin was so white and bright in a way that it could be compared to a full moon. He hid under those sad emerald eyes so many dark secrets.

My guardian angel was so mysterious and terrifying, still, I felt a little touch of kindness in his heart. He wasn't a muscular big man, in contrast, he was short and frail. Yet his presence was breathtaking.

I asked him for his name but he never answered. I tried to think of a way to make him stay by my side. I offered him my mother's necklace but he refused. That's it, I won't be able to meet him once again. He is leaving, leaving towards the forest. May the gods be ever in his favor for the whole eternity.

I couldn't wait to see my sister's face after hearing my story. I bet she will be amazed.

I rushed to the barn's door, passed through the cows, and lighted the place with a candle.

I reached the corner with light steps, to not wake the farm animals, took away the straw, and grabbed a key from my pocket. I then opened the basement door and looked for Amanda.

I called her name but she didn't answer. Called a second and a third time, still got no reply.

I was afraid that this day will come. The day when I'll call my sister and won't get a reply.

Amanda was everything I have left.

Our father left us when I was born. As for my mother, she was murdered.

My sister was taking care of me during all of this time.

I stumbled through the walls and found my sister's body laying on the floor. I tried so hard to chase away that dark thought, that my sister's fever took her down. As soon as I put my hand on her forehead, I heard a gentle voice answering me:

" What are you calling me for, lord Terric? "

She opened her angelic blue eyes and looked at me.

She kindly asked me:

" Why are you crying? Is something wrong? "

I answered while sobbing:

" I was afraid you'll leave me. "

My sister held me in her arms and chuckled:

" You silly. I will never die, not until you'll become a lord. "

" Do you promise me? " I replied while sobbing.

" Yes, I promise. "

Amanda was so pretty, she took after my mother. With her dark glittering eyes and her brilliant straight hair.

I was always prepared to do everything just to see her blissful smile.

I told her the whole story, about the guards, the strange man with the mark. We spent our night laughing and playing with each other.

Unfortunately, delighted moments never last long. The morning, we heard the villagers breaking into our place.

They took us by force and carried us into an old house.

The people we used to eat and share our laughs with are betraying us for an unkown reason.

Old man Vincent, the eldest of the village, gazed at us with a depressing look and babbled some words:

" I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..."

He then left us alone in this begrimed room.

After a few minutes, a skeleton-like man entered.

He had no hair at all.

His eyes were radiating torture and painful death vibes.

Amanda screamed with terror as soon as she saw his figure.

This disturbing terror made me ask her:

" Amanda, what's wrong? "

She replied with a frightening tone:

" Thi-i-i-i-s m-a-a-a-n. "

I've never seen that look on her face before. She was shaking of terror and afraid of that skeleton guy.

" HE-L-L-L-L-P! " she shouted while trying to reach the door.

The skeleton's face had a wicked evil grin and his black eyes widened, with no mercy, he grabbed her hair brutally. With his annoying whispering sound he said:

" I see that you recognize me, slut. "

What's wrong with this guy? And why does he look like that? Why does he sound like he's choking?

" Terric! This man is LORD BALDRIC! " said Amanda while giving me red flags with her terrorized pupils.

I immediatly pissed my pants when I heard that name. Lord Baldric, the duke's brother and the executioner of the criminals.

He is the commander of Zarac's prison and is well-known for torturing people for fun.

I hid behind my sister while trembling in fear.

Lord Baldric approached me and grabbed me by my hair.

" LEAVE HIM ALONE! "

Amanda tried to defend me. Lord Baldric punched her belly with his left fist.

" Wait for your turn, peasant! "

I felt my head's skin is being torn apart as for Amanda, she was spitting blood from her mouth.

" Listen, kid, I will give you one last chance to save your ass. Tell me who that dark-haired guy was! " he asked.

I answered with honesty:

" I don't know him. I swear! Just leave my sister alone please. "

" A peasant dares to lie to his master. " he replied with anger.

He punched my stomach. The pain I felt was brutal.

The cruel man released me and pulled my sister's hand. He drew his sword.

" I think you don't need that finger right? " he asked my sister.

He immediatly cut one of her fingers with his golden longsword.

" MY LORD NO! AAAAAA! " cried out loud Amanda.

I couldn't stand Amanda's screams of agony. Her blood never stopped flowing. Why is my fate so tragic. Why do people need to suffer just because of me. If I wasn't saved back then, my sister wouldn't face this.

" Last chance, pig! " said the cruel man.

I begged and replied:

" I was telling the truth! I swear, my lord! "

I begged him more but he just cut a second finger in cold blood. But this time he cut it slowly, teared her flesh little by little, and left the finger barely hanged to her hand so that it does fall by itself, or that she cut it herself. My sister's arm was mutulated. I couldn't see what it became.

" TERRIC PLEASE TELL HIM! " shouted at me Amanda.

The man added:

" I will split her arm from her body next. This is your last chance! "

(Please!), I prayed the gods. (Help me save my sister.)

I can't think of a way to escape this horrifying situation.

My sister's fate is depending on my next words. If I failed, I would have killed her just like my mother.

God, I hate myself, despise myself. I am the worst scum ever!

In front of my sadenned eyes, he grabbed her arm, drew his golden sword and was ready to cut it.

Come ooooon! Think! Think!

He is swinging his sword. It's too late!

Poor Amanda, nooo!

NOO!