Chapter 5

Looking at the girl desperately trying to match his pace Radyn was once again reminded why he hated baggage. Her gait was unsteady as her ankles seemed swollen. Sighing, he stopped to turn at the girl.

"Stop," Radyn said casually.

"I-Is something wrong?" Alissa uttered.

"You're a breeze away from topping over," Radyn taunted. "Rest."

She looked at her feet realizing the poor state she was in. "Ah, right."

He walked off the path and sat on a boulder in the shade. "Sit." He said motioning her towards the boulder across from him.

Alissa moved towards the rock.

She sat down and rubbed her ankles, probably an injury from the fight; he felt a tinge of guilt and pity. Damn, he thought, this wasn't good, she was started to remind him of someone. The image of a girl, his sister, was beginning to overlap with her.

Even the way the wind messed with her ashen hair reminded him of that certain someone. From years back.

"If you want…" he scratched his head. "I can kill the bastard. After I get my hand."

He regretted saying the words the moment they left his mouth.

Radyn looked over with a grim expression. The plan was to get a new hand, find and kill Neiryl, kill anyone from Kavarthon, and see how things go from there. He didn't have time to add another name to his list.

"No," Alissa said firmly. "I don't need you… I can do it," she clenched her dress.

"Is that so?"

He felt relieved.

"That's right." She looked at him, "I'll do it, I'll tell my father and… and then he'll be gone and things will go back to normal." Alissa bit the inside of her mouth as she continued. "Everything will be fine."

She looked so unsure.

"And here I thought you were going to be the one taking revenge. You think things will go back? Don't be a fool. If the man wasn't afraid of your family then why would he care now."

She has no power.

"…"

"If your father can't do anything, what then?"

Family is never a guarantee.

"…"

"Cry and stay home?" Radyn stood up, his hair flowing in the wind as he got closer. "Like a coward?"

I shouldn't do this he thought, but his body moved anyway.

"… Shut up," she whispered.

He should shut up. She isn't her, it's just nostalgia.

"Do nothing?" He got closer, the smell of sweat and dried blood tickling her nose.

"I said shut up!"

"Daddy can't fix this." He dropped down on one knee, "but I can."

Say the words, Radyn thought. Say it.

"…"

"Guys like me don't care if we murder a stranger, we just need a reason, any reason."

"I don't need your help with that," she snapped.

Shame and embarrassment cut into him.

"Fine," he said darkly.

"…I'm sorry…. thank you… but no," Alissa said apologetically.

He sat back down, ignoring her presence and eyeing the road ahead. It'll take a while for them to reach their destination, he thought. And if it's spent in silence the whole way, then fine.

But if one of the GraySouls from Kavarthon track him, then….

Glancing at the nervous Alissa, Radyn shrugged his soldiers. He tried at least, that's something he hadn't done in a while.

"Don't worry about it," he replied keeping his voice even.

A branch snapped.

Radyn turned around, searching for the source of the noise. He peered into the woods, and a single face rose from the bushes.

It was a large face, ugly and mean, in the form of a grotesque human. It's nose a lumpy sack hung over a wart filled face; it's ears thin and pressed against its face; with teeth as sharp as it's curled claws—and all in the color green.

"A goblin?!" Alissa exclaimed.

Radyn narrowed his eyes at the creature. It morphed its face into a smile. It laughed and spat at them, then it ran.

A clear provocation.

Radyn scowled.

"Wait here," he ordered as he got on his feet.

What are you doing!" She jumped to her feet. "It's obviously a trap!"

"I know." Radyn said through his teeth. He dashed after the goblin, while behind, Alissa called out.

The goblin was pretty quick for something so ugly. It was a good distance away jumping, ducking, and slithering through the trees.

Meanwhile, Radyn cut straight through the thicket, his clothes tearing. The distance shortened.

The goblin looked over his shoulder. Sweat trickled down his face as he saw the approaching Radyn, angry and fast.

The goblin tripped, rolling down hill away from sight. Radyn leaped from behind him, the goblin shrieked as he felt his legs get crushed from all the weight. With tears streaming down his face the goblin gave a loud growl.

Radyn feeing pleased at the sight inhaled deeply before turning around to meet the swarm of goblins surrounding him.

"So you're all ugly." He said as he slowly pulled out his blade from its scabbard; his piercing gaze like that of a predator staring down at prey. There was no room for emotion in a fight.

About twenty goblins came raging at him, each one burning with bloodlust after seeing one of their own hurt. They came at him weapons made of rust and wood, they gave a loud war cry as they charged.

Radyn swung his blade, cutting out the head of the first group. Their bodies being stepped on as the second group came. Dodging seconds before being hit, Radyn kicked one across the chest, knocking him into the others.

Goblin after goblin charged in, staining the ground red with blood. Although they were fast they were not skilled, their swings were like those of a child. As the blood increased, the voices fell. The once proud war cry became silent.

Radyn stood on top of the bodies, scanning for any survivors. He felt nothing. No thrill. No honor. No challenge. Just dumb animals; this wasn't like him.

Annoyed, he ran back to Alissa, his thoughts drifting back to the start of the fight. What was the point? This was nothing but a distraction. All he did was jump from one embarrassment to another.

Radyn retraced his steps back to the boulders but when he got there—Alissa was gone.