1 Chapter 1: Carrion

* Sephora *

* Year 376 the civilized world is in the grip of chaos due to the incessant war between cities and the barbarian invasions. Everyone is ready to do anything to prove their superiority and establish their domination over the other, as long as it brings them glory. In the midst of this ambient chaos, a single kingdom still succeeded, ousted the others until it became the most feared of all. The legend says that the celestial kingdom (and then it is a very big word), of Adrun would have in its ranks immortal warriors. They fear neither gods nor devils nor wolves, even less death. These monsters unleashed on the battlefields all over the world are the main cause of this meteoric expansion. And my faith they are quite right. We are Killicks a proud people of born warriors and our people can only do 3 things. Eat, kill, fuck and repeat this cycle indefinitely until we die. A long time ago we had been in conflict with the Adrun but the court wizard of the time imposed a curse on us which made us swear loyalty to the royal family. As a result, we are subjected to them like cattle. My name is Sephora and I am what my people call a cleaner. Around me are the remains of a village which had just been attacked by my fellows. My job is to eliminate any survivors and believe me as ferocious as my cronies are there are always people who survive *.

-And let's go for a shitty day. * Say I jaded *.

* The first thing that strikes you is our appearance. Our dark skin tones and our black hair. Then there are our clothes, most of us are covered in animal skins, few who dress as decently as humans. I belong to the latter category, I wear a wolf skin coat, the rest is a set of armor tailored for my female figure and a sword on the belt. On my cheek there were blue paints that I had personally affixed. As I walked through the ashes I saw some people moving in the houses. I went there and found a woman and her daughters *.

-Haaa it's not true.

* I drew my sword and killed them cleanly. I then went to the different corners where the survivors were hiding. Since I was little I have a gift that allows me to instinctively feel the presence of people, whether they are hidden at the bottom of a cave or under water, if I concentrate I manage to feel the life around me and eradicate them. I don't like being covered in blood so I practiced killing by shedding as little blood as possible. That said, I lack practice because one of them splashed my boot anyway *.

- We will say that it is cleansed it is already that.

* The place was finally deserted. There is nothing glorious about slaughtering poor people who survived you might say to me, but that's part of the business. Land loses value for every survivor that remains. However, some can still serve as a slave if they are tempted to be cooperative. As my thoughts faded into account I felt something inside me, or rather my hip. I also felt my blood flowing down my leg. I lowered my head then and saw a terrifying gaze filled with anger staring at him. At first I was surprised then I observed attentively and I was even more *.

-A kid ?

- Killick bastard. * He said in tears *. You killed my sister and my parents. I won't forgive you.

* The little guy was energetic that was it already. In addition he thrust his blade deeper into my body. Having said that, I was really but then really pissed off because this little asshole had stained my coat with blood. That said, I kept my cool because something else intrigued me. I know instinctively where each individual is within a well-defined radius of action as long as I concentrate, so why has this kid escaped my vigilance? I grabbed him by the hand and held him up to my face *.

- Where were you hiding ?

- I have nothing to say to you monster.

-For a beautiful woman like me I find you lacking a little delicacy. ANSWERS. * I order pissed off *. My patience has limits.

-You will have to kill me in that case.

* I drew my sword as he wanted and pierced his body. I swear people are annoying sometimes. My task accomplished I had only to return home. So I boarded the human boat that had brought me here. Seeing me come aboard bleeding the crew chief rushed towards me *.

-Lady Sephora you are hurt.

-It's nothing, it will heal.

* He was a handsome young man and a nice guy. But despite my very young appearance I was in my 45s to break everything. We Killicks age less quickly and can therefore fight at full potential much longer. In human years I must be in the prime of my life. I went to my cabin and swung my bag on my bed. He gave a cry of pain. The young boy from earlier came out with his hands tied behind his back *.

- You monster is that how you treat children in Adje?

-Children don't stab people here. *I said*.

-So I doubt it.

- How old are you?

-6 years. * He shouted *.

- Everything is well madam? * Asked the captain *.

-I'm fine. * I replied *.

* I waited for him to walk away before removing my armor. My wound then closed visibly which terrified the young boy *.

-Don't ... Don't come near me ... Demon.

-Always the same tune I'll end up throwing you overboard you know. * I say entering my cabin to change *.

* The young boy wiped away his tears and walked away to a corner of the room *.

-Why did you attack us? * He asked *. We haven't done anything to you though.

-Why do you think you were attacked?

-For your pleasure ? * He replied *. You are bloodthirsty warriors devoid of emotions.

-Oh you believe that. Actually we killed everyone on this little island for a simpler reason.

* I left my cabin dressed in leather pants and boots as well as a white shirt *.

-We attacked you ... For the money.

* The kid's eyes widened again. They went from fear to anger then he threw himself on me again. However, I mastered it very easily with one arm *.

- Calm down, you'll make me sad.

* I held him by the blow and I exploded the door of my cabin and went up on the bridge. Everyone pulled away and were hardly surprised to see a child in my arms. I held it in my hand until the bow where I showed him the rest of the world. Up and down he was an ama of land and mountains. The only visible cities were on fire or destroyed *.

-You see that ? This is the world you grew up in.

* Seeing me doing this the young captain approached to implore my forgiveness *.

-Please Lady Sephora don't do that.

- I'm fine Emvis.

* The reason for living of Killicks? Eat kill and fuck. But there is also our new concern. Money. Thanks to the king of Adrun our people were able to settle on the island of Adje. We have thus become a nation of mercenaries offering our services to the highest bidder. It ranges from assassinating the dirtiest job to conquering countries. Of course the king wants 20% of our annual income apart from that we are free to do whatever we want. But we also sell land. We set out to conquer territory, we empty them of their inhabitants and then we sell this newly acquired land to whom it may concern *.

-And this is precisely what happened to your village.

-You are just watches.

-I'm not looking for your compassion but to open your eyes. The world is dirty. And cruel. Like the sea.

-Lady Sephora no ...

* I dropped him in the water for his insolence then turned to Emvis the young captain *.

-What is it? you don't like my way of doing things?

-It was only a child. You should have...

-It was just bulky luggage. We got rid of it.

-He was a human being. Do you realize what you are saying?

-Yes I am. I told you Emvis I'm not the person you think of me. I am...

* I felt a presence behind my back and immediately turned around. The kid had risen to the surface and pounced on me, trying to plant me with my dagger he managed to steal. I fell backwards as he tried to crash me. I had never seen so much ferocity in someone's eyes. He was strong, very strong for a child his age. It made me smile *.

-Ok I'll take you on.

* I gave him a good blow on the head which shocked him directly. When he woke up he was chained in a corner of my room and fed with dry bread and water. At nightfall I couldn't help but think that this kid almost had me twice before. How was this possible? I will reflect on another faith there immediately I had a more urgent need to satisfy *.

-Tell the captain that I want to see him. * I whispered in a guard's ear *. And quickly, please.

* End of chapter *