Streets of Northgate
1 hour after Garbon’s death
Damn idiot! You know better so why’d you let yourself be seen?!
Bax harshly berated himself as he ran through the busy streets of Northgate. A group of Swan soldiers gave chase, yelling that he stop. But he knew that the moment they were able to catch up to him, it would be a life or death fight.
Everything happened so quickly, and there was no time to process any of it. Everyone had scattered in different directions and he had no clue where anyone might go. All he could do was run. He decided it was best to avoid the southern forest knowing that he had become too familiar with the locals around the south gate. They would be keeping an eye out for him. And so he chose to run north.
But he overestimated himself and was caught trying to steal supplies when he thought he was clear of his burning home. Five Swans in the area heard the cries and darted after him immediately.
You need to lose them now or you’ll never get outta the city!
Bax turned his head quickly to see that while the soldiers hadn’t gained on him, he also hadn’t lost any. As he turned back he nearly crashed into an older couple inspecting the goods in one of the street stalls. He swerved out of the way and nearly tripped as he regained his footing. The soldiers meanwhile, simply barreled through the civilians as they gained on him.
Shit shit shit! Get it together Bax, you’re better than this! You’re better than them! Now lose them!
Bax eyed an alley he recognized and darted in that direction. If he could get deep enough into the alleys it wouldn’t matter how many Swans there were; he’d be able to avoid their detection as he slowly made his way out of the city.
Unless the alley he ran into led to a dead end…
Evidently this was not the alley he thought he recognized. Stopped directly in front of the wall, Bax could only look up in disbelief as he breathed heavily from his non-stop sprint.
Shit… I guess I don’t know the city like I thought I did. Ethan probably could’ve gotten away. Both him and Garbon know this—
Knew. Garbon knew this city like the back of his hand…
A series of rushed foot falls behind reminded Bax of his immediate circumstance. He quickly turned just as a crossbow bolt flew by slicing open his left eyebrow. It bounced off the wall as Bax turned to face his hunters, the blood beginning to trickle down the side of his face.
“Hold!” yelled the soldier at the front of the pack, eyeing the solider armed with the crossbow. He returned his gaze upon Bax. “Young man we’ve been asked to take you into custody. There’s no reason to make this difficult. Drop your spear and turn to face the wall. If you come quietly you won’t be harmed.”
Liar. I’ve experienced the mercy of the Swans before.
The blood from his new wound was starting to stream more quickly down his face, some of it beginning to leak into his eye. But he dared not close or rub his free eye. Bax held his defensive position as his eye stung painfully.
“I’ll ask you once more. Drop your weapon and turn to face the wall. Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be lad!” The lead soldier yelled with more authority in his voice this time.
We’re not the ones making this difficult! Just stop hunting us!
A series of memories flash through Bax’s mind as he stares down the soldiers. A noose around his neck. Pikes through his legs. Kelwin. The Roasted Swan on fire. Garbon slain. Kelwin. Garbon. Kelwin. Garbon.
As his mind raced, Bax could feel the scars on his legs burn. Simultaneously, the sensation of his magic flowed through his legs as his muscles tightened uncomfortably. He slowly altered his stance, lowering his center of gravity and spreading his legs to sprint once again.
“Lad you’d best reconsider your actions! This is your final warning!” The lead soldier turned to eye the soldier with crossbow. That soldier in turn rushed up front to kneel and take aim at the young target. “You’re outnumbered five to one!”
“Looks that way.” Bax replied anxiously, slowly switching his spear from his left to his right hand.
And there’s nothing more dangerous than prey that’s cornered with nowhere to go but forward.
I’m sorry for what comes next…
As their target pulled his eyepatch down around his neck, all the lead soldier could muster was, “What the hell…?”
“Respect the Hunt,” Bax growled through gritted teeth.
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