Chapter 55: Choirs of Devastation
"I need your help on something." (Girts)
"As I have said, I will do what I can." (Rehor)
"This is outside of what I have asked of you in the past. So, let me know if you aren't able to help me out. I won't take offense to it." (Girts)
"Please, speak of the matter." (Rehor)
"There have been a number of land based traders that have been attacked, about a day's travel from where you live." (Girts)
"I have not had much experience in fighting people. But, if it's a few bandits, I should have no trouble taking care of the situation." (Rehor)
"If it was just bandits, I could send a few of the local men, and deal with it without the need for your help." (Girts)
"If it is not bandits, what is attacking the traders?" (Rehor)
"None of the surviving people were able to describe what it was. They were sure that it was no human being. That's why I'm asking for your help." (Girts)
"Without proper knowledge, I can not promise a successful mission. I believe that I should be able to protect myself, and find out what is going on. Other than that, it is up to fate." (Rehor)
"You can at least find out what is happening? That's the best that I can ask of you. Please, Rehor, help me out with this?" (Girts)
"Of course, sir. I will do what I can, to the best of my abilities. I won't promise you anything more than that." (Rehor)
"That's fine." (Girts)
Following that, on one of the maps that Girts had access to, I was pointed out to the rough area where the attacks were coming from. What I learned, was the path, which followed fairly close to the river, wandered about, and, if going through the countryside, was about a half a day's walk past my parents' house. Even if it was not something that Girts had requested of me, I would still take on this mission. Just to protect the potential violence against my family.
A lot of the map was left ambiguous in what lay beyond the immediate vicinity of the roads, due to few people exploring the surroundings. Left clueless on where the attacker made their home, I was left to being able to only use myself as bait for an attack. Luck would be the only help in locating the villain of this episode.
There is always the idea that warriors about to attack or defend, will receive some sword or other common martial weapon, that helps to change the tide of the battle. There was some vague remembrance on my side, of knowing how to use some weapons, but I literally could not remember enough on how to using anything that would be useful in protecting myself. Other than the bow that I use to hunt, I can only, safely, equip myself with some type of big stick, something like a cudgel or a staff. Ultimately, I will probably choose a staff, due to it having a longer reach, while also being able to be used in closer confinement, if the need arises.
At this point, I am not worried about destroying the plight facing the traders. I need to safely scout out the situation, and from there I should decide on how, or if, I should proceed. To me, victory in this situation, is getting out of it while being harmed to the bare minimum, and nothing more than that.
I am not any type of warrior or hero. Nor would I ever claim any such thing. I do have some powers that will be able to help me out. And, with the strength and control over those powers, I should be able to accomplish something.
I am willing to admit to myself, that I do not want to be hurt. I was hurt enough during my training, to last a life time. Yet, to defend those that I am protective of, I am willing to suffer some to if I can vanquish the attacker.
There is some ideas in my head, of surrounding myself with some other people, in the possibility of being overwhelmed from an unknown number of attacks. The power in me, that I want to keep private, is the only thing that is keeping me from asking for someone, anyone, to help me out. The more people that learn what I am capable of, the more people will want my help. I do not wish to deal with any such people, anymore than I have to.
The only thing that is keeping me from setting out in this moment, is that I have no supplies ready. I do have the bow already, but my supplies of arrows have not been replenished in a while, leaving me less than a handful of them. And as I have also decided, I need some weapon to use, in case the aggressor attacks me in close combat, and I need to defend myself.
In a week, I have the belief that I should be able to make myself ready for this trip. In case it is a human attacking the others, I do need to at least play the part of a trader, so I will need to bring my cart, that I have just recently bought. Some random greenware pieces can be placed on it, as to act as a my cargo. At least it should look like something of at least some value. And it can be easily replaced.
I should also prepare some medical supplies, on the off chance that I get more wounded than I plan on allowing myself to be. Some bandages, and some herbs with medicinal properties should suffice.
Even the distance is not that far, I should also bring some of my stored food. While dried meat might not be the most palatable, if I combine it with some of the remaining produce from my earlier harvests, I will at least be able to eat something edible. With trying to assume the worst, I should prepare at least double the amount of food that I would need.
I regret that I have to leave my farm, even for the two days that it may be. A few of the crops should be ready to be harvested any day now. Letting them rot in the field is going to be a hit in my winter comfort level.
In around a week, I will set out, and see what has been attacking traders.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
ApollyonDais
ApollyonDais While this story is more of a slice of life, I do want to add some violence to the story. The name of the story has to hold up properly. I've said it once, but why did I decide to name the chapters after a song title? I decided already to do that, but I regret giving myself that challenge.
Thank you, everyone
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