Bab 2: Chapter two
A gang of men was walking through the forest on horseback.
„Tell me about our employers, Uluki. What are they like?”
„I have no idea other than they paid fairly.”
„What? I expected you to be much better informed than me.”
„We’re the first of our tribe in 100 years to reach this far into the west.” An old advisor intervened.
„There are records from Hina dating back to 200 years from the Imperial Palace’s geographer, Yen Zen. He wrote extensively about the Aquiline traditions and beliefs. The Hydranians had a few mentions here and there, but nothing worth mentioning.” The advisor added.
„Oh, I do remember something about him mentioning their tricky nature and serpent’s tongue.”
„What’s that about?” the captain asked.
„They worship the 9-headed serpent. They believe that people are like hydras because if you cut off one „head” another one will replace it. Each head, as they say, is a mask: a learned behavior they use as they think best. That people can be taught to adapt to the situation, rather than to be themselves wholeheartedly.”
„Sounds tough. I can’t imagine what that feels like to play pretend all the time. Do you know what the 9 heads are called?” the captain was becoming more and more curious.
„I don’t remember their names, but I know what they represent. The bottom four represent fallen ancestors, they slither around your ankles, dragging you with them. The top four are the descendants, their violent bites are amplified with each twist and turn. ”
„That sounds pretty cool.” Said the captain.
„What about the 9th one?” asked Uluki.
„Oh right!”
„I see you’ve been listening. The 9th one is the mother, she represents an unending desire for revenge for anyone who dares touch either. If you see her coming... it’s too late for you. Her vicious gaze turns men into snakes, who then are bound to join the Hydra.”
There was a moment of silence among the men as they walked through the forest.
Chapter 7
„Look sir, there’s a fire nearby: I can see the smoke. Let’s change our route.” Said the soldier.
„No.” Answered Uluki.
„Where there’s fire, there’s bound to be bandits. Where there are bandits, there is bounty. If there is bounty, we’re bound to break their bond. ” the advisor pitched in.
„What are you saying, sir?” asked the soldier, confused
„Let’s just go steal their stuff is what I’m saying.”
Back at the camp
„So did you find anything of value when you checked on the prisoner?” asked Lit.
„Just rubbish, sir. A plain white mask is the only unusual thing worth mentioning. It’s probably worth a few coins to a circus or a band of actors.”
„May I take a look?” Lek handed the mask to Lit. He was focused on its eery facial expression: two closed eyes and a large, exaggerated frozen closed-mouth smile.
He took the mask, hovering above his face, and said this while holding it with his hand:
„Welcome all to the White People Show!”
„Tonight, we’re here to bitch and moan about everything bad that has ever happened to us. Our guest star tonight is... Lek! Lek is a poor bastard, who has done no wrong in this world other than being born a Leecher. Is that right Lek?”
„Haha, you got that right, sir.”
„ Tell us about yourself, Lek.”
„Well.. when I was a little, and my grandmother lived, she was a fortune teller. She would cover her hands and cheeks with leeches and she would be able to get a glimpse into the future. Her eyes would turn inwards, and I still remember her warning me when I was four: a woman will bring your downfall. Heads will tumble, so I made sure, to bring them to their knees instead.”
The men all laughed until they saw something flying towards the campfire. It was a head. They ran about with their swords and were ambushed by a small army.
Lit fell and watched as his acolytes were killedoff one by one. He watched in terror as they were being overpowered. He looked down, tears falling from his eyes at the white mask whose smile seemed to be taunting him. In his moment of weakness, he placed the mask over his face. He felt a burning sensation and let out a scream feeling as if it was swallowing his face. A boot stepped next to his head. And when he looked up, he saw the terrorized look of the commander, Uluki.
„ What is this bullshit?! Get away from me!” And he kicked him. Lit ran away towards the river, crying his eyes out.
After the bandits were defeated, the men gathered around Zazuza.
„What do we do about her?”
„We’ll gift her to the lord, they can always use some extra labor.” Said Uluki.
„This is perfect!” Zazuza thought to herself. „ I can’t wait to get home!”
Uluki took her gag off and the moment he did, Zazuza started yapping:
„Oh thank you so much! My name is-”
„Oh shut up,” Uluki said and put the gag back.
„What an annoying voice these people have.”
„Indeed, they sound more menacing in old folk tales .” added the soldier.
Uluki grabbed her and threw her on the horse.
„ Wait till I tell my father about this... I can’t wait to see the look on this guy’s face. This is perfect.”
They kept walking on the beaten pathway, the sun just starting to rise. Where would this path take them?
Hadiah
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