Trying out a new creative outlet, first time posting on Literotica, feedback welcome.
-N
———
My saddlebags clinked in the night as I walked my horse by its reins. I silently cursed myself for trying to travel to the next village before night; I had sorely missed my goal and now wandered along a pitch black road with only a very tired horse for company. He snorted and paused, instinctually I loosened my sword and stood still, listening. There was not even the rustling of leaves or the slightest sound except for the breathing of my horse. I strained my eyes to see into the darkness around me. I heard it for just a moment, if I didn't I'd be a head shorter. I ducked and felt my helmet press against my cheek as it attempted to rip a chunk of flesh out of my head. They were fast, but their claws couldn't pierce steel.
I brought my elbow up and hit my attacker right under its chin, I felt its jaw fold and the sickening crunch as its bone shattered; I heard the clatter as a few of its teeth fell to the stone road. With almost contempt, I drew and swept my falchion in a broad stroke, cleaving it in two at the waist. With a scream it fell back and for the first time, I got a look at my new friends. They were emaciated and pale, their skin is pale in the moonlight and is stretched across their features. Their lips were pulled back and exposed their brown teeth, clenched together in a violent grimace. The clothes they wore were little more than rags and were lined with so many patches they looked like quilts. Their eyes were like black lakes and lacked sclera; I saw my reflection in them. Long fingers extended from their hands, too long and too sharp to be natural. They showed no regard for their thrashing companion whom I had just bisected. We stared at one another, gauging each other, each one determining who was predator and who was prey. Their fallen companion eventually stopped moving and just made a faint gurgling noise before quieting altogether.
They launched themselves at me with wild abandon and a feral glint in their eyes. I caught the first with my shoulder plate and brought the weighted pommel into the other's face and was rewarded with a wet impact. They're both still active and it was no longer content to gnaw on my shoulder plate, so it raked its claws across my face. The armor caught most of it, but I felt a few nails gouge my skin and the blinding pain that accompanied any deep wound. It's too close to swing my blade, so I just dropped my sword, grabbed the creature by the neck and used the weight of my body to fall forward. It was angry, it was hungry, but my blood was a distraction. Its mouth gaped open to catch the blood dribbling from my face. I brought my mailed fist down into its face until it's nothing but red pulp. I'm tired and could barely think straight, which was very unfortunate because the third was now stumbling towards me with a look of rage and its sharp claws flexing, it gave me both and I found myself on my back trying to fend it off. I heard a shriek and it was yanked off me, I heard the familiar rattling of cups, coins and other expensive baubles as my horse had sunk its teeth into the back of its neck. I struggled to my feet and heard the shriek again, this time in pain. I saw it had torn the face of my horse; unfortunately it was not wearing a helmet and it shook its head, spattering blood across the cobblestone road. My horse retreated, leaving me once again along with the creature. The distraction was just enough for me to get to my feet, but it didn't care that it lost the advantage. It blindly rushed at me again. I raised my arm and allowed it to latch onto my forearm, I brought the dagger I've drawn from my belt in a clean sweep up and penetrated the bottom of the jaw; the blade exploded out the top of its head and in its gaping mouth I could see the steel blade. I wiggled it around just to be sure. It's a spiteful thing and its corpse dragged me to the ground when it fell backward. We landed with a thud and the wind was knocked right out of me.
I laid there and soaked the cobblestones in my blood. Glancing down at myself I saw that my clothes were a deep red and ruefully thought to myself perhaps I had overestimated how much my armor would protect me. I closed my eyes, the night swallowed me and I fell into the void of exhaustion and blood loss.
A cloud, I mused to myself, that's what I'm lying on. Cracking open my eyes, I saw a wood roof above me. I tried to move but my limbs felt like they're weighed down by an anvil. I coughed once and once more slipped into oblivion. My memory turned hazy and I didn't know how often I awakened before passing out. Sometimes there's broth and someone feeding it to me, but I'm so tired and soon enough I'm out. Once a river, time is now an ocean and I floated on its waves, unaware of the number of days and nights.
With a deep pain in my skull, I woke up. It was morning and I was bundled in a bed. I sat up and my head began to swim, but I steadied myself so I could remain up. A fit of coughing came over me and I doubled over clutching at the burning pain in my chest. Almost in a panic, I lifted the covers and checked my parts, I'm still all there and with that I smiled in relief. I heard the creak of a door, looked up and saw the door had been opened ajar, a small figure stood at the door. It was a little girl, probably no more than 5, she had wild brown hair, a little button nose and big brown eyes. She wore a little gray dress and a child-sized apron. When she realized that I was looking at her, she flashed me a big smile and scampered off shouting something. The door closed behind her, but it opened soon after and a short woman with the same wild brown hair and big doe eyes entered. She had high cheekbones and looked like an older version of the small girl that had so excitedly run off. Like the little girl, she wore a dark gray dress and light gray apron. I blinked at her like an idiot and said, "Hello, I'm Henri." At least that was what I tried to say, instead a rasp came from my mouth and I realized that my tongue felt like clay.
"Hush, sir", she said in a calming tone, she helped me against the top of the small bed so I could lean against the wall. She felt nice, firm, but warm. She quickly brought me a cup and I greedily drank the water. Her hands pressed my head down firmly, but gently and with my chin pointed down I realized that I could swallow with little difficulty. I almost tried to speak again, but she silenced me quickly by placing a finger against my lips and then refilled the cup. She's patient and I drank more cups of water.
"You've been asleep for almost a week, I wasn't sure you'd make it", she said into the silence. "I found you when I was walking home and your horse carried you back to my home."
I just nodded.
She continues, "I'm Erika and that little one is my daughter, Dana," she motioned her head to the other side and I realize that the little girl is now on my left side, opposite her mother and staring at me intently. She smiled again. "Hi, I'm Dana," she chirped in a little voice.
"Hi, I'm Henri," I managed to rasp. I didn't fall into a fit of coughing, so that's a good sign. She continued to beam at me, happy with the attention from someone new I suppose. I glanced guiltily at Erika after realizing that I had addressed her daughter before her, but I just found her with a bemused expression and a raised eyebrow.
"Well Henri," she says pointedly, "I'll get you some dinner," she walked away with a smile on her lips though.
"I'll give him more water!" Dana squeaked and grabbed the cup out of my head and walked to the pitcher her mother was using. She poured me cups of water and held them up to me with both her hands like an offering. After I was done she dashed back to the pitcher and repeated her little routine. This continued until her mother returned with a bowl of stew. It smelled like heaven and looked a hundred times better than the hard tack I'd been eating on the road. It had beef, big chunks of potatoes, carrots and I smelled the aroma of garlic and onions.. With new found strength, I picked up the offered spoon and ate it. It was the best meal I'd ever had and with each bite I found a bit more strength to carry the spoon; all the while little Dana practically bounced on her heels with a cup of water in her hands.
I emptied my bowl of stew and as soon as the last scoop was gone Dana scurried over and collected the bowl. She replaced it with the cup and then ran off with the bowl in hand
"Sleep off the meal, I'll wake you in the morning and we can see how well you can walk", she helped me down onto my back and under the covers. I once again marveled at the warmth and softness of her hands. With her bent over, I got a view of her cleavage that I wouldn't be forgetting; I stirred and realized that without a doubt I'm still intact. Once again, I sank into bed and felt nothing but exhaustion. I closed my eyes and for the first time in a long time, I fell into a peaceful rest.
The morning wasn't quite as peaceful as I soon learned. I became distinctly aware of being watched and I opened my eyes; I found Dana leaning on the left side of the bed with her eyes almost to mine.
"Hi!" she said, with excitement that only children can muster. Dana wore a perpetual bright smile. "Are you awake? Mama says I shouldn't talk to you unless you're awake."
