Theik-Lekal glanced both directions on the hard dirt surface he stepped on and turned in the one that was calling him. He didn't know why he was being called in that direction but something was. Based on the sun's position it was early in the day and he had plenty of time to travel. He slung the bag of supplies, or so he assumed, over his other shoulder and made sure it was settled properly.
As he was heading down the road his cool steel gray eyes was scanning the other travelers and made mental notes. For some reason he felt that something wasn't quite right but why he couldn't place it. As his eyes were scanning he noticed Squorrels, Inu's, Caldrons and even a few Zethron's. There were a number of guardsmen as well. They did catch his attention since the people were all careful to avoid them and clear their path.
That spoke of not just respect but fears as well and that was not a good indicator. As he continued walking he also noticed that there were very few weapons showing as well. The vast majority were small daggers and such. Thankfully his axe was fairly obviously a regular axe and nothing else. Yes it could be used as a weapon but most would look at it as a tool. Now the heavy knife on his belt was obviously a weapon due to the size and weight. The rest of his gear didn't look strange and shouldn't stand out.
Because of this, what was going to mark him as sticking out was his tendencies to act like what he was, a warrior. That was going to be hard for him if the soldiers wandering around started trying to push him around or others. He was going to have to fight against his instincts since he couldn't protect everyone. Moving along he was making good time since he was keeping to the side of the road. By the time the sun was high he was starting to get hungry but he hadn't seen any inns or stopping places. He decided he was going to move some into the jungle since he needed to look in his bag.
Another reason was because he wanted to try and find anything that might tell him who he was. Yes he had a name but that was it. How he knew everything he did he wasn't sure since he didn't remember anything beyond waking up this morning. The only other thing he knew was something was pulling him to the east. What was in the east he didn't know and that concerned him. Once he was off the road and in a spot that was relatively isolated he pulled off most of his gear and settled down.
After going through the pouch and the bag he found what he assumed was standard garb. Some under things, a rain cloak, a bed roll, and some rations. There was some money as well as some toiletry items. The only other thing he found was a stylized bear's head tattoo on his left chest. That struck a chord with him but he wasn't really sure why. Since he was off the road he settled down to eat. The rations weren't bad but he had vague memories of something better.
He was just packing the remains of the food back in his bag he heard voices approaching. Theik slung the bag and made sure his axe and knife were clear. He didn't really expect anything but it was always better safe than sorry. Why he decided to move in the direction of the voices he wasn't sure but there was something calling him. The closer he got the clearer they were. From the sounds of it there were several individuals. Two were rough and crude while one was female and the other was possibly a child.
That wasn't good and he had to wonder if they were the reason so many of the people were scared. Well either that or they were bandits which would also explain the fear in the voice. The closer he moved the more he could hear the pleading of the female and the crying of a boy. He finally found a spot to hopefully get a look at what was going on right about the time he heard cloth tearing. When he peaked out two of the guards were in the process of ripping the cloths off the female.
Theik had to fight with himself and finally with a slight growl snapped his axe out as he stepped out of the jungle into the clearing. The first blow took down the warrior who had his back to Theik. It was a clean blow to the back of his neck where the armor didn't cover. Unfortunately the other had enough time to draw his battle axe and that was going to be a much larger issue. Theik's axe was designed for cutting down trees where as the warriors was designed for killing. He had armor as well to protect the vital parts.
The one advantage Theik had was he was unencumbered and could move easier and faster. As the two were facing off the female was trying to crawl away towards her son. Theik started to circle away from her to distract the warrior. As they were moving both were taking probing swings at each other to gauge their skill level. One thing Theik noticed was due to the weight and design of the battle axe the other primarily focused on the blade. With Theik's axe he could use virtually any part because the axe head was much lighter it was much easier to use all parts.
"Next time use a real axe human. This will be fun." The other had a deep gravely laugh. He wasn't human but he wasn't a furry, what he looked like was a humanoid boar. His hair was bristly and stiff, he had tusks showing and small eyes. His skin was tough looking as well and he was heavily muscled.
Theik snorted at him. "It is a real axe fang face and good for more than just swinging at people." When the other swung at him he used the butt of the haft to redirect it. Since the bit of his axe was in the wrong spot for a follow up strike he ended up slamming the handle of his axe against the others hand. As soon as his strike hit he danced back.
The strike got a snarl from the other since that had hurt and his fingers were feeling slightly numb even though the heavy gloves he was wearing. He swung back and the bare tip of the bits scraped past the others vest. "You aren't bad. What is your name so I can remember you with fondness as I stare at your skin hung in my house."
Theik started laughing. "That is the most interesting way of saying you are worried about being around to look at the skin. Not that my skin will be hanging there." He swung again and the battle was rejoined. As they fought Theik had to admit that the other was pretty good but not quite as good as he was. The last move was a feigned move which drew the other out of position and Theik struck. It was a low blow but he didn't care. The blade flashed up between the others legs and slammed into his groin. The other squealed when the axe hit. Before he could do anything else Theik jerked the bit out and whirled the axe around and nailed him in the neck.
By now Theik was bloody and had been wounded a number of times. The female and boy were still there which he almost wished they weren't since it was going to cause issues for both him and them. He turned and looked at her. "I'll not hurt you. If you wish to leave then go." He knelt down and started searching the bodies for anything of use. Eventually he had a pile of things he was going to take and which didn't appear to have any indicator of who they had belonged to.
One thing he did find was their money purses and they looked to be reasonably paid, or they had mugged others as well. Since the two were still huddling there he separated the coins out and put most of the copper and two silver coins in one bag and tossed it to the woman. "It would be best if you left. You really don't want to be found with the bodies now do you?"
The woman twitched when he tossed the pouch at her but didn't hesitate to snatch it up. From the weight alone even if it was all coppers she had more money in her hand that she had in the last year. "You are hurt, at least let me bind the wounds."
