Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Every step closer to the town of Woodend, Girn pondered if Kaylie would be waiting for him. Surely she'd at least be happy to see him, right? After many times close and intimate before his departure northward, surely the busty blonde would eagerly invite him inside her abode. At least, that was Girn's expectation. And Girn couldn't wait to take Kaylie into his strong arms before more pleasant activities ensued.
First, though, Girn would recount his adventures. How he rescued a damsel in distress from rabid wolves. Fought a sorcerer that was an Ice Princess from legends. Helped restore the magical crystal that protected a secret coven of beautiful creatures. Of course, he would leave out some details to protect Lyra Frostkiss' identity and the safety of the Forest Nymphs. He felt it was his duty, one does not kiss and tell as they say. There was also uncertainty about how Kaylie would respond to hearing about the deepthroating of Lyra or the orgy with the Forest Nymphs. But if Kaylie somehow asked, Girn would not lie to her.
Girn wanted to avoid the busy streets of Woodend, especially the market square, evading any unnecessary attention. But the town seemed uninhabited. Doors were closed, windows shuttered, and streets empty. There was no breathing soul in Woodend. Therefore, curiosity taking the upper hand, Girn did end up in the market square. It was not completely empty; here and there a trading stall or cart was turned over, contents spread across the cobblestones, rotting vegetables, broken pottery, shredded woolen clothing.
"Hey!" a voice called from behind. "Turn around slowly, or this bolt will fit snugly in your gut."
Girn turned and saw a burly man aiming a crossbow at him. One eye was covered with a patch, the other very alertly kept on Girn.
"State your business," One-Eye said.
"Passing through, maybe visiting a friend," Girn answered, not intimidated. He had immediately classified One-Eye as an ordinary thug. They were mostly big-mouthed but posed no real threat. At least not to Girn, in his experience. He also didn't see any harm in playing along, learning more about possible cronies before spilling blood.
"You haven't heard, have you? There's a toll now. For walking the streets of this town here," One-Eye explained. "Since you're an outsider and whatnot, you'll be paying double." He shrugged as if his demand was the most normal thing in the world. "It is what it is."
"That's what got the townsfolk locked up tight in their houses?"
"Strangers the likes of you wandering the streets is what's got them scared, but that's why they're paying us. To rid the streets of roaming mongrels." One-Eye looked proud of his insult, smiling wide.
"They pay you, or you take it anyways?"
One-Eye's smile faded at Girn's retort. "Be careful or we'll have your tongue as well."
Girn looked around and from nearly every alley around the market square, a vagrant stepped out of hiding. Some with crossbows held high like One-Eye, but most with maces or other blunt weapons. A ragtag crew of lowlifes.
"Empty those pockets," One-Eye demanded.
"At least say 'please'," Girn said, instantly dropping low and rolling sideways. He heard the thwang of crossbows and the whirl of bolts flying over his head, heavy thuds as they hit the ground where he had just stood.
"Kill him!" One-Eye yelled, firing his crossbow but Girn sprang to the side, hitting the cobblestone with his shoulder, using his momentum to roll and he was back on his feet, running, charging.
Greataxe slinging from his back, he arrived at the first bandit, cleaving low, hitting hip, and curving upward through stomach and chest. Slashed open, ribcage exposed, the first bandit fell to his knees, gurgling his own blood. The second bandit hesitated when seeing his comrade violently cut down. Girn never wasted opportunities, swinging horizontally at shoulder height, severing the bandit's head from torso in a spray of crimson.
"Surround him!" One-Eye screeched.
From three sides they attacked with maces. One was batted aside with his greataxe, the other evaded by twisting and turning swiftly, the last one's handle snapping with a backswing, macehead thumping uselessly on the stones. Girn headbutted the unarmed bandit, skull cracking, skin tearing, and the bandit flopped down. The two remaining attackers were on him again, but Girn danced between them, blocking one swing, grabbing the other attacker's wrist, twisting, and breaking his arm. Girn rotated and was behind the last one, bringing his greataxe above his head, cleaving down, splitting the man from shoulder to pelvis.
Without pausing, he pulled his greataxe free and ran to the next bandit. The man tried to block, but Girn's might splintered the weapon and his axeblade dug deep into the bandit's chest, collapsing his ribcage.
"Aaaaah!" One-Eye jumped from behind, a dagger in each hand raised.
Girn lifted his arm and plucked One-Eye from the air, holding him by the neck. The bandit leader choked in Girn's tight grip, spittle spraying from his mouth in an attempt to speak, scream, or breathe. Girn dug his fingers deeper until the leader's throat collapsed under his grip, then threw the one-eyed man away.
Looking around, he saw a half-dozen other bandits with raised maces, but they threw them down and quickly fled down an alley.
Girn took deep breaths, slowing his heartbeat, clearing the red haze in his vision, and calming his emotions. He snapped around hearing a loud sound, teeth bared, suddenly ready again for action.
But the sound was clapping. People were emerging from their homes, hands applauding, voices raised, cheering. One man came up to Girn and shook his hand enthusiastically.
"Many thanks," the man said. "Those bandits finally got what they deserved."
Now Girn was in the market square of Woodend with people crowding around him. Exactly the situation he didn't want in the first place. But at least he helped the town by chopping up some bandits and that felt rewarding.
He excused himself countless times and eventually was able to leave the square behind him, walking through empty, silent streets again.
He was only a few strides down the gravel path that led to Kaylie's hovel when the front door opened and she stepped outside. What a sight! The curvaceous, raven-haired beauty looked nothing short of stunning in her simple, grey linen robes. Wait--
Kaylie did not have black hair, she was blonde!
This woman's long flowing raven hair shifted in the wind, revealing her face. And indeed, this was someone entirely else. When her eyes fell upon Girn, a concerned look took hold of her pretty face.
"Please," she called, "we've got nothing of value."
Girn was confused. What did she mean? Then it hit him; she must've thought he was one of the bandits.
"No, no," he tried to sound as friendly and reassuring as possible. "I'm not a bandit, I've actually killed most of them moments ago, the rest probably fled from the town."
The woman's eyes widened in horror. Talking about killing, even killing bandits, was maybe not the best approach.
"I'm here for Kaylie, she's a... friend of mine."
Now, the woman's eyes narrowed, studying Girn for a while. Then she pieced two and two together, her expression breaking into a dazzling smile and, somehow, Girn instantly felt welcome the way she looked at him.
"Kaylie still lives here?" Girn ventured.
"She certainly does," the raven-haired woman answered. "She is away for the moment, foraging the forest, but it shouldn't be long before she returns. What do you need her for?"
"As I said, we're... friends," Girn said again, trying not to blush in front of this attractive woman while flashes of Kaylie, naked in his arms, popped up in his mind. "I thought of paying her... a visit while I'm in town."
"I certainly could deliver a message to her," she proposed but then her eyes darted over Girn. "Or, I could offer you a cup of ale while we wait inside?" Her mouth twitched into a sly smile. "Wouldn't want to turn away a friend of Kaylie."
"Ah," Girn replied, unsure. "But I wouldn't want to intrude."
"Never mind that, Kaylie would love the surprise, I'm certain of it!"
Girn let himself be guided by the stunning woman and before he knew it, he was inside Kaylie's home, sitting at the table, the unknown beauty pouring him a drink.
"I'm Sophia, by the way," she said as she put down the ale in front of Girn.
"Girn," he replied curtly.
"Nice to meet you, Girn. I must admit your name is familiar. Kaylie mentioned you once or twice, I think."
