Stepping back to dodge the large blade, I ducked in under the Trolls defences. His shield came up to block my sword but I cleaved through the iron and bone as easy as a fish glides through water. It's putrid green blood spattered the cold stone floor and it howled in anger and fury. The stench was absolutely intoxicating. It's sword clattered against the earth as it freed a hand and seized me by the back of my cloak, swinging me around like some sort of toy it slammed me through a stone pillar, then another before releasing me.
I sailed through the air before coming to a sudden stop as I smashed into a damp stone wall. Sliding down I got my feet under me and fell to one knee long enough to vomit up a mixture of this mornings breakfast and blood. Looking up at the approaching Troll I gritted my teeth and held still. I had to find the right...yes! Now! Whipping my blade up I rammed it through it's chest. Saliva mixed with blood spattered the back of my metal breast-plate.
It fell back, hauling me on top of it like I was nothing more then a grain of sand. It lay still for several moments, it's chest heaving as it tried to draw breath. Plying a vicious twist of my blade it bucked under my booted feet and with a final cry of defeat, lay still and silent. Freeing my blade with pure strength I looked briefly at the bent and mangled steel and determined it was useless already. It's blade pitted, hacked up where the Troll's blade had bitten deeply into the steel of mine. Tossing the blade aside I hopped off of the Troll's body.
As soon as my feet touched the ground it roared to life, one last ditch effort to destroy it's killer as well. It smashed it's large fist into my back and tossed me away as easy as I had tossed away my sword. Looking around for a weapon, any weapon at all I spotted the Troll's blade. Dodging another attack I lunged for it, only to be pulled away by my cloak tail. It jarred me to my very bones as it slammed me against the ground. It raised its foot and with a roar brought it down just as I rolled away. Diving away from its reach I seized the blade by it's over-sized handle, hefted the large blade that was nearly larger then me with ease and turned to face my attacker.
It was then I proudly proclaimed, "I am a Vampire! I am immortal!" before I stepped forward and ran it through with it's own blade. Yanking it free for yet more of its blood to spill free the Troll collapsed to one knee and looked up at me, wrath boiling behind its green eyes. "Taste your blade!" I raised it's blade above my head and cleaved it in half down the middle. Leaving the grisly scene I turned and made my exit. The hike down the mountain from the Trolls lair was long and taxing but when I arrived wielding the blade of the Troll the townspeople were over-joyed.
This is what I did. I was a slayer of beasts. Dropping the blade to the ground I looked at the town elder for payment, only to find him empty handed. "What of my payment? The job has been completed as you asked."
"You have not brought us proof!"
"The sword is proof. What more do you require? The creatures head on a pike?"
"Some proof beyond a blade would be more acceptable!" I snorted. This man didn't want proof he was simply refusing me my hard earned money...how typical...
Many Years Later...
"Gene! Come in here for a moment." Hefting the axe up, I rested it on my shoulder.
"Alright." My name is Gene Frost. I was born many seasons ago and I am one and eight years old. My father was a hunter who long ago climbed the mountains that surrounded our peaceful valley to slay the Troll that was plaguing our village.
Mother was seduced by him and then he left never to be seen in our land again. I was born some time later, stronger then a troll and more sure footed then any elf. It made me great at just about anything I did. I had even run down a horse once. Planting the axe in the stump I headed inside our home. Finding mom trying to move a large trunk that I don't recall ever seeing before I walked over and lifted it with ease. I set it down in the middle of our home like she asked me to and she opened it.
"I think you're about old enough now. Your father told me give this trunk to you when you turned sixteen but...well, I forgot to be honest." Mom always was a bit forgetful, heh. I looked inside at everything. Money, daggers, a sword and even throwing knives.
"What is all this for...?"
"You know your father was a Hunter. He wanted you to be one too. He said when you reach manhood that you should don these clothes and ride off to the Academy."
"Academy?"
"Your father received his training at the Academy like all the Hunters in this land. He also told me to give you this." She held up a silver ring with the darkest stone I'd seen set in it. "This will be proof that you're of his blood-line." I slipped it on and was surprised to find it fit like it was made just for me.
"But...what about you? You don't have anyone to take care of you and you can't do it yourself. It's hard work, Mom."
"I know but...you should spread your wings and not worry about this old woman. I'll manage somehow."
