trembling, he entered the tent, his eyes fading. He stepped closer to the chair and sat on it. held his chest with one hand, barely breathing.
"Fuck," he muttered, his voice full of pain. His eyes were turning black, and suddenly… he faded out.
After a while, it was only Jim shaking his shoulder that woke him up.
"I see you awake at last," Jim said casually.
"How long was I out?" Edward asked, rubbing his eyes.
"A day," Jim muttered, bringing a chair from the other side of the tent.
"Did you… did you find her?" he asked.
Jim shook his head in silence. He studied Edward.
"Mate, you're in bad shape."
Edward looked at him, trying to stand up. "That's what happens when I use my sword's power more than I'm supposed to."
Jim nodded. "You have to train more with it. Adapt your body to it. Not only your body, but your mind and soul as well."
He paused for a few seconds, helping Edward stand on his feet.
"Whatever, we can talk about it later. Fill me in on the information," Edward said, dropping a weird exhalation.
Jim looked at how serious Edward was.
"Well, I did manage to track them for a while, but the bastards know how to hide their path. I lost their track around the lake. Even their smell faded away. The one I followed had her. I could tell by the smell of her perfume."
Jim handed a piece of bread to Edward.
"There are now three groups searching the forest. Another two will join them soon."
Edward nodded. "Right. Is my horse around? After I pack up my belongings, I'll go to the forest."
"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Jim asked, scratching his forehead.
"With your condition, you're not going to last for too long," he said, his voice rough but friendly.
"I'll be fine," Edward muttered, finishing the last bite of bread.
"I said I will find her, and I meant it." He walked outside the tent. " I am a good tracker believe it of not."
Right before he left, Jim touched his shoulder.
"Just don't push yourself too much. You still need rest to fully recover."
Edward nodded and left the tent.
Outside, the sun was shining. The ground was covered with snow, and soldiers were working.
Some were fixing the damaged walls and gate, some cleaning the inside of the fortress, and others scouting and searching the area.
Trees were covered with snow, leaves falling—some brought down by the weight of the snow. Edward walked along the riverside, examining the area for any clue, but the snow covered the footprints and the orcs' smell had already faded away.
They must be hidden inside some kind of cave or something similar, he thought to himself. After a short time of riding, he reached a huge cliff—nowhere to go down with a horse.
"I suppose going on foot is more suited here," he whispered, unmounting his horse.
"You know where to go, right, pal?" he said to his horse. He took down his bag and gently pushed the horse with his hand.
"Go back to the camp. I'll walk back when I find her."
The horse swiftly rushed back, leaving Edward all on his own in the vast forest.
"Where to start now…" Edward said to himself, walking beside the cliff.
Hunters: a class of humans specialized in killing monsters—at least that's what they used to be. Nowadays, they do any sort of job, from killing monsters to mercenary work, selling their swords, and bounty hunting.
To become a hunter, one must pass several tests at the guild located in the city of kyre, a port city on the south side of the Holy Moons Empire.
The guild used to be very famous in human countries—even in the western continent, which is more diverse than the others.
Nowadays, however, because of the horrible things hunters did over the ages, normal folk and civilians—even rulers—don't like them. Still, a hunter is the best valid option for slaying a monster.
Inside a small cave. Orcs gathered together. A handful of them. No more than ten . planning their next move.
" I say we kill the whore and leave now." One of them said. Pointing his knife toward the duchess.
Some of them nodded.
Her eyes closed and her hands and feets chained. Shaking on the ground out of fear. Some part or her cloths missing but nothing to serious.
" I disagree, she is valuable. Important to humans. She had personal guards after all." Said one of the Orcs. Walking toward her.
" But I do want to have taste of her flesh, she look delicious."
Duchess trembled more. Trying to free herself, but it was no use. The Orc grabbed her by the hair. Brought its knife near her face. Slowly bringing it down. Cutting trough her dress and body, leaving small scratches on her soft skin.
" Lets see how you taste like." Said the Orc, having a twisted evil smile on its face.
With his knife, he cutted a small piece of flesh out of her thigh, putting it inside his mouth.
" its really good." He said, looking at her face. " a tasteful meat like this should have a delicious blood as well."
Other laughed, while the duchess struggled and screamed out of pain and fear.
He licked the blood dripping from her leg moving to the wound.
" if we werent in this cave, I would've enjoyed this blood much more."
He dropped her on the ground. " now shut your mouth before I tore more of your flesh."
Duchess body was flooding with pain, however she kept her mouth shut, but the tears didn't stop.
Sun was setting down. Edward continued his search. He already slaughtered a group of Orcs, sadly the duchess wasn't among them.
As he stepped deeper whit in the forest, he encountered a clue. One of duchess hair holder.
It was broken but this meant he was on the right track. He looked forward. Only to see darkness.
" well, better the nothing." He said to himself.
After a short amount of Time. Edward found a small place to set camp on. He was already searching for several hours without any rest. His mussels were tired and his head still hurt.
The heat of the fire warmed up his frozen bones. Melting the remaining snow of his cloak and boots. As he sorted his bag,
" i got one Shadowgaze Draught, two Odorhound, one strength."
He Closed his bag, looking at the sky, covered mostly with tree branches.
" Fuck. Im tired and cold." He muttered.
lay down on the small rock he found. Looking at the center of the fire. Thinking and analyzing the information he founded by now.
After a short time of thinking " west is the only option." He muttered to himself.
Finally, he stood up, putted down the fire and slug his bag over his shoulder.
" I shall move, before they hurt her to much."