The Ruffians, with their lanterns, slowly walked the street shining their lanterns on the corpses and probing them with their swords. Some they lightly poked, some they kicked, and if the Ruffians thought they saw a corpse move, they stabbed it through the heart with their sword. Luckily for the previously unfortunate souls, they had already died during the skirmish and could no longer be bothered by the Ruffians prodding and stabbing them. Luckily for all, except for Clyde and Ferra who were still lying on the ground motionless, trying their best to imitate the dead. They kept their eyes closed, not daring to peak for fear the Ruffians would notice. However, they were listening intently as the Ruffians’ footsteps slowly and methodically grew closer to their position. With each step the Ruffians grew closer, and as they did, Clyde and Ferra began to grow more anxious, both of them breathing more quickly and shallow. They each tried their best to control their breaths, trying not to betray their ruse. Despite their efforts, there was little they could do to overcome their deep-seated primal fear.

  Each second felt like an eternity as they lay there waiting to be prodded, stabbed, or discovered. Between the quick sword through the heart or being captured, tortured, and the gods knew what else, both of them had decided on their own that they would rather take the quick sword. Even Clyde, knowing the full truth of the situation, knew that he had little chances of talking his way out of severe punishment if he was captured. Blight was not kind to those in his clan who were injured in battle without first bloodying their weapons. Clyde had known many Ruffians who were ferociously whipped for such a disappointment. In his youth, Clyde did not feel sympathy for them, as Clyde was still under the intoxicating spell of Blight’s influence. But not now, not after this skirmish, not after what he had witnessed. Clyde honestly did not understand what he felt or why, but something in him had changed. If he could have talked to one of the former soldiers that defended Knoll, they would tell him that he was suffering from battle fatigue, and affliction all too common amongst new soldiers facing combat for the first time. Many never recovered, and all are changed for life.

  From the closeness of the Ruffians’ footsteps, Clyde and Ferra both knew only a few corpses lay between them and their fate. Both of them lay still and held their breath, awaiting the destiny the gods had chosen for them. The Ruffians grew closer when suddenly another Ruffian at the end of the street yelled out to them.

  “Hey! You lot come here! Blight has an announcement he wants everyone to hear!”

  The two Ruffians looked at each other, shrugged, and walked off leaving Clyde and Ferra untouched. As the Ruffians walked away, Clyde and Ferra continued to lay still, not daring to move.

  ***

  Blight stood on top of a platform in the middle of Knoll’s market square, set up for him by members of his clan.

  “Men,” Blight began after waiting for the majority of his clan to gather around the platform. “Despite our triumph, today is a sad one. We have searched for young Clyde for as long as we can, and unfortunately, we must end our search. It grows dark and we need to head out. We can’t risk running into any patrols on our way back to the main camp, and the night will help us avoid any unnecessary risks.”

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  Blight then stepped down from his platform and began to ready his horse. The. Rest of his clan followed his lead and prepared to depart.

  ***

  Hearing the noise coming from the market squares, Clyde carefully crawled over to Ferra and whispered in her ear.

  “Ferra, hey, it sounds like they’re giving up the search. You ready?”

  Ferra nodded slightly and slowly got to her feet. The two of them began to make their way to the edge of the village, only a few more feet stood between them and their escape. Only a few more feet.

  “Hey! Stop!” A gruff voice yelled from behind them. They did not dare to turn around and look. They started to sprint the last few feet when suddenly Ferra became tripped up by a rope thrown by the Ruffian chasing them.

  “Got you!” The Ruffian yelled as he began to pull Ferra towards him.

  Clyde turned around and ran after Ferra, trying to free her, but was swiftly hit over the back of the head by another Ruffian. His vision became hazy, and he lost consciousness as he watched Ferra be dragged away.

  ***

  When Clyde came to, he was sitting on the ground tied to a post in Knoll’s market. He looked around and saw that Ferra was similarly tied up on the other side of the area. Looking at her face he could tell that the Ruffians had not been kind to her. A Ruffian walking past Clyde saw that he was awake and called out to Blight.

  “Looks like he’s up sir,” the Ruffian said giving Clyde a swift kick to the shin.

  Blight slowly got up and walked over to where Clyde was tied up. Blight knelt down, his face only an inch or so away from Clyde’s. Clyde could smell beer, onions, and smoke on Blight’s breathe.[1] These smells did very little to mask the stench of decaying teeth in his mouth.

  “Well, look what we have here?” Blight asked with a sinister smile. “What happened boy? I thought you were dead, but it turns out you were trying to escape. And worse yet, you were trying to save one of the villagers who are my property. Mine! And a filthy little half elf at that.” Blight looked over his shoulder at Ferra and spit on the ground. Blight turned his gaze back towards Clyde. “You should know by now that the only way to leave the clan is death.” Blight paused for a moment, continuing to stare at Clyde. Though he felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest, Clyde could not turn his head away from Blight’s gaze. “You’re lucky I like you boy,” Blight finally said. “Let this be a learning experience for you.” Blight stood up and began walking back towards the center of the market square. It was only then that Clyde noticed a chopping block had been placed there. “Bring the girl!” Blight called out after reaching his position.

  Two Ruffians walked over to Ferra, untied her from her post, and began guiding her towards the chopping block. She was too tired to put up any resistance. Clyde began to fight against his restraints trying to break free. Once they got to the chopping block, the two Ruffians placed Ferra on her knees and lowered her head onto the rough and cold stump. Clyde continued to struggle against his restraints as he looked on in horror.

  [1] The smokey smell of Blight’s breathe came from the Bramble Leaf he smoked in his pipe. To learn more about the flora and fauna of Terra read Appendix H.