Take a chance with the Villages

It was almost another day before she found the first village. The "roads" were barely more than trails used frequently enough to be followed easily enough. Still they were almost as muddy and inhospitable as the rest of the swamp. The traveling was slow and her robes were starting to feel damp and cling to her skin. The swell of her breasts were even more evident as the itching material seemed to only cling in ways that accentuated her curves.

When she neared the village, the few scarce people outside gawked at her for a few moments before rushing inside or shouting something she didn't catch thanks to odd accents she wasn't used to. The village was spares, with only around a dozen or so buildings altogether. Two were long buildings that she guessed were used to house single men or women, while another, slightly bigger building was most likely the town hall. The other buildings she guessed were either dwelling places for married couples or storage buildings. She was about half way into the small village when a door opened near the town hall and a large man stepped out. He was built like a mountain with his long dark hair braided down his back and his beard bushy and full. His eyes were piercing and full of suspicion. Held over his shoulder was a massive axe that she was certain could easily cleave a man in half.

"Who are you woman? Not a trader by the look of you. And a blade at your side?"

"My name is Venus. I'm a Shadow Hunter from Namina, but problems on the road **** me to divert my path. I need to reach Gaest soon. Lives are at stake."

"A Hunter." The man spit upon the ground and anger lit his eyes. His rage was so evident that it seemed to radiate outward and caused her to step back in uncertainty.

"What is wrong? Hunters protect people, even when the military can't!"

"Hunters are nothing but mercenaries. They pretty their work up by claiming they don't kill humans, but I know better. I've seen your noble Hunters **** and ****. I'd rather kill a hundred monsters myself than let one of your kind polish my boots."

"What are you saying? I don't know of any Hunters that are like that!"

Before the man could answer, the cackling of an old woman caught their attention and both Venus and the large man turned to a hut where an elderly woman was stooped over a cane. Her long hair was in dirty strings and her cloths were worn from age. She gave the giant of a man a sly smile and then looked at Venus.

"Worry not of Arngrim. That Berserker gave up the deeds of heroes some time ago. You though girl, have much time left for your stories."

"Arngrim? Stories? What do you mean?"

"Please girl, call me Baba. Arngrim there had his stories. Great tales of fierce battles. As a Hunter. But the blood of Giants makes for unstable warriors even in the best of times."

Venus was confused for a moment but then she looked closely before it dawned on her. Before she had joined the Hunters, there had been stories of a massive man whose mother had been a giant. He had led a group of Hunters known as the Berserkers. They had traveled Fyrona without a Lounge to call home, killing monsters and bandits wherever they pleased. But then one day their berserk rage had gone too far in the heat of battle. They destroyed the town they were supposed to be protecting. They killed and ****, pillaged the place of its gold and virgins. Only the leader of the group, Arngrim the Giant-blood, managed to regain his sanity. He killed his comrades and fled to the wilderness, unable to cope with what he and his fellows had done.

"The Giant-blood," Venus whispered, her eyes large from shock.

"That's right girl. Now don't worry about that old warmonger. Come, Baba will help you through the night and in the morning you can be on your way."

"Don't listen to that witch," Snarled Arngrim as he swung his axe and buried the head in the ground. The earth split almost the full length between Venus and the brute.

"Ahhahaha! Then why don't you put her up for the night then? Or better yet, we let her decide?"

Venus looked from the fallen Hunter to the old woman. Arngrim had been a great warrior but his crimes were great as well. Baba was simply an old woman offering her a place to stay for the night.