Vendetta at the Inn

The inebriated man continued to wallow in self-pity as the rest of the men in the pub sustained a more cheery carousing. The sound of laughter and the clash of mugs filled the atmosphere for the most part. 1

The moonlit sky peaked in through the windows of the pine wood building helping the place stay lit and keeping the idea of retiring soon out of these men’s mind.2

Off in the corner the individual man sat alone close to the fireplace. Rubbing his hand up and down his arm, starring into the fire, listening to the sound of its crackling. None of the other men even spared a glance at the lonely man. He was an outsider to them, a transparent individual who has never been seen in town before. 3

Too many people die around here taking curiosity in other people’s business. 4

The reward posters of the capturing of eight-year-old Lucy Talon’s murderer were still all over town. She was an innocent girl, whose recent death still affecting the people closest to her. Still dishearten, her mother has given up finding the killer since there were no leads and no evidence as to who killed her daughter. She tried to salvage the idea that her daughter was at least at peace now. 5

The father, on the other hand, would not be influenced by this logic. A coward has murdered his daughter and he will capture and kill the person responsible. 6

A small light in a dark place, any man deserves this retribution. 7

The table talk amongst the men had continued on the other side of the pub from where the stranger was sitting. Lethargic and quiet he continued to gape into the fire not focusing on anything else. He had the look of a man who has not slept in days. He took a huge swig of the devil’s juice from his mug emptying it. His eyes started to dwindle as he placed his mug down on the table. 8

Silence took over as a swirling sensation elapsed. The heat from the fire wrapped the man in warmth, designing a scenario of pure serenity. The moment was bliss. A fraction of time dissolved away, lost to a therapeutic infraction. 9

And then a cold chill crept up the back of the old man’s neck. A controlled darkness became eternal. It was as if death has joined the old man for a drink. His perpetual sanctuary has been breached. 10

“Here… Let me fill that back up for you,” said a voice from behind where the man was sitting. 11

Startled, the sad outsider turned around and glanced at the individual who was filling his mug back up. He was a young good-looking fellow who wore a classy silk tunic, cinched with a silver-cut belt around his waist. Attached to the belt was his sheath, which held a magnificently crafted sword with some foreign characters carved into the handle. 12

He wore an expression of kindness and innocent to assure that he posed no threat to the lonely man. “Actually by the looks of it, you’ve probably had enough.”13

The sad man forced a grin on his face at the comment. He grabbed the newly filled mug and started chugging away at it, spilling liquid all over his shirt. His negligence did not sway the new mans manner towards him. After he finished emptying the mug again he held it out to his new attendant indicating to him to refill it again. 14

“You know people say the devil pours his own blood into the alcohol in order to control peoples actions, and make them do terrible things,” said the depressed man. He delayed for a second to clear his throat and then continued. “But I do not believe that to be true… No, it is a liquid that keeps me at ease, and that is all it does.” 15

The young man started to fill the mug again half smiling at what the sad man said. “I don’t think I have ever seen you around here before. You can call me Mue, that is what most people know me by.” 16

Mue made his way around the table and took a seat next to the depressed man. He let out a big sigh of relief as he rubbed his hands together close to the fire. 17

He was a good twenty years younger than the sad outsider. Sitting next to him revealed how true that was. The two of them looked like they had no business being near each other. Mue was a young optimistic looking individual who looked confident while the older gentleman was forty winks away from passing out. 18

“You know its bad company to drink alone,” said the old man starring into the fire again. “Why don’t you get a mug and join me.”19

Mue starred at him and smiled. “No I am quite alright thank you. I have never had the stomach to drink.”20

The statement left the old man a little confused, but he did not care enough to question it. As depressed as the old man was he was a little relieved to have someone to talk to. His body still curled over with his elbows on his knees keeping him from falling forward. 21

He drank from his mug slowly this time, perhaps to make up for his bad manner from before. 22

“Mue is it? - What made you come over to talk to a stranger like me?” 23

Mue started to chuckle slightly as he repositioned himself on the bench to get a better look at the old man. “In a place like this, you stuck out and seemed like far more interesting company than everyone else. In addition to that, I had a hunch that something more interesting was going to happen over here tonight.”24

The old man lifted his head and looked at the confident young man. He was confused again at what Mue said. Taking a good look at his new company he could tell that Mue was not from around here either. His clothes and finely crafted sword did not match the look of everyone else in the pub. He took care of himself and sounded more intelligent than most people from the town. 25

“Hah… Well I hate to disappoint you but I don’t plan on being here much longer,” said the old man. 26

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object clenched in his fist. Mue glanced at the man’s tightly gripped hand with curiosity.27

“Oh, I see – well perhaps my premonition was incorrect then. It would not be the first time it has been wrong.” 28

The two of them sat there for a moment dwelling on each other’s thoughts. The rest of the room started to die down, as other inebriated men started to leave. 29

It started to become more peaceful with the stillness of the room. 30

It was a place of comfort and warmth tied down to the thoughts and memories of many joyous occasions. Men had proposed and married women at this pub. It has been the location for all the major celebrations of the town. It is a place that has exhausted itself with benevolence.31

Mue, still smiling, decided to be the first to break the silence, “You know I have been around the world. I have met some remarkable people, both good and bad. Some people welcomed my coming as if they were expecting me, and others feared it. I have seen it all David, and all I can tell you from everything that I have seen in the past that relates to your situation today is…” The older man stared at Mue more confused then before. “Your guilt will always out-weigh your lust for something evil. And because of that your soul will never be at ease.”32

The old man shot up to his feet starring at Mue with a puzzled look on his face. Not knowing where to begin he started to shout out at Mue, “Who are you and how did you know my name? No one around here knows who I am!” 33

Desperately David started to look around the room for something to protect himself from Mue. The idea of someone knowing his true identity here was absurd. 34

Breathing heavily David quickly grabbed the iron fire poker that was leaning against the fireplace and held it up towards Mue. His feet staggered to keep him from falling. Sweat started to drip from his face, as he looked in the eyes of the still joyful young strange. 35

Mue stood up as well, “David, do not be frighten of me just yet. You have other problems to deal with first.” He showed no sign of even reaching for his sheathed sword to defend himself. Mue just stood there and watched David struggle. “As I said earlier I expect something more interesting to occur here. I am just here as a spectator until it is all over, then I must ask you to come with me.”36

David started to become more aggravated, “Who are…” 37

He was cut off by the sound of more men entering the building. Four individuals all dressed in bronze armor, wearing their town’s emblem in the center of their chest piece. They were all searching around the room until one by one their eyes met David’s. Mystified and scared David did not recognize three of the men’s faces. The fourth man kept his face hidden behind a bronze armored mask. 38

They slowly made their way towards David as the rest of the people in the pub cleared out. They all continued to look at him for a moment as David continued to struggle to stay on his feet. Their stares pierced him making him feel insignificant and small.39

“Last week a young girl was found dead outside the towns market, with no leads as to who it was. We were curious if you had any information you could share with us pertaining to this crime?” asked the first unmasked soldiers. 40

David’s face lost its color as he replied, “I…I h-heard about that incident. It was truly tragic news to my ears. Unfortunately I have no knowledge as to who committed the crime… S-sorry.” 41

Mue started to laugh obnoxiously as he continued to watch David struggle. David glared at Mue puzzled. The soldiers did not even twitch at the sound of Mue’s laugh. It was as if David was the only one that heard him. 42

He looked back towards the soldiers, but could not meet their gaze. He kept his head shifted down, and looked towards their feet.43

The one soldier started again still calmly. “Yeah, we still do not have any clues as to what kind of monster did this.” 44

David started to appear more calmly. He kept his composer as best he could as he put the fire poker down. 45

He started thinking to himself that these were soldiers who were trying to solve a murder. They have probably asked everyone in town the same questions. He was a drunken old fool that was worried about nothing; there had been no accusations against him yet. 46

“That is until this morning when we had two eye witnesses state that they had seen an outsider with an interesting looking necklace in his hand last scene heading towards this pub.”47

David’s hands started to shake as he put it back into his pocket. He struggled to get a breath out, but he tried to keep his composer as best he could. 48

He looked over at Mue again wondering why they have not questioned him either. Mue must be an outsider too; he looks just as suspicious as David. Mue just looked back at David with a smile still on his face. 49

“You and I both know what is in your pocket David,” Mue’s smile seemed more menacing some how. “An interesting looking necklace possibly?” 50

David fell to his knees, not able to make sense of what just happened. The soldiers should have reacted to what Mue just said, but instead they are acting as if they could not hear him again. 51

The stupid bastards are all just toying with me. Struggling to his feet, David looked over to the door, his only hope for escape. 52

Escape captivity into a world of constant fear and running. 53

“Sir, I am going to need you to show me everything in your possession now,” said the second soldier as they all started to walk closer to the old man. 54

David slowly moved his hand towards the fire poker keeping his other one still in his pocket. None of the men had their weapons out. Their confidence could be the end of them.55

“I’m sorry to disappoint you gentlemen, but I am a broke old fool.” His hand inches away from the fire tool. “There is nothing of value in my possession at this time.” 56

In a flash of an eye the masked soldier grabbed David’s exposed hand. His powerful grip easily crushing David’s hand breaking his fingers. David’s excruciating screams howled through the windows of the small pub into the night air. The weight of the man forced David into the wall, knocking the fire poker into the fire. 57

The masked soldier anxiously ripped David’s other hand out of his pocket. His grip still tightly closed concealing the anticipated object.58

“Let go you stupid fool before I make both your hands useless to you.”59

“No! You are making a mistake,” David panting hysterically now at the pain.60

The masked man heaving uncontrollably snatched the fire poker out of the fire. Smoke rolling off his leather glove; the soldier ignored the pain as he pointed the fire tool at David’s skull.61

Stun and mortified David looked at the glowing red poker, as it was inches away from touching his forehead, reflecting off his sweat and pale skin. “Y-your crazy.” 62

The soldier started to move the tip of the poker downward towards David uninjured arm. He forced the poker against David's bare forearm, forcing him to cry out desperately in pain. Struggling, David tried to break free from the pain, but as much as he tried, he could not break the soldiers grip. 63

The smell of burnt flesh filled the air. The only one that seemed bothered by this was Mue, who continued to antagonize David's misfortunes by smiling and gesturing about the foul smell. 64

“Open your damn hand! This is only going to get worse for you,” growled the masked soldier.65

Slowly he pushed the tip of the poker harder causing more immense pain for David. Finally the poker punctured his arm getting jammed on the bone. 66

David forced his head to the side as he vomited all over the floor where he was entrapped. Barely conscious, he continued to keep his grip clenched tightly. The pain had created more tension in his body, helping him to create a stronger grip. 67

The excruciating sound of iron scraping on bone finally triumph over David’s squeals, as the soldier slowly started to carve his way through the bone. 68

Mue made his way around the busy soldier and kneeled down next to David. A worry look filled Mue’s face as if all of a sudden he felt sympathy for David. The idea of Mue worrying for David at this point has become more odd then anything else. He has amused his interest by watching the old man struggle. The idea of compassion now was pointless. 69

He slowly reached out and grabbed David’s closed grip. A cold sensation started to swell up through his arms. The pain suddenly became num to David. He looked up at Mue, heaving and covered in sweat. Exhaustion took over David at this sudden relief of agony. 70

“You continue to fight to protect your secret,” Mue started calmly. “David you have put up a incredible struggle against a much stronger man. But I cannot help to wonder if you even deserve to put up a struggle.”71

The old mans wrinkled face trembled as he continued to listen to Mue’s words.72

“I had considered putting an end to your suffering and taking you with me now. I thought I was going to become bored of all this. But now that I have figured out who this anxious masked man is-“ Mue paused for a moment struggling to keep himself from laughing. “I feel I can wait until it is all over before I take you.” 73

David stared at Mue still exhausted. He watched as Mue started to laugh hysterically. Aggravated now David’s breathing started to pick up. His worried expression disappeared and a newly formed rage took over. With every ounce of David’s strength he screamed at Mue, “Tell me who you are!”74

Mue’s laughing was brought to a sudden halt as he watched David. He Felt David’s devilish aura surrounding him. A murderous inkling in his breathes. 75

In a graceful motion Mue removed his hand from David’s closed grip. All of the pain had returned back to David. The sudden shock of it forced his grip to open revealing the hidden object to everyone in the area. 76

The necklace fell to the ground reflecting all the light in the room. The missing necklace, a shimmering two-stranded golden chain with a silver clasp and a golden locket, was brilliant. It sanctified all the beauty in the world. A priceless treasure that was ideal for any petty thief who was lured in by it. 77

For the first time tonight the masked soldier started to tremble. The fire poker fell from his hand, smacking the ground. He struggled to breath, as His eyes remained absorbed by the necklace. His knees finally buckled as he fell to the ground. His hard breaths became more troublesome. The sounds of a grown man crying emerged.78

“You wanted to know who I am?” The soldier struggled as he started to remove his mask. His long white curly hair let loose and fell to his shoulders. His elderly blue eyes had a tiresome look as tears rolled down his cheek. His face covered in wrinkles and scars showed his age to be very close to David’s. His muscular build proved how strong he was for his age. He was still a great warrior holding on to his honor. “I am the captain here in this district-”79

He picked up the golden necklace off the floor and stood up. His eyes scolded David for a while, watching the damaged old man struggle. “-And my name is Arlette Talon.” 80

David’s head fell to the ground as his tense body finally submitted. Realization hit him; there were no means of escape and no chance to surrender. Through all his fatigue and pain he laid there waiting for the next move. He waited for death. 81

Mue stepped back observing the scene. He watched intently as the Captain obsessed for a moment over the golden necklace. After a while the Captain placed his focus back on David. He wrapped the necklace around his hand and reached for the hilt of his sword. Slowly he pulled out a grand looking sword, an exact replica of Mue’s sword. 82

David raised his head in disbelief towards Mue. He starred dumbfounded at where Mue’s sword used to be around his belt. Nothing made sense with Mue; it was all allusions with him. Damn him!83

“Sorry my sword never really existed. I copied Arlette’s sword because it was obedient and I knew that you have never seen it before. Its impressionable nature lures in its foes - welcoming them.”84

He walked in between the Captain and David, blocking their view from one and other. His sudden defiant posture showed a more serious side to him. He glanced around the room one last time before finally meeting David’s still puzzled expression. 85

“I am hoping by now you have came to the realization that you are the only man in here that can see me.” 86

David forced himself to nod as a reply. “And I know what you are.”87

“Oh? I am excited to know what you think I am.”88

With both his shattered arms, David forced himself up to a sitting position to get a better view of Mue. Still on the verge of passing out he sat there breathing heavily. His tears had stop and his pain blocked out by his anger. He looked at Mue and without so much as a tremble in his voice, shouted, "You are a demon!"89

The sword had struck him so fast David did not have time to react. Mue was no longer there in sight. In place of him was the Captain’s sword pierced through David’s abdomen. He sat there gasping for air, watching the captain’s painful expression. Everything started to get darker.90

“For my daughter Lucy,” the captain cried out. 91

David fell to his back motionless. For a moment everything went back to earlier when he was at peace. He could feel the heat from the fire comfort his suddenly cold body again. All of his pains went numb. A smile took control of his face. A meditated moment forced David to believe everything was going to be fine. His past actions would be forgiven. Life after death would be all but gracious to him. His final thought came to him at last, Paradise. 92

“David, it is time…”93

And then a cold chill crept up the back of the old man’s neck. A controlled darkness became eternal. All his excruciating pains had returned to him tenfold. His agonizing screams echoed in the eternal darkness as his whole body felt en-flamed. David thought to himself that this pain was too intense to survive, but for some reason he was not able to escape it. He felt himself being dragged by the arm. Unable to do anything else but focus on the pain, David did not try and stop who ever was leading him. 94

“I was surprised that you were able to figure out what I was. Now lets see if you are smart enough to figure out where I am taking you.”95

A small light in a dark place, any man deserves this retribution. 96