The Divine Hunter

Chapter 498: Godling

[TL: Asuka]

[PR: Ash]

The sun was setting in the distance, coloring the sky in shades of red and purple. And then a scream pierced the air. Bavi unsheathed his blade and charged ahead, but the witcher had already set off before him. Frik whipped out his bow and arrows and quickly followed his companions. Trailing behind were a few ladies with bats and torches.

A while later, they came to the source of the scream: a boy from Willow Village. He was gaunt and wore nothing but a tattered, yellowing shirt. He was shivering in fear, screeching like a scared little squirrel, and the boy was pointing at the hole of a tree a few yards away. It was about one and a half feet tall and sloped downward into the ground.

Roy darted toward the boy and turned him around so they faced each other. He quickly and subtly cast an Axii. That soothed the boy and stopped his screams, then the witcher frowned at the hole. Another childhunter? He took a step back.

Bavi held up his sword, raring to go. Frik was already pulling his bow back when he noticed something was moving inside the hole. And then a pale face appeared.

Noticing the creature, Roy heaved a sigh of relief. “Don’t shoot! Put away your weapons. Frik, Bavi, and you too, ladies.”

“What was that?” a freckled woman asked, her voice almost shrill. “Foxes, rats, or rabbits?”

“With the size of that hole, I bet it’s a boar.” Bavi crouched a little and rubbed his hands together. “More meat for dinner. Boars are a delicacy. Been a while since I had one. Damn the Nilfgaardians.”

The ladies quickly stepped back. Boars were fearsome creatures. If one should go on a rampage right here, it would spell disaster for them.

“Stay quiet.” Roy shook his head. “It’s not a boar or any animal for that matter. But it’s harmless. Just leave it to a professional.”

The hunters exchanged a look and stared at Roy’s swords, deep in their thoughts.

Roy handed the terrified boy to a woman who was probably his mother, and he held his hands up, saying that he came in peace. Slowly, he moved toward the hole. “I saw you, mate. Don’t be scared. We’re just refugees passing by.” Roy put on a smile. “I’m Auckes. Can you tell me your name?”

The crowd was stunned. There’s someone in the hole? And they held their breath.

“Donny of the tree hole. I’m a good guy,” said a nervous, throaty voice, and then a little head poked out of the hole.

There was not much light left, but the crowd could still check out the creature. Its hair was unkempt, yellow, and dry as hay. It had the face of a child, and its skin was pale yet slightly grey. A bit bloated, and he had a big nose, thick lips, and chubby cheeks, though his skin was rougher than children’s. His eyes were bedazzlingly golden, and he looked at everyone sheepishly. There was curiosity in his gaze, but also panic.

A bit ugly, but a bit cute too. No one can hate a creature like this.

***

***

“Well, so much for that.” Bavi sheathed his sword and approached the witcher, then he smiled at the godling. “And I thought there was something dangerous. Boards, lizards, vipers, things like that. Even a southern soldier too. But this is just a lutin. The old man told me about it before he died.

“Yeah. This is a big world, ain’t it?” Frik waved at the godling and shouted at the ladies, “Crisis averted. Everyone calm down!”

“Lutins live in mountains and caves filled with ore, not tree holes, swamps, or the woods. This is a godling,” Roy corrected. “But you got one thing right. In most cases, they’re friends of humanity. Loves innocent children, so it was probably trying to say hi to the boy.”

The godling paused for a moment and swung his fists. Quickly he asked, “You’re really refugees, not the friends of those meanies? Don’t lie to me, or I’ll give you nightmares.”

“We’re refugees, alright.” Bavi pointed backward. “Look at them. You think these women and children can even hold a sword? We were just passing by. Didn’t mean to scare you. If the boy disturbed you, I’m sorry about it.”

Donny looked at everyone with hesitation and realized the women were quibbling about him.

“By Melitele, he can talk!”

“Looks different from our kids. It’s like he grew in the wilderness. Did he come from beyond the Blue Mountains?”

“Bah, nonsense. There’s only desert there. The people beyond those mountains are as black as soot. Bet he’s from the sea.”

Donny let his guard down. He knew those pilfering soldiers would never bring women around. Even if they had women among their ranks, those women would be stoic and silent. “Fine, I trust you, friends. And you need to help me, Auckes!” the godling shouted.

“What? How?”

Donny crawled out of the hole. He’d been staying in the hole for too long, and he was hunched over like an old man. He crouched and put his hands on the ground, looking like a toad. Donny was petite, just like a young child. His ribs were prominent, and he had weird tattoos in the shapes of feathers and insects drawn over him. His lower body was covered with nothing but pants made out of hay, hair, feathers, and simple cloth.

Despite his abode, Donny did not smell foul at all. In fact, he smelled like plants and soil. “You have to save Dorothy!”

“You want me to save someone?” Roy cocked an eyebrow. He had a bad feeling about this, and so did everyone else. They were just a bunch of ragtags. There was no way they could save anyone.

“Tell me more. Did a monster show up, or is it something else?”

“A bunch of knights on black horses barged through this place, holding morningstars, axes, and swords. They besieged Mud Village! That’s right ahead! And blood was everywhere. So many dead!” Donny scratched his head, stammering, “I-I was scared, so I came back. Came back to find help, and I saw you guys. Dorothy’s in danger. Please, you must save her!”