The sound of crying was spreading through the woods as I neared the small camp.
“I’m bleeding. It stings so much.” the young man was whining.
“That’s what happens when you don’t pay attention!” an irritated voice answered “Can’t believe you let that housewife stab you. We should have taken what we could and gotten out clean, but no, you had to entertain yourself.”
It was nice of them to immediately confirm what I already knew. Upon entering the fire illuminated circle I pulled my sword out without breaking stride and slashed down at the third robber before he even noticed that something is wrong. The sword cut through him and nailed him to the tree he was leaning on. I left it there.
The remaining two looked at me in shock. “That beautiful woman you… killed today was my wife!” I said silently trembling with anger. Without a conscious thought a javelin appeared in my hand and I delivered it into the open mouth of the whiner.
“We didn’t ..” the last one started a panicked lie when my arms took hold of his neck.
“That kindhearted boy was my son!” I growled while his eyes were losing focus.
The three of them were very young, almost kids. I noticed it didn’t bother me at all while I left their camp, leaving their bodies for the nature to handle.
------------
Being born as a son of caravan guard in Thesk, on the Golden way (trade route connecting Unapproachable East with the rest of the Faerun), I had relatively little choice related to my future profession. From the early age I started to follow my father on various trade missions. The years went by and I became a warrior and a relatively decent animal handler.
That wandering life was put behind me when I met my future wife. We decided to settle down in the Dalelands and start a family. We created a small stable by the road where travelers and merchants could rest and buy or exchange horses. The business was good and soon after our son was born. The happiness lasted too short.
Something broke in me that dreadful night. Now I wander the roads without purpose, working as a bodyguard or a plain mercenary, seeking risky situations and challenges. I’m not looking to die, I just don’t particularly care. For now, it appears I was either lucky or too tough.
