Mighty Tales of Aldrun

The Summer was already hot enough even without the recent increase of hell hounds in the area. Aldrun had heard that a nearby town was under threat and he wished to aid them and if too late, help rebuild and defend against further attacks, he was travelling through the night, his feet weary from the trek.

He was passing through farm country, large open plains of crop. The sight lines were great and the moon light alongside Aldrun’s natural dark vision gave him confidence to do such treks. Not long after the stars had moved halfway across the sky, he spied an orange glow among the fields near a homestead. Aldrun started jogging, long strides but not so fast as to tire himself before reaching the stead.

Drawing closer to the homestead, he first hears screams of a woman and shouts of a child, then the now all too common growls of hounds from hell. Slowing his pace, he drew the Elven sword, its topaz hilt enhanced by the growing fires around. Aldrun’s armour made it difficult to sneak up, but a dead cow occupied the hounds. He counted a hand’s worth, two near him and the cow, the others at the homestead entrance.

He got close but not close enough before the ones feeding on the cow noticed him, a hound rounded to the left, another to the right, the others guarded their feed. Aldrun swung his blade at the right, slashing the hound as it stepped closer. Bright red blood steamed from the wound. The hound on the left took its chance but was too slow for the light blade. A sharp yelp drew the attention of the rest. Aldrun, not giving it a chance to recover, followed through slashing its throat.

The first hound pacing to put Aldrun in the middle of the group. Seeing its plan, he chased after the hurt hell hound. It wasn’t enough. One from the stead bounded the distance and jumped on Aldrun, searing teeth biting into Aldrun’s arm, a guard protected from the upper jaw but not the lower. In no position to swing a sword, Aldrun moved his arm and the mongrel in front of himself and dropped his weight toward onto the ground. With a quick grab of the mongrel’s head, Aldrun freed his caught arm and twisted the head around, letting out a deep crack. The beast still alive panted hard, but could only twitch and flounder in the dirt as it tried moving.

Standing up, Aldrun heard a voice, the child. “Sir! I can help.”

Glancing around Aldrun’s eyes landed on the now open front door of the homestead. A boy the height of Aldrun’s waist, he held a short sword with both hands, much too heavy for a little human’s strength, the blade’s tip barely off the ground. The hurt hound and one from the house remained focused on Aldrun, but the boy found one staring him down.

Aldrun threw himself into danger with no care except for the boy. His sword followed behind, the tip barely above the ground. The blade flew upward in a flash of lightning. Decapitating the hound closest to the boy.

The remaining two saw their moment, one leaping to Aldrun’s back and the wounded one using it’s greater size and weight to charge and knock the boy. Claws sunk into Aldrun’s shoulders, the burning heat causing him to tense up. Screams of the child and woman echoed. Aldrun closed his eyes.

——

A sharp shrill brought Aldrun’s sense back. “Bertie!”

Flames, blood, earth, sky, topaz and sword. Red filled Aldrun’s vision. Adjusting to the sight, he saw the boy holding the short sword up pointed to a hound, blood covering half the boy’s face. Aldrun turned to face the homestead, the other remaining hound laid still, collapsed on the short stairs. He found his sword and his strength as he stood next to the boy. Aldrun placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“Check your ma. I have this one.”

Aldrun could see the boy shaking, fear? No, the boy was willing, but his strength couldn’t hold the blade steady. Pushing his hand, he sent the boy between himself and the homestead. The final hound tried to pace around to get an easier prey, Aldrun mirrored its movement. Tired of waiting Aldrun took a step toward, the hound pounced, a quick twist and flick slashed the hounds throat as it tried to pass. It fell and went quietly.

Aldrun watched for a few moments and a few more after that, no movement, no howls, only bodies and flames. The homestead would be gone in short time. Turning back to the stead, Aldrun saw the mother cleaning and checking the boy’s face. A large wound running from ear to just below his nose. Aldrun approached, rummaging through his pocket, producing a magical salve made by a druid. Not as good as a full potion as it leaves scars, but just as fast and effective at treating deep gashes.

After a few moments the boy was already looking healthier. Aldrun looked about the home realising where he was. “You need to leave, all will be ash soon.” Aldrun spoke, looking through doorways and windows for signs of fire.

“Thank you, I’m Tamara Hender and this is my boy Bertie.” the mother spoke as she helped the boy up “Can we give you anything, Sir?”

“I Aldrun, Slayer of Fiends require nothing, only what is needed to help others.” He replied as Tamara lead the small group out and around the homestead toward a stable. Aldrun thought, most in recent days had given him food, drink, and medicine, but little Aldrun kept to himself, giving his reward to the more needy.

As they reached the stables, two horses stood ready, almost like they knew the moment was coming. Tamara spoke once again. “Only Culver is packed and ready. I thought we had more time. Patch has a saddle and a couple waterskins.”

Aldrun paced toward the horse with the smaller pack. A notable section on its shoulder of white hair stood out on the otherwise completely dark brown horse. “Patch you say? fitting name. Best you and Bertie-”

“It’s Albert!” Both Aldrun and Tamara turned to the boy.

Aldrun nodded. “Best you and Albert..” he lingered on the name as he got lost in thought. “Head sunrise way, there is refuge and safety.”

“You’re not coming with us?” Tamara looked worried

Aldrun pat the side of Patch’s head. “The roads are clear and guarded.” Turning back to the boy, Aldrun continued, “I’m better at saving farmsteads and stopping evil.”