hotmtlnovel Chapter 72: Shadow Creature
Chapter 72: Shadow Creature
Chapter 72: Shadow Creature
Negotiations brought relief, easing the wariness between the two sides.
Rhaegar accepted food and water from the savages and watched them dance around the campfire.
Falcon and Skylar's sibling joined him by the fire, telling stories.
Falcon, picking at rabbit bones, remarked, "You don't seem old enough to be the king's youngest son."
"I'm actually the oldest," Rhaegar joked.
"Traditionally, the oldest inherits. You could be the next king?" Falcon was surprised.
"No, it's my sister," Rhaegar replied plainly.
“Why? Is she hiding a dick under her skirt?” a brown savage teased, igniting laughter.
Rhaegar glanced at Falcon, who remained silent but visibly displeased.
Falcon firmly told the teasing savage, "Xander, leave!"
"Yeah, yeah, Xander, scram..." Xander brushed off the warning.
Only when a hawk landed nearby did Xander reluctantly leave, shivering and muttering about the tribe's unrest.
"The tribe has been unsettled lately, many warriors are restless," Falcon said before walking away.
Rhaegar grinned, "He has a foul mouth, I wonder if his breath rivals dragon dung."
Falcon, slightly irritated, paused, "I'll take care of him and warn the others."
He wasn't irritated at Rhaegar's threat, but at the tribe's men for embarrassing him in front of guests.
The night progressed.
When his hunger was satisfied, Rhaegar returned to the cave where he had awakened to rest.
Falcon provided soft animal skins and made sure the siblings accompanied him.
Arranging the skins as bedding, Rhaegar greeted the sleeping siblings and shared the remaining skins.
"Thank you," Tormund murmured gratefully.
"May I ask about the changes in the tribe?" Rhaegar inquired, jumping at the chance for information.
Tormund hesitated, glancing at Skylar.
Skylar nodded and lay down on a straw mat.
In the valley, the tired wildlings are sleeping in groups on the ground.
The campfires are almost out, with just embers left.
In the darkness, a shadowy figure emerges from the shadows of a looming tree.
It blends in perfectly with the night, moving like a snake towards a sleeping savage.
It sneaks into the savage's nose, ears, and mouth...
It seems almost like it's made of air as it easily gets into the savage's body.
The savage is startled awake by a soft gagging sound. His eyes flutter open.
To his horror, he finds a twisted creature on top of him, with tendrils extending like vines.
Before he can scream, the tendrils pierce his brain, ending his life.
With a chilling efficiency, the creature moves on, seeking its next victim in the darkness.
...
Rhaegar was fast asleep inside the cave.
Out of nowhere, a mournful scream pierced the night, jolting everyone awake.
Rhaegar blinked and looked around the cave. The siblings were already on their feet, grabbing weapons from nearby.
"Stay inside, it's dangerous out there," they warned as they quickly left.
Numbly, Rhaegar followed, believing is more dangerous to be left alone.
Outside, the savages were in a panic. Some were tending to the bonfire, while others were lighting torches, but the darkness persisted.
Rhaegar stayed close to Skylar, peeking out to assess the situation amid the chaos. Amidst the screams, useful information was scarce.
As the commotion settled, Falcon returned with the tribe warriors, carrying corpses.
Strong savages, bleeding from every orifice, lay among them. One had been fatally shot by an arrow.
In front of the tribe, Falcon incinerated the bodies.
Another savage retrieved the arrow, scowling.
"The other tribes have surrounded us and are watching our movements!" The Falcon's angry roar echoed in the night.