Journey of Past Secrets

Later, about an hour from leaving the tree dwellers, when they were in a walking the animals stage, from behind the trees jumped two thieves. Their suddenness made the horses rear up, both women were able to hold their seats and control the animals although Goliath pranced nervously as the two men approached brandishing swords. They were very raggedly dressed; both had medium builds and looked as if they hadn’t bathed in months. They had an easily recognized look in their eyes that said they didn’t consider two women and one Halfling a threat even with the hound growling menacingly. They obviously thought that they would be scared enough to do as they were told. As they approached the first one spoke. “Awfully brave of you to travel without protection, mayhap someone should have taught you three better.” “Yeah,” the other laughed moving closer to Valkrye, both keeping away from where the hound was still growling. “Mayhap we should show these girls what happens to people with no protection, especially women without protection.” Valkrye watched both move in noting the one closer to her was approaching from her left so she could grab her sword mounted on the right of the saddle without it being seen. She caught Burnhilt’s eye and blinked slowly. He gave a barely perceptible nod to show that he understood. When the thief reached up, intending to touch Valkrye’s leg she pulled out her sword and in one fluid movement sliced his hand off just below the elbow. As the man went to his knees screaming in pain his companion looked toward him and then Burnhilt leapt off the hound and told him to attack, which the hound had been waiting to do since the two men showed up. He jumped on the second man and with one quick bite to the neck the man was dead. Valkrye jumped off her horse and walked to the first man who had started to crawl away. She hit him with just enough strength to cause him to lose his balance. As he rolled to his back clasping his arm to his chest, giving Valkrye a look of hate. She stood over him and held her sword over his heart. “And mayhap this will teach you that protection comes in many forms. Now since you would most surely die from blood loss, I’ll let you think on my words on your way to the other side.” Without even blinking she thrust her sword through his chest and he died instantly, she looked away even before her sword was pulled out of his body. Walking over to the other man to be sure he was dead she absently petted the hounds head as he was sniffing the air around the dead man. “You are well Burnhilt?” “Aye lass, me thinks ye have lost none of yer spirit for fighting.” She smiled just a bit. “Aye my friend,” looking up at Ursula. “You are well also mother?” The horse didn’t hurt you?” Ursula took a deep breath and let out a sigh. “No daughter, I think mayhap watching you will harm me one day though.” Valkrye chuckled. “Just like a mother. Now let’s go in case these scum had any friends in the area we’ve wasted enough time already.” She quickly looked in the dead man’s pockets and found a couple of pouches with coins and gems, plus one large key. Tossing one of the sacks to Burnhilt she said. “Well we might need a key for someplace sometime.” Laughingly she put it in with her things and mounted up and took off at the same hard pace. Ursula sighed as she spurred her horse forward; she didn’t think she’d ever get used to her child being so fierce. In a way she was glad that she didn’t have a son, thinking he would probably be worse. Burnhilt just chuckled to himself knowing Ursula’s thoughts as he kept hoping Thor was still holding on.