A Stroke Of Originality

Zander approached the Slave trader with his daughter Irene strapped upon his back. He watched as the Slaver dragged a woman from within a tent. The Slaver started to kick her while she was down, but Zander quickly stepped in and stopped it.

“I’ll buy this one from you,” Zander said, holding the Slaver’s foot.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here? Why would you buy this one?” The Slaver snatched his foot from Zanders grip.

“Would you like to make a deal or not?” Zander asked.

“Well, she’s one of my best working girls as well, so I’m going to need at least four silver coins.” The Slaver held a jesting smile.

Zander threw the four silvers at the Slaver and picked the young woman up from the ground.  

“What? Hey, I want more!” The Slaver said as he watched Zander walk away.

Zander didn’t pay him any mind, he kept walking back towards his home, but he noticed the Slaver had ill intent towards him and kept that at the back of his mind.

“Hey! I’m talking to you!” The Slaver shouted, but Zander kept walking.

After Zander got far enough from the Slaver, he sat the lady down.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

She stared at him, afraid to speak.

“Speak,” he demanded, “What is your name?” 

“I’m sorry, milord, my name is Dannika.” She bowed.

“Can you walk?” Zander asked.

“Yes, milord,” She replied.

“Please, call me Zander.”

“As thy wish, Zander.”

“I only have one job for you, other than that. You can do whatever you please.”

“What would you have me do?” She asked, still bowing.

“Your only job is to keep this one alive,” Zander pointed to the child sleeping in a cloth on his back.

She stood with a confused face, “Is that all you would request of me?”

“Yes, now please, follow along so I may show you our living quarters.”

After about an hour, they arrived at Zanders hut, and the moment they walked in, the baby started crying. Dannika grabbed the baby from Zander’s back without asking for his permission. He gave a look of relief when the baby claimed down in Dannika’s arms.

“I’ll feed her and bathe her if that is alright with you.” 

“Please, do what you must,” Zander suggested.

Dannika walked around the hut, moving things around, while Zander found himself exhausted, slowly falling asleep on a nearby chair. An hour later, heavy screams came from outside Zander’s hut, abruptly waking him. He moved swiftly from the chair and out the door. He saw the Slaver, and some mercenaries attacking Dannika, who was protecting his daughter. The sight of what was happening angered him.

“What is the meaning of this!?” Zander demanded.

Everyone but the Slaver shot glances in Zander’s direction.

“Well, you see. Our boss here wants his property back. He feels as though you might have taken advantage of him by not offering enough coin for the lady.” A mercenary responded.

“If you lay just one more finger on either of them, I will eliminate all of you.” Zander sneered.

“You mean like this…” The mercenary head was removed from his neck before he could finish his sentence.

Everyone looked around, not knowing what just happened. Nobody saw Zander move from his spot.

“Take it easy now. We can just leave.” The Slaver said, stepping away from Dannika.

“It’s too late. You’ve shown me if I let you live, that you will keep coming back.” Zander replied.

“Oh, you think you’re all high and mighty because you killed one lowly Merc!” The Slaver changed his tune as he waved his hand for a larger mercenary to come forward. “Kill them all!” He ordered.

“Please, close her eyes, Dannika,” Zander asked.

Without hesitation, she held her hand over his daughter’s eyes. Immediately after, Zander’s eyes started glowing bright red, and a black cloud of mist surrounded him. Fear showed on the mercenary’s faces when they realized who Zander was.

“No…., it can’t be, you should be dead…” The Slaver said as he watched Zander plow through his comrades.

Slowly Zander walked up to the Slaver after making quick work of his mercenaries, “Only one of us should be dead, care to guess which one of us that is?”

“Please… Have mercy on me, your majesty…” The Slaver begged.

Without a response, Zander’s blade pierced through the Slaver’s heart. His eyes reverted back to normal as he watched the lifeless body fall.

“You’re… The Daemon King?” Dannika asked.

“Yes, and if you are afraid, you are free to go. I will not come looking for you, nor will I kill you.” Zander replied.

“No, I want to stay…”