The Beast

"Get your shit and get out. I'm not dealing with this bullshit," I growled, stomping out of the room. "Last time I save some dumb bitch from being eaten by goblins..." The last part I whispered softly to myself. So It was a surprise when she jumped up.

"Wait!"

"No! Fuck you, I took you from those goblins. Brought you inside, looked after you. That water I threw at you, is part of the meal I left you," I gestured to the uneaten meat and cheese. "Then after I'm polite enough to knock before entering, you try and kill me? Uh uh... Get the fuck out."

I stared at her for a few moments, watching as several emotions flashed across her face.

"I'm sorry..." She said softly, finally looking at me.

Gods dammit... Now the human genes kick in... Gods damned puppy eyes. Before I could respond, I heard a loud banging from my front door. I took one more look at the woman, before holding a finger to my lips and left the room. Hopefully she's smart enough to know to shut her damn mouth. I stared down at the tattered remains of my pants, and shrugged. It couldn't be helped... Pulling open my door, it was a little surprising to find myself face to face with King Urk and a group of soldiers.

"Where is she?" Urk asked calmly.

"Uh... " I had to think quickly, Urk was a genius among his peers, but he's still a dumbass.

Urk frowned, as I scratched absentmindedly at my stomach. "You ate her?"

Thank the gods, "Uh... Yeah... Sorry..."

"If you were going to eat her, why didn't you just bring her down to the halls?" Urk growled.

"She just woke up. Didn't take kindly to my being there and all. One thing led to another, I didn't even think until it was over..."

"We heard her scream all the way in the tomb, she was a magic user?"

"Was..." I chuckled.

Urk narrowed his eyes. "Hopefully this is the last we hear of them then. You however... Strike my son again, and I'll be testing out that rugged troll blood of yours before I string you up like a hunting feast."

Before I could respond, Urk turned and stormed back towards the tomb. The large group of goblin soldiers that acted as his royal guard followed. Burk was the last to leave, a snarl plastered across his face before he turned away.

... Chapter Two...

I waited until they were deep enough into the tomb that I couldn't hear them, before closing the door. Turning around, I jumped in fright, the young woman was standing before me.

"Fucking... Gods... Don't do that!"

"Sorry," she smirked... She fucking smirked... "I thank you for sending them away... I haven't been the most... Humble... Guest."

"That's for damn sure," I grumbled, stepping around her. If she was up and awake, I was heading for my favourite book.

I'd barely sat down on the couch, when I felt it shift beside me. Lowering the book slightly, she was sitting beside me, chewing on a piece of dried meat.

"What are you going to do with me?"

"Do with you?" I asked, slightly bemused. "I'd planned on making sure you didn't die, before sending you home. Hopefully without the threat of an army showing up to take revenge." I put down my book, "now however, I'm probably going to have to sneak you out in a few nights to get you past the hunting parties."

The young woman flinched. "I'm sorry..."

"What for now?"

"Well... I actually kinda feel bad about attacking you. And... It might be better to get me out sooner rather than later..."

I didn't like the sound of this... "Just tell me..."

"My handmaiden escaped the attack with a guard," she said softly. "If they travel without stopping, they'll reach the fort in a few hours. Then, yes, there will probably be an army..."

"Gods damned, stupid, fucking, goblins..." I moaned. "Ok... We better get better acquainted with one another, what's your name?"

"Eila, and what do you mean better acquainted?" She asked nervously.

"Well, Eila, I'll be carrying you, since you won't be able to keep up. As for my name, I never asked."

Before she could respond, I plucked her off the couch and threw her over my shoulder. Ignoring her squeals of distress I quickly ran for the door and disappeared into the darkness. The easy part was getting out of the cove. Just a quick check to make sure nobody was in the nearby area. The hard part was making sure you didn't run into a hunting party. I suppose it was a good thing moving tonight, as most of the hunting parties were in the tomb having their little celebration.

Something in my blood, however, provided a few instincts. Everywhere I could, I made sure to step on rocks, or swings off branches. I was leaving as few traces I'd been past as I could. It wasn't long until we were deep into the woods and I was forced to slow slightly.

"How far are you going to manhandle me?" Eila called, catching my attention.

"Settle down princess... We're approaching a road."

"How did... Don't call me that!" Eila snarled, kicking her legs.

I couldn't help but come to a stop. Pulling her from my shoulder, I placed her on her feet before me. "Princess?"

"I said don't call me that!" She snarled again.

"Fuck... Of all the... What the hell is a princess doing out in goblin country?"

Eila gave me a strange look, "I was blessing the forests around our new home... Didn't know there were goblins..."

Blessing the forest... Dear Gods, she's an elf... An Elf Princess... Yep... Ears are pointy... Fucking stupid goblins...

"Ok... Ok... My forestry skills are probably from one of your kind, so do you want to run, or be carried?" Don't ask about the 'your kind' comment...

"I can run, thank you." Eila said sharply.

I just rolled my eyes and started running again. It took me a few moments to realise she was still following me. Her skills in the forest had her moving silently like a wraith. I couldn't help but shiver at the thought of wraith essence being injected into me... No idea what something like that would do to me... It was another hour until we finally broke free of the forest. On open ground, I was still faster than Eila was, simple fact my legs were longer on my eight foot frame, than her legs on her... five and a half? foot frame. So I kept pace until we found the road.

"Take five, catch your breath, which way to your fort?"

Eila looked around for a moment, "which way is north?" I gestured back the way we came, "Then we should head east."

Setting off again, I couldn't help but feel dread. All I wanted was to be left alone. From what I've read in my books, I'm either going to be hailed a hero for her rescue... Or more likely hunted as the culprit for being part of the goblin horde that captured her... I'm probably just going to dump her at the gate and leave... Easiest option...

It was a little surprising however when I picked up the sounds of hooves as the first light broke the skies. "You hear that?"

"Probably my father's cavalry," Eila chirped.

I took that moment to slow down. I wasn't keen on having to outrun a group of damn horses. But I couldn't just abandon her. Chances are it was her father's cavalry, but it could always be bandits. Eila carried on a little ways ahead, before realising I wasn't beside her any more. She looked like she was about to call something out to me, when around the nearest bend, a cavalry crew came. Eila spun around, making a cute series of jumps while waving her arms. That's everything I needed to know. Spinning around, I started jogging towards the trees. That's when I heard the horn... Why are people so stupid... A quick check over my shoulder let me know they were charging towards me.

And there was Eila, waving desperately, trying to get their attention. A couple broke off towards her, but it was obvious that they had judged me the same as she did. Growling, I put on a burst of speed, tearing towards the trees as fast as possible. A horse or two I could handle, but this was an entire battalion. The trees were still a few hundred meters away when the first spell hit. A typical fireball, and it just washed over me like a warm breeze. Everything hit me now, stone, water, ice, even a group of vines ripped free from the ground to tangle my legs. Once they came in contact with me, they lost their magical support and failed. The spells breaking up and elements washing over me, even the vines just went limp. It's funny, all it would have taken was to pull a stone from the ground and throw it with telekinesis and it would have brought me down. Physical objects after all aren't magical in nature. But all this summoned stuff... Just falls apart.

I grinning ear to ear as I passed within meters of the forest edge. That's when an arrow shaft hit me in the back. I couldn't help the snarl that came out, but I managed to force back the red tinges in my vision. It wasn't long until I was lost amongst the trees again. It wasn't often I got out on my own. But I tried to enjoy every opportunity. But first... Arrow in my back... It was in an easy enough spot to reach, just above my shoulder blade. I was even lucky enough to pull it free with the arrowhead still intact. Troll skin is pretty tough, so it didn't go very deep. Make a nice memento.

I kept up the speed for the next few hours, just to make sure nobody was following me. But soon I came into familiar lands. It truly is a beautiful place to be ravaged by Gods damned goblins... But... Since I'm here, may as well do some foraging. I detoured slightly, looking in my usual spots for mushrooms and other edibles that I couldn't grow myself. I even managed to find a spot of wildflowers that would look lovely in my library... Don't judge... I'm allowed nice things.

By the time I'd made it back to the cove, it was still deserted, and I could hear the shouts and jeers from inside the tomb. Glad to see the party still in full swing, means I wasn't missed. Swinging back inside, I dropped the arrow in my workshop. Figured I'd make a nice box for it later. Mount it on my 'mistakes' wall. There were a few things there. Bear claws from the first time I confronted one and it nearly ripped my arm off. The club of a bandit who's group thought my cave was a good place to hide their loot. Even the antlers of an overzealous deer that got in a cheap nut shot while trying to chase him out of the cove.

Taking my time, I pulled off what remained of my clothing. The spells from the elves left what's left of my pants in tatters. Too far damaged to be of any use, they went in the fireplace as kindling for this evening. Heading back to my workshop, I made the finishing touches to my breast plate. It was a hodgepodge of metal plates. Whenever I inspected the goblins loot, I occasionally got my hands on metal plate. These, I welded together into a large whole and hammered it into the shape I wanted. I'd been at this for fifteen years now. So far I had a suit that covered everything except my head... Well... Once I finished up with the straps for my breast plate. I was also fairly confident that the thickness of the metal would make up for it's shoddy design.

Once I'd knocked the last strap into place, I figured a wash, and then to try it on. Heading outside, I didn't even realise how late it was. The moon was already high in the sky. Shaking my head, I quickly scrubbed myself down and went back inside. Another cold meal later, and I decided to get some sleep.

... Chapter Three...

The cawing of crows woke me. Fucking crows, they'll be in my crops! Scrambling to my feet, I tore out of my room and out my door. What greeted me was a sight of carnage. Goblins laying dead a pile, with two elves stacking on more bodies. Before my eyes, another pair heading towards the entrance to the tomb, vanished with a spell. There were several more searching bodies. This was an extermination...

Just then, my door swung closed with a thud. I grimaced for the briefest moment as I noticed several sets of eyes look in my direction. Spinning on my heel, I tore back into my home. Slamming the door shut, I dropped the bar in place. Hopefully it will keep them out long enough for me to get my armour on...

A loud explosion told me otherwise. Now remember when I said that magic doesn't affect me, but objects will? Well the explosion washed over me like a lovers caress. The splinters of wood and nails however, shredded my skin like paper, causing me to howl in pain. Before I could regain my footing, I felt a sharp stab of a spear pushed into my side. Now I saw red... Spinning in place, the spear shattered against the wall. The elf before me jumped back, drawing a shiny sword made of glass like material. I charged... The elf managed to cut into my chest before I slammed him into the wall on my way past. The elf behind him launched a bolt of lightning into me... He met a similar fate. There were three more between me and my limited freedom. I hit them like an avalanche. Pure brutality, smashing it's way without thought or reason. It was outside that things went all wrong...

Momentarily blinded by the sun, I didn't notice the pair of elves hiding outside my door. They darted forwards slicing both my achilles tendons. How I wanted to rage and eat them, but as I made a move, I simply collapsed. Snarling like a beast, I clawed my way towards them, as a pair of daggers were sunk into the joints of my shoulders. Before I could start wriggling again, I felt a sword pass through my spine, pinning me to the ground... All these wounds could be healed... I'm practically indestructible... But the blades would have to be pulled free first...

Twisting my head around, I found myself staring at a young elfin man. He was sneering at me like I was filth... Spose he wasn't far wrong. I couldn't help but death stare at him as he raised his sword. Like the pictures in one of my books... I knew what was about to happen... Fuckers couldn't take me one on one, had to sneak around behind me to put me down... Well fuck you... And I spat on his boots. The immediate reaction was for him to kick me, the pointed metal tip of his boot, splitting my eyebrow. As my vision blurred red, I heard a voice.

"Stop!"

"Princess, I'm following orders, this monster needs to be put down like the rest," the young man called back.

Fucking elf...

"He's the one who rescued me, Darjl. I want him spared."

Great... More fucking experiments probably...

"I cannot do that-"

"You're going to defy a royal order?"

"I... Princess..." The elf was stumbling over his words.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"And what are you laughing at you filthy animal!"

My ears rang as his foot connected with the side of my head again. I wondered briefly if I could goad him into killing me. But the sound of a sharp slap caught my attention.

"You're going to pay for that," the young elf growled.

"My father hasn't promised you anything Darjl," Eila snarled back. "I'd drink poison before I ever let you touch me, even if you somehow manage to convince my father to give you my hand."

"You'll come round sooner or later, Princess," the tone, immediately making me realise why she hated the word.

"I'm sure, after you're done fucking my corpse. Now, I am ordering you to spare this creature, as a personal favour to me."

"Fuck the both of you, just kill me already." I snarled.

"See... Even the monster knows what's best!"

"Darjl..." Eila hissed.

"Fine... Fine... But you have to explain to the King why I wasn't able to finish my job," Darjl spat, before walking off.

I laid for several moments, unsure if Eila was still nearby, before soft hands touched my cheek. "I'm sorry, they shot you with a tracking arrow. I tried to stop them... But this is the best I could do."

"Eila... As a future monarch, you need to understand the big picture. Here, I'd have been executed, quick and easy. Now I'm going to be tortured and experimented on for years before someone goes too far and kills me..." I waited for her to take a sharp intake of breath. "Thanks for that, now fuck off..."

"I'm sorry," Eila whispered and left.

I was left laying on the ground with a sword in my spine for hours. Completely unable to move, I found myself hating these elves. It was humiliating enough that I'd been left impaled in the dirt. But as they quickly emptied the tomb of goblins, they decided to search my home. Before I could twist around, sets of hands roughly yanked me free from the ground. They didn't remove any of the blades, but they dragged me out of the cove. Here, I was dragged into the back of a large cage, mounted on a horse drawn cart. They set me up, so I was sitting, staring back at my home, as flames licked their way out the front door... All my books... Minutes later I found myself bound still, with the blades still firmly in place, I was barely conscious of the fact we were moving.

It was a long day of travel, being spat on and cursed by passing elfin soldiers. But my misery wasn't complete until I passed beyond a set of stone walls. And that was it... My freedom was forever forfeit. I gave up at that point, dropping my head I let sleep take me. The next thing I knew, cold water was thrown over me, snapping me awake. I glared forwards as Darjl put down the bucket. The sneer on his face made me want to eat him. I watched as he unlocked the cage and climbed in with me... I'd have loved to grab him and feel his body squish between my fingers, but I was still unable to move.

"Just wanted to give you a bath before we bring you inside," Darjl sneered, squatting down in front of me. "I figured a filthy beast like yourself would appreciate it."

I glared at him silently, while his power trip went on. He sighed softly, and closed his eyes. Just as he went on to say his next words, I flicked my head forwards as hard as I could, crushing his nose into his face with a solid 'pop'. Darjl squealed a moment, falling back, clutching his face. I fell back into position, begging silently for him to kill me. The surrounding elves chuckled amongst themselves as Darjl scrambled out of my cage and out of sight.

The next few to enter however, were not amused. After stabbing me a few more times, they finally dragged me out of the cage. It wasn't far, but down a flight of stairs into some kind of dungeon. Inside was a multitude of other beasts, including what I thought were trolls. I was led to a quiet corner, away from the other creatures and dumped into a cell with thick bars. It was only here that all the blades were roughly pulled free of my body, to allow me to heal. I fell into a fitful sleep...

Loud clanging woke me. I cracked open my eyes, and before me was a middle aged elf banging on the bars.

"Rise and shine, troll boy!"

"That's original," I grumbled my reply, as I climbed to my feet.

"Oi! Don't get smart with me!" The jailer growled.

I found myself momentarily blasted with a haze of ice magic. Momentarily because I darted forwards and grabbed his arm. Yanking him hard, I heard all of his ribs crack as he was forced through the confines of the bars. Grabbing his head, I pulled his torso around and threaded him back through the next set. A quick check of his pockets let me know he wasn't carrying keys. I decided to leave his corpse in place for the foreseeable future. It was probably an hour before a pair of guards came down looking for the dead elf. When they approached my cell, I threw my weight against it. If I was going to be treated a monster, they would get a monster.

Every time they approached to pull free the dead jailer, I rushed forwards to try and snag another one. They even tried to use magic, which did nothing except momentarily distract me. It also cost one of them an injury as I managed to snag a few of their fingers and crush them. That was apparently the last straw and the pair retreated. Soon, there was a new group. This time almost twenty of them. They tried at first to use spears to force me back, but I disarmed one of them and impaled another as I hurled it through the bars with all my strength. Their only option at this point was to pepper me with arrows until I collapsed.