Doomsday Saga by beefbag

Part one of many

Delna looked in the mirror on the opposite end of the tavern bar. She found it odd that a tavern such as this, with wealth enough to afford a mirror, would serve food and drink so cheaply.

She looked in the mirror. All she could see was her hooded face, and masked mouth. She realized how good she'd gotten at disguising her features. She looked around the tavern. There didn't look to be anyone who would recognize her. Still her enemies were many. She looked again.

She decided to risk it, as it had been so long since she had seen a mirror. She removed the hood and mask to reveal a woman of about twenty, though she could not be sure. She had what most would consider to be a pretty-albeit dirty-face. She also saw her dirty blonde hair, and realized how long it had been since she had cut it.

There had been a time- she thought to herself- when there had been mirrors all around, and she had not appreciated them nearly enough. She took the opportunity to look herself over briefly before deciding that she'd best return to wearing the mask over and hood, lest she be recognized. Suddenly she heard shouts from outside.

"In there! Quickly!" Delna spun around and drew her sword. She began cursing herself for unveiling; realizing that an informant could easily have seen her-snuck out, and told the hunters of her location. Her real talent was in hiding, blending in and not being seen. Despite some minor skill, swordplay was never one of her strong suits-particularly in a closed space where she could easily be ganged up on by surrounding tavern patrons.

A big man covered in furs entered. He had a big nose and clearly balding gray hair. He also carried a large battle-ax, and Delna knew at once that she would not stand a chance against him-let alone against him and a gang of others.

Delna assumed a battle stance, as her instructors had once taught her. If this were the end then she intended to give a good show of it. The Man, however, just gave her a funny look and moved on. He approached a stranger seated a few tables down. Reluctantly, Delna put away her sword.

The stranger wore a cloak, but no hood. He could not have been more then thirty. He had worn grizzled face, a short beard, and brown hair that-though far shorter then Delna's-was easily longer then the average male's. He worn fine elk skin boots, and had a long sword at his side. Sitting in front of him was a package wrapped in many layers of cloth, and packed so tightly that Delna could not distinguish what was inside.

The stranger made as if to rise, but not before the big man put a dagger to his neck. The stranger sat motionless.

"So Pedator…That it?"

Pedator did not change his expression. "Why don't you ask the other members of your outfit? The ones that tried to take it last night?"

Five other men entered and walked towards Pedator. Pedator remained as calm as ever. "So, now that we've firmly established that this is 'it' how 'bout getting rid of that nasty Dagger of yours? It's irritating me."

The big man scowled. "You know…this would be much easier if you were dead. I'm not interested having you follow us."

One of the men made as if to touch the package. Pedator's glare caused him to hesitate. The big man seemed to have made up his mind "So this is good-by Pedator."

Pedater did not even blink.

At that moment, Delna made a split second decision-one that would change her life. She grabbed a nearby mug, and flung it at the big man, who spin around and caught it. That had not been what Delna had expected. Pedator, however, seemed to have been waiting for just such a distraction. He dove below the table and retrieved the big man's dagger. One of the men moved to grab him, but almost instantly found the blade of the dagger protruding from his chest. He fell instantly to the ground.

The big man saw what had happened through the corner of his eye, and assuming that Delna must be in league with Pedator, rushed her with his Ax. His other men attacked Pedator.

Delna drew her sword just in time to block the first blow. She barely had time to realize how much stronger this man was, before he swung again. This one bowled her over. She spun once, dodging another attack, and leapt up. She instantly realized that she no longer had her sword. The big man took a swing, grazing her shoulder. Now she was desperate- and certain that being run through by the big ax probably hurt a lot more then the minor flesh wound she had just obtained. The big man suddenly resembled a cat that had just caught a mouse it could easily kill, but had decided to play with first.

Backing up, Delna bumped into another patron, this one sleeping, from having had too much ale. Thinking quickly Delna drew his sword, and surprised her opponent, who was thrown off for only the slightest split second. Less then a second later Pedator felled him from behind.

And the threat once posed by Pedator's harassers was no more.

By this point a major bar room brawl had broken out, and most of the tavern's patrons were now attempting to destroy one another. Pedator turned and picked up his package. Before exiting the bar, Pedator stopped and indicated for Delna to follow him. She picked up her sword and followed, wondering what she'd just done, and what would come of it.