Misha the Beast Tamer.
Chapter 14

We met Aqila and Todd at the front of the inn where they had stayed. I was given the best room, as the innkeep knew I was coming. There would be a fire show at the open air theatre not too far outside of town. I would be attending by myself. This was the first part of the plan. Aqila stayed in the shadows, hidden in the crowds. We needed to act as strangers. Todd remained at the inn, and Erik was also hiding in the crowd.

Erik had decided that the Ogre would snatch me just before I entered the town as there was forest and thick vegetation. If he didnt snatch me there, he'd grab me in the night. But Erik was confident he'd choose the first option. Erik would then follow us, Aqila will go into town, light a candle outside the inn notifying Todd that the bait had been taken.

They'll then return to where I was snatched and track the Ogre to his hideout. All three will storm the Ogre's house, kill the Ogre and rescue me. I didn't feel comfortable relying on Erik so much, what if he losses sight of me? What happens then? I shuddered at the thought.

Nightfall arrived faster than I'd expected. I was getting dressed when Aqila knocked on my door. I let her in. She was dressed in dark clothing, her hair was tied back, she was armed with her trusty sword and I was sure she had a few concealed daggers hidden on her person too.

"You look beautiful tonight, Princess. I know you must be scared about tonight, but remember you have two of the best trackers and an experienced beast hunter to help you escape. You just need to trust us Princess."

After she said this she rested her hand on my shoulder. It provided me with little solace, but I appreciated her gesture. I placed my hand lightly on top of her hand and whispered

"Thank - you, Aqila."

My heart beated uncontrollably as I stepped onto the street. I was greeted by passing strangers, all smiled and bowed slightly, then continued on their way. If the Ogre was close, he'd know for sure that I was the Princess he wished to seek.

The fire show was beautiful, now I understood why my mother loved watching them so much. I was so mesmerised by the flames and the talent of those who handled them, that I almost forgot the real reason I was there.

After the show, I waited until everyone was leaving. I waited just near the entrance to the theatre until the last person left.

I slowly headed towards the town. My heart beat faster and faster as I approached the place that Erik suspected the Ogre to strike. Nothing happened, I reached the town safely. As I walked towards the Inn, a sudden scream a couple of streets up caught my attention. My instincts told me that something wasn't right. So I continued past the inn and took a sharp right turn, down a narrow, muddy road. There were rows and rows of houses crowding each side of the road it smelt of sewage and rotting food. It was not the wealthiest area of this town. The screaming stopped, but not before I saw a flash of a shadow ahead of me. I froze. Aqila came up beside me and in a harsh whisper she said,

"What are you doing, Princess? Why are you here in this particular area of the town, are you mad?"

"No, I heard a scream and followed it here. The Ogre is here, I saw his shadow."

"Where?" She asked.

I lifted my shaking finger and pointed towards the general direction of where I saw the shadow. Just as I did a figure appeared. It was definitely an Ogre. It headed straight down the road in the opposite direction to us and with a quick right turn disappeared behind some buildings.

Aqila and I ran to where the Ogre disappeared. We saw perfect footprints in the mud, at least we had a way of knowing which direction it was headed. The footprints led back to the road that went past the inn. The footprints went in the direction towards the theatre. The opposite direction to the inn. Aqila gave me the candle and directed me to light it in front of the inn to let Todd know that he was needed. Aqila continued to track it.

Todd met me downstairs and I filled him in on what had happened. He had his weapons and his leather supply bag ready. Todd found the Ogre footprints and just as Erik had suggested, they led into the forest from the exact spot Erik was sure I'd be taken. We followed them and soon we were deep in the forest that surrounded the town. It was getting harder and harder to track the footprints as the forest blocked the moonlight. Todd surprised me by pulling out an unlit torch from his supply bag. We stopped as he lit the torch with some flint and then continued on our way.

We arrived at what we believed to be the Ogre's hideout. It was an old crumbled cottage that the Ogre had changed to suit his height and girth. We hid in the shadows, as flickering candles lit the window. Todd and I crouched down, hidden by the shadows of the tree's.

"What are we going to do now, Todd?" I whispered.

"We wait until Aqila and Erik arrive. They shouldn't be far off."

"What if they don't get here? What if they've missed it somehow? I replied, concern and doubt etched my voice.

"Stop it Princess. They're good at what they do. Give them a chance, will you." He replied annoyed by my distrust and underestimation of them.

We hid for a little while, Todd had already put out his torch.I felt a breeze and Aqila appeared beside me. I jumped as she startled me.

"Erik is on the opposite side of the cottage. The Ogre has a human child with him. He said he'll signal us when he believes it's the best time to ambush him."

"How's he going to signal, Aqila?" I whispered.

"He'll hoot like an owl three times in a row. We storm the front door. You'll get the kid to safety and then we kill the Ogre where he stands. Then we burn the body and his cottage to the ground. Got that?" She replied.

I nodded, my nerves were shot. My breathing quickened in anticipation for the three hoots.

Before I could prepare myself, three single hoots echoed arounds us. It was time. We ran to the cottage, Todd and Aqila kicked the door and it opened. In a swift movement Aqila, Todd and Erik had the ogre against the wall.

"W-we can't hold him for long Princess. Find the kid and go." Erik yelled.

I ran past them, I couldn't hear any crying.

"You're safe, we're here to save you" I yelled over the ogre's grunting and the scuffle of feet and the groans of strain. The ogre was putting up a fight.

"Please, come to me. I'll take you back to your family." I yelled desperation etched my voice.

I opened up cupboards and chests, nothing. The desperation was extreme now. I didn't know how much longer they could restrain the Ogre.

I looked under the bed and there she was, terrified. Her brown eyes as wide as plates and her skin as pale as a ghost.

" Come now sweetheart. Let's get you home." I whispered reassuringly. She grabbed my hand.

"Hurry, Princess." Erik's voice strained.

"Ive got her." I yelled.

I picked her up and I bolted out of the broken door of the cottage. There was a blood curdling scream, it was a noise that I would never forget. I knelt on my knees and held her close as Todd, Erik and Aqila exited the cottage and rushed over to us.

"We'll stay here, until the cottage is alight." Aqila said as she also knelt down and joined us.

All I heard was a loud whooshing and crackling of fire, cracking of wood, the sound of glass breaking, and felt the intense heat radiate out from the cottage. The smell of burning flesh and hair filled my nostril's and burnt the back of my throat. I pulled the girl in close and stifled the urge to vomit up my dinner.

We watched as the flames danced against the backdrop of a dense, dark forest. It was mesmerising, I found myself wondering what other beasts, terrifying and not so terrifying wandered our world, hidden from our eyes.

"Let's get back to town, and get this girl back to her parent's." Erik said, his voice void of emotion.