There Once Was

"Easy Hunter, he's probably just a regular bandit," a shelf flew past his head, "who happens to be really strong." Peering over the table, he witnessed the cloaked robber rummaging amongst the refuse. "What's he searching for anyways?" Seeing him pick up a coin purse, Hunter feared that if he were to run off with it that they'd never be able to pay the pied piper, let alone the cheese tax.

Springing into action, Hunter swung his tourney sword down, making the would be thief drop the satchel. Thrusting, the mystery man parried Hunter's blunt blade with the palms of his hands.

"You gotta lotta nerve trying to steal from my family's shop!" Hunter kneeled down, grabbing a handful of black, grainy, material mixed in with the dirt. "You crook!" Tossing black pepper, the burglar began sneezing uncontrollably. "Time to reveal who you are!"

Before peeling back his hood, Hunter's knuckles struck the criminal's head. Having scuffled before, he thought the mugger's head was unnaturally tough. "He's as hard as nails!" Yanking back the hood in a twist, Hunter's face met something that appeared to be faceless. Horrified at the instant sight, Hunter froze as his scream caught in his throat, until two brown, beady, eyes opened up on either side. Just as he screamed, the freak sneezed in his face, making Hunter drop his sword, reeling back onto the floor. It vanished off into the night.

"I don't care that she ate hers already! You're going to share or there'll be no supper tomorrow!" She turned to face them, "Now don't start with me! At least your brother's been studying that book of his. He's been learning to read and write so we can forge some documents that'll come in handy."

Hearing a rustling through the bushes she hobbled, "Back from the market already? Any luck?" Seeing him empty handed, she sighed. "You're their big brother. They look up to you. Come now, tend to the smallest's wounds. Poor thing got cut something fierce, and got chased by a hunting party. 'Tis not safe for us here. Bring Pupil out for me to cast the levitation spell. We got lucky some giant lost its boot."

Thavien's Token: This story is crafted for L.C. Schäfer's "Fucked Up Fairytales - An Unofficial Challenge."