The main marketplace was bustling with large droves of people coming and going under the strong midday sun. They stirred up dust with their carts and the movement of their animals made the noise level almost unbearable. Most of the residents were human or of an elvish descent, but some of the merchants, and die-hard adventurers, had made the travel from distant lands to sell their goods. A few goblins could be spotted selling their trinkets in heavy carts, dwarves made their dealings with customers and their weaponry, even the satyr stood with their families selling their woodland alcohol and farmed vegetables. It was a much more comfortable setting with the mixture of races and species of all sizes coexisting in peace, especially with the promise of a late summer festival right around the corner.
The further away from the circled center you got, the smaller the crowds that gathered in the streets behind buildings. X’yros was on such a street, in fact he could be spotted with a troll merchant closer to a more secluded area that was burdened with only a few groups of people versus the tightly cramped streets of the big vendors. It was shaded here, and although people can be heard in the distance, the voices that took place had a hushed feel to them. It wasn’t as sketchy as some of the parts, just people selling goods that were not all too common. The tall male was hunched over exchanging a small collection to purchase a midnight-blue robe for his daughter. The troll was accustomed to doing business with X’yros, but seeing him out in public was a little different. After the exchange, the garment was neatly folded and placed in the back of the cart for a personal delivery to be sure the pricier purchase would arrive safely. After a bow, they departed on their separate ways.
X’yros had to duck from beneath the low-hanging canvas that almost hung down like a tent to be able to make it back to the street. He almost stepped onto a small child that came sprinting past. A few larger families made their ways up and down the street, yet all felt at peace. The shade was cool and refreshing on his darker skin, now he felt like he could certainly have used a nap. He released a sigh and continued down the street where he was seeing less and less people. His heavy feet clanked against the ground, and his crimson cape swept peacefully behind him which signaled his presence. X’yros paused and removed a sheet of hide from his belt that he had used to jot a few items he needed down, then he made a mental checklist.
Not even a moment later came the sound of high-pitched screaming, most likely the children that had ran past him. His friend let out a hellish groan. X’yros’s keen senses detected the sound of swords moving through flesh, and weapons beating down bodies. He remained frozen while he continued to listen, they must of have charged right where he had been.
Suddenly enraged and frightened of what might remain of his business partner, X’yros pivoted around like a whirlwind on his left leg. Sure enough, a group of armed people were striking down anyone they came into contact with, and on the ground was the crippled figure of the troll.
With a low, careful growl he tensed up and coiled his massive muscles while he gathered himself. As soon as his cape settled and rested upon his back, X’yros pushed off with an intense force. His ascend back up the street could easily be detected as the torrent beast made its way through through the streaming people. A woman fell victim beneath a foot of his mountainous body, and she was crushed beneath his weight. It was a quick death for her.
Madder than ever, X’yros charged like a bull, nothing could now help the group ahead of him. Only a few massive strides and he reached the armored people, of course his rage raining down upon them would certainly come as a surprise.
X’yros unhitched his spiked chain when he was only a stride away, and braked. His speed carried him a stride more. One, two… then one leg stayed put, while the other traveled with momentum to stop the rest of his body from sliding forwards. However along with his leg, swung out his arm releasing the long, dagger-like chain. When it came around it immediately collided into the stone wall closest to him which sent a spray of debris and sparks, but then straightened out to equal the force of a full-swung sword. It tore into the tarps and smashed the material that held it and past the stand to reach a few of the armed members who had just attacked the vendors, hopefully they would of have spotted him heartbeats earlier and had already been on their way to duck beneath the razor-edge weapon that breathed of death.
X’yros prioritised making their life and whatever task they had, absolutely miserable. To him this was now personal. Mercy was not on his list for the day.
