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The Hunter and the Templar	By : BurneHazard Category: +A through F > Diablo III Views: 6473 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Diablo III (3) and all content therein is the property of Blizzard Entertainment. This story is for entertainment purposes only and I make no money from writing it.

Chapter List
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            "Papa, why's mama needa healer?" she asked.
            The tall figure beside her smiled warmly before reaching down to tousle her hair affectionately. Giggling, she batted at the large hand only to squeal when she was suddenly swept up into the air. Grabbing hold of the strong arms, she squirmed away from the anticipated tickles. None came but her short hair was again ruffled.
            "Papa!"
            He set her back on her feet and helped her smooth her hair back down, although she knew mama would get after her for all the tangles later. Taking the big hand in hers, she held onto three of the fingers--a feat proving she was growing up to be a big girl.
            "Your little sister's a bit too eager to say hello to you. She wants to come play before she is ready. And your mother needs some help so that your sister isn't hurt."
            She always loved the sound of her papa's voice. It was always so certain, so strong, so deep. No one in the world could ever be so strong as her papa! He might not have been clanking around in metal like the guards she saw on the streets but she bet he could easily take them down! Tall as the trees, stronger than a rock, faster than the wind--proven when he suddenly tickled her neck.
            Laughing, she batted at his hand until he left off. Unable to stop snickering under her breath, she just tried to keep up with his long legs as she held onto his hand. The streets were pretty full since it was a beautiful summer day with a nice cool breeze to chase the heat of the sun away. But it did get pretty hot in the city, especially further in. Luckily, the healer's place was closer to the outskirts.
            Her papa knocked on a door and it opened after a moment. She smiled up at the worried-looking woman to answer and managed to get a smile back. A few things were said that she could not understand but it made her papa's smile fade a little and he squeezed her hand. It meant he was worried about something.
            "Papa, is mama okay? Did my sister come?"
            Turning, he sank down to one knee before her and the smile was back.
            "Your mother's fine, just very tired. It's a lot of work to bring a baby into this world. Now, will you be a big girl for me?"
            A little worried at that, she still puffed up and stood as straight and tall as she could.
            "I'm already a big girl, papa!"
            "Yes, yes you are. And I want you to be on your best behavior. Your mama needs me, so why don't you go play where we saw the other children playing a few days ago?"
            "Out by the water?!" she yelped and immediately clapped her hands over her face when the woman shushed her.
            "Yes, by the water. But you don't go into the water, all right? Why don't you see if you can find something special to bring your mama and lil-sis?"
            "Like...flowers?"
            Her papa smiled and nodded. "Yes, or some of those stones your mama loves, the really smooth ones."
            "Maybe there'll be shells!"
            "Good girl. Now, remember the rules?"
            "No going in the water. Stay in sight of a guard at all times. Don't go out of sight of the wall. Don't touch the spiny plants. Don't talk to any adult not in official uniform. Don't take anything offered by strangers," she said slowly to make sure every single word was pronounced correctly.
            "That's my girl. If I'm not there when your stomach growls, you come straight back here, understand?"
            She nodded quickly. But her papa gave her a stern look from his brown eyes.
            "Can you find your way here, princess?"
            "Yes! I remember the way. And if I'm lost, ask a guard!"
            "Good girl. Your new sis will be here by the time you get back."
            He gave her a tight hug despite her squirming, playful protest it was too tight. Another ruffle of her hair and he lightly patted her rear to send her on her way. Waving to the lady, she gripped her favorite toy tighter and made a bee-line for the door. Once outside, on her own, she felt a little nervous. Not discouraged at all, she took a deep breath then stepped onto the street and started to walk.
            Her confidence grew as she found her way to the edge of the buildings and saw the first hints of sparkling water not that far away. Skipping ahead with a large grin, she headed toward the river. Other children were also about, playing games or sprawled in the shade of the trees. Some were fishing and some were watching those littler than they were. There were several mamas and papas there as well and they were friendly enough to wave back to her.
            For a while she did look for flowers. But flowers hardly seemed special to her, they died too quickly when picked. And the ones pressed between paper to dry were always stiff and smelly. So, she went closer to the water to peer into the sparkling, clear ripples and see if she could find any stones near the shore without going into it. After a while and a few finds, she grew bored with it.
            The laughter from further along the river had her glance up and look around. She was still in sight of most of those enjoying the day. And she could see a guard walking past on patrol near the walls. Satisfied she was following the rules, she started searching for shells. That got boring even faster. But as she walked along the shore, she did find something that was perfect!
            Since her family traveled a lot, her mother had taken to showing her how to find things to eat and identify bad plants. And the familiar spiky-shaped leaves of deep, deep green without the shiny surface of poison made her catch her breath. A few flowers of white with yellow hearts were glimpsed there too. But what she was looking for was the rich red gems partially hidden by those dark leaves. Strawberries!
            Mama loved strawberries! It would be perfect! She had even brought along her own personal basket that she could carry them in--even if it had been her papa that insisted she take it with her. Tucking her toy into the sash at her waist, she remembered to look for any marker indicating the patch was claimed or owned. Nothing. The grin grew as she dropped to hands and knees to start searching for berries.
            For every one that did get put into the basket, she ate two more. They were small but so plump. The juice was sweet with a hint of tartness that often came from early berries not fully ripe just yet, but ripe enough to eat. As she moved, she did not realize that she was out of sight of the guards and other people--the patch was untouched due to its hidden spot. Making her way further into it as she cleared herself a path, she kept munching.
            Eventually though, basket partially full, she sat down and just nibbled on her find as she watched the sunlight dance over the water. The sound of the river and the people nearby along with the warmth of the day and a full tummy made her sleepy. Content, happy, relaxed, feeling completely safe, she had no idea when she fell asleep.
            Something stabbed into her arm. It hurt! Jolted from her nap, she screamed and grabbed for her arm as whatever bit her yanked hard. It bit her hand where she touched it and made her cry. Shouts came from somewhere as she realized she had no clue where she was. What happened? Disoriented, confused, hurt, she burst into more tears as she saw blood on her arm.
            "Here now! What's this?" shouted a man.
            "We didn't know she was there! We didn't mean to!" a boy said.
            "Is she okay?" another asked.
            "Somebody's in trouble!" a third--or was it the first?--said.
            "Dad! DAD!" another kid shouted.
            "Shhh, here now, it's okay, shhh..." came a different adult voice.
            "I didn't mean to!" one of the boys cried.
            None of the voices were familiar but someone with gentle hands was there and lifting her up. It was not her papa! Just as she was ready to scream again, she was released. Her hands found metal over what she thought was a chest. Trying to scrub the tears out of her eyes, she found herself looking up at one of the city guards. He did not have his helmet on but he had the armor. She immediately tried to stop crying but her arm hurt!
            "Here, it's okay. Let me see..."
            He was tapping and tugging at her arm and she let him pull it up. There was blood there and something sticking out of her arm under the shoulder. Sniffling, she bit her lip and looked away.
            "Ah, looks like the hook's clean. No worms for you, little miss. But it's pretty deep. Here, chin up."
            The guard was nice but it still hurt and she was scared. More scared when she saw him pull a small knife from his belt.
            "Now, breathe miss. How old are you?"
            Still sniffling, she rubbed her nose against her other arm. "S-six."
            "My, six? That's not much younger than my boy there. Is your mother nearby? Father?"
            "No, p-papa's wi-ith mama...at th-the h-healers."
            "Oh, are they visiting?"
            "Mama's ha-aving my si-is."
            "Well then, you'll be a big sister soon! Do you know what that means?"
            "No?"
            He leaned in closer as if about to share a secret. Even with breath hitching, she tried to listen.
            "It means that you get to protect her, being the eldest. Maybe even show her how to beat up boys that pick on little girls."
            Eyes going wide, she stared at him, then past him to the three boys that were nearby. Another guard was standing near them and a fourth boy was hiding partially behind him. Suddenly, there was another sharp sting in her arm and she gasped, eyes tearing up again. She saw the sun flash off the knife blade.
            "There we go! No more hook," the guard speaking with her said as he held it up for her to see. "And no worm or fish-guts to worry about. Let's fix that up and see you back to your papa."
            Surprised, she suddenly forgot the pain as she narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at the guard that was even then starting to tie a bit of cloth around her arm.
            "You tricked me!"
            "Did I?" he asked gently.
            "Yes!" she said. "But...it didn't hurt as much..." she admitted.
            "Well, I am sorry for the trick but I was trying to make it fast. Am I in trouble?"
            She knew he was playing with her just as her papa did and she could only smile at that as she scrubbed the last tears away.
            "Maybe. But not really. Thanks."
            Nodding, the man shifted to stand. He reached down and lifted her to her feet, minding her arm. Feeling a little light-headed, she stumbled before straightening. She took the armored hand he held out to her and saw he had her basket in his other hand. Nodding, he turned to head back toward the city with her in tow. His partner stayed with the boys, although she noticed one looking after her with the guiltiest expression on his face.
            Guilty...green eyes. Guilty eyes...of green. The cat yawned and stretched before bounding away from the puddle of spilled milk. Huffing, she glared after it and went to right the fallen milk container. None was left but at least it had not gotten into the rest of their supplies. Making sure the dried fish had not been filched by the cat again, she hissed and swatted at the bedding to send the feline darting out of the room.
            Standing, she tossed her shoes atop her bed along with her dirty socks and took her little sister's stuffed toy with her on her way outside. The village was still lively despite the fact the sun had set not long before. Men had started a great bonfire while a few that knew how to play were working on their family-owned instruments. Aside from a guitar, everything else was made pretty much on a whim. Drums were buckets or a few deep-sounding pots. Flutes were made from reeds.
            It was a night for celebration. The harvest was finished, the stock was plentiful and fat, and everything was right in the world. Already the feast was halfway over with more food being placed whenever someone felt they needed to make some more. Dancers were starting to move as the players started a jig. And she saw her papa on the far side of the fire with mama, pulling her into a dance as well.
            Smiling at the sight, she ducked among the others as she sought her sister's favorite hiding place. Entering the stable area, she climbed up to the low loft among the dry hay and straw. The window-like door was open and sure enough, there was her sister, sitting with legs kicking over the edge watching with a big grin and bouncing slightly in place. Flopping down on the hay beside her, she offered the toy.
            With a squeal, the girl grabbed it to smoosh against her chest and face. Laughing, the bright blue eyes went back to the motion below. She settled to watch as well. Adults and children alike were dancing and laughing below. From the spot in the loft, it was almost lonely. But she would not change anything for the world. Her little sister loved her and always seemed to prefer watching from a distance.
            That was fine with these people. Up here they could not see her strange wide-spaced eyes or pixy-cute face. Up here they were not bothered and were happy to be left alone. Up here, she did not have to beat up some stupid brat for picking on her sister for looking and being different. And up here, it was far better to see what was going on. But...it never did let her see the warning signs or let her shout an alarm until too late.
            Not until the bonfire flared in a sudden gust of wind. Not until the flames rose in a towering column. Not until the music faltered. Not until the people paused to look. Not until the night came alive. And never until she saw the flames explode to consume those nearest as the first nightmare rose from the pit of the fire to grab the nearest villager and tear her in two. It was always the same.
            Blood flew, splattering in dark arcs as the villagers stared uncomprehending. Then it grabbed another and the screams erupted. People scattered only to crash into one another. Some of them barely got a few steps before dropping to the ground and tearing at their own thrashing bodies as they screamed. She watched them rip themselves open, twisting and breaking their own bones.
            Nightmares were everywhere, swarming amongst the screaming villagers--tearing their way out of some of the panicked people to turn their bodies and attack friends and loved ones. From the edges of the village, more demons came, crimson-fleshed with bone-chilling laughter. They brandished spiked clubs, shattered maces, or just their own fangs and claws, or even the still-living, broken and twisted bodies of lesser nightmares with spikes of bone and grasping claws.
            She sat frozen in the loft as she saw one demon that was a twisted vision of a man attack her mother. She saw him drive one clawed hand into her mother's stomach and tear her open to rip her innards out. Even as her mother screamed, her attacker tore her apart, shattering her ribs and breaking the ribcage open to get at her heart. Two lesser demon-things tore the dying woman's legs from her body.
            And her father...the strong, unwavering, fierce man that could never fall...brought a flaming knot of wood down on the head of her mother's murderer. Fear and shock strangled her and kept her from screaming when a skeletal monstrosity rose behind him. Even as the man-demon he was attacking warded off the next blow, multiple spikes broke from her father's chest as the demon behind him lifted him into the air.
            It held him there, hissing as her mother's killer produced a strange ivory weapon. He used his free hand to tear away her father's shirt and began slicing the flesh, carving strange symbols into the struggling man's body. Even as he screamed, her father looked up--and met her eyes. Squeaking in terror, she suddenly found she could move as one word left his bloody lips.
            "RUN!"
            Without thinking, she grabbed her little sister up and threw herself backward into the loft. Only then was she aware her sister was screaming non-stop at the top of her lungs. Clapping her free hand over the open mouth to muffle the scream, she stumbled toward the ladder. Falling from the loft into the straw below winded both of them and made her sister quiet. Driven by terror and the scream of her father in her ears, she clung to the thrashing body and struggled up to run.
            There was a small back door to the stable that led to a fenced area. The fence was low and the wooden beams widely spaced. She managed to get through and drag her thrashing, moaning sister with her. Picking the smaller form up, she ran from the growing flames, the screams and roars and shrieks behind as she went into the night. Nothing stopped her. Nothing noticed her. Nothing...but the trees she was crashing through.
            Branches whipped and tore at them. She felt them sting her face, her arms, knew they struck her sister too. But she did not stop. Not until she burst free of the trees onto uneven ground. Flight gripped her and she kept going. Tripping, stumbling, her knees bled and her legs and hands both became bloody with scrapes and cuts. Only when her body could not continue without air did she stop as she crashed into the ground and tumbled, trying to shield her sister.
            Lying there, gasping for breath, all she could hear was the screams in her head, her own straining breath and racing heart, her coughing attempts to get more air. Her head spun even though she knew she was sprawled on the ground. Eventually, her vision cleared and she could see the orange glow that had been the village in the distance. Flame and smoke rose into the night sky like a horrible beacon.
            Finally able to collect herself, she got sluggish, throbbing arms and legs to work and rolled over. Peering into the dark, she saw the shape of her sister where the girl had fallen. Only as she began to crawl toward her did she hear the wailing moans and bright giggles. Her sister had been special since the moment of her premature birth. Unable to hear, a simpleton that made noises instead of words, looked strangely inhuman with wide-set eyes and small chin, gums with short teeth rather than full.
            Reaching out for her, she gave the girl a gentle shake. Instead of turning or screaming, a moan came and she curled into a tighter ball. Still scared, knowing they were too close to the nightmare, she started to pull her sister up to move. Teeth sank into her arm so suddenly she cried out. Eyes wide, she looked down only to barely avoid the clawing hands reaching for her face.
            An inhuman scream came from her sister's mouth as she attacked, biting, snarling, clawing like a wild thing. Falling backward again, she warded off the blows. Something hot splattered her face and she watched aghast in the faint glow of the village fire as her sister tore her own skin off, hitting an eye that burst under her fingernail. And her sister was laughing as she attacked again and again.
            Scrambling away, she felt her hand close on something heavy that fit into her hand. As bone cracked, she realized that she had grabbed a branch and brought it down on the arm that was extended, raking fingernails along her leg. Her sister roared as her eyes burned in red light--and she heard a snap and a rush of air. The girl's body jerked and went tumbling away. The moans stopped as her sister went still. In shock, lost, terrified...she looked for the source of what had attacked them.
            There were figures moving in the dark, blending into it. Two of them. They approached her steadily and she knew even if she tried to run, they would catch her or take her down before she could take a step. Suddenly...it ceased to matter. Everything was gone. Everyone she loved...dead...or dying. She had even failed to protect her little sister who had never done anyone any harm.
            Hurting, terrified, confused, she got to her hands and knees and slowly made herself push up to get to her feet. Her entire body was a giant throbbing wound, scrapes and cuts stinging, bite and claw marks pulsing. But it paled in comparison to the ache in her chest and throat as she swallowed and lifted her head to look at them. Their eyes glowed gold in the night like wolves before her.
            And she glared at them, raising her head high. They stopped before her as she stood, gasping for breath, tears streaming down her face, fists clenched at her sides. One tilted its head--and offered her a very human, gloved hand...
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The Hunter and the Templar