Chapter Text
Every morning used to be like this. As soon as you woke up, prayed to whatever gods you have ever heard of, got dressed up in a really chunky woolen garment. Square cape was hugging your body nice and warm, yet makes it impossible to recognize who is hiding under all this fabric. Cap was holding hair, boots made from thick leather combined with cashmere socks guaranteed an almost pleasant experience of not having those stupid toes frozen. Cow’s skin throwed on shoulders was nothing more than a symbol of status, the bigger the better. The Shepherd's stick decorated with a little bell completes the image of a child dressed up for the Forefathers’ Eve.
Every morning you were standing in the middle of the mountain, grazing sheep, as your only company. At least, you hoped for it every single day. For the luxury of being truly alone, somewhat safe in this damned place. This area wasn’t especially kind for a lonely, weak woman and her pack of little lambs. Every day without another human being passing through this cursed mountain was a great day. Villagers often babbled about the privilege of being a herd. It’s supposed to be something that gives you power, authority and respect like it was your fucking birthright, after all, the animals are completely obedient to you. Although, you deeply believed that submissiveness is a choice. As people submitted to their Ruler, living in a constant threat of having their property disowned for inappropriate tribute (mostly livestock that were in a state of famine and death), as lambs were shaking at the thought of being left for wolves like a pretty enticing snack. Thank gods, you were not in a position of sacrificial lamb. Or were you?
– Be careful. Do you have an idea how many men would want to take advantage of such a young girl like you?
Your Mother’s voice reminded you why there’s a need to dress up in oversized garments in the first place, hair tucked beneath a woolen cap. Anxiety again hitted your mind, it’s morning, but energy is already sapped. Not like you were sleeping well.
– I know, there is no need to worry. You don’t need to tell me this every morning.
The sentence was met with a cold stare of an older woman. The mother believed that elders' words should never be disrespected like that. Listen, be obedient, do not talk too much nor have an opinion. Pie in the sky. You were completely safe, weren't you? But is it true, like really true? There’s always a need to worry, to overthink, to analyze, to make sure that you’re secure. Is it an anxious mind, betraying one’s body? Or is it a shaking body, betraying this damned mind? Grazing animals has been your duty since you were a little child. Leaving that fucking mountain would cure all your problems. Does mother need to scare you so much?
– Do not talk to hunters.
– I won’t.
It was your usual goodbye. Although the village community was in fact afraid of hunters, they were not truly a threat. Sometimes. Or, forget that, they actually were. People called them “hunters” because it was pretty much an euphemism for the word “mercenary”. Some bunch of brutal, blood-thirsty men that weren’t able to serve in royal guards anymore. Mostly it was a consequence of severe injuries stopping them from killing more than sixty sons, fathers and brothers per battle. Usually, the wounded soldier has two choices: death or to retire. Although, those assholes love the warmth of whores body way too much to kill themselves. They didn’t have a crystal-clear reputation (if only a military unit could have an acceptable one), but the community was glad that the Crown sended them there, on a trade route, to protect locals and travelers. The royal court is paying them a great amount of money for protecting villagers from hawks and invaders. Your village was in the perfect middle of a shortcut to the trade route between the Capital and trading city of the bordering kingdom. Many people were traveling this way; common citizens, bandits, wealthy merchants, even the royal family sometimes. Being a hunter is an expression of honor and gratitude for serving in the Royal army for all those years. The chance of being able to fight in the name of the Crown is a huge respect at the end of a day. So, hunters are not feared that much like common criminals. Although, you never know what a horrific idea can come to a man’s mind. Especially when they see a young, helpless woman. That’s why women are mostly not allowed to travel alone. Elders say it’s just like an invitation, even being undercover.
Fog was harsh, cruel almost. Your skin was covered in a thin layer of wet steam, garments heavy as fuck and you didn’t even started leading sheep up the moutain. Equipped only in shepherd’s stick, began to climb up the mountains with one’s pack of lambs. You weren’t sure why they were actually listening to you. Maybe they were in a constant state of delusion that they were safe with such a brave herd nearby.
Luckily, with each passing hour, the sky became cleaner and cleaner. As the birds started singing their song, the wind composed its peaceful melody. Little lamb was chewing on your sleeve, the older ones seemingly enjoyed the taste of long grass and wildflowers. Could it get any better? Even the clouds looked a little too much like cute, adorable rabbits. Years of associating with nature taught you to observe. An evening fog being way too thick? Another day will be just like a gift from gods, sunny and pleasant. Sparrows tend to run away when there’s a storm nearby. And a western wind announces a sunless day and mostly rain.
And right now, in the moment of true bliss, something changed. Birds’ choir has stopped. The air was different, more though, heavy, scented almost primal. Lambs, even your careless little lambs, were in a state of dread and panic. It wasn’t even a split of a second when just right next to your head, big and sharp claws appeared. Ten centimeters nearer and you would be wearing the prettiest mourning gown, if the bear didn’t consume you earlier, indeed. Speaking of dying, if you actually died, you would rather be found by a bear, not a man. If only you had a little bit of luck, your bones would be chewed on before any man would find the body and lay those filthy hands on you.
You fell straight to the cold, a bit muddy surface. Your shoulder was burning, the impossible heat was flowing through arms. You are still having head on the neck, thank gods, but bear’s claws penetrated this cursed cape, leaving arm bloodied and almost burning. Fuck. Bears are not supposed to attack people unless they’re sacred. But something’s wrong, terribly, terribly wrong. If you and your lambs made a particularly noisy pack, a bear should not even look in your direction. It should sniff you out also. When a wild animal is aware of human company, it slowly withdraws. Things change under one, particular circumstance: when it was running away from someone. Or somebody.
Brown bear turned around and lurked. Only when you saw a crimson stain on its fur, you got up, knees becoming weak. Withdraft slowly, it’s wounded, can be pretty aggressive too, do not make any noise, do not keep an eye contact, prayer was so passionate it seemed like a scream, constantly repeated like a mantra. You put one hand over a wounded arm, blood stained through the cape. It throbbed, your head was spinning and the bear didn't even think about leaving. It rose, now standing still on two lugs, looking straight into you. Black eyes, empty almost were piercing you. Such a perfect prey, too terrified to fight back. It was getting closer and closer and… fell just before your curled legs.
– Scheiße… Was machst du hier? Du solltest nicht hier sein.
That high pitched voice definitely didn’t belong to villagers. It was something new, this tongue also didn’t make sense. He was a man, indeed, but not the one who you’ve ever met. What was he saying? Your head was hurting already, hands shaking. He wasn’t a hawk, was he? Well, if he was one, you would be already raped and dead. Or in the opposite order. They do not have morality nor preference.
– I’m sorry?
He sighed and grabbed your arm. This wounded one. Oh, gods. He was an unknown man, a big one also. A man with possibly evil intentions.
– Do not touch me. Do not–
And there was a hunter badge on his chest. The one with his country and unit. Hunters were allowed to keep this, as a form of respect for serving their lives in the name of the Crown. The flag of a province that you didn’t know, oddly, bitter tongue and crest with a fox… or a wolf? Is this KorTac?
You got up immediately. Bear was scary, petrifying so, but those hunters, retired soldiers of KorTac, are much more terrifying than any other animals. That bear, near to this weirdly speaking monster, was harmless. The Kortac unit was the one who took pride in their cruelty, at least that's what the elders in your village used to say. They are undefeatable indeed, no wonder why a whole unit of beast just like the one standing before you, would be hard to overpower. You stumbled on your own legs, nearly running on all fours. Shoulder was hurting like a bitch, but it doesn’t really matter right now.
You were shaking, all frightened.
His erection was throbbing hard in these leather pants. What a beautiful day to have eyes.
– Where are you going? Warten, dummes Mädchen.
He yanked you just onto the ground, his hand squeezing around your symbol of status. Damned cow’s skin. Your hands chafed, full of dirt and possibly blood, were digging in the mud, desperately trying to regain balance. If you only had this stupid shepherd’s stick, you must have dropped it when the bear attacked. If only these cursed lambs had a package of sharp, razor teeth and deadly claws, you wouldn’t need to pray for a quick and painless death.
– Please, do not touch me… Leave me the fuck alone!
And this sentence left König in awe. How stupid of you to slur right in front of a man who could easily take what he wants from you. Just after then, the hunter grabbed you by the neck. Now, you could really see how he looked. The man was huge, broad and could easily fight not one, but three bears on his own. Despite not having a chance to see his face, you noticed that he was wearing something that looked like a hood. Black fabric was thrown all over his head, it only had holes for eyes. And those eyes were the eyes of a predator, wild animal, not a human. It made him look like Death himself. Blue, lifeless stare with a cascade of bright, pale lashes. Stare that you will remember until you’ll meet your ancestors.
– Stop moving around. I’m trying to help.
And he spoke in your tongue. It was heavily accented, although you were sure that every word that could ever flow through his mouth would sound like a threat. Your eyes were glistening with tears. Cheeks red, wet, pouty face, lips slightly open. What a breathtaking sight…
And König didn’t believe that something good could happen to him after all these years of killing loads of innocent men, he would be cursed, suffocate in hell, but after all, miracles do happen. Pretty, almost too adorable to be true, girl was crying right in front of him. You looked fucking divine. Was he that much scary? Oh, he hoped so.
Unfortunately, his angelic woman was unable to speak, your tongue got absolutely stuck. Your breaths were heavy, just like an animal. An animal he wounded a few kilometers ago. Helpless women like you shouldn’t be so… appealing. Almost magnificent.
– Do you understand me, sweetheart?
As soon as the beast asked, you closed your eyes, head down as if he was supposed to hit you. Well, he wasn’t exactly a gentleman, but he didn’t use to beat women. Only scare them a little bit.
He picked you up, his fist on your neck became tighter and tighter. And you were out of breath too. He could kill you easily, just squeeze like an apple. For all those years you didn't meet a man with such strength. Even the strongest butchers in your village couldn't compare to this monster. He was holding you in the air by just grabbing your neck. He didn’t need to use voice. You nodded like your life depended on it. Actually, it does.
– Gut. Give me your arm. Yes, this bloodied one.
Submissiveness is a choice, after all. You raised your limb, giving him a better view of the wound going down to shoulder.
– You will need stitches. I can help you.
Your wound was rough, but not deadly. Everything in his life is complicated, afterall, it was his fault that the bear ran away, he should be more careful. Maybe he wouldn’t feel remorse if you weren't so adorable. König wasn’t sure if you really needed stitches, probably not, but who wouldn’t try to take a precious girl home, right? He just hoped that his soon-to-be bride was too terrified to protest. He could get to know you. What was your favorite color? Hell, what was your name, a good question to begin with.
– No. I must take care of my lambs. Let me go.
A predator never lets his prey run away. You were a prize, a gift from gods. You could take care of a problem throbbing in his pants, König wouldn’t protest.
– I was a medic once. Trust me, I know how to deal with such wounds.
No, he wasn’t. But who even cares? Did he feel bad about your wounds? A little bit. But did he hope that you would need professional care of a retired soldier serving the Crown? Absolutely.
– You are a hunter, I’m not allowed to talk with hunters. My mother says… that you will hurt me.
– Only if you ask nicely, Schatz.
The way you tried to wiggle out, to run away, only made his dick harder and harder. You would look magnificent on your knees, with mouth wide open and a single tear running down this pouty cheek. König truly was a lucky man, he hadn't spotted a woman like this in ages.
– Could you let me go? Please, I have a family down the mountain. My parents are waiting for me.
A bear would be like a savior like now. Please, please, please, is there a wild animal nearby? The one isn’t rotting right now. Believe it or not, but an alive bear would make a better impression than the one laying down your feet. You were crying and didn't even have a chance to breathe.
König was surprised, König was riled up and after all, he was a really, really sensible and sane man. Hunters didn’t have many privileges, his only luxury was a chance of wearing the badge of his ex unit. The one that he was a colonel. If he let you go, would he see you again? His Schatzi lives down the mountain, the cow's skin you were wearing was a hint that you were fairly wealthy. He could always sneak in and pay you a visit. You had parents, which was a little problem, but it’s nothing that he couldn’t deal with. But you didn't even mention a husband, a thing women love to say to protect themselves. That means you are still a maiden. Understandable, if you were his wife, he would never let you leave home. More likely when you will be his wife, only you look pretty young though.
– Du bist frei, kleines Lamm. A ‘thank you’ would be nice. Afterall, I saved you from a painful death between bears' jaws. Hunting is not always easy, you know, Lamm?
Hunter turned around, grabbed a sword and simply left. He was holding a sword for the whole time? Or were you hallucinating? That means he was holding your entire weight with one hand?
– Thank you.
You weren't supposed to respond to him in the first place. “Do not talk to hunters”, they say.
– You better treat your wound. Wouldn’t like to see you in a coffin next time, Liebling.
You will be praying that there won’t be a next time.
He will be jerking off at the cabin and planning their next meeting.
***
– Look at you! What a mess!
Mother was standing in the corridor, with a broom in her hand. Your blood was all around, everything felt just like a horrific fever dream.
You dropped all the garments, showing the wound to the older woman. The dread of Mother’s face will be forever engraved in your memory.
– How did you survive this? There’s no way you could make it alive on your own. Once a bear finds you, you will be dead.
You would be dead. If the hunter didn’t show up just right before you.
– It was wounded.
– By who? Sweetness, for sure not by you.
Inquisitive, as always. What else can you say to her? That a hunter saved you and just after this started choking you? Say that is it a miracle he didn’t steal your virginity?
– I don’t know. It just showed up wounded, and right after it collapsed right under my legs.
Both you and her know that it is a messed up lie. Animals tend to die alone, in a peaceful environment. Not being surrounded by a girl with bell and her noisy lambs.
– You’re lying, my sweetheart. I know that you couldn’t make this alive without help from someone. Someone, who is very, very strong.
– Hunter. There was a hunter. He killed the bear.
And almost you, by the way.
– Did you talk with him?
– Mostly he was talking to me, but I–
And you were smacked. Right across your whole face. Mothers hands were both warm and cruel, just like her love anyways.
– You were not supposed to talk to them, even respond. Do you have an idea what curse you bring on our family? My child, you know why I didn’t want you to talk to them? – Your mother signed, her hands were shaking. – Because when hunters want something, they just take it. No matter what or who it is. We can only hope he had enough money to pay a visit in a brothel nearby and forget about this whole catastrophe. Did he touch you?
– Not in a way you’re thinking of.
– Thank gods. Now, go to sleep. Get some rest. I hope that you will never meet him again.
And while your Mother prayed that he would never see you again, König was wiggling in the sheets imagining what he would do when he will meet you again.