Judging the distance, it didn't even seem that far. It was, at most, two yards away- and the foxes, vicious creatures, were yipping at her feet. With her added running start, she would make it across the stream, easily.
"Aaagh!" Iro cried as her foot slipped on the (unfortunately wet) boulder. She felt gravity pulling down upon her, drawing her closer to the river and forcing her to lose what precious time she had to run away.
A gloved hand grasped at the collar of her shirt, fighting the force that would have lead to her doom. Dark eyes glared at her.
"What is the point," Amykkos questioned, "of saving someone so useless?"
He did not bring her to the ground, instead just letting her dangle precariously from his fingers over the stream. The foxes, sensing a greater predator than they, scampered away whining.
He let go, and Iro felt water reaching into her. She panicked- then again, the stream wasn't that deep however, so she soon stood up in moments.
"Amykkos!" she called. Amykkos did not turn, eyes focused on the path that lead out of the forest- and out of the village territory.
She ran and grabbed the sleeve of his pelisse. "Amykkos."
He looked at her irritably.
"You're leaving."
He shrugged, and continued walking. Iro followed along, tightening her grip.
"What about our people? Will you really leave us to fend for ourselves? You're the only protector left- they'll be lost without you!"
Amykkos swiveled on the balls of his feet to finally face her properly. It wasn't a very nice face, being marred by scars. It was made even worse by the ugly sneer that he presented.
"I should have left you to those foxes. God knows they're worth more than you."
Iro stepped back.
"Have you thought about why I'm the only protector left in this village? It's because you drove them away with your helplessness. We were used as whipping boys, forced to take on your burdens simply because of birth. The village is destined to be destroyed. There is no need to protect those unwilling to protect themselves."
"But you're the symbol of hope! And you receive compensation for everything you do. Please reconsider," Iro pleaded.
"I'm perfectly willing to let you all burn, really. But if you really care so much about the village, then protect them yourself."
Amykkos tossed over his pelisse, dark green and full of badges.
"Well? Go ahead. I'll look forward to hearing the downfall of this place- good riddance to it all."
He maliciously spat on the pelisse, and left. Iro could not stop him.
With shaking arms, she picked up the pelisse and ran in the opposite direction.
YOU ARE READING
The Mantle
FantasyAmykkos was the last of the protectors. Brave and strong, he stood up for his people without complaint, until one day, he just left. Iro is the only witness to his departure, but as days pass on, she could not allow their people to remain without ho...
