Unexpected Rescue

As the weeping continued, Vorgis a mighty Sarmatian dismounted his beast of a horse. He was curious as to where this sound was coming from. Vorgis tied the reins of the horse to a tree branch. He walked over to the lake to get a glimpse of where the child could be. He looked down at the lake, it was barely shallow. It was at least three feet deep. Taking off his boots and armor, Vorgis became bare chest and bare foot. Drawing his sword the brave warrior stepped into the water and crossed the lake still hearing the child's weeping. He slowed his pace through the lake. He was now crossing into the lake quietly and cautiously. Vorgis was entering Gothic territory. The Goths are viciously savage people. They will kill anything or anyone that dared enter their lands from animals to brave warriors to innocent women and children. Vorgis finally crossed the lake the weeping was loud and clear. It was as if the child was next to him. He looked around then walked about the woods he came toward some bushes. The sound was coming from the bushes. He looked through the bushes and found a cave. The child's weeping echoed in the cave. Vorgis took his sword and began hacking away at the bushes blocking the cave entrance. As the brush was cleared away he could see that the cave was a series of natural tunnels connected by man made tunnels.

The tunnel was dim-lit and damp. Vorgis went down into the dark place following the child's weeping. As he traversed deep into the cavern's he heard the crunching sounds of bones being crushed. After a while the weeping stopped, all he heard were his own footsteps. He continued through the darkness until he saw a glimmer of light. He came closer and closer as it became more distinct. Vorgis could now clearly see that the light was a torch in the dark. He took the torch from its stand. Torch in one hand and a sword in the other Vorgis continued forward as the light off the fire illuminated off the walls of diamonds. The was clear of darkness as he stepped the twelfth step he heard the sound of weeping once more. Vorgis followed the weeping to a large den. Its entrance was covered by a humongous bear pelt, used as a door flap. The weeping clearly came from behind this door. Stepping forward he heard another sound, it was a snoring sound. It was very close, so very close. He looked down, there lying before him was a sleeping guard. He squated down, jabbed the torch into the ground. Picking up a nearby skull Vorgis hovered over the sleeping body.

Still sleeping the Gothic guard pulled himself up against the wall. Vorgis still hovered above him. Sword in his right hand and the skull in his left the Sarmatian was ready to kill the guard. Then a woman screamed from behind the flap door. The guard woke up startled by the sudden scream. He was about to get up when he saw the Sarmatian, he gasped. Vorgis slammed the skull into the Goth's face. The blow rendered the man unconscious. Vorgis did not hesitate, he quickly jabbed his blade into the Goth's belly. He had now killed the guard now he must rescue any captives including the child.

Opening the flap door he peered inside. The den was large, the size of a grand mead hall, only there were cages all about the great cavern. He looked around, a large fire was in the center illuminating the cavern. There were four Goths in the den, one asleep in a chair. Two were harassing a prisoner in the corner. The captive squealed as they poked it with pikes and pitchforks. The fourth guard had his back turned to the door next to the fire. He was scarfing down a piece of meat. Vorgis quietly stepped into the cavern. He heard the weeping again, turning his head Vorgis spotted a small figure shaking in a cage. Getting closer he saw it was the weeping child. He looked at the guards whom paid no attention to his presence. Nearing the cage he was able to put a hand on the child's shoulder. It was a little girl. She looked up at this gentle man still snuffling from crying. He silently hushed her. The girl fell silent, now feeling calm that help arrived. The someone rattled their cage loudly, next to the girl. The guards turned in that direction. Vorgis hid in the darkness behind the girl's cage. The rattling got louder, apparently this person saw Vorgis and was begging to be released. One of the guards heard them.

"Quiet down you filthy dog!" The Goth yelled, throwing his plate at the captive and spitting in their direction. The captive began whimpering, it was a woman shivering in fear.

"I said shut up, you groveling whore!" The Goth stormed over to the poor wretch. The cage was swung open. The Goth grabbed the woman and started beating her senseless. He soon groped her and shook her, slamming her against the cage. Vorgis acted without hesitation. He came out of the darkness, yanked the Goth off the woman. The Goth was aghast to see a Sarmatian. Before the Goth could react, Vorgis swung his sword lobbing the Goth's head off. The other Goths noticed the transaction that took place. They charged at him, and he swung his sword hacking off an arm and slicing a man's neck. Vorgis then logged his blade into the second attacker. This all happened in a moment. The Goth stared into his eyes mouth wide open in awe. Pulling his blade out of the Goth's bowels Vorgis swung around and cut his head off. With such force Vorgis had lobbed the head into the air. It hit the sleeping guard whom quickly got up. Grabbing an axe the Goth went for the Sarmatian. In quick movements Vorgis severed the Goth's arm wielding the axe and then lobbed a leg off. As the Goth fell to the ground Vorgis stabbed his sword into the man's chest, slaying him.

Vorgis stood there breathing heavily. Dropping his blade he began releasing prisoners. Some were Romans and others were fellow Sarmatians gone missing. The woman that was harassed embraced him, as did other women. Vorgis lifted the girl out of her cage. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. This girl had blonde hair. There was something different about her. A woman with blonde hair came and wrapped her arms around the child. Brushing the child's hair she revealed the girl's ear. The girl was an elf, he was awestruck. He thought elves were only a legend. Many had believed the Roman Empire had brought them to extinction or drove them from the land.

A Sarmatian walked over to them. "Vorgis, we must hurry, before more Goths arrive."

They gathered what they could and rounded up the other captives. The escapees exited the cave and crossed the lake with their rescuer. The Sarmatians lead the others out of Gothic territory and into the Sarmatian homeland.