Ragnarök, Eternal Tragedy.
Chapter 44: The Cunning Cowboy.

Chapter 44: The Cunning Cowboy.

"Well, I’ll be! By the Almighty above, this here grub’s gotta be the best vittles I’ve had in a dog’s age."

"Thank you mate, I just try my best."

"Well, reckon your best’s better’n anyone else’s, my friend."

"So, tell me mate. How come you’re inside these walls? I’ve never seen you around and you were definitely not summoned by the king.."

"What makes ya think that, big fella?"

"Because you’re eating at me pub. You’d be in the palace by now."

"Maybe this here tavern suits my fancy more than a royal feast."

"So, the king didn’t summon you?"

"Nah."

"Aren’t you a funny one."

"You reckon so?"

"Sure do, friend. But back to the matter at hand—what’s really brought you around these parts?"

"I’m huntin’ someone of interest."

"Oh. Is it someone of importance?"

"Not particularly, but under the circumstances, I’d say yes."

"Aye, I see what you mean. Someone I might know?"

"Don’t reckon so. He ain’t from these parts."

"Then why would he end up here?"

"A little bird sang me a tune about his last sightin’ bein’ here."

"He is? Well, I doubt it, foreigners are rarely allowed through the gates. Unless you have some sort of appointment with the king of course"

"I hear ya, partner, but my gut tells me otherwise. I reckon I’ll stick to trustin’ it."

"Fair enough. Just thought I’d lend a hand to a fellow wanderer."

"Mighty kind of ya, but don’t reckon there’s any need for it."

The cowboy puts his hat on and throws two gold coins on the table.

"Much obliged for the chow and your mighty fine hospitality, partner."

"Think nothin’ of it, friend. But hold on now—ain’t this just a bit too much? I don’t reckon I’ve got the coin to cover it all."

"Since you’ve got a way about ya that I like, big fella, you keep the change. May God bless you."

He tips is hat with a grin and leaves the pub. He takes a deep breath after looking through the busy streets of the village.

A group of men head his direction, laughing and they seem to enjoy themselves until they recognize him and suddenly the jeers and laughter immediately stops. They start pacing while heading towards him. He realizes the situation and decides to try and avoid them by heading the opposite direction, but they pick up their pace and follow him.

He turns into a valley to avoid them, but they pick up their pace, only to get there and he’s not around. They search for him, but he seen.

’’So, you boys reckon you’ve found what you were lookin’ for?"

"Aye, stranger. That we did—indeed, we did."

"Now listen here, fellas. I ain’t lookin’ to stir up no trouble."

"Trouble’s already brewed, cowboy. By Odin’s will, you’re inside these walls unlawfully."

"What if I slipped ya some gold coins? Would that convince ya to let me ride outta here peaceful-like?"

"Depends, wanderer. Let’s see you step into the light first."

"Alright, gents. You look like the sort I can trust."

He jumps from the roof with his hands in the air. They all immediatley out their weapons.

’’Now hold your horses there, big guy. I thought we had ourselves an agreement."

"You must’ve been mistaken, wanderer. My people—nay, our warriors—don’t make bargains with foreign lawbreakers."

’’Well now, that’s a real shame. I was hopin’ to steer clear of any commotion...but if it’s a showdown you’re after, reckon I can entertain y’all just fine."

They all activate their power, but before they could even think making another move. Without the removing the gun out of his gun belt he shoot the bullet on the ground and it bounces around the narrow valley, penetrating everyone’s head and blowing their heads into bits. Their brain scattered over the floor and bloods from different people running towards his booths.

’’Sorry fellas, may God bless you all.’’ He removes his hat to pay his condolences.

Before he leaves the valley he sees a kid who has seen the whole thing happen infront of his eyes. He looks in shock and traumatized, he can’t even move. The cowboy looks into his eyes and signals him to leave. The boy doesn’t move and drops the bowl of food in his hands.

’’FATHEEEEEEEEER!!!!’’ The boy screams in terror!!

’’Oh damn.’’

He decides to flee into the darkness of the valley. The boy runs to his father’s aid. He attempts to wake him but it’s already too late. It’s followed by screams that grabs the attention of the people in the town. They rush to scene when they see multiple bodies lying around with their brains splattered on the floor.

Some adults try to get the kid away from the scene, his hands covered with his father’s blood and he tries to escape from thier grip but they refuse to let go.

’’NOOOOOOOO!!!!!’’

’’What happened?’’

’’I don’t know.’’

’’Someone should go and report this to the Prince Erling.’’

Someone runs with full speed towards the castle pushing people out of the way, their face looks traumatized and fear of a terrorist flood their thoughts. He finally approaches the palace gates with gaurds standing infront of the gate.

’’Terrorists! Terrorists have entered the walls!’’

’’Woah woah, slow down and tell us what happened?’’

’’A group of.... A group of men were killed, in a valley near the pub! Alert the other guards to do a search through the village.’’

One of the guards signals the gate must open and allows the man in.

’’Alert prince Erling.’’

’’Yes sir!’’

’’Now tell us everything you know.’’

The man explains everything he knows of the incident, while looking horrified. The other guards get the gear ready to go and investigate the crime scene. They cater to the man.

...

Erling rushes at the scene and looks disturbed at the it. He notices that these are his companions and people he’s drunk with at the pub. He notices one of the victim’s sons crying along with his wife, he steps closer to the scene, the other guards tell the civilians to back away from the scene.

’’You said the witness was the kid?’’

’’Yes sir, he saw it all.’’

’’That’s a damn shame. How can you heal from that?’’

’’I don’t know, but losing a parent like that... has to be the hard on a kid especially his age.’’

Erling approaches the kid and sees him with tears running down his face, clinging on to his mother.

’’Hey there lad, How are you?’’

The boy refuses to answers and clutches to his mother, who is herself traumatized by the event.

’’He’s not okay right now... Can we just go home.’’

’’We just wanted to ask him a few.’’

’’He’s already been traumatized enough!’’

’’Ma’am... we I understand your pain-’’

’’Understand my pain?! Since when would the like of you understand what we’ve been going through?!’’

’’Now ma’am, you can’t-’’ One of the guards tries interrupt but Erling lifts his finger, and he immediately stops.

This gains the attention of the other civilians.

’’This is all your fault! You took him away from us! He would never spend time with us, he would always be outside the walls because Prince Erling asked him so! For what?! Food?! Resources?! Or just for your own entertainment? We barely have anything to eat around this time of the year, even when we do have the gold. He drinks it away because Prince Erling wants to. And you have the nerve to say that you understand the pain I’m going through. What pain exactly? The pain of being the reason I’m losing my husband or the pain of not having any food for days. Not seeing your loved one for day? Tell me?! which pain exactly?!’’

The woman starts bursting in tears. The crowd shares sympathy for her. Erling stares at the crowd than stares at her.

’’I’m sorry ma’am, I promise to we’ll find the person who’s done this.’’ He looks at the other guards. ’’Get someone to take the bodies away from here, please.’’