CHAPTER 5

Lit fell and watched as his acolytes were being killed. He watched in terror as they were being defeated one by one. He looked down, tears falling from his eyes at the white mask whose smile seemed to be taunting him. In his moment of weakness, he placed the mask over his face. He felt a burning sensation and let out a scream feeling as if it was swallowing his face. A boot stepped next to his head. And when he looked up, he saw the terrorized look of the commander, Uluki.

„ What is this bullshit?! Get away from me!" And he kicked him. Lit ran away towards the river, crying his eyes out.

After the fight scene.

„What do we do about her?"

„We'll gift her to the lord, they can always use some extra labor." Said Uluki.

„This is perfect!" Zazuza thought to herself. „ I can't wait to get home!"

Uluki took her gag off and the moment he did, Zazuza started yapping:

„Oh thank you so much! My name is-"

„Oh shut up," Uluki said and put the gag back.

„What an annoying bitch voice these people have."

„Indeed, they sound more menacing in old folk tales ." added the soldier.

Uluki grabbed her and threw her on the horse.

„ Wait till I tell my father about this... I can't wait to see the look on this guy's face. This is perfect."

They kept walking on the beaten pathway, the sun just starting to rise. Where would this path take

them?

Lit was bleeding from his mouth and he ran to the riverbed. He washed his face and let out a scream and then looked away covering his mouth.

„ What the... did I just lose my mind just now?" He turned back slowly, checking his reflection only to have the face of his abuser staring right back.

„Is that.. me?"

He took a better look this time: dark, almost black eyes, a long downturned nose, and a chiseled jaw.

Other than his hair which had stayed the same, he had a striking resemblance to the original. When he looked down at his hands, it dawned on him: his hands and feet hadn't changed at all. They were in contrast with the rest of his body.

„Once a Leecher, always a Leecher." He quickly realized the potential of his newfound ability. He began to brainstorm ways that he could steal, without getting caught. He would become the best thief in the land. But when he turned his gaze and saw the blood on his hands he realized he had one more job on his agenda: steal his riches back! He started to study his new face: it

would be a piece of cake with a face like this!

The village of Horde could be seen as the sun was shining over it. In the distance, it looked like it was

coming to life: the men were going to feed the animals and the women were sweeping in front of their

yard. You could hear the farm animals greeting their masters, waiting for their feed. It was customary

around these parts to eat after the cattle had been cared for.

„We have arrived, sir. Welcome to Horde." Announced the advisor.

„It looks peaceful." Said the soldier. „ Why are we supposed to come here again?"

„ We're guarding the local chief to make sure he won't be assassinated at the next gathering."

„ I have a bad feeling about this." Interrupted the advisor.

„What do you mean?" inquired the soldier.

„ Haven't we seen that garb, somewhere before?" He glanced at Zazuza discretely.

„What? Oh..no." The soldier wanted to rush off his horse until he heard a loud yell:

„ Gentlemen!" A group of high-status people was waiting to greet them. All dressed in white and green tunics. Their vests are decorated with embroidered geometric patterns. Zizina was there, sharing bread and salt, as is tradition.

„ We have heard so much about your bravery in battle, feel free to share your best stories with us." The chief's right-hand man invited them to follow him.

„We see you brought a gift."

Zizina looked up her nose at the slave until she realized who it was and what was going to happen to her once it got found out she lost the Chief's daughter.