Five Gold Coins

(m/f, non-con, snuff, necrophilia)

Strolling down the forest lane, Osgood found himself absently humming a happy tune. It was uncharacteristic for him to appear so jolly but he couldn’t help himself--the day was simply perfect. A light breeze shook the leaves of the trees overhead, spaced far enough apart to let occasional beams of sunlight warm the path. He didn’t even mind not having a horse--his belongings were few and, to seem unassuming, he dressed in a simple brown robe. His pace was leisurely and he would easily arrive at the next town before sundown. More carefree days were likely to follow.

Money was the least of his concerns. He and a few friends, some might call them “mercenaries” although he preferred “business associates”, had just concluded one hell of a “business deal”. A nearby city had put forward a king’s ransom in gold for the eradication of a dragon that had been terrorizing their countryside. The dragon had turned out to be a whelp of a thing but he and his group had no compunctions about accepting the full reward. He might see them again in the future but they had all parted ways to seek out their respective ways of enjoying their fortune.

All of which lead Osgood to his current happy mood. Blissful, but inattentive. He was therefore more surprised than normal when a voice shouted at him from further down the lane:

“Hands up, traveller!”

Snapping to attention, Osgood immediately assumed a defensive stance. He complied with the order and raised his hands but didn’t panic. He knew that he had some tricks up his sleeve.

“Foolish to travel these parts alone,” the voice continued. Although it had sounded a bit gruff at first, it was now decidedly female. Interesting.

Scanning the forest around him, Osgood easily noticed the hiding place of his assailant, behind some bushes not far from where he was standing. He couldn’t make out her features but definitely noticed the glint of sunlight off of an arrowhead pointed at him. On any other day, he would have noticed her much earlier. He cursed his absentmindedness but, at the same time, noted that the bandit appeared to be alone.

“Foolish to set an ambush alone,” he retorted confidently. Criminals like this need to feel like they are in control of the situation and he hoped that this show of brazenness would draw her out more clearly.

His plan worked perfectly. The bandit stepped out from her cover, clearly displaying her short bow and arrow aimed directly at the traveller.

“I don’t think that you’re in any position to be giving out insults,” she replied savagely. Her verbal show of force was obviously compensating for something. A lack of confidence? Or lack of skill?

Now in plain sight, Osgood was able to get a complete look at her. She was a young adult, like many common bandits--in that profession, few survived long enough to reach middle age. She was clad in a practical outfit of cloth and leather that concealed her curves. Even so, from what he could see of her, she was actually quite attractive. Her skin was a little dirty but smooth and the forest breeze blew against her head of long, wavy light-brown hair.