CH2 The Return of Pon

Pon's story begins.

            Pon had returned.  Pon was finally home, seeing real greenery for the first time in two years.  Pon’s sister was smiling ear to ear but couldn’t seem to stand up on her own.  Pon was not smiling at all, he was prepared for anything even now.  They could see their house from here.

            Pon’s sister got up and was about to run towards their old home.  Pon stopped her by the shoulder.

 

            Sebil:  “What’s wrong, brother?”

 

            Pon:  “Look there.”

 

            Pon points to the edge of the forest across the field opposite the house.  Two grave markers are at the opening.  Sebil adjusts her eyes to the distance, one of the many perks of her wind attribute that gives her peerless sight and reflex.  It has their names carved into stone.

 

            Pon:  “It serves as a warning to the children who wonder into the forest.  We’ve been made into examples, returning will only cause the serfs to suffer more.”

 

            Sebil:  “Then what are we to do?”

 

            Pon:  “The one thing we have never been able to do.  We will leave.”

 

            Pon was the smarter of the two, and Sebil never once questioned his judgement.  In part because there was never time to do so on the battlefield.  Sebil said her goodbye under her breath, and the two were out into the world.  Though, to them, it didn’t feel like it was their world at all: it felt as if they belonged to somewhere else.

 

            As they exit the land border of their home town, a ranger emerges from the forest on horseback with fresh game in hand.  He operated as the local count’s scout and huntsman tasked with fetching meat and watching the lands under his lordship’s reign on a daily basis.  He was not at all a young man, much older than most serfs would live to, and took great pride in his service; however menial it was.

 

            Ranger:  “Halt, who are you?”

 

            Pon:  “Passers-by.”

 

            As pon attempted to walk past the horseman he pulled at the reigns and moved further into the boy’s way.

 

            Ranger:  “Where are you from and where are you going?”

            Pon:  “We’re from the War God’s realm, and we’re looking for a place that suits us.”

 

            Ranger:  “Blasphemy, there is but one true god!  How dare you praise false idols in this land?”

 

            Pon was now very aggravated, but it was not like him to pursue any form of conflict or rivalry.  The horse could sense Pon’s aura, however, and took several steps back without its master’s consent while shaking their head side to side.

 

            Pon:  “I praise no idols.  We are not servants of the War God, we are his enemies.”

 

            The ranger draws his blade at the duo.

 

            Ranger:  “I won’t have it, you will be introduced to my lord and he will decide your case.”

 

            Sebil:  “We mean you or your master no harm, we have done nothing to earn your distrust.”

 

            Ranger:  “Silence!”

 

            The ranger moves his horse close enough for him to kick the girl.  Pon was not in the least bit forgiving of this action.  The horse was now completely hysterical and bucked the rider off before disappearing into the woods.  The ranger scrambled to ensure the rabbit didn’t get any dirt in its wound, ignoring the dirt now under the skin of his knees.

 

            Pon stood above the man.  Pon knew that if he were to kick this man’s head it would simply cause them more problems, but he didn’t really care.  It wasn’t until Sebil stepped in that the man was spared from Pon’s rage.

 

            Sebil:  “It’s alright brother, I’m not hurt.  Not even a bruise.  Leave him to look for his horse.  We will be persecuted no longer.”

 

            Pon and his sister continued to the river.  Here there were even more annoyances awaiting them.  A group slowly surrounded them from afar as they approached the two gentleman trolling the bridge.

 

            Bandit:  “Prepared to pay the tariff?”

 

            Pon:  “We have nothing of value.  Let us by.”

 

            Bandit: “How about those fine clothes the girl wears.  Why, she looks rather important with all that shiny embellishment doesn’t she?  White plate armor with a strange engraving, it’s almost glowing with value.”

 

            Pon:  “We really look so strange to you?”

 

            The bandits laugh about the response.  They seem to think very lightly of Pon, and he senses the advantage that lies there in.

 

            Pon:  “Alright then.  Give us two cloaks and you can have the metal plates.”

 

            Bandit:  “Give us all of her clothes and we let you both live.”

 

            Pon:  “I’m afraid that suggestion has cost you my previous offer.  Here is the new arrangement.  I will kill anyone who does not immediately leave our presence.”

 

            Sebil:  “Brother, you can’t seriously kill another human being can you?”

 

            Pon:  “Are you offering them your clothes?”

 

            Sebil:  “Just try to leave them in one piece, please.”

 

            Pon first struck the spokesman of the group in the left cheek with all his might.  The man flew back and as he hit the bridge you could hear a loud sound akin to an egg cracking.  Blood starts to flow down the sloped surface of the bridge.

 

            Pon:  “Sorry, I didn’t think he would die so easily.  I’ll try to hold back on the others.”

 

            Pon’s sister was already ignoring her reckless brother.  The closest to Pon was the man who originally stood aside the spokesman.  He attempted to grab Pon and wrestle him to the ground.  Pon would not be grasped so easily, though, and with his foot struck the man’s leg from the side underneath the knee causing a compound fracture.  Next Pon spun around to the man’s flank and twisted his arm around to the point of inoperability while pressing the center of his back to the hand rail for leverage.

 

            Sebil:  “You can’t disable them for life!”

 

            Pon:  “He’s still got a good arm…”

 

            The other bandits are hesitant to approach, but one of the four men that came out from behind the duo had blade ready and came to slash at pon.  To his surprise Pon was so incredibly fast that he could close the other half of the distance in less than half the time it had taken him, and grasped him before he could strike.  Pon suflexed the man and leaves him unconscious on the ground.

            Pon:  “I think I’m getting better at this, I just need to let gravity do the work and they won’t die.”

 

            Sebil:  “Are you sure he’s going to recover?  He’s not moving.”

 

            Pon:  “Oh.  I think we need to re-think how we’re going to fight each other.  Do any of you have suggestions?”

 

            With great haste the remaining bandits quickly escaped into the woods.  Pon was left with a very bitter feeling, as if he had lost this fight.  He had been powerless to avoid hurting the incapable bandit group.  His power was far too peerless.

 

            Sebil saw the look in his eyes and immediately empathized.

 

            Sebil:  “It’s not your fault, brother.  Those men meant to harm us.”

 

            Pon:  “No, Sebil.  They only wanted your armor.  It wasn’t worth their lives.”

 

            Pon proceeded to check the pulse of the two “unconscious” bandits before declaring the most recent one was still alive.    He then carefully moves the sword-wielder into position to carry on his back, leaving the lighter of the two survivors for his sister to carry.

 

            It was some hours later that they came upon a crossroad featuring a farmer warehouse with inn and alehouse.  Like a lone sail in a sea of wheat, it was an imposing establishment.  The duo brought in the injured and left them in the hands of the old and experienced.

 

            Pon and his sister wait for some time outside the building.  They had not been idle like they were at this moment for a long time.  It was a much needed break to calm their anxieties.  Sebil leaned on Pon’s arm for a moment, and Pon shed a single tear to break the chain of apathy he had felt all this time.

 

            The two were finally truly free, but they did not belong.