Unlikely Savior

Fear gripped Octavia’s heart as she realized the gravity of the situation. From this distance she could not see who it was approaching, but she did see the number. One, a singular man walking down the path towards them. Her fear redoubled as the idea that the two were working in tandem. She began to pray again. Hoping for her fears to be unfounded.

Staring off into the dark towards the oncoming figure a glow struck up near where the man’s head would be. A burning pinpoint of light, her memories flashing back to tales of a certain knight. “But why would he be here? Was he here to kill them and this bandit was just getting in the way? Why….why…? Is it a test? A test for reading and studying The Fair Lady? That must be it.”

“M-maybe we should play dead.” Octavia suggested.

“Last I checked Sister Octavia, that only works with bears.” Caspian said.

“Then what…what do we do…?” Octavia whispered.

“We hope he doesn’t turn his eerie to us once this is over.” Caspian said.

She looked to the approaching Sunder and then to the Orcish giant. “He can’t possibly win.” she said.

Caspian looked to Octavia. “Close your eyes and reach out.” he told her. “Feel for Sunder’s aura.”

Octavia did as she was told. Shutting her eyes tight and letting out a breath feeling for the energy that surrounded Sunder. Her senses were slammed back as they met the bulwark that was Sunder’s aura. A towering wall of will, fortified in blood, grit and determination. A maelstrom of hammer forged and tempered rage. A swell of power so strong it caused her stomach to lurch and almost lose its contents. A hand steadied her not one of comfort as much as it was to keep her from simply passing out.

“That is why he will be victorious.” Caspian said, then in a whisper directly in her ear, “and that is why he must die.”

Octavia gasped, her heart slamming a thunderous beat in her chest. “He’s not human…” she stammered.

“Oh Sister, he is. That is why he is so dangerous.” Caspian said. “You have gazed upon divine beings. You have felt the most powerful among our clerics, our most devout believers. None so much as scratch the surface of the unshakable belief that man has. Even if it is in the belief of a zealous heretic.” Caspian turned looking at Sunder again who was now close enough to see in heavily shadowed detail. “Understand this.” he told her in a whisper. “Should he target you…” the next words came out bitterly, and in a tone that said he wouldn’t do this it was simply advice for her. “Surrender. Lay down and beg for his mercy.”

“H-he will show mercy…?” she asked.

Before Caspian could reply the thunderous steps of the Half goliath passed them again going to meet the new comer half way. “Small pathetic man.” he said. “You are slow.” it snorted and spat. “You almost to slow, friends you be dead soon.”

“Not my friends.” Sunder said.

“Then why protect them?” he asked.

“Because they need me.” Sunder said, seemingly bored by the conversation.

The giant man laughed. “Then a fight!” he bellowed, then pointed to his chest with his thumb “Pakon.” then pointed at Sunder, seemingly asking for his name.”

“No point in telling you.” Sunder said.

Pakon bellowed another laugh. “Confidence.” he said taking up the makeshift club made from a large tree branch. “Though a shame to kill and not know name.” he shook his head.

As tensions began to boil and threatened to spill over, Octavia tried to cover her eyes but Caspian removed them “You must know what he is capable of. You must watch every second.” he stared at the combatants. “And should he die…our job will be done.”

Octavia nodded, knowing that she’d never forget this night, it would be burned into her memory and likely nightmares.

In a fluid motion Sunder drew his short sword and raised his buckler shield. Pakon swung his club in a horizontal arch, Sunder ducking low as it passed by rising up in the instant it passed overhead swinging his own blade running a shallow diagonal cut across Pakon’s forearm. Pakon retorting with a quick check to Sunder’s helmet with that same forearm, Sunder falling back against the bottom of the carriage, Pakon not giving him room to breath swinging again the club striking the wood of the flipped wagon, causing the wood to groan and crack but not break, Sunder having only moved out of the way but felt the air pressure of the swing as it came by in an over head arch.

“You fast in that armor.” Pakon said.

Sunder didn’t respond with words but by mounting his own attack. Swinging his off hand in an arch, the shield connects with the bridge of Pakon’s nose and left eye. The dazed Pakon swinging with an closed fist in a wild haymaker, stumbling Sunder causing him to hit the ground hard. Octavia gasp, seeing Sunder seemingly laid out cold, or dead on the ground as Pakon approached club raised high above his head.

“I thought you were better fight.”

As the club came down Sunder rolled, a glint of metal streaking the air and Pakon let out a roar of pain. Sunder’s sword was buried in Pakon’s upper thigh. The place wasn’t vital but it would slow or downright cripple him for the fight. Pakon bellowed again ripping the sword out and throwing it to the ground. In a flurry Sunder threw several throwing knives, some missing their target others meeting flesh but not slowing Pakon.

Before he could dodge the club came in a flash, connecting denting several plates of armor and breaking unknown bones Sunder was sent flying several feet before hitting the ground in a roll, landing in a heap. Pakon approached seemingly not learning his lesson and wanting the coup de grace to be an overhead blundering. Swinging down the club connected and Sunder bounced off the ground as the club came back up. His body lurched in a cough, blood spraying out the slits one his helmet.

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Octavia screamed, not realising the words had come out until she heard them hanging in the silent night air.

Pakon whirled on his feet. “Great Idea, He should see failure.” Pakon stepped up to the carriage, ripping the door open and off its hinges before leaning in snagging Octavia by her hair, but before his grip was solid and he could pull his body lurch and his hand pulled away. Looking up Octavia saw the small red plumage on Sunder’s helmet, as Pakon thrashed backwards to try and get the man off his back. The glow of Sunder’s eye burning brighter, Octavia felt his will like a crushing tidal wave as a blade struck across Pakon’s neck. The large man spun, a crescent spray of crimson as the man wobbled and crashed to the ground. Sunder stood victorious, coughing and weezing. Flecks of blood spattering from the face mask. He mounted the carriage holding out an arm for Octavia. “Come on.” he said. Octavia grabbed it without question, wrapping her hands around his forearm as he pulled her free of the wreckage, returning to help Caspian.

“I can do it myself.” he spat, reaching up to try and pull himself up, only managing to pull himself a quarter of the way up before falling back inside, and begrudgingly taking the help.

Once they were both free Sunder leaned against the carriage panting.

Without even considering permission or considering what saving him meant Octavia clasped her hands together and spoke a prayer and then holding her hands to Sunder’s chest. Who’s wheezing gasps stopped.

“Thank you.” Sunder said, his gravely voice far less scary when it was being directed at someone he planned to kill.

“No…its the least I can do.” Octavia said. “You saved us.” she added.

“Do not think this makes us on friendly terms.” Caspian said.

The glow in his helmet faded but when Sunder turned his gaze to Caspian even he flinched. “I didn’t expect it to. Had you been alone I may have not done the same.”

Caspian turned to Octavia and pointed at her. “And don’t think we won’t talk about what you just did Sister Octa…” he was saying as a hand seized his wrist.

“Do not threaten her.” Sunder said.

Caspain tried to pull his arm free. “I will speak to her however I pl…” he was cut off by Sunder applying pressure.

“I suggest you stand down.” he said, letting go.

Caspian relented into seething anger. “And what. Do you plan to just leave us out here, hmm?” he gestured to the ruined carriage.

“Get your important things. You are free to follow me. So long as you do not make yourself a threat I will protect you…both of you.” Sunder said.

After some time of packing things Octavia had a simple backpack, but Caspian had insisted on bringing his trunk, and it took some doing but Sunder managed to load it in a way the oxen could pull it. Sunder had looked around for his sword but didn’t manage to find it in the dark, figuring it was lost in the chaos.

The three and the two oxen set off into the night. Now and then the sound of scurrying bandits avoiding the bandit slayer Sunder. As they walked Octavia stared up at the full moon, new thoughts and old swimming in her head. “If The Fair Lady is evil like they say…why did she send someone to save us.”