Sunder, The Mother, Octavia: Meeting Interupted

Sunder took a spot near the door, with the other guards, if Caspian decided to make a move he would be ready, they wouldn’t get far into the church no matter how well armed they were. While ‘The Mother’ went to speak with Octavia.

The Mother took a seat next to Octavia on one of the pews looking straight ahead towards the statue of ‘The Fair Lady’. “Sunder tells me you are looking for sanctuary.” she said, a voice calm and soothing, disarming and warm. “We can provide, however I do wish to ask you one question first.” she said. “Will you tell me what brought you to us? You do not need to tell everything I understand, if you are ready, or are ready in time I am always willing to grant you an ear. As well as answer any of your questions I can.” she added.

Octavia clutched the book harder. “I…” she closed her mouth but started again. “Sunder saved me. Someone I thought would hate me enough to let me die first then clean up the killer after words. Our knights…or the ones from my church would never do that. He came out of the dark like a force of nature and pulled both Caspian and I from danger. He saved me twice. And never asked for anything.” Octavia said. “And I don’t know…” she drummed her fingers on the tome she clutched in her hands. “Everything in this book, says we should behave like that. But nothing like that ever gets practiced we…they just want to…” she fumbled for the word, “Subjugate? I didn’t want that. I was always told my whole life that your people were monsters, snakes, or worse. Sunder is truly terrifying, his will is…unfathomable. At first I thought the stories were true and that he wasn’t human. But I saw him bleed and get up. A God doesn’t bleed, and a demon with that much will doesn’t either so…he was just someone actually helping and he pulled me from danger and here somewhere safe. I don’t know what I think yet. I just know…you…he…this is the nicest anyone has ever been to me and meant it or not wanted something in return.”

“Many have had similar experiences with Sunder.” she said, a faint smile. “Sometimes I do wonder what he looks like that scares people so much.” The Mother mused. “You do not have to clutch that book that tightly.” she said, “I could not read it even if I wanted to.”

Octavia realizing what she meant, in both regards let her fingers off the death grip. “I’m sorry…habit. Can I ask a question?” she asked.

“As many as you need.” The Mother said.

Octaiva looked over her shoulder to Sunder’s back. “Is he human?” she asked. “I’ve never seen anyone survive the things he has.”

“Yes. He is very much human. Just the most human human.” she answered.

Sunder straightened up when there was a knock on the door.

“Octavia!” Caspian shouted. “You have something that doesn’t belong to you!”

At his shouting Octavia’s grip redoubled on the book.

“I’ve had enough of this.” Sunder half growled. “Go to the inner chamber.” he told The Mother. “Take Octavia. I don’t want her to see this.” When the two departed to the safety of the inner chamber Sunder took a longsword from one of the knights on standby and pulled the huge doors open ready for a fight.