A Silent Camp in the Mountains

"Is this... their camp?" Tarsa wondered, pulling her cloak tighter around herself against a sudden cold wind.

"We should rest here for a little while," Sharon said. "You three sit down and stay out of trouble for a few minutes, while I take a look around."

She strode away and Fred keeled over by the firepit. "We can't stay here long," he coughed. "That bastard won't be unconscious for long, and when he wakes up he'll come straight here. Why... why didn't I just schwack him when I had the chance? It would surely have been more mercy than he offered his victims."

"No, Fred!" said Tarsa, sitting back on her heels beside him. "There is nothing more horrible than taking another life. You did the right thing by eschewing violence... well at least at that point..."

"Is that really the teaching of Granas? Then why do you have Battle Sisters like Sharon over yonder?"

"It is a paradox, yes and the Divine Mystery of our faith. Our noble Battle Sisters accept the unimaginable sorrow of wielding arms so that countless souls may have a chance to find Granas and know Him."

"Paradox is right! It doesn't make an ounce of sense to me, frankly."

"I shall pray for you then," Tarsa said, closing her eyes. "Pray that you use this chance to open your heart and allow the Truth to enter."

"Bah! Save your breath, Sister," Fred scowled. "You've more chance of teaching a horned moritsuko to recite poetry, than of converting me to your daffy beliefs. In fact, I think I'll use this chance to teach you all about the horror and pain in this world that your Granas allows to go on. For starters, what do you think that bandit would've done to us if Sharon hadn't shown up? I'll wager he would've demanded that I swear loyalty to him. After I refused he would've killed me - slowly - and then started on..."

"Stop it!" Tarsa gasped, tears in her eyes. "Think you that I know not of such things? That I am blind to the suffering of the people? It is precisely for that reason that I..."

"Look kiddies, Sharon is coming back already," Skye coughed. "Let's postpone the religious debate till we're out of danger, allright?"

1. Sharon comes back carrying a basket of stale bread and mouldy cheese, as well as a bottle of red wine. "It's not much," she says. "But we need to eat to regain our strength."
2. Sharon comes back dragging a scruffy old bandit by the ear. "Look who I caught napping on his watch," Sharon exulted.
3. Sharon comes back pale as a sheet. "I've found the bandits' victims," she says, shivering. "Come quickly, I need your help."

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree