Never Helpless Again
Badil knelt next to his brother, Bomb. They looked out towards the cave and saw five men guarding the entrance. The Bokkens needed into that cave and it was their job to take care of it. Badil looked over at Bomb who was clutching his maul tightly. His heavy armor shifted a bit making the tiniest noise. Badil became keenly aware of his surroundings. His bow had an arrow knocked and ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. He could feel the wind blowing towards them and taking their scent down and away. His feet were tense ready to leap and begin the fight as he heard the footfalls of the five men up ahead. He was suddenly made aware of another situation in which he had felt this tense.
Suddenly Badil is 5 years old again. He is in a camp of goblins and orcs having just escaped their cage. They had raided his forest village and taken many captive, including his sister and him. They were sneaking through the camp avoiding goblins and orcs. It was a dark and quiet night which helped them, but the others could also see in the dark. They rounded a corner and in between them and freedom were five big orcs along with several goblins. They sat back behind some crates and thought about this situation.
"We can try around the other way," Badil whispers to Valentia
"You know we can't," she begins, "There are even more that way. This is the best way to go." Badil lowers his head thinking after all their work they've failed.
"Well I am ready to fight if you are." Badil said trying to sum up all the bravery he did not feel at the moment. Valentia gave him a loving look.
"I am ready to fight, but I need you to do something special for me." She looked at him very seriously and he returned her gaze. "When I yell you need to run through the opening to get out and never look back. Do you understand?" Badil did understand what she was saying but not why she was giving him that look. Or why a small tear was forming along her eyes.
"Yeah I can do that sister. You just let me know."
"Alright wait here. And know always I love you so very much." She hugged him so tightly and for so long that Badil actually had to gasp for a breath when she let go. With that she moved away and before Badil could react or do anything she ran out in front of all the creatures. "Hey you big lug heads, come and get me." With that she ran the opposite direction and yelled back in elven, "Go Badil, go now!" Badil got up looked after her a moment and then ran. He kept running and didn't stop until he could see no lights or hear anything from the camp. He especially didn't stop when he heard a scream only imagining what it could be.
Badil is brought back to the present and looks at his adoptive brother next to him. The Tiefling family had taken Badil in and raised him as their own. He now vowed he would protect Bomb with all his might. With that they gave each other a knowing look as Bomb rose beginning to charge. Badil pulled back his arrow and as he found his target and let it fly he thought himself, never again will I be helpless.
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