Side stories 2 – Lausanne
Side stories
Relax, and be focused. TreeTree whispers into my mind.
A small wolf. Thats my real opponent today, and I felt a bit intimidated by idea of fighting a small wolf, as my first non-sparring opponent. But its a monster that appears all the ti in the forest, so TreeTree says, its probably the easiest one around.
Still, not easy for . Its still bigger than !
It growls, baring its fangs
At the back of my mind, I know TreeTrees watching. So is Horns, the giant fighting beetle, and maybe Jura sowhere. So I try to relax, but, its different.
Theres real anger in the wolf, a real 'presence' of true hostility. Perhaps its hungry. It growls again, and it changes its posture, and it looks at with those angry eyes.
I look at the spear in my right hand, and the dagger in my left. I practiced for this. I practiced a long ti for this, and so, I believe I can do it. I have in engraved in my mind thanks to so many dreams of just swinging the spear and the dagger.
No, I must do it.
A hero must do, what a hero musts.
The wolf charges, our eyes et. My grip on the spear tightens, and I wait for the mont. It feels instinctive, Im one with the spear, its a small one, so I cant use a full sized spear yet, but its enough.
The wolf enters range.
And it pounces.
I duck and instantly activate my ability [Powerstrike], it feels natural, like the tis I practiced with Horns and Jura. The spears tip pierces through the wolfs hide, and it whimpers in pain.
Our eyes et, as the wolf tries to take a look at the stab wound, blood splattering out. And I see the pain in the wolfs eyes. This might be the mont it dies. And it whimpers, one of sorrow.
Like a dog.
A part of wavered that instant, and my spears direction shifted slightly. Its enough to change it from a fatal strike, into one that will only leave a deep cut.
The wolf falls behind , but because its not fatal, it manages to get up, and then run away, leaving a trail of blood dripping onto the dirt floor as it flees.
And yet, I didnt give chase.
I froze.
My mind sohow replays that real pain in the wolfs eyes. The whimpering voice, that almost dog like sound.
Youre okay? TreeTree whispers.
I I couldnt do it.
A part of curses myself then. Is this how my dreams of being a hero ends?
Am I not ant to be a hero? Heroes kill monsters!
The first ti you draw blood says a lot. Jura walks over, still holding his bow and arrow, ready if the battle went bad. How do you feel?
I Im disappointed. Im angry. Why couldnt I do it? I look at Jura, and he smiles. His big hands holds on my shoulders, and gives a shake.
Why are you disappointed?
Because heroes are supposed to slay monsters! But I failed. Didnt you tell that so heroes started fighting monsters when they were 6 or 7? Does that an I cant be a hero?
Jura shakes again.
Are heroes mindless fighting golems?
No I an, heroes are supposed to be like gods in the battlefield, no. The power of the heavens made flesh, the fury of a hurricane made into human form.
So, why are you disappointed? Is it really the right thing to feel?
Uh
The question is this, why did you have to kill the wolf?
Because its a monster?
Why do you have to kill monsters?
Because monsters hurt people?
Did it hurt you?
Well, not yet.
So why do you have to kill it?
Because it could hurt ?
Then youll be killing everyone.
Its very likely to hurt and shows aggression? If I didnt, I would be hurt.
Good point, but in this case, youve wounded it and chased it away. Is that sufficient?
Uncle Jura, you're giving the moral answer again. I can sense it when youre lying and don't believe what you say. Im young, but I know it when I hear it. Uncle Jura will kill anyone that even scratches us, maybe only TreeTree can stop him.
Jura shrugs, and rubs his head. Heh. Well its actually cos with experience, young Lausanne. When you et more people, and et more monsters, you will be able to better judge who do you spare, and who do you kill.
So that was the morally correct answer? I think the standard education that all elves, all parents try to give, is to be morally just. But I live in a world of wars, even 8 year old children like myself know the morally correct is just words. I live, in a world where might makes right. Where heroes can order nations, because their powers give them that right. Where demons can crush nations overnight, because their might is stronger.
Jura pauses, kneels next to and rubs on the head. Yes. I have to tell you what is morally correct to do. When you deviate from them, you must be able to answer to yourself, why did you deviate from what is morally correct. I may not truly believe in them, but that is because I know what is important to ."
Well, a hero should do what is morally just. Do they? Maybe there are other ways of thinking. Or I am trying to take the easy way out?
I sotis think being a hero is really hard. All these types of justice, fairness, how do they think about these kind of things in the heat of battle?
--
A week later, I asked TreeTree to let fight the forest monsters again.
I thought long about it. I an, its hard to think about it. Im only 8, and I get headaches when I think for too long, and when I do, I feel like going to the playroom and just play with my wooden toys again.
So, why do you want to fight again? Jura asks. Maybe a part of him wishes I stop this hero dream of mine, I sotis still hear Uncle Jura say that when he talks with mom.
I don't know. I just want to. Maybe I will get better."
"That's not a good reason."
"I just want to." I insist.
"Just because you want, does not an you can get." Uncle Jura frowns, and gives that look when I am being a bit difficult.
"Okay. But I still want to fight monsters. I want to level up, gain experience."
Jura sighs, and he probably knows I'll run to the forest myself anyway, since TreeTree's always there looking out for us. "Fine, be careful."
So I found another small wolf to fight. There are lesser animals, like those giant rats or big squirrel like stuff that live in the forest, eating whatever fruits and leaves that grow here.
This ti, I want to beat it, but, maybe I don't have to kill it. Do I still get experience that way?
We spot each other, and the wolf sizes up. I think thats what its doing when it eyes seem to roam.
"Hello wolf. I'd like to fight you."
The wolf growls. Well, I growl back. Naturally my growl isn't really threatening.
It enters into a combat stance, so do I, my spear and dagger ready.
It charges, again, sa movent like the earlier wolf. Sohow the animals have movesets that we can learn.
I duck.
[Powerstrike].
But this ti, I aim sowhere in the side. It won't kill it instantly, but it'll do so harm.
The wolf winces in pain, and my dagger on my left hand swings in, and lands a few cuts.
It swipes, and its claws manage to scratch .
"Owwwwwww!" That really, really hurt. I'm bleeding, a gash right on my left arm, from my wrist up till my elbow, and its bleeding.
Pain. I feel like my entire left hand stings. Mom won't like that. I better get back and hope it doesn't fester.
The wolf is injured too, the cuts and the stab from the spear is causing it to bleed. I think it did to .
"Lausanne, are you alright?" TreeTree speaks into my head.
"Fine, bleeding. Can you help later?"
"Okay."
The wolf charges, trying to take advantage of the ti I am still talking to TreeTree. But my instincts, born from years of dreams, and constant practice, manage to react in ti, and so, I duck, and stab the wolf again in the abdon with my short spear.
It whimpers, as it falls onto the dirt floor. And it's voice weakens. Its defenseless, the 2nd stab drained its strength, and it could only limp.
It still looks at . This ti, its eyes a mix of anger, and fear.
Should I kill it? I wonder to myself.
My left hand is bleeding, bloods dripping, and yet, my grip on the dagger remains. The wolf takes two steps back, limping.
Should I? It hurt .
What would a hero do? Depends on which hero, isnt it? So would kill this wounded wolf, so would spare it, if it shows no further hostility.
If I were a hero, what would I do?
My eyes et with the wolf again. It growls at as it steps back.
I think Ill take its life.
I thrust my spear at the wolf.
A loud clang.
My spear, blocked by Juras sword. He pushes my spear back, turns, and then shoos the wolf away, and lets the wolf slowly limp off.
Lausanne. He turns, and notices the bleeding on my left arm.
Whyd you stop , uncle Jura? Why did he block my spear?
I think youre not ready to take a life yet.
Is it? Why?
Because you are not. Now dont argue with and lets go back to TreeTree and get that gash patched up, before your mommy nags for not looking after you.
I sigh. Oh well.
-
Stats page
Lausanne Ricola, Level 20 (cumulative)
Elf girl, aged 8
Elf warrior (Level 11)
Skills
PowerstrikeBasic evasive stepsSpear experience- diumDagger experience - lowBasic pain enduranceImproved reaction - basicShadow Stab
Villager (4 levels)
Skills
Disease resistance - basicCottonwork - basicOlivework - advanced
General (5 levels)
Skills
Basic enduranceAdvanced reading and writing - common tongueBlessed by a soul tree
Spaizzer
Okay, next regular chapter... next week!
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