Banagan stood quietly and stared over the side of the platform. The city of Valdrakken rose behind him, the sounds of the general public moving quickly, but the young paladin paid little attention to it. His focus was on the horizon. He had almost convinced himself that he saw smoke rising in the distance, and not mists or clouds from the river far below.
“What are you thinking of, young one?”
Banny looked to his side at the Dracthyr that had been quietly keeping him company.
“All the destruction, it seems so senseless.”
“It sometimes is.”
“And the Niffen?”
“There was damage done to their settlement. But luckily, through quick actions, tragedy was averted. The Niffen suffered, but survive.”
Banagan frowned slightly and then turned to look back towards the horizon.
“Is that not good news, young one?”
“No, it’s good news. Definitely good news.”
“Then why do you still look concerned?”
“It’s just.. I feel like I should be down there. Doing something.”
“What would you be doing?”
“I don’t know. I just know my father would have gone there right away.”
“What could your father have done to prevent this?”
“Probably nothing to prevent it. But he’d have figured out some way to get there. Some way to help.”
“Why would he do that?”
“It’s just what he does.”
“Your father, he has done this before?”
“Yeah,” Banagan answered with a shrug. “Bunch of times. Rode into the fire and helped to put it out from inside.”
“And he has done this without serious harm?”
“For the most part, as far as I know.”
“Is he divine? Do the titans or the old gods protect him somehow?” the Drakthyr asked skeptically.
“No, he’s just a man. He just goes and does what he thinks is right. He’s the kind who rushes in to help.”
“And you wish that you could be such a man?” Banagan stood motionless for a moment, and then nodded slightly. “Then why do you not go there, as your father would.”
“What could I do?” Banny asked, turning to look at his companion again.
“I have no idea. What could your father do down there?”
“I don’t know. He’d just go there and figure it out.”
“And why cannot you do this?”
“Because…” Banny started to reply, but then stopped. He looked away, dropping his gaze to the ground as he thought, then after a few moments looking back to the Dracthyr. “I could go. But what would I do when I get there?”
“Is that really your question, young one?”
Banagan considered the question for a moment before responding, “No.”
“Then what is your question?”
“How quickly can I get there?”
“That is a good question. Let us go and find out.”
#WhenInBorongan: From P350 to P260 price of #lobster! Hindi niyo alam kung paano ako nakipagtawaran sa price. Yong younger brother ko nahihiya na sa pinaggagawa ko dito. Hehehe #banagan #seafoods #foodporn #lobsterdinner (at Borongan City Public Market) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoFwicQDag2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wmu8lift5v1r
Banagan smiled and looked at the older woman standing on his porch. They had spent the last five minutes chatting about Eastvale and the surrounding areas, enjoying the late summer breeze through the trees.
“Ehbaneth Eva,” he answered. “Just call me Ban.”
“Eva?” the woman repeated, her eyes looking to the side as she thought. “There’s an Eva family down the road a ways. Over there in Darkshire. Any relations?”
“Distantly,” Banny answered with a slight grin.
“Well, makes no difference here. You pull your own weight around here and no one will go judging you on any family ties.”
“That’s much appreciated. You had mentioned that there was a reason you wanted to talk to me?”
“Oh yes, where is my mind today? I’d heard that you knew something of making elixirs and the like.”
“Yes, ma’am. Is there something in particular you wanted?”
“Well, my husband works hard with the lumber mill. Sometimes his knees just can’t keep up with the workload. Would you possibly have something that might help take the edge off so he could sleep easier at night?”
“I do,” Banny answered with a nod. “It’ll take me about half a day to get it brewed. Can I bring it to you tomorrow morning?”
“That would be wonderful,” she answered, but then paused. “We don’t have much to pay with.”
“No charge. I’m just happy to help out around here.”
“That’s sweet of you, dear, but I can’t have you going and giving your hard work away. How about I bring you something to eat, maybe? Do you like chicken soup?”
“I happen to love chicken soup. Sounds like a good trade to me.”
“Wonderful. I’ll have it ready for you come midday tomorrow. Thank you so much, dear.”
“Happy to help,” Banagan said, folding his hands together in front of him and giving a slight bow. He watched as the woman stepped off the porch of his house and made her way back to the center of the village. Just then, the sun glinted off something metal in the trees and drew Banagan’s attention away.
Coming down the path into the village, from the direction of the main road, were three men who appeared to have their hands tied behind their backs. Following them was a man with silver armor and a winged lion with a fiery mane. Even though the armor wasn’t what Banny was used to seeing, the presence of the lion left no doubt who was coming down the road. Cautiously, the warlock stepped back into his house and shut the door. Looking through the window, he watched as the paladin was met by members of the village. After a little discussion, the villagers appeared to take custody of the three men and the paladin followed the path back to the road.
Curiosity getting the better of the warlock, he quickly ran to his room and grabbed his dark hooded cloak. Wrapping around his shoulders and pulling the hood up, he quickly stepped out into the front room. He grabbed his staff that lay against the wall next to the front door. As his fingers closed around it, he could feel the charge of energy in it that betrayed the fact that it only looked like a plain wooden stick. Glancing out the window one last time, he waited a few more moments before pulling the door open and heading outside, after the paladin and his lion.
