For @Addy Hawthorne (Luna) Thanks for the idea. 💚
Podo raced through the forest. He was out of breath, but he remembered what the strander had leader always taught him:
“Never stop a’runnin’ boy. Even if you have a toothy cow at yer back, or a girl after ye. Even if yer out o’ yer breath or yer lungs are a burstin’ at the seams. Never stop runnin’ from yer feelin’s. Never stop a runnin’. Never stop a runnin’”.
“Never stop runnin’” he said to himself as he ran out of the forest into the street. The street was dirty. It stank with the smell of rotten food, dead animals, trash, and body stench. He had to act fast. They were on his tail.
“WE’RE COMIN’ FER YA BOY! YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN’T HIIDDEEE!!!”
“Can’t hide, huh?” thought Podo. He scanned the street for anything he could jump into. He saw a barrel. “That works.” he thought. He quickly jumped in and was silent.
Three stranders from the West Bend bounded into the street. Podo heard their clunky boots and their heavy breathing.
“Wha are we gonna do now?” said a scratchy voice.
“Welp, ‘e could be hiding.” said a voice belonging to a woman. At least Podo thought it did.
“But you said ‘You can run but you can’t hide’, remember?” said a third.
“Maybe ‘es a bad listener”
“I think we should look for ‘im at Old Shookners place.”
“Nah”
“Wha should we do then?”
“Look n that barrel.”
Podo heard the clunky books come nearer. He felt the barrel shake. And the lid started to crack open…
Suddenly, a new voice fell on Podo’s ears. It was loud, boisterous, and full of conquest.
“AVAST YE SLIMY BEINGS! What brings thee to my turf? Dost thou wish to be vanquished?”
At this, Podo peeked out of the barrel. He saw on the roof top of the house opposite him, a dark shadowy figure. It sprang on the stranders and the four were immediately engaged in battle. The figure went for the woman, as Podo now saw she was, and clashed his sword on her dagger. She was not so much skilled at fighting, but she was quick and sneaky with her blade. The shadow almost got run through several times, but he was quick as well.
As they were fighting Podo saw the shadow had a cape. On it were the initials “F.S.” Then Podo knew. This was the famed Flying Sword! He was said the roam these parts searching for stranders trying to protect Dugtown!
Podo had mixed feelings at this moment, for he had always been taught to hate the Flying Sword and curse his name! But, to be quite truthful, he felt very much grateful to the Flying Sword at this given moment.
The battle did not last long, to Podo’s relief. His legs were starting to fall asleep and the barrel smelled of fish. All the stranders were gone, but the Flying Sword was still there.
“AHA! What have we got in here?” He lifted Podo out of the barrel. “Let me go!”
“Was thou with those unsavory beings just now?”
“No! In fact, I was running away from them. PUT ME DOWN!”
“Very well.”
He set Podo down. Podo started to walk away, but turned to look last on the Flying Sword. Alas, he was gone.
…
Podo came upon a house built into the canyon wall on the side of the town. He entered as if it was his own home. “GROWLFIST! I got somethin’ for ye!”
Growlfist was not in the room. But a girl was. She was tall, but lopsided when she walked. She had hair, but it was thick and matted. She had eyes, but they were not the pretty kind you hear of in stories. She spoke in a strange, sweet, sour, stinging voice. Most would call her ugly and cry out “Get me a bag!”, but it is a blessing to have any recognizable features at all in the East Bend, so, she was the favored one.
“Podo Helmer. It’s been too long, me love.”
Podo melted when he heard her voice, but he also sickened.
“I think it’s been ‘bout two months Nurgabog.”
“Too long.” Nurgabog repeated.
“Where’s yer father? I need to speak with ‘im.”
“ ‘e was traveling to the East Bend and said ‘e would be back this evening.”
“So, anytime now?”
“Yep.”
They stood in silence for a moment. Nugabog broke the silence.
“Podo! Ye didn’t forget me birthday did ye?”
“I confess I did Nurg. I’m sorry.”
“We’re stranders. We ain’t sorry. But we do make up for things.”
“What did ye have in mind?”
Nurgabog came closer. She leaned in for a kiss. Podo wasn’t sure, but he had to pay his debt. He leaned in, slower.
“NURGABOG!” said a big booming voice. “I’M HERE!”
The two youngsters started. Nurgabog was disappointed and stomped her foot. Podo thanked the Maker, if there was one.
A big man burst into the room. He was an old man, but looked as if he could out run you. His beard was tucked into his belt which held eight daggers, two clubs, and a comb.
“Growlfist. I’ve returned.”
“Wha? Oh. Podo. Alright my boy! What have you got?”
Podo emptied his pockets.
“My my! You really are the best. Except for me of course. I have another job for you.”
Podo cringed. He was done with being a strander. He wanted to be free of them. So, he plucked up his courage.
“I can’t.”
“Come again?”
“I can’t work for you anymore.”
“WHAT?”
“I’m leaving.” at this, without a goodbye to Nurgabog he ran out of the house.
Nurgabog rushed after him and stopped at the door. “PODO!!!!” she called, tears in her eyes.
“You’ll pay your debt someday Podo Helmer!!!!!”
Does anyone have a favorite part?