Pop Quiz

Craning my neck, I stare up at the two people who stomped into the room.

The taller one in polished silver grey armor, the looping three circled crest of the church clearly visible on the shoulder guards. He towers over the bed I'm stuck on and and his face looks older, scared and constantly frowning as his eyes rover over me. He meets my stare for a moment before I glance down slightly to look at the smaller figure.

A dark purple robe covers everything that I can see, the churches symbol also pearly colored in white across the front of the robe. Looking up farther I meet a game that startles me. Smiling she nod, "Yes, women can join the church and the hunt for those who would spite the gifts of our God"

They step forward over to the side of my bed, the man grunts. "Well then scum, what clan are you from? You'll burn just fine regardless, but we won't have to decorate this room with your blood first if you make this easy." I open my mouth stunned... "I-Wha-wait, why?" A soft hand touches mine, "Don't you worry young man, I won't let him burn you for heresy without cause." She smiles gently at me, holding my hand. "We do need you to answer our questions though," a small pause as you stares into my eyes gently. "You can do that right? Answer my questions?"

"I-Yes! I can do that!" I stammer, my face burning a bit as I think about how soft her hand is.

With a scoff the man slams his armored hand into the side of the bed I'm still chained to. "Now! You say you fought and killed two demi creatures, one a rank 2 the other 3. All after Master Eon was felled. Then, he grabs the wood rail hard, causing it to creak in fisted grip. "You carried Master Eon to safety. In the dark. Without aid." His glare feels like it could kill me at this point. "Now, now, that's alright," The woman smiles and he face fills my vision again, the soft brown hair framing that perfect smile "Tell me what happened." Her soft hand squeezing mine gently

"Yes!" I squeak "But I, I didn't kill both the spiders... I only fought the one with plates on it. Eon saved me with his bow when the first one took me by surprise." Glancing down in embarrassment. "I... I didn't even fight the big one." "I..." "I panicked and lashed out as I was trying to get away from it." "I was trying to run away..." I look down in shame.

Suddenly The woman stand back up straight and pulls hand away laughing. Her tone and bearing have changed completely. "See John?" "Just a lucky brat. He's no more a threat to the public than any other normal human. He can't even keep his head straight in front of a woman. Didn't even need to use illusions."

A heavy sigh comes from above me and I glance at the man who I assume must be John. My head spinning, at how fast she went from a concerned and caring figure to this cold.. bitch.

John lets go over the bed rail and smiles at me roughly. "Sorry boy, people and humans in particular are more suseptable to questioning if they are startled or scared. Thank you for bringing Eon back to the fort. There are some who forget his kindness and abandon him." He stares hard at the woman as he bites out the last part.

I have no clue what history these two have with Eon but I voice out, "He agreed to train me, and I think.. I think he gave me his sons old hunters tools and harness." "I.. I thought about it... Leaving him out there... But I couldn't.. Not with all he's done for me by giving me the chance to learn.."

John looks at me with surprise for a moment for he pulls a small red stone with three gold bands crossing it at different angels. Nodding "Eon is a good man, and better judge of men then most credit him with. It's not easy to admit that we often harbor thoughts that go against the grace God has given us. And it Takes more to have those thoughts and to be in a situation where acting on them might be the difference between life and death and to then choose to take the righteous path." He plays with the red orb in his hands for a moment. "For your actions you have my thanks, and for your honestly with both yourself and me you have my admiration."

"Hurry up John. I don't want to stay in this tiny hole in the wall any longer than needed to verify if there is an incursion brewing." "Test the boy and lets be off to the woods." Holding up her hand a small flame flares up above her palm which casts her face in Erie shadow before flickering away. "I'm eager to see if spiders burn."

John glances at her with disgust as I stare in horror think about that small hand which had been so closely wrapped around mine just a moment ago.

"Here then Rodrick. This stone is one of Gods grafts to humanity. It wont hurt you mind, but it will change color based on some criteria."

"We," He glances again at the woman, "Are hunters, kinda like you boy. But we hunt the enemies of God. Those who are undeserving of gods gifts and grace, like the demis, and those who pose a threat to humanities control of its own destiny. Immortals."

"We don't seem them often, and for your sake I hope you're one of us and this rock doesn't change. But immortals come either from other worlds, reborn here through could means from powers that would fight against Gods will. Or.. from here, our own world. Those who are either old beyond belief, or who change skins like the returners from other worlds but instead they use foul evil means to avoid death."

He reaches out and drops the orb into my hand.