The furthest borders of the Empire of Pharo, it must be known, where largely devoid of settlements; barring the few rural villages littered sparsely and haphazardly throughout the rolling plains. And so, for five days Avi and Gromar persisted aimlessly and fruitlessly in search of another settlement: wandering all day and pausing only at night. However, although not immediately finding their desired target, the pursuit was not entirely vain, as on the sixth day they stumbled upon a dirt path parting the grass and low-lying plants. Noticing that it extended beyond the horizon, the two wayfarers resolved to trek the makeshift road in hopes of happening upon a distant Human settlement.

Ultimately, the decision to follow the highway proved much more fruitful in contrast to aimlessly marching across the plains, as it led directly to their first encounter with living beings in what felt like ages. But it was not a village they chanced upon, nor was it a fellow traveler on the road. Rather, it was a checkpoint occupied by Pharosian foot soldiers. They numbered ten and were dressed in the same attire as those that had previously raided and slaughtered Gromar’s tribe; that is, they wore padded tunics draped in chainmail, and grasped weapons ranging from sturdy polearms to lengthy steel swords, with an additional two sentries being equipped with narrow-limbed longbows. The checkpoint itself was rudimentary, improvised, and lacking permutant structures. That is, the checkpoint consisted of a series of carts aligned across the path as a basic temporary barricade, with a few small tents situated alongside the road as a means of sheltering the small staff of guards.

It was visibly apparent to Avi that his pupil was distraught by the appearance of these armed soldiers, and so he sought to alter their course and turn in the other direction.

“Come, we shall turn back” he said, placing his comfortingly hand upon Gromar’s shoulder.

But their presence had not gone unnoticed, and after observing their suspicious U-turn, one of the sentries called upon them to halt. For a moment, the freighted Goblin considered suggesting that they run, but he ultimately relented after considering the two guards armed with longbows.

“Do not worry, for they are merely toll collectors. They are assigned to guard the highways around Pharo and tax all that are unfortunate enough to stumble upon their roadblocks” Avi said to ease the tension and relax his Goblin companion. “I shall speak with them and will not let them lay a hand upon thee.”

The two stood still, as from the distance five figures approached. Tilting his head, Gromar turned to once more access the situation and the possibility of running, but once again capitulated after observing the two bowmen pulling back their bowstrings in preparation for such an escape attempt. Yielding to the commands being barked in their direction, the two then lamentingly placed their hands away from their bodies as to identify that they were both peaceful and unarmed, before then turning to face the approaching soldiers.

“Well, would you look at that… a Goblin” murmured one of the approaching figures, having apparently originally mistaken Gromar for a human child due to his small stature. “And a monk? You don’t see an odd pairing such as this everyday.”

”Oi! It’s a Forrest Brother and a Goblin!” bellowed out another figure, laughing to his comrades that remained back at the barricade. All replied likewise, clearly bemused by the odd coupling.

“Are you lost, little runt… you’re pretty far from home” laughed a third voice. Eventually, the five guards reached their victims and halted.

“You know the deal, monk. Pay the tax, and we let you through… but this little pest is staying.”

Truly, the encounter and the memories/ nightmares resurfaced by the confrontation had allowed for the spirit of evil to once more slither into Gromar’s heart. Indeed, he felt both scared yet enraged, and delusions had begun to snake their way into his mind. Particularly, he could envision himself grasping the polearm from one of the unmindful guards and plunging it into the breast of the one stood beside him. But such visions were only momentary and were abruptly vanquished when Avi stalwartly stood forward and sheltered his pupil from those seeking to intimidate him.

“I shall render the few coins in my possession to thee … However, I shall not proceed beyond without my companion” he decreed softly yet authoritatively. Perhaps perplexed by the monk’s blatant noncompliance, the soldiers looked to one another before delivering once again the same demands.

“Brothers, have thou no compassion? Have thou no sympathy? I offer all the coins in thy possession so that we may both pass… what exactly, then, is it that thou take issue with?”

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

The soldiers must have been uneducated, for they seemed perplexed not only by the monk’s defiance, but also his vocabulary. Embarrassed by this fact, and also angered by Avi daring to defend the integrity of a Goblin, the toll collectors grasped their polearms tighter and stood ready to strike in the instance of further defiance.

“Why do you defend this pest? Are you not a wise monk? Do you not know that they are devilkin?” remarked one of the enraged and embittered men.

“Brothers, though thou stand as sentries safeguarding the borders of Pharo, thou have left your souls unprotected!” Avi replied, his lecture only furthering the resentment of those to whom the words were directed. Truly, Gromar was not the only one tempted in this encounter by the spirit of evil, for the hearts of the armed sentries had been blackened. Their minds, clouded with prejudice and hatred, had lost all notions of reason, logic, and rationality. Regardless, Avi continued:

“Beware the malicious whispers. I tell you, truly, that all creatures were created without favoritism. And I say to you, what does outward appearance matter, if inwardly we all bare the same indistinguishable Light?”

But alas, the words had fallen upon deaf ears. Although hesitating for a moment, the soldiers nonetheless succumbed to the intruding whispers, with one of the men striking Avi. Imploring to not outright murder a spiritual holy-man for fear of some superstitious Divine retribution, he instead beat the elderly and passive monk to the ground with the blunt shaft-end of his polearm.

“We’ll show this monk what we think of Goblin-lovers ‘round here” barked his comrade, looming over Avi with a sinister grin. Seeking to save the life of his teacher, the young Goblin darted his eyes in search of a rudimentary weapon, which he found in the form of a small rock nestled amongst the grass. Realistically, his small stature and the inconcerning size of the rock posited no threat, but he nonetheless held it tightly and readied himself. This had not gone unnoticed by Avi, who in noticing his student preparing to strike, implored him to relent.

“Gromar” he said, masking his pain with a smile and serene gaze, “It is ok…. let them release their anger upon me.”

Even whilst enduring his ruthless flogging, the wise monk persisted in delivering a teaching. Indeed, amidst the blows delivered unto himself, he mustered the strength to utter remarks such as “Hatred does not cease hatred” and “I forgive thee.”

“Halt! Cease!” cried out a distant authoritative voice. Tracing the command, it was observed to be coming from a sentry – most probably their commanding officer – that had remained back at the roadblock.

“Stop this embarrassing act!” the figure continued, now hurrying over to the scene. “What are you doing, assaulting a monk? Have you lost your mind!”

Truly, they had lost all rationality, as their actions were surely goaded by the spirit of evil flourishing within them. However, the sudden order delivered by their commander was enough to make them pause their assault. Upon finally reaching the unfolding commotion, the commander extended his hand to help the wounded monk.

“But sir… he’s a Goblin-lo-“

“Silence! Shame on you! Assaulting a monk… shame on you!” the officer thundered, ashamed by the disgraceful and dishonorable actions of his men.

“Go. Both of you turn back and leave” he said unto both victims.

“Wait… what about the Gob-" interrupted another of the assailants, before again being abruptly cut off himself.

“Forget about the Goblin! You just unabashedly assaulted an elderly holy man!” the commander once again thundered, his gaze focused on the injured monk staggering to his feet. “And to you, monk, I apologize, but you and your… ‘friend’… must turn back and depart immediately.”

Wishing to remain no longer, the two wayfarers swiftly departed, though Gromar could not help but observe the unfolding scene from over his shoulder. It was almost comical, with the five soldiers standing in a single line as their leader wrathfully reprimanded and berated them. Though, his attention was also fixated upon his wounded teacher, who in trying to mask his physical ailments held himself upright with his staff. But his noticeable limp and the visible bruises littered across his skin where enough to indicate the intense pain he was inwardly experiencing.

“Teacher?” inquired Gromar whilst using his small stature to help Avi stand, “those remarks you made whilst under attack… and telling me to refrain from striking… can you elaborate on the meaning behind such statements?”

“Truly, it is like I said… hatred does not cease hatred” he replied with a labored breath, his capacity to speak having been impaired by his injuries. With his hand wrapped tightly around his sore abdomen, he continued:

“Just as Darkness does not cease darkness. Nay, it is the Light that ceases darkness… and so I entrust myself to the Light.”

The words were wise, but Gromar nonetheless retained some confusion. Noticing this, Avi continued:

“The strong person is not the fighter but is the peacemaker who tempers his anger and unconditionally loves, for although his body may be pummeled his spirit remains pain-free”.

Again, the words were wise. But in the moment, Gromar could not completely accept the teaching; given the poor physical state of his teacher. Rather, he would have to dwell on the sermon.

“Be calm, my friend. It is simply not yet time to walk cheerfully amongst the children of Man, so we shall retreat for the moment and once more embrace the solitary isolation of the forest.” the monk decreed as to break the awkward silence. With that, it was determined that the two wayfarers would return to whence they came.