Battered and bruised, Champ and Simon cleaned up and gathered their things. It wasn't a fun or timely task, but they salvaged the best they could and were back on the road before evening fully set in. Thankfully the cart wasn’t destroyed and would last them for a bit longer on their journey according to Simon. Slowly and apprehensively Simon turned to Champ with a furrowed brow as they rode.
"Champ you may have been told in school that the kingdom takes the Marked, and has them employed into the royal guard or that they're off helping the kingdom in some way right? Fighting diligently against evil forces and monsters alike, to protect the crown and families under it.
Champ nodded, his eyes firmly fixated on Simon's suddenly serious demeanor. Simon sighed and continued,
“That couldn't be further from the truth. As you saw here, we are being hunted. The crown and those with high influence, are threatened by what they don't understand, and jealous of what they cannot have. The crown sends our kind, other Marked, to round us up and take us prisoner."
Champ's forehead tensed and wrinkled
"What do you mean exactly, Simon? What point does that serve? Why would they take them prisoner? Besides, It's not like anyone asked for the brand's power" Champ said incredulously.
"Right, you are my young sir. Simon continued. No one asked for these abilities, but some do ask. No, they demand, these gifts. The brand is seen as both a tremendous threat to the crown and an immense asset. It's no different than weapon production. To them, the only thing they are concerned about is where the weapon is pointed.”
Simon's eyes glossed over and he stared blankly into the distance as he continued speaking
“If they capture you, they take you into holding, some isolated place where they…” Simon trailed off momentarily-
“Where they perform asinine experiments on you, they see what you're capable of, if they deem it valuable they transfer you somewhere to be… trained, if you prove useless to them or, defiant, you are taken for questioning about where the brand is or where you encountered it, or anything you know about it. After that…well they have no use for you. At that point, you know too much"
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Silence befell the two travelers for quite some time after Simon finished speaking. The only sounds that passed between them were the creaking of the damaged wheels and the faint sound of horses and wildlife.
“How do you know all of this Simon?” Champ said, finally breaking the heavy silence. “Do my parents know? Is that why they sent me off?”
Simon struggled to find the words, the right answer to that question-
“I've been there Champ, and I very much wish to never go back.”
Astonished at this answer, Champ's mind swam with thoughts and questions, and slowly those thoughts spilled out into uncontrolled outbursts of curiosity that Champ was so often prone to,
“How did you get out? When was this? Are you some kind of criminal then? Or maybe you are trying to take down the king! Or maybe- “
“Champine please.” Simon croaked weakly interrupting Champ's rambling.
“My story isn't a fantasy it's an unfortunate and painful reality my young sir”
Champ immediately recoiled into himself and bit his lower lip. His stomach knotted as he realized how insensitive he had just been. He saw it plainly on Simon's face, the years of trauma flooding to the surface in the form of deep wrinkles, age lines, and various scars Simon hadn't noticed as easily as he had now.
"Simon I… I'm sorry I didn't-" Champ stammered
"It's okay, I tell you this not for pity or sympathy, but so you can realize what we're up against. It's not just a few bandits or wildlife. We are against our own, against our kingdom, we must stay steadfast and unwavering in our goals.” Simon stated strongly
“What are our goals? I'll do whatever I can” Champ replied immediately
“Well young sir, isn't that a fantastic question. Champ this is where your training will begin. For your first lesson sit with that question on your own for a bit and come to me when you are positive you know the answer.
Simon leaned closer toward Champ and met his eyes. He stared with vehement sincerity
“I will not take a half-hearted response. So think well. What, is your goal?” Simon remarked.
The most champ could do was nod vigorously. For once in his life the words seemed to dry up in what was once a never-ending well.
The two carried on for the next few hours and made small talk here and there. Each of them traded off maintaining control of the reins so each other could rest. Champ smelt something in the breeze before he saw it.
“I smell a fireplace burning, Simon.”
“Aye, and I see it boy, that's where we're headed. Shelter will do us just fine.” Simon remarked
“What if it's more Hounds?” Champ sounded more meek than he intended to let on
“It's good to be cautious, but thankfully, the crown doesn't dispatch many hounds at once. However, with that said, there are more dangers than the Hounds near these outer lands.”
Simon reached into a conjured portal and pulled out a small oil lantern already lit. It's getting dark and the smoke isn't far off the road. We will go on foot the rest of the way.
Amazed once more at the brand's magic, Champ stared at the lantern Simon produced, Champ thought of his Parents. How much he missed them. He thought of wanting to show off these new things he could do and have them comfort him. He thought also, of how it would make his mother cry. Champ wondered for what reason she weeps when she sees the brand.