Momo sat awake throughout the entire night, rest bringing nothing to him as he needed none now that Rancour sustained him. The two plotted a way to get past the garrison of 50 soldiers, as the three men they fought would be plotting to kill them, and Amirah. The Poclinton inn was emptied, aside from the barkeeper, who, despite knowing of the oncoming plans, cared very little.

“The city has a garrison of 38 knights, 4 spearmen, 4 crossbowmen and 4 longbowmen.” Momo recited to Rancour.

“This city isn’t heavily fortified, it’s on the road to York and its knights are most likely very limited in their exposure to real combat, Poclinton isn’t worthy of an extensive garrison, despite being the second largest city in Yorkshire.” Rancour analysed.

“To our combined strengths, the knights most likely will pose a limited threat, so long as we don’t begin killing people, we should try to give them a display of power, and intimidate their senior, the knight commander of this town is the diplomatic type, from what we gathered from the city archives earlier.” Momo concurred.

“Yes, if we show him a small extent of our power, and gain some form of vantage over him, we should be able to easily force him to bargain.” Rancour concluded.

“Now we wait for it to begin.” Momo stated.

Momo sat patiently as the first lights of dawn began to shine, preparing to fight the garrison of Poclinton, he heard the slight creasing of footsteps and the clink of swords brushing against materials. They had come.

Momo opened his door and was instantly met with multiple longbow arrows, which he easily evaded, slicing a few in half or slashing them away from himself.

“Brother!” Amirah screamed in terror as the onslaught began.

Multiple knights burst through the doors of the inn, instantly spinning around and propelling himself off one leg, he sliced at the first knight’s sword, shattering it into miniscule pieces from the raw force he created.

Engaging the other knights, he easily bested one, smacking his hilt onto his stomach and kicking him into a table nearby. As he began overpowering the other knights, he heard the slight crease of footsteps nearing Amirah’s room, and he knew what they had plotted. Bolting away toward her room, he burst through the doors, watching as a spearman attempted to stab his sister, who was wide eyed with fear. Intercepting him, he broke his spear with his hand and kicking him outside.

Picking up Amirah, he hoisted her over his shoulders and began climbing up buildings, evading arrows, and moving toward the archer tower to gain vantage over the archers, and knock out the archers who were stationed there. Making haste, he sped after the tower, leaping up to the archers, blocking two arrows and landing in the tower. Slicing all four archer’s bows in half, he engaged in hand to hand with them, punching the men lightly in order to knock them out, and kicking the archer behind him, breaking the tower’s brick wall, and sending him falling. Momo jumped off the tower, catching the man as he landed on his feet, tens of meters below. He put him down, as he had fallen unconscious, scaling his way back up to the tower’s peak, both archers immediately surrendered.

“Out, now!” Momo ordered the remaining two men, as he gestured for them to take their unconscious comrade. Setting Amirah down he drew his spectral bow, preparing for another confrontation.

“What’s that?” Amirah asked, bewildered at the ice-coloured bow

“She can see it?” Rancour asked, surprised.

“You can see this?” Momo asked his sister.

Amirah nodded.

“It’s a special bow, only we can see it.” Momo explained.

Amirah sat amazed at the bright bow, happy that she was special for being able to see Chimera. Momo drew an arrow back, as Rancour tampered with it, increasing its brightness and power dramatically.

“What did you do to the arrow?” Momo asked.

“It’ll create a small, spectral explosion on impact, it’ll dislodge all five archers from the house they’re posted on. Fire it at them.” Rancour ordered.

Momo fired the arrow, the spectral explosion creating a large flash of light, blowing up a large portion of the house, but leaving the archers with minor or non-severe injuries. The knights rushed out of the inn, being halted by their commander, who yelled out to Momo.

“You, come down here. You have my word you shall not be harmed; I wish to discuss terms.” The Commander called to Momo.

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“Swear to the Lord my sister will not be harmed or plotted against whilst I am to discuss terms.” Momo rigidly responded.

“I, Edward Stigandr swear it to the Lord.” The Commander responded.

Momo leaped off the tower, creating a small crater where he landed. He walked toward the commander, who stood, awaiting him. Momo’s golden eyes assessing the commander.

“I’m glad you could be reasonable. What is your name?” Edward asked.

“You needn’t know.” Momo responded briskly.

“Perhaps. Why did you attack my soldiers?” Edward questioned.

“I was acting in self-defence; they threatened my life.” Momo replied.

“I doubt that to be true, my men are not short sighted.” Edward implored.

“They wished for my weapons, I told hem they were mine, and that I would prefer not to fight, however, they were heedless.” Momo explained.

“Weapons are not allowed for citizens, nor travellers, you should have complied.” Edward countered.

“I am a ranger; my weapons are my own.” Momo lied.

“Where do you come from, ranger?” Edward questioned.

“There’s a small encampment of rangers at Malton, it will be believable.” Rancour telepathically told Momo

“Malton. Anything else you wish to raise with me, Commander?” Momo asked impatiently.

“You’re a little heavily armoured for a ranger, no? Is that armour specific to you, or are you lying?” Edward further questioned.

“My family is wealthy, and I enjoy the countryside. My armour is specific to me.” Momo responded, a tinge of annoyance upon his voice.

“One final question, ranger, why are you so far from your town?” Edward queried.

“I was tracking fugitives that had escaped the Yorkshire army, they were able to slip by me however, so I came to settle here, with my sister.” Momo responded.

Edward was unconvinced. There was no way a ranger would be traveling with a child. He held suspicions of this ‘ranger’s’ true motives, but he ascertained that he was not worth the trouble of stopping, as he had proven himself combat worthy.

“Very well. Enjoy your stay, ranger. Our apologies for the disturbance to your visit. On behalf of the Baron, enjoy Poclinton.” He formally pronounced, turning his men around.

Momo nodded, turning to the archer tower, and climbing to retrieve his sister. As he reached the top, he picked her back up, putting her back onto his shoulders, and leaping down the tower once more.

The sun had begun to rise, and he heard the growling of his sister’s stomach. Returning to the inn they sat for breakfast, as Momo attempted to give the innkeeper money to pay off his dues for the destruction he caused. The innkeeper however did not allow him to, giving him a long lecture of how the soldiers were corrupt and that they had no rights to attack him for defending himself. As Amirah finished her meal, Momo got her up, as they began to walk toward the Sunday vendors that had come in for the weekly fair.

Edward had come out of his uniform, and walked toward them, as Momo let out a gentle sigh of frustration, knowing the commander had seen through his attempt at deception.

“How are you enjoying the town, ranger?” Edward asked, walking up to him.

“It is enjoyable, I thank you for your hospitality.” Momo replied, hiding his annoyance at the knight commander.

“I’m glad. If it is no problem, what is your name, ranger?” Edward inquired.

Momo looked at him for a second as Rancour silently agreed that it wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“Momo.” He replied

“Interesting, are you not from England then, Momo?” Edward continued.

“I am half English, based on your name, I would assume you are the same, if not completely Norwegian based off the name Stigandr. I know it means ‘wanderer.’” Momo responded with repose.

“You know Norse? You are interesting Momo. How did you learn it?” Edward queried.

“My mother.” Momo responded grimly.

“I see, I assume she is one of the departed, given your tone of speech.” Edward presumed.

“She was killed by mercenaries, knights or simply fanatics. It troubles me little, other than their deaths being assured.” Momo answered.

“I wish you luck, Momo. I hope to see you around.” He said, extending his arm.

Momo joined his arm to his, both warriors showing respect for one another as Edward turned to walk away from Momo, leaving him and Amirah to wander the streets, enjoying the royal fair.