Avina

Kindness Above All (Story by Harukodo2 )

Avina watched through the trees as the bandits she followed made way back to their camp. Most people in her position wouldn’t be chasing bandits but Avina isn’t most people, despite her having only one arm and leg each she also had a magic staff that aided her in balance, agility, reflexes, and even combat (although her friends pointed out she could also hit people with a non-magic staff). She followed her prey home and saw where they kept the loot they had stolen.

Night came and the camp sang of malicious merry making. Avina ate her rations without a fire to cook them so as not to be discovered, she new that being discovered earlier would mean more work. She wrapped herself tightly in her cloak and slept early for she knew that she had a tight time frame in the morning.

Avina woke long before any of the bandits, but still she waited. The bandits left in groups to raid carriages, Avina had counted the bandits in camp and knew there were enough for three of their groups. The first group left and after thirty minutes the second group left, this was her moment. As soon as the second raiding party was out of sight Avina laid herself in the path leading out of camp, waiting for the third group to find her ‘helpless’ and ‘afraid’ before putting her plan in motion.

Sure enough four of the bandits came and spotted her laying on the path feigning injury.

“Good sirs please help, a group of bandits have stolen my cart and abandoned me here with no way back to the market.”

The lead horse rider smirked and got off his horse, he walked towards the prone Avina “can you stand with that stave?” He asked.

“I’m afraid not” Avina lied “it happened to fall from my cart as the bandits rode away, I attempted to stand with it to no avail.”

The man helped Avina to stand “my... my... what shall we do with you?” He said openly staring at her chest.

Avina shoved the staff into his foot before head butting him in the nose and striking him in the stomach with her staff, the man collapsed. Two more riders approach on horse back, Avina leapt into the air with her staff and in one swing hit both men in the head rendering them unconscious. Avina turned to the final bandit as he aimed a crossbow at her “You stay put I’m not gonna get close enough for you to hit me with that stick of yours!” He said with a tremble in his voice.
Avina threw her staff like a spear and the blunt end of it stuck him between the eyes and ricocheted back to her hand.

After dispatching the bandits Avina approached the campsite and headed towards the carriage that had her bounty in it. She broke down the door to find several people huddled in fear but only one that she was looking for. The Prince, the man who crippled her all those years ago, when he recognized her he coward even more raising his hands and begging her “please don’t hurt me”

“Why would I hurt you? I’m here on behalf of your father to save you.” Avina said confidence beaming from her face.

All the other passengers fled on their own but Avina stayed with the Prince until they reached the keep where his father resided.

The audience with the King was a surprise to many but none so much as the Prince.

“To Avina for saving my sons life, I grant you freedom from the cruelty of my son.”
The King declared before turning to his son the Prince “and to you my son, none of your servants or guards were distraught to hear of your kidnapping, is this your legacy? So cruel that your capture is celebrated? For this I Disavow you, I make your younger brother heir to the throne.” The King said with sadness in his eyes. The Prince wept as his father continued “when asking the court who would rescue my son, all avoided eye contact except Avina, she was convinced that you could restore her limbs or even lift the curse you laid upon her. I informed her that was not possible and she still didn’t back down, and as such I command you to remain by her side until you know the meaning of humility.” The King finished and dismissed them.

Avina left, heading for the local inn where she had arranged to live for the time being. The Prince stood in shock...

-End

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another touching amputee tale from our friend writer. Hope you guys like it!