Volume 1: Episode 4 - The Spear
Ramewet, A Remote Village
The day passed with an unusual quiet over the fields. Some of the usual women, including Granny, didn't even show up to work in the field. This wasn't especially uncommon, for she was old and sometimes needed a rest, but the timing was unfortunate. Kat wanted to say goodbye to Granny before he left. Or not. Even after all day thinking about it, Kat still didn't know what he wanted to do.
One decision was easy, however. He decided he would leave the field early, perhaps sit on the hill for awhile before returning home. Though Dewa said he would be late, Kat would still need to choose what to take with him. Or not. Kat packed up his stuff, maybe for the last time. Or not. With a heavy sigh, he turned toward his home and began his evening commute.
Kat's House
Sitting on the hilltop watching the sunset bathe the landscape in its orange bath did nothing to help Kat come to a decision. Even walking down the hill, Kat flip flopped between going and staying so many times, he lost count. Stepping onto his porch, Kat became keenly aware of things he hadn't noticed for a long time. The creak of the wood with each step he took. The gaps in the walls. The dirt that covered everything. What was the difference between sleeping there and sleeping in the wilderness? Upon opening the door, he could see that the inside was not much better. Table. Chairs. Grill. Almost no noteworthy possessions outside of the little shrine to his late parents.
Kat had contemplated leaving alone, but now he had an offer to go with someone. Someone who could protect him and teach him of the dangers of the outside. Finally, his mind began to solidify into a decision. He would go. He would say a final prayer before the shrine to his parents and await Dewa. Now there was only the matter of what to take with him. Clothes. Some food. Surely Dewa had some plans for provisions. Kat scanned the room again for any possible keepsake he might want to take and when he finally turned to the dusty, dark corner to his left, he saw it.
Resef's spear.
Resef's ceremonial spear. The one that goes to the best hunter in the village. Kat froze, stunned into inaction. He couldn't be seeing this! Paru had been bold in the past stealing little trinkets from Resef and making it look like Kat took them, but this was something else entirely. If anyone caught him with this, he would endure far more than a punch in the snout.
Kat recovered just enough to unfreeze from his stupor, but panic wasn't any better, running around the house with his heart thumping like an earthquake. He had to get the spear away or hide it. Or something. And fast. First, he thought of hiding it under the floorboards, but the gaps between the wood planks would easily show the glint of gold in the spear and this wouldn't be the first time Resef came looking for his stuff. He would know to look there.
Kat had to take the spear out and dispose of it somehow. The town well? Too many people nearby. He could bury it, but that would take time. He could take it to the misty valley, where no one was permitted and leave it there. Yes, that would be the best plan. The question now was whether to try to sneak around or just make a flat run to the valley. There was no way to hide the spear, for it was taller than he was, so he figured a desperate run might be the best choice.
Kat reached out with his paw and slowly wrapped his trembling fingers around the spear. When he lifted it, he found it surprisingly heavy, surely not designed as a weapon to be used but to be carried and flaunted, which suited Resef's personality perfectly. Kat held the spear in both hands, wondering how best to carry it. He tried it under his armpit, but he swiftly discovered that it was easy to bump into things. He tried with both hands, holding it straight up, but felt like he couldn't run well like that.
Eventually, Kat determined the best way would be to hold it propped up against his shoulder. With a deep breath and hand clutched to his heart, he opened his front door a crack and peered out. Nobody was around. Little by little, he opened the door wider and looked to and fro. Still nobody. He had to go now, before anyone came looking for him.
Bolting from his front door, Kat leaped from his porch and sprinted toward the misty valley. He would have to pass through some lightly-populated areas on his way and his head darted around frantically as he made sure nobody was watching. Few opportunities came for him to hide himself, behind a tree or a steep hill, but he took them whenever he could, his chest heaving as he rested. It was only for a short time, for he dare not dally for long.
Until he was discovered.
As he rounded the base of a hill, Kat heard what he dreaded most.
Resef: There he is!
Kat looked to his right to see Resef and several of the villagers following behind, all surprisingly close, for the hill was one of the places where he couldn't see what was coming until he passed. Kat dropped the spear and ran futilely in the opposite direction. Futile, because he knew that Resef could outrun him easily.
Resef: Get him!
Kat didn't get very far before something hard hit his back and he tumbled to the ground. Only for a moment could he try to scramble to his feet again, but the villagers were upon him before he could. After that, Kat only knew the was being savagely kicked and punched by several people. Instinctively, he curled himself up as tightly as he could and closed his eyes. He did not know how long he lay there enduring this beating or who was participating. He only knew that when it stopped, sharp pains pierced his chest and arms. When he finally opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Granny, looming over him with her arms folded across her chest and her usual kindly expression replaced with a gaze of sheer malice.
Kat: Granny?
Granny's whisker's twitched in irritation.
Granny: Don't you call me that! You are a stain on this village!
Kat coughed once, sending rockets of searing pain through his chest. Speaking also came with great difficulty and he could only wheeze out his sentences.
Kat: But... You said... You wished for ours to be a peaceful village.
Granny stepped forward until she was almost on top of him, looking down on Kat as though he were just a piece of smelly trash.
Granny: That's right! And that can't happen unless everyone minds their place!
Though in too much pain to be angry, Kat was still able to feel the betrayal.
Kat: I was just starting to be happy.
Granny sneered and hissed at him.
Granny: You're not allowed to be happy until you know your place!
Granny kicked a little puff of dirt in Kat's direction and slithered away, only to be replaced with Resef.
Resef: You are banished from the village. Go die somewhere away from here.
Kat rolled painfully onto his side and began to make efforts to stand, his burning desire to get away only just more powerful than the pain. Finally, he managed to get to his feet, clutching his chest, and before he left, he heard Resef call out to the others.
Resef: Burn his house down!
