The dung landed in front of me with a wet plop. I turned my head, and as expected, saw the sneering face of the urchin who had been following us for the last few days. Before I could stop her, Yoli picked the dung up and flung it right back at the urchin. It hit the child square in the face.
“Yeah, well… you only hit me because you’re good at throwing,” she screeched, before diving back into the undergrowth.
Yoli’s face went from satisfied, to confused, to moody. I gave her the space of a few seconds before I spoke.
“That didn’t feel as good as you thought it would, did it?”
Yoli scrunched up her face. “No. But she’s been annoying us for days, mistress. And what kind of comeback was that? Good at throwing? I ought to be, as a squire of the Kingsguard.”
“We do prefer that our squires have good aim, yes,” I said.
Yoli glared at the bushes, then slumped. “Good aim against another trained fighter, not some little kid.”
“Did you see what she has wrapped around her arm?” I asked.
“A piece of the enemy’s uniform,” Yoli said.
“A piece of the uniform that could have been her father’s, her brother’s, or someone else she loved. We’re the villains in her story.”
“How can that be? They’ve tortured innocents, put children to death. Mistress, they wouldn’t even respect you as a fighter.”
“Their respect isn’t as important to me as my respect for myself. Tell me, Squire Yoli, how is your self-respect at this moment?”
She looked at the ground. “Not good.”
“Why?”
“Because I picked a fight with a dumb, and obviously sad, little kid. And that’s not who I want to be.”
“Save that aim for an actual opponent when we find one. It might keep your hands cleaner,” I said, smiling. “Let’s find a creek and get them washed off.”
“She’s going to keep throwing shit at us you know,” Yoli said.
“Then it’s a good thing that we train our squires to dodge as well.”
“I’m fast enough for that,” Yoli said. “She really does have terrible aim.”
This piece of flash fiction was created for the Weekly Scribblings prompt given at Poets and Storytellers United: Hit Me with Your Best Shot.
A little lesson for us all!
ReplyDeletePerhaps, yes
Delete“Their respect isn’t as important to me as my respect for myself. Tell me, Squire Yoli, how is your self-respect at this moment?”
ReplyDeleteBrilliant write Rommy!! As Debra said, a little lesson for us all! Big Hugs!
Thank you Stacey
DeleteVery good point; and delightfully told.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it
DeleteI love a story with a moral, Rommy, and this one is so enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim
DeleteYes. Lessons. Learned. Hopefully remembered. It's kinda sad, though, that the Narrator says, "Save that aim for an actual opponent when we find one," because she clearly hasn't found the wisdom she hopes to teach: the concept of "opponent" is a hollow one.
ReplyDeleteWell told, Rommy.
It was written the way it was written.
DeleteNeither the narrator, nor I, are here for fake or forced kumbayas without there being an actual reckoning or accountability being taken. There still are people doing terrible things, as the squire points out. The ones who do terrible things need to be held accountable. Wasting breath on some sad person though, with no real ability to affect anything, is just silly.
No punches pulled here. You've made your point skillfully, and the lesson to walk a mile in the other fellow's shoes is a good one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bev
Delete“We’re the villains in her story” will stay with me for a while. Especially as I view scenes from the impeachment trial and think about how many folks might consider me the villain in their stories.
ReplyDeleteI imagine I wouldn't be a favorite among them.
Deletegreat story, with much to ponder about conflicts. reminds me of the adage, there are no winners in war, only losers.
ReplyDeleteLotsa villains, lotsa heroes — all depends on one’s perspective. We are capable of brong each one, simultaneously. Who’s right, who’s wrong — who knows. One must simly pick the side thst resonates their soul — then hang on ‘til the ride is over. Fine tale Rommy.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Rob, when it comes to conflict, perspective is everything.
DeleteAnd it's always a good idea to keep that in mind, yes.
DeleteYoli's mistress is a wise one. Fighting can be a solution when it's called for--and again the proper opponent--but like dear old Snape suggested in certain dueling class, sometimes blocking (and dodging) can be a better battle strategy.
ReplyDeleteSometimes Snape gets it completely right.
DeleteIntriguing. That flip from who is the hero and who is the enemy is something I ponder.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about it a lot lately too
DeleteAs we grow up we do make mistakes and it is so important to learn from them.
ReplyDeleteIndeed
DeleteVery wise story Rommy.
ReplyDeleteWho is right or wrong all depends on which side we are sitting on...
Anna :o]
Thanks Anna
DeleteWow! Thanks for those unwanted emotions! :P
ReplyDelete