When Hazel awoke, he tried to move, only to have pain flare across his chest. His ribs were no doubt broken. He felt something else, something tight against his chest. He tried to move his hand to his chest, but something held him fast to the ground. He could also smell something like wood smoke in the air. He realized his eyes were still closed, so he opened them. He was in what looked to be some kind of deer-skin tent that was supported by thick tree limbs. He was tied to the ground with green vines that seemed to have grown around him. He turned his head, the only thing he could move, and saw an orc sitting by the fire wearing antlers and a kind of skirt made from animal hides. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, however, so his huge, muscular chest and arms were on full display. After moving his head a bit more and letting his eyes adjust to the flickering fire light, he saw the witch tangled up in a bunch of similar vines growing out of the ground.
“Well look who’s finally joined us,” she said.
The orc looked toward Hazel and smiled, showing off his sharp, fang-like teeth. “You awake. Good. My name Grum. It like Crumb, but with a g.”
“Good to meet you Grum. How did I get here?”
“Earth tell me you two fight. Grum no want fight, Grum want peace. Grum come to stop you, but you two already passed out. Grum heal.”
“How did I get tangled up in these vines?”
“Grum no want fight. Grum want peace.”
“So, you tied us up to keep us from fighting?”
Grum nodded, then he perked up and started to rifle through his bag. He pulled out a small clay jar and opened it. Then he took a knife and brandished it toward Hazel. Hazel’s eyes went wide, but Grum just cut off the bandages that were on Hazel’s chest. He smeared something that smelled like copper onto his fingers and started to spread it over Hazel’s now bare chest.
“Ribs should heal soon. Grum good at healing magic.” Suddenly the searing pain in Hazel’s chest became a dull ache and he sighed in relief. You never quite know how much pain you’re in until it goes away all at once. Hazel felt the muscles he was keeping tense relax. “Grum will release you if no fight.”
Hazel looked at Lilith for a moment. Then they both nodded. Grum smiled a toothy smile and the vines ensnaring both of them shrunk back into the earth. Grum helped Hazel into a sitting position while Hazel focused on ignoring the dull aches still present in his chest. “Now speak. No fight.”
Another pause. The silence was broken when Lilith spoke up. “I was really impressed by how you broke my illusion. For most people, that’s enough to knock them out cold.”
“Do you usually kill them while they’re unconscious?” this remark earned a hard thud from Grum on the back of Hazel’s head. “Ow.” He rubbed at the spot. “What I mean to say is, you mentioned you don’t let your enemies live. Do you have a lot of,” he coughed, “enemies in dispose?”
“I try to make a point of not killing anyone who doesn’t have it coming. Either they won’t leave me alone, or they did something that made them not worthy of life. Happy?”
“And who decides that they’re unworthy? You? Your Demon Prince?”
“And what makes you or your order such a paragon when it comes to dealing out justice? Why are you so sure that I, a woman you no nothing about, deserve to die simply because I have been given power by an entity you fear?”
Hazel went silent at that question. He didn’t want to admit to Lilith that no part of his quest asked him to kill her. His quest had been to discover what moves Zekitana was making. Murder was not on the agenda. Lilith sensed his hesitation. “I thought so.”
“You both angry. That ok. But anger is in past. Leave there.”
“Grum has a point. Whatever we’ve done to each other, we are both here now. I am willing to move forward without my hostilities if you are.” Hazel put out his hand, but Lilith just looked at it.
She turned away from him. “Don’t cross me again paladin. If you do, there will be hell to pay.”
Hazel nodded accepting the precarious truce. “So Grum, why did the earth send you to stop our fight?”
“Earth no send Grum.” Grum laughed.
“I thought you said the earth told you we were fighting.”
“Yes. Earth tells me, but me decide you no fight. Earth has many people fight on her. She no care. Animals fight, but people are more than animals. Should seek peace. That Grum’s way.”
Hazel nodded, listening intently, but Lilith’s eyes glazed over quickly, staring into the fire. Without warning, she rose form her spot in the tent, and walked out of the tent. When she opened the flap, Hazel felt a cool rush of air and saw starlight. Grum went after her, but Hazel stayed behind, fearing his presence would just upset her further.
“Why leaving?” Grum asked after he caught up to her.
“Grum, you don’t like fighting. I get that. But peace isn’t exactly in my vocabulary.”
“Peace easy. Watch.” Grum sat cross-legged on the ground. He looked up at her. “See? Peaceful. You try.”
Lilith shook her head. “No Grum. I can’t. I have people… things… I have things I have to do. Being peaceful isn’t an option for a girl like me.”
“Because Zekitana.” Lilith shifted from foot to foot and nodded. “Demon’s not friends of the earth. They not friends of Grum.”
“I owe him more than you could ever imagine Grum.” She started to back up. “I’m sorry. Thank you for getting me back on my feet, but I have to go now.” With that she turned and ran. Grum didn’t follow. He merely turned and walked back into the tent where Hazel was waiting for him.