Pax and Rook

1: Pax was born to a human mother and lived in a small human village. Her family consisted only of her mother, Miriam, and her twin brother, Rook. They lived in a humble cottage on the outskirts of the town. Being the only two half orcs in the village, Pax and Rook were not given the same treatment as the other children. It did not help that they looked more orc than human. There were no warm smiles for them, no waves from across the street or any small gesture of kindness. The adults weren’t hostile but still kept their distance from Pax and Rook when possible. They never overtly mistreated Pax and Rook but it was clear that the half orcs were not accepted.

2: The town’s children were a different story. As the years went by, they went from ignoring the twins, to teasing them, and then bullying them. Pax and Rook were never in true danger even when things turned physical. While physical attacks were rare but malicious, Pax and Rook always seemed to escape serious harm. Maybe the other children never intended to cause serious damage. Maybe the natural strength of orc blood protected them. The latter seems more likely. Childish bullying happens to all children but the young half orcs got more than the rest. Pax and Rook learned quickly to look out for each other. Rook could handle it when the name calling was directed at him but if Pax was the target then Rook was ready to shut them up. Even at a young age, Pax would always find a diplomatic solution that didn’t involve violence. When pushing and shoving was involved Rook would not back down, especially when Pax was the target. He wouldn’t hurt the bullies but he would protect his sister. This had an effect on the twins. Pax would shrug off any insults but the words hurt more than the physical attacks. She wore longer robes to cover her green skin, pulled her hood up to hide her pointy ears and let her black hair cover her face. She wasn’t aware of it yet but she was becoming very self conscious of her appearance.

3: Their mother taught them to treat others well no matter what. One would expect this from the town healer. The days when the twins came home after being bullied Miriam would comfort them and tell them that sometimes children fear what they do not understand. They weren’t evil. She would wash the scrapes and kiss the bruises while telling them “Even when someone treats you dirty, don’t let them dirty your soul.” Pax and rook took this to heart. They helped anyone who would let them and had kind words for everyone. Thanks were few and far between but they knew they were doing the right thing. Every night the three of them would gather around a fire and share the days events. Pax and Rook always had stories of their good deeds. Pax would tell of sharing her food with the less fortunate and comforting crying children. She would help up a child who fell even though Rook had pushed him over for mocking pax. Rook told of all his feats of strength that he put to good use. He carried food home from a hunt, unloaded supplies for store owners or helped build structures for the town. Miriam showered them both with praises and rewarded them with their favorite meals.

4: Almost overnight the children turned into young adults. One day they were five years old running around the town care free. The next day they were sixteen laboring in the woods. Both were as at home in nature as they were by the fire listening to their mother. Hunting, wood cutting, and scouting all became second nature to them. Occasionally they were needed in town for manual labor. Their utility to the town did nothing to garner them respect. Perhaps sending the outcasts away from the town was the people’s way of distancing them further. Out of sight, out of mind. Pax and Rook happily did their duties regardless. Doing the right thing was it’s own reward and they were happy.

5: As she grew into a young woman Pax lived by her mothers teachings like they were tattooed on her heart. Although her duties usually kept her away from town and she was never treated as an equal, she still preferred to help people in a more personal way. Knowledge of medicine and first aid were more gifts Miriam gave her. Pax was not naturally gifted in these areas even though her mother was the town healer. She still did better than most and loved interacting with people. Miriam would allow Pax to assist but usually people didn’t want to be touched by a half orc. The best reaction she got was silent and reluctant acceptance of her aid. No one thanked her but she loved seeing people that she mended walking down the street. Never the less, Pax held onto hope for open acceptance from everyone. She truly was her mothers daughter.

6: Rook became very different from his twin sister. He had all the same experiences as Pax and the same teachings from their mother but he learned different lessons. Where Pax would do anything to avoid a conflict, Rook found that a swift punch would stop most nasty remarks. He never gave into rage but he felt it grow with each incident. Turning the other cheek made him feel weak and it encouraged the attacks to continue. Knocking someone on their ass would discourage further conflict. At least for a little while. He grew stronger and faster than the other children. Rook made sure anyone he hit could get back up but he also made sure they knew he was holding back. He was grateful to his mother for trying to impart her kind soul upon him. However there was something growing inside of him. He couldn’t talk to Miriam about his hate building up but no son can hide that from his mother. Thankfully he could confide in Pax. After all, she was the only person in the world that went through everything he did. She could calm him easily ever since childhood and did so many times. Insults would be hurled at the twins and Rooks patience would run out quickly. Years of being called pig people, green skins and worse left Rook perpetually ready to fight. As adults it became more difficult for Pax to control Rook. Externally he did everything he could to keep his cool. He had to.

7: One day stood out as a lesson he learned instantly. Rook and Pax spent all day carrying water from the creek to the village. The two mile trek wasn’t hard for them but going back and forth with buckets of water took it’s toll. Exhausted and finally done they proudly looked at their hard work. Then a group of other young adults walked up to them. One spit in the water they just accumulated. Rook stepped foreword with measured aggression and a dark expression. Pax was quicker to react. She stepped between him and the small crowd. This gave Rook a moment to take a breath. He stepped back and his expression softened. That all changed when the next spit landed in the eyes of Pax. Blinking hard and rubbing her eyes she could no longer do anything to stop Rook. His vision turned red. To this day he still can’t remember what he did. One moment he heard laughter. The next moment he is looking through two human sized holes in a wall. The spitters were on the other side battered, bruised and bleeding. Shit. That one is Andre, the town leaders son.

8: The accusations came swiftly. Although Rook was the one who caused the damage Pax was guilty by association. A trial was held and attended to by the entire town. Now everyone was openly hostile. Years of disdain were now levied against the twins. They were blamed for things they never did and vilified for defending themselves. They never had a chance. Rook stood and took it all without a hint of emotion. He knew his actions were justified but he knew he would pay the price for them. He was trying to think of a way to get Pax out of this. Pax, on the other hand, stared at the floor where her tears landed. Every accusation cut her like a knife. Miriam stood silent in the crowd, eyes locked with Rook the entire time. Was she mad? Disappointed? Proud? For the first time in his life Rook couldn’t read his mothers expression. After all the accusations were done the “judge” made one last call for witnesses before judgement was passed.

9: “Shame on you all!” Miriam finally spoke. The entire town was instantly taken back. Did their quiet, gentle healer just raise her voice? Yes. She was furious. No one ever saw her angry before and now she looked like she was barely in control. “These two have worked their entire lives in service to this town. No task is too small, too dirty or too difficult. Not once have any of you thanked them! You ignore them. Youre children mock and beat them as you turn a blind eye. Now that Rook is fed up with your treatment he defended himself and his sister. For that you would punish them both for crimes neither of them commited? My children are more human than any of you monsters!” She had individual accusations as well. Her words were biting and vicious but all true. She started with those in the crowd closest to her and worked her way up to the elders and the judge. She scolded the entire village for their treatment of her children. Her innocent children. Rook was in awe but he couldn’t show weakness in front of the mob so his expression stayed somber. That couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down his face. Pax and Rook were free to go.

10: That night Pax, Rook and Miriam sat quietly around the fireplace. It had been a long day but no one was hungry. No words were spoken. None were needed. Pax held her mothers hand and Rook absentmindedly thumbed the edge of his ax. He could have sharpened it then but decided it could wait until tomorrow. The crackle of the fire was interrupted by a knock at the door. That rarely happened unless someone needed a healer. Pax and Rook exchanged worrying glances. Rook subconsciously tightened his grip on the ax. Miriam, however, rose from her chair as if she was expecting it. The fireplace cast just enough light to reveal the face of Michelle, the baker. Words were exchanged but Pax and Rook couldn’t hear what they were. Miriam closed the door and returned with a basket in hand. She removes the cloth to reveal several loaves of bread. “Michelle sends her deepest apologies”. The ever outspoken Pax was at a loss for words. Michelle never gave them free bread. Fresh, stale, didn’t matter. Rook snorted and asked if it was poisoned. That elicited a look from Miriam that made Rook avert his eyes. “We haven’t eaten today. Let’s accept this gift from a new friend”.

11: They received several visitors over the next few days. Some came bearing gifts, some simply came with kind words and apologies. It wasn’t just private visits. Out in public Pax and Rook would be stopped for a quick “hello” or a “nice job”. Everyone in the town changed but not all for the better. The half orcs were finally accepted as a part of the town or outright hated. Pax and Rook decided to view the situation optimistically. Pax quickly became friends with everyone she could including Andre. He seemed to have taken Miriam’s tongue lashing to heart. Rook didn’t believe the ring leader of the bullies could change that drastically. Pax did and she let Andre make up for being mean to her for so long. Several girls became nicer too. Only a few took interest in outdoor activities and these girls were generally the ones trying to get into the town guard. Rook was uncomfortable with the small talk he received but he tried his best to reciprocate. A couple of his former bullies and adults seemed to have genuinely changed. They began giving coin or other rewards for Rooks work. The aging inn keeper Roland was his favorite human. Rook would do chores, move caskes or add ingredients to the still. His reward was to taste test the drinks. Roland would smile “Quality control is important. Oh, and don’t tell your mother”. Another thing Rook liked was walking in public and seeing those that hated him move out of his way. Fear was close enough to respect for him.