Knock Knock Knock!

“Wake up call!”

“I’m awake, thank ye!” Pom yawned and stretched as she got up, full of energy for the day ahead.

Svapna was right about sleeping in a bed, I needed that!

Pom wiped her eyes and gathered her saddlebags before stepping out, waving to the innkeeper as he walked to another door.

She had a simple breakfast of fruits and biscuits with the few early risers, but she didn’t spot Svapna among them.

I suppose she’s sleeping in. Maybe we’ll meet again some day?

With that, she made her way down the street with a new spring in her step, taking in the city more clearly with the uncrowded streets.

This was nice. Maybe when I’m done with this Champion thing, I’ll visit again.

Pom sighed.

When I’m done? Who knows when this will end.

The guards opening the inner gate looked like they were eager for their night shift to end so they could sleep, not bothering to ask her business or make conversation.

She found Momma and Papa having just awoken in their room, rousing the puppies.

“Come on, up!” Pom set Woof in Momma’s pouch as comfortably as possible. “The sooner we get going, the sooner you get breakfast.”

“Why not eat here?” Pom flinched at Pine’s voice.

“The dogs are shy.” Pom glanced between the pack as if they could help her. “They, uh, like to eat in private. Don't eat around Sheeple.”

Well, some of that is true.

“Huh.” Pine blinked. “Didn't know that ‘bout ‘em. Anyway, just wanted to see you off before opening shop.”

Tuft ran up to him at that, getting pets as the other pups followed.

“Well, thank ye!” Pom smiled. “They're happy tae see you too.”

A cloaked doe approached as he petted the puppies, keeping her distance and eyeing Momma and Papa suspiciously.

“Morning!” she said.

“Morning.” He got up and shared a quick kiss with her. “Wanna pet a puppy?”

“I’ll pass.” Her eyes flicked from them to Pom. “Pom, ain’t it? I’m Ash. Figured I’d see the Champ on my mornin’ walk.”

“Aye, that’s me!” Pom accepted her hoof shake. “Are ye sure on the puppies? They really don’t mind.”

“Honestly, it’s wicked strange to me. Thanks fo’ the offah’, though.” Ash took a step back as Woof approached, getting a sad look before Pom started petting her.

Is that really weird? Guess they don’t see dogs often.

“Well, we've got tae head out,” Pom rang her bell to call the puppies back, “get as far as we can before the sun goes down.”

“Oh, hold up!” Pine ran back and rummaged through a cart. “I wanted to give you this.”

Pine bit down on several bags and dropped them by her.

“It ain’t much, just some nuts from my stand, but I'd like to do somethin’ to help.”

Haven't really touched our supplies, eating grass. But a change could be nice, and nuts keep well.

“Thank ye, I appreciate it!” Pom smiled. “I can pay ye for it, though. They gave me salt for the trip.”

“Nonsense.” Pine waved a hoof. “You're doin’ the hard work, let me do what I can.”

“Thanks again.” Pom smiled before Ash spoke up.

“Aww, I got ya somethin’ too!” Ash pulled a couple of jars from her saddlebags. “Brought ya some comfrey leaves and roots, part of what I do. Some herbs for a poultice—hope ya don’t need it too often!”

That earned a look from the others as Ash continued. “Just boil ‘em, an’ use the powder for—”

Pom cut her off. “—for cuts, burns, and small bruises where there isn’t much swelling, and use the leaves and cold water tae reduce swelling. I know how tae treat scrapes. Just hope this holds up to the stuff from the Meadow.”

After a brief but tense stare-off between Ash and Pom, ending in Pom looking to the sky and noting the time, they helped Pom pack the bags into Momma and Papa’s saddlebags, and soon they were out the gate and watching the sun rise.

Svapna said I'd have allies in all of Fœnum, I guess she was right.

Once they were well away from Whitil, Pom made the call for them to hunt, waiting on a grassy hilltop with their bags and grazing on flowers.

It must be hard having tae eat like that. We've got it easy just eating grass and whatnot.

Papa insisted on carrying Pom again, and she agreed in the interest of time, riding on his back.

“We may not be able tae stay somewhere safe tonight.” Pom threaded her legs into the straps. “So let’s keep an eye out for places tae break when it gets late.”

Pom dozed off again on their trip with nothing better to do, but she awoke to Momma nuzzling her in the middle of the day.

“Something happen?” Pom yawned as she slid off Papa’s back, petting Woof after running to her side with the puppies already moving around.

Momma made an exaggerated sniff and tapped her nose.

“You smell something.” Pom checked the sun in the sky. “I’m guessing not a predator.”

Momma shook her head.

“Ungulate?”

Momma nodded as Pom recalled the fiasco with the whitetail guards confronting the dogs.

“Don’t worry then! I’ll handle introductions.”

Papa pointed the way with his nose and let Pom take the lead, taking up the rear of the pack behind the puppies with Momma close behind Pom.

They hadn’t taken twenty steps before Pom heard Momma crouch at the ready with a barely audible growl and four heavy swine jumped out of the brush around them.

“State your business!” A large sow demanded. “What’s a sheep and her dog pack doing this far south?”

“Ah - um… I’m Pom, Champion of the Meadow, and I’m looking for the Key.” Pom pulled herself up to stand tall but flinched back as they broke out in snorting laughter.

“You?!” The sow stepped forward to size her up. “You’d be an appetizer for the preds I’ve fought!”

Momma growled, and she looked up to meet her eyes.

“But that’s how it is, ain’t it? Sheeple use their pet predators to do their fighting for them.”

“You know?!” Pom’s eyes widened as she covered her mouth with both hooves, wishing she could take it back.

“Yeah, we know.” A boar tapped his snout. “Can’t fool this nose.”

“But they’d never—” Pom was interrupted by the sow.

“Yeah, yeah, if they made a habit of eating folks, there wouldn’t be Sheeple.” She narrowed her eyes. “But if they make a move here, it’ll be their last.”

“I take full responsibility for them!” Pom stepped in front of Momma staring back. “I trust them with my life, and they deserve better than that!”

They sow held the stare, then broke it with more snorting chuckles.

“You're a spirited one! For a sheep, at least.” She offered a hoof. “Name’s Shale, pleasure to meet ya.”

Pom blinked at the sudden change of demeanor before shaking hooves. “Um, sure.”

Shale shook much harder than Pom expected before asking, “So where are you headed exactly?”

“Tae the wetlands, tae see the Seer.” Pom answered.

“That's a long way, and the trip is dangerous.” A different boar spoke up. “You’d be smarter staying with us and taking the shortcut through the mountain to the river.”

“Can you take me there?” Pom lit up at the thought of a shorter and safer trip.

“That's for elder Granite to decide.” Shale answered. “No harm in taking you to see him, if your dogs behave.”

The caves were unlike anything Pom had ever seen, and she found them surprisingly well lit as she entered through a broad stone door with a swine carving staring down.

Beams of sunlight filtered in through holes in the ceiling, and brightly glowing mushrooms seemed to be everywhere, like lantern posts spaced between pillars of intricately carved stone.

“Wait here.” Shale left her outside with the boars and entered another stone door.

Pom passed the time eyeing the stonework and wall carvings with the dogs.

I've heard that we import stones from them, but I didn't take swine for artists.

“Like what you see?” A gravelly voice made Pom jump, turning to see a graying old boar with decorative tusk braces.

“Leave us.” He turned to the guards and they obliged.

“Y-yes!” Pom nodded. “Never seen anything like it!”

“We take pride in our work.” He grinned. “Name's Granite, Elder of the Stonesplitter Clan.”

“Pom, Champion of the Meadows.” She shook his hoof, speaking with more confidence than she felt and turning to the dogs. “And this is Max, Blen, Woof, Ruff, Puff, and Tuft.”

“Pleasure to meet ya.” He whistled. “Didn't think they grew that big.”

“I’ve fought bigger.” A younger and even larger boar pushed forward, and Pom’s eyes widened at the length of his steel extended tusks. “Churl, Champion of the Mines.”

His shake was rougher than the elder’s.

“Hear you're looking to pass through the mountain, going to see the Seer.” Churl sized Pom up, and she got the impression that he wasn't impressed.

“Those paths aren't safe.” Granite pushed him aside with a shared glare. “And we can't spare anyone to take her.”

Pom tried to think of some appeal when Churl cut in instead.

“Then I've got a proposition for both of you. I guide you through the mountain, then once you've seen this Seer, you come back and tell me everything she said.”

“We need the information.” Granite scratched his chin fur. “I'll allow it.”

“Deal!” Pom narrowed her eyes. “But why are ye still here instead of going for it yourself?”

Pom scuttled back as Churl shoved his snout forward.

“Are you calling me a coward?!”

“N-no!” Pom shook as Papa started to growl.

“Good.” Churl turned away with a snort. “We leave before first light, so get some sleep, fluffball.”

Pom found herself panting as he stormed off.

“Forgive him.” Granite spoke up once he was out of earshot. “He’s had a lot on his mind, looking out for everyone’s safety.”

When Pom didn't respond, Granite sighed.

“Would you like to know why our champion hasn't left?”

“...Yes.”

“Have you heard that the predators can't withstand sunlight?” Granite asked and Pom nodded.

“Well, we don't get sunlight here. It's the perfect place for them to shelter, so we've been fightin’ them since we first caught wind of ‘em. Some of us have gotten hurt, and Churl keeps fighting like he feels responsible every time.”

“Oh.” Pom looked down. “Sorry, I didn't know.”

She looked back up. “Then why not leave?”

“I considered it, once.” Granite smiled. “Then Churl showed us that we can fight back, that we don't have to leave our home to these monsters!”

He grit his teeth at that last word before calming down.

“And besides, if we left it to them, they'd start to amass here—get to be a real threat to us and everyone else. So if we have to be the front line, so be it.”

Momma and Papa bowed in respect, and the pups followed.

“Guess you can relate, eh?” Granite shared an understanding look with them before turning to Pom.

“But for my question, I can see why they chose the dogs. But why… Well, why a champion like you?”

Och, straight tae the point.

“Because I was the only volunteer.”

Sort of. Pom corrected in her head.

“Even after you volunteered?” He recoiled. “There wasn't anyone stronger and brave enough to step up?”

“Well… We're Sheeple.” Pom kicked the ground. “You know what they say: we're all cowards.”

“Not you.” Granite pushed her chin up. “Feel free to rest here until it's time to go. Shale! Show her around.”

Pom was awed by the architecture they'd carved into the caves and built from stone outside it, and by the scale of their mining and metalwork when she visited a smelter, but lunchtime gave her a distinctly different reaction.

“You eat worms?!” Pom gagged in disgust alongside Woof and Puff as the other dogs sniffed them.

“Roasted mealworms!” Shale slurped up a mouthful. “Filling and easy to grow.”

Tuft dug in and with a happy bark at her.

“See? He gets it!” Shale reached out a hoof that Tuft eagerly leaned into for a scratch.

At a huff from Papa, Woof and Puff shared a mournful look before joining the others eating.

Guess no hunting today.

Pom forced herself to walk over and stare at the food.

How often can we both eat the same thing? I'll try it for their sakes.

Pom winced as her tongue touched them, but stared into space as she continued to chew.

Well, that's… strange. Kind of interesting, though.

“If you hate them that much, we've also got grass, potatoes, mushrooms, you name it.”

“Oh, thanks!” Pom looked at the other foods, but snuck another bite of mealworms while Shale wasn't looking, hearing a chuckle from Momma and staring back in panic.

Don't you dare tell!

“Um.” Pom cleared her throat as Shale turned. “About the mealworms. Could ye spare any for supplies? F-for the dogs, of course!”

Shale grinned.

As Shale led them to her sleeping quarters, Pom heard a groan.

“What was that?” She turned to it.

“Infirmary.” Shale frowned. “Some of our warriors got banged up, but they'll recover.”

“Can I help?” Pom quickly reworded things as Shale turned. “I mean, I can help. I've been trained tae treat wounds and administer medicine.”

“That isn't your responsibility, and you should be resting.” Shale’s voice was softer than any Pom had heard from swine.

“But I want to help, and you've already helped me.” Pom insisted as the dogs turned to her.

“Well, we could use another doctor...” Shale paused in thought. “Fine, I won't stand in the way of someone returning a favor.”

She led Pom to the room and announced her. “This sheep has had medical training, and she'd like to help.”

“Come in.” A tired voice replied.

Pom turned to the dogs. “You all can go to sleep and get ready.”

Woof nuzzled her, getting pets before they filed off with Shale.

“I'll be back for you soon.” Shale looked back at her. “You need to rest.”

“Sounds good.” Pom nodded.

Three swine lay in beds of straw, one mostly healed of what looked like a treated wound on his upper back, another with tight wrappings and a splint indicating broken bones, and another with bandages on her side.

Pom set to work mixing poultices, replacing bandages, and delivering food, all while hearing of how it happened.

“Bastards ambushed us! Had us on the ground before Churl sent ‘em back to their hell.” The sow with the claw wound grunted as Pom finished tightening her bandage.

“How many are out there?” Fear and concern mixed in Pom's voice.

“More everyday.” The broken legged boar said. “Have to hunt them to keep their numbers down. We were after a bear when some wolves jumped in.”

That sounds like a losing battle. We— I really need tae find the key quickly.

“Thank you for holding them back.” Pom said as she refilled their water.

“Just repay us by getting that door shut, eh?” The mostly healed boar quipped, getting snorting laughter from the others and a frown that Pom hid.

“I'll do my best!”

After checking on the less urgent patients, the head doctor addressed her.

“That's enough for today, you’ve been a real help, and I won't keep you from your rest longer.”

“You're welcome.” Pom nodded and let him lead her to the guest chamber with the dogs.

Finding them all sleeping peacefully, she cuddled up to Momma and closed her eyes.

“Get up! No sense wasting your daylight.”

Pom blinked as Churl's voice woke her, seeing the dogs yawning as they stirred.

“Right.” Pom yawned.

“We eat a quick breakfast, then we leave.” Churl led the way without discussion.

Pom didn't try to hide her newly acquired taste as she chewed on mealworms, too drowsy to care.

Despite his anger earlier, Pom felt safer with the big boar leading the way alongside the dogs surrounding her.

“Heard you helped at the infirmary.” Churl called back without warning.

“Um, yes.” Pom blinked. “It was nothing.”

“It was honorable, helping when you didn't have to.” He replied. “I respect that.”

“Thanks.” Pom glanced away and smiled. “And thank you for holding the predators back here.”

“Thank me by getting me that clue.” Churl said.

They walked in silence for a while, partly at Churl's warning that excess noise could draw predators, when Pom noticed him sniffing the air and heard her dogs sniff as well.

Papa growled.

“Predators?” Pom gasped.

“Aye.” Churl answered. “But they're far off, not likely to try it. I'd chase them myself on other occasions.”

“We can chase them together.” Pom froze on the spot alongside Churl as he turned, almost as surprised as he was.

“You want to hunt them? I can't ensure your safety.”

All eyes were on Pom as she forced herself to continue.

“We-we've fought them before, and if they’re allowed to build up, they'll be more dangerous to everyone, maybe even follow my scent. If I'm tae be a Champion, I should help.” Pom swallowed as he leaned in and grinned.

“Never thought I'd hear that from a sheep! Stick close; we've got to move fast.”

Pom recognized hunting behavior in how Churl and the dogs ran and stopped to sniff, but she'd never been a part of it.

They seemed more alive somehow, filled with a thrill of anticipation while Pom only felt a growing dread as she ran after them.

“Bark!” Ruff ran down a cave with Churl charging in beside him.

Pom briefly saw a pair of red eyes before the wolf turned and ran.

“End of the road!” Churl shouted and swiped the ground with a tusk, sending a shockwave that knocked the wolf down with a yelp.

Ruff was on it immediately, biting down on a leg to keep it down as Pom ran forward in concern for his safety, tripping on the wolf’s head and flipping it over.

Puff dove on its belly for a bite, and it dispersed into smoke.

But Momma’s growl told Pom it wasn't over.

Red eyes grew in the cave the wolf was fleeing to until they emerged, revealing what Pom assumed to be a bear alongside a long-fanged predator.

“I'll take on all of ya!” Churl let out a battle squeal and charged, but Pom noticed more coming to their side and behind.

“Papa, left!”

He immediately turned at Pom's order, cutting off a side cave with his bulk.

“Momma, Tuft, Puff, behind!”

Pom kept running to Churl as she called.

“Woof, Ruff, come by!”

They joined her as Churl neared the bear and it raised a paw to swipe at him—

“Bite ‘em!”

Woof clamped down on the paw as it roared, but Pom pulled him by the tail to safety as Churl knocked the bear flat with a swipe to the legs.

Ruff’s barking and circling had distracted the snake, and it coiled to lunge at him as Pom jumped in without a plan.

She grabbed onto its neck for dear life as it hissed and failed to dislodge her while Ruff charged in.

“No! Help Churl!” Pom called, and after a moment of hesitation Ruff sunk his teeth into the bear's back leg right as it'd pushed Woof and Churl away to stand.

It roared and flinched, and that was all Churl needed to slay it with a goring run and a barrage of punches and kicks.

Behind them, Tuft kicked dust in a cougar's face as it pounced, missing as Puff slammed down on its back and Tuft turned around to bite again.

Another charged Tuft from behind, but it was sent flying into a wall by a bark from Momma, with her throwing the other cougar to join it shortly after as both dispersed.

Three wolves had tried to get past Papa, but one flinched mid pounce from a bark after trying to circle him.

Papa tackled another wolf and banished them with a bite. The third managed to bite him behind his neck as he snarled, but it vanished with the other remaining wolf as Papa slammed his back into a wall, crushing both of their ghostly forms.

The snake took to banging Pom against the cave wall as they both lost all sense of the fight around them, but her soft wool cushioned the blows so she only felt dizzy and dazed.

Pom’s only thought was hanging on until the snake suddenly vanished, and she landed hard on her rear and then fell on her back, looking up to see Papa leaning over in concern as her head spun.

“I'm fine.” Pom blinked on the ground and tried to reorient herself as she sat up slowly. “Are they gone?”

“Aye, we made short work of ‘em!” Churl grinned, snorting in laughter as she nearly fell over again. “Your technique could use work, but I like your spirit!”

He turned to the dogs and looked up at Papa. “And I’ve not seen many predators with your guts. Good to have you on our side!”

Papa huffed, clearly proud of himself as the puppies yipped to each other on their roles in the fight as their parents weighed.

Once the pups settled down, everyone turned to Pom.

“Ye were great!” Pom scratched her neck. “Sorry I couldn’t do much.”

“Nonsense!” Churl protested as Momma huffed. “I heard you organizing a defense even as you charged in. That’s quick thinking, and sometimes brains are worth more than brawn.”

“Thanks.” Pom smiled back, blushing and not sure what else to say.

Author's Note

Trying to build up Pom's character for something big coming soon.

Hope you enjoyed it!

As always I welcome your thoughts and critique.

I based the Swine civilization on dwarves, basically.

Churl shares the same root as Karl, and Deep Rock Galactic was an inspiration.

It also means a boorish person.

Also wrote a draft of a Book of Lore entry for him just to flesh things out for myself: may post a version of it sometime in the future.