A Helping Hand

A Helping Hand (Short Story) Erdmut struggled to pick up the heavy crate. Once he had managed to lift it off the ground he staggered over to the warehouse when suddenly he tripped. He to lose his balance when a giant hand grabbed his shoulder and steadied him.

“Woah, boy, steady!” a voice exclaimed. “That box is too heavy for you.”

Erdmut looked up and stared right at two giants in armour, Astartes. The first Astartes was unhelmed and had a face covered in scars with hair tied back to a ponytail, an attempt of a smile was also on his face. The other Astartes was helmed, his helmet bearing a large gash running through the top to the bottom.

"What is your name, son?” asked the first Astartes.

“E-Erdmut, milord.” stammered Erdmut.

The Astartes chuckled.

“Well, Erdmut, for a start I am not your lord. I am Gamhard. With me is Hans.”

Hans simply nodded at Erdmut. Gamhard continued speaking.

“Here, allow me to carry this. Go and take a break, son.”

“But the overseer will surely punish me!” said Erdmut, his face pale.

“He will do no such thing or he will have to answer to me.” replied Gamhard. “Now go, son, you have been working all day, you've earned your rest.”

Erdmut nodded and scampered off.

“Why do you let him go?” Hans asked as he watched the boy leave. “Idle hands are intolerable to the Emperor.”

“Until now, our hands were not being used, brother." said Gamhard as he began to carry the crate. "That boy had been working for a long time, his hands deserve rest. Now get a crate, with our help offloading this ship should be over in no time."