Virtually Real Chapter 75: The Big Bad Wolf Returns
The group of misfits find that civilization doesn't suit them.
Virtually Real Chapter 75: The Big Bad Wolf Returns
After visiting what had to be every vender in the village, and Jordan examining the most expensive items they offered, I'd come to the conclusion he was trying to upset me. Fortunately we did meet up with Rider. He was hesitant, saying that it might be dangerous meeting with the relic vender a second time. But I convinced him to at least try.
We entered the general store and he carefully checked to be sure there were no other customers. It hadn't been easy but we'd convinced Jordan to remain outside, to keep from upsetting the vender.
"Hello again." Rider said.
"Our business is done."
"Rider, why don't you go wait with Jordan?"
"But-"
"Trust me." I insisted.
Rider shook his head but left.
"You might as well follow your partner."
"Sir, there is an item I wish to procure and I believe you may be the only one that can help me."
"What you see is what I've got."
"Perhaps, but what you see is not what I have. I have knowledge of really old things. How they work, what they were used for, what you need to make them function."
"I'm sure."
"You have an art relic in this town it has a handle on it for pumping, but it doesn't really so anything."
"We have several. There is even one behind this store."
I nodded. "Fill the box with water and start pumping. If the box goes empty fill it again. Soon you will be pumping up water. It will likely be brown at first but if you keep working it will flow clear. After that as long as you keep the box full you will be able to pump up water."
"Boy."
"Yes Papa?" A young boy asked, as he ran in.
"Take this man to the back yard with a bucket of water. Observe him and then come tell me what happens."
The water level must have been higher because I had fresh water flowing within a few minutes. I had to lean against the pump to rest. I guess I hadn't been watching because the vender pushed me aside and pumped the handle gasping as fresh water flowed over the top of the reservoir.
"It's true! Come with me." He led me inside opening a panel on the wall that led to a stair case. We climbed up into an attic space filled with a lot of junk. I went through much the same process as I had with Rider pointing out items that, other than being relics, were basically garbage. He did have a few useful items like a collection of the trays Rider had given me, a few rifles though he seemed to know what they were and pushed me past them. He also had hundreds of keys.
"Are these some sort of special coins?"
"No, they are keys."
"How can something so small and light ever work in a lock?"
"I don't know. I just know they are keys and whatever they unlocked probably doesn't exist anymore. I suppose you could sell them off as ancient coins though."
"How do you know so much?"
"I'm a professional relic hunter. Though that can have unintended outcomes."
"Such as?"
I held up my wrists. "These things don't do anything other than look decorative but at the same time they can't be removed."
"Did they always look like bangles?"
”No at first they looked like a single block of shiny, almost liquid like, metal. When I touched it, it wrapped around my wrist, then as I was trying to remove it part of it moved to my other wrist."
"I'll watch for that, but it sounds like by the time it would get to me it would already have attached."
We spent another ten minutes going through things until I couldn't list off anything else, though his collection was much larger. However I was delighted to find a selection of pepper grinders. I explained what they were in detail and how they were used. I also told him where to find the spice sales man and he could probably make a deal with him since they involved his business. When I tried to pay he insisted the information I'd given him covered the cost of a single grinder and sent me on my way.
"It's about time, Rider was starting to get worried." Jordan said, as I joined them.
Just from their looks I could tell they were both worried. "You told me not to be spending anymore so I bartered a bit of my knowledge. It just took a little while but I got what I needed."
"It's getting late, we should pick up that box you ordered and then find a place to get a meal and spend the night."
Jordan pointed out.
***
The tavern was, surprisingly more crowded than the market had been. It seemed with the soldiers safely locked away in their barracks the locals felt safer. We had secured lodgings for the night. It was the only room available which was meant for a party of five. I doubted there was more than one bed and the owner was just over charging us.
We sat at a back, corner, barely lit table. Likely watched by everyone since it seemed like the perfect choice for evil schemes to be hatched.
We were served a gruel in large bread bowls. I was hard pressed to decide which was more bland the bread or the gruel.
"Remind me to stay outside with Saber. There isn't any meat in this." Rider complained.
"I didn't have high hopes for this place but it is really disappointing." Jordan agreed.
I noticed they both kept eating. I glanced around but we weren't being watched. I took out one of the bottles and gave it a light tap over my food. I wasn't sure of my tastes but I knew one had to be very minimal with cayenne. I put the bottle back and gave my food a stir. It burned, but it definitely had flavor now. Even being careful I'd put in too much.
I noticed Jordan sneak a little and before I could warn him he ate it. He reached for his water but I stopped him.
"Use the bread and gruel. Water only intensifies it. At least, that's what my mind is telling me."
Jordan quickly ate several spoons of his own bland gruel. "I'm staying away from that one. Though, I can think of some recipes that could be improved, though with a lot less of the heat."
"What are you talking about? This is perfect." Rider said, switching my bowl with his.
I wouldn't have minded, but his bowl was already half empty. "Jordan, do you think you can sprinkle a bit of salt on this? I'd like to use the pepper but using the grinder here in public might cause problems."
"Ordinarily I'd say no, salt is expensive. However with what you spent today . . ." He shrugged and put a pinch of salt in what was now my gruel. While still not as good as Jordan's stew had been it was now passable as food.
"Do you have more of that spice?" Rider asked.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because if you don't I'm going to need you to show me where you got it so I can get more."
"It's exceedingly expensive and very little goes a long ways.”
“I still want to make sure we have a good supply. I could have it with everything."
"No. I'm not having you destroy your sense of taste. I'll use it when I feel you deserve a treat. However, Prowl was good enough to get several different spices so our meals might be more interesting from now on."
"I think we need to finish up and head up to our room. It seems the locals have started to notice us. I'm getting a sense of unease. Nothing threatening yet, but I don't think we're really wanted either." I whispered.
Jordan and Rider nodded and we got up. I made sure to secure the box with the spices and we made our way back to the lobby desk. From there we were taken upstairs to our room.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were two beds. The maid left and I immediately placed the only chair in the room under the door handle. Making sure it couldn't be opened. As I turned around I found Jordan and Rider staring at me.
"There's no lock so I improvised. This way we don't have to worry about setting a watch and we can all get plenty of sleep."
"So, we have two beds. How are we going to divide up?" Rider asked.
"Rider one Brother and you other." Saber said in my mind. It was faint and broken but obviously we were still connected. That was useful to know.
"Rider, you take the smaller one. Even with your larger frame it should be enough. Prowl and I will take the larger one. But we will be sticking to our own sides."
"But I was getting used to having a big sabretooth curled up next to me." I complained.
"Prowl, are you trying to seduce Rider, or have you been charming Saber?" Jordan asked.
"Don't blame me you're the one that sent him to watch over me."
"Charmer." Saber thought in that mental tone he used when laughing.
"Rider in that bed. Prowl over on that side of the bed. And I'll be on this side of the bed between the two of you making sure nothing happens."
"He's cute when he's issuing orders isn't he?" I asked.
"I have to agree." Rider said.
"Bed! Now!" Jordan growled.
***
We were at the gate extra early. When I woke up I was tempted to go back to sleep. Jordan was curled up against me. It made me feel good. A bit too good so I carefully eased myself out of his embrace and got up.
I didn't wash since the water in the basin was filthy, to say nothing of the chamber pot. I'd hold it until we were on our way then find a spot in the woods. A decision I was beginning to regret as we waited.
Rider woke next. He was quick to get our packs organized. Now that he'd sold off a large number of his relics it left plenty of room in Jordan's pack for the spice box. I also made sure the fusion battery and Xenonc's communication device was in there. Those were Jordan's relics.
Our movement woke Jordan and we decided an early departure was preferable. Rider insisted on finding the spice merchant but he was nowhere to be found. However it did give me a chance to purchase my own supply of dried meat, hard cheese and hard bread. No more having to rely on Jordan and Rider to keep me fed.
"Where are they?" Rider complained.
"Probably trying to get Bike out of bed." Jordan laughed. "Why don't you two go ahead and wait with Saber?"
"No." I was surprised because Rider was able to answer before me. "We can't leave you alone with the soldiers since you're the one they want."
"If they try anything the three of you will rescue me, so I don't see what the problem would be."
"Prowl-Ar, you go wait with Saber and I'll stay here with Jordan. Just be sure to have that part equipped that lets you hit targets from a distance ready." Rider insisted.
I immediately realized Rider's reasoning. Up close I'd have to use the rapid fire option possibly injuring innocents and lighting the stockade on fire. However with the sniper rifle I could take them down one by one from way beyond musket range.
"Okay. I think I'll have enough time to get set up."
First thing I did was take care of my business, then I found a tree where I could conceal myself but also have a comfortable perch and a clear view of the gates. I called Saber but he insisted he'd set himself an ambush further down the road they would be traveling. If any got past me he'd deal with them.
I'd hoped for the best, but a group of twelve soldiers escorted Rider and Jordan out. The new leader had a musket to Jordan's head. He yelled something but I was too far away to hear.
"He said we need to surrender or he'll shoot Brother." Saber relayed. "Brother says shoot him."
I considered the possible out comes. "Tell Jordan to say this. Lower your weapons or the next shot will be through you head."
I shifted targets to the one that was threatening Bike. If he seized up when killed shooting Bike I considered it an acceptable loss I could see Jordan speaking and I fired. The shot was clean severing the man's hand at the wrist and cauterizing the wound. The musket didn't fire and I squashed the feeling of regret that Bike was safe. I had the leader's head lined up. He wasn't lowering his musket.
"Saber tell Jordan you are going to count to three when you get to three he is to go limp and fall straight down."
"I-"
"Just do it."
"Done."
"One." I said, as I took a breath
"One." Saber said.
"Two." I started to exhale.
"Two."
"Three."
"Three."
Jordan started to drop and I squeezed the trigger. This time the musket did go off grazing the top of Jordan's head. However I know it didn't penetrate because the soldier next to them was hit.
"Tell the rest to return to the town. The Captain, Vine, Bark, and Freddy are the only ones continuing with us. Or I can shoot them all right now."
"Can you do that?" Saber asked.
”Not without putting our people in danger. Hopefully they've seen enough not to test me.” Fortunately the bluff worked. "Have Jordan lead them to where you're waiting and then remain there."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to wait here a bit longer to make sure they're not just going in for reinforcements in order to ambush us."
I waited for eleven minutes according to my armor and a single individual came out. A messenger, since he was wearing the same uniform as Vine. I put a shot in the ground a foot in front of him making him scurry back inside.
I climbed down and headed toward where I sensed Bike. Thinking of him as a threat was proving useful in more ways than I imagined since I could tell exactly where he was.
***
"What took you so long? We need to get moving before reinforcements arrive." Rider growled.
I laughed. "I was making sure there wouldn't be any reinforcements."
"You killed more than three soldiers?" The Captain snarled.
"I killed one soldier. The one who lost his hand can survive if he is treated for shock. It was a clean shot and the energy would have cauterized the wound so he wouldn't bleed to death. If he dies it is on your lack of competent healers. Yes, I killed the one holding a gun to Jordan's head. That is my job plus he was warned. And he should have known I could make the shot after I'd already demonstrated my skill. I think you'll find the last one, the soldier was hit with his commander’s, sorry former commander’s, friendly fire. Or put another way he was killed by a musket ball and I don't use that kind of weapon. Speaking of which, Jordan, are you alright? I saw blood."
"I checked and it was barely a scratch. It just bled a lot." Rider assured me.
I washed the blood off so I shouldn't attract any predators." Jordan pointed out.
"Yeah, right now you smell like a bunch of flowers." Saber commented.
"How did you stop them from sending reinforcements then?" The Captain asked.
"They sent out a messenger."
"What! You didn't hurt him? It is a high crime to injure a messenger since we are non-combatants." Vine yelled.
"I didn't shoot him. I shot in front of him letting him know that I was still there watching. He hurried back inside. And I came here immediately. Now let's get moving. If we're lucky we might have an hour or two head start."
"Why did you force us to become your accomplices?" The Captain asked.
"Actually, you could claim we've taken you prisoner." Jordan said.
"I'm sure your intelligence officer will claim that much anyway." I pointed out.
"What?" The Captain yelled.
"Oh, you didn't know. For the record there are four of you and four of us. It keeps things on a level playing field."
"There are five of you if you count the cat." Birch pointed out.
"I was counting Saber as our fourth. Bike is a neutral party that will take the side he feels is best for him, or more likely to win so he is counted only as an independent party not for or against either side."
"I think that's the nicest thing you've said about me." Bike said.
"Don't get excited it wasn't meant as a compliment."
"It's three days to the next out post but the roads are traveled regularly so there are less predators to worry about. Still it means more nights of double watches." The Captain explained.
"We're not going to the outpost. Not after the little trick you played back there. You four can stop if you want but we'll just skip the intrigue." Jordan stated.
***
I got the feeling the Captain didn't trust us; since the soldiers didn't get near us. Bike tried to spend time with them but they wouldn't have anything to do with him. Of course he then spent his time complaining that we'd ruined his reputation.
The morning of the third day Jordan decided to break the tension. "Have you decided whether you'll be reporting in or not?"
"And have you sneak away?"
"We could continue on, but you would just come after us, likely leading a full battalion. Not that Prowl couldn't deal with all of them. So if you want to stop, refill your supplies, and report on our conduct we'll wait. Just don't bring a large group back out with you. You've already seen Prowl can hit a target at over two hundred meters."
I had to cough to cover a laugh. With the armor's assistance and the sniper set up I could take out a target at two kilometers if I needed to.
"Right, he couldn't have been more than Fifty meters away to make shots like that." The Captain scoffed.
"Maybe you'll find out some day." I laughed.
The Captain shrugged and we headed out. As we walked I tried activating individual parts of my armor and eventually I got it to the point where it was just a piece wrapping around my head allowing me to scan. It made travel much easier for me since I could block out some of the light. I was also scanning constantly.
"Captain, hold up a minute." I said.
"What is it?"
"I just want to prove a point."
"What point?"
"Range . . ." I took a step back. "Range is, one and a half kilometers. Target . . ." I looked over the gate house carefully. "There is a large reddish stone about head height and half that size. I'm calling my shot. Currently it is clean. There are two guards to witness. I'm putting a black scorch mark and small hole in the exact center of that stone."
"No way you can't even see-"
I made the shot. From what I could see it was perfect except the stone split in half and fell out of the wall.
"Damn, seems I used to much power. Ask the guards about the missing stone and what they saw. We'll meet up with you a kilometer past the outpost."
I cut off the road and our little group, including Bike, followed me.
"Did you actually make that shot? From that distance?” Rider asked.
"Of course. If I had a clear line of sight I'd have made the shot from even farther away."
From that distance you could exterminate a battalion before they were in range of muskets." Bike muttered.
"That's right, and with my armor I can track and be well away from any heavy artillery as well. Jordan was injured on my watch. I won't let anyone do that again. I'm done with warnings."
"No, you're not. You say you owe me then you will hold fire until they are properly warned. I'm not having you killing people that could surrender." Jordan ordered.
I sighed, "Understood, Commander."
My head was buzzing as we walked. Finally I realized it was Saber. He was blocking me, mostly while he talked to Jordan. Though it seemed more like they were arguing.
"Prowl, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings or upset you. I just don't want you being upset for killing someone needlessly.” Jordan finally said.
"Is that what he told you? I'm not upset about any of that. I'm upset because you got hurt. I miss timed my shot and you were injured.”
"It was nothing." Jordan insisted.
I put my finger on my arm and made a slashing motion. Indicating that I thought it was because of the rapid healing.
"I'm telling you; it was nothing."
"Okay, I'll take your word for it, this time."
"Are you implying there will be a next time?" Jordan asked.
"Okay we're almost a kilometer past the outpost. Let's get back to the road and find a place to wait." I said as I changed course.
"How long are we going to wait?" Rider asked.
"Until nightfall, then I’ll borrow that mask of yours, sneak in and tell them we’re moving on." Jordan replied.
"But you'll look like an anthro wolf." Rider pointed out.
"That’s true, but if he sticks to the shadows he’ll be effectively invisible. I don't like it but it is the most logical choice. However I'm going to hold out hope they'll be smart enough not to make us wait long.
***
"Jordan, how many soldiers does an outpost usually have?"
"Twenty to forty actual soldiers, but everyone serving in an outpost has military training so there could be as many as a hundred, why?"
"Because thirty soldiers have appeared in the woods. Seemingly through a hidden exit. If we try to escape we'll be caught that leaves only one opening."
"You're thinking of assaulting the outpost." Rider said, in surprise.
"Not entirely. You, Jordan, and Saber are going to walk in the front door surprising them by saying you’re there to see what is taking our traveling companions so long. While Bike and I sneak in through their hidden entrance in order to secure it. That way they have no choice but to come back in through the front as well."
"Why do I have to go with you?” Bike asked.
"Because Jordan isn't going to let me go alone and I'm sure Rider and Saber won't fit through any secret entrance. There is just too much risk. That means it's you and me."
"Brother wants me to tell you, if Bike tries to betray you, you have permission to kill him. He'd rather have Bike alive but if a choice must be made you are more important." Saber informed me.
I looked at Jordan and he nodded.
"Let's move, otherwise we're going to be surrounded and I'm going to have to kill a lot of people."
Bike followed me and kept quiet. He may not like it but even he had to see it was our best plan for escape. They had left two guards. It made it easy to find the entrance. After all it looked just like the other stone ruins we'd sheltered or passed by. I took a moment to consider. This had to be quick and quiet. I didn't want to kill them. No choice, the longer we delayed the more danger the rest of the group was in. For the first time I really took in Bike's armament. He carried a spear, like Jordan. At his waist was two muskets and across his back was a black powder rifle. He also had a knife. I remembered seeing it at some point and it had a copper blade.
"Wait here, I'll deal with this." I just hoped my theory was correct. "Armor on, stealth mode."
"Shit, you didn't say you could disappear." Bike whispered harshly.
That was all the confirmation I needed I walked up and punched the first guard. He went limp and fell. I was relived as my armor showed he was still alive. The other guard ran over to check the first. I easily knocked him out as well.
"Stealth off." I waved Bike over, then lifted the first guard.
"What are you doing?"
"I’m taking them inside."
"Just slit their throats and be done with it."
"I don't kill unless I don't have any other choice."
The entrance was a large opening. As we got to the bottom I was glad I still had my armor on filtering the air. Bones littered the area, the stone was stained brown, and chains lined the walls some still littered with grizzly remains. I walked to one side and clamped the guard’s wrists to the wall. They had come out through here, which meant they knew about this . . . execution chamber. I no longer had any problems dealing with these people.
"Prowl, is that you?"
I looked deeper into the tunnel. There was a wall of metal bars with a small locked gate. On the other side was the Captain and Bark. Also in chains.
"As soon as we entered they took Vine to the royal messenger’s barracks. We didn't think anything of it then, but messengers are protected and can only be judged in the capital. We were taken before the outpost commander and we gave our report." Bark said.
"We gave an abbreviated report. Then Freddy just stats telling everything. I wish you'd told us he was the spy. Anyway, having proved his loyalty they dragged Bark and I down here. Told us if we didn't tell them everything we'd be chained out there and left for the creatures to eat." The Captain explained.
"Not that we knew anything that Freddy hadn't already reported."
Everyone look away and close your eyes. I'm going to open this door and I don't want you to be blinded. I waited for everyone to do as I asked and then I shot the lock. That was enough to wake one of the soldiers. However I noticed Bike had taken the time to gag them so his shouts were muffled.
"Great, now how are we going to lock them out?" Bike asked.
You work on freeing Bark and the Captain."
"Louis. After today I doubt I have any official rank anymore." I nodded and started looking over the chains. They were old, likely relic level of old since they were made of steel. After a few shots I had plenty of chain. I wrapped it around the edges of the door and the bars.
"They'll just unwrap that. It might be annoying but . . ." Louis started.
I set my rifle at lowest setting and started shooting the chains as I went around they would melt a small amount and soon the door was completely fused shut. No one would be using this exit again. "You two lead the way. We need to secure the main gate as quickly as possible."
"You're taking the outpost, just the two of you?" Bark asked in surprise.
"No, there's four of us now. Also Jordan, Rider, and Saber are walking in the main entrance, claiming they are here to find out what is keeping you."
"So we're still trapped."
I glanced back at the execution room. "Better trapped in for the night than trapped out, now that they've taught the local wildlife human is on the menu."
***
The trip through the tunnel was surprisingly easy. Much like the caves under the winery, it must have been created in the relic era. Everything was too smooth to be natural. We came up in the courtyard where another wall of iron bars waited. This time the door was unlocked. The tunnel led out into the keep almost like the outpost had been constructed just because of the tunnel.
In the courtyard was around twenty people. Six of them appeared to be soldiers. Likely the ones left to guard the gates. The rest looked to be staff and maybe slaves. The rest of the team stood off to one side. Jordan was covering the group with his bow while Rider was struggling to remove the slave collar of an anthro rat.
"I see you found the rest of our missing." Saber said, as he paced at the back of the prisoners.
Louis headed toward the group of prisoners.
"Saber, let Jordan know that the Captain is on our side so don't shoot him. I think he wants to have a little conversation with Freddy."
"Prowl, what happened? Your mind is all messed up." Saber asked.
"Give me a moment." I locked my armor so that I wouldn't collapse. "I'm going to remember what we saw in that tunnel." I let the images flow through my mind so that Saber could see them.
He remained surprisingly calm. "A good thing we didn't camp nearby. Brother secured the gates so no one is getting in. I doubt anyone will be sleeping much tonight."
"Tell me Freddy? Did you know what they planned to do to Bark and I?" Louis yelled.
"How should I know?"
"It's your fucking job to know. You're the intelligence agent."
Most of the people there turned hateful gazes at Freddy. It seemed very few people cared for spies.
"Yes and my job is to report traitors."
"Traitors? How do you figure that?"
"You were responsible for the team sent to find Jordan. The team that you let get eaten by killers."
"How did you survive the attack?" Vine yelled.
"Keep out of this. You're dangerously close to being placed with these two traitors."
"I've done my duty at all times." Vine yelled.
"You turned to the individual we were searching for in order to save yourself."
"Oh, and he should have died honorably like you? Oh right you survived as well." I snarled.
"He also consorted with a scavenger and a mercenary. Both punishable offenses."
Louis laughed. "I didn't hear you complain when they helped dig graves."
"Yeah you even asked them to help." Bark added.
"He also had a rather intimate conversation with me on guard duty." I added.
"You're a liar!" Freddy yelled.
"Really? You asked me about my love life. For all I know you could have been trying to flirt with me."
There were far too many gasps for my comfort.
"Just wait until the garrison returns, then we'll have you. You think you're safe in here? They'll set up a siege. You can't hold longer than they can. They'll send a messenger for reinforcements."
"Actually, even if they send someone they will be rejected. You know only official messengers can carry such messages and they didn't have one of us accompany them." Vine pointed out.
"They likely didn't want you to witness how they've been disposing of prisoners."
"What do you mean?" A portly woman asked.
"Anyone they took into that tunnel as a prisoner is dead." Louis said.
"No, that's just the dungeons."
"There are no cells down there. It's just a long tunnel. It would be foolish to put prison cells in a place that serves as an exit. Anyone taken in there was taken to the end and chained up where they were eaten alive."
I fired my rifle into the ground in front of the prisoners before they could turn into a mob. "I know you must be upset and sickened however that is no reason to turn on each other. It is likely everyone here, except for Freddy didn't know what was going on. After all they were left behind. As for punishing those responsible. I hope they do plan a siege."
"What?" Freddy asked in surprise.
"First off, I need to ask is there anyone that would like to join the troops outside. Freddy and the royal messengers are the only ones not allowed." I said.
”I assure you, if you choose to stay you can go about your business as usual. We will stay in the gatehouse and out of your way. We don't expect any form of support, but we don't want you attacking us either.” Jordan told them.
"However, we will be taking this anthro slave with us." Rider yelled.
"He is just going to cause us problems." Saber thought.
"Maybe, but I'm betting he'll be more loyal than Bike."
"Not if he doesn't stop fainting every time anyone yells."
I glanced over at Rider. I'd been mistaken it wasn't a small anthro rat, it was a young anthro opossum. "It's a race characteristic, When upset they play dead. Well more appropriately their body goes into a catatonic state that makes them appear dead. Where did Rider find him?"
"Believe it or not he opened the gate for us. I think he was attempting to escape while the outpost commander was out."
"Everyone, There is one last thing you should know. Tonight you may have trouble sleeping. The ones responsible for the carnage at the end of the tunnel are going to learn why you shouldn't get wild animals used to eating humans." I announced.
The crowd dispersed most looking pale and some looking like they were happy. "Aren't you lucky Freddy? I doubt Jordan wants you warning the soldiers out there."
"Go to hell you traitor."
The former captain moved so quickly that I doubted any of us could stop him. Even if I lost my memory again I don't think I'd forget the sound of Freddy's neck breaking. "I'll see you there and we'll do this all over again."
"So, what do we do now?" Bark asked.
"We continue our mission; escorting Jordan and Bike back to the capital. When they're ready to head out that is."
Jordan smiled. "Without the spy to inform on you no one can question your version of events."
"Vine could." Bark pointed out.
"Hey, that isn't funny bro. I'm not going to betray you, but I already told you I'll go along with any story Prowl is good with after he saved me from that pack of killers."
"You're brothers?" Louis asked in surprise.
"Half-brothers, same father and different mothers. Yes we know we look nothing alike. It’s how being in the same unit was overlooked."
I sighed, that was a problem for the Captain. "Rider, stop trying to remove his chain."
"What?"
I knelt in front of the kid. "Can you say something? In your own language."
"You wouldn't understand me."
"I know a lot of languages." I whispered. Talking to you this way I know you'll understand. You are free now, but it isn't safe for people like you out there. So would it be alright to leave the collar and chain on so that Rider can pretend to be your master? I know he'll protect you, from animals and humans alike.
"I . . . I guess."
"Now this might be a little scary but Rider is also an anthro."
"He is? But he looks human."
"He has an ancient relic that hides what he really looks like. He's an anthro version of Saber over there."
"He's a predator?"
"Well yes, but he is very protective of those in his pride, or team, and the looks he keeps giving you tells me he sees it as his duty to protect you."
"But why me?"
"You're an anthro, so he likely sees you like a son."
"So he will be my Papa?"
"If that's the way you want to see it. Oh, it looks like Jordan is ready for us to follow him to the gatehouse. We'll talk more tonight."
"Truffle, it's my name."
***
We made sure the main gate was secured, then barricaded ourselves in the gatehouse. While everyone seemed to be on our side Jordan couldn't be sure.
Truffle remained close to Rider and didn't say anything else. Instead he kept giving fearful glances at Louis, Bark and Vine. Saber had flopped down against the door effectively blocking it from opening and Jordan settled next to him. Bike had settled against the wall furthest from the door.
Since everyone was settled I claimed first watch. I climbed the ladder to the second level and watched out the narrow window. The troops had set up camp, likely just out of musket range, and were similarly settling in. I was able to pinpoint the two guards we’d left chained up so I wouldn’t have their deaths on my record. While they had set a watch it was only on the gate of the keep. Even with my diminished mental facilities I knew that was a mistake. They seemed to think we were the primary enemies.
"God, that Commander is making the same mistake I did. He needs to set watches all around the camp."
I glanced over. I'd been too busy watching the enemy outside I'd let my own defenses drop. "There's a difference. The killer pack that attacked you wasn't trained to feed on humans."
Louis visibly shuddered. "Any idea what it might be?"
"None, All I know is it was larger than the space between the metal bars, but smaller than the tunnel entrance."
So anything the size of a wolf up to a juvenile tyrannosaur? There are a lot of scary creatures that covers."
"Whatever it is, it's a messy eater."
"What do you mean?"
"There were a lot of bones and bits of carcasses. Some creatures can consume everything including the bones. Also I think we can narrow it down to a large animal. Smaller ones would have stripped all the flesh from the bones. That tells me it likely has a large bite.”
“ Not necessarily, it could just be that the commander feeds it so often that there’s no need to work harder than just to get at the tender parts.”
I shuddered, I hadn’t thought of that but it was a possibility. “Whatever they are they've arrived. I'm tracking four, no five . . . Nine! Oh. Oh no."
"What is it?"
"They're anthros. The commander must have bred and trained a pack of anthro wolves as his own little army. I need Jordan and Rider up here right now. I suggest everyone else prepare to fight."
Louis nodded and headed down the ladder. I moved to the second one that would take me up onto the parapet.
"Prowl, what's wrong?" Jordan asked.
"Rider, you said anthros were really rare."
"They are."
“Then can you explain how the commander has nine of them under his control?"
Rider looked out. Then he turn away and slid down the wall. He's turned them into mindless killing machines. Those poor kids."
"Kids?" Jordan asked running over to the window.
I'm guessing, at most, they are about thirteen. He . . . I don't want to say it."
"Found and bred two wolf anthros?" I asked.
"No, we can breed with humans. If the anthro was female she would likely have an anthro child. However, since they are all about the same age it was likely a male and to get that many anthros. It would means many, many female humans must have been forced."
”They're wolves, would they obey an adult wolf?" Jordan asked.
"Depends on how broken their minds are." Rider replied.
"Jordan, if you use Rider's mask you could command them." I said, coming up with an idea.
"Won't work. Even if he looks the part he won't be able to command them." Rider said, sadly.
"We're not out of options." Rider, you better go back down. I'm sure Truffle is really scared being alone with those other humans."
"Truffle? He told you his name? He hasn't said a word to me, though since we got here he hadn't let go of me until you called me up here."
"I told him you would protect him. Don't make me a liar."
"I'll do what I have to." Rider assured me climbing down.
"You're up to something."
"Those are wolves." I said.
"I think we've established that."
"Wolves that are going to be sent to attack and kill us."
"What's your point?"
"Don't you see a little problem with the commander's plan of sending his anthro wolves against us?"
"No- Oh no, I hope you don't mean-"
"We are protected by the wolf god. Don't you think he will have a little problem with us being attacked by brainwashed wolves?"
"You're going to summon a god? That is insane. Have you thought about what this will cost us and perhaps the world?"
We both fell to our knees as an earth shattering howl filled the air. A long mournful howl filled with more sadness than I'd ever imagined. I forced myself up and over the top of the gatehouse. Jordan was close behind.
In front of the outpost stood a wolf that could easily turn around and swallow us both whole.
"You pitiful humans, how could you do such terrible things to my children?"
"You're the one that killed them!" The commander yelled, undaunted.
"Is that how you see it? I simply sang their souls home to my forest were they will be nurtured and cared for forever. You, however will receive no such mercy."
"You are one wolf. Large as you are we will kill you soon enough."
The wolf's only response was to howl again. This time it was cold and full of vengeance. One by one the soldiers fell to their knees turning blue, then white and finally black before bursting into a strange cold ash. Then there was only the commander.
"Your soldiers no longer exist. Even their souls were frozen, shattered and cast to the stars. But for you I reserve something special. A divine punishment." The wolf huffed and the commander was encased in ice. "I have frozen you in ice from the heart of the frost giant's realm. Even in the hottest sun it will not melt. You are not alive but you can never die. You will watch as everything changes. Never sleeping never interacting just watching forever until the planet eventually dies and is consumed by the sun. Only that great heat will free you from your prison. When that day comes we will meet again and I will consume you just as you forced my children to consume so many others." Then the wolf was gone.
"I didn't summon him." I said.
"What?" Jordan asked.
"I planned to summon him, but I never called for him. He just appeared."
"We didn't see anything and all we heard was the howling of the wind." Jordan said, as he started down the ladder.
I looked out at the empty encampment and the icy block containing the commander then quickly followed Jordan.
"Yeah, the howling of the wind." I muttered to myself.
Truffle was clutching Rider. Saber had curled into a ball and his fur was fluffed out. Bark and Vine were huddled together as well. Louis was pacing and slapping his upper arms like he was really cold and Bike had a white pallor and was vigorously rubbing his arms to get warm. It appeared Bike and Truffle had suffered the worst.
"W-w-w-what was th-th-th-that?" Louis asked, clutching himself and shivering.
"The wind." Jordan stated.
"That wasn't the wind. I know what a wolf-"
"If you want to survive the night repeat over and over to yourself that what you heard was the wind." Jordan insisted.
"As usual you two are unaffected." Bike spat at the ground, but the saliva froze before hitting the stones.
"Fine this may get me killed, but it seems like I have an ancient god watching over me. A wolf that can summon intense cold and ice. The commander of this outpost bred a pack of anthro wolves and raised them to be savage killers. It pissed the wolf god off. He . . . I can't say he killed them so much as sent their souls to be reborn in a better place. I'm not sure how that worked. I mean it's not like I worship him or really know that much about him. Anyway the first howl froze all the soldiers to the point they turned to ash. The second encased the commander in a block of ice that can never be broken or melted. He will suffer for all time." I tried to explain, but I could tell no one believed me.
"We need to leave. We need to leave now. This place is cursed. Anyone that supported the commander's actions will likewise be dust by morning and we will get the blame. We need blind folds for everyone. Anyone that looks at the frozen commander before morning will also turn to dust." Jordan then groaned and held is head. "My god, Prowl, is this how you feel when information just appears in your head from seemingly nowhere? Because, you have my respect and upset for being able to hide it as well as you do. You should have told me you were . . . No there were a couple times that were much worse than this. You should have said something so we could have stopped so you could recover."
"We didn't have time then and we don't now."
"Wait if we're all blind folded how are we going to leave?" Vine asked.
"Prowl and I are immune."
"How are you immune?" Bike asked.
All I could think is his jealousy of Jordan must be what was keeping the chill out of his voice. "Jordan saved my life out in the desert. I guess that was enough to receive the wolf's blessing that protects him."
"Liar, Brother has always had the wolf god's blessing."
"Saber, can't you see Prowl is just protecting me."
The pain was the most intense yet. I fell to my knees and vomited over and over. The mess freezing just after leaving my mouth fortunately. I continued until there was nothing left to come out I gasped and then screamed. Everything stopped I was floating in darkness I was alone. No, I wasn't. There were three others.
"Are you ready to end this madness?" A black tiger with white stripes asked.
"I don't understand."
"You're playing a game." The tiger growled.
"What?"
"Remember." The black fox with glowing white eyes said.
I blinked. I'm in the mindscape. Why am I here? Reaper, it's been a while. That must have been a long nap."
"I tend to wake up when you get upset about me doing my job. You wanted an escape. Only for a few months. Kyle agreed. It would give him and Shock time to deal with things."
"Master wasn't happy about you blocking everything. But he agreed to let you on two conditions, first you had to let him block his memories and then overlay with a new past, of his own creation, and two the game would start with him saving you." The silver wolf puppy explained.
"What you forgot to do was consult us. You are wearing the telegem of death and Jordan is wearing a shard. Even though it is masked it is there. That means your memories will return in time. The reason you two experience pain it's because you are fighting them." Reaper explained.
"Oh! I'll be back before you leave." The puppy said before vanishing with a cute "pop".
"I knew I'd get in here eventually. I must say, this is not how most individuals view their soul realm. But then again you're special. I'm here to tell you I'm sorry for ruining your game. But, when you're scared or in danger I can't help coming to your aid. It isn't easy for me to trust anyone. I trusted Tyr and he betrayed me. I trust Raulin, of course, but he is my mate. But you're different you selflessly trusted me and I had watched you for centuries so I know you don't trust easily either. You faced down the gods and took me into your care. You did something even the gods cannot do you changed fate. No, you didn't just destroy it you rewrote it."
"You're giving me too much credit."
"No I'm not. When you and Reaper met with Anubis and Anpu in the past you were in the spiritual realm of the gods. In that realm powerful gods can make things manifest. It can be small or it can be great but it cannot change fate or alter key events. However Anubis could see you were different maybe because you had already freed me. The point is he pulled your minds and souls back in to his time, when he was at his strongest, and begged you to save Keb and Mal. Their death and his judgment were fated it was impossible to change. However you saved them."
"Anpu used the information he copied from Reaper in order to use the Runner I didn't change anything. Reaper did."
"Remember what I said about powerful gods being able to make changes? Maybe you didn't know it but you made three changes. First the sword that had been driven through my muzzle vanished it was literally removed from existence. The only place it remained was in the eddas. You planted the idea if they injured me after I was bound it would only hasten Ragnarok. Two you wove the event of Raulin meeting me into the new tapestry of fate and third ... This one I should not tell you, but it is important."
"Fenrir, I forbid." Reaper growled.
"Aren't you still on probation for interfering?"
"This is one thing the others are agreed upon. Prowl-Ar must never know that. It will break his mind."
"And if I was only going to tell him Jordan made three changes as well?"
"What were they?"
“Only Jordan can tell you that, if he knows.”
"He defied Reaper for one. He made sure that you two would meet. No matter what." Tiger laughed.
"I don't understand. He made sure that eventually the two of you would meet. And you have multiple times over the centuries. It's why you are so close to him and it was so easy to forge a telepathic link. Your souls resonate with each other." Reaper said.
"The link. It reconnected because we were both telepathically or thinking we were mentally speaking to Saber." I realized.
"Yes, but let me finish you need to understand something else Jordan wasn't immortal until you gave that to him, but he would be resurrected after each life. It's why he has absolutely no fear of me. We've met so often that he knows me as well as you do but doesn't know me at the same time. The rules he set up for resurrection are complicated."
"And if he dies again?"
"He'll be resurrected by sentinel. Like I said, complicated. The important thing was meeting you when he did."
"Oh like he wasn't going to do that anyway. Since those two are bound across every universe they both exist in." Fenrir laughed. “I'll see you later master." Fenrir vanished again.
"I'm sorry to say you're not meant to remember most of this." The silver puppy said reappearing.
"You can't do that." Reaper insisted.
"Actually I can."
"You're one of the changes Jordan created."
"Yes, you will learn this eventually. I am Reaper's mate and Jordan's telegem though he doesn't know he has been wearing me since he came on the Shadow Runner. You know me as Magdalene the Kah Har of Emotion. Though like My scowling fox over there I have another designation I'm also known as Hope. As for my common name now you will have to wait for Jordan to reveal that. As before you will be forgetting all of this. Fortunately the game you are playing is perfect and you won't feel like you've forgotten anything new. What I will do is take away the pain and give you the idea that it is because you both understand Saber that you are able to mentally speak to one another. However for now you will be limiting it to purposeful communication. No sharing stray thoughts or dreams. Neither of you are ready to go that deep while in the game."
"Wake up." Tiger commanded.
I opened my eyes. The pain was gone. I must have just misheard Saber. "How long was I out?"
"A few seconds." Jordan said quickly.
"More like a few minutes." Saber pointed out.
"Saber! I'm trying to keep him calm. I don't know what he remembered but it had to be really bad for this time of reaction." Jordan mentally yelled at the cat.
"No, actually it was this. I can hear your mental voice when speaking to Saber. Maybe it's because we can both speak to him. Wait, Saber, you said we share a second deity that connects us, a cat deity."
"You're thinking because we share this blessing and we can both talk to Saber that now we are able to communicate directly?" Jordan mentally asked.
"Um, I might have begged the cat to connect you two so I wouldn’t have to keep relaying everything between you two. I never imagined my prayer would be answered." Saber said, guiltily.
"We'll talk more as we travel now that we can do so privately. Rider has been making blindfolds, but no one is happy about it."
"Is Prowl-Ar alright?" Rider asked.
"I'm fine.”
“What happened?" Louis asked.
“I just watched a lot of men turned to ash. I guess there is no point in hiding it. When Jordan rescued me in the desert I'd suffered from sunstroke or extreme overheating. When I woke up I couldn't remember anything. It's like everything is still in my head but I just can't remember them. However when I do remember something important It comes with pain. Having just watched a large group of soldiers turn to ash so I was suffering a bit of shock then a memory hit."
"What did you remember?" Rider asked.
"We can move faster and safer with a rope line. Basically we tie ourselves together in a line that way we can move fast without straying off the road or running into any obstacles. Truffle can you lead me to some rope?"
"No want to turn to ash."
"I'll stay with you the whole time and you'll have your blindfold on."
"Prowl, I don't think you understand how scared he is right now." Rider growled at me.
"Can you tell me where to go?"
"There is a building behind the area where Rider was trying to remove my chain, but it's locked."
"He'll get in. He has . . . a way with locks" Bike laughed coldly and I didn't think it had anything to do with the actual cold.
***
I followed Truffle's instructions and Bike had been correct. I didn't have any problem with getting in. I activated my armor and gave the lock a good tug pilling the nails out of both the wall and the door in one go. I tossed the lock aside and entered. The building was well organized and filled with torture and execution paraphernalia. A partially assembled gallows. Several large timbers, kindling, and oil for burning. A fully assembled Guillotine. A line of eight muskets.
I took a bag of black powder. Everyone else had their own and it could be useful. I narrowed my eyes. The musket balls were all silver. I guess having an army of anthro wolves meant killing a Loup Garou once in a while to keep the servants and peasants in line. I took all of them. Silver did have uses beyond musket balls and coins.
Near the gallows I found plenty of rope. I took more than I probably needed and hurried back to the gatehouse.
"Okay, this is how things are going to work. Everyone but Jordan and I will be blind folded we'll be split into two groups."
"Wouldn't it be easier if we all went together?" Vine asked.
"Yes, but Saber also has to be blindfolded. While he obeys Jordan and even seems to understand his commands and he tolerated Rider, I doubt he trusts any of you. So anyone want to risk going as one large group knowing that?"
"Prowl's way does seem to be smartest. Captain Louis agreed.
"Okay Bike, you are going to be the anchor."
"What does that mean?”
“It means you're going to be at the back. It also means that you will have the rope tied to you so you don't have to worry about being left behind."
"Fine."
"Bark, you're next. You are a full soldier so you'll notice if the line goes slack because Bike didn't heed the warning and removed the blindfold. You will also be able to tell if the line in front of you starts to waver or move so you can adjust accordingly. The rope will be wrapped around your wrist and you will hold it with your hand.'
"It'll be Vine in front of me?"
"That's right, I figured you two needed to be together. It's the same set up as yours and Captain Louis will be behind me and in front of Vine."
"I don't need a lead. I'll follow Brother and Rider by scent."
"Jordan, I'm unsure if Saber would accept a collar and lead."
"Don't worry, he can stay close to me without needing to see he can just smell where I am."
"Rider-"
"Tie the rope to me like Bike. That way Jordan can lead me while I carry Truffle."
"Why . . ." Truffle was slumped against Rider's side sound asleep.
"An, ancient sleeping relic." He held up a glass bottle. “A few sniffs of this and it's lights out. I made sure he only smelled enough to calm him. Then he fell asleep on his own from exhaustion. It'll just be quicker this way and he'll get some much needed rest."
"We'll be speaking about that relic when we are away from here and much safer. Potions, poisons and such things should not be messed with."
"It's witchcraft." Louis hissed.
"No, it is just mixing the right amounts of components. No chanting, summoning, or magic required. It might be considered witchcraft by some but technically anyone could do it. That said, even though I know what you used I don't really approve of you using it on a child especially one that has likely been mistreated and seems to be forming a bond with you."
Rider hung his head. "Sorry, it's just . . . I wanted to make sure he was protected. This is one test of trust versus curiosity that none of us can risk failing."
Everyone glanced around really starting to internalize just what a risk they were taking.
"Well, I have no curiosity about any of this. I figure Jordan and Prowl are just making up a story to make themselves look like heroes, but I'm not going to risk my life to test the truth of it. So let’s get the ropes in place and blindfolds on."
It didn't take long. Jordan and I had everyone wait as we raised the portcullis. I hooked a length of rope to the release handle and put the end outside.
"Since I'm only leading Rider I'll deal with dropping the gate once we're all out. Keep moving until you reach the point where we waited before. We'll be out of sight of the gate, well, all of use except you with your armor."
"Oh, right. Armor off."
"I don't get how anyone could look so calm facing a huge wolf like that."
"Jordan! Look away. We might have some protection, but that might not mean total immunity. Best we don't look to closely at it either."
Jordan seemed to struggle for a moment. "Damn, you may be right, there’s something mesmerizing about it. Let's move. Even now I'm tempted to glance at it."
We hurried back inside. "Is everyone ready? Blindfolds on. Make sure you can't see anything. We just discovered, while we were opening the gate that Jordan and I are protected but not immune that means you need to be really sure you can’t see anything. We'll be moving as quickly but as safely as we can. I'll call out anything in the path just before you get to it. Jordan and his group will be following us. We've rigged the gates so that the will be closed behind us so when you hear a loud crash it is just the gate falling making sure anyone inside is safe for the rest of the night. Okay let’s move."
***
We'd finally reached the designated stopping point. “You can drop the rope and remove the blindfolds we've reached a safe distance. And fortunately this group all made it safely."
"What about Jordan?"
"We're all still here. It's just taking a bit longer. Rider didn't really think through how much extra work it was going to take carrying the child this far. Just wait we'll be there soon." Jordan communicated to me.
"He's probably going slower because Saber is following only by scent and I'm betting Rider didn't consider what carrying a child so far would entail." I said, shaking my head.
Bark laughed. "Yeah, He’s probably having to stop and rest. I know Vine was a handful when he was small. Well, smaller anyway."
"Hey, that's hot fair you said you weren't going to tease me anymore about my height." Vine yelled.
"I'd like to set up camp here. We should be safe enough. The . . . soldiers would have kept the area free of predators. Now that they are gone-"
"No, we need to keep moving. We turn west from here." Jordan said as he arrived. "Rider, you can remove the blindfold now. I'll get Saber's off."
"Why?" I asked.
"To the north is the remains of the capital from the relic era. It's not safe to travel there. Most don't come back and those that do don't survive for long. They sort of turn to liquid."
Massive radiation poisoning my mind informed me. I didn't know what it meant but every fiber of my being said to avoid that area. "Then we go west."
"It'll be about three days to the next village depending on our speed."
"I wish we had horses." I muttered.
Everyone stared at me.
"What?" I asked.
"Only nobility own horses and they never take them outside the confines of their walled paddocks. Most commoners don't even know what a horse is." The Captain said, suspiciously.
I guess it made sense. Horses wouldn't do well against a t-rex or raptors. "So how are people and goods transported?"
"We walk." Bark said.
"There are also some large beasts that are trained to pull carts for heavy transport but walking is faster." Jordan explained.
"I guess we walk then. Lead on Commander Jordan."
"Don't call me that. Jordan is fine."
"Sorry, I'll try to remember."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you do." Jordan said inside my head.
We started walking and everyone was quiet. Our "escort" keeping a close eye on the surrounding woods just in case there was a wolf man remaining. Rider was busy tending to the opossum. Bike was marching out in front As if he was in charge and Saber was ranging out as he often did.
"What is up with Bike?" I mentally asked.
"The next village is or was our home. It feels like such a long time ago that we were taken as tribute to serve in the King's military. Normally only one or two were taken per year. However we were taxed extra hard and they took everyone in our age group. We thought we were going to be soldiers. We were wrong."
"What did they do?"
"Those deemed exceptional or that stood out were sold to trainers and placed in the fighting ring to entertain the masses."
"You ended up there due to your height." I thought.
"Yeah, I can't say I'm proud of what I did there. My training came easily and I quickly made my way upward winning all of my matches, even when I was playing a part I was meant to lose. Once I won my freedom I went before the King."
"Since we are here I can only think it didn't go well?"
"It did and it didn't. Swan was placed as a slave in the palace and Saber was being kept as a pet. In exchange for their freedom I traded my own, to serve in the military as I'd expected when we were first taken."
"That's where you met up with Bike again?"
"Yeah. We fought and won a campaign we were expected to lose. Winning our freedom once more. I got Saber back, but Swan is still a servant at the court. An upgrade to be sure. She gets paid and has rights, but it's still not freedom."
"So to win her freedom the king set the task for you to explore an ancient relic site."
"Yes, he'd sent many groups but the all came back empty handed. The vault was sealed and I was about to give up when the floor collapsed and I found myself in an unexplored area. While there I found Xenonc."
"I'm guessing he told you he could open the vault, but he needed a part that could only be retrieved from the site you found me?"
"Yes, the power source that was keeping you alive."
"Did he tell you what is in the vault?"
"No. Though considering what I've seen you and the relics you use do, I'm not sure whatever is in there should be removed."
"I'd trust those feelings. Even with so many of my memories missing I know there are things from my age that are best left forgotten."
"Jordan, can we make camp soon? I'm worried about Truffle. He should have woke up by now." Rider said, as he caught up with us.
I don't know how or why I did it but I flicked my fingers before my eyes and only the information visor from my armor wrapped around my head without vocal activation. I shook off the confusion of the activation and scanned Truffle.
"We'll go ahead and set up camp. This was the location I was headed for anyway." Jordan pointed up and near the treetops were man made platforms. "They're not safe from everything, but safer than on the ground. Just be sure to tie yourself to the structure so you don't roll off in your sleep."
"I guess you get a reprieve after all. Rider, I hate to tell you this but your little friend has been pretending to be asleep in order to get a free ride."
I heard a hiss and glanced at Truffle. He was glaring at me and hissing. "You're cute when you're angry."
"You didn't have to tell on me."
"You were making Rider worry needlessly. So no more of that, and no playing dead."
Truffle sniffled. "I can't do that. If I get scared my body does that even if I don't want to."
"Okay, no playing dead on your own. If you are scared I understand but no more doing it just for free rides." Rider said.
"Yes sir."
"With that settled one of us has to climb up and toss down the ladders." Jordan said checking the trees for suitable branches to climb."
"I can do that. I'm a really good climber." Truffle said, as he skittered up the tree. A rope ladder swung down a moment later.
"Vine and Bark, this one is yours." Jordan ordered.
"Why only two?" Louis asked.
"Because the platforms won't hold more than two at once." Bike said, as he started up the next rope ladder.
"Captain . . ." Jordan hesitated.
"Yeah. If I order him to keep quiet he usually does. I also picked up something to stuff in my ears when I don't want to hear any of you."
"Remember tie in and pull up the ladder." Jordan reminded him. "Rider-"
"I'll take a platform with Truffle. Given my . . . actual size it's probably best I share with the smallest one in the group."
Jordan nodded. “Just have Truffle send down a ladder for one more platform and then you can both settle in."
"What about Saber?" I asked.
"I'm good there's a nice big branch up here I'm making my bed. You two are the only ones left so get climbing." Saber said sleepily.
"Okay, up you go." I said holding the ladder to Jordan.
"I'm in command, which means I go last."
"I'm your protector and my purpose is to protect you. That means you go first."
"God above, I'd almost think you two were a married couple." Louis yelled down.
"Get. Up. That. Ladder. Now."
The words rang through the air and through my mind. I was halfway up the ladder before I even realized I'd followed his command without a thought.
"Don't stop just keep climbing, I'm right behind you."
I could hear laughter but it didn't matter the quicker I got to the top the sooner Jordan was out of danger as well.
***