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Virtually Real Chapter 74: Civilization

We sat around the fire as Jordan tasted the contents of the pot. He crushed some dried leaves and added them before tasting it again.

"I'm sorry, this is the best I can do with the limited supplies we have and what I could find."

He served Bike first, likely just to keep him quiet, then Rider held out his bowl. With a sinking feeling I realized I didn't have a bowl, or anything really to hold the stew. It just wasn't something I'd been supplied with. I stood up to leave. There wasn't any point remaining here if I didn't have a way to hold the soup.

"It's rude to reject food when it is offered. Even if it is slop."

I spun around leveling my blaster at Bike's head. “Insult Jordan's cooking again. I dare you."

"Prowl, it's okay. Bike's right, this is slop compared to what I can do with proper cookware. Still, if you're so quick to defend my cooking, why are you not eating?" Jordan asked.

"He doesn't have anything to eat with." Rider said, as he suddenly seemed to realize what the problem was. "I'll be right back. He sat down his own food and ran off toward his room.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Jordan asked. "Oh right, you didn't even realize it until just now, did you?"

"How could anyone not know something so basic?" Bike asked.

"You spend hundreds of years in a stasis tube where they erase all your memories and then try to insert all new skills and abilities into your mind that you can't access. See if you can remember a damn thing! See, just now, I've learned what it means to go beyond anger and become furious. All you need to remember is my mind is overflowing with information but I don't know what it is or even how much there might be until I actually need it. So back the hell off or I'll splatter your itty bitty brain, assuming you even have one, all over the place before I have time to remember that Jordan wants me to keep you alive!" I holstered my blaster and sat back down. My head hurt, my mind hurt, my stomach hurt. I hurt and water was flowing from my eyes and I didn't know why and worse yet I couldn't make it stop.

"Ugh. This is pathetic. I'll eat in my room. Let me know when you get that tub filled I'll be bathing first."

"No." Jordan said.

"What?" Bike said, in surprise.

"I said no. If you want a bath go roll in the stream. Prowl is the one who got the pump working. He found the tub. He and Rider set it up. What have you done?"

"Complained about how you abandoned him here and slept." Saber said.

I wasn't sure why, and I didn't really care, but it seemed that in that moment my mind let me understand exactly what Saber had communicated.

"The only good idea you've had is going to have your meal in your own room. And before you think of a snide comment if you say anything I'll take your food from you and give Prowl your bowl. After I wash it really well first." Jordan yelled.

Bike scowled and then stalked off. I was sure I'd made an enemy. I might have been worried but something in my mind told me, despite looking like he was strong, I could break him in half.

"Prowl, when was the last time you ate?" Jordan asked softly.

"Rider gave me a piece of dried meat when we were in the buried building and then . . ." I trailed off as I realized I was about to mention what happened at the last ruins, but that was just a dream so it wouldn't count.

"That's it? That's all you've had?"

Why couldn't I stop crying? Oh is that what it was called? I need more understanding, but as usual my mind was silent again. "Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

"I should have realized you didn't have any food. I mean dried bread and hard cheese isn't the greatest, but I should have realized I needed to share with you."

"It's not all on you. I also should have shared more of my dried meat. Here, I think this will work for you. It's a relic but something tells me you know more about it than I do."

It was a survival cooking kit. I flipped the latch and separated the two halves. One side formed a small pan with the latch as a handle and the top was divided bowl. There was also a utensil with a fork on one side and a spoon on the other. "Thank you, Rider."

"Listen, if you help me refill the tub with fresh water and help heat it when you're done bathing we'll call it an even trade. I could use a long soak to get the sand out of my fur as well."

"A trade then."

Jordan shook his head. "You'd have refilled the tub anyway, wouldn't you? Never mind. It's probably better this way."

"The stew is really good. Is the meat from the bird Prowl . . . er . . . killed?" Rider asked hesitantly

"Yeah. It wasn't easy to find parts that weren't damaged by his weapon; but there was enough to cook. I know from raising Saber that you probably need more meat than anything else."

They continued talking but my head hurt. No it was more like my brain was on fire. When Rider said my name and made that hesitant sound it triggered something in my mind. My name wasn't Prowl, it was Prowler. No that wasn’t it. It was a harder sound more like Prowl'R. Prowl-Ar! "My name is Prowl-Ar!"

"What?" Both Rider and Jordan asked at the same time.

"What Rider said and the confused noise he made it triggered my mind and I remembered my name is Prowl-Ar."

"Seems like a strange name." Jordan said.

"Any more strange than Rider or Bike?"

Rider laughed. "He has a point. So do we keep calling you Prowl or . . ."

"Prowl is fine. I mean, it's basically the same. It's just that this means my true memories haven’t been erased they're just buried extra deep and if I keep learning and accessing them maybe there's a chance I'll get them all back."

"And what do you think of my cooking?" Jordan asked.

"It's the . . . best thing I've ever had." I nearly said second best thing. I really needed to forget that dream.

"Better than my meat?" Rider asked.

I dropped my spoon into my plate of stew and nearly choked.

"Rider that could easily be misconstrued as being uncouth."

"What? I'm just asking if . . . Oh, never mind I think I'll also go to my room to finish eating. Let me know when it’s my turn at the bath so I can come help refill the tub." Rider said, in obvious embarrassment.

I just quietly ate my portion as Jordan gave Saber some scraps of meat.

"It's safe. The meat cooked by my blaster. It's safe to eat."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I tried to think how I could help you if you ate any and the only answer that would come to mind was to join you in eating. Though I do admit it might be because I haven't been eating properly since waking up."

Jordan just laughed at my response.

***

It didn’t take long to fill the tub with all three of us working. We found an old bucket to carry the hot stones. It wasn't good for anything else with all the holes in, but it sank into the water easily amongst a lot of steam. It also made it easier to pull the stones back out once the heat had been transferred to the water. It only took three trips and there were still unused stones. By the time I finished the cooled stones would also be hot again for Jordan. Rider excused himself and Jordan took the last bucket back to the fire. I quickly stripped down and got into the tub.

The heated water did wonders for my sore body. Until then I hadn't realized how hard I'd been pushing myself. I closed my eyes and completely submerged. It was so nice the tub was large enough to do so. I let out a little air every few seconds extending my time in this other world.

Suddenly I was pulled up. "Are you trying to drown yourself now?" Jordan asked.

I exhaled the air I'd been holding in. "I wasn’t under that long."

"You were under far longer than anyone I've ever heard of and that isn't including the amount of time you were under before I got back."

I sighed and opened my eyes. Maybe I had been under longer than I realized. Jordan had set up several torches lighting the area. He was also in the tub with me! I tried to move away.

"Stop that. I need to inspect the wound on your head."

I held still as he slowly ran his fingers through my hair desperately trying to think of anything other than the fact we were both in a state of undress.

"Prowl, you need to stop fidgeting. I can't find . . . This isn't possible."

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"You don't have any wounds. Not even a scar. But I know you were injured from all the blood."

"I'm not exactly normal though, am I?"

"Did you come in contact with his blood?"

I flinched then realized the voice was from the communications unit again.

"Sorry, I should have let you know I unmuted him in case I needed assistance treating your wound. Yes, I wiped the blood away when I first tried to check his wound."

"I suggest you cut yourself. Nothing deep just a scratch really. It is important to know if whatever he has can be spread. Fortunately your little triste didn't involve him-"

"And that's enough of you for now."

Triste. The word seemed familiar but the definition just wasn’t coming to me.

"Prowl, can you do it? Xenonc is right. If there is something in your blood that can be passed to others we need to know. Don't tell Bike, but I . . . I have some soap to keep the wound clean so there shouldn't be anything to worry about."

He reached over the edge of the tub and lifted up a knife and what I guessed was soap. It was rectangular and smelled of flowers. The soap not the knife. I took the knife from him. “We don't need to do this.”

"Yes we do. I can't do it alone." He washed the back of his arm and the held it out while closing his eyes.

"Okay but it's just going to be a scratch." I said, as I rested the edge against his skin. He pulled back out of reflex. The blade was sharp and left a deep gash down the back of his arm.

"Oh shit!" I dropped the knife and grabbed his arm holding the wound closed as best I could. "Jordan, look at me. Jordan! He lifted his eyes. You need to focus. Use your other hand to help hold this wound closed."

"I . . ."

"Focus, all you have to do is hold the wound closed. I'll . . ." I moved one hand away. The wound wasn't as bad as I thought. No I could see the flesh healing back together.

"Oh no."

"I'm going to die." Jordan said calmly

"No, you're not. It seems Xenonc was right to be concerned. It seems you've been infected."

Jordan looked back at the wound. It now looked more like a long scratch. He ran the soap over it again washing the blood away and then we stared as even the scar tissue faded and disappeared. ”That wasn’t a question, I meant I’m not going to die from one little cut. However it’s no wonder your weapons are so powerful they're probably the only thing capable of dealing with you, I mean us. I wonder if Rider was also infected."

"He didn't come into contact with my blood."

"I meant from what happened at the last shelter."

"Last . . . Wait, that wasn't a dream?" I asked in surprise.

Jordan sighed. "No, it wasn't a dream. A part of me wishes it was, but at the same time I'm happy it wasn't. Growing up in the village I always treated like an outsider. I'm different. You see my father was a stranger that showed up with me, as a baby, one day. He eventually married and I grew up in the village but . . ."

"You were still considered an outsider." I said.

"Yes. My parents never had any other children which was a further mark of not fitting in. I would be expected to choose a companion from the village. Unfortunately I'm not normal. I grew taller than everyone else."

"I'd think that would be a good thing."

"Not really, when hunting I tend to stick out. And then there was Saber. His mother had been killed by something and when I found him he was nearly dead himself. I don't know why, but I nursed him back to health. I was surprised when he started to talk to me. I was lonely since none of the other children wanted me around so I thought I was losing my mind."

"So Saber is your only friend?"

"No, at least not anymore. Anyway while I was out training Saber to hunt with me we were caught by Swan, She was the Hunt master’s daughter. I guess you could say she's a bit strange as well."

"I'm guessing she didn't tell anyone about Saber?"

"No, she didn't have to, I never kept him a secret. After all the tamers regularly worked with dangerous animals and since I wasn’t likely to be allowed to be a hunter it seemed like my next best option. However that's not what made her different. Unlike all the other girls. Swan wanted to be a hunter. Of course she was being trained to be a healer. She could hunt, but her main role was to travel with the hunters and treat any injury they received. I guess that's why we became friends. I taught her how to hunt and she taught me about healing. I had to learn my cooking skills on my own."

"You love her don't you?" I asked. I cursed my damn brain for that bit of information since it also brought the realization that the happy to be happy feeling was love and I was fairly certain I was starting to feel that for Jordan and maybe Rider as well.

"If you had asked before our time in the last shelter I might have said yes. I mean, I thought that was what I felt. I'd planned to marry her and we would have children since that was required. Things got kind of messed up when I came of age and I was pushed out of all jobs and told I was going to be made tribute to the Empire. Though that became a mess as well when everyone my age was forced to become tributes. I guess even my mission out into the desert was to free her so that we could be together. But now, I don't think I love her in the way I'm expected to. I want to be friends with her and keep her safe, but doing things like we did . . . I just can't imagine that with her."

"Can you imagine doing those things again?"

"With you or Rider?"

"Or both of us again. I'll be honest, and it might be because I don't have many conscious memories, but that almost all I've really actively thought about and that was just when I thought it was a dream."

"So I'm not the only one that's been thinking a lot about that?" Rider said as he lowered the bucked of hot stones into the water again. "I figured the water might be getting cold. Though now that I'm here we could have a little more fun."

"No." Jordan hissed. "Bike could catch us and that would really be bad. Besides, I’m not sure I’m ready to do what you did with Prowl. I mean that night was my first time doing anything like that."

"Okay, but the tub looks large enough that I will join you for the bath."

"That's almost as bad." I said.

"Why? We are just three men sharing the hot water so we don't have to work as hard." Rider said, as he quickly undressed.

"So much for needing help removing your armor." Jordan said quietly.

Rider froze.

I laughed. You have heightened senses and could tell that Jordan was excited. I mean it was obvious I was, but Jordan . . ."

"It was like walking into a solid wall of fear and arousal when I returned. So I thought I'd see if it was just you or if I was included. Though to be honest, I didn't expect what came later. I've never known anyone that would do . . . or allow . . . Well I'm not exactly human and-"

I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to the tub. "So you are a little different." I placed my hand on his chest. "What's important is what is in here.

"And in here."

Rider gasped as Jordan cupped his balls. It was obvious when Jordan realized what he had done because he just as quickly slid away, blushing and unable to make eye contact.

"Just get in the tub already." I said.

Rider settled next to me. Jordan sat in front of me and leaned back against my chest.

"Jordan, lean forward now."

"Huh?"

"Just trust me. Rider start washing yourself."

Jordan leaned forward and I started rubbing his back.

"What are you doing?" Bike said, in disgust as he approached.

"Well, I'm returning the favor of washing Jordan's back while Rider washes himself. Then Jordan and I will wash Rider's back. I'd ask you to join-"

"That's sick and perverse!"

"It was a communal bath in the barracks when we were serving together. This is the same thing." Jordan shot back.

"No it's not! He's not human!"

"Yeah, and they are human. You don't see me getting mad. A hot bath isn't to be wasted." Rider said, grinning and making Bike take a step back.

"Besides I didn't think you would want to share after I cleaned the blood off Prowl." Jordan continued.

"So we figured it would be fine for Rider to join us in getting cleaned up then we'd drain the tub before refilling it with fresh water and heating it so you could enjoy a solitary bath."

"I . . . I . . ."

"Don't worry, I'll come inform you when your bath is ready." Jordan said.

"Th- Thank you." Bike said, as he seemed to stumble away in a daze.

"That seemed to confuse him." I said, in surprise.

"Bike always demands things, so it is rare for anyone to offer to do things for him. I just hope he doesn't fall and hurt himself in that state, because I want to stay here just like this for a while." Jordan said, as he once again leaned back against me.

"Do you think we can stay here an extra day?" Rider asked.

"Enjoying Bike’s company that much?" Jordan asked.

"No! I mean, Prowl-Ar's memory seems to be triggered by objects. I'd like him to go through the relics I brought and identify what they are and what they do if he can. There is a small town about two days travel from here and, even though I've got to stay hidden you could trade for things we need."

"Bike will likely complain, but I do see the value of identifying things. That way we don't trade off anything that could be dangerous or useful." Jordan agreed.

I didn't have much hope, but if it unlocked good memories then maybe I should at least try.

***

I'd just about fallen asleep when Saber somehow made it into my room.

"Brother want me watch you. No hurt self."

"Saber, please communicate normally with me. It's the only way I'll be able to learn."

"Brother wants me to watch you in case you try to hurt yourself again. I tried to tell him he should stay with his mate but that made him angry."

"We're not mated."

"That's not what smell says. I can tell you would be a good match for him. You are both blessed by cat and wolf deities. Though I guess that other cat is as well. However Jordan has special blessing and you have bull blessing and something else. When I try to sense it I get scared and I'm not scared of anything."

"What if I'm okay with Jordan being with Rider?"

Saber hissed.

”What I mean is what if instead of building a pride of females Jordan prefers one where he is the top male and we submit to him?"

"I had not thought of that. I will consider it. Now you should sleep. It is easier to deal with little man's complaints when rested."

I nodded. "I suppose with you here I'll have plenty of warning if I have to get my armor back on?"

Saber gave me a nod so I sat my armor to the side and finished getting undressed once more. Saber watched but strangely I didn't mind. I barely made it under the blanket before falling asleep.

***

"Prowl-Ar, are you awake yet?"

"Damn it Reaper, I don't want to wake up yet."

"What?" Rider asked.

"What?" I asked as I woke up.

"I asked if you were awake yet and you said-".

"I didn't say anything."

Rider shrugged. "Okay, I was just wondering if you could help me sort through some of the relics. To see if it'll restore any memories."

"Oh, right. Did you see where Saber went?"

“He left earlier with Jordan and Bike to do some hunting. It's just the two of us here.”

I stretched and sat up. I looked at my armor and decided I shouldn't need it. I just dressed in my under armor clothes, making sure to put on my gun belt. I felt safe enough but I wasn't going to be stupid.

I followed Rider to his room. He'd arranged items, on the spare bed, into piles that looked to have similar items. The first had stacks of mostly flat objects. I picked one up and I could see myself reflected by the lamp light in the smooth black surface. My mind registered that I knew what it was and that it required power, but that was it.

"I know what it is but don't know at the same time. You do have a lot of them and I can guess they are a good trade item for anyone wanting to see themselves."

"There is that, but from what my barter man told me there is a man trying to figure out how they used to function. So they are one of the best trade items. I only set them out in case they triggered a memory."

"This one is easy this pile is made up of eating and cooking utensils. You might want to show them to Jordan. He seems to know more about that than I do."

I moved to the next pile. "These are lighters."

"I know they make sparks but you have to get so close to the tinder that they are impractical."

"That's because they had their own internal fuel to create a flame. From what I can see here they are all disposable or require compressed fuel so other than being traded as art they probably aren’t worth much."

My eyes widened at the next pile. It was coins. Lots of coins.

"Any memories from those?"

"Yes, well sort of. So, from the looks of it this must be Europe."

"Wait, you don't know where you are? I mean you’re speaking the language so I figured . . ."

"I hadn't thought about it. Maybe I was programmed with the native language."

"Maybe, but still I'd think you would know where you are."

"I guess?" I said, in confusion.

"You- Do you realize that I switched languages and you did as well?"

"What do you mean? I'm speaking the same language I've always been."

"No. You were speaking French, then Italian, and now English. You really can't tell the difference?" Rider asked.

"No, it all sounds the same to me."

"I suggest you be very careful who you talk to. The world is a divided place and speaking the wrong language at the wrong time could get you killed. What's worse is you won't even realize you're doing it."

I nodded. This was a problem I'd never even imagined. "Is that everything?" I asked.

"No, this is the stuff I kept in my pack because I knew it had value. I still need to go over the stuff I placed in your pack and Jordan's. There . . ." Rider trailed off looking guilty.

"What?"

"Well, there's this. I wasn't going to show it to you because it came from the same area as you did and it looks sort of like your weapons and armor. I was afraid you'd think I stole it from you."

He handed me a small round cylindrical device. I didn't recognize it, but he was right that it looked like my equipment. As I turned it over and over in my hand a glowing red band appeared. Whatever it was it had power as I continued moving it the red turned orange, then yellow, and finally green there was a slight click and it extended slightly and a switch was revealed. Foolishly I pushed it and Rider jumped away from me.

"Holy shit!"

"What's your problem?"

"You! You’ve turned into some sort of demon!"

I looked down, but as far as I could tell I looked the same. "What are you talking about?"

Rider grabbed one of the reflecting devices and held it up. It certainly wasn't me staring back at me. I had a feline face with bull's horns. Rider moved the device down and my body to my waist was . . . really well-proportioned and had a very nice brown color. I looked down but all I could see was my normal clothes. Rider wasn't done though he lowered the reflection further and I gasped. My legs were bull shaped with hooves and I had a dog’s tail but the real attention getter was the human shaped cock and balls that were far too large to be realistic. I tossed the device on the bed and the reflection went back to being myself.

"It's some sort of mask, but it has to be broken because that isn't going to be any good for not being noticed."

Rider picked it up and it was my turn to be shocked.

"How do you turn it off?"

I grabbed the impromptu mirror and held it up. Rider stared for a moment and then slowly lifted and waved his hand.

"I don't get it. It makes you look like a demon but I look human?"

"Maybe it was something created for me but the scientists decided I'd be too dangerous so they made sure I couldn't use it?"

"Or they wanted to make you seem scarier than you really are. I wonder what would happen if Jordan used it?"

"That is a good question. However, you do know what this means, right?"

"No, what are you thinking?"

"While you have that on you you're safe to go into villages and towns because everyone will see you as human."

Rider smiled, "I still want to see what Jordan turns into and maybe even Bike, but I'm keeping this relic as my own."

"Even though I didn't realize what I was doing it seems part of me knew that it recharges from being rotated up and down so for now I suggest leaving it on so we know how long the charge lasts. However when you do want to turn it off there is a small switch."

"Okay, I found it, but what are we going to tell the others?"

"About you being human? They don't have the best dark vision so if you stay in the shadows until you're ready to explain it should be fine. After all you have almost the same build just a bit smaller as human."

"What about Saber?"

I shook my head. "Come on; you're a sabretooth as well. Don't you think he'll know you instantly by smell?"

***

I retrieved my pack, but it was far less interesting. Mostly items that required batteries to function. Though there was a pair of tonfas. I wasn't sure what the word might mean but my programming filled in that they were a form of weapon often employed by security officers. However this pair concealed retractable blades in one end. I don't know why, but my first thought was that they would make excellent close combat weapons for Jordan.

There was also another small device, like the one Ride was using, except it was silver and square. As I touched it, it seemed to come apart and wrap around my wrist but that was it. It didn't change anything but it also wouldn't come off and we couldn't find any sort of controls.

"Maybe it ran out of power? Shake it like you did with the camouflage device."

I shook my wrist and then tried to pull it off only to have half of it transfer to my other wrist. "Great. Should I put it next to my neck next?" I asked sarcastically.

"I- I wouldn't if I were you."

I bit my lip and glanced down. "Um, Rider? How am I supposed to, you know, go? If this thing is going to wrap around . . . everything then . . ."

The stricken look he gave me told me he was as concerned as I was.

"What if it isn't limited to you?"

I admit I didn't take that well. I was worried about a tight non-removable device wrapping around and possibly covering a very important part of my anatomy. So I grabbed his wrist. Nothing happened. It seemed whatever it was or did it was limited to me.

"Maybe it's a restraining device?" Rider asked.

"It doesn't seem to restrict anything though. I still have full movement even if I touch them together they don't react."

"Sit."

"Why?"

”Just checking to see if they make you follow orders."

"Then that is a . . . no?"

I pulled my knife out.

"What are you doing?"

"Just checking something." I ran the blade across my palm just enough to draw blood. It didn't even really hurt. The wound healed rapidly. "

"Oh, you were checking if it blocked your healing."

"You as well?" I asked.

"Yeah. Right after our fun you and Jordan fell asleep. I was really tired as well, but I forced myself to stay awake since I needed to keep watch. I also had to keep the fire burning. As you might guess fur and fire don't exactly mix. I burned myself, accidentally, but then I sat in amazement as the burn rapidly healed. It's not like I was going to complain, after all it is really dangerous out there."

"I guess. I still feel guilty though."

Rider pulled me into a hug. "Don't. It's not a bad thing. After our bath last night, I don't think Jordan minds either.

"Ah, here you are. Brother wants you to come have breakfast then we need to leave." Saber said, before hurrying away.

"I swear Saber seems like he is talking sometimes. Not that I can understand him but he uses an uncommon number of snarls and growls."

"He can speak. I guess it's just a matter of interpretation. Jorden sent him to call us to breakfast. And then he said something about having to leave."

"I thought we agreed on staying here a couple of days?" Rider growled.

"Seems the plan has changed. We'd better get the packs refilled and I need to get my armor on . . ." I went silent as I was suddenly covered in armor. "Um . . ."

"I think we just figured out what those wristbands were for and why they attached themselves to you."

"I don't understand."

"The armor seemed to grow out of them. I'm betting they were scavenged from the same facility."

"How do I take it off?"

"Probably the same way you put it on."

"I didn't put it on I just said . . ." I know I blushed as I realized what he meant, "Armor off." The armor quickly retracted.

Rider laughed. "Now you have the same bracelets around the tops of your boots as well."

The clothing looked the same, but I could tell from the feel of it that it wasn't the same. It felt heavier but also seemed to move easier. It was really hard to explain.

"So what are you going to do with your old armor? It's not like you need it anymore. It won't fit me, even letting the straps out wouldn't make it large enough."

I looked at it. It might be adjusted for Jordan. Not sure he'd go for it though. The shin armor was out; it needed to connect to the boots though it might still be useful. "Rider, hold out your arm. Oh and turn off the device for a minute."

”What are you up to?"

I took the left shin guard and held it to the side of Rider's arm and tightened the belts. On the legs it would slide down and interfere with walking but as forearm armor on Rider it worked.

"How strong is this?"

"If you have the strength, you should be able to use it to block a sword blow."

"Hmm, yeah that might be useful in a fight. I wouldn’t want to rely too heavily on it, but as a last resort it should be perfect." He quickly put on the other guard.

"The thigh armor should fit Jordan the vest will be a bit short but it will protect his back and most of his vital organs. I'll have to remove the shoulder and upper arm armor, well all the arm armor really since it'll interfere with the use of his bow. I might be able to improvise something to hold the shoulder armor together I guess Bike can have the arm parts. They're not as strong as what you have but they would give him the same type of defense in a knife fight."

"Before you go cutting anything up, let’s see if they even want it. If they don't we can barter it for something useful, like more arrows for Jordan."

"You're probably right, though I hope he is willing to wear it. It'll make protecting him a little easier."

"From what I observed he wasn't that bad at protecting himself before he found you. Wait! I didn't mean it the way it sounded. He is much safer with you protecting him. We all are. After all, without you Jordan and I would both be rex shit by now."

"It's okay, I'm not going to let something eat me. Well, not some dumb animal anyway."

"What? Oh. Ohhh that is . . . something you probably shouldn't say when Bike could be listening."

"It's okay, he's out next to the fire pit."

"How do you know?"

"Oh, I've registered him as a threat so I can feel where he's at."

"Let me be sure I understand this, you can sense the location of what you perceive to be threats?"

"Can't you?"

"No."

"But when we were in the pack's city you seemed to sense them."

"Yeah I had a vague sense of being watched but that's it. What you are describing isn't something I've ever heard before."

"What is taking you? Brother is mad at me because you didn't listen!" Saber growled.

"We're trying to get things repacked and ready." I replied.

"Food first then packing. When Brother says come you do that immediately."

"You tell Jordan I'll come when and as often as I feel like it."

Rider coughed, likely covering a laugh, behind me.

"He's not going to be happy."

"Just tell him what I said."

Saber growled but headed back toward the fire again.

"We'd better hurry. Jordan isn't going to be happy about that response."

"Depends on how many times you make him cum." Rider laughed.

***

We hurried to the fire and I took what might as well be my normal spot.

"I thought you were getting your armor on?" Jordan said, as he filled my bowl with fluffy yellow egg. "We found a nest but I didn't have a proper pan so scrambled it is."

"What's with the stupid jewelry?" Bike asked.

I ignored him. "Rider and I found some things in his relics. Including some new armor that seems to have been created only for me, like my blaster and rifle. So I'm wondering if you would like parts of my old set. Just the vest part for chest and back protection. I know you're going to want your arms free in order to use your bow."

"No, I'm good. I understand the armor I'm currently using. What it can and can't protect me from."

I could tell from the determination in his voice trying to convince him wouldn't do much good.

"It's mine then." Bike announced.

"What?" I asked, in surprise.

"You don't need it and Jordan doesn't want it. So I'll take it. You should have offered it to me in the first place."

"I don't think so. I might have considered if you asked politely, but now I think I'll trade it eventually."

"Where's Rider? He needs to have breakfast and then we need to get going." Jordan insisted.

"I'm here just waiting for Prowl-Ar to finish before making my entrance."

"God, another prissy pussy."

"Watch your mouth little man." Rider said, as he stepped into the light. He'd reactivated the mask.

"He looked better as a cat." Saber said.

"Who the hell are you?" Bike yelled.

"Rider?" Jordan asked.

"Yeah, I guess this is what I would look like as a human. The device was in my collection and Prowl-Ar figured out how to make it work. Now I'll be able to enter towns with you."

"Does it work on anyone?" Bike asked.

"Yes, but it seems to be broken or maybe defective. I got lucky and look human. We won't go into how messed up Prowl-Ar looks." Rider explained.

"No I really want to see." Jordan said, as he handed Rider a bowl of scrambled egg.

Rider passed the mask to Jordan who promptly turned into a wolf so black that he seemed to disappear into the darkness. Even with my night vision I could barely see anything but a vague shape and glowing red eyes. "So how do I look?"

"Wolf like, maybe?" Rider responded.

"You completely blend into the dark except for glowing red eyes." I explained.

"So Jordan is a wolf. Makes sense, after all your spirit guide is supposed to be a wolf." Bike said.

"Prowl, I'd still like to see yours." Jordan said holding out the device.

I sighed and took the mask. Transforming back into the demonic composite beast.

"So it shows what we really are and he's a demon! I knew it" Bike yelled.

Jordan grabbed the mask and shoved it into Bike's hand. All three of us just stared.

"I must be the pinnacle of manliness and you are all speechless with envy."

Rider broke down laughing uncontrollably.

"The device shows who you really are huh?" Jordan said, trying to keep from following Rider's example.

"Yes. How to describe it. You're shorter, much shorter." I started.

"That can't be right." Bike said looking down at himself.

"You look much more muscular." Jordan added.

"Tell him about the long dirty blond braids in his hair and beard!" Rider coughed out.

"I think the skimpy chain mail garment and extremely oversize breasts really sell it though." Jordan snickered. "If the device reflects our inner selves you might want to take a good look at yourself."

Bike reached down and cupped one of his breasts as if he could imagine it. "You’re all lying."

Rider took a deep breath. “I figured this might happen.” He lifted one of the reflecting devices toward Bike.

He gasped and his hand shot down to his crotch and then he sighed remembering only his appearance had changed.

Rider grabbed the mask away from him and he was once again his normal self. "I told you it was damaged or malfunctioning. It seems that only Jordan and I came out looking okay."

Bike stood in silence, his hand down the front of his pants as if he was scared his manhood would vanish.

"So Jordan, what is the hurry in leaving? I thought we were going to stay a couple of days?" I asked, not wanting to think about the horror Bike had turned into. Even my demon image was more attractive.

"We've attracted attention. There is a pride of Sabers moving in from the west and a killer pack from the east. We don't want to be here when those two groups come into contact and start fighting to establish territories."

"Plus other sabers see me as how do you humans say it, undesirable, defective, wrong. I'm not sure but they usually go out of their way to try and kill me."

"Yeah, seems like a good day to get moving." I said. I was slowly eating, but what Bike had said hurt. It shouldn't have, I mean I did look rather demonic but why did having him say it cause me pain? Maybe it was because Jordan hadn't said anything? I just wasn't sure.

***

Once again we traveled in silence. Not that I minded since I was on high alert trying to extend my danger sense to its limits. I had my old armor on, well except for the parts I'd given Rider. It was just easier to carry that way.

"Why is he here with us?" Bike asked.

"Tell him it's because I want to be close to him when an attack happens. That way I know I can escape." Saber replied.

"Because we know the way, and because we'll need him close if we're attacked." Jordan answered.

If I didn't have my armor and super weapons I'd be worried. In a foot race Bike could likely out run me. Maybe my best move would be to shoot him in the leg if we had to run? I immediately berated myself for such a thought. Jordan must have a good reason for putting up with him.

"Do you know I can hear everything when you mentally talk to yourself like that? And I'm sure Brother would get over it if you did injure the noisy one so we could escape." Saber informed me.

"You've been listening this whole time?" I though.

”Only since Brother told me you could understand me. Don't worry, I won't repeat the things you've been thinking about. I do find it interesting the way you yell at yourself just because you can't remember things. Still you need to learn how to shield your-". Saber, turned to look at me. He tilted his head and looked confused.

"Prowl, are you alright? Saber says he was talking to you and then . . . What do you mean it's like he's not there? You can see and smell him, right?" Jordan whispered.

"I can sense everyone's minds at least to the point of knowing they are there. Prowl! You're back. How did-" Saber's fur stood on end.

"It seems I've figured out how to not hear Saber. I don't know how, but I can just turn it off and on." I pulled my rifle up, and took aim. It seemed blocking Saber also blocked my danger sense. "In head of me, four hundred meters. Can't tell what it is or if it's hostile." I said loudly enough for Rider and Bike to hear as well.

"If you are intelligent make your intentions known. Otherwise my friend here is the highest class marksman and he will kill you." Jordan yelled.

A young dark skinned boy stood up.

"He's a military messenger. I recognize the uniform." Bike said.

"Approach." Jordan yelled.

He looked at us, well mostly at saber and then behind himself and then started running toward us.

"Armor on."

I heard everyone gasp as the armor flowed over me. Encasing me and if the reflection was true turning me into a metal anthro cat.

"Targeting assist online. Twelve targets, eleven in tall grass one human."

"Designate human as friendly." I ordered.

"Analyzing. Unknowns are displaying pack hunting tactics. They are using the human as bait."

I let the computer aim and pulled the trigger. Swiveled and took out the second. The full pack was surging forward. I continued firing making sure to aim for the closest first.

"All targets eliminated." The armor announced.

"Armor off."

"Holy shit." Rider mumbled.

"He just took down an entire killer pack in seconds." Bike gasped.

"Prowl, are you okay?" Jordan asked.

I was on my knees and I was shaking. When had I fallen?

"Has he killed before?" A new voice asked.

"Yes, He's taken down three rexes and a terror bird."

"To be fair he took out the second rex by dropping a building on it." Rider pointed out.

"Still counts." Jordan insisted.

"I- I don't know what's wrong with me."

"You're coming down from combat stimulation. I've seen it a couple of times. It's like a drug. You are completely composed during the fight but as soon as you're safe all the things you were blocking like excitement and fear all hit you at once. You'll be fine in a few minutes, or dead." Bike explained. "You want him alive don't let him kill himself." He said turning toward Jordan.

"Not allowed." I growled as I stood up. "It goes against my oath to protect Jordan."

"Jordan?" The messenger asked.

"And you are?"

"Vine, of the royal message corp. I was accompanying a detachment sent to retrieve you."

"Retrieve me? I've earned my freedom from fighting and through military service. I'm a free agent working on a project for the King."

"We received word you'd abandoned your mission and heard you were escaping to the South."

"Bike!"

"What? My job is to report on your progress. You explored the ruins and then abandoned them to go south."

"I told you I couldn't proceed deeper without a key. A key in the ruins in the desert."

"A key you didn't find."

"A key I found in those ruins. That's why we're headed back. Still, Vine, you said you were with a detachment?"

"We were attacked by that pack earlier. I don't know how long ago, it feels like they have been chasing me for hours."

"We should go. If the attack was on the trail we can lay the dead to rest. There are villages nearby. No need to have the local wildlife get a taste for humans." Rider said, holstering his gun.

"The nearest town is a full day's travel from here. We'd set up a camp, but the killers attacked us just as we were waking up." Vine explained.

"So we head for the camp site." I said, as the shaking finally stopped. "Rider is right. We shouldn't leave the remains to scavengers. Though we can't take too long. We'll need to find another camp since yours is now a kill site."

"It'll draw in the sabers for sure." Saber said.

"Oh god!" Vine pulled out his musket and pointed it at Saber.

”Armor on!” I yelled as I stepped into the line of fire. The lead round impacted and then flattened. Even I was surprised since I at least expected to feel the impact. "Armor off. If you attempt to reload you will be dead before you finish with the powder. Saber is under Jordan's control and is a friend. Therefore he is under my protection. Do not threaten him again."

"Prowl, while I'm happy that neither you nor Saber are injured, don't do something so stupid again. You had no way of knowing if your armor would protect you!" Jordan yelled.

"Actually the armor analyzes all weapons in its vicinity. Your muskets are ineffective."

"How ineffective?" Rider asked.

"The ratio is so small that it is the same as completely. Your pistol is only slightly better at twenty percent. Basically it might force me to take a step back on impact. The most effective weapon here, other than my own are Jordan's arrows, but only under certain circumstances."

"That doesn't make sense. Muskets are more powerful than bows." Vine said.

"It's not about power it's about the physics. Now we need to get moving.”

***

The camp was a mess. Everything was torn and scattered.

"Where are the bodies?" Vine whispered.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"Captain? Is that you?" Vine yelled.

"Vine? We'd given you up for dead like nearly everyone else."

"Nearly everyone?" Vine asked.

"Yes, Frederik and Bark also survived. They are working on graves while I stand guard. Who is with you?"

"Would you believe it? Jordan and Bike, the ones we were sent to retrieve. They saved me, sir."

"And the other two?"

"Three." Jordan yelled. "There's Saber my sabretooth companion. Rider, a scavenger that joined me when his team were eaten by a pack of rexes. Finally Prowl-Ar, a mercenary that saved us by killing the three rexes. And he saved Vine by eliminating the pack of killers."

"One person took down a full pack that decimated my unit? Impossible."

"I saw it sir. He has some sort of relic weapons and armor I've never heard of before. The armor can stop a bullet and his guns shoot lightning."

"Hand over the relics." The Captain ordered.

"Not happening. For one I'm the only one that can use the weapons and as for the armor, I've tried to take it off with no success."

"Lier! You can remove part of it. You're just too selfish to share." Bike yelled.

"You're right, I'm still not going to give it away. Though I am open to bartering for it."

"No. You will not be trading a valuable relic to these men for a few trinkets." Jordan ordered.

"You said he's a mercenary so he can do what he wants." The Captain argued.

"Not while he works for me." Jordan yelled.

Jordan was playing a dangerous game. I had already forced myself to remember what being a merc meant and the Captain was correct.

"Hey mercenary, how much is he paying you? I'm sure we can pay more."

That pissed me off. "You think I would sell my services like you would sell a common slave? I'm working for Jordan until I've fulfilled my contract or he decides to dismiss my services."

"What are the terms of your contract?"

"The only one valid for you is that I don't discuss the terms of my contract."

Jordan laughed. "I'm no fool. I made sure the terms of the contract would remain private. Now if you're finished with the interrogation and foolish demands, we're here to help dig the graves and then we need to find a new camp site."

"No we'll all remain here." The Captain stated.

"Captain, I served in the forces so we both know remaining camped at a kill site is stupid and suicidal. If you want to stay here, fine but I, and my companions, won't be staying here." Jordan announced. "Now should we help dig, or keep moving?"

"Captain, it'll take the two of us all day forcing us to remain here for scavengers to pick off. We're begging you to accept the help."

"Fine, but the small one stands watch."

"Oh fuck you asshole. I'm stronger than any of you." Bike yelled, as he grabbed a trenching tool and started digging.

"Brother, remember that. The small one can be convinced to work if you make him think he is the weakest one."

"Prowl, stand watch. With your weapons you're like a full army on your own. Saber start digging. Rider, scout the remains of the camp for anything useful. Collect it for distribution among the soldiers, no personal acquisitions."

"Understood."

As Jordan and Saber moved off to start digging Rider came over to me. "You seem to be the second in command here. So I can't keep anything for myself, but he didn't say anything about collecting for you. I'll set aside a few of the best arrows so you can settle that debt."

"As tempting as that is, do as ordered. It is my debt to settle, so don't worry about it. Also give the masking device a shake once in a while. I know I said we need to test its charge, but I get the feeling it would be bad if those soldiers discovered you were an anthro."

"Yeah, you're probably right. What about your armor? Does it have limited charge? Is that why you only use it in short bursts?"

"No, it charges when I walk. I hadn't thought about it. I'll scout the perimeter with it on and see if there is a reason I keep turning it off like that."

"Just don't stress yourself too much."

"What do you mean?"

"I've known a few scavengers that have put on helmets and their mind couldn't handle being covered like that. I was just worried that maybe you had the same problem."

"So if I feel like I need to get the armor off I should do it otherwise I might lose what little bit of mind I have left?"

"Not how I would put it, but yes."

"Get to scavenging. I have a vague sense that scavengers will be turning up soon and I don't want to be here when they do."

"Yes, sir"

I rolled my eyes. I'd need to make it clear Jordan was in charge and I just worked for him somehow. After all he was the smart one in our group.

***

I'd just made a full circuit of the perimeter to find that the digging was finished and they were even starting to fill in the graves. My mind was split on this fact. Part was confused how they had been able to dig so quickly, because digging by hand was long arduous work. The other part insisted that every centimeter had likely been turned hundreds of times over and every step I took I was treading an endless numbers of buried in the past.

It led to the realization this was not my land. I was an intruder here, even if this was where Jordan found me. I held my hand out and turned pointing north then letting instincts take over I made a quarter turn to the left. My home was there. To the west. So far west it was impossible to walk. If I wanted to go there I would need a boat. And I would need to travel north first. Crossing islands then far to the west.

No, the desert to the south meant things had changed. My home had already been a desert. Now, it wouldn't exist. My life was here now; protecting Jordan, Rider, and Saber.

"Prowl, is something wrong? Are we in danger?" Jordan asked.

"No, there is nothing close yet."

"We've finished here. Captain, do you want to take your men and lead or follow at the rear?"

"We'll take the lead. There is another place that might serve as a semi-secure location but it is half a day's journey. It'll be after Dark when we reach it."

"At sundown I'll move to the lead. My helmet allows me perfect vision in the dark. Likely why it is shaped to resemble a tiger."

"Tiger?" Bike asked.

"Yes?" I responded.

"I mean what is that?"

"A striped cat, like Saber except without the sabers having orange or white fur with black stipes or black fur with white or orange stripes. It's also my . . ." I grabbed my head covering my left eye. It was a shooting pain and that blank feeling from when my mind wasn't supposed to know something.

"Prowl! Are you alright?" Jordan yelled, at least it seemed like he yelled. Everything seemed too loud.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just one of my headaches. Let's get moving."

We headed out, but I noticed Jordan would glance at me every few minutes with a look of worry.

"He's worried about you and wishes you would share what is wrong. He knows you don't want to talk where others can overhear though." Saber said, as he walked beside me.

I mentally sighed. "It's my memories. If I get close to remembering something that I'm not supposed to I'm hit with intense pain and a mental blankness."

Jordan visibly relaxed a little.

"You told him didn't you?"

"Yes. Brother is still worried but he understands. He says when we camp he will prepare a medicinal tea that will help reduce the pain."

"It's gone now. As long as I don't think about what caused the pain it passes quickly."

"Likely due to that healing disease you gave to Brother and that cat."

"I'm worried about that too. I'm certain I was experimented on and now I'm no longer human."

"You seem pretty human to me." Saber laughed.

"I have that healing ability, I can see in the dark, I can sense when something is hunting us, I can understand and speak any language, and when my mind allows it I have access to information that doesn't exist in this world."

"You also have a very unique scent sort of a combination of human, cat, bull and wolf. It is why I don't mind you being close with Brother. He has a similar smell but without the bull. Rider is close smelling of saber, human and wolf. It is natural that all of you have human smell even that cat is part human. But all of you seem to be blessed by a wolf spirit. Also you and brother share the same cat smell. I'm guessing it is the tiger creature you mentioned."

"You believe in spirits like that?" I asked in surprise.

"I was raised by Brother. I seem to be about the same age as him, but if I was normal I should be old and maybe buried. Never mind I can connect to Brother and now to you with my mind. I have to believe in spirits to accept my own existence. Speaking of our mental communication I can only guess it is this tiger spirit since it is only Brother and you that I can do that with"

"You two seem to have a lot to talk about." Jordan said, dropping back, likely to check on us.

"Just contemplating the universe and our place in it." I replied.

"Shush!" He whispered harshly. "That is a topic best not talked about. Having the wrong belief at the wrong moment can get you executed as a heretic. Your best option is to claim you haven't discovered the right path yet, listen to their indoctrination, agree that they are the true path and escape as quickly as possible."

"Do not worry, for everything you have done for me you are forever under my protection."

I gaped at the giant wolf standing at my side. "Who? What?"

"You shouldn't be here!" Rider said, running over."

"Do not worry, only you three can see me. I am Fenrir, the god of all wolves and your humble . . . protector. Know that, I am always watching over you." And just like that Fenrir was gone.

"Prowl, did you just sense anything?" Jordan asked.

"No, but how does one sense a spirit or god that tells you he is protecting you?"

"What are you two talking about? There was no one here." Saber insisted.

"He was in our minds." Rider said as he walked over, again? I was sure I saw him run over when the wolf appeared. Was that just in my mind as well?

"It's the only explanation how I ran over here and as soon as it was over I was still where I'd started from." He explained.

I shook my head. Was Rider reading my thoughts now as well? "I think you’re right, Jordan. This is something we probably shouldn't talk about." I said to cover my confusion.

"Agreed." both Jordan and Rider said, at the same time.

***

Camp wasn't much more than a fire and a bed roll each. There wasn't enough left of the tents to be salvageable. I did notice that Jordan's quiver was full of arrows though. It meant he had replaced the ones I ruined and then some. Still I felt the need to pay him back. Maybe when we reached the village I'd be able to trade for something useful. I just hoped if I did find something Jordan would accept it. So far, except for the bath, he'd rejected everything I'd tried to give him.

"Is there someone you left behind?" Freddy asked. "Cigarette?" He added offering me a small tube with some sort of weed in it.

"No, and hell no. Those will kill you."

"You just had that faraway look people get when they think about lost love. And the cigarettes stimulate the senses and keep you awake."

"Saber, huff against his ear." I thought.

Freddy screamed and would have fallen in the fire if I hadn't grabbed him and pulled him back down. "Now you don't need your drugs. Nothing like a sabretooth cat just waiting for you to let your guard down to keep you awake and on edge."

Saber gave his version of a laugh and curled up behind me watching the area I couldn't see.

"Go ahead and doze. There's nothing close enough to reach us without warning."

"Brother said to protect you and that is what I intend to do."

"How can you trust that thing not to eat you in your sleep?" Freddy asked.

"Humans taste bad." Saber told me.

I didn't think that would settle the soldiers nerves any. “He has accepted us as his pride. Jordan is his brother, Rider is a lesser member, and Bike is below him."

"What about you?"

"Even though I follow Jordan's orders Saber sees me as the most powerful so I am the pride leader."

"More like respected elder than leader, but it is much the same." Saber said.

"He makes more noises than any of the sabers I've seen in captivity."

"Jordan raised him and cat species will vocalize more when they have such exposure. Some are smart enough to understand simple instructions."

"So you're not scared because he sees you as more powerful?"

"It's more than that. If it was just a matter of strength he'd likely attack me because I'm a threat. It's more like he has respect for Jordan and he knows I'll protect Jordan with my life if necessary."

"So, no smoking. Where are you from?"

"Far from here. To the west across the great ocean."

"There is something beyond the edge of the Earth?" Freddy asked in surprise.

I suddenly remembered Jordan’s warning. "Not that far. There are mountains keeping the water from all running off the edge. I lived at the base."

"Huh, I never considered that. Makes sense though. So what were you doing in the great desert?"

My danger sense triggered. That meant these weren't innocent questions. "Dying mostly. I'd found information about a key to some forgotten but powerful relic so I came searching for it."

"And you found those weapons and armor?"

"No, I've had the weapons since I started my journey. After all if one is going to test dangerous things isn't it best to do so at the edge of the world to limit the damage if mistakes are made?"

"I guess."

"Jordan found me suffering from heat, dehydration, and hunger. He saved me so until I can repay that debt I'll remain his protector."

"What about the armor?"

"Oh, with my knowledge of relics Rider had me sorting his trade items so he didn't have to carry worthless junk. I didn't know what the bracelet was and when I touched it, it clamped to my wrist. As I tried to remove it, it split and ended up on both wrists. After accidentally activating it my ankles were cuffed as well. I can only guess whatever allows my weapons to only work for me has the same effect on the armor since it didn't react with anyone else."

"So even if you're killed-"

"I might as well be buried with the armor and weapons since they aren’t going to work for anyone else."

"Vine says you took out the killer pack all at once. How could you do that without reloading?"

"There’s nothing to reload. So what is the village like?"

"Huh? Oh, you know just a normal small village. An inn for travelers, a trading shop, bakery, and butchers. A market square for random visiting vendors. Just normal a normal village."

"Every place has a different normal. So I really don't know." I answered.

"It'll be light soon. We should probably start heating water for tea." He said getting up and wandering over to the supply packs obviously no longer interested in the conversation if I was changing the topic.

"He smells like Bike. Full of treachery and deceit." Saber chuffed.

"Yeah, but he overplayed his hand so we know not to trust him. Inform Jordan about him and I'll tell Rider."

"What about Irritation?" Saber asked.

"No, he'd just try to sell what he thinks he knows and likely make up a bunch of stuff as well."

"Brother has said the same thing about him in the past. I think you two were always meant to find each other."

"What about Rider?" I asked.

"Maybe." He relented.

"That's an improvement at least. Do you think your resentment is because he is an anthro saber and you should be the only saber in Jordan's life?"

"I'm going to go take care of some business." Saber said, ignoring my question.

"Armor on." I scanned the area. We were in a sparse forest meaning there was lots of space and cover to hide. Other than our own there were no animal life signs in scanning range. That worried me. There should have been small animals and night birds about. The emptiness made me feel like there was something out there something I couldn't sense or scan.

Breakfast was simple I had a bit of Rider's dried meat and a small bit of Jordan's cheese. I drank only water. I didn't trust the soldiers. I was able to get a couple of moments to let Rider know not to trust the intelligence agent and then we were on the move.

***

We reached the village at what I guessed was about noon. It was surrounded by a wooden palisade wall. As we passed through the gate we found that we were on a drawbridge over a deep trench filled with giant wooden spikes. The inner wall was constructed of stone. Houses were built in from the wall lending extra support and bridges ran about the rooftops. It likely made for a good defense against predators but my mind was already calculating dozens of weaknesses against the current level of human technology.

I felt uneasy, not any of the bad or danger feelings, just a sense of not wanting to be here. Or maybe not being wanted.

Even though the guards at the gate had been friendly enough, and Saber had remained outside and out of sight, the streets were practically deserted. The few people we did come across wouldn't look at us and rushed off as soon as we passed.

There were more people as we entered the central square at the edge were the market buildings and there were market stalls set up as well. However still fewer people than I would expect. At the far end was a four story building. Well, two story with a third level being a bell tower and the fourth housing a giant bell.

"The center is the church, on the left is the mayor or governor's residence and on the right is for public meetings, trials, dungeon, and primary barracks, basically everything law related." Jordan informed us. "Captain, do what you need. My companions and I will remain here to do some trading and then find our own lodging."

"You are our-"

My rifle was up and pointed at the Captain's face. "Think real hard about your next words. In the time it takes to draw your weapons I'll have killed all of you."

"We are representatives of-"

"My loyalty is to Jordan, Not some ruler I don't even know."

"Prowl, I'm sure the Captain is just worried we'll leave before he is ready. Go on Captain, we'll meet at the gates in the morning." Jordan said carefully pushing my rifle down.

"Okay. But he better not threaten you again." I growled.

“Captain, I’m going with you. I’ve had enough of being around these people.” Bike announced, though we ignored him.

"Come on, you wanted to trade that armor of yours." Jordan said pushing me toward the markets.

As we moved among the stalls Rider separated from us. Likely to find the trader that was interested in his dead communication devices. I spent more time looking. They used metal coins that, while I recognized the denominations I didn't understand the actual value. Jordan helped with this part and he seemed to feel I didn't get cheated which was good enough for me.

It was strange walking around without the armor even though I knew I could activate the new armor at any time. Still I didn't exactly fit in I examined a few different clothing options, but then found something more important. It was a stall with herbs and spices. While I wasn't overly knowledgeable my mind did supply me with a few. Cumin, saffron, paprika, cayenne, black pepper there were more but I didn't want to risk getting something poisonous. Now I knew how I was going to replace Jordan's arrows.

My first stop was a stall selling blown glass bottles. I bought sixteen. Jordan looked at me in confusion but didn't comment. Next I went to the carpentry shop and found a box that would fit all the bottles. I spoke to the carpenter about a simple insert that would keep the bottles from breaking. He agreed he could cut something but he would need one of the bottles to get the right fit. The work would take a couple of hours. I negotiated a price and paid him.

Then I returned to the spice vender. I'd like to say I filled a bottle with each spice I recognized, but that would have been much too expensive. I did pay for two bottles of black peppercorns and that cost far more than what I considered decent, but I liked pepper though I'd need to find . . . Rider. If anyone knew relics he would and a pepper grinder should be considered a relic with unknown use.

"Okay, I can't stay silent any longer. Why are you spending your money on these powders and seeds?" Jordan asked.

I grinned. "They're spices for your cooking. I only got a small amount because they are so rare but minute amounts to go a long way."

”And these seeds? You bought two bottles of them."

"Pepper, it has to be ground up, sprinkle a little on your eggs and you'll be amazed at the difference it makes. Is there anything else you would like to try here?"

"No! At least not yet. I'll see what I can do with what you've already chosen before experimenting with more."

”Okay. Excuse me, sir is there a vender selling oils?"

"I have. You wish to buy?" The spice Vender asked.

I tilted my head and realized why he was speaking so brokenly. "Yes, I'm hoping to find a good olive oil; two of these bottles worth if it isn't too expensive."

"Ah! You have been to my country. This explains your knowledge of the spices. Yes indeed I have several types."

"For now I just need one that is good for cooking but also a really good one for dressing. My friend is an average cook so I don't want the best until he has experimented enough to be introduced to a wider range of flavors."

"That is no good. I will sell you one bottle of my best and my second best. Even when learning one should always use the best for the dish. However, only because you know how to speak properly, I will give you a discount and sell the best for the same price as second best."

"Thank you. You are too kind."

With the oil and spices in hand I tried to think of anything else the set might need, other than the grinder.

"Prowl, do you realize you changed languages back there?" Jordan asked.

"Yes, Rider figured out I know many languages. Though that was the first time I intentionally chose another language. I don't know why or how I guessed the right one."

"That might be another thing to keep hidden. So what are you looking for now?"

"We need to find Rider. There is a particular relic I need to find and he's the one that can lead us to those that sell relics."

"That's dangerous, you know that right?"

"I guessed as much and it’s why I'm not just asking random venders."

"If you don't mind me asking, why are you spending your money on these things?"

I stopped and looked at the ground. "Because I owe you. I destroyed your arrows, but before I could replace them you restocked your quiver. You like cooking so I got the spices so you could experiment with different flavors."

"You're spending all this money on me? You don't have to do that! Three arrows cost less than one of the glass bottles. And why glass, okay I can understand the oil, but the rest could have gone in leather pouches like my salt."

"Actually I expect you to put the salt in a glass bottle as well. But the reason being the spices will keep better in glass and they won't get wet and spoil. I- I wanted to do something special for you." I said hesitantly.

"You are devoted to protecting me."

"I meant something special, something just for you."

"You've done a lot of things . . . Oh. I think I understand. This isn't something we can discuss out here in the open, but I do understand why you're doing this. I'll accept your gift . . . payment, or whatever you wish to call it, but please don't be spending any more of your money on me."

"Um . . ."

"What?"

"I still need to buy the relic for grinding the pepper."

"Okay, but that's it. Also no trying to say no if I find something to buy for you."

I wanted to argue, but I knew I'd lose. "I agree."

***