Chapter 2
Lavi helped Allen up to his base in the mountain. There was a hidden stair way at the bottom. Lavi took Allen to the base's infirmary; luckily the bullets Allen took did not cause any serious injuries. The Infirmary was a small room with two metal tables in it. On the left side of the room against the wall it had two cabinets over a desk with a bucket of water and medical supplies organized on it. Under the desk was gallons of Bleach and cleaning supply, they were somewhat in/on a mountain so it's not like they could have anything fancy, just the basic needs to scrap by. A closet door was also on the right side of the wall next to the table. And lastly on the right side of the wall was another door with a restroom symbol on it. Allen sat on a metal table facing the far wall while Lavi stood behind him and worked on his shoulder wound. Timcanpy snuggled on Allen's lap and fell asleep. Allen's leg injury was already taken care of. The bullet had to be pulled out with tweezers and wrapped. The shoulder was a bit trickier; the bullet was launched in a little deeper. Allen had to take off all the clothing covering his torso for Lavi to dig around for the bullet.
"So Allen, uh, are you sure the other arm doesn't need treatment?" Lave asked.
Allen felt his face go red. His left arm, he was so embarrassed of it. He hated it, his arm looked severely deformed. It's been like that for as long as he can remember. But in a way, he was also grateful for it. After all it was...
"Err Allen?" Lavi asked
Yanked from thought Allen Replied "ah no its fine! It's always been like that." He then plastered on a fake smile to assure Lavi that he was fine. Lavi just smiled back.
"Alrighty, if you say so~"
They sat in silence for a while. Lave was still working on pulling out the bullet with tweezers. Allen could feel the cold metal digging around in his flesh. It hurt, but at the same time it didn't. Allen was still worried about the orange color of Lavi's scarf. He didn't want to be rude by asking, but the question if he was really safe kept itching at his mind. He decided to mention it, what could be the harm in it?
"Uhm...Hey, Lavi? About-"
"Ah Hah! Got ya you little bitch!" Lavi yelled.
Just as Allen was about to ask what was going on, his answer came with the pain of Lavi pulling out the bullet. He then did a little dance and held it up like a trophy.
The orange scarf swayed as Lavi did his little dance.
What are you?
Allen continued to focus on the scarf. It was old, he could tell by how dirty and tattered it was. The color was also faded? It's comparable to the old fake Christmas tree Cross had in his basement. It's been there forever, and Cross isn't going to spend money on a real tree every year, that would be wasting his precious whisky money. So every year Allen made the best of that old and flimsy tree that spent eleven months in a dark damp basement. Sometimes he would put Timcanpy on top to act as the star on Christmas morning, but Cross never noticed. Only the North and West Kingdoms celebrated Christmas. The South Kingdom does not, but lately it's beginning to become more popular in the East Kingdom. But after this war, who knows how much the world will change.
Having a scarf that defeated would make sense if he really did live up here in the mountains. But it's impossible to live up here; the base must have been built as a safe house, or something for the war. But Lavi had a green headband; didn't that mean he was siding with the North Kingdom? And if so then why were they hiding out on the West Kingdom's mountains? Were they spies?
"Allen?"
What if he was working with the West Kingdom, in some sort of small group alliance? It was possible and did make sense. The North Kingdom never wanted to go to war. The North has the second largest Military power, next to the East Kingdom, and barley uses it. The North Kingdom is not very involved. The East Kingdom sees everyone as out to get them and the West and South Kingdoms are like a bickering ex couple. The West and South are always either alliances, or bitter enemies.
A traitor maybe?
"Allen, uh buddy"
Allen snapped out of it "ah I'm sorry Lavi, what was your question?''
"I didn't really have a question. Haven't ya ever heard it's rude to stare, if I have something in my teeth you can tell me?"
Allen blinked a couple times. "I'm sorry" he put on a fake smile. "I was just lost in thought."
Lavi made his way over to the table and set the bullet and tweezers aside. He then picked up gauze, wrap, and disinfectant. He shuffled back over to Allen and started to patch up his shoulder.
"Mind telling what you're thinking about, ya looked pretty scary when focused." Lavi asked.
Allen held his breath and he felt his face go red.
What if he knows I'm suspicious? He's capable off killing me.
Lavi Interupted his thoughts again "Whoa dude, I admit you're a cutie, but in time of war is not time for a relationship."
Bloody hell?
"Ah Lavi! No no no no no, I was not thinking anything like that!" he felt his face become even more flustered. "I was just wondering about your scarf." He could felt Lavi pause in his patch work.
"What about it"
Allen began to fuss with his hands. "Well, the color is orange. But your headband is green. So, if it's alright to ask, whose side are you on?"
Lavi chuckled. "Well ya see kid, its neutral. We saved ya because that's just what we do. We're not really on anybody's side."
"Then what's with the different colors?" Allen asked
"Well the group I'm with helps out people like you. This whole damn war is high school drama." Lavi then took a step back and put a hand to his forehead, "West Kingdom, what should I do? East Kingdom does not like me anymore. Oh wait I have an idea, let's go trash his house. Then start shit with North Kingdom for not helping."
Lavi then got back to work with Allen's shoulder. "Something like that."
Allen turned to him. "Why did you help me?"
Lavi smiled. "Ya see kid; I'm originally from the north. The scarf if just something I've had for a long time. We sneak around different Kingdoms and help out the citizens in need. We also rescue kidnapped citizens that are imprisoned. In the West or South, when you're turned into the authorities as a non-citizen or any kind of military position in another kingdom, they are made either slaves or forced into their army."
Lavi then finished wrapping Allen's wound and tied the bandages off. Allen slowly stood up and faced him. He help Timcanpy who was still sleeping. His eyes wide and sparking, as a child would when praised.
"Lavi that's so awesome! I didn't know there were people like you in this world. That's just amazing!" he beamed. Lavi grinned ear to ear and ruffled his hair.
"Well I wouldn't say amazing kid." Lavi then Tapped Timcanpy on the head, "your quite a mystery yourself. Mind telling me what you were doing traveling up the West kingdom and East Kingdom's boarders?"
Allen set Tim down on the table and started to dress himself.
"Well ya see me and my Master..." Then realization hit him. He smacked himself in the forehead.
Burn it all to hell he forgot about Master Cross!
Allen rushed through his story, "meandmastercrossweretouringtheSouthwhen"
Lavi slapped a hand over Allen's mouth. "Hold on kid! Slow it down, I don't speak gibberish."
Allen inhaled a deep breath and started over.
"My Master and I were traveling home to the North. We got caught in a trap set by the South and were separated. Then you saved me. You wouldn't have happen to see my Master would you? He has long red hair and wears half a mask over his face."
"Hold on kid, you're not a slave are ya?" Lavi questioned.
"No! I am his apprentice."
"Oh, well sorry kid. I've only seen you."
Just as Allen finished dressing the door burst open. It smacked against the wall and bounded back. Before the door could smack back shut the person who threw it open stopped it before it could close. The hand that stopped the door looked ancient as the Southern Kingdom's scrolls themselves. It was wrinkled and veins popped out. The fingernails were long and black. A small man stepped through the door way. He was short, and oh so very old. But still young enough to be punching open doors. He was bald except for a spot on top of his head where there was a pony tail containing a mop of fuzzy grey hair. His glare was surrounded by deep black pools painted around his eyes.
"Lavi, they have returned." The old man said.
Lavi paused before saying anything. He looked scared. "What's the damage this time?"
"Zero causalities, and zero injuries. The mission was a success." The old man said
Lavi's face lit brighter than the sun and he fist bumped the air. The old man smiled and nodded towards Allen.
"Is this the young one I heard you helped rescue?"
Lavi nodded, "Yeah, I already tended to his wounds. If you can make more of that miracle cream, then it could be completely healed in a week."
The old man nodded and responded. "I will make more in a little while. Come to the lounge when ready." He then left, leaving the heavy metal door open. Allen look at Lavi with a curious expression. Lavi just responded with yet another smile. He wavered around the room for a while before turning to Allen.
"Wait here and rest, I will be back in a little while" Lavi said. He then went over to the closet door and pulled out a cot, blanket, and pillow. He set it up next to the metal table he used to patch Allen up.
"You can rest here. Space is limited and if your wounds reopen then you'll already be here. Use the cot; I can assure you it's much more comfortable than a metal table." Lavi then winked and walked over to the door way. He looked at Allen once more before dimming the lights and saluting him. Then he left the infirmary, shutting the metal door with a 'thud' behind him. Allen sprawled out on the cot; he set Timcanpy next to his head on the pillow. He heard the ticking noise of a clock. He didn't see one hanging on the wall though. He glanced over at the table with medical supplies and saw a small clock set up on it. It was 9:21 pm. He laid back down and stared at the dimmed ceiling.
I wonder what kind of mission has zero casualties and zero injuries.
A spy mission maybe?
Allen sifted in his position.
I wonder if Master cross is okay
He shook his head.
Of course that bastard is okay.
Allen tried to sleep, but every time he drifted into the welcoming darkness, he snapped back awake. He glanced back over at the small clock on the table. 11:14 pm. The dim light made small reflections off the glass bottles neatly organized on the table. He could hear murmuring down the hall. He has been able to hear them ever since Lavi left. But as time ticked by the voices grew louder. The muttering was equivalent to the pitter patter sound the rain makes against the window pain. Allen used to be scared of thunderstorms, when Mana was still alive he would help him sleep through the storm. He would sit next to Allen by his bedside and talk to him. That's all it took, just the sound of talking. Allen paid attention to stories he would tell him and focus on that instead of the booming thunder. Eventually, it didn't matter what was being said, the words that spilled from Mana's mouth sounded like a song. He was constant with what he said, and it all flowed together like a melody. Allen didn't realize it, but the more he thought of Mana, the more he drifted off to sleep.
A booming laugh grabbed Allen out of his pit of sleep and threw him out. The laugh came from down the hall. Allen slowly made his was way out of the comfortable cot and stood up. He was still hazy and used the cot to lean on and keep himself up. He was thirsty. Allen took slow and steady steps over to the table with medical supplies on it. His eyes searched for a bottle of water, but he could not find one. He was not so sure about the water in the bucket. As they always say, better safe than sorry.
Allen made his way to the door and pulled it open, the infirmary he was in looked to be in the middle of the hallway. There were open window panes lining one side of the hall and the other a row of doors including the one Allen opened. All the doors were exactly the same. He could see the night sky, it was filled with stars and a bright moon, lighting the sky. The moonlight spilled through the window panes lighting the hallway. On the left side faded into darkness. The right side had a flickering light at the end of it. Allen cracked his door open to mark which door to return to, then he staggered toward the light at the end of the hall. The closer he got, the louder the voices were.
As Allen approached the end of the hall, there was another door. It was large and wooden. The finish on it was old. The door was scratched all over and the sun bleached out the color. It was cracked open, and Allen peeked into it. The room was a large circular room. It had a lower level in the middle that was two steps down. It had a fire pit in the lowered level. The main level had tables scattered around with chairs setting on top of them. A pair of double doors was to the left side that looks like what led to a kitchen. Several men were scattered on the few steps that led to the fire pit. Allen recognized one of them men as Lavi. He held what looked like a rope, or some sort of hair tie. It was beautiful; maybe it was a gift from a girlfriend to remember her by or something. Another man looked quiet young, maybe the same age as Lavi. He was sitting right next to him; he had purple markings under his eyes that led down to his cheeks. The old man from earlier sat behind Lavi. There were some other men around them, but Allen could not identify as anybody he saw earlier. The one with purple markings threw his hands up
"Man that was too easy! He didn't suspect a thing!"
Lavi smirked, "I wouldn't think that, Deisha, your brother is smarter than that. I think he let us go easy. Don't get caught next time. With the report I received earlier I thought you guys didn't get caught. But after hearing this I'm quite surprised. I think maybe the new ruler has gone soft."
Deisha snorted, "Soft is not the word, and he's not my brother! Well I guess I could consider him one. The main reason is that our master would never let him hear the end of it if something happened to me. I'm untouchable!"
"Yes but that does not give you immunity." Another man said.
"He's right, we were just let off with a warning this time. It's only a matter of time before we are tracked down. I would not be surprised if he sent spies after us to discover our location." Said an unrecognizable face.
Deisha growled then stood up. "He's not as cold hearted at you guys think! So what, who cares if there is a neutral party in this war? It's not hurting anything saving innocent people's lives!"
Allen saw Lavi nod
Who are they talking about? Maybe an enemy general or something?
The fire in the fire pit crackled and popped in the silence. A man touched Deisha's shoulder and muttered something. Allen could not hear it very well and leaned in a little. The door made a slight squeak at Allen's touch. The old man's eyes shot over at his direction and Allen jumped behind the door.
Bloody hell, what am I doing? What's the point he already saw me.
Allen once again peeked his head in and could see that Lavi and the old man were now both staring at him. None of the other men were staring at him though. Lavi then stood up and excused himself and made his way to the door. Allen stepped aside for Lavi to come through. Lavi opened the door and stepped through and shut it again. He didn't look angry, just confused. Before Lavi could say a word Allen beat him to it.
"Ah- I'm sorry Lavi, I was just thirsty and didn't know-"
"It's alright Allen, but I will need to know what you heard." Lavi said.
Allen looked down to the floor. He felt ashamed. Not for eavesdropping, but for being caught.
"I just head from the 'man that was too easy' part up until now."
Lavi sighed and smiled, "so you've only been up for five minutes?"
Allen nodded. Lavi then patted his head. "Alright buddy, I'll get ya some water, just stay right here."
Lavi disappeared through the big wooden doors, he heard Lavi's footsteps fade away til the clicking of another door sounded from inside. Then there was nothing but the noise of the men talking once again and crackle of the fire.
Allen ignored it this time. He was already embarrassed of being caught once, he was not going to let it happen again. He did pick up a few things from Deisha, he couldn't help hearing. Deisha was just too damn loud, his laugh was the one that woke him up.
"Common the guys not that scary, he just-"
"-Can't possibly be scared of a pretty boy are ya!?"
Allen heard Lavi's footsteps return. Before he knew it he emerged from the door again and had three water bottles.
"Here, I'll walk you back" said Lavi with a warm smile.
Allen smiled in return and followed him back down the hall to the infirmary.