Blutbad Chapter 12 – Breaking Rocks and Serving my Time

It has been a little over a month since Kevin's trial and Edd hasn't seen hide nor hair of the young man as the garrison kept him on lockdown unless he was out training. A constant worry filled his mind as he wondered if their treatment of him had improved, pondering whether they were feeding him enough or if they were still restraining him at night. He wasn't getting a clear answer from anyone he talked to at this post, only being told that he was to have no visitors until the First Sargent deemed otherwise. Only finally getting word of Kevin's good health from Eddward, and only after discovering that he had been assigned to watch after Kevin as he underwent his monthly change. Edd undergoing his own in the comfort of his own home, thankful that the vampire's words had held true, finding it virtually painless this time, the sensation during the transformation was the only thing he would have to get used to.

"He's fine," the vampire replied as Edd prodded him for information, "The Captain must watch his P's and Q's concerning the boy now that the council is keeping a watchful eye on him."

"At his trial they knew," Edd began.

But Eddward interrupted, "Yes, I told them," not seeing a reason to delay the boy finding out any longer. "They know what I can do, having demonstrated it on several occasions, so it would have looked bad if they had discovered that the boy was a wolf and I hadn't said anything."

"But why? He's a good person," Edd said remembering how polite and kind Kevin had been the times they had spoken.

"Did we know that at the time?" He narrowed his eyes looking down at the boy, "No, and they need to stay on their guard, even when it concerns us." He sees the confused look in Edd's eyes, the boy obviously thought of the vampires as close friends. And Eddward had to admit that he did feel a fondness for the young man standing beside him, but was it friendship? It had been so long since he has let anyone new get close to him that he couldn't be sure. "Look, I can vouch for myself and Kev, but as far as the others go, I can't one-hundred percent guarantee that they wouldn't break our agreement with the town. Nat would probably never go against me, but as far as Lina and Nazz go they very well could on a whim. So be mindful of them if you're ever alone with either of them, they might be nice and kind but never forget that they are predators and a kind word can be as sharp as any claw."

"I'll keep that in mind," Edd said meekly as he turned to leave. Sensing that the vampire's mood and shifted to an ill temper, he thought it best to leave him alone.

"You do that," he reinforced his earlier statement as he turned his full attention back to the world outside the walls. An unease filled the air, as the wind blew the scent of wolf in his direction, an untrained youngster not staying downwind gave them away. Were they gathering intel on the town before they strike? Or are they members of a neutral pack out on the hunt, with no ill will toward them? Only time will tell, and until they are provoked they would stay behind the walls, watching and waiting, no need starting a war with someone that might not mean them any harm. He would report this new development at the changing of the guard in the morning.

The next day Edd arrived at the doctor's office at his usual time of eight in the morning to help set up shop, with a yawning Angelica in tow. Finding the good doctor in a chipper mood as he whistled around his kitchen, "Good morning Edd, Aww I see you brought your sister today."

"Yes sir," he pulls a chair out for her to sit in, "Mr. Marion gave her the day off."

"God, I don't ever want to sew another shirt as long as I live," she moaned as she collapsed in the chair.

"You chose the profession," he giggled at her complaint.

"Still, I didn't think it would be this much work," she continued to whine. "I thought it would be a little hemming maybe some repair work, not a whole god da," she stopped herself when she saw the doctor eyeing her, "Darn outfit."

"Well, today you get to help us make tea," the doctor said patting her on the shoulder.

Edd looked confused, "Tea?"

"Yes, we are going to bring it to the soldiers clearing the ruins around lunch time," He replied, "I have it on good authority that our boy is going to be there today." He heads to the closet to fetch a few big pitchers from it, "Aren't you happy? You'll finally get to see him."

"B-but are they going to let me talk to him?" The thoughts on how many times they have shooed him away from the garrison telling him that Kevin was to get no visitors, why would today be any different.

"Don't you worry about that," he placed a kettle on the stove and begins to light the fire underneath, "I'll keep whoever it is in charge busy, you'll get some time with him, I'll make sure of it." Angelica quickly feel back to sleep as Edd and the doctor set up for the day while the tea brewed on the stove, being rudely woken up as the kettle began to whistle. Business went on as normal throughout the day, though somewhat at a lighter pace than normal, the flow of those seeking the doctors aid had lightened as word of what he was spread around town. Those that continued their patronage of the doctor's office were those who judged him for the work he did, not for who he was, a few of them having been swayed to stay by the chairwoman when she was asked her opinion on the subject.

The sad reality to this new twist is that some of those who had abandoned the doctor were wolves themselves, fearing discovery by association. As they were still unclear as to how the local government would treat them if their numbers were all discovered, would they still be neighbors or would they be rounded up? And who could blame them, the only two confirmed wolves in the town were either being scrutinized or locked up by the town guards. They were surprised that Debora had allowed her son to continue working for the man, with the rumors that surrounded Edd they were certain the town guard would scrutinize his every action. Hence why Eddward had advised them to keep him at home for last month's change, since it wouldn't be painful this time he would not cause a scene, and it would lessen his chances of discovery.

These four simple hours ticked away at a slow pace as Edd waited for the time of their departure to arrive, continually watching the clock, admonishing himself that a watched pot never boils. Finally, the clock in the hall struck eleven thirty after what seemed to be an eternity of waiting, gathering up their supplies they took the horse drawn trolley to the northwest gate. They were stopped as they tried to exit the gate, the guard wondering why they were leaving the town and why they were carrying pitchers of tea, Eddward's report putting them all on high alert. It took a few quick but truthful words from the doctor to get them passed the inquisitive guard and on their way to the ruined part of town.

Walking a short distance from the gate they found the group of soldiers as they were starting to line up to get their rations from the cooks. Once again being stopped as they approach by the guards watching the perimeter, the Sargent in charge of the operation coming up as the doctor was explaining his intent. "Finally, a reasonable man," the doctor motioned toward the man walking toward them, "Sargent, we were wanting to bring your men some refreshments, to show our appreciation for all the hard work all of you have been doing to protect our town."

The man eyed the container suspiciously, "What is it?"

"Just tea," he replied, taking a cup from Angelica, he pours a small amount of tea in it, then drinks it, "Just tea." Taking another cup he fills it, "Would you like some," offering it to the Sargent. The man licked his lips as he rubbed his chin before taking the cup and sipping a small amount of the brown liquid, finding it was sweet and cool, quenching his parched lips. Pulling something from his breast pocket the doctor displays it for the man, "Care for a cigar to go with your beverage?"

Such a rare commodity could not be passed up, "Don't mind if I do."

Passing the pitcher back to Edd, "Why don't you two take that over to those fine soldiers over there," he motions to the chow line "While I speak to the Sargent."

Both Edd and Angelica did as they were instructed, looking up and down the line as they served the tea, "Which one's your man?" She asked leaning closer to his ear.

"I don't see him," Edd replied as he handed a glass to one of the soldiers. Turning his attention away from the line he looks around the area spotting the familiar young man sitting by himself on some rubble watching the line. "He's over there," he motions with his head in the direction he was sitting in.

Looking over she sees him sitting there watching the line, no food in his hand, she knew he must be waiting for everyone else to clear out before he came over for some reason. Snatching a bowl from the cook before he could give it to the soldier in front of him, she hands it and a cup of tea to Edd, "Here, I can take care of this." Edd stood there for a second blinking at her, "Do I need to spell it out for you, go talk to him." She physically turns him and gives him a gentle push to send him on his way, "Goooo."

Walking cautiously toward the young man, being fearful that someone would tell him that he couldn't be there, looking down at the items in his hands he knew he had a valid excuse to go to him. Kevin perks up as he saw Edd approaching him, calling out, "Hey," as he got near.

"Hello," Edd replied looking shy, the expression on his face made the young man he was addressing smile.

"You don' gatta be shy," he said in a sweet voice, scooting over he offers Edd a seat next to him. Edd hands over the food and drink after he took his seat, "Thank ya," and without missing a beat begins to devour his meal with a veracity Edd has seldom seen.

"Have they been feeding you properly?"

With a mouthful of food he replies, "Yep," then swallows, "It's jus' been a spell since breakfast and I worked up an appetite haulin rocks is all."

"Good, I was worried they might still be mistreating you," he looked down at his hands as he spoke.

"Aww, someone's been thinkin' about me," Kevin snickers as Edd looked flustered. "Come on, how awfen do ya think of me," he continues to lightly laugh as he pokes Edd in the side trying to find his ticklish spot, "Is it late at nigh', all alone, in ya room?"

Edd nervously chuckled as his face went scarlet red from his teasing suggestion, "I don't have a clue what you're talking about Mr. Barr."

A wicked grin danced across his face, "Whatever ya say, babe." Edd didn't think his face could get anymore red then it already was, but with the little pet name Kevin had decided to call him, he felt as though his face was on fire.

"Barr!" Kevin looks in the direction his name was called as Edd jumped from the sudden loud call, "Since you're talking you're done eating, get back to work."

Edd looks around at the other soldiers who were talking as they were eating, Kevin replies to the order, "Yes Sargent," and stands.

"That's not fair," Edd says.

"It's alright Edd," Kevin hands him the cup back.

"NO, everyone else is talking and they don't get their lunch cut short," he waved his hands at the other people around them.

He starts walks toward the chow line eating his food quickly as he walked to return the bowl, replying to Edd's statement with a full mouth, "They say I'm in trainin and have different rules that I have to follow,"

"I still don't see how that's fair," Edd replied as he followed him.

Passing the bowl to the cook, he continues speaking with a mouth full of food, "It's fine I can handle it." Swallowing the food he takes the cup from Edd's hand and swallows what was left of its contents sthen gives it back. "They say if I play along, I can earn my privileges, so it's best if we play by their rules for the time bein, that is until it becomes clear that they aint playin by them."