Chapter Thirty-Five
"I don't think he's ready!" Evelyn hissed at Charon, trying to be quiet.
"He has been moving around on his own for two days." Charon argued. "You cannot continue drinking irradiated water. We need to move on."
"I'm okay Evelyn. You can travel." Vulpes interrupted.
Evelyn sighed. "I just don't want you stressing yourself out. You've been through a lot." She told the quiet, solemn man. They had been in the cave for two weeks, and Vulpes had yet to complain about anything.
"Charon is correct. You will grow ill if you continue to drink unclean water. You've done enough for me. I don't wish to take up any more of your time." Vulpes told her, his pale blue eyes locked onto hers.
Evelyn tilted her head to the side. "You seem to think you're going somewhere without me." She said softly. He just blinked. "Vulpes, you're coming with us. You can't be alone until I get you properly outfitted. And you still have a fever."
"I don't wish to burden you further." Vulpes insisted.
"How long do you think you'll last out there in a thin shirt and underwear? " She asked. He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "No, shut up. You're coming. Charon can carry you, if you want to argue." She put her hand on her hips and raised one eyebrow.
"As you wish." The former legionnaire said, inclining his head.
With that settled, they started packing up their makeshift camp. Vulpes insisted on carrying something, so Evelyn entrusted him with the bed rolls. With a deep sigh, the tall blond woman lead them through the cavern, the only light in the darkness shining from the Pip-Boy on her wrist.
When they finally emerged into the sunlight Evelyn let out a happy sigh.
"Oh my god you guys!" She called out. "Look at this place!"
"This is Zion Valley." Vulpes informed her. "I've been here once before. It seems like a long time ago. It looks the same." He scanned their surroundings, looking nervous.
"You okay?" Evelyn asked.
"I am." He replied, his face going blank immediately. Evelyn narrowed her eyes. Vulpes had an unrivaled poker face. Charon took her hand and she instantly slid up to him and pressed herself to his chest.
"I love you gorgeous." She said, a big smile on her face.
"And I love you." He growled back, cupping her chin so he could kiss her.
"Let's find that river. I want to wash up." She said suddenly, pulling away from him. She giggled at his noise of displeasure. "C'mon, you know you want to see me naked." She wiggled her eyebrows at him suggestively.
"Yes." He agreed simply.
She laughed loudly, darting forward. She turned her head to smile at him as she ran and he took off after her. As he closed, in she screamed in mock fear. He grabbed her, lifting her from the ground and she squealed in delight. "You win! You win!" She panted between laughs, kicking her legs.
"I always win." Charon rumbled, placing her on her feet carefully.
"Mmmm. Lemme give you your prize." She purred. She pulled back suddenly and gasped "Shit! Vulpes!"
The quiet man was just catching up, and he looked to be in rough shape. He was panting and his skin was beet red behind the yellowing bruises and scars.
"Oh god Vulpes! Are you okay? I'm so sorry. Fuck!" Evelyn rambled, approaching the doubled over man carefully. "Sweetie, sit down, catch your breath. Let me get you some water."
"I... Am... Fine." Vulpes gasped out, but he wasn't fooling anyone.
"Sit!" Evelyn commanded sternly. He plopped to the ground, still breathing heavily. "You shouldn't have overexerted yourself. You look like shit. We'll make camp here." She decided.
"Here?" Charon asked, sounding displeased.
"Yes Charon, here!" Evelyn snapped. "It's my fault he pushed himself."
"Evelyn the Dead Horses camp isn't far from here." Vulpes objected. "I assume that's where you're going?"
Evelyn was surprised. "Yeah. How'd you know?" She asked.
"They control most of this valley. I could only assume." Vulpes said, grimacing slightly as he adjusted his legs, absently rubbing at a part of his chest that had been skinned by the ghouls that held him hostage.
"Stop touching that spot! You're not helping it heal!" Evelyn chided, batting his hand away. He looked angry for a moment, before carefully setting his jaw.
Over the last couple of weeks, Evelyn had noticed that he was unaccustomed to being told what to do by a woman. At one point he had addressed her as "Woman" and made it sound like a dirty word. He had cowered when Charon growled in irritation. Which had caused a minor argument between the couple. Evelyn insisted that Vulpes had been through a lot and Charon had been vehement in his belief that it didn't matter, the smaller man was being disrespectful and didn't need to be coddled. After that, Vulpes was more respectful, but Evelyn saw glimpses of who he had been.
"Hey, I'm only bitching because I care." She told him, softening her tone. He nodded.
"We are not far from the camp. I believe I can handle the walk there." He said quietly.
Evelyn looked unsure. "You look kind of clammy. Maybe it would be a good idea to get you there. I need more medical supplies." She said uncertainly. She chewed on her bottom lip.
Charon walked over and offered Vulpes his hand. The bruised man took it after a slight hesitation. Charon pulled him to his feet and it was decided for her.
Vulpes wasn't wrong. Evelyn followed the map on her Pip-Boy, not complaining as they had to slosh through a damn river to get to the camp. The mouth of the river widened to reveal a well protected camp. The camp was crawling with people in the strangest outfits she had ever seen. She had thought the fiends had looked odd, but these people really took the cake.
A woman walked towards them, scowling slightly. Her eyes opened wide when she spotted Charon. She wore barely any clothing, just a blue top that barely covered her chest and a matching pair of what appeared to be some sort of underwear. Her head was shaved and she had a fan of feathers behind her head, attached to the back of her top.
"How ridiculous." Evelyn muttered.
"You are strangers to Zion." The woman stated, her voice sounding accented.
"Uh yeah." Evelyn said, stepping forward. "I'm looking for Joshua?"
The strange woman tilted her head. "What are you?" She asked Charon, then her eyes fell on Vulpes. "You are not well." She stated. She wasn't wrong. The former legionnaire was looking rather pale, and his eyes were out of focus. His breathing appeared labored.
"I am not." Vulpes agreed, sounding dazed.
"You will come with me." The woman stated, holding out her hand. Vulpes reached for it, but Evelyn cut him off.
"What? No. You're not taking him anywhere." Evelyn growled.
"He is not well. I can help him." The woman said evenly.
"I- Shit. Okay." Evelyn agreed reluctantly. "Do you know where Joshua is?"
"Yes. Follow me. I will take you to Joshua, then I will help this man." The woman said, marching forward, towards a cave in the cliffs that surrounded them. Vulpes trailed after the woman like a puppy, and after a moment, Evelyn and Charon followed suit.
They walked into the cave a ways before the woman announced them.
"Joshua Graham, this woman and the Bad Spirit that joins her wish to see you. This man is not well." She announced bluntly. A man stepped into the light, and Vulpes uttered a loud gasp. The injured man collapsed into a heap on the ground.
"Vulpes!" Evelyn yelped, moving to the unconscious mans side.
"Waking Cloud, you should attend to him." The man stated gruffly. Evelyn stared up at him in amazement. He was covered completely in bandages, save for around his eyes. He wore denim pants and a white shirt under a black vest of some sort. His eyes were narrowed at her, his arms folded over his chest.
The woman, Waking Cloud, easily lifted Vulpes up. Evelyn was surprised at her strength. She carried Vulpes over to the corner, grabbing something off a nearby table as she went.
"Who are you?" The man asked Evelyn quietly. Evelyn rose, offering the man her hand.
"My name is Evelyn." She told him as he took her hand carefully. "Are you Joshua?"
The man nodded. "I am. What brings you in search of me?" He asked, sounding suspicious.
"Amaya wrote you a letter, Charon, if you could?" Evelyn asked her large companion. Charon nodded, fishing around in her pack until he found the paper.
"The courier chose not to bring it herself?" Joshua asked.
"Amaya killed herself after Legion soldiers killed her girlfriend." Evelyn stated with a sigh, already tired of having to break the news to everyone she met. Charon handed the letter to Joshua.
"I see." The bandaged man said, reading through the crumpled piece of paper quickly.
"Sorry for your loss." Evelyn stated awkwardly.
"Amaya was a good woman. The wasteland will miss her." Joshua stated. "I have not seen a ghoul in a very long time."
Charon let out an irritated huff of breath. "You must forgive the natives of this valley. There are no ghouls here. They think you are some sort of demon." Joshua told Charon. "But while I am surprised to see a ghoul, I am more surprised to see a Frumentarii."
"A what?" Evelyn asked. "What's a Fruitman Tarry?"
"A legion spy." Joshua said simply, tilting his head to indicate Vulpes. Waking Cloud was busily applying something to the injured mans wounds.
"Vulpes? He's just hurt. I'm helping him." Evelyn said with a shrug. "How do you know he's a fruittyman?"
"His name has made its way to me. Vulpes Inculta. The Desert Fox." Joshua said cryptically.
"Um. Okayyy then. Well, I'm just here to drop off that letter. So if I could just buy some supplies off somebody and get a place to sleep for the night? Then Charon, Mr. Fox over there and I will be outta your hair." Evelyn said, pointing to Vulpes, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Oh! And Arcade Gannon wants you to meet him in New Vegas, when your available?"
Joshua folded his arms back over his chest. "I can, and will sell you more supplies. However, I will not leave this valley, nor will the Frumentarii." He stated sternly.
"Pardon me?" Evelyn asked quietly, stepping towards the bandaged man.
"Caesar would love to see me dead. I cannot allow a spy to leave this place." He stated, not backing down.
"You aren't hurting him." She snapped, her hands balled into fists.
"I have no intention of hurting him, Waking Cloud is helping him now." Joshua said quietly.
"He's coming with me. You aren't keeping him here like some prisoner!" Evelyn's voice was rising.
"So much affection for a man you claim to barely know." Joshua baited harshly.
"He's scared and I won't abandon him! I'll fucking fight my way out of here if I have to!" She yelled.
"He is right to fear. Even Ceasar feared the Malpais Legate." Joshua let out a strange bark that Charon barely recognized as a laugh.
"What the fuck is that even supposed to mean?" Evelyn snapped, her face twisted in irritation.
"It means that the Frumentarii must stay here. No harm will come to him. You have my word."
"No fucking way!" Evelyn snarled.
"Evelyn." Charon whispered. "This is not an altercation we would make it out of. We are heavily outnumbered."
Evelyn looked betrayed and Charon cringed, but didn't take back what he said.
"I can't just leave him." She argued.
"I give you my solemn word that he will not be harmed. And if in time he proves that he is trustworthy, he will be more than welcome to leave Zion." Joshua interrupted. "I have medical supplies. You mentioned needing them."
Evelyn looked tired and very upset. "Charon can you take care of this for me? I'm going to go check on Vulpes." She whispered sadly. She didn't wait for him to reply. Charon turned to Joshua.
"You will kill the man." Charon wasn't asking.
"I was being honest. I have no intention of hurting him if he proves to be as harmless as your companion claims." Joshua said evenly, pulling out a large box full of supplies. "Is she in love with him? Is that why she is so upset?"
"No!" Charon snapped. Joshua looked up at him, but didn't say anything. Charon sighed and paid for all the medical supplies. He began to walk away, and Joshua called after him.
"This place will destroy the kindness in her. You will watch it shrivel and die. Her only chance is The Lord."
Charon turned and stared at the bandaged man for so long that he began to shift uncomfortably. "She does not need anyone but me." Charon stated at last, turning around and walking away.