Ch 2 – 89 Years Ago
D stared mutely at Clove with mouth slightly open, as close to it being 'agape' that the dhampire could manage.
"Damn," Left hand mumbled. "Last time you saw her I thought she was grown up. Ha! Was I wrong or was I wrong? Now that is a grown woman! Ha-" The rest of Left Hand's remarks were cut off as D clenched his hand into a fist.
"Hello, Clove."
"Clove!" called out Baqi, "We can assume you know this man," he gestured to D with the barrel end of his gun, "mind answering that last question? How does a man you know wandering the Expanse end up at our caravan. Also, how the hell did you get in?"
"Well, giving that he's carrying a saddle but is sans horse I can guess that it either got eaten or died of exhaustion. D is a great tracker. I assume given his situation he began moving toward any sign of friendly life." She knew that Left Hand had guided him toward signs of life but that was not something Baqi and the Caravan needed to know.
Still with a smile on her face she tilted her head and spoke to D. "Am I correct?"
D nodded but remained silence. The shaved head foreigner, a man by the name of Nox, approached the tall dhampire.
"Answer; how the hell did you get in here? Have you weakened us now?" He spat out.
"He just saved us," Dmitri cried coming to stand between Nox and D. "Do you not see the pile of bodies surrounding him? Even if he did something to weaken the barrier, which whatever he did was reversible, I think the addition of himself would make up for that!"
The other Nasser watch-men began to chime in and argue. Some sided with Dmitri, others Nox, and still others thought the appearance of the dark swordsmen a bad omen.
"STOP!" bellowed Baqi in an attempt to bring silence. "Listen, we have injured, we have carcasses, and we have fearful day-watchers," he said and pointed to several Nassers who had exited the caravans. Amara and Nuri among them. "If you're injured see the Doc. If not start piling up these damn wolves or go see the the kin folk. Clove, take your friend and stand lookout on top of the big one. There, everyone can see him. We regroup in an hour and decide where to go from there. Now shove off!"
The watchmen went to their separate tasks as Clove and D headed toward the large diesel camper.
D eyed the hand on Clove's side. "Injured?"
Clove paused at the base of the ladder and gingerly ran her fingers along her side. "Bruised; at worse cracked. Definitely not broken. It'll be fine." She stepped onto the bottom rung and began to ascend to the top. D set his gear and saddle on the ground and followed.
"Not a single dead and over a dozen wolves put down. Color me impressed," Clove said as the pair looked over the carnage below. Gently, she sat herself down on the edge of the roof to over look the vast desert. She glanced over her right shoulder to see D knelt down besides her with his arm outstretched, something clutched in his hand.
"I said I'm fine D."
"It's not your ribs I'm concerned about," D replied, "but... they could accelerate things."
The blonde huffed out a breath and swiped at her forehead. She felt she was getting a touch clammy but not enough that should have been noticeable after the exertion of fighting. "Noticed that, huh?" She took the offered pills and following canteen.
"Except that first time, Ha!" cackled out Left Hand.
Clove handed back the canteen to D and addressed the parasite. "So tell me Lefty, were you sniffing out humans, or dhampires?"
"Hmm... well I was originally sniffing out humans but then I caught your scent. Figured it's about time. How long has it been? 75 years?"
D sat down next to Clove and responded, "It's been 89 years since we've spoken."
"Hm, you said spoken, not seen."
D glanced at the women with a small smile on his lips, "True." Clove stared at him and raised an eyebrow; silently asking him to go on. "45 years ago I came across you out in the capital of all places. I wanted to go to you but I remember what you said in your note about switching perspectives."
"So instead he followed you all over for-" once again the parasite was interrupted as D closed his fist.
Clove stared at him in silence then began to laugh. "You followed me? When I saw you it was briefly in passing at a great distance. All of 45 seconds. Why would you follow me?"
D looked away and replied simply with, "Because I worry."
"Uh huh."
He smiled down at the blonde and added, "Besides after the last reunion we had I didn't know if it was going to be all angst again. Figured I should let us come together more naturally."
"Ha! You have to bring that up. I was young and I must say somewhat traumatized by an idiot who thought it better to abandon a little girl in a field than deal with his kind's mortality." D looked away as Clove continued, "Additionally, I was being held captive by a deranged vampire."
"I told you I was sorry," he said quietly.
"I know and I accepted you apology with sincerity. I'm just teasing you." She laid her back down against the steel roof and looked up at D with her bright aqua eyes. "We're good right?"
D held her gaze then reached out his hand to her. "I told you, you are the only one who matters."
Clove smiled and placed her hand in his. He returned her smile and gave her hand a small squeeze.
"Ms. Clove?" Clove turned her head toward the source of the voice; not quite ready to get up.
"Yes, Nuri?"
There was a pause. "Baqi is about ready to talk. I thought you could use a mug before it starts..." Another pause. "You and your friend if he wants one." The dark haired girls voice held a bit of a quiver that she tried to hide. The sounds of battle and the aftermath seemed to have shaken her.
"I know you're not partial to human drink-"
"Unless it's alcoholic!" interrupted the parasite.
"-but Nuri makes and excellent cup of tea that I highly recommend," Clove finished as she gingerly sat back up.
D stood up and offered his hand to Clove who took it. He slowly helped her to stand up and nodded. "If you say so."
"Okay Nuri, we'll both take one. I'm a little stiff, be at the caravan in a moment." The dhampires descended the caravan and made their way through the camp to the sister's home. The other caravan members looked warily at the dark swordsmen but smiled and greeted Clove as she passed.
As the pair neared the small wagon Amara waved to her. The caravan's door stood wide open and the little girl sat with her legs hanging free from her seat on the back step. Although the smell of blood still hung in the air the younger sister was nearly recovered, unlike her sister. Nuri came forward from within and handed one mug to Clove, who handed it to D before taking the second offered mug for herself.
Nuri pulled and fussed with her veil in D's presence. Clove could spy a slight blush on her olive skin. The tall dhampire had that effect on humans, women in particular. The quiet and meek teen was overwhelmed with his aura. Amara kicked her feet freely. She too had caught her sister's blush and a mischievous smile grew on her face.
"Nuri, isn't it nice to have some more meat around. You were just saying you're sick of looking at the same boys for the last six months. Right sister?"
Nuri started and rounded on the girl, " Amara! Silence you brat!"
Amara ignored her sister and went on. "I asked her, 'But what about Nox? He's new?' And she said, 'That man's face looks like it was hit with a shovel. I want something prettier to-' "
Nuri slapped a hand over her sister's mouth, her face fully flushed, as the girl giggled furiously. "Thank your god, gods, ancestors, or spirits that your parents never cursed you with such a sibling!" Nuri cried out. Clove laughed at the pair and took a long draft from her mug.
"Don't let your father hear you say that Nuri. He'd take such sentiment as an ill omen," Dmitri joked as he approached. If possible the girl's blush grew more with every step the man took.
"Baqi is ready?" Clove asked. Dmitri gave the blonde a nod while trying but failing to hold her gaze. Clove glanced at the sky to the east and saw it was starting to lighten into hues of pink. "Nuri before you murder your sister, hand me my veil please. Your father is the master of brevity but if everyone gets talking I'd rather not be unveiled in the sunlight."
Clove wrapped herself back up and finished her mug. "Thank you Nuri," she said as she handed the mug back. D followed suit and thanked the teen in his standard monotone voice before following Dmitri and Clove to the gathering at the center of the circled wagons.
As Clove glanced around she was happy to note that while several of her fellow night-watch sported bandages or slings, everyone was alive and accounted for. These men knew how to handle themselves.
"Alright, let's get started then eat and get going!" Baqi bellowed out clapping his hands to gather everyone's attention. "Dmitri, damage report!"
Dmitri strode forward and stood at the burly man's side. "Only one wheel was damaged during the melee on the Second caravan. No damage to the axle noted. We've already replaced the wheel."
"And injuries?"
"One broken arm, a broken leg, and several lacerations from bites and scratches. Some requiring stitches. Doc already patched everyone up. Those with bone breaks can stay on tops for night watches until recovered enough."
"Wonderful job men! The Nasser Caravan just took on and killed a pack of sand wolves, ha! Although, we did have some help and not only from our two tag along adventurers." Here the man paused and looked toward D.
Pointing to the dhampire he spoke again, "Who has something to say before a decision is made?"
Here Nox jumped up from his spot sitting on the wheel well of his temporary home. "Oi, I got something to say about this-"
Here D spoke up; his quiet voice drawing everyone's attention, "If you're worried I'll cut into your pay don't. In exchange for allowing me to travel with you I'll guard your people and your property for free. You've seen yourselves my abilities. Additionally, I have my own supplies and need nothing of yours but a place to stay out of the sun." Silence followed D's interruption then the murmur of the Nasser talking among themselves.
"Well, anyone else have anything to say?" Baqi asked
"Oh," Clove said, "I forgot to ask; what were you doing wandering in the desert?"
"I was tracking someone. My horse slipped into a Sand Pooler. I was able to cut the saddle strap and jump out before it was devoured."
Dmitri crossed his arms. "Anything the caravan should be made aware of?"
D shrugged. "Never found that man but I'm sure it's nothing more dangerous then anything else lurking in the sands." Clove eyed the tall dhampire trying to decided the truth of this statement. He did not return her look.
"That's probably true enough," Baqi conceded throwing up his hands. "Anyone else?"
No one spoke. Clove reasoned that the caravan knew they were facing unknown risk crossing the expanse in a straight line and any added help they could get was welcome.
"Alright then. Welcome to the Nasser Caravan D. Let's get some food started. Once we eat we can puzzle out where to put you." Just as the sun began to peak over the farthest dunes the group broke up into cooking parties and the smell of meats and porridge filled the morning air. Clove began to move back to her caravan with D following behind. Nuri would bring her something to eat.
Clove sat down on the step like Amara had done earlier and faced D. "You have a question for me?"
"Yes, and you for me I assume from that stare."
The blonde pulled down her veil to reveal her smile. "You picked up on that huh? You first."
D leaned against the wagon frame next to Clove. "Traveling straight across the expanse... seems like a big risk for a caravan that's composed mostly of family to do such a thing."
"You're musing. Ask a direct question."
"What are they transporting?"
Clove smirked and replied in a low tone. "Now that's the question to ask and I don't know. They have a timeline to meet someone at the river valley for transport. They are being paid enough money that the risk is worth it. I assume it to be Noble tech."
"Being brought to the Capital?"
The blonde shrugged. "I assume so but I'm not sure. If it's not going into the hands of Capital scientists I'll be very interested in who would want it. Now, what were you tracking really?"
"A man."
"Uh huh, a man who what?"
"Who was bewitched if you believe his wife. The 8th man to disappear from the village in a year. Just wandered away one night."
"Noble?" Clove questioned.
D shook his head. "Not a Noble but something they unleashed on the world. The Expanse is a wasteland from their battle with the OSB. Many things they created have been forgotten out here." He lifted his left hand briefly. "Tracked him deep into the desert. Then the Sand Pooler happened."
"Are we heading toward it?"
Here the tracker parasite spoke up, "Dunno. Lost the guy's scent and never caught whiff whatever was luring him. The guy wasn't moving straight; he was weaving all over the place."
"Hm," Clove replied. Nuri was approaching, a bowl in her hand. She smiled at the girl and took the offered food. "Thank you Nuri." Immediately Clove dug in with her hands, a common custom for the Caravan. Her pending illness compounded with her new injury increased her need to eat orally.
Nuri nodded and turned shyly to D. "Baqi says you're to stay in Fourth, the last caravan. He wants you to do night-watch too."
"I can do both. I don't need to sleep like Clove does. I just need to be out of the sun like her during the day."
Nuri bobbed her head again. "I'll let Baqi know. Dmitri will come and fetch you once we start going. You can stay here in the meanwhile if you like." She took back Clove's bowl and quickly went away back to the cooking fires.
"You bring out the bashfulness in people, that's for sure," Clove said slyly as she pulled up her veil again.
Left hand laughed, "I'd call it something else, Ha - !"
D clenched his hand into a fist and looked down at clove. He motioned for her to move over then sat down next to her. He reached into a pouch on his belt, took out a pill from a bottle there, and held it out to Clove. She looked at his open hand then back at D before taking the it.
"Dissolve it and drink it before you fall asleep, Clove."
"I know how to use a blood capsule, D. Do I really look that bad?"
D paused before replying with a smile. "No you look good, relatively speaking. But we have a long way to go. I want you to be well and safe until you get to the forest."
Clove closed her hand around the small red capsule. "You have a lot of guilt still don't you?"
She reached out with her free hand for his. "I do, truly, forgive you D." He placed his hand in hers. "I wonder what would have happened had I stayed with you instead of making my own way. Despite my reaction the last time we met I think the way things happened were for the best. I wouldn't be the same women I am today if I hadn't gone through that. I wouldn't be as strong or independent either if we had come back together after our first reunion."
She squeezed his hand. "So please, stop. Being worried for my well-being is one thing but being shaded by guilt while you do it is another." Before D could reply she added with a laugh, "You're too old to hold onto guilt anyways."
Feigning hurt D snatched his hand back. "Ungrateful child," he murmured with a smile on his lips. Clove chuckled at him and tried to stifled a yawn. She needed to sleep. Luckily, the sisters and Dmitri approached the pair.
Amara, energized from her stomach full of breakfast, ran along first and hopped up on to the caravan ledge on Clove's other side. "You look tired."
"I am tired. Could you grab me the canteen? I need to take some medicine before I go to bed."
Amara nodded and scrambled to her feet to retrieve the items. Dmitri motioned to D as he got closer with Nuri. "Come. I'll show you where you can stay out of the sun and where to put your gear." Silently, D stood and shouldered his gear. He gave a nod to Clove and followed Dmitri.
Nuri let out a breath, one it seemed the shy teen had been holding since D appeared. Clove smiled at her. Before she could comment Amara appeared from within and handed the blonde a canteen. "Thank you, Amara. I'm going to lay down now then."
She shifted her requested items into one arm and affectionately patted the youngest sister's head then smiled at the eldest. The sisters bid her a good rest and she shuttered the caravan's doors. Quickly, she mixed and drank the pilled liquid then cocooned herself in blankets.
The next few nights and days went by without major incident. Clove regained her strength in her sleep and felt better with each passing moon rise. The night-watch encountered a single rogue wolf on D's first official night and on his second a migrating pack of Water Cows, so named for the large fluid filled tissues housed in three separate armor plated humps on their backs. Prized in the expanse for their nutritious and hydrating meat the Watch took advantage and poached three of the large animals early in the night. The rest of their time that second night was dedicated to processing them.
As the nights went on and the caravan inched it's way across the vast desert D felt somehow more alerted. Whatever was making his sense itch was subtle, light, almost indispensable. Clove, in her state, could sense nothing. The humans, as expected showed no reaction nor did the animals. However, curiously neither did Left Hand.
The next night Clove and D stood a top one of the caravan surveying the shifting sands. Out in the distance they could spot the a huddled group of buzzing Nightwasps at their nest entrance. Every once in a while they could see a pair of the bugs hauling in pieces of wolves and cows into the entrance. The thermal shielding and the availability of easier prey ensured the caravan's safety. Still, the night-watch were alert and kept a wary eye on the nest.
Clove stretched her arms up and arched herself to the left, stretching out her healed right side. Without looking at him she addressed D. "I'm fine, just stiff."
"I didn't say anything..."
"No but you gave a look. I don't even need to see you to know you gave a look."
D was silent as he watched a still living sand wolf free itself and attempted to flee by burying into the sand only to be speared by a large black stinger and drug back out. D could have spoken then to Clove of the feeling he'd been getting but he did not. The dhampire decided to keep his observations to himself and the rest of the night past without incident.
After biding Clove a good sleep D helped to get the caravan put back together, stop to check on Ives for Clove, as had become his morning habit, and made his way toward the fourth and last caravan. The itch of a feeling felt stronger, something picking faintly at the base of his skull. Maybe this was what had lured the husband into the expanse.
Dmitri made note of the tall swordsmen as he walked back to his caravan. The dhampire's presence was not something that could be miss. Thinking it best to make one last check of the cargo roof straps on caravan 3 before going to sleep the young man clambered up the swaying ladder to the top. When he glanced back up from having re-latched a loose buckle he couldn't see D at all.
'Strange, did he go inside already? I didn't hear the latch bolt on the door...' Dmitri shrugged to himself, chalked it up to fatigue, and descended the ladder. With a quick jog he made his way up the moving caravan line and to the large diesel where he climbed in, curled up into his blanket, and fell asleep.
A/N – Fluff & feelings. This chapter went a little longer then intended. Clove and D just wouldn't stop with the dialogue. Things will start really rolling next chapter. Unfortunately, since mapping out this story I've started a new full time job so updates won't be as frequent as I had hoped. D: sorry.
2/2/17 – Re-edited for some grammar errors, sorry for that !
