Chapter 23- Slayer Scrolls
Chapter 20- Chrissy Lydia
Day 18 Morning – On the Road again
Inside the Farmhouse
"What are you doing?" Lydia asks as she groggily woke to Chrissy sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace removing items from her pack.
"Cleaning out what you can use here more than me." Chrissy explains.
"I can't trade those things for anything while I remain on the farm." Lydia remarks as she gets up from the bed roll.
"I was thinking of asking Jarlam to take some to Mark Hall to trade for supplies for us. While you use a couple of the horses and a cart to get food and other supplies you may need for this place in Ronick Stead." Chrissy explains.
"Can I go to White Run instead?" Lydia asks with a shake as a chill went down her spine at the thought of going back to that place.
"I'll leave that up to you."
"White Run." Lydia affirms.
"Fine but when I come back, I want to get to know the neighbors." Chrissy says as she places a piece of armor into a pile.
"Why?" Lydia asks as she warms her hands on the small fire that she assumed that Chrissy had relit.
"I would rather be on friendly terms with them than there being a chance that he might send those things after us." Chrissy explains as she starts to condense and pack what she would need. "Why the hell did you put firewood and two wood chopping axe in here?"
"With the way it rains thought you could use them." Lyida says with shrug.
"True but why men's undies?" Chrissy says as she pulls three pairs of males under garments out after putting the wood back in.
"They are clean." Lydia flatly remarks only to have all three pairs thrown at her face. "You might keep some of the other clothes as you may not want to wear that nice tunic you have and keep it from getting muddy on the road."
"True. What about these weapons they are magic?"
"I don't know of anyone who will buy them in White run. Hold on to them until you find where you can sell them."
"Good idea… Good you stuck rope in here… This isn't what I think it is?" Chrissy says as she holds up an smooth metal object that looks a lot like a certain part of the male anatomy."
"I'll take that." Lydia says as she snatches it from Chrissy.
"Thought you had Thadmor." Chrissy snickered back.
"It's for when he's not around." Lydia answers as she shoves it into her pack.
"Do me a favor and only use it when I am not around either."
"I want you to promise me that you will do everything you can to come back safe." Lydia asks.
"I am surprised you didn't ask me to stay out of trouble." Chrissy laughs to which Lydia raises an eyebrow as if to sarcastically say "Like you know how."
"You still need to promise."
"Fine I promise to do my best to come back safe." Chrissy says as she does a cross motion over her heart with her hand.
Once Chrissy was done repacking the women took the items down making the males mouths drop at the number of items.
"What?" Chrissy asks.
"Where did you get all that?" Jarlam asks.
"Had it for a little bit as I couldn't get rid of all of it at White run. Speaking of which could you take these to Mark Hall to trade for supplies for this place?" Chrissy says as she drops several pieces of armor and other items in front of him.
"Wow can I have some?" Michael asks.
"These belong to bandits and thieves I don't think that a future Soldier of the Empire would want to wear that." Lydia explains causing him to look dishearteningly.
"Plus, they are just a bit too big." Chrissy says as she holds up a chest piece that was three times her size.
"Just a little." Lydia laughs which causes Michael to smile.
"If it is okay with Jarlam you can pick from the knives and sheathes." Chrissy says.
"Of course, he may. In fact, I can teach him how to use it correctly."
"What if my uncle wants to keep me?" Michael asks.
"Let's not think on that right now but if he does, I'll let Chrissy know." Jarlam says.
"And this place will be waiting for you when you are old enough."
"I don't want to run it." Michael tells them.
"Still will you consider it your home?" Chrissy asks.
"Okay."
"Jarlam if there is something you like here to trade for. Would you consider it the cost of taking the items with you and trading them?" Chrissy asks.
"Well, I do see a short sword that I wouldn't' mind having." Jarlam says as he picks up a blade that was similar to the one Chrissy had found when she first woke. "Plus, a 5% of gold of whatever gold I can get from them for the transportation fee."
"That sounds fair. I suggest that you and Lydia can go over whatever she may need for her to pick up to get this place up and going."
"There are several families displaced just outside of White Run. When you go back there you might consider hiring out of there." Jarlam suggests.
"That's a great idea. Who would you recommend?"
"Yeah, there has been this guy who comes to the stable looking for work. While others have given up." Jarlam informs them.
"What is his name?"
"Turkon. I have seen him with a couple of kids and a wife." Jarlam recalls.
"What do you think Lydia?"
"If he is a hard worker and knows how to fix things, he could be a possibility."
"Actually, I heard he had been a blacksmith apprentice back in Horkstone." Jarlam remarks.
"Oh no… How did he make it out of there?" Lydia asks.
"Not quite sure other than he said he and his family were visiting relatives when it happened."
"What happen there?" Chrissy asks.
"The Storm Cloaks burnt it to the ground when the people refused to join them." Lydia spits.
"They seem to do that a lot. Unless…" Chrissy remarks as she remembers what happened at the towers.
"Unless what?" Lydia demands.
"My friend Borazon was a Storm Cloak and while he was away other Storm Cloaks killed burned his son and daughter-in-law when they refused to join them too. Samuel, his grandson barely survived. But later we found it was an Orc doing it all claiming it was order by the bossy guy of the Storm Cloaks so that humans would kill each other." Chrissy explains.
"WHAT! That is horrible. Is he the one you are going to check on?" Lydia asks.
"Him and his grandson." Chrissy says then turns to Michael and informs him. "He's about your age so you two could be friends if you want." To which Michael just shrugs.
"Can I have this knife?" Michael asks.
"I don't…" Chrissy starts to say but Jarlams immediately interrupts by saying "Pick a different one."
"Why?" Michael asks with a hurt voice.
"That has the mark of the Black Hoods on it." Jaralm snaps angrily which causes Michael to drop the knife.
"Out of towner here. What are the Black Hoods?" Chrissy remarks at seeing the look of fear and fright on Lydia's face.
"Assassins of the evilest order." Lydia sneers.
"That's not good. What do we do with this knife than?"
"Who did you get that off of?" Jarlam asks.
"I think I got it off of one of the bandits that Lydia and I took out who were going after the Jarl."
A strong look of realization came over the two women.
"Michael because you found this and had to give it up, I'll let you choose two things if you want and Jarlam says it's okay."
"That will be fine." Jarlam answers.
"Jarlarm since you seemed to know about marks on things would you mind helping him pick two items that won't cause him any trouble." Chrissy suggests while giving him a look that says "I need to talk to Lydia alone NOW!"
"No problem. Could you two go and get me some fresh water and I'll start making breakfast." Jarlam says as he walks Michael away from them while Lydia picks up an empty bucket and the two women walk outside.
Outside the farmhouse
After closing the door Chrissy and Lydia walk toward the well in front of the house.
"This is not good." Lydia remarks once they were at the well and she begins to draw up a bucket of water.
"No kidding. This may mean that the Black Hood could still be after the jarl."
"What should we do?"
"When you go to White Run, I want you to inform the jarl's house carl." Chrissy says then instructs. "Don't make it obvious as to why you are there."
"I'll go to Dragon's reach under the pretense of seeing Thadmor." I have him have the housecarl meet me at your home." Lydia smiles brightly.
"Sounds risky."
"Why?".
"Be careful as this might be an inside job. Only show Irlieth as soon as you can. Here is the new key to the house there. Would you also check up on my farm just outside of White Run. It makes for an easy target as no one is there."
"If you feel like there is someone in the mists of the court that wants to do harm to the jarl, meeting in town won't be a good idea. Your farm outside of town might be a better place to meet." Lydia suggests.
"Good idea.. Oh, and Lydia use your own bed not mine if you have company choose to use your little friend." Chrissy quietly remarks.
"You are no fun." Lydia laughs back.
"I don't know what the farm outside of White Run is like on the inside. You might want to take note and stock what you can. Have 2 sets of Master keys for each place. I'll keep one on me and whoever I choose to oversea all of my places in my stead will get the other set. There should be at least 2 keys for each place for the resident overseers."
"Who are you thinking will be the overseer of it all?" Lydia asks.
"I'll need someone I can trust, and who is looking for a good income as they will have to travel. They will need to be able to take care of themselves. Have a good head for business. And who is not at myside saving my ass." Chrissy says. "That is unless you want the job?"
"No, I don't want that job but maybe later I would like to take care of one your other places after I am done saving your ass." Lydia smiles as the two women walk back into the house with the bucket of water.
Inside the Farmhouse
"So, your friend Borazon I take it." Lydia asks as they enter the house.
"Yeah, if he wants the job." Chrissy inquires.
"Chrissy, look at what I picked." Michael says as he holds up a plain iron knife and a belt that was way too big for him but looks strangely like the one, she was wearing.
"Good choice." Chrissy says to the beaming boy.
"Definitely you can't go wrong with a reliable knife and a good belt." Lydia affirms.
"Hey Jarlam, what are there for schools around here?"
"Schools?"
"You know where they teach kids the basics of Reading, Writing and Math." Chrissy explains.
"The parents usually do that. So, when I adopt Michael, I'll be the one to take on that responsibility." Jarlam answers with a smile as he places some food on a plate and hands it to her.
"Is that just for English?"
"What's English?" Jarlam asks as he hands another plate full of food to Lydia.
"What we are speaking now."
"We don't call it English it is known as common. And no, it's best to learn other languages. I am fluent speaking in 6 and can only read in 4."
"I only know Common could you purchase basic reading books in those languages because if I have some down time I would love to learn." Chrissy honestly expresses.
"Why do you want to learn?" Michael asks between bites of food.
"Simple the day I stop learning is the day I die, and I want to live a long time. Plus knowing the language of the place, you are in will help prevent a lot of problems. Also, I may not show I speak a certain language so people may speak in front of me and reveal the truth about things while they think they are pulling one over on me." Chrissy answers as she eats the food that Jarlam had made.
"People really do that?" Michael asks.
"Back where I came from." Chrissy answers.
"Doesn't sound right."
"It isn't but there are mean people and people who will take advantage of you if don't get smart about things."
"So, I need to get book smarts."
"And Street. But most importantly treat others like you want to be treated or in the very least try and see how they want to be treated. That just doesn't go for humans."
"Not vampires."
"But where I came from a vampire gave up his undead life to save our world." Chrissy says as she remembers Spike dying in a bright light.
"Why would he do that?" Michael asks.
"Because it was the right thing to do."
"Where did you come from?" Jarlam inquires.
"From a different world called earth." Chrissy answered.
"How is it different there from here?" Jarlam asks.
Outside the farmhouse
While they ate Chrissy explained the small differences and the similarities until it was time for her to leave. They all escorted her out to Sexy who was waiting by the well.
"Jarlam I want all the details of what happens with Michael and you will let me know by courier if I need to come kick someone's ass." Chrissy tells him with a smile and a handshake.
"Of course, but I think that the courier might be getting you to come bail me out of jail if it goes the wrong way." Jarlam smiles back while returning the handshake.
"You Lydia I will hope to see soon." Chrissy says with a slight hug to the woman who responds with an even bigger hug.
"You to my Thane."
"Now Michael I so look forward to seeing you soon and hearing what you are learning about." Chrissy says and is slammed into by the boy with a huge hug.
After Chrissy is able to detach herself from Michael, she mounts Sexy who rears up as Chrissy is waving goodbye causing her to call him an "ASS!" for scaring her like that which made the others laugh.
"Bye Chrissy! Bye SEXY!" Michael called out as he waves at them with Lydia and Jarlam doing the same.
Once they were back on the road heading towards White Run, Sexy looks at his rider and says. "You ready?"
"No but it doesn't matter we need to get there quickly. We can stop by the sawmill on the way back." Chrissy remarks as her hand grips the saddle horn tightly.
"Oh yeah!" Sexy says as he picks up the pace from an easy walk to a full-blown run that would make the fastest Kentucky derby racer look like they were standing still.
"Damn not as fast as your motorcycle form but it does feel good."
"Not good it feels wonderful to be moving like this again."
"At this pace how long do you think it will take before we get there?"
"Jarlam says it's at least a 5-day ride and that's with stopping for rest. 3 at the most providing nothing gets in our way."
"And what does that supposed to mean?"
"Knowing your luck." Sexy snips.
"Don't you say it, or it will happen." Chrissy warns.
"Don't worry I am not planning on stopping until you need a break." Sexy says as he pours on even more speed causing Chrissy to laugh and lean forward.
It was only a couple of more hours when they came to the turn that Lydia had spoken about and true to his word Sexy just kept running and even took the corner with more power to climb the hills that they were to go up. When he did that, he just narrowly missed a horse pulling a wagon up the hill startling both the horse and the Cat driver. The Cat driver cursed at the two in some language Chrissy didn't know and really couldn't hear as the wind was moving too fast. Though halfway up the hill Sexy slowed for just a moment as he stepped several times on something metal, and it tugged at his hoof, but he broke right through whatever they had been.
"What the hell was that?" Chrissy asks at the breaking metal sound as she thought it might be him.
"Someone placed a bunch of animal traps in the middle of the road."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
"Do you need to stop and have me remove them?"
"Nope it's scrap metal now."
"Why would some put animal traps like that in the road?" Chrissy asks.
"Maybe those bandits up on the hill over there." Sexy points out as he looks back for a moment to where some very angry people were.
"I think that when that driver sees what you did, he'll be happy we went in front of him." Chrissy laughs at the bandit who began fighting one another. "You are awesome."
"Of course, I am."
After several hours of traveling at such a fast pace with only a few bathroom breaks Chrissy's muscle started to cramp and she needed a break.
"Crap! Sexy I need a break."
"Already?"
"Yes. My legs are cramping from holding on for so long." Chrissy snaps back which causes Sexy to slam on the breaks almost throwing Chrissy up and over his head.
"Oopss."
"Really a little warning next time." Chrissy remarks as she was barely hanging onto his neck.
"You could have warned me too." Sexy snaps back.
"Sorry my muscles aren't used to traveling for so long so fast." Chrissy replies as she slips from his neck.
"Well, I guess here will be a good as place as any to make camp." Sexy says as he looks around.
"Oh, wait I see smoke maybe it's an Inn or Farmhouse we can stay at." Chrissy says as she is walking around him stretching her legs.
"Why don't you go on and I'll stay close just in case." Sexy suggests.
"Sounds good." Chrissy remarks as she readies her shield with her sword hidden behind it.
Chrissy notices a small path that leads off the road and follows it for a little bit with Sexy not far behind her. Chrissy slowly makes her way through the forest following the sound of people talking. Firelight catches Chrissy attention, and she stays back in the bushes to observe who was there. She notices that there were several men skinning bears and other game while some women were cleaning and stretching some skin.
The scent of roasting meat smacks Chrissy's nose and her stomach loudly growls.
"Who is out there?" A male voice roughly demands as everyone in the area grabs up a weapon and points it to where Chrissy was at.
"Hi… My name is Chrissy." Chrissy says as she shows herself but still keeps a distance from the fire and the group.
"You alone?" A man demands as he angrily gets up.
"Just me and my horse. You are?"
"Hunters. Why are you here?" The same young man snaps back.
"I am traveling to Falls Creek to meet up with some friends."
"Who?"
"Samuel and his grandfather. We got separated and made plans to meet up there."
"How did.."
"Oh, stop being so stand offish Midrick." A woman snapped at the man. "She sounds like she's hungry. Come here Chrissy. We have some bear on tonight if you like to join us."
"Kellsa you don't know if she is working with bandits." The young hunter snaps back and gets a warning glare from the woman.
"Not a bandit just a traveler on her way to meet friends." Chrissy honestly answers. "I was looking for a place to camp when I saw your smoke and thought it might be an Inn or farmhouse, I might be able to stay at. I can move on."
"Don't be silly come and eat." Kellsa says and gives Midrick an glare that says "Sit down and shut up or else." To which he does. Chrissy slowly walks over to the woman and is about to take a bowl when all the men jump up ready for a fight as Sexy walks behind her.
"That's my horse." Chrissy tells them as Sexy comes into sight.
"That is a horse?" A young man disbelieving asks as he points his bow at Sexy.
"Yes, he is." Chrissy answers.
"Is it metal?" The same young hunter asks in such a way that Chrissy was seriously thinking she should leave.
"Yeah." Chrissy slowly answers as she kept her shield ready.
"How did you get it." The same young man asks this time the looks he was giving Sexy caused Chrissy to step back away from the group.
"I inherited him." Chrissy leerily answers as she takes a second step back.
"It must be worth a lot." The young man remarks as he starts to eye Sexy like a piece of meat.
"He won't allow anyone to ride him but me." Chrissy warns as she can feel Sexy about ready to attack the guy.
"Sure."
"I think I'll leave." Chrissy says as she starts to walk away.
"Himnell, that's enough talk like that or I'll whoop your ass young man." Kellsa warns the young hunter who was eyeing Sexy. "I am Kellsa and that rude young man is my brother. You don't need to. And I am sorry if Himnell is making you uncomfortable."
"He tries anything I am stomping him first." Sexy mentally inform Chrissy with a loud snort for all to hear.
"Fine by me." Chrissy responds. "I can keep going if there is going to be a problem."
"You don't need to. Himnell will behave." An older hunter informs as he gave the younger man a death glare warning. "Come sit down and eat. I am Nimzair. And we are a group of hunters from Falls Creek." Nimzair encourages her by putting his bow down and motioning to a stump she could use as a chair.
"If, you are sure?" Chrissy asks as she approaches the stump.
"You have my word that as long as you don't mean us harm, we will not harm you." Nimzair swears as he places his hand over his hear and his dark skin barely reflected the firelight.
"I don't mean anyone any harm. I was just hoping to find a good place to stay." Chrissy replies.
"I apologize for the rough greeting as there are a lot of bandits out and about." Nimzair humbly says.
"I know what you mean." Chrissy says as she puts her sword back but keeps her shield handy. Sexy stands right behind her so he could watch everyone with an evil glare of red eyes.
"We have some nice roast of bear cooking if you like some." Kellsa says as a way to apologize for her brother's behavior.
"Thank you that sounds much better than the salted beef and dry bread I've been eating." Chrissy says as she takes the wooden plate that had a large portion of sizzling meat on it, she was offered.
"I have not heard of this Samuel why are they heading to Falls Creek?" Nimzair asks.
"Samuel's grandfather is old friends with the jarl there and was going there to look for work." Chrissy answers.
"The old jarl or the new?" Nimzair inquires.
"Crap there is a new jarl?"
"Yes. The old jarl step down due to age and his nephew took his place. We are out hunting to bring back bear and elk to honor the new jarl." Nimzair explains as he takes the next plate of food.
"I hope it works out well for the people of Falls Creek." Chrissy says as she takes off her pack and pulls out her water container and drinks some. "By chance do you know if there is an Inn or a place later down the road I can stay at?"
"There is not much between here and Falls Creek except for some old ruins and the sawmill." Nimzair informs her.
"Well looks like I'll be sleeping under the stars until I get there." Chrissy tells him.
"You are welcome to stay here the night." Nimzair offers. "There is safety in numbers and if you don't mind waiting you can travel back with us to Falls Creek."
"Thank you and if it's not a problem I don't mind staying the night but In the morning I am heading out and my horse moves a lot faster than any other horse." Chrissy explains.
"You sure are in a hurry to meet up with your friends." Himnell snidely remarks which gets him death glares from several people and a horse.
"Yes, I haven't seen them in several weeks and I am worried about them." Chrissy answers.
For Chrissy the night went by quick and quietly, because when she was done eating she set up her bed roll close to the fire while Sexy stood guard. Sexy on the other hand had a fun time as he kept unnerving Himnell when he was on shift or anytime, he would look in Sexy and Chrissy's direction.
Day 19 Morning
Hunters Camp on the Road to Falls Creek
In the morning Chrissy did her best not to bother the sleeping people while she packed up. She was just finished placing her pack on Sexy when he warned her of trouble.
"Sneaking off!" Himnell sneers as he starts to approach.
"I told them, and you I was leaving early. So, no I am not sneaking off." Chrissy said as she slightly widens her stance readying for a fight.
"I say you are trouble."
"I just want to get on the road but if you continue to try and intimidate me you will see exactly what kind of trouble I can be." Chrissy warns as she turns to face him.
"You're just a girl you can't do anything." Himnell laughs.
"Himnell enough!" Another hunter barks as he steps out of the shadows.
"Ramsell her horse is worth a lot of gold." Himnell informs him.
"And there it is." Chrissy mutters as she just shakes her head at his stupidity.
"I don't care." Ramsell informs him as he places himself between Chrissy and Himnell.
"We could take it and never have to hunt again. There are some people in Mark Hall that will pay a lot for it."
"I said I don't care. Let her be or I'll tell the elders." Ramsell warns, still making sure that he was between Himnell and Chrissy.
"So." Himnell snidely laughs.
"They will tell the jarl and he'll jail you or worse." Ramsell comments.
"Him and I are old family friends he won't do anything." Himnell laughs it off.
"If you keep it up little brother, I will whoop you ass all the way back to Falls Creek." Kellsa says as she comes up behind the young man and slaps the back of his head.
"And if she doesn't I will." Nimzair warns. "Your behavior towards this young woman is inexcusable so when we get back, I will be speaking to your father about it."
"I am sorry my presence caused a problem." Chrissy remarks.
"It is not your fault for his behavior he has been warned multitude of times. His father sent him with us hoping that the hard work would change it. I was afraid he might try something, so I had Ramsell keeping an eye on him." Nimzair says as he nods at the other hunter.
"Thank you Kellsa, Ramsell, and Nimzair for your hospitality. I hope to see you in Falls Creek and safe journeys." Chrissy says as she mounts Sexy and heads out.
"Safe journeys to you too." Nimzair says as he watches Chrissy leave. Once she was out of sight Nimzair turns on Himnell and begins a hard lesson of teaching the younger man respect.
"I almost feel bad for that kid." Sexy remarks as they both hear Himnell getting his ass beat.
"I don't. He was trying to bully me, and he got what he deserved." Chrissy says. "Let's get moving." To which Sexy poured on the speed.
By midday they had arrived at the sawmill but continued without stopping. They only stopped when Chrissy needed to relieve herself. She even ate while riding though it was at those times they did slow for a bit.
Day 19 Evening
On the road to Falls Creek
When night started arriving, they looked for a place just off the road that wasn't too far from one of the lamps.
"Looks like it might rain tonight." Chrissy says.
"Great another night in the cold rain." Sexy says as he looks up at the dark clouds only to have Chrissy direct him to a tree where she ties a rope high above her then has him move to another tree not that far away and does the same. She then undoes her small canvas tent and proceeds to start setting it up above him without getting off. "What are you doing?" Sexy questions.
"It won't block the wind but should block most of the rain." Chrissy explains as she finishes by getting off and tying each corner to some large rocks so that it makes a shelter for him.
"What about you?" Sexy asks as he is in awe at the gesture.
"If you don't move, I'll sleep under you." Chrissy waits for his okay to which he takes her bedroll and lowers it under him. "Remind me to get a some more canvas and rope when we come to a store."
"You might also consider some kind of collapsible tent poles." Sexy suggests.
"True. By the way do you sleep?" Chrissy asks as she starts to position rocks in a circle to set up a fire.
"I wish."
"So, you were awake all those years?" Chrissy asks as she gathers some of the dry fallen sticks and places them in the pit area in a square.
"Yeah."
"What about when you were in stasis?" Chrissy questions as she then starts to shave one of the smaller pieces of wood to make some tinter. Once she was done with tinder, she proceeds so use her fire magic to start it. Once the flame was going good Chrissy added more wood.
"Time froze during that time." Sexy explains as he stared into the small flame.
"I am so sorry you had to go through that." Chrissy says as she adds even more wood then goes out and collects much more to keep her friend warm.
"I could sense you but couldn't reach you. For me that was the hardest part. It was like a part of me was." Sexy remarks as he watchers where she was going in the darkness.
"Hey, I am here now, and I don't plan on that ever happening again." Chrissy says as she dumps more wood next to the pile.
They spent the next few hours with her eating and her having him tell her about the different worlds he had been on. Until it got late as she lay in her bedroll.
"Good night my friend."
"Night Sexy."
Day 20 Morning
Camp on the road to Falls Creek
The rain did hit but the two stayed dry most of the night until it really started to pour and the water soaked into Chrissy's bedroll.
"Damnit!" Chrissy snapped as she quickly got up and rolled up her bed.
"We can stay under here for a little bit longer, but I think it's about to soak through." Sexy warns.
"We are going to get wet either way so lets just get going." Chrissy says while tying her roll to him then got on.
Chrissy ate small bites of dry beef as she took down the tent while sitting on Sexy. As soon as the tent was down, and she was covered by her cloak, they headed out at a much slower pace than the previous days as the rain made for a dangerous ride with lack of sight and slippery terrain. It rained all day, so they were quite drenched and in desperate need of shelter when evening started to arrive.
"That has to be the ruins the hunter's mention. Let's stay there for the night." Chrissy says as she slows Sexy down and points at a half fallen stone building.
"They don't look good." Sexy says as he looks at the crumbled part of the ruin.
"They have to be better than the rain." Chrissy remarks as she steers towards the moss-covered section then gets down and checks it out. "YES! It looks dry inside, and you can even fit."
"It better not fall on me." Sexy remarks as glances at the building as he follows her in.
"Hey, looks like this place others have used for the same reason." Chrissy smiles as she realizes that others had used this too as a shelter from the weather when she found it had an area already set up for a fire.
"Except there's no wood." Sexy points out as he comes in completely out of the rain.
"You can kiss Lydia." Chrissy laughs as she gets her pack off his back.
"Why would I want to kiss her?"
"She has this thing about trying to over stuff my pack."
"So?"
"When she was on her kick, she shoved several pieces of firewood in it. I found them the other day when I was cleaning it out and decided to keep them just in case." Chrissy says as she starts pulling said firewood out and putting it into the fire pit in the corner.
"How much?"
"Enough that I can get a fire going but I'll need to get some dead standing wood to dry while it's going, or we'll run out in a few hours. Lucky she even shoved not just one wood cutting axe but two." Chrissy remarks while shaving one of the pieces to make tinder for the fire.
"There a few across the path." Sexy points out.
"Cool. I'll get them when I am done starting the fire and doing just a few things." Chrissy says as she gently blows on the spark making it get even bigger until it finally is big enough to get the pieces going.
Once the fire is going nicely Chrissy sets up her ceramic water bottle and adds a few crushed Jaffa berries in it. Next, she places one of the metal plates close to the fire with a few strips of the bear that the hunters had given her to cook. She was able to string up her tent rope not too far from the fire and hang her tent and bedroll on it to dry. Chrissy takes the axe and runs over to the dead fall trees and finds that chopping down a tree is not about strength but skill and hers was nonexistent. With the first chop of the axe the head busted off because she hit the tree with too much of the handle and the head went sailing back almost hitting Sexy. Sexy looks at her then at the axe head then back at her with an expression of complete lack of empathy.
"Wish I had a chainsaw." Chrissy mutters as she runs back over picks up of the head then goes inside and gets the other axe.
"Try using the sharp part. I am glad they don't have them here as I am very afraid of what you would do with it. I mean you took a finger off with a shield." Sexy comments.
"Shut up, you ass." Chrissy snaps just before heading back out into the downpour.
"No horse." Sexy snickers while watching her struggle with the trees as she was getting even wetter.
Taking pity on her lack of skill with chopping the trees down Sexy goes out into the rain and with one sharp well place kick knocks one down at the right angle. As it is going down it takes the other with it. Chrissy's mouth drops in awe but then her expression changes to one of "You could have done that all along. You ASS!" She smartly doesn't say anything as Sexy then helps her to pull the trees across the road. Inside Chrissy notices that something is off but couldn't quite place so she gets to work chopping the tree into lengths that would easily dry when stacked against the wall close to the fire.
"Sexy did you eat my meat?"
"Why would you ask that stupid question I don't eat meat."
"Because it's gone." Chrissy says as she pulls her sword from its place on Sexy's side.
Chrissy creeps around a corner and is about to strike who ever stole her food but stops as she sees an almost starved small pup chowing down on it. It sees her and pulls the food back farther in the corner it was using as a shelter.
"It's all yours little one." Chrissy says as she walks back to her camp and places more meat on the plate and puts it back on the fire.
"What was it?"
"Half-starved dog or wolf pup."
"Softy."
"Yup."
"Do you think there is any more?"
"Don't think so, the area it's in is too small for me not to have seen others."
"You need to get your eyes checked." Sexy remarks as 3 more pups come around the corner looking for meat.
"Ahh hell. Where is their mom? Chrissy says as she picks up the food and starts to cut it into more bite size pieces for the pups.
"With the way they look more than likely dead."
"Poor things here you go." Chrissy remarks as she starts feeding them. "You need to get your eyes check." Chrissy says as she sees a very emaciated looking dog come limping in.
"What why?"
"Mama is behind you. Don't move."
"That poor thing." Sexy says as he watches the dog slowly make its way over to her pups.
Chrissy slowly places some of the meat in front of her, but she doesn't take it. The momma dog lets her pups eat first and what they don't eat she eats. When the plate is empty, she looks up at the human as if asking "more please." Chrissy gives her half of what she was eating. Chrissy hangs up her cloak with the bedroll and tent to dry while she changes into a set of baggy linen pants and shirt.
"Trying to start a fad?" Sexy laughs at her oversized clothing.
"They are dry and if I end up sleeping on the ground I don't care if they get dirty." Chrissy says as she adds another piece of wood to the fire. She sits down and drinks some of the hot juice and is slightly surprised when the puppies come over and start laying on her. The momma follows their lead but lies next to her and close to the fire.
"Think she has an owner?" Chrissy asks as she pets the pups and then the momma dog who places her head in Chrissy's lap.
"Yeah you."
"What? I can't."
"Like you have the strength to look into that dogs' eyes and leave her and her puppies here to starved to death."
"For now, I'll look after if you want." Chrissy says as she looks into the dark brown eyes and gets a lick to her face.
"Sucker."
"Ass."
"No. Horse."
"Whatever."
It took a little bit for the bedroll to dry but when it did Chrissy laid it down next to the fire and got in only to have all four pups and momma dog come join her. Even though Chrissy's body was tired her mind was racing so she spent a few hours reading one of the books she had gotten when she first woke up by firelight. Sexy kept watch over her and the dogs all the while wondering where they had come from.
Ruins on the Road to Falls Creek
Day 21 Morning
In the morning Chrissy was woken up by small licks to her face and the sound of growling.
"Company! And they don't look friendly." Sexy warned.
At his warning Chrissy got her boots on quickly then was up with her sword and shield in hand.
"Crap." Chrissy muttered as she saw the black raven mark on the armor.
"We know where you are." One of the bandits laughs out.
The momma dog and puppies start to growl as the bandit heads for their shelter.
"Come out we know your there."
Chrissy doesn't say anything.
"Don't make us come in there and get you girly."
"How the hell does he know I am a girl?" Chrissy asks Sexy.
"We know it's just you and that metal horse."
Chrissy still doesn't say a word.
"You cost a lot of money when you destroyed our little ambush area. But you are gonna make it back up to us with that horse of yours and you. " Very disgusting looking bandit sneered.
"I think they are talking about the animal traps you stepped in." Chrissy thinks.
"How could you tell not like he didn't just spell it out. I'm more concerned about how quickly they caught up with us?" Sexy replies.
"Short cut? Maybe. Damn I was hoping not having to face any bandits for a while."
"With your luck yeah right."
"Why don't you come out here and make it easy on yourself."
"I see 3."
"There is a forth on a rock with a crossbow aim down here." Sexy says.
"How do you want to handle this?"
"With style." Sexy says as a horn emerges from his head, and he runs out followed by Chrissy.
The closest bandit that just happened to be the one who made the comment was impaled by Sexy's horn while Chrissy went to take on the other two, but the momma dog beats her to one of them by slipping under the bandits shield and attacking his throat while the puppies went after his ankles. Sexy gives the sniper an annoyed look as the cross-bow bolts just ping off his metal body that he is using to provide cover for Chrissy, while she is fighting a battle axe wheeling bandit until he almost hits one of the puppies. This pisses off Chrissy, Sexy and the momma. Chrissy kicks the axe wheeler back into the lamp post while screaming the word of power toward the sniper. Sexy is already at a dead run toward him when the word of power sends the bandit flying off the rock and onto the ground. The bandit starts to recover from the fall, his eyes open to see the last thing of his life, Sexy's metal hooves coming down on his face. Chrissy hears the momma dog wine when the bandit she was fighting hits her. The shield of Death lives up to it's rep as it slices the bandit's head off. The axe Wheeler runs towards Chrissy again but stops short at the look she gives him and decides to run the other way. He only gets as far as Sexy who had just turned, and the Axe wheeler impales himself on Sexy's horn.
"Is that all of them?" Chrissy asks as she kneels down and checks on the momma dog who was slowly starting to get up. "You are such a good girl."
"Far as I can tell." Sexy says as he tosses the body of the axe wheeler back towards Chrissy.
"That must have been one hell of a short cut for them to get this far that fast."
"Why do you say that?"
"Do you see any horses?"
"Actually, yeah there is four tied up over here."
"Alright looks like more horses and more loot." Chrissy says as she pets the momma dog and the puppies saying that they were "Good dogs."
"What am I."
"An Awesome Partner." Chrissy smiles as she begins looting each of the Bandits. When she is done with each body, she tosses them into the bushes off the road. She then puts the items she got into the shelter.
"I am so going to have to invest in more clothes." Chrissy mutters as she now was not just wet but covered in blood and mud.
"At least a dozen." Sexy teases as he brings the other body down to her too loot.
When she is done looting and disposing of the bodies she walks up and gets the horses. She takes a rope off one of the saddles and sets to work making some lead ropes and tying them to the halters then each horse gets tied to the saddle of another horse. Once that was done Chrissy leads the horse that isn't tied to another horse down to her shelter.
"Sorry horses there isn't enough room under here for you." Chrissy says at the shelter then proceeds to tie them to some trees. She leaves them with enough length on their ropes so they can eat the grass round them. When she was done, she heads inside to see that the momma dog and puppies had already claimed her bed roll.
"If you keep those mutts, you'll need another bedroll." Sexy laughs at her now wet and muddy bedroll. Chrissy just shrugs her shoulders and begins to warm some food.
"There are four in the pile that I got off the saddles. I thought I would check them as they might have hidden something in them." Chrissy says.
While the food is warming one of the puppies tries to steal it, but Chrissy gives him a warning "No." Which he listens to. Chrissy then proceeds to inventory the items she got from the dead bandits.
"It's a good thing that this mark is only painted on, or I wouldn't take it."
"Why?"
"I don't think an honest person would buy it or sell it if it was a permanent mark." Chrissy explains.
"That is true."
"Anything of interest?"
"Not really, they had what most people would consider a standard pack. Crappy bedrolls, change of clothes, their armor, weapons, some food.. the dog and puppies won't even touch." Chrissy lists off as the dogs to one sniff of the old stale bread, meat and walks away from it.
"They are smarter than your average bandit." Sexy smirks at the last puppy who just pee on it.
"What's this?
"What?"
"Some kind of picture kind of looks like a crude make design." Chrissy says as she pulls a piece of paper out of one of the packs.
"Can you even tell what it is?"
"No but we should hold on to it. Might figure it out later." Chrissy remarks.
"What else?" Sexy asks trying to distract her from the puppies who were trying to steal her food she was warming on the fire she restarted.
"Couple of neckless, crap…"
"What?"
Chrissy just holds up a smut book she clearly recognized.
"At least they read. Anything else."
"Got some gold…Looks like about its about 280 in total. The cross bow and some bolts for it. Couple bows and more arrow that look like they have seen better days." Chrissy says as she takes the meat she was warming and slices it into pieces to make sure each puppy got one and the biggest one she gave to the momma dog. Then she fed herself what was left.
When she is done eating Chrissy gets dressed into her armor. She packs the stuff is planning on keeping into her pack then places the stuff she would sell right away into one pack leaving the other packs empty.
What are you going to do with those empty packs?"
"Figure we could carry the puppies in them."
"What about the momma?"
"Think I'll turn the bed roll into a way to carry her. Just need to use some rope."
"Think she'll like it?"
"I think so." Chrissy says as she is petting the momma dog who is laying her head in Chrissy's lap.
It took an hour to get pack and ready to go and another half hour to catch the pups and put them in the packs on Sexy. The momma dog seemed to understand as she easily settled into the makeshift pack when Chrissy lifted her up and put her in. When they left the shelter, the rain had finally settled into a light misting. The bandit horses were collected by having the lead horse tied to Sexy and they headed towards Falls Creek.
Day 21 evening
The sun was starting to set and the rain had finally stopped all together.
"I wonder how much longer until we get there?" Chrissy asks for the umpteen time.
The answer comes in the form of screaming, howling and lighting flashes.
"That's a village up there." Sexy says.
"Move it! It sounds like the need help.!" Chrissy says while drawing her sword and shield.
Sexy pours on the speed and burst through open gates and past what was left of the guards. Fear grips Chrissy as she hears Borazon yelling while she sees Samuel crying over the body of a bloody goat.
"Sexy protect the little boy and his goat!" Chrissy says while pulling back his reins causing him to go into a sliding stop and her to go flying shield first into the biggest meanest looking wolf she had ever seen.
"That's a Werewolf and there are Vampires here!" Sexy warns.