Captain America Man Out of Time
12 years ago
Friday, March 27, 2009
More Reorganization
Since the Many World's Project has now reached around 126 pages in my master copy, I figured it was about time to put together a better way to organize the story. Now, BEHOLD, if you click on the Many Worlds Project link under "Contents" it will take you to a list of links to each chapter in chronological order. Also the "First Time Here?" has been updated to include this new link.
Many Worlds Project
Table of Contents
Prelude
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 continued
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10 NEW!
Appendix
Preliminary Notes
Prelude
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 continued
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10 NEW!
Appendix
Preliminary Notes
Chapter 9
It is what it is. More interesting Chapter next week with Freah getting trained. Woo.
The night was quiet, and Faecon and Dion kept to the shadows avoiding the night patrols. They were technically allowed to be out past the curfew but didn’t want to waste time. Dion lifted Faecon up onto a rooftop, Dion grunted with the effort, Faecon was a bit heavier than he looked, couldn’t be in good shape. A hand swung down and grabbed Dion and he climbed up.
Faecon looked over a series of alleyways below scanning.
“What exactly are we looking for?” Dion whispered.
“We have to find someone who knows something, there have to be a number of illegal elements out this late, so first we have to find which guards they are bribing to be allowed to operate. We question that guard and then work our way up,” said Faecon clamly his eyes scanning over the district of squat first story buildings.
The district’s main roads were lit by glowing crystals, the guards who didn’t patrol the main boulevards carried torches so it wasn’t difficult to spot their patrol patterns.
Dion glanced over them and watched intently for a few hours. Dion quickly grew bored and began trying to piece together Faecon’s role in this.
Faecon hadn’t pulled rank when they met, so Dion could figure he wasn’t acting on superior orders, but Dion hadn’t heard anything of his mission from his Wraith contacts. This left two options: Either Faecon had gone rogue, which made little sense since he was acting in the interest of Elayne, or he was acting on a mission given to him by his faction head.
The Wraiths had been split for many years after their leader attempted to kill King Janis. Since then the Wraiths have been split into 5 or so factions, the number keeps changing, with each groups leader bandying for favor. Either way Faecon was not Dion’s ally, but in the interest of his world he had to play along. Perhaps when this is done he will kill Faecon and take the credit.
Faecon murmured and pointed, “do you see that?”
Dion looked, he saw a dark corner of the district. “Yes?”
“Did you notice anything odd about it?” Feacon asked, Dion knew this was a test, Faecon was seeing how useful he was. Looks like he had failed.
Dion shook his head.
Faecon smiled, “There are three guards who are supposed to go through that district tonight, none have even once.” Faecon pointed out three lights on the edge of the territory. “That area is marked as a no threat zone so the Arbitrators don’t go there. Mostly homes, no trading posts.”
“What are you getting at?” Dion asked, he didn’t think any of the natives in Fortyne would harbor Maedens who were causing this trouble.
“That is the only spot the Maedens can move at night with impunity. Whoever is harboring them is there.” Said Faecon and took off at a run. Dion sprinted after him and leaped silently from rooftop to rooftop. With each impact he felt the shock from landing run up his body and he felt a twinge of pain from the bruise forming on his face. Freah had a good swing.
Faecon was quick, but Dion caught up with little effort. Faecon stopped on a rooftop ahead of one of the guard’s route. Faecon made a few quick gestures and Dion nodded. As the guard walked past they both descended from the roof. Dion landed behind and landed a foot into the back of the Guard’s knee. He stumbled forward into Faecon who grabbed his sword and disarmed him. As the Guard straightened up Dion grabbed him around the neck and squeezed slightly, cutting off air and blood to the brain ever so slightly. A shout was cut off by Dion squeezing.
Faecon stared at the guard, “We come from Dylan.”
Dion loosened his grip and the Guard let in some air. His eyes wide with terror.
“Who has paid you off?” Faecon asked.
The guard said nothing. Dion squeezed once suddenly.
“I have no time for this and I know there are two others taking bribes, so tell me now and I might be lenient on you.” Faecon said cleaning a nail.
Still no answer.
Faecon sighed, “Fine, Dion if you will.”
Dion smiled and choked the man quickly rendering him unconscious.
Faecon looked at Dion. “Looks like you might have enjoyed that.”
Dion made no comment, “So to the next one?”
Faecon nodded, the process repeated this time Faecon informing the second guard that the first had met a grisly fate. This one was more cooperative. They discovered there was a boarding house rarely used by traders. It mainly held refugees from Garren and Haranton. The owners paid the guards to keep the area clear.
They approached it warily.
“Force may not be the best way here,” said Faecon to Dion.
Dion smirked.
“I’m serious, the two of us can’t hope to walk into a place full of Garrenians and Harantons hardened by bad times and expect to come out unscathed, not to mention the fact that there are probably an unknown number of Judges in there.”
“So surveillance?”
“That is my plan, but it doesn’t seem to be something you are cut out for.”
Dion’s smirk faded, “you make it sound like I am some kind of brute.”
“I know who you are Dion, that is why you were sent here. You aren’t a brute but you aren’t very patient. We need fast results from Icene. We need to find out what role they are playing in all this and if the Judges are slipping in through there.” Said Faecon and motioned to the boarding house. “This makes me think they may be coming through the Garren gate. Wouldn’t be hard since they already beat Garren pretty silly in the past few years, they could probably move troops through pretty easily.”
“It doesn’t mean it can’t be both,” said Dion.
“Exactly, so go tell Dylan what we have found and spend the next few days preparing for your journey. Dusdane will know what you need.”
Dion nodded then ventured a question, “So why do you want me to take this assistant merchant with me?”
“Other than I am considering him a candidate for becoming a Wraith?” replied Faecon with a smirk. “He is very well traveled and knows that world and its people better than you. You will find him most helpful.”
Dion nodded and without any other words left Faecon to watch the boarding house.
He walked through the quiet streets and thought of Dusdane. If this man was going to be a new Wraith for whatever Faecon’s faction was, then it would be best if Dusdane didn’t survive the trip back from Icene.
The Sun King’s rays trickled in through the curtains and shined upon Dusdane and Freah, still holding each other from the previous night. Weariness had taken them both soon after Dion left.
The rays reminded Freah that she needed to report to Dylan, that today she would have to start training. She didn’t really know what to expect, she had seen so few Arbitrators and the ones she had seen were wildly different. She knew Lyran who had simply watched over her neighborhood as though he wasn’t an Arbitrator. She had seen Dylan a clam calculating commanding figure. She had seen still other Arbitrators who were simple roadside Judges, settling disputes between feuding merchants. She also knew of their legendary martial prowess. One hundred Arbitrators stood at the Gate to Maedus maintaining the embargo.
She tried to slip from the bed quietly but Dusdane awoke and grabbed her arm. “You better not dare leave, not after last night. I need to keep an eye on you.”
Freah put on a mock stern face, “And what makes you think I need protecting.”
Dusdane lifted himself up, but instead of the joking face she expected Dusdane wore a mask of grief. Freah looked to the side.
“I am serious Freah, don’t be alone.” Said Dusdane finally releasing her arm.
“I won’t be,” she said trying to reassure him. “I am going to be at the Arbitrator’s Headquarters.”
Dusdane looked puzzled. “What… Why? Does this have to do with yesterday?”
“Yes, I am not sure how much I can tell you, but I am supposed to begin training as an Arbitrator today.”
Dusdane’s puzzlement shifted to amusement, “You, an Arbitrator!?”
Freah scowled at him. “What makes you think I can’t be?”
“Freah, you are the owner of a bar, and I am not even a full merchant. What on earth are we doing running around with Wraiths and Arbitrators.” He said mostly to himself.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Dusty.”
“We are regular people,” Dusdane said.
“I don’t think we are anymore, we are caught up in something.”
Dusdane rolled away from her, “We are, and I brought this on you.”
Freah sat back down on the bed and placed her hand on his side running gently. “I don’t blame you for this, you couldn’t possibly have known. Sometimes life takes you places you don’t expect. On the bright side if I am trained, Dion won’t be able to hurt us again.”
Dusdane placed his hand on hers and rolled onto his back and looked up at her. “I think I have a plan, I thought a lot about it in the night.”
Freah smirked, “Oh really.”
“Yes, I know Icene better than Dion. I can lose him in the snows there. Just have to bide my time till the right moment.” Dusdane said.
“And then what?”
“Then I come back here.”
“Don’t you see? If you lose a Wraith he will just come back again, if you manage to kill him another will take his place.”
“You have to let me at least hope Freah.”
She nodded, “then do that, and come back here. We will figure it out. Now I must go.”
Freah kissed him and left her eyes keeping on him till she passed out the door.
Dusdane sat up. He had slept nearly two days since he arrived in Fortyne and it was time that he got up and did something. He stood up slowly steadying himself for a moment. His head still hurt but it was manageable to walk around again. He slowly dressed and headed downstairs where he saw the bar empty and deserted. Freah hadn’t opened it last night, things were still the same as they had been when Dusdane cam in two nights ago. He could swear he saw a bit of his blood on the floor beneath a barstool. When he had come in that night he still thought he was just an Assistant Merchant who had had some bad luck. Now he was an enlisted agent of Elayne.
Dusdane stepped outside, raising a hand to blot out the Sun King. He glanced about, he knew this neighborhood very well. Dusdane put his hands in his pocket and grabbed the pouch that had his pay from the caravan run. He pulled it out and looked through the coins. He should be able to pay for a few things with this.
His first stop was a Runner’s office. He needed to send a message to Lot’s Settlement ahead of him. Needed to inform the old man that he wouldn’t be alone and that his company may not be there for his best interest. Hopefully he could word it well enough that the Elder would know Dusdane was being forced there. Dusdane smiled as he thought of a group of Battle Scholars taking Dion away. That smile faded slightly, the idea was ridiculous. Lot owed Dusdane nothing and would have no reason to arrest Dion. Dusdane would just have to hope that the Wraith’s apparent love of violence would land his own head in trouble.
Dusdane walked a few blocks and saw the Runner’s complex. Carts were coming in and out from every direction. People handing envelopes back and forth. The flow of all messages came in and out of this building. The Runners had been a mainstay in the many worlds since the Treaty of Fortyne. The office had expanded since last Dusdane had been there. It had encompassed another few buildings.
He entered the main building and waited in line. The line was long but it processed quickly. After about half an hour Dusdane found himself in front of a scribe.
“And where shall your message be sent?” Asked the scribe.
“The Windcleaned Crystal Settlement on Icene,” replied Dusdane adjusting his bandage up. It had loosened and get drooping over his left eye.
The Scribe frowned. “Icene? Umm let me check something.” He got up and walked into a back room. He was gone for a few minutes before he returned. “Sir, I am sorry to say that we cannot Guarantee any message heading to that settlement.”
“Pardon?”
“It seems that over the past few days our Runners were going missing heading to a number of settlements in Icene. It turns out now that an invasion has taken place and many settlements have been taken by Harantons. We received word this morning, all possible haste is being made to make this known across the Many Worlds.”
Dusdane’s mouth fell open and refused to shut. “What?”
“Yes, it seems that the Iceneians have withdrawn from that settlement most recently. We can send a runner to another settlement and see if the Iceneians can track the person down who you wish to contact but it will not be Guaranteed by the Runners.” The scribe said in a rather business-like manner.
The worlds had gone mad, thought Dusdane. It had merely been a decade since the last round of bloody wars had ended after the Opening of the Gates. Only ten years of sanity before the worlds decided they were going to beat each other senseless again. Fortyne invaded by rogue Maedens. Icene now under attack from the Harantons, what was next?
“Forget it,” said Dusdane and left the office.
As Dusdane stepped out into the sun again he saw Dion. The bruise on his face had purpled. “Sending a message?”
Dusdane had to put all his strength into not punching the man. “I was going to send a message to Lot telling him I was coming.”
“I see,” Dion said, “Prudent move, didn’t expect you to be this cooperative.”
Dusdane watched Dion’s eyes carefully, there was suspicion he could tell but Dion had no way of knowing what Dusdane might be planning. Dusdane didn’t know either.
“Message didn’t go out, Runners have reports that Harantons have taken Lot’s settlement.”
Dion raised an eyebrow, Dusdane was surprised that the Wraith didn’t seem to know this already. Looks like he was only human.
“It looks like we might have difficulty finding Lot,” Dusdane continued.
“Only a minor impediment, we can track them from there.” Dion said and began walking he signaled Dusdane to follow. Dusdane hesitated for a moment, before falling in step. The whole situation was uncomfortable. Dion acted as though nothing happened last night, and now Dusdane was supposed to act like everything was fine? Dusdane clenched his fist and didn’t know what else he could do.
“I need you to come with me, we need to get supplies. You know Icene you will know what we will need.” Dion said.
“Warm clothes for one, Iceneians are used to the cold there but we will need to double what they normally wear. Also might need to pick up some survival gear.” Dusdane glanced at Dion. “Will the state be picking up the bill?”
Dion smiled, “to an extent.”
“Then we can get some heating crystals, those will save our lives. Also might want to consider climbing gear, the terrain can be pretty uneven.”
Dion nodded and they went to the Bazaar. It was clear to Dusdane fairly quickly that this was a world Dion knew little of. He knew intimidation, he knew deception, but oddly enough he not very good at catching bad merchandise.
Dion had reached for a heating crystal, a long cylinder or rosy crystal and flipped the switch to a low setting. The crystal began to warm. Dusdane grabbed it and tapped it once and it shut off.
“You didn’t see the cracks, we need a solid piece or the energies can be easily disrupted. You don’t want to bump this in your sleep and wake up frozen.” Dusdane had said. Despite his loathing for Dion, Dusdane got them quality equipment. It was his neck after all.
Afterwards Dusdane carried the supplies back to Freah’s bar. Dion had slipped off somewhere. Dusdane busied himself going through the equipment. He pondered for a time about sabotaging Dion’s equipment, but figured that the wraith would not be that stupid to take a kit prepared by Dusdane. He’d likely just take the one Dusdane prepared for himself. So Dusdane drearily started putting together kits from the things he had bought that day and waited for Freah to return.
The night was quiet, and Faecon and Dion kept to the shadows avoiding the night patrols. They were technically allowed to be out past the curfew but didn’t want to waste time. Dion lifted Faecon up onto a rooftop, Dion grunted with the effort, Faecon was a bit heavier than he looked, couldn’t be in good shape. A hand swung down and grabbed Dion and he climbed up.
Faecon looked over a series of alleyways below scanning.
“What exactly are we looking for?” Dion whispered.
“We have to find someone who knows something, there have to be a number of illegal elements out this late, so first we have to find which guards they are bribing to be allowed to operate. We question that guard and then work our way up,” said Faecon clamly his eyes scanning over the district of squat first story buildings.
The district’s main roads were lit by glowing crystals, the guards who didn’t patrol the main boulevards carried torches so it wasn’t difficult to spot their patrol patterns.
Dion glanced over them and watched intently for a few hours. Dion quickly grew bored and began trying to piece together Faecon’s role in this.
Faecon hadn’t pulled rank when they met, so Dion could figure he wasn’t acting on superior orders, but Dion hadn’t heard anything of his mission from his Wraith contacts. This left two options: Either Faecon had gone rogue, which made little sense since he was acting in the interest of Elayne, or he was acting on a mission given to him by his faction head.
The Wraiths had been split for many years after their leader attempted to kill King Janis. Since then the Wraiths have been split into 5 or so factions, the number keeps changing, with each groups leader bandying for favor. Either way Faecon was not Dion’s ally, but in the interest of his world he had to play along. Perhaps when this is done he will kill Faecon and take the credit.
Faecon murmured and pointed, “do you see that?”
Dion looked, he saw a dark corner of the district. “Yes?”
“Did you notice anything odd about it?” Feacon asked, Dion knew this was a test, Faecon was seeing how useful he was. Looks like he had failed.
Dion shook his head.
Faecon smiled, “There are three guards who are supposed to go through that district tonight, none have even once.” Faecon pointed out three lights on the edge of the territory. “That area is marked as a no threat zone so the Arbitrators don’t go there. Mostly homes, no trading posts.”
“What are you getting at?” Dion asked, he didn’t think any of the natives in Fortyne would harbor Maedens who were causing this trouble.
“That is the only spot the Maedens can move at night with impunity. Whoever is harboring them is there.” Said Faecon and took off at a run. Dion sprinted after him and leaped silently from rooftop to rooftop. With each impact he felt the shock from landing run up his body and he felt a twinge of pain from the bruise forming on his face. Freah had a good swing.
Faecon was quick, but Dion caught up with little effort. Faecon stopped on a rooftop ahead of one of the guard’s route. Faecon made a few quick gestures and Dion nodded. As the guard walked past they both descended from the roof. Dion landed behind and landed a foot into the back of the Guard’s knee. He stumbled forward into Faecon who grabbed his sword and disarmed him. As the Guard straightened up Dion grabbed him around the neck and squeezed slightly, cutting off air and blood to the brain ever so slightly. A shout was cut off by Dion squeezing.
Faecon stared at the guard, “We come from Dylan.”
Dion loosened his grip and the Guard let in some air. His eyes wide with terror.
“Who has paid you off?” Faecon asked.
The guard said nothing. Dion squeezed once suddenly.
“I have no time for this and I know there are two others taking bribes, so tell me now and I might be lenient on you.” Faecon said cleaning a nail.
Still no answer.
Faecon sighed, “Fine, Dion if you will.”
Dion smiled and choked the man quickly rendering him unconscious.
Faecon looked at Dion. “Looks like you might have enjoyed that.”
Dion made no comment, “So to the next one?”
Faecon nodded, the process repeated this time Faecon informing the second guard that the first had met a grisly fate. This one was more cooperative. They discovered there was a boarding house rarely used by traders. It mainly held refugees from Garren and Haranton. The owners paid the guards to keep the area clear.
They approached it warily.
“Force may not be the best way here,” said Faecon to Dion.
Dion smirked.
“I’m serious, the two of us can’t hope to walk into a place full of Garrenians and Harantons hardened by bad times and expect to come out unscathed, not to mention the fact that there are probably an unknown number of Judges in there.”
“So surveillance?”
“That is my plan, but it doesn’t seem to be something you are cut out for.”
Dion’s smirk faded, “you make it sound like I am some kind of brute.”
“I know who you are Dion, that is why you were sent here. You aren’t a brute but you aren’t very patient. We need fast results from Icene. We need to find out what role they are playing in all this and if the Judges are slipping in through there.” Said Faecon and motioned to the boarding house. “This makes me think they may be coming through the Garren gate. Wouldn’t be hard since they already beat Garren pretty silly in the past few years, they could probably move troops through pretty easily.”
“It doesn’t mean it can’t be both,” said Dion.
“Exactly, so go tell Dylan what we have found and spend the next few days preparing for your journey. Dusdane will know what you need.”
Dion nodded then ventured a question, “So why do you want me to take this assistant merchant with me?”
“Other than I am considering him a candidate for becoming a Wraith?” replied Faecon with a smirk. “He is very well traveled and knows that world and its people better than you. You will find him most helpful.”
Dion nodded and without any other words left Faecon to watch the boarding house.
He walked through the quiet streets and thought of Dusdane. If this man was going to be a new Wraith for whatever Faecon’s faction was, then it would be best if Dusdane didn’t survive the trip back from Icene.
The Sun King’s rays trickled in through the curtains and shined upon Dusdane and Freah, still holding each other from the previous night. Weariness had taken them both soon after Dion left.
The rays reminded Freah that she needed to report to Dylan, that today she would have to start training. She didn’t really know what to expect, she had seen so few Arbitrators and the ones she had seen were wildly different. She knew Lyran who had simply watched over her neighborhood as though he wasn’t an Arbitrator. She had seen Dylan a clam calculating commanding figure. She had seen still other Arbitrators who were simple roadside Judges, settling disputes between feuding merchants. She also knew of their legendary martial prowess. One hundred Arbitrators stood at the Gate to Maedus maintaining the embargo.
She tried to slip from the bed quietly but Dusdane awoke and grabbed her arm. “You better not dare leave, not after last night. I need to keep an eye on you.”
Freah put on a mock stern face, “And what makes you think I need protecting.”
Dusdane lifted himself up, but instead of the joking face she expected Dusdane wore a mask of grief. Freah looked to the side.
“I am serious Freah, don’t be alone.” Said Dusdane finally releasing her arm.
“I won’t be,” she said trying to reassure him. “I am going to be at the Arbitrator’s Headquarters.”
Dusdane looked puzzled. “What… Why? Does this have to do with yesterday?”
“Yes, I am not sure how much I can tell you, but I am supposed to begin training as an Arbitrator today.”
Dusdane’s puzzlement shifted to amusement, “You, an Arbitrator!?”
Freah scowled at him. “What makes you think I can’t be?”
“Freah, you are the owner of a bar, and I am not even a full merchant. What on earth are we doing running around with Wraiths and Arbitrators.” He said mostly to himself.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Dusty.”
“We are regular people,” Dusdane said.
“I don’t think we are anymore, we are caught up in something.”
Dusdane rolled away from her, “We are, and I brought this on you.”
Freah sat back down on the bed and placed her hand on his side running gently. “I don’t blame you for this, you couldn’t possibly have known. Sometimes life takes you places you don’t expect. On the bright side if I am trained, Dion won’t be able to hurt us again.”
Dusdane placed his hand on hers and rolled onto his back and looked up at her. “I think I have a plan, I thought a lot about it in the night.”
Freah smirked, “Oh really.”
“Yes, I know Icene better than Dion. I can lose him in the snows there. Just have to bide my time till the right moment.” Dusdane said.
“And then what?”
“Then I come back here.”
“Don’t you see? If you lose a Wraith he will just come back again, if you manage to kill him another will take his place.”
“You have to let me at least hope Freah.”
She nodded, “then do that, and come back here. We will figure it out. Now I must go.”
Freah kissed him and left her eyes keeping on him till she passed out the door.
Dusdane sat up. He had slept nearly two days since he arrived in Fortyne and it was time that he got up and did something. He stood up slowly steadying himself for a moment. His head still hurt but it was manageable to walk around again. He slowly dressed and headed downstairs where he saw the bar empty and deserted. Freah hadn’t opened it last night, things were still the same as they had been when Dusdane cam in two nights ago. He could swear he saw a bit of his blood on the floor beneath a barstool. When he had come in that night he still thought he was just an Assistant Merchant who had had some bad luck. Now he was an enlisted agent of Elayne.
Dusdane stepped outside, raising a hand to blot out the Sun King. He glanced about, he knew this neighborhood very well. Dusdane put his hands in his pocket and grabbed the pouch that had his pay from the caravan run. He pulled it out and looked through the coins. He should be able to pay for a few things with this.
His first stop was a Runner’s office. He needed to send a message to Lot’s Settlement ahead of him. Needed to inform the old man that he wouldn’t be alone and that his company may not be there for his best interest. Hopefully he could word it well enough that the Elder would know Dusdane was being forced there. Dusdane smiled as he thought of a group of Battle Scholars taking Dion away. That smile faded slightly, the idea was ridiculous. Lot owed Dusdane nothing and would have no reason to arrest Dion. Dusdane would just have to hope that the Wraith’s apparent love of violence would land his own head in trouble.
Dusdane walked a few blocks and saw the Runner’s complex. Carts were coming in and out from every direction. People handing envelopes back and forth. The flow of all messages came in and out of this building. The Runners had been a mainstay in the many worlds since the Treaty of Fortyne. The office had expanded since last Dusdane had been there. It had encompassed another few buildings.
He entered the main building and waited in line. The line was long but it processed quickly. After about half an hour Dusdane found himself in front of a scribe.
“And where shall your message be sent?” Asked the scribe.
“The Windcleaned Crystal Settlement on Icene,” replied Dusdane adjusting his bandage up. It had loosened and get drooping over his left eye.
The Scribe frowned. “Icene? Umm let me check something.” He got up and walked into a back room. He was gone for a few minutes before he returned. “Sir, I am sorry to say that we cannot Guarantee any message heading to that settlement.”
“Pardon?”
“It seems that over the past few days our Runners were going missing heading to a number of settlements in Icene. It turns out now that an invasion has taken place and many settlements have been taken by Harantons. We received word this morning, all possible haste is being made to make this known across the Many Worlds.”
Dusdane’s mouth fell open and refused to shut. “What?”
“Yes, it seems that the Iceneians have withdrawn from that settlement most recently. We can send a runner to another settlement and see if the Iceneians can track the person down who you wish to contact but it will not be Guaranteed by the Runners.” The scribe said in a rather business-like manner.
The worlds had gone mad, thought Dusdane. It had merely been a decade since the last round of bloody wars had ended after the Opening of the Gates. Only ten years of sanity before the worlds decided they were going to beat each other senseless again. Fortyne invaded by rogue Maedens. Icene now under attack from the Harantons, what was next?
“Forget it,” said Dusdane and left the office.
As Dusdane stepped out into the sun again he saw Dion. The bruise on his face had purpled. “Sending a message?”
Dusdane had to put all his strength into not punching the man. “I was going to send a message to Lot telling him I was coming.”
“I see,” Dion said, “Prudent move, didn’t expect you to be this cooperative.”
Dusdane watched Dion’s eyes carefully, there was suspicion he could tell but Dion had no way of knowing what Dusdane might be planning. Dusdane didn’t know either.
“Message didn’t go out, Runners have reports that Harantons have taken Lot’s settlement.”
Dion raised an eyebrow, Dusdane was surprised that the Wraith didn’t seem to know this already. Looks like he was only human.
“It looks like we might have difficulty finding Lot,” Dusdane continued.
“Only a minor impediment, we can track them from there.” Dion said and began walking he signaled Dusdane to follow. Dusdane hesitated for a moment, before falling in step. The whole situation was uncomfortable. Dion acted as though nothing happened last night, and now Dusdane was supposed to act like everything was fine? Dusdane clenched his fist and didn’t know what else he could do.
“I need you to come with me, we need to get supplies. You know Icene you will know what we will need.” Dion said.
“Warm clothes for one, Iceneians are used to the cold there but we will need to double what they normally wear. Also might need to pick up some survival gear.” Dusdane glanced at Dion. “Will the state be picking up the bill?”
Dion smiled, “to an extent.”
“Then we can get some heating crystals, those will save our lives. Also might want to consider climbing gear, the terrain can be pretty uneven.”
Dion nodded and they went to the Bazaar. It was clear to Dusdane fairly quickly that this was a world Dion knew little of. He knew intimidation, he knew deception, but oddly enough he not very good at catching bad merchandise.
Dion had reached for a heating crystal, a long cylinder or rosy crystal and flipped the switch to a low setting. The crystal began to warm. Dusdane grabbed it and tapped it once and it shut off.
“You didn’t see the cracks, we need a solid piece or the energies can be easily disrupted. You don’t want to bump this in your sleep and wake up frozen.” Dusdane had said. Despite his loathing for Dion, Dusdane got them quality equipment. It was his neck after all.
Afterwards Dusdane carried the supplies back to Freah’s bar. Dion had slipped off somewhere. Dusdane busied himself going through the equipment. He pondered for a time about sabotaging Dion’s equipment, but figured that the wraith would not be that stupid to take a kit prepared by Dusdane. He’d likely just take the one Dusdane prepared for himself. So Dusdane drearily started putting together kits from the things he had bought that day and waited for Freah to return.
