Settling down
The next few days found the newly reformed heavy hitters of the mutant clan settling back into their routine. BS took up his ”training” of his nephews, though Aurora probably didn’t mean for them to be treated as dogs, but “Sit” and “Stay” were two commands that needed to be taught to the two furry rambunctious drakes, commands that were rewarded with copious amounts of food.
While BS commanded their attention, Randall wandered into the kitchen his hair disheveled, as it most often seemed. In BS’s absence, the scientist had taken on the refit project, reworking the mana- powered machinery to reinforce the borders and set up a tighter security system. This was a job he had intended on handing back to BS once he had returned, but Randall saw the disjointed state the mutant was in. The whole temporal power play weighted on Brimstone’s mind to heavily to take on any other projects. Besides, with all the adjustments and slight variations in computations, it would take a while for the mutant to catch up and get into the swing of things.
While Randall nursed his morning cup of coffee and BS fed the younguns by tossing pancakes over his shoulder, Janis meandered in. She laid an antique firearm on the kitchen table for Randall to see. “Can you help me? I think it’s jammed.”
Both men looked over the 1892 Springfield bolt action rifle with a glimmering eye. Randall was already peering down the sights, then trying the bolt, seeing how far it would give. “I’ll need to get one of my kits,” he muttered.
“I’ll go with you,” Janis insisted, taking up the scientist’s elbow and leading him out of the kitchen to his lab.
BS guessed that Janis wanted a private conversation, but he was too busy with the brats to attempt to follow. Instead he lured the duo out the side door and into the concourse, determined to run some of their friskiness out of their hides. As he opened the gate to let them run out into the western fields, he paused, seeing Morgaine heading up the pathway. Unable to run anywhere, he mustered up a timid wave of greeting. “Hi?”
She clamped down on her thoughts, more so to keep her mind in check just in case Junior was milling about. She still had bitter feelings towards the man but it would had served no purpose to start a row now. Instead she mirrored his motion with a soft wave. “Hey.”
That broke some of the tension. He gestured to his newly reformed stuff, minus the metal, and the acid etchings. “Is this better?”
She looked over the mutant. Without the armor, and the disfigurement, he actually wasn’t a bad looking fella. Though he was not her type in any form, she could appreciate the comeback kid. She leaned her head a bit to the right, then shrugged her shoulders. “I was kind of used to the Tin Head version, but this’ll have to do, I suppose.” She even offered a slight smile to show she was kidding.
BS knew she wasn’t being totally open with him, and he didn’t need to be an empath to sense this. But at least she wasn’t trying to eviscerate him either. He thought it safer to shift the focus off of him anyhow. “If your looking for your boy, he’s probably on point guarding them. Megan and company, I mean. They might be up. She’s been keeping odd hours since they came back.” Now it was his turn to cant his head as she looked up to the window where Megan’s room lay. “You’re still concerned about her, ain’tcha?”
“I always am. She’s my friend. I’d be a pretty crappy second if I didn’t keep some form of eye on her.”
BS nodded. “Yep. Totally understand. If it makes you feel better, she’s not in as much danger as she could be. In fact I doubt anyone would really want to mess with her, not with the power she’s packing under that skirt now. With time there’s a chance that cohesion’ll cut loose and all three will separate. At least that’s the hope. Can’t trust any sort of order when dealing with Chaos.” He ventured a look at her again. “Maybe you should go talk to her. I know I won’t convince you.”
He couldn’t tell for sure if Morgaine just didn’t want to disturb her friend, or if she actually was a little bit afraid of what Megan had gotten herself into. Either way, the Soothsayer didn’t venture anywhere. “What about Zelgadis?” she finally asked.
Well there was a question out of the blue. He gave a big sigh. “Still mummified, I’m afraid. I’d spped things along but….” He pulled out a raw egg that he had somehow pocketed in his trenchcoat while making breakfast. With a flourish, he held the egg out between thumb and forefinger. The egg slowly began to diminish, shrinking bit by bit till it disappeared from view. She knew this was not slight of hand, not with the wave of nausea that surrounded them both during his performance. Finally he twirled his wrist. “Haven’t quite got the knack fo this time thing yet. Dr Who I am not. I don’t even have the cool scarf.”
Morgaine had to smile. Though she wasn’t sure who this Dr Who was, but much like all the obscure references he made, it was part of his style of speech. The idea of him wearing a scarf like some mad air-jockey was what made her grin. “You’ll figure it out,” she insisted, then headed inside to find her charge.
That was easy. Junior had “felt” her nearby, waking him from a light slumber, and he had trotted down the stairs to greet her. Their form of communication was a fluid sloshing of images, feelings, and unspoken words. The drake had great difficulty articulating and grew frustrated when Morgaine wanted him to speak. There was just too much information to get across in such a short amount of time that she found herself lapsing into his world than forcing him to meet hers. She now knew that this indeed was a more efficient way of communicating, and showed in her mind that Junior was no where near the dullard most thought of him as. No, Junior was indeed very smart, and Sensitive. When she asked about Megan, he could sense the drake’s confusion, though he had already catalogued in his brain that Megan/Aurora/Clone was to be referenced as a “they” not a “she”. He also was greatly concerned with the constant flux of energy that enveloped “them”, the power causing his gums to ache with the feedback. In fact he was greatly comforted with Morgaine’s presence and hoped that she would fix the situation somehow.
Morgaine had no idea even how to start such a project
Randall had fiddled with it for a few minutes and easily cleaned out the gummed up works before handing the weapon back to Janis. She tucked it under arms before turning to the scientist. “Listen. You make sure that fool doesn’t get any more romantic ideas with Meli. He’ll just get trampled on again.”
There was no questioning who she was talking about. “But the last I knew BS cares for her a lot, despite what transpired between them.”
“Oh, there’s no question in that. There’s also no question that she has feelings for him. There’s just one problem.” She paused, trying to get the wording right. “She doesn’t want to be a let down for him. She’s not… a breeder.. so to speak.”
Randall dipped his head a moment. He knew most of the mutant codes of law, and guessed at what problems would rise from this match up. He also figured BS to be one to buck the system. “I’m not sure that Brimstone in interested in her in that way.”
“Never the less it’s on her brain,” she tapped her temple. “If she feels she cannot then she does not want to join in any sort of bond to any man.”
Randall almost wanted to argue that BS was not “any” man, but that point would have been moot. “Honestly? I think they both need to sit down and discuss the situation between them.”
“Good luck convincing her of that. I don’t even know where she is.”
“Doesn’t she have that little place in Exidor?”
Janis shrugged. “She’s wherever she went last time. ‘Course she may not have gone anywhere. She’s good at masking her presence even from those who can normally sense her. She’s a very powerful psychic. It’s what makes her so good at her job.” She sighed and fiddle with the weapon. “I just don’t want him to get hurt.”
Randall nodded. “I think he can handle the emotional part at least.”
As Janis left with her repaired gun, she failed to notice a shadow that lagged behind in the dark. Only when the hallway was clear and Randall’s door had closed did Jason slip from the darkness, rubbing his chin in thoughtful speculation.
Drac escorted his new guest across the southern sparring grounds. “Welcome to our homeland, Kanna.”
The girl pulled her long black hair away from her face to take in the serene scene. “So this is where you and the others are from.”
The king nodded. “Let me properly welcome you our homeland Vashtalia. Right now you are in the central capitol of our realm. Oh.. you might want to step back a bit.”
Just as they did a sparring set of dragoons broke onto the scene with a flurry of swords strokes. Several quick parries and thrusts and the duo disappeared into the woods. “Aerich and his daughter Alianna,” he explained. “They are undergoing her ascension test.”
He was about to take another step, but then pulled up, holding his guest back. Crossing their path going the opposite was the most vicious looking dragon she had ever seen. Smaller than most dragons he still towered a good six feet at the shoulder and was armor plated from head to toe. The demonic red eyes only made him look that much more fierce, yet he ambled by, only to stop at the other end of the field where a young raven haired woman waited for him. The nasty looking creature rubbed gently up against the woman then followed her to the castle like an overgrown puppy, his long tail wagging happily.
Kanna just stared and blinked. “Uh…”
“That would be Junior and his mentor Morgaine. He’s really is a sweetheart, despite his looks. He’s merely a hatchling, not even a year old yet.” He continued to lead her on into the castle proper, rounding the corner into the courtyard and nearly got his head whacked off. Sparring this time was a young girl armed with some sort of glowing staff. On the receiving end was an older woman, not much taller, trying to keep the technologically advanced weapon away with her own often used and abused sword. The girl seemed to be awkward with her lighter weapon, as if she were just beginning to learn how to use it, while the older woman seemed to have some sort of inner turmoil occurring as she seemed to be arguing with herself. Despite this, the action was quicker than most and Drac had to pull Kanna back a few step less they got trampled by the combatants.
Before he could intervene, Melissa charged up on the scene, her wings all a flutter and halberd swinging. "Stand down Trainee!”
The younger girl pulled up as if jerked on a line, causing the other woman to miss her mark. When she regained her balance, she turned to face the winged warrior. “Hey! What gives? We were sparring!”
Melissa never missed a beat as she pushed forward, staring down at the woman, face to face. “You three stand down as well. Emma is part of the Vashtalian military now, and is in training. She was not authorized to pick a fight with you.”
Kanna scratched her head. She was sure she was looking at one person, yet Melissa clearly said three. Were there two invisible people standing there? I didn’t matter because the woman lowered her sword. “Military? Figures.” She seemed a bit put out, but she did step back, then turned heading down the hall while the young woman looked over the light weapon. A young blond man in a lab coat seemed to be showing her all the ins and outs of the tool, showing her how to shut it down and start it up again.
Drac to the rescue as he lead his guest around the people and down the hall to the kitchen. “Anything I can get for you, Kanna? Something to drink?”
“A drink would be fine,” she smiled. “Then a tour.”
But as they came to the kitchen door a man stumbled out. Clothed in a tan trenchcoat and donning a brown Stetson hat, he looked like the cowboys of old, even though his sidearm looked much more modern. Currently the man was holding his nose as clots of blood flowed from his nostrils un disturbingly large quantities. “Who the Hell was Screaming?” he protested loudly. He turned to go down the hall, then saw the gaggle still gathered in the hallway. The young woman was reluctantly pulling her light saber away. “Oh never mind,” tall man grumbled and he turned the other way.
Another outburst at the end of the hall brought Kanna’s attention around. The young woman (or was it three?) was quipping comments at herself. One would make a disparaging remark, either about someone called a soothsayer, or about the younger girl’s curtailed sparring; then her voice would take on a meeker timbre, saying she saw nothing wrong, then a third voice, this one much louder than the other two would tell the second one how stupid she sounded. If Melissa was measuring the woman by the shifts in vocalizations, then indeed there were three people caught up in that body.
All Drac could do was shake his head at the scene before leading his guest away from the madness. No sense in contaminating the newbies, at least not right away.
Morgaine for the most part ignored the squabbling. She had parked herself on one of the low benches, making Junior lay on the floor next to her so she could scratch the younguns behind the horns. He clearly didn’t want to be there as it was way too close to Aurora and company, but he wouldn’t leave Morgaine behind either. As long as she kept dishing out the affection, he would stay nearby, if somewhat impatiently. “What happened to you all?” the Soothsayer finally asked.
It was the Clone persona that took the lead. “I can start. When Aurora cut me and Teclis loose, we hid from the other Sphere-bearers. We didn’t want them to try to pry the spheres out of us, not after we fought so hard to keep them. Well about a year ago, we started coming across irregularities. Temporal ones. ‘Course I would recognize those irregularities since they fall under my jurisdiction, being irregular and all. When we came across more and more of them, we got concerned, so we tentatively sent out some queries to the others. It took some time; we had to build up a fair amount of trust, but we figured this was something a bit bigger than our squabble. Turns out they were very concerned. They had lost contact with Time some time before the anomalies started. We tapped Aurora first mainly because of all the Chaos bearers, she had the farthest reach when applied.
“Waitaminute,” Randall interrupted after sending Emma to put her new weapon away. “I thought Teclis had been driven mad.”
“Oh no. Teclis is quite alive, as he’s the bearer of Energy. He left his body to Eclipse. Where Eclipse is, I have no idea. None of us do.” She turned back to Morgaine whom was trying to follow along. “We also pressed Estor into service to augment the Energy side of the equation. You need a lot of power to twist time around, much less to locate the bearer of it, and since Teclis was so young, we felt we needed a more experienced mind helping out. We did manage to find Tim, but Jupiter.. that’s the Time bearer, he sort of lost his mind. Went totally mad. And even with Aurora and Estor, we still didn’t have enough to bring him in. That’s when we decided to bring in Brimstone. Sort of a ‘Hail Mary” approach to the problem, and it worked.. but there was a hitch. When you go blabbling ‘those’ words around Spheres,” and Clone made the quotes in the air with her fingers. Apparently for safety’s sake none of the mutants would utter Brimstone’s “curse” words aloud though nothing would happen if They did so. “…. Well, you saw what happened to BS.. not to mention that we sort of got melded in the process.”
“So That’s why he’s in flux,” Randall gasped. “It isn’t the Orb. It’s the curse. I thought it would have driven him mad. Lyra thinks that it’s a side affect when dealing with the spheres.”
“Then ain’t it great that we’re already insane? Poor BS didn’t fare so well. The Orb didn’t sit so well with him. We were hoping that the effect will fade.. with Time..” and she giggled. Apparently Clone didn’t have the opportunity to make jokes often. “… especially with the Orb settling around a mutant body. So, I’m screwed again. Wanna drink?”
It had been Aurora that had blurted out the last comment and Morgaine probably could have used one if she hadn’t been on the bandwagon for some months. “I can’t. Danny, that’s Renea’s sister; she’s a recovering Alkie so we don’t at all anymore.”
The round of word play came directly from one mouth but Morgaine was almost able to follow the flow of traffic.
“But I can’t Have a drink! I’m too young!”
“Yes you can. I’m the adult here and I say you can.”
“Adult my ass!”
“I bore nine children, including you. You would think you would have at least a kernal of respect for that fact,”
“That you can breed like a rabbit?”
“Well it beats being only able to have one big one that’s slow in the head,” and she took the offered drink from Drac and belted it down in a victory gulp, then next comment already rising in her crop.
“How Dare you call Junior slow!”
“Well he’s not the brightest light bulb in the pack.”
“And what would you call those two metal furry monstrosities you’ve got grazing in the outfield? Eiensteins? I think not!”
“Will you please quit fighting? You’re giving me a migraine!” she then turned towards Morgaine. She looked down at the empty glass in her hand. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drink this in front of you. How rude of me!”
“Oh quit apologizing! You don’t even know her!”
“Stop it you two or I’ll make Morgaine zap us.”
“She wouldn’t do that!”
“Oh yes she will. You’ve never seen her in a bar fight.” She turned back to Morgaine. “Go ahead, give us a good jolt.”
“Are you Insane?” one of the other voices protested.
“Apparently we are. Deal with it or she’ll fry us.”
Morgaine was already rolling up her sleeves. She knew that they didn’t mean to pick on the children, but the comments against Junior had irked her some. Seeing the Soothsayer priming for action brought the trio in line. “Fine, fine.. I’ll quit..” and one persona retreated, muttering “… friggin blackmailin’ whore…” before relinquishing her control.
Megan now took control and turned to Morgaine. “I swear, it’s like dealing with Turret’s. Now.. you gave up the booze? I don’t know whether to be sad or glad.”
The Soothsayer shrugged. “Maybe a bit of both.” She sighed a bit. “I didn’t tell you.. Renea left.”
The mutant wasn’t an empath, at least not to the degree BS practiced, but she could tell this was a sad burden for her second to bear. She leaned over and gave the woman a heartfelt comforting hug. “Oh dearie, I’m sorry to hear that. It wasn’t due to that horrible Odin fella, was it? Cause I still owe him a thumping, you know.”
“No no no. No one’s heard from Odin for a while. She just had problems of her own to fix and I couldn’t help much, so she moved out and Danny and I are runnin’ the place now.”
Megan leaned in further. “You sure that’s healthy? I mean you and Renea sort of built that bar together. Sure you wanna stay there? ‘Cause I’m Quite sure that Drac’d put you up.’ She swung her gaze over to the Vashtalian lord as if Daring him to contradict her.
“It’s my home, Megan. Danny and I redid the whole place, and we’ve got a steady stream of business now. It’s not nearly so dreary anymore.”
But the mutant wasn’t totally convinced. “Did you need help? I can come help with anything you need. Not like I have any pressing engagements. I can even have BS bounce.. oh.. wait.. you’re still not happy with him. Never mind that offer..”
Morgaine smiled almost wickedly at the thought, but acquiesced. “Don’t worry, I’ll try not to sic Junior on BS again. It didn’t work out too well the last time.”
Perhaps Junior was adding his own two cents when he draped his chin over Morgaine’s shoulder, giving Megan a toothy grin. More likely he was relived that Megan was at the helm and less likely to be flinging that nasty Chaos energy about. The picture was still quite interesting since the dragon’s plated scales almost matched Morgaine’s black tresses. They were quite the duo. “Well if you ever need help Morg, just say the word and we’ll descend on the place in droves... much to the chagrin of your patrons.”
That presented an even funnier picture.
A Complicated Romance
BS seemed to live in the kitchen, never venturing too far from the stove, he seemed resolve in at least feeding anyone who wandered within range. It was still early but he already had a batch of beer bread rising on the back of the stove and was slicing up veggies for an omelet when Jason suddenly appeared. Truth be told, Jason had snuck down the hallway unseen and had only seemed to suddenly teleport into the room, but the effect was quite a sight. Brimstone, however, seemed unimpressed with the stunt and Jason found himself just leaning against the doorframe. He watched as the domesticated mutant cowboy began beating up the first batch of eggs. “My, ain’t you being spry,” Jason finally comment dryly.
“Just happy to be alive, Dude,” BS smiled back.
“Really,” Jason answered back in deadpan.
That tone of voice. BS knew it well. He sat the frying pan down on a cold burner and turned around, giving Jason his full attention. “What?”
“What ‘what’?”
“Dude, don’t even try. Spill it.”
Jason seemed more interested in the cuticle of his left thumb. “That little songbird of yours doesn’t want to sing.”
Brimstone sighed, already fed up with the word play. “What in the hell are you blathering about?”
“That chickie of yours. She’s a liability, and only that.”
That reply just made BS sigh and rub his hand along his left temple. “I swear… next time I see the Rex..” he murmured before finally looking up at Jason. “Wanna try that again in English?”
Despite BS’s larger size and threatening posture, Jason continued to play out his role. “Meli’s not as gung ho about you as you are of her. Apparently marriage is out of the question, much less children, and you Know how we frown about that.”
There were many replies that flew to BS’s tongue. How did Jason know this? Since when did Jason consider himself one of the mutant stock? Why was he telling him? But despite all these questions, BS knew what his answer would ultimately be, and he cut to the chase. “I don’t care,” he snorted and turned back to baking breakfast.
Now Jason was confused. “Waddaya mean ‘I don’t care.’?”
“Exactly that. I don’t care if we ever get married or have kids. I still love her.”
Jason’s brow furrowed further. “Now wait… You love her.. but don’t want kids from her? But she’s ideal….”
He barely ducked in time as Brimstone swung with a skillet in hand. “Don’t you start,” he snarled. “In fact, leave it alone, or so help me.. Pow! Right in the kisser!”
Jason stepped back, his hand held up in a defensive/submissive gesture. “Okay, okay. Hold yer horses. Fine. I’ll leave it be.. but when they find out….”
“They won’t find out if I permanently turn your jaw to glass!”
The hand was held higher as Jason retreated further into the hall. “Okay.. okay… yeesh… your funeral..” and he was gone in the shadows, leaving BS to brood. When Randall wandered in from the other doorway, BS brushed back his dour mood. “Ah! Morning! Breakfast? Grease or Sugar?”
Randall retrieved himself a cup of thick coffee from the every-ready pot next to the stove. “How about something edible for a normal person?”
The mutant cowboy grinned. “Pancakes it is!” and he began to pour the mix into the skillet. He then took to rummaging through the cabinets. “Now lets see what we can find.. maybe some good ole’ Aunt Drago-mima syrup.” He grin as he saw Randall squirm. “It’s blueberry, I promise. We don’t Always eat that moldy crap, you know. In fact Clone is partial to sugar. Lots of sugar.”
“So what’s the verdict with those three? Are we ever gonna get them separated?”
BS slid Randall’s plate across the table, the pancakes dripping with purple syrup. “Frankly I’d like for them to figure that one out. Chaos has its own rules, per say. I’m afraid that if I tried to nudge them apart with a stick that they might explode or something.”
Jason was halfway down the hall when and someone grabbed his shoulder. A few months ago he would have yelped and cowered for his life, but his training in Drac’s “spy corps”, as he insisted on calling the covert ops he had enlisted in; almost demanded a different response. He twisted in the grip, then dodged the dagger as he assailant attempted to stab him. There was no vocalizations from either combatant, not even after his attacker’s hood flipped back, revealing the flaming red hair of Charon’s daughter Lilka. Only an occasional soft thud as a punch missed, plus the rustling of soft fabric could be heard as they grappled with each other.
This could have gone on for some time had Emma not stumbled on the scene. Both combatants froze in the darkened hall as the fiery-tempered mutant squinted at the scene. Finally Lilka whispered, “Will you come quietly?”
Face with the option of being kidnapped or worse by Lilka, or facing Nine’s spawn, Jason opted for dealing with somebody who was not a mutant and allowed the warrior woman to grip his wrist and drag him away from more certain pain. They slipped through the hallways, then through a window and onto the back of a monstrous horse, his coat nearly burnished red in the rising sun.
As they galloped away, Aerich stepped out from the side of the building, musing at this strange paring, then went off in search of Dracon or Claw.
Only when they were in the thickest part of the thickets did Lilka pull up and vault off the animal, with Jason following suit. She could have killed him, but Jason was also intrigued. Someday that curious streak was gonna get him killed, he had to muse. She did finally turn to face him. “Overheard your conversation with BS.”
He sighed. “And you wanna beat me up for it? Well, let's get this over with.”
Jason knew she wasn’t going to. Instead she looked him over carefully. “I wish to pose a question.”
“Pose away.”
She began to walk around him slowly. “What’s this deal about procreation? Why must one create offspring?”
Now Jason had to seriously look the girl over. “You have Got to be kidding me. What? Do youse guys live forever? Don’t need to have babies?”
“Not quite,” she answered as if any further discussion along those lines would be distasteful. He again eyed her. She wore almost the same type of garb that he did, a heavy leather armor, tough but supple, covered with a heavy dark cloak and armed with a large sword and a spiked spear that had been packed on the horse. His armaments were a bit smaller and lighter and the blade was only half as long, but were in proportion to his current line of work. She picked up her head again. “Why can’t the rest of the clan know he has no desire for procreation? Is it death he would seal?”
His brow crumpled in thought, then he realized what he had said as a flippant comment she had taken seriously. He almost chuckled but her intense gaze demanded a better explanation. “Do you know how many Del Marian mutants are left?”
“Not sure I want to.”
Of course she did, otherwise she wouldn’t be asking this line of questioning. “Not a lot left. You can thank those Sphere bearer guys for most of it. Cause of them every mutant has to try to refill the ranks to perpetuate the species..” he almost dipped into the argumentative diatribe that almost inevitable occurred, that the mutants buy their nature are not a species but indeed a mutant, but he was sure that would have confused Lilka further. “This land seems to be very beneficial to that end. Aurora’s been popping out mostly viable litters like crazy. Even Megan managed to squeeze.. something.. out. Still, none of this is consistent. They need a broader genetic base. This may be the only place possible to do that. BS hasn’t been adding to the pot at all. He’s slackin’.”
Lilka had been leaning against her staff absorbing the tale. “Where are your ‘chicks’?”
Jason snorted. “I’m human. I don’t count. Ask Megan. She has made that Painfully clear.”
“But you come from the same place as them.”
“Yes, but I’m still human. I don’t carry the gene that allows for all that mutanty stuff. All I’d be able to do is thin the genetic soup. Now BS’s little empathic abilities would probably pair up nicely with say, a mage, a dragon.. or even an elf.”
Her grip tightened on the spear. “So you think you’re some sort of breeding expert?”
Jason could read her readily. “Ah, but now you must begin to see my problem. Nobody wants to volunteer for the job. Mutants are just that, mutants. They do not listen to reason; throw sensibility right out the window. Trying to help them with any sort of suggestion just goes to pot.” Now he pulled himself up. “But then again, you didn’t really care about BS in this business, did you? So what’s the worry? Afraid he’ll infect Meli somehow?”
She took a step forward. “If you honestly believe I am that naïve, then you’ve got another thing coming to you.”
Even though he was sure she was going to swing on him, Jason didn’t flinch under the gaze. “Well you Sure ain’t doing this for Brimstone. Why should you care?”
She took a step back. Jason almost made pissing people off an art form. From rumors she had heard, only the Rex Timothy of their tribe could do it better, and he was a ‘path. She took one more step backwards, then swung around with an elbow, aiming for his nose. But he was able to read the quick movement and ducked cleanly, then grabbed the joint and twisted, managing to fling some space between them. “Now now, Miss. That’s quite a temper there.”
Lilka crouched down, running her fingers through the dirt on the ground, knowing she wouldn’t be able to get close enough to blind him. “People say it’s the red hair.” They held their ground a few moments more, but it was Lilka that gave first. “You better get back before they notice you’re gone,” she insisted.
Jason didn’t let his guard down, even when she stood and dusted her hands off on the leggings of her armor. He nodded a slight agreement then took two steps back into the thick of the woods, and was gone.
A few hours later found a stranger at the castle gates. The guards automatically crossed halberds, preventing the figure from continuing further. “Please state your name and business please,” the lead shift asked.
His jaw almost hit the floor as the hood pulled back, revealing the golden hair and amethyst eyes of Lady Ishtara. “I haven’t been home for a while,” she grinned.
The mental clarion alerts soon had Drac arriving on the scene to welcome his mate. Aerich had also arrived on the scene. So had Emma. After drawing a deep bow to her Queen, the girl had stepped back, two paces behind and to the right of Tara as she walked with Drac back to the castle, essentially taking up a guard position to protect the royals. Drac was almost beaming with pride when he introduced Emma properly to his mate. “I’d like you to meet this little one here. She’s one of the newest trainees under Lady Melissa, Lady Emma.”
Emma blushed under the burden of her title and curtsied deeply, keeping her eyes averted to the floor in proper respect. Tara smiled softly. “My, they Are getting younger every year.”
Drac had to smile, knowing his wife suspected there was something very special with this one. “She is an exception. She is one of Megan’s mutant clan that have been staying with us. Megan is here with us too, but she isn't the same as you might remember her. She is sort of sharing a body with two others at this moment.” He shrugged. “It’s hard to explain.”
“No need to explain. I remember what they are like.” She again smiled at the child but it was clear that Emma took her guard position very seriously. No smile, no welcoming grin. She instead took her rear position and followed them to the castle.
As they rounded the corner for the kitchen, a lean man in a tan duster and a brown cowboy hat peeked around the bend, apparently hearing the commotion. “Hey, you all hungry fer some…” He paused, his jaw dropping open at the visage that was Tara. “Drac? We have guests?”
Drac stifled a giggle. It seemed that the male half of the mutant population was not immune to Vashtalian charms, and his wife was quite the example. “Brimstone, I would like you to meet Ishatara Draca-Draghkar of Dragon Clan Solem’Cleavu, my mate and queen of this realm.
Normally the mutants scoffed at such titles, but Brimstone did a very flourish bow. “My Lady, an honor to meet you. I had always wondered what held Drac in check. I most certainly know now.”
Drac stepped up to finish the introductions. “Tara, this is Brimstone, currently second in command of technological development.”
Tara frowned at the title and shook her head. BS took up her right hand an couched it gently. “M’Lady, there are days I shake my head for the same reason, but we Have managed to get the defenses of this kingdom up to par with most modern ones.”
The queen had almost smiled. “I really miss the good ole’ days when all a dragon had to worry about was its next meal and dragonslayers.”
“Amen,” Brimstone replied.
Drac cleared his throat. Not that he thought BS had any chance of schmoozing his wife away, but it was clear that BS was intrigued. “We’ve needed to upgrade somewhat since you’ve been gone,” he explained to his wife. “We’ve adopted some ideas from Lahnia in the north and are using some Alchemical devices for defense and intrusion detections. Lord Aerich is running our Research and Development department in that respect.”
Tara nodded as she removed her cloak to sit at the kitchen table. In the process she revealed several new battle scars that covered her body. Drac frowned at the damages. “You’ve run into trouble with slayers while overseeing Tor’el’s rebuilding? They just don’t want to give up that realm, do they?” He stood up, incensed that they would hurt his wife so. “I’ll send over two more regiments of Dragoons right away to take care of them!”
Brimstone snorted. “Heck, just give me a gun and I’ll thin those ranks for you.” He didn’t rail as loud or as bold as Drac, but he had meant it…
… until another voice interrupted. “Like you can hit anything short of a broad side of a barn.”
Everyone turned to see Megan standing in the doorway. Well, at first glance, it looked and sounded like Megan, but even Tara could see the slight difference, which became more apparent as she talked There was no proper introductions. “TARA!” Megan squealed, then rushed over and gave the queen a royal bear hug. When she released Tara and stepped back, she noticed the scarring. “Don’t you have heavy plating to stop that?”
“I wasn’t a dragon at the time.” She pulled back her tunic to display a particularly nasty mar just above the breast. This one almost did me in.”
“Dear Lord Woman! If I had the ability to change into something scaly and fiery, I would have done so. What happened?”
“Yes,” Drac echoed, even more concerned with the damages. “Why didn’t you send word? We would have sent reinforcements.”
While Tara got the third degree from both sides, Brimstone had spotted Janis slipping into the edge of the growing crowd. He caught her eye then gave a slight gesture for her to join him outside of the room. They were going to use Claw’s study, but it was already occupied. BS could hear Claw trying to sooth Kanna’s worries, something about someone named Garoush turning her friend Cort into a vampire. Clearly another matter for another time.
They detoured. Once clear of the confusion in the kitchen again and had themselves settled into the comfortable chairs Drac’s study had to offer did BS begin. “Now Janis, I know that we’re not the best of friends or anything like that, but… you Do believe I love Meli, right?”
She nodded slightly in quiet agreement.
He continued. “Now we all know I’m her favorite punching bag, but if Meli really needed to talk to me, she would, right? I wouldn’t have to hear through like.. oh say.. third or fourth party words that can get all twisted around, right?”
Funny how Janis could look right through him. “Some things people don’t like talking about.”
At least she was more concise than talking with Jason. “Agreed… but what I’m saying is that I love Meli unconditionally. It doesn’t matter if she wants kids or not, or wants to get married or not, or even mated or not. It’s a clean slate with me. Do you understand?”
Janis sat a moment, then nodded her head, ever so slightly, but BS saw it. At least he had won one battle, and without incurring massive physical damages.
Emma=s getting restless
The mutant was out, practicing on the south lawns as usual, this time with the traditional sparring staff used by her kin. Funny, but it was only recently she decided to add the oversized pole to repertoire, after the reappearance of Brimstone and the combined mentalities of Aurora/Megan/Clone, whom some have taken to calling AMC as if the combined entity was a whole unit. The weapon was too long for her tastes, yet she whipped it about with a vengeance, going through and intricate sequence, intertwining her limbs with the stick, but still able to lash the end with a lethal strike.
Drac and Melissa were sitting just outside the sparring ring, watching her practice. Emma didn=t look much like the child she was. In fact she could nearly pass for a young teenager of 13, if one ignored the diminutive size which was normal for her breed. She had lost her scrawny limbs as she was beginning to fill out in muscle and tone.
It seemed she drew even more attention. There was a movement behind Drac. Jason, ever skulking, slipped out from the thickets behind the duo. He showed his respects, bowing low behind them. AG=eve Milord. Milady.@
The Vashtalian king gave him a nod. AGood eve.@ He waited a moment, watching Jason watching Emma and reading concern in the man=s face. ASo are you going to sit and watch her go through her drills, or is there some other reason that you=ve sought us out, Scout Trainee?@
Jason sat behind and to the right of Drac, customary for where someone of his current rank would sit. His gaze, however never left Emma as he spoke aloud his worries. AIY had some concerns. Has Emma shown her teeth yet? Now that They are back?@
AWhy are you concerned?@ Melissa enquired, adjusting her wings after giving them a stretch.
He slowly turned his gaze to Melissa. It was true that the dragoon was Emma=s current trainer, so it was important that she know. AEmma is close to her first season, and there are other Del Marian females nearby. It might lead to a fist fight or two. I=m worried >cause Aurora=s packing one wallop of a punch nowadays.@
Drac nodded, knowing how vicious some of these cat fights can become. AWe'll keep an eye out.@
Jason nodded then faded from view. The Vashtalian duo watched quietly for a few more minutes, then Drac yawned and stood up, drawing Vanagald from its sheath and giving it a few good swings to limber up before stepping in the ring with Emma. AOkay, let=s see what you=ve learned under Melissa=s tutelage. Physical combat only. No magic or psionics.@
Emma=s eyes went wide. Was that fear, Drac wondered? She turned and set a shaky stance, glancing back at Melissa, filled with confusion and concern. She clearly didn=t want to spar with the man, but there was no reason why she shouldn=t. Only when Melissa nodded did she turn back to face her challenger. Drac could plainly see her heart wasn=t in it. In fact, if Melissa hadn=t been there, she looked as if she would have ran from the combat. Even Junior=s presence didn=t calm her. The demonic looking black dragon had picked up on his kin=s vibe and come to the sparring ring with Morgaine in tow, clearly interested in the upcoming duel.
No matter the factors, Emma did stand her ground, eyeing Vanagald as the blade=s runes pulsed in a soft white glow. She looked at Melissa, wondering if this was a breech of the terms of the spar, but seeing no argument from her mentor, she bit her lip and squared off against Drac.
Drac gave the customary salute, then grinned. AAll right then. Here I come, Young One!@ and he charged her, swinging Vanagald wide in a diagonal arc aimed for her right shoulder.
Brimstone was ever buried in his work, whether it was dealing with the refit of the webware in the castle or pondering the intricate equations that drove him to distraction. Currently he had several screens opened on the computer and was quietly tapping away. Janis had stepped into the room, peering over his shoulder a minute before asking her question. AHave you seen my rifle?@
He didn=t jump. Clearly he had known she was in the room, and it made her wonder just how Sensitive were these mutants to the world around them. He had kept his eyes on the screen, but gestured to the closet. @Could be in there. Lots of stuff crammed in there that ain=t mine.@
Janis carefully opened the door. Much like many closets, this one was precariously packed with things that were never used. Not all of it was Tin Head=s. Many of Randall=s old projects and several more practical but broken weapons were stacked inside, but no period rifles. She closed the door snugly. AGuess I=ll have to go find Randall.@
Brimstone scowled at the screen but once again gestured. AThink he=s down the hall in the lab. Two doors down on the right. Follow the scent of sulfur.@
She would have left, but she once again peered over his shoulder. ASomething wrong?@ she asked.
AYes and no. Does Meli like gold or platinum.@
AI don=t know,@ she replied then frowned. AWhat=s the >yes=?@
BS almost grinned as Janis seemed to fall right into their pattern of speech, convoluting back along the sentence to pick up the lost thoughts. AIt=s this damn time stuff. I keep waking up at night with the answers just right thereY but then it=s gone before I can grab a pencil. It=s like trying to cram for a calculus test when you haven=t even got addition down pat.@ He dropped the pencil in his hand. AI don=t even know why I=m trying. It=s not like they=re gonna let me keep it. Heck I don=t Want to keep it, but I figure, since I got itY@
AKeep what?@
BS touched his chest, though there was nothing there, no pendant or scar or glowing symbol. AThe Orb.. I mean when I took itY well it wasn=t like I Wanted to take it.. it just happened..@ then his voice dropped to a mumble AY damn ChaosY@
Janis sighed. AI figured as much, but if you give it up, what else would you be giving up?@
ANothing, reallyY. We think. Estor got the other bearers to back off. They don=t want it damaged on removal, so they are willing to wait.. at least for a little whileY Now .. What about this?@ he chirped up, veering the conversation as he twirled the consol around for Janis to see. The monitor was split into 4 screens: The top right had those nonsensical mathematical equations that he had been brooding about for weeks. The top left had football scores. The bottom right had a cosmic e-Bay site up with a list he was bidding on. The last on the bottom left had several very expensive ornate rings qued up. This is what he gestured at. AWhich one would she like? I=d go gold for the traditional take.@
Janis stared at the screen then slowly took a deep breath then let it out. ABoy, I believe that=s the least of your worries.@
AOh really? Whose gunning for my hide this week? >Cause it sure can=t be worse that being a guinea pig.@
AHopefully it=s not one of those pups you=ve been keeping an eye on.@
AThe brats? Oh no. I=m not in charge of babysitting detail anymore. That=s Drac=s job now. I abdicated when I went on that sphere hunt. Only way I get the job back is to best Drac in a fightY@
Drac was almost amazed with the ease at which he blade slipped by her poor defense. In fact he had to turn the edge for fear of cutting into her. As it was, she took a firm hit and stumbled backwards. But it had caught her attention. She still had the frown on her face, but now her eye and mind were on the game as she studied him, looking for an opening, becoming more analytical in her style. Suddenly she charged, catching him off balance with the sudden burst of speed, then brought her staff against his unprotected kneecap, matching him bruise for bruise. He tried to take advantage of her momentum and tag her back as she flew by, but his misjudged strike gave her only a glancing blow. He had to hold back his grin. He had forgotten just how limber and quick these mutants were.
He soon was feeling the brunt of her attacks. He would try to sweep for her legs, but she easily vaulted over him, taking a short stab into his rib cage in passing. When he did manage to get a hand on her and tried to toss her off balance, she landed on her feet like a cat, then brought the stave across his right hand, the snapping motion causing him to drop Vanagald. He finally gained the advantage when she lunged for the blade and he caught her in mid-dive, then slamming her face first into the ground. He would not have done this to a normal person, but he was quite aware now as to how hardy this mutant species was. He stood up, panting. AIt is not like one of our warriors to go for their opponent=s weapon when they still have one in hand.@
Emma coughed, spitting dirt, the blood from her nose already stemming due to her heightened healing abilities. When she replied, the stilted speech pattern was more prevalent than normal. ATakeY advantage.. whenY availY able,@ she panted before snapping her head up and charging the larger man, attempting to sweep him off his feet. He finally read her actions right and was able to throw an arm around her, wrestling her to the ground.
Morgaine and Junior had watched the whole exchange, having been joined by Meli whom brought a bag of peanuts for snacks. The demonic- looking reptile gave Meli nearly the same amount of attention he normally lavished on Morgaine, taking turns rubbing his chin on their shoulders, occasionally thwipping his like long snakelike tongue into the peanut back to steal a mouthful or two. He wasn=t upset by the exchange, but he definitely was interested in the outcome of the fight. There was a tense moment when it looked that Emma might panic, being locked up and restrained in the wrestling hold, but she went limp, thereby announcing her defeat. Drac released her. AYou disregarded your honor when you attempt to take my weapon. It is only to be done as a last ditch effort, when you have no other choice.@
The mutant inhaled strongly, then exhaled, gathering herself, calming her fluctuating emotions before bowing to the Vashtalian king. AYesY MILORD..@ she panted before taking up a sparring stance once again. Drac could see she was tired, and he even offered to stop the spar, call it a tie even though she probably had more points against him, yet Emma=s pride wouldn=t let her. Her body finally gave out and Drac brought an end to the battle by knocking the wind out of her and sending her crashing to the ground.
He offered a hand once she caught her breath, and she took it, only to quickly jerk her hand back to her side once standing. She kept her hand down, staring intently at the ground. These actions from a normally proud race perplexed him, and he tried to make Emma more comfortable. AIt was a good spar. Your training is progressing quite well.@
AThank youY Milord,@ she replied, her eyes still gazing at the grass.
Drac tried again. AWe should try it again when you=ve been given adequate time to rest. You did very well despite your fatigue. Now come, let=s go get you a drink. You will be free for the rest of the night to relax.@
He doubted she would ever relax. When he turned to head back to the castle, she took up a rear guard, flanking his stride, a step behind Melissa as she walked with them.
Somewhere between the sparring fields and the kitchen, Emma hand managed to drop off the procession. Drac sighed. Something was going on with that girl. Not even Megan or Aurora on their worst days were wound that tight. Maybe he would have to find out why, and there was no better source than from the horse=s mouth, but the scene he found in the kitchen was just too precious to disturb.
Meli had moved off once the finally blow had been dealt. She found herself in the kitchen, and her stomach reminded her that she really needed something more substantial than salty peanuts. She started with eggs and added several of the peanuts to the pan.
Brimstone seemed to live half of his life in the kitchen, but he didn=t even bat and eyelash when he saw Meli cooking. Instead he reached around her to grab his own grub, plopping a slab of ham next to the frying eggs. She immediately reached in a picked the piece of meat out of the pan. Ano, no, no..@ she muttered.
AYou need more protein,@ he insisted, adding a slice of bacon around the other size of the pan as he reached for a jar in the top cabinet. Meli almost growled as she tried to pick up the fatty slab of meat, then barked and flung the pan, food and all, at BS. He easily ducked then popped right back up. AWhoa there Tex! Don=t shoot the good guy!@
ABut you messed up my eggs!@
AThere was nothing wrong with them. Here,@ he replied calmly, perhaps enjoying this light teasing a bit too much. That soon changed as he reached down and grabbed the pan and had it halfway aloft when he realized that it was burning his skin. He dropped it with a yelp, then wrapped a towel around his hand and picked it up properly by the handle. With her breakfast now all over the corner, he wiped out the pan and placed it back on the burner. AI know your not a vegetarian, but if you insist.@ He deftly cracked the egg against the edge of the pan and dumped it inside, all while towering and reaching around her. They almost seemed to dance as they moved about the kitchen, each doing their own thing, but in synch with each other
AEggs are protein,@ Meli insisted.
BS shook a jar of cashews at her. AThis is protein. Eggs are pre-meat. They grow into critters.@ He sighed and replaced the jar. ANow that we cleared that upY juice?@
ANo,@ she replied shortly while reaching around him to grab a wooden spoon hanging from the rack to save her eggs before they burned. When she finished and dumped the contents of the iron pan onto a wooden plate, BS has fished something out (it was hard to tell what it was when he started pulling mold-covered entrees from the back of the fridge), and was talking with Drac as he sipped at his morning coffee. AShe doesn=t want to beat you, you know.@
Drac sighed, @She will just have to learn that if she is going to get anywhere, then she can=t be afraid of beating her superiors. She will have to best Melissa if she is to gain entry into the Army proper. We see great potential in her, Brimstone; so much that I=ve authorized Melissa to give her the same physical training that we give our Dragoons.@
AIt's not her superiors. She had no problem going a few rounds with the ADA. It=s you.@ BS clarified, frowning as Meli gave up on her eggs, instead picking at the peanuts she had fried in them. AYou Do realize what happens if she Does beat you, right?@
The Vashtalian king snorted. ANothing will happen. We are not like any of you.@
A groan escaped the empath=s lips. ADracY Darling.. Dearest.. you Are our fearless leader now. Didn=t you read the letter I left for you? The one I stuck in the door before I left? That wasn=t given lightly.@
AIt does not matter,@ Drac insisted.
AIt does to EmmaY and the others..@ BS sipped at the juice, filtering the green fuzz floating on the top with his teeth. A=Suppose her having a crush on you doesn=t factor in either?@
ANot at all.@ Of course Drac knew it did. He had suspected. BS just confirmed it.
Brimstone shook his head. AAh, speaking of crushes,@ He turned to looked down the hall where Meli had disappeared moments ago to dump her plate of eggs. AMeli.. Gold or Platinum?@ he bellowed.
ABugger off!@ she bellowed back. AYou messed up my eggs.@
He snickered. ARejected due to my culinary inadequacies. HowY shallow.@
Drac sighed and picked up his coffee to do his rounds. As he was leaving, Meli stormed in, giving the Vashtalian lord a sideways glance before coming up on BS as he was washing the dishes. He just looked down on her. AI was just warning him,@ he insisted. AEmma=s gonna be so heartbroken when she figures it out.@
AHe can take care of himself,@ she insisted.
AI know that. I just don=t want another broody mutant with a grudge..@ he then perked up. ASilver perhaps? There was a nice selection available.@ When he caught her scowling up at him, he smiled. ARings, dear. What kind of ring do you want. Or maybe you want some sort of civil ceremony. I wanna get this all right, you know.@
She frowned a bit. ADon=t you think that you should perhaps have my consent first?@
AI figured since you hadn=t killed me, that must be some sort of consentY no wait.. I know..@ He turned and dropped down to one knee, holding her hands in his. AMeliY will you marry me?@
She hesitated, then in a very quiet voice. AIf you promise not to tell anyone.@
Brimstone ran a finger across his mouth. ALips are sealed until you say so.@ Then he leaned down to kiss her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, making him as giddy as a school girl.
Emma’s training
Emma made great strides in her training, save 1 field, and she now sat in the middle of a field, trying to sharpen her skills on the subject. Melissa sat nearby, keeping an eye on the child, but this was one lesson she could not help her with. Nobody could.
She inhaled, then looked at her targets. Three long planks had been sunk into the ground only 25 paces from her position. If she were practicing with sling or bow, this would have been unbelievable short for her as her keen eyesight and uncanny senses help her nail the bull's-eye from over ten times that distance. But she had no sling or bow now. In front of her was a pile of fist-sized rocks. Again she inhaled, then brought her gaze to the top stone. It wibbled at her unseen command, wavered some more before levitating a foot off the pile. She snorted, trying to fling the rock at the chalk circles on the wood, but the rock seemed to tumble off the back of the kinetic effort and barely rolled 3 feet. She snorted, then gathered her thoughts for a second attempt. She got a bit more push, but it strayed far left and still quite short. A temperamental burst sent the rock flying in a beautiful arc, clear over the target and into the woods.
Melissa interjected before the next rock did any damage. “Keep yourself calm, Emma. You won’t be able to do anything properly if you let your temper get the best of you.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” There was clearly a snarl in the reply, but her guardian knew it wasn’t aimed at her. He girl was frustrated, and more so since none of the Vashtalian Dragoons could help her. All they possessed was the mental telepathy to communicate with each other. No one of them had the kinetic attributes that ran deep in Emma’s bloodline, much to her dismay.
“Have you thought of asking Megan and them for help?”
It had been an honest enough suggestion, but the way Emma curled her lip told Melissa that the girl wanted nothing to do with her genetic family. “They can’t help themselves,” she insisted, wrapping her lips and jaw around the words to get them out correctly. Speaking was still an effort, but at least the girl was trying now. Melissa noted that Emma spoke with more ease around her. In crowded or tense situations, her language became more jarred, and that didn’t help her gruff personality at all.
Morgaine had been watching from a distance, not wanting to interfere with Emma’s session, but clearly the girl had problems. It took some time, but she finally got one stone to strike the boards with some consistency, but when she attempted 2, one would strike while the other flopped out of her mental grip. This flipped the other way when she grabbed the second rock, sending the first rolling backwards. It was frustrating. She knew she could help the child, but Emma wouldn’t let her near.
A commotion to her right. Junior had heard her mental summons, but his two furry kin had found him and were giving chase, tripping him up and wearing him down. All three were stampeding straight for the Soothsayer. She threw up a shield, knowing that there was a good chance it wouldn’t hold. Not because of the weight involved as each drake had reached their half-ton mark, but that much like their dams, they had inherited that mutant retro-feedback that seemed to play havoc with magic.
The shield held. Junior, whom had felt it form, sharply pulled up, letting his cousins slam full tilt into the invisible barrier, causing bolts of electricity and mana to zark through their furry bodies. Whit the fun of the chase taken out of them, they slunk away to look for easier prey. The heavy plated drake waited calmly for Morgaine to drop her shield, his tail wagging lazily the whole time. Only when she was accessible did he step up and nuzzle her, thrumming and purring, glad that she had intervened.
Brimstone’s repast
It had been a while, a very long while; since he’d been in a bar that didn’t cater to the more medieval/mystical society. In fact, after passing tavern after tavern, he had been quite shocked to see the neon glow of an old-fashioned Honky Tonk flickering at the end of merchants’ row. Intrigued, he had poked his head in the doorway, nearly to have it tore off as a young woman with screaming Kool-Aide electric blue hair flew by, apparently tossed by the mechanical bull just spinning to a stop in the corner.
And suddenly, he felt at home.
In the corner was a full sized jukebox, complete with bubbling neon colors flowing around the outer rim. The selection ran the gamut from Country to Rock, from home on the range yodeling acoustic guitar to screaming Southern Rock. There was the bull riding competition in the corner, predominately female (ladies night out, he pondered to himself?) and a dartboard set in the other corner, currently not in use.
And not a one of the patrons were elvish, or sorcereri, or anything other than normal people.
Brimstone moseyed (rather impressed that he Could mosey after all this time) to the bar and took up a chair, listening to the crude banter between the bull riders. When the bartender approached, BS smiled. “Whiskey.”
Oh sure, he could have tried to ask for his normal fare, but he knew it wasn’t normal here; not when the tender came back and served his drink in a Mason jar, resting the glass on a Miller Beer coaster. BS had to wonder how and where the man was getting his supplies. Brimstone still had his connections, but unless the guy slip-streamed time on the sidelines, it was costing him a pretty penny to import all this stuff. “Theah ya go. Thet’ll be two dollahs.”
Well there was his answer. Cash, and not coin of the realm. “Dollars….dollars..” he mumbled, racking his brain as he fished around in his pockets, pulling out fistfuls of evidence; the beads, the amulets, the techno toys, the vials of various experimental drugs, plus his latest interdimentional scribblings. Finally he located a five dollar bill. “Here,” he grinned. “Keep the rest.”
“Thankee.” The bartender dropped two in the old fashioned push lever till, then deposited the remaining three in the Orphan jar resting atop the ancient machine. Another tidbit that warmed Brimstone’s heart some.
Almost as warming as the young woman whom took a seat up next to his. She reached over the bar top, taking a business envelope from the tender with a number one written on the side, her prize money for having won the bull riding contest. “Mike, I’d like a good ole fashioned cheeseburger with mayo, lettuce and pickles; and a side of onion rings.”
“Onion rings?” Brimstone echoed, already drooling.
Mike slid the menu over to him, the laminated covers recently wiped down. “Got the buffet ovah theah too.”
The woman leaned over his shoulder as BS drooled over the menu. “You want the burger. Trust me.”
He ordered the burger and added a bottle of whiskey. The single shot had done little to curb his thirst and the atmosphere lent itself to imbibing, just a little. He probably would have spent a bit more time socializing with his benefactor, but when he turned, he saw she already had some company and seemed content giggling in his ear. Brimstone mused again to himself that it was probably all in good. Meli would’ve clocked him good. While he waited for his meal, he picked through the items that he had unearthed looking for his money. He found one of the three rolled cigarettes was still more or less intact. He had to rummage through his pockets for a lighter, having to toss two of them while taking the irony in that a few months ago, he had no need of lighters. But the changes of late seemed good.
Perhaps too good.
He glommed into the meal, checking himself at the last minute to avoid bolting the food down, taking a moment to savor the meat and grease. He moaned in delight, then dredged his onion rings through a mound of mayonnaise before folding them into his mouth. “Excellent,” he raved. “This is much better than that stuff back at the castle. Mutton they serve. At least I hope it’s mutton.”
Mike had to laugh. “Ah’ll leave the wooley eatin’ ta othah folks.”
“Besides, it Is mutton.” This from the Lady Prier as she slid into the seat next to the mutant. She looked not so much out of place, except maybe for the orangish- red eyes.
BS felt a bit sheepish himself. “Oh, Lady Prier. Sorry. Didn’t see you there.” He made it a point to state her title. Some of the training Had seeped into his brain.
“You weren’t supposed to see me.” Actually she had been quite surprised to be able to sneak up on the mutant. Weren’t they supposed to able to sense things around them? She had seen them spar, and had suffered the end result of one in combat situations. This must have been a fluke on BS’s part. She looked around the scene. “Found yourself a new place?”
“Well this is more my speed, dontcha think? Great food. Jammin’ music. No stupid mages. Kind of away from those disaaprovin eyes…” He gestured for Mike to bring Prier a beer, but already had his wallet out before the lady could bring up her change purse. She had never seen his billfold before and was interested to see that it was definitely made of dragon leather, though the bills inside had to come from at least 4 different time periods, 2 of which she had never seen before. BS tossed a 50 on the counter to cover the meal so far then slipped the wallet away and scooped up most of his “junk” on the counter: toys made of wood, plastic, and metal; a rubber duckie; and the last of his fevered temporal research.
Prier took a sip of her brew before asking. “What disapproving eyes?”
“Oh, you know. Same ol’ same ol’ Not everyone likes what I am. Probably like the girls even less since they’re more destructive.”
“You can’t possibly thing that everyone in the realm would like you.”
She had meant BS in general, but she quickly understood that it was not him he was focused on. Course he was through glass number 3 already and it had been some time since he had gotten rounds of whiskey under his belt, and he was getting babbly. “No no no.. I mean the mutant problem.”
“Mutant problem?” She hadn’t thought that there was any sort of “mutant problem.”
He tried to focus his gaze on her, trying to be serious, but his left eye kept drifting. He hushed his voice, which didn’t hush, just didn’t vibrate as loud. “There’s me, of course… and Aurora… Megan. Emma of course. We’re not the most welcomed bunch. Oh Drac may think we’re the cat’s meow, but not everyone thinks that. I know.” He tapped his skull, but Prier was sure that she had heard he was an empath, not a telepath. “Then there’s this whole Sphere thing,” he babbled. “I don’t think nobody knows how to deal with us anymore… not that I blame them… but still…. I got this feelin’ dat everyone’s holding us at least pole’s length.” He took another consoling drink. “Then there’s the kids. Nobody seemed to give them a damn while we were gone.”
Prier sat quietly now, a bit confused. From what she had seen, the castle had taken the lot under their wing, and these mutants had in turn defended and upgraded they castle, and the kingdom. She didn’t understand what was getting BS all upset. Perhaps he was just an angry drunk?
He sat the glass down, a bit wavery. “Then there’s this whole mecha suit thing. Just what Is that for?”
Prier snorted, not liking his tone. “It’s supposed to allow the humans in the royal army to be a better help to the dragoon division.”
“Then why is he using mutants to test the suits? Shouldn’t he be using dragoons and magic?”
Frankly that whole scenario had been due to Emma. She had wanted to battle, and they had obliged her, only to have the suit almost peeled off Prier. The second round had been against Megan, at her behest, and even though Megan had no special talents, she still managed to trash the suit. It was clear that they had to upgrade the models before even thinking about testing them on anything else. Prier made that clear to Brimstone, also reminding him that she had nearly lost her leg, and if it hadn’t been for Serenity’s healing powers, Prier could have ended up a cripple due to this “testing”. “If you wish a full explanation,” she finished, “….you should ask Lords Aerich and Dracon.”
“Still looks like youse guys have got us targeted,” he grumbled, halfway through his 5th round. “Just building a better ‘bot to wail on my butt. But don’t you fret. I’ll talk with their royal highnesses. You’ll see.”
Her dander was up. “Are you Trying to start something by insulting me?”
BS looked up from his drink, having been rambling on his own for some time, and brewing in it, not realizing that he was causing a stir. “No… no.. Just pointing out what the facts probably are. Thought maybe you had a third party eye to this.”
She snorted again. “Well I don’t. I just pilot the blasted thing.” And she got up from her chair and stormed out in a huff. BS just watched her then dropped his brow. Seemed he was now single- handedly sinking their cause.
And it seemed to sink further when Morgaine slipped into the chair next to him, gazing at him with dark eyes. He had been so busy with his food and drink that he hadn’t sense the Soothsayer slipping into the bar and taking up a quiet corner, watching him intently. Yes he couldn’t stop himself. “Ah, my conscious arrives.” He even tipped his hat to her, trying to smile, but not feeling any lift. He poured himself yet another round. “You overheard?”
“Most of it.” She answered his liquor with the coffee she had been sipping since arriving.
“Care to wade in with your two cents?”
She shook her head a little. “With the exception of Junior I’ve gotten out of meddling into your family’s politics. Danielle and Renea have dragged me into enough family drama to last lifetimes.”
Her reply brought a big smile to the mutant’s lips. “That’s probably the smartest move ever Morg, but you lie. You’re Megan’s Soothsayer. Essentially, you’re one of us, well as close to one of us without being one of us, Annnnnd if I recollect correctly, Megan’s mired herself in a few of those forays with Renea and company. You can’t get rid of us, kid.”
Morgaine had always wondered how he could pull off calling her kid. He looked the same age as her, but she knew that mutant metabolism also shortened their life span. If anything he was 30 going on 15. Yet somehow….
They sat quietly a few moments, digesting what had been said. Then.. ever so quietly.. he spoke again. “I… appreciate.. what you’re doin’ fer Junior. Seems like he’s the only one that’s being cared for. Him and Emma, though she’s turning into such a Militant it’s scary. She’ll be hunting us down in no time.” He sighed again. “Maybe you should officially take Junior, if you got room. He’ll learn faster, I think. ‘Course you gotta ask Drac for permission.”
She shrugged. “He’s welcome there whenever he wants… slept there many a time already. It’s funny but I didn’t think Danny would be to keen on it, but she came right around.” Junior had done it all himself. He was very slow and gently around Danny, and that purring was just so soothing. That and those puppy dog eyes, even though they glowed red, won Danny over to where she made him a special bed alongside one wall of the RDI, near the fireplace.
“Well, yeah, the kid can be damn cute when he wants to, provided he’s not vomiting acid spit all over your face. But you’ll keep up on his education, right? Don’t let him turn into a idiot like the other two?”
Again she shook her head softly. “I swear.. “
He nodded. “Good.. that’s one less worry..” and he smiled. He did seem to have a chunk of weight off his shoulders. “You know, I promised Meli I'd lay off the meddlin'. She's gonna give me an earful when she finds out."