Dog cocked his ears, the heavy footfalls in the rock beneath his feet shifting.
“Hear big-heavy.” Ruby whispered.
“Me too. Let’s not jump to conclusions.” He said, eyeing the red rock around them, the green shining brighter where it thrived along the rivers and creeks in the arid land they ventured in. The sky was wide, and bright above them, and Ruby marveled at the orange colors that filled the valleys and gorges around them.
“Pretty.” She said quietly.
“It’s a unique place. The Red Gulch,” He said, “We are a ways away from Korone. Many mercenary bands roam these places, bandits too. There are orcs aplenty, and beasts of earth and stone. Be careful.”
She nodded, transfixed at the sight ahead of them. A swirling maze of deep canyons and corridors that swirled out as far as the eye could see, leading to fast moving rivers, and heavy lakes and ponds. Giant flat expanses of red and white earth ladened with dust as far as she could see.
He smiled, “Come along, there’s more to see.”
“What if I don’t remember?”
“Then we’ll come back.” He shrugged.
She smiled, chasing after him as they continued to run.
The footfalls began to thunder beneath them, and Dog guided her up a slope nearby, scaling a pillar of stone and roots. They crawled forward on their bellies, and Ruby gasped.
Large humanoids with skin like grass charged with reckless abandon at a hulking metal figure. Their jeers and screams nearly deafening them as battle began, their crude axes and maces doing little to its armor despite their efforts and raw strength. It waded through them, glaive whistling and flashing in the air. It cut the hoard down en masse, gore staining the dusty ground at their feet as the ambushing force was decimated with little effort. It stomped, crushing a zealous figure into a pulp, and flattening its ribs as it's neck exploded, shooting organs and green blood into the air.
“That… She is big.”
“Eleven feet or so.” He nodded, “She’s sensitive about it, don’t mention it.”
“What are they?”
“Orcs. They usually roam from place to place fighting and raiding. Typically accompanied by goblins or other green skins, they’re a savage and proud people. All of them can wield a blade from a very young age. The ones to the north are more civilized on average, though. These types build monuments out of dung.”
Ruby wrinkled her nose, “They stink-smell.”
“They don’t bathe. Most are just savages. But there are many to the north who serve as blacksmiths and mercenaries for coin. This tribe looks small, and malnourished. They are usually bigger than most men in terms of muscle and mass. Still strong though. Very, very strong.”
“Scrawny-skinny.”
“Very.” He said, “Come.”
“You know much about monsters.”
“I lived in the wild for a long time. I feel as out of place as you do in many of the kingdoms of man. We’re in the realms of the stunted folk, and the elves now.”
She spat, “Short one’s are scary. Mean-cruel. Hunt you for days. Poison caverns. Firebombs. Kill younglings.”
“I haven’t seen many.” He admitted, “They are very hardy folk. Very strong for their size. Their armor and craftsmanship is legendary enough to rival the elves.”
“What of your axe?” Ruby asked.
He smiled, “It’s made by my mothers people. Better than anything you’ll find in other people’s kingdoms. Don’t mention it, though.”
The giant stood, cringing at the violence around her as she shook off her weapon. She glanced up at the approaching figures, eyes narrowed.
“That’s far enough!” She called in crisp and perfect common, her voice light, and proud, “Who are you, strangers? Do you seek further violence?”
Dog shook his head, pulling his helmet free, the canid visage held limply at his side, “Long time no see, Síocháin.”
Her eyes focused, “No.”
Dog laughed, “You’re welcome to check. I didn’t grow much. Not as much as you.”
Dog grunted, Ruby leaping back as he was enveloped in an enormous bear hug, his body crushed against her armor.
“Light! Where have you been! You’re so big now! Oh my Gods, your eye!” She barraged him, holding him up like a doll as she inspected him from top to bottom.
“Good to see you too, Peace.” He wheezed,
“I never thought I’d see you again.” She cried.
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“You know?”
“I met Cici.”
She gasped, “You did? Is she okay? How is she?”
“She’s fine. She’s back in-“ He gasped, his words deeper and raspier than normal, “K-Korone. Air. Peace. Air.”
She gasped, “Ah! I’m sorry I forgot! You okay, elder brother?”
“I’m fine.” He heaved, “Mother sent me.”
She flinched, “So you… Died? Or are you magic like Cici now?”
“Mother brought me back.” He nodded.
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He watched her enormous body quiver.
“I’m fine, Peace. Really.” He laughed, “Stop crying.”
“I’m sorry! I can’t help it,” She wiped at her face, pulling her helmet free, “My big brother must’ve been so afraid. It’s just so sad. I’m sorry!”
“It’s fine.” He rolled his eyes, “You’ve grown. You don’t look like a young girl anymore.”
She sniffled, “Really? You think so? I just cut my hair.”
Ruby eyed her up and down. Even beneath her armor, the woman’s muscles were carved out of stone, her weapon held like it weighed no more than the air around it. Her face was surprisingly girly, and noble for someone of her build, with an angled chin and bright hazel eyes. She shook her head, short black hair like Dog’s sitting high atop her scalp.
“Who’s this?” Peace asked.
“Ruby, my friend.” He introduced.
“Friend?” Peace asked, kneeling down to greet the shaking rat, “Oh. She’s a Murid. How interesting. How do you do, friend?”
“H-hello…” Ruby shrunk behind Dog.
“Scared little thing, is she?” Peace frowned, “Well, no matter! Let’s do our best to be friends!” She turned to Dog, “Come, it’s dangerous here. I don’t want you getting hurt by an orc or something worse. My camp is not far.”
----------------------------------------
“So you’ve come at mother’s request brother?” Peace asked as she handed him a bowl.
“Yes.” Dog said, hefting the enormous thing in both hands, “I am here to bring you back to Korone. Cici said you had the twins?”
Peace hummed, “Well, I did. You know how those two are. They’re trying to usurp the management of a nearby colony of Dark elves. I’m sure they’d be willing to drop it if mother was invoked. Why gather us?”
“She would like us to be there when she returns.”
Peace dropped her bowl, “She’s coming home?”
“She is.”
Peace cried, “Oh thank the gods.”
“Have you been well, sister?”
Peace shook her head, “Ever since her death I’ve been miserable. I’ve looked for you everywhere, but I couldn’t find you. I hate all this fighting, everyone’s always so angry and mean. I just want to go home.”
Dog wilted, “I’m sorry, Peace. I was not yet prepared to confront what happened. I am here now, I will carry your burden. You will be safe in Korone.”
She sighed, “You shouldn’t be fighting my battles either, Light. You’re only human.”
“Maybe. But we’re all more than what we appear.”
“You found out? How? Where have you been all these years?”
“Traveling. I work as a mercenary. Some call me the Hero of Korone, the Hound of Highgarden once. I met a mage known as Merlin in Korone. He told me.” He said.
“Once? No longer with that company, I suspect.” Peace asked, her eyes glued to his eyepatch.
“A gift from mother.” He said, “Someone I thought was my friend lost her temper. This was the price I paid.”
“Hmm.” Peace nodded.
“So what’ve you been up to, little sister?”
“Looking for you. Some mercenary work. Acting as muscle for the twins when my leads went dead. You are hard to find.”
“I was hiding from you. I wasn’t ready to admit to myself what happened. It was too much pain.”
“I understand. He was always especially cruel to you, Light.” She chuckled, “I’m bemoaning my life while you’ve only got one eye. Good job, Peace.”
He rubbed her arm, and she froze.
“That’s new.”
“I’m learning.” He nodded, “Our struggles differ, it’s true. But yours are just as harsh as my own sister. I know combat ails you. Your heart is pure. Mother called you Peace for a reason. I will shoulder this burden.”
Peace began to sob again, tucking her head into his shoulder, “It’s been so hard big brother!” She cried, “People are so mean! I didn’t choose to be this big and ugly! I’m just trying to survive and everyone’s so awful I hate it. I want to go home but you were all alone. I couldn’t leave you.”
“I know. Thank you, little sister.” He rubbed her head, “You did well. Do not think you failed, because I am here. You won’t have to fight alone, or for much longer.”
“I’m sorry.” She sniffled, “I’m just so emotional. You’re alive, you’re making friends. You’re stronger, I can see it.”
“I’ve learned much, and seen plenty. Your big brother is here.” He swore, “So what happened with the twins?”
“You know how Ivory is. She always has to have everything. Has to be the best in the room. She’s just as vain as ever.” Peace sighed, “They’re so much trouble. Ebony just does whatever she says. They’re trying to take over a colony because the matriarch snuffed Ivory. I was acting as their bodyguard, but I got too hungry so I left. I heard there was a lake of fish near here, but I haven't found it yet.”
Dog chuckled, pulling a sack as large as him forward, “I thought you might be hungry this far from the coast. Here.” He said, “This is enough smoked fish to last you a few weeks. Much of it is your favorite.”
“Red-fins?” Peace’s mouth watered.
“Naturally. Take it, it’s yours.” He said, “Ruby and I packed extra provisions.”
Peace sniffled.
“Peace, it's okay. You don’t need to cry.”
“I’m tryin’ big brother. It’s hard. You’re alive, and you're bringing me fish. It’s like a dream come true.”
“I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.” He said.
“You better not. I just got you back. I’ve missed you so much for so long.”
“You’re stronger than me, Peace. The others are all stronger than me. You didn’t need me.”
She sniffed again.
“Out with it, silly girl.” He laughed.
“They might be stronger, but nobody’s as nice to me as you, Éadrom. You’re always there for me. You’re always so patient with me. It makes me so happy to see you like this after all this time.” She wiped her nose with a handkerchief from her bag, “I can see it. The weight in your eyes, the pain in your chest. You’ve been hurt, but you’re still so kind to me. I’m so relieved.”
“I’m your big brother.” He shrugged, “I’d never be mean to you.”
“But Bród and Prionsa are older than me too. Uasal doesn’t even talk to me. They aren’t nice like you are. Prionsa keeps saying I look tasty and Bród calls me fat. You never tease me. You never think scaring me is funny...”
“Bród did, did he?” Dog asked, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
“A few months ago.” She admitted sheepishly, “They are further south, in the jungles. It’s been almost a year since I saw Prionsa. Uasal was here, but he’s gone back to the north to his fief.”
“He has a fief?”
“Well he did. They call him Uasal the Drake Slayer now. He killed a dragon that razed his village, another red one.”
“Was he well?”
“No.” She shook her head, “He was seeking a treasure to revive some of his people. The Drake he killed was after him, he said. He killed it's brother during a siege.”
“He will take that hard.”
“You should seek him out next.”
“I will.” Dog nodded, “But if Bród is closer, it’ll depend, I’ll bring you back to Korone with the twins. Cici is there with the Queen, the queen is a good friend. I’ll chase whoever is nearest.”
“Very well.” Peace nodded, “Are you sure you want to chase the twins? They’ve begun to adopt… The customs of their people, I suppose.”
“Slaving and misandry?” He asked.
“Yeah… They aren’t a very nice race. One tried to stab me because I stood within arms reach. That’s apparently a grave offense. Ivory killed him, but it was still odd.”
“So be it.” He grunted, “We’ll go tomorrow. If I have to, I’ll fight all of them to get a word in.”
“Ivory may not like that.”
“I care little, mother comes first.”
“Very well, big brother.”