“Prarie Dogs just doesn’t do justice to those beasts. Also, why put that acid stuff on those precious little fur babies?” I asked Smeed as an ever-flowing cascade of pain flowed through my arm with every step down the road towards Esslem. The triple spires were finally coming into view and their pearlescent exterior glimmered in the sun. I try to flex my arm giving an audible crackling sound as some of the skin breaks. I grab a handful of backpack meat and stuff it into my mouth to gain some hp.
Smeed calls up from where he hung at my wrist, “I wouldn’t mess with that too much Dev. I’m sorry I’m sure it may be bothering you but your actions could retrigger the acid’s residual power within the wound. As for the dogs and their acid spit, it seemed like a unique way to have them burrow through the ground and the name came from the world itself. They started as Umber Sloths but somehow the locals kinda willed the name change through use.”
“Your idea of a ‘unique’ traversal skill has pretty much taken out my arm. That was way too overpowered for a starter area.” I reply trying to keep my arm still as I walk down the road.
“We don’t have siloed-off low-level areas, Devin. We wanted to encourage cautious exploration rather than blind adventure-seeking. We have purposefully created a melange of creatures of all levels to populate the world. Ishmael was not a fan of games that created segregated areas for the various level caps. Our creatures also roam at their own will so while they may stay in the same general areas, migration has become the norm during the first few centuries of simulation.”
I blink as I try to process the casual amount of tech Smeed and Ish were harnessing for this thing. Centuries of all these interacting systems working on their own. Millions of hours of processing time. All for a video game where I’m playing a Combat Chef Boyardee.
I still have to give it to Ish, so far no hitches that I can tell. This isn’t designing, this is creating on a grand scale that is just awe-inspiring. I can’t help but sigh wishing Ish was here to experience it with me. Sure he’d be a soggier blanket than Smeed but who knows what trouble Ish and I could have gotten up to.
I saw a house in the distance before a few dozen more steps brought the short wooden palisade that surrounded the building that was probably a farm. Beyond the defense line after about 20 feet was a large maybe half acre of deep green stalks that came up half the size of a normal corn stalk. Along the stalk, the length crawled a yellow vine that spiraled up from the base of each that had what looked like small orange unbloomed flower buds through their length.
I didn’t need Smeed’s description of this plant as my Herbiology skill had already highlighted the orange flower buds along the stalk as well as the cone-shaped tips that capped most of the stalks in the neat rows across the field. He gave the description anyway of course.
“Those are Queen’s Spear. They are one of the major exports of Esslem as their unique makeup can only be grown on the soil within the Queendom’s domain.”
This was the first time I heard Smeed use this phrasing so I quickly asked about it, “Sorry Smeed, is Esslem a Matriarchy?”
“Yes, another insistence of Ish. He had mentioned your mother as an inspiration for that aspect of Esslem. Who else would be best to protect and nurture the life of a city than a line of strong-willed and sound leaders who had created life themselves? By the Sacred 7, they rule the Queendom to ensure that no person is in rule for too long and is not left with someone to both mentor them on their path to ascension and also as an advisor upon the completed ascent.”
I tried to absorb the lore dump that Smeed was trying to plop onto my lap. “Sorry, Smeed, short and sweet version.”
“Simply put, Esslem has only Queens as their leaders. The current queen is to pick a Queen Keeper who will help with her day-to-day duties before the eventual replacement of the current queen with the Queen Keeper. The displaced Queen then becomes a Kept Queen and serves as an advisor when that is needed by the new Queen. The new Queen is to choose a new Queen Keeper within one year of her reign to ensure the continued lineage. This assures that each Queen of Esslem is afforded both an advisor and someone to mold into the future Queen.” Smeed says with a sense of pride.
“That did NOT help one-bit Smeed but,” I try to cut him off from trying to explain again. “But I get the basic idea. It seems like a sound way to elevate leadership but kind of has a built-in training system for the incoming person. I wish any of the companies I started working for would have half that emphasis on the onboarding experience. What did you mean about created life thing?”
“That was something that was developed beyond our prediction truth be told. With time, Esslem built their laws and rules around their society. Amongst those tenets, there was the idea that life was most precious and that only once part of that cycle, could you truly lead. This developed as only those that have given birth can be chosen as a Queen Keeper.”
I can’t help but think of what Smeed said about this type of strong female leadership being inspired by Mom and feel another jolt of pain that mirrored the one when she was first mentioned. She wasn’t strong as she lay in bed those last few months. She wasn’t strong as I hugged her that last time. I feel my eyes tear up as a flood of memories runs through my mind. The buzzing hospital lights fill my ears unbidden and I clench my eyes tightly for a few seconds. She was the strongest woman I know. One who brought two kids to NYC and raised them by herself with barely any money and barely knowing the language. I try to swallow past the huge lump that’s growing in my throat.
“Sounds like my kinda place,” I say trying not to let my suddenly dry throat affect my speech. “Anyways, without spoiling the exact flavor, what can you tell me about these Queen’s Spears?”
“Well, I can start at the main part that many people use for dishes which are the PepperCorns located at the top of the plant once shucked.” Smeed started.
“Dude, I said NOT to spoil it for me. Let me guess the unoriginal ‘PepperCorns’ taste like pepper?” I cut him off with a little frustration in my voice.
“They are fairly sweet and slightly savory once you get at the kernels and heat them some. Though, the plant’s real use is centered on the thickening agent made with the kernels. Many of Esslem’s dishes use it as a thickening agent within stews, sauces, or soups.” Smeed begins to raddle off more facts.
“I’m going to have to taste for myself, how about those bulb things along the stalk.” I point at the orange things hanging from one of the plants.
“I have not heard many dishes made with those items as while they are edible, they are extremely hot. Ishmael desired something that would rival the Ghost Pepper found in India. My goal was to add a bit more depth than just that to my creation.” Smeed begins to almost beam as he’s talking bout the plant.
“I can tell you were into designing this one, I’m excited about what I can try to do with that.” I flex my arm again and regret that as the resulting pain makes me grit my teeth.
With a sigh, I look up at the farm that no doubt grew the crops to my left. Resigning myself to the choice, I make my way onto the small offshoot of the road that leads toward the farm. As I reach the end of the dusty road there is a grouping of a few buildings that I’d expect to see on a farm. They were pretty much identical with the closest one having a child playing out in front of it.
Looking from that I head towards the one that looked more like a home than the rest. This assumption is just from the child who was playing at the foot of the entrance to the building. Looking from her to the rest of the buildings, each looked to be made of a brown plaster spread across each of the building’s surfaces with their roofs having a mixture of that brown plaster and a patchwork of yellow, orange, and green material that was probably harvested from the crop in the field.
I’m not sure if I was expecting something a little more magical, hell I would have settled for something a little different than Earth. Instead, it looked a hell of a lot like any farm you’d see from the early 1900s rather than some ancient medieval-styled thing. I tried to give a smile as I walked up to the kid wearing a green tunic cinched at the waist that looked up from the small metal figures they were playing with. “Hi!” The kid jumps back from me as if my greeting was an attack. I hold my hands out before me trying to calm him down which doesn’t seem to help.
“Lemmin, help!” I step back from the kid’s yells. I distinctly see her hand hover around her waist as she steps back from me as well.
“Hey, hey, hey,” I say looking off towards the central area between the rest of the buildings. Trying to keep a lookout for anyone I continue to wave my arms in a hopefully calming motion while still holding onto my pan. “Don’t worry buddy, calm down. Shush” I turn back to see the kid now joined by a larger version of herself wearing the same tunic, paired with a pair of brown pants.
“You hushing me sis?” The person said in a deep voice that had me immediately lowering my arms and taking another step back. His accent also had me thinking of a Guy Richie gangster movie as he continued, “Whatcha doing on our farm? You look like one of them travelers and your lot ain’t welcome. You either start trouble or expect some kind of handout just because you’re piss poor.” He spits an orange glob onto the ground a few feet to our side.
Trying my best to fit in and try to be as polite as the Brits I’ve seen on BBC, “Sorry mate, just was hoping for a bit of help but maybe do a little trading as well.” I begin to rely on my old skills as a telemarketer and keep talking, “You may be correct regarding the traveler part but me, I come bearing gifts or rather trade goods!” As I pull off my makeshift backpack I begin reaching into the mouth of the thing.
I almost feel bad as the older brother picks their sibling up and places her a few feet away before returning closer to me. I finally find a few items and pull them out to display like I was some merchant at a bazaar. “So here are some items that I’m willing to trade for some help or barter for whatever you have.“ The disgust on the older brother’s face, as he looked from the salamander to the items, stopped me in my tracks. Realizing his thoughts, I grab Smeed and quickly clean the shells, pieces of lemon kale, and the leaf-wrapped pile of pork. “I have a skill, see they’re all clean now.”
I saw his demeanor change as he noticed the pan I was holding and how I used it. “You saying that pan can wash things?”
“Well, no the pan is mine, I cleaned the items,” I replied.
“Wait, I’m the one using the Cleanse skill,” Smeed said from where he was in my hand.
“Shut up,” I yelled at the pan.
“I didn’t say nothin', just looking at that thing. Must be an Uncommon level at least. Can it do anything else?” The guy asked reaching towards Smeed.
“Sorry, it's not for sale,” I reply to the big brother.
“I am a Legendary artifact to be precise,” Smeed says with pride in his voice.
“Damn it, I’m trying not to sell you,” I whisper yell at Smeed.
“Why you talking to that pan, mate? You ok? I should have known better to talk to one of you forest blokes.” He looked me up and down with the type of judgment that took me back to childhood.
“Sorry, these were the things I was hoping to sell.” I wave down at the items I had hoping to distract him from the arousal he currently had for Smeed.
“Before you make the mistake again Dev, he can’t hear you.” I look down trying not to show shock as I listen, “I figured you knew. That’s how we communicate, well at least how I communicate to you. You’re the weirdo that’s been talking out loud to himself in the woods.”
I catch myself about to reply to Smeed before the farmer finally says, “Even if they didn’t come out the guts of some random rock tongue, I would have little need of dye shells, extremely tough ruffage, or the pile of mystery meat you have there. Now that pan though, I could have some use for something like that.” He says admiring Smeed once again.
Realizing the conversation was getting away from me I tried to pour on the telemarketer charm again to pull him back around, “How about you try some of my roasted pork for free and we can continue this conversation inside if you like it. If you don’t, I’ll be on my way.” To entice him some I open some of the leaves to let the glorious smell of the pork fill the air.
He takes a deep whiff of the pork with his sister coming up to try to sneak sniffs without getting to close to me or the package of meat. I help the little gal out using my hand to waif some of the scent their way. The siblings make the same face as they lick their lips loudly as they stare between me and the pork.
The brother takes a few blinks in a row to get himself together before replying to me, “Fine, but you eat a piece first.” I gladly have a piece in my mouth before he’s even finished with the sentence. He shakes his head and cautiously grabs a piece of the meat before placing it in his mouth. As he chews he gives me a slight smile, “Orite mate, that’s worth a bit of gab. But not inside.” He grabs a piece of the pork that he splits before passing his sister a piece without looking at her. “I can tell you’re not parting with that thing so I’ll leave it be.” He takes way too much time to clean each of his fingers with an audible smack and pop with each one. “For now at least. My name’s Lemmin and this is Priss. So, what exactly you need from me?”
I look down at the couple of items I was able to gather and sigh. “Hello. My name is Dev and this,” I realize I was about to introduce Smeed and continue, “This is pretty much all I have to my name. I hoped to hunt and gather what I could along my travels to Esslem to sell once there. Unfortunately,” I display my upper arm and the farmer sucks his teeth as he shakes his head.
“Yeah, unfortunate that. I’m guessing the north field Dogs got you?” Lemmin said with regret in his voice. He continued after I nodded. “Those buggers are right bastards, did they get your clothes as well?” He looks me up and down.
“That’s a long story, but I hope to remedy that bit as soon as I can. Were there perhaps errands I could run around here? Along with these items here and the labor, I was hoping to exchange for some clothes and anything you may have for this.” I gesture to my injured arm.
His eyes seem to take me in from top to bottom seeming to quickly judge my worth with a few moments of examination. “Let me talk to Mamma and see whats for.” He looks down at the meat and gives me a head nod that I’m taking as a request.
“Yes please.” I lean down grab a few shells and heap them filled with the cooked pork before getting an idea and looking up at Lemmin. “Here, let me give her a real taste.”
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To Smeed I mentally say, “So you’ve been listening to me this whole time in my head I’m guessing. Not cool but I this probably makes things easier. I’m going to pretend to use fire to heat you if you wouldn’t mind doing it for me.”
“Sure, but why? Also, yes I’m sorry but it’s not something I can turn off. We’re bonded that way.” Smeed’s reply fills my head.
As I plop the meat into the pan I begin to hold my palm out to the base as Smeed turns his flames up. I send to Smeed, “Understandable. As for this bit of deceit? I don’t need Farmer Statham getting any more infatuated with you once he finds out the magic you have.”
“Good idea, I will be turning the flames up a little higher to help with the sear,” Smeed replied.
Once satisfied I scoop the meat into a couple of the shells before handing them over to Lemmin. “Thank you and your family for your hospitality.”
He just nods his head as he grabs the shells and turns around towards one of the buildings at the back of the area. His sister pauses for a few moments to watch me before running towards her brother climbing him nimbly clasped onto his back. He didn’t seem to flinch one bit at the added weight of her form.
“You sure you don’t want to get that properly looked at in Esslem?” Smeed asked.
Willing Smeed clean I pick him up giving him a quick twirl after getting his cord back around my wrist. “I figure that if these people live so close to those things, they must have ways to deal with any injuries they get from those Sloths.”
“While I do not know everything in this world, I doubt there was some alternate healing that could nullify the magical effects of their saliva. The mana infused within the attack unfortunately is potent but should not be something used offensively. I do not understand this drastic deviation in their behavior.” Smeed muses from my hand.
“You said it yourself that their migration habits can change, maybe this is part of all that,” I offer up while thinking about those cute but deadly creatures.
“There has to be some outside influence for a change like this. Maybe weather or something else.” Smeed cuts himself off as we both seem to notice Lemmin’s solitary form returning form approaching from the building. Behind him now sits a woman in a large rocking chair with Priss clanging two other toys against each other on the side of that porch. I can already see the older woman is adorned with the same colored tunic as the two siblings with no trousers. Hoping for the best I wait for Lemmin to walk up to us.
He holds up a pile of the same drab clothing that looks to be the uniform of these folks. “Ma asks that ya wash ya arse and change ya kit before seeing her. Scrub house is just behind this one near the stream.”
“Did she say anything about my arm?” I ask taking the bunde from his arms.
“Ya,” he lifts his tunic to dig in his pants some before pulling out a jar of green and orange paste. “While you may need it, do not shower before applying that stuff. Fair warning, it’ll sting ya good but it should at least keep it from gettin' any worse. Keep the jar, you may need it by day’s end.” As we get to the back of the nearest building, Lemmin gestures towards the dark brown building with light green stripes on it. “Remember, DRY SKIN only.”
I nod my head and thank him before heading into the building. The inside was split down the middle and looked to have both shower and bathroom stalls spread out on each side. As I head to the furthest back stall I look at their setup and am surprised to see that it is fairly modern in look and would match any nicer campground I had been to. The showers each had a basic metal plumbing service that had slight glowing runes across the length of the piping.
The toilet stalls show the same basic but functional utility that had a large wooden basin that was topped by a smooth wooden seat. From what I could see some of the same rune layouts were mirrored between the two fixtures. I tested their functionality and am pleased with the outcome. I refrain from sharing the gory details though, let’s just say it did its job well.
Rather than showering, I decided to give myself a bit of a birdbath and set out to look for a sink. Thankfully a large locker-like room was just off the main line of stalls. Stepping up to the nearest sink I took advantage of the pile of small towels near me, lifted my tunic, and washed off my body as carefully as I could without touching the wound. From what I could tell I was successful and I made my way over to a bench nearby and used it to pull off my rags and replace them with the clothing I was provided.
Shoving my rags into my bag I walk over to the mirror and am surprised by how complementing the farm’s clothing was to my body. The loose fit was comfortable and way better fabric than the almost itchy material that made up my starter rags. I will the system to show me the stats of what I was wearing.
_________________________
Name: Farmhand Clothing (Full Set)
Armor Type: Cloth
Protection: 1 Phys
_________________________
Pleased that I finally don’t look like a sack of potatoes I grab the salve that Lemmin had given me and open it. I’m immediately faced with my nose burning as the extremely spicy scent fills my nostrils. I can’t help but cough as the acrid stench seems to linger even as I hold the jar away from my face. I take a handful into my hand and it begins to burn reminding me of my first unfortunate incident with Icy Hot when I was a runner in high school. This time I will make sure to completely clean off my hands before touching any of the more sensitive parts of my body.
Just like Lemmin said, the salve stings like all hell and has my eyes squinting as I grit my teeth through the initial burn. Hoping this does the job, I continue to rub it across my full injury as the world lights up with pinpoints of light as the pain continues to fill my world with all its might.
Once it’s fully spread on me I catch my breath before I shoulder my bag and head back out. Immediately my eyes are met with the blaring sun’s light that blinds me. Using my hand to block it I see where the farm’s mother hen sat rocking in her seat. Priss was no longer by her side and after a few steps, I hear the patter of bare small feet coming up from behind me. I shake my head hoping the little sneak wasn’t peeping on me while I got changed.
Ignoring her I prepared myself to meet the woman by bracing myself. Part of me hopes the Allure trait takes over as we’re talking as I never do good with authority figures. I’m about 20 feet away as her full garb comes into view and she was wearing a single tunic version of the clothes I now wore. She continued to rock as I took the last few steps up to the porch. Priss returns to where she played with her toys.
I raise my hand in what I thought was a greeting. “Hello, ma’am. My name is Dev. Thank you very much for the clothes and this opportunity to speak with you.” I make a half-bow before catching myself.
She nods in return, “The names Mollen but you can call me Mama Proppa. Lemmin said you looking for work, huh?”
“Yes, if you have any. I’m not looking for any kind of handout, just a way to get myself together before I head into the city.” I reply lifting Smeed over my shoulder as I talk.
“Well, what kinda skills you got?” She says as she eyes me up and down for entirely way too long. I can almost feel her eyes caress my body under the loose clothing.
I hold back from covering myself with my hands and reply, “I’m plenty strong if anything needs lifting. But I will be honest and say that I don’t have much when it comes to combat skills if that's what you were asking.”
“I just want to know your skills boy, no need to try to act like I’m bringing you long for some dungeon crawling. Come out with it already,” she says, showing her impatience.
“Sorry, yes I have Tool Cleanse, Keen Instinct, Herbiology,” I end up pulling up my screen to see the rest of my skills and she cuts me off.”
“What the hell is your class? Those skills don’t make any sense.” She criticizes me.
“I’m a Runic Chef,” I stop talking as she begins to guffaw in a way that has her coughing halfway through as she catches her breath.
“A bloody cook? I’m used to you lot coming out of that forest well on your way to wand-waving or muscle-bound sword and shield type buggers. You, you’re a damn scullery maid.”
I get self-conscious as she continues her tirade. The bollocking switches to laughter and I use that slight gap to speak, “I do have Power Throw.”
“Boy, being able to toss around trash doesn’t make you some combat expert. You were certainly given the short end of the stick compared to the rest of your lot that comes out of that ashen forest.” She replies before spitting an orange liquid onto the ground furthest away from Priss.
“There’s gotta be something I can do for you folk,” I look over to the larger building that I’m guessing is the central barn structure. “I can clean out any kind of pens you have or maybe even cook you a little something.”
“Mucks already been cleaned out of those as of this morning.” She stops seeming to take a moment to think. As inspiration seems to dawn on her face she looks over towards the north. She looks over at me after a second and points at my injured arm, “You looking to get back at the bastard that gave you that?”
I put my good arm’s hand over my injured one and suck air through my teeth at the stupid move, “Not exactly. Last time, I barely got away from those monsters.”
“They’re only a problem if you get caught by a few unawares. This time you’ll have, Lemmin–GET YER ARSE OUT HERE–and he’ll give you backup.”
I see Lemmin begin to make his way over from the larger building that I had thought was a barn. “Yea ma, I was just brushing down the horses.”
“You and the forest bloke are gonna go clear out them dogs from the northern field once and for all. There’s no reason why they should be this close to the property and I need you to fix that.” She says with a finality in her voice.
Lemmin challenges her anyway, “Really ma, do I?”
“Quit ya wingeing boy and get your shite together before I box your ears.” Somehow a rolling pin is in her hand and being branded at the boy.
“Of course ma we’ll get it done,” Lemmin replies.
“We’ll get it done? What? I didn’t even say yes!” That was all I got out before I was pulled away by Lemmin.
The building he pulls me into is brimming with all kinds of farming implements. Lemmin points at a barrel full of pitchforks. “Grab something from there or I guess any of this shite. You’ll need something that’ll stab or whack or a bit of both. Just grab it quick, I need to be back before dinner or Priss will have the best bits.”
Looking at the pitchforks they seem just way too unwieldy and awkward for me. There are other sharp items covering the walls of the building and even a wicked-looking scythe that looked like it could do some serious damage to those sloths. But nothing seemed like I’d be able to properly use in our upcoming fight. The rest of the things looked better meant to work the field than do me any good in the fight.
“He has a point, Dev, I don’t think carrying around a stick and tossing me about is going to work,” Smeed added his two cents from my side.
Remembering to think my reply to Smeed I send him, “The pitchfork is promising Smeed but it doesn’t feel right to me.”
“Utility is utility Dev, I’m not sure what feel has to do with it,” Smeed replied.
Ignoring Smeed I instead reply audibly to Lemmin. “Do you happen to have anything more like a weapon?”
Lemmin lifted the rough wooden club that seemed to be about the width of my bicep. “I got one of these if you want.” He offers the unwieldy thing and my arm falls immediately from its weight.
“Holy shit, was this an old lamp post?”
“A what?” He gestures for me to hand back the thing and I gladly pass it back trying not to throw out my back while doing so. “Look here mate, these are just a couple of vermin. There’s no reason to treatin' this like you’re fighting off a clutch of Kresh. Even if it was, you’d still have the same shite selection of shite tools.” He waves at the wall and steps back. “Have at it mate, I still have to grab the rest of my gear.” I could hear Lemmin grumbling to himself as he walked to the other side of the building we were in.
This storehouse was huge and seemed to contain just about every single type of tool the farm would need. On the half-dozen shelves laid decades of disused tools and manual machinery that barely looked like it could cut through wheat let alone do any damage to those huge beasts. As I reach one of the walls I pull aside a burlap sack to reveal a few longer machete-looking implements. I pull down the cleanest-looking one and see that it is just as rusty as the rest of the antiques in this place. Giving a final glance, I resign myself to the weapon in my hand and give it a few swings to test it out.
Getting an idea, I mentally think of this as a meat carving knife and picture myself gliding the long rusted blade across some freshly roasted meat. The idea works as I use a Cleanse on the blade and most of the dirt and grime is instantly cleaned off the machete’s length. I examine the tool again and marvel at the interesting red and orange design now spidering its way across the full length of the metal.
“That’ll have to do I guess,” I said looking the blade over.
“While it may look like the blade is damaged the rust doesn’t seem to have penetrated too far past the surface level. As long as you’re not planning on making this your permanent weapon, it should serve you well.” Smeed sent to me from where he laid in my hand.
Looking down at him I get an idea and start looking through the shelves before finding a braided piece of rope that was about a half inch thick. I judge the length sufficiently and work to tie it over one of my shoulders making a bandelier of sorts. To this, I tie a loose loop with the leather tie around Smeed’s handle. Not exactly the best solution but it’ll have to do for now. I keep the machete in my hand not willing to risk it bouncing at my hip.
Finally feeling ready to tackle whatever those sloth things threw at me I make my way outside and immediately have to squint at the bright sun. Blinking my eyes I try to get them adjusted to the light. Feeling a little disorientated I try to look for Lemmin.
A deep voice calls out from behind me, “You ready to shove off or you just gonna stand there blinking like some sodding moron.”
Ignoring the jibe I turn around to stare at the huge man, “Yeah, this was the best I could find.”
Looking up from where he examined the blade he shakes his head and smiles slightly. “Well as long as you keep the sharp bit pointed away from ya, you should be safe from catching the Wastes.”
“What the hell is the Wastes?” I asked suddenly freaked out.
“A right nasty thing that tends to infect any untended wound with a rusted blade.” He points at my blade. “Me ma’s ma’s uncle got a knick off of one and that wee cut ended up blooming until his whole arm had to be cut off just to stop it from spreading.” He continues after probably noticing the fear in my eyes. “Don’t get your knickers in a twist though. We’ve got plenty of pastes and ointments to help along with anything you got. He just was a hardheaded bastard that refused to get the thing looked at.”
Not feeling any more calmed I try to ignore the nerves that threatened to bring bile up to my throat. “How about we go over the plan rather than outline some of the new diseases I’m opening up myself to by just joining you on this little excursion.”
“Plan? Mate, the only plan I ‘ave is which path I was takin’ to the north field. Otherwise, your guess is as good as mine as to how the hell we’ll get rid of these pests.” Lemmin replied as he tossed his large club over his shoulder. I hadn’t noticed but his version of the thing was thicker than the one that he had offered me.
“Well then, I guess I’m ready when you are.” I’m about to twirl my machete in my hand before second-guessing myself as I remember the rust ailment outlined by Lemmin.
Lemmin nods his head and calls over to where Priss hid behind some barrels. “You better not go poking your nose where it doesn’t belong, a little bit. Take care of Mamma and the animals.”
Priss pulls a small knife and tosses it from hand to hand. “You’re stuck with him though.” She nods over in my direction and before I can find out what she means, she continues, “And he ain’t one of us. What if he tries to hit yer head when yer not lookin'?” Priss points at me with her knife and I almost feel more intimidated by her than her brother.
Lemmin looks to where she’s pointing and gives a deep laugh that sounds like a tree branch cracking under the weight of a heavy snowfall. Through his laughter he continues, “Get yer ass over to Mamma before I tan it good.” Without replying Priss squints her eyes and looks at me for a few seconds while pointing her dagger before running off towards the building that I had last seen their mother sitting on.
Lemmin starts towards the north without another word.