Chapter 13 - Wingman

The Birth Place of the Death Wagon 1.0

Horus

I would recognize my Future Friend’s work anywhere.

The size of the campfire – larger than my arm span. And nearby sat a crude grill and a workstation made of river mud. Even without his name etched into the side, I knew it was him. This was a camping kitchen built for a giant. Built just for me.

That’s why I already had the fire lit by the time I returned with My Lady and Danae. The timbers my Future Friend had left neatly stacked nearby burned extra hot. Also, there were two beds – which came in extra-small and normal-sized, a shelter that could house even my impressive girth, and there were even ratskin blankets – which I had cleaned in the river and left hanging by the fire to dry. They were nearly there.

As I said, the fire was very hot.

Hot enough to push away the mists and reveal Cocytus’ sparkling waters, spirits swimming in an eternal river. To send off a massive plume of smoke – yet that soot never touched the kitchen or camp. Almost like my Future Friend had anticipated the draft off the river; like he’d chosen this spot on purpose. Like he’d constructed this camp for me.

I will admit, I had begun to wonder if I had been reading into things before – back in the grotesque hell sewer. I’d even begun to doubt that my Future Friend had designed that brutal shit-scape just for me…

Even as I secretly hoped he had. That maybe I had found not just a Future Friend, but a Future Best Friend. That perhaps he’d read my journal – come to see the world through the eyes of a warrior with the secret heart of a poet. In that world – in that story – I’d even begun to toy with a new idea; to wonder if maybe… maybe I’d been wrong all this time.

Perhaps some secrets of the heart weren’t meant to hide among the dusty, dark pages of my journal, but to be shared. Maybe, just maybe my gift with the pen might give voice to the battle song in my heart; might allow me to sing my love from the mountaintops – loud enough for the whole Five Rivers to hear it. That others might just join me – raise their voices with mine. A choir of battle and brotherhood; a world united by the power of love—

No, no – I was running ahead of myself. It happened. I was very fast.

It was easy to make that mistake…

Because those doubts were finally dashed.

Because I now knew those dreams were real.

Because, this time, my Future Friend had left a note.

One addressed to me. To Horus. No… to his Dear Friend Horus.

One filled with meticulous instructions—

“What sweet hell is this?” My Lady muttered, her eyes burning and fingers turn, turn, turning her ring, the gem reflecting the blaze of the fire.

I quickly stood upright, paper crinkling as I hid the note. It did not matter if I damaged the paper. I had already memorized its contents.

“The Hollow’s camp,” I reported, with a wave and a smile.

The [Bullshit] came so easily now.

“No… no, I see that,” My Lady growled so sweetly, her eyes smoldering as she inspected the latest version of Nyx’s kitchen table. “He put his name on everything – everything. Again! He makes himself untrackable through Emporos somehow, but he puts his name on literally everything? Why? Why? Is he taunting us?”

I had my doubts. I didn’t know my Future Friend well – not yet – but I suspected he may have been trying to claim credit for his masterclass in… well, not suffering. Not exactly?

Dating perhaps? That seemed more likely. At least, based on his instructions.

“Ahh, perhaps the answers will come to us once we’ve had something to eat,” I suggested. My Future Friend had even left clean plates and utensils. He was so considerate.

“You mean the lesser sea serpents he must have killed here?” My Lady demanded. “How is this even possible. Even silver ranks struggle with the serpents…”

Ahh, yes. The blood soaked ground was a dead giveaway. Also, the massive pile of scrap meat and bones. The other animals must have been too frightened to approach the corpses – which explained why the fresh meat was still stored in a small, stone cold locker beneath the kitchenette. Frankly, I loved what had he’d done with this camp.

It was almost… nostalgic. Reminiscent of my childhood.

“Ahh, yes. It appears they slayed several of the creatures somehow,” I noted. Of course he had. My Future Friend was also a master of battle. “Although, at least we have plenty of food,” I offered, waving at the workstation where the snake meat was “marinating.”

I had not heard of this… soaking meat in “herbs and spices.”

However, this was part of my friend’s instructions.

Danae was just staring at the food, drooling slightly.

I briefly considered pitching her into the blaze that lingered nearby. Even now, the heat singed her fur. She did not even notice. She might not even feel it… but no. My Lady was still watching us, her burning eyes narrowed in suspicion as she glared at the fire and makeshift kitchen. Ahh, better to gently turn the vulpin woman and push her toward the enormous table my friend had built – one more than big enough even for me.

“Is the meat poisoned?” My Lady demanded, glaring as I set down plates.

“I do not believe so,” I replied.

I didn’t know for sure, of course – but his note assured me it wasn’t and my Future Friend hadn’t lied to me yet. I was more nervous that I’d prepared the food incorrectly. He had left detailed instructions, but my hands were too large and strong for his tiny tools. I might not have gotten the measurements rights.

“Well, I’m not eating it,” Eris snapped. “And I sure as hell am not sleeping here—”

Which is exactly what the note said she would say. Or close enough.

“Perhaps he wishes to lure us into a false sense of security,” I replied smoothly, moving back to the kitchen. The vat of snake fat hanging over the fire was starting to smoke, which meant it was almost ready. “At least, that’s the only thing that makes sense, no?”

She nodded, reluctantly, massaging her neck. Her muscles so looked tight.

My fingers twitched. No, no his instructions had been clear.

I just needed to wait. My Future Friend hadn’t steered me wrong yet.

Ahh, plus, I was supposed to watch the fry time carefully…

Thankfully, the [Bullshit] required little thought now.

“However, if that’s the case,” I continued over my shoulder, “then there should be no harm in taking advantage of his hospitality. We only hurt ourselves if we give into his mind games – mind games that could otherwise force to march through the swamp in the dark and while fatigued.”

I gestured at Danae at that last part. She had collapsed on the table.

She appeared to be unconscious. That was surprising. We had only been marching for a week. We’d also eaten and slept just a few days ago. She was so weak; so easy to kill.

Except I would have to make her death look like an accident…

My Lady didn’t look happy with my response, but her fire still dimmed. My duty was to destroy the obstacles to My Lady’s heart.

And, sometimes, that obstacle was herself.

My Future Friend’s words were profound.

“Fine. We will sleep here. And I am… curious about this serpent you’re cooking,” My Lady said, sniffing at the savory aroma and eyeing the frying vat with curiosity.

The snake did smell divine. Marinated in a spice Nyx had left behind. A small jar. It was green and glowed slightly, but that went away quickly once the meat was fried. Maybe the pollen jars that Rowan was talking about? It had a similar consistency – a fine powder that got everywhere and made my fingers tingle.

“I will get you some, My Lady,” I offered with a bow.

She nodded as she slid down the bench and closer to the fire – as though she was cold. And perhaps she was. Her spirit had been strangely absent for days now.

Although, My Lady assured me that this pace was for our own good. We needed to move carefully to ensure we didn’t miss my our prey’s trail, she’d said.

I did not understand her concern.

The camp was obvious. I had seen the smoke from miles away.

“Ahh, and perhaps something to dri—?” She cut off as I handed her the mug – one filled with chilled river water from Cocytus itself, the liquid brimming with nimbus.

We both froze. Her fingers touching mine. Mine refusing to move.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Our eyes locked on anything but each other.

Then Danae snored loudly and ruined everything. Again.

The vulpin’s death would be slow and painful.

The moment was gone in an instant.

My Lady jerked her hand away and was suddenly preoccupied with her drink. She must have been extremely thirsty – taking many, many small sips that rendered her unable to speak for several long minutes. When she had finally drained the cup, she said, “Have you, um, found any evidence of where Nyx was heading after this?”

I nodded. “Of course. Behind you.”

She turned. “I don’t see—

Then she did – I knew she would. Although, it had taken me a moment too. In the waning daylight, the tracks were hard to see. Improbably far apart. Nearly quadruple my arm span. The imprint pattern obvious to anyone with an interest in bloody mayhem. Those two trenches had been created by a spine. I had seen it thousands of times.

But never quite this large, or uniform, or… parallel.

Those two deep trenches stretched off toward the north, disappearing into the mists.

“Oh, good gods. What did that maniac build now?” My Lady hissed.

The rest of the evidence was littered around us. Bones and scraps of wood. Broken tools. A gigantic trench leading down to the river – as though someone had dragged a ship from the waters. More huge wooden blocks set at even intervals – a workstation for something truly enormous; something that even made me begin to feel small. And everything still labeled, of course. There was even a little plaque—

Ahh, yes, I’d forgotten.

“He did leave a… note of sorts,” I offered, gesturing at the plaque.

It was fine, the snake needed a few more minutes, anyway. The note had said to wait until they were a golden brown. Or char black. My preference.

My Lady squinted – her sense more than acute enough to read the words even at that distance. A testament to her extensive training.

“The birth place of the… Death Wagon 1.0?” My Lady murmured. “What is a Death Wagon? That doesn’t sound good, does it?”

I respectfully disagreed. That sounded amazing. I wished to see it with my own eyes. Also, to ride it. Yet I still used [Bullshit] to be safe.

“No, no it doesn’t, My lady.”

It seemed my instinct was right. She heaved out a heavy sigh, rubbing at her temples, her shoulders still tense and tight. Yet it was still not time to act.

“It is no matter,” I continued with a shrug of my enormous shoulders. “At least, this should make him easy to follow.” I placed the snake meat on her plate, steam wafting away from it. “We have his trail now. It is only a matter of time.”

“Just what is he planning?” She muttered, cutting at the snake distractedly. “Is he heading straight for Asphodel? Surely, no one is that insane—ahh, never mind, I forgot who we were dealing with for a moment. But what could he possibly hope to accomplish? And why didn’t he obscure his trail? Or maybe he did? Maybe this was all intended to throw us off his scent? We’ll have to be careful tomorrow, move slower, keep an eye out for traps,” she murmured, deep in thought as she popped a bite of sea serpent in her mouth.

Her eyes went wide. “Oh, this is good! What is this?”

“Snake Tempura,” I offered. “Fresh sea serpent fished from the waters of Cocytus, seasoned with a medley of local herbs and spices, and then deep fried.”

My Lady just stared at me, blinking those beautiful simmering, suspicious eyes. “Tempura? Deep fried? Horus, I… I didn’t realize you knew how to cook.”

“I was secretly taking classes back in Asphodel. Proper nutrition is important for a true warrior’s muscle development and training.”

More [Bullshit]. It was a reflex at this point.

And My Lady seemed to accept it.

Her eyes sparkled in the firelight, a rare, fleeting smile on her lips as she took another crunchy bite. “Oh, it’s got a delightful kick to it!” she announced.

Danae’s eyes popped open at that, homed in on her own plate, and then she devoured her helping in record time. As well as her second. And a third. Also, part of a fourth.

It was quite good, I’ll admit. I had a small taste and then saved the rest of mine for later. I was on a warrior’s fast. Rowan told me it would help me build strength and also fit through tiny doors. Normally, the tavros eat a diet rich in—

Ahh, what was wrong with, My Lady? Was she sick? The snake tempura seemed to be having a strange effect on her. The more she ate, the more she seemed to slowly… relax. I had never seen this happen. Never. The tension simply melted from her shoulder and those simmering flames sputtered out.

Hmm, what about Danae—

Odd, the vulpin was already asleep again. She was curled up in a ball by fire, not even bothering to use her bed roll. Unusual. She always slept with her back to a hard surface, in a low crouch, a weapon in her hand, and her eyes half-lidded.

The tavros called this “Warrior’s Repose.”

My Lady proved more resilient. By her second plate, she was still rolling her shoulders in a feeble attempt to flee from those painful knots.

Which meant it was time.

My prey was vulnerable. A perfect opportunity for an ambush.

My hands were suddenly there – tugging and pulling gently at the straps of her armor. She protested weakly, but gave up when I insisted that her equipment needed to dry.

She did not even glare at me.

And once free of both her emotional and physical armor, there was no longer anything standing between me and those lovely knots. My fingers had a life of their own, a soft white glow infusing each tip – my weapons of war. The perfect choice for this battle.

My Lady didn’t even protest, only let out a soft moan as I began my massage.

Just as my Future Friend had predicted.

Overwhelming victory.

“Ahh, thank you… Horus,” she murmured, eyes half-lidded in bliss.

“Of course, My Lady.”

Then she leaned her head back on my shoulder and her fingers wound through my fur as she let out a soft, contented sigh. Her heart soon beat a steady rhythm of sleep as the rest of her tension faded away. This was the first time I’d seen her sleep in weeks – since we had returned from the gate. And… she was so close. So soft. So warm.

Ahh. This—this wasn’t covered in my Future Friend’s instructions.

What was I to do? I looked to Danae, but she was like the dead.

This would be a perfect time to finish her off – while My Lady was finally asleep. I could even make up some excuse; could stage the death scene. A roaming monster perhaps? Or perhaps she simply rolled over into the fire…

Yet that would mean moving. And right now, I was My Lady’s pillow.

Hmm, then I wouldn’t move a single muscle.

I took my duty very seriously.

* * *

I woke slowly, morning sunlight trickling down through the light mist rippling off the banks of Cocytus. I was unsure when I had fallen asleep, however, the blaze had died down during the night, the fire still smoldering and sending off tufts of steam in the cool morning air – enough heat to still keep us warm.

Wait… us?

Feeling a weight on my chest, I looked down – only for my breath to catch in my throat. My Lady lay there, curled up in my thick fur, her armor still drying on the many, many racks nearby, my arms wrapped around her and warding off the morning chill. Dew studded her cheeks and nose like diamonds, sparkling in the dawn’s light.

She was resplendent.

This moment was perfect.

I wished to capture to – to trap it. To enslave it with my secret words and keep it trapped in my journal forever. So, I would never forget the heat of her, the rise and fall of her breath, the thud, thud, thud of her heart, the sizzle of frying fat—

Wait, what was that sound?

I turned slightly to see Danae standing by the workstation – the blaze now small enough to allow her to stand close. She appeared to be frying up strips of snake in the oily fat. And was that—was that my Future Friend’s special seasoning? She had used so much!

A growl reverberated through my throat before I could help it.

Danae whirled, our eyes meeting, then her lips broke into a broad smile. She looked refreshed. Like she’d slept for weeks. Some of her original sparkle returning – that flame that had nearly been extinguished by my Future Friend’s majestic murder dungeon.

“Ahh, you’re finally awake!” she chirped. “I can’t believe we all slept for so long. Did you know it’s been two days? I was just making breakfast, do you want some—”

Had she said two days? That couldn’t be right, could it?

Wait… no, there was a more important problem right now.

I glanced down. My Lady was not yet awake.

Which meant there was still time to stop Danae – to put an end to her annoying, intrusive little life. My axe rose through the air behind the vulpin and sliced forward, only to sweep through clear air as she suddenly stooped. Danae grabbed a plate, slapped some snake tempura on top and approached, steam wafting.

“Did you use this spice before?” Danae asked, that precious, glowing vial in her other hand. “It’s amazing. It really rounds out the flavor of the snake.”

I wanted to tell her to stop, to raise a hand—

But that would also mean moving. Forgetting my duty.

And as the tempura neared, those coils of delicious vapor wafting across My Lady’s face, she breathed in… moved… began to stretch… to yawn.

“Ahh, Danae, you’re here,” My Lady murmured, eyeing the vulpin blearily. “I just had the best dream. Horus and I were…”

She trailed off sleepily and her eyes fluttered open again—

Only to meet mine inches away.

The resulting blast completely evaporated the shelter my Future Friend had built – blew it away in a gust of fire and smoke and ash. Incinerated the outdoor workshop, the remains of the bonfire, and the crude kitchen my Future Friend had built.

And as the flames faded—

I could see a familiar plaque skipping across Cocytus before diving beneath the surface – entombed in its frigid waters.

It took another minute for the smoke and dust to clear.

And when it did, I found myself sitting in a small crater.

Completely unharmed. Unsurprising. My fur was quite strong.

I was not proud of this, but my first thought was not of My Lady – or, at least, not directly. No. My first thought was of the seasoning. Danae had been holding it—

Ahh, she still was. Her golden shield was cracked and seared and it soon exploded apart, amber motes drifting down around us. Danae just stood there, her fur singed, her hands trembling, the plate of tempura wobbling and that precious green jar still perched in her other palm hand. Her spirit must have kept her alive.

That was… unfortunate. But at least the jar was fine.

My Lady would need that precious—

Oh, yes. Where was My Lady?

She was standing several paces away, her back to us, and her gleaming armor somehow already wrapping her limbs. When had she had time to put it back on?

“Ahh… My Lady?” I offered gently, rising.

“What? What’s wrong?” she demanded, pivoting.

Her eyes were pure flame. It was glorious.

I just looked around at the ruins of Nyx’s camp. It was gone. All of it. Even the kitchen. It was an impressive crater. Almost as big as my record.

“Well…” I murmured, waving.

“It was, um, necessary to destroy the camp,” she snapped. “We don’t want to leave any evidence that the other Orders might find and we don’t know the Hollow’s purpose in building this trap—err, I mean, this place. We can’t trust anything that he builds. Anything,” she insisted, her eyes blazing bright.

Then she coughed into her mailed fist. “Now, prepare yourselves. We should get moving. He can’t be far now.” With that, she began to march off into the swamp.

“Wait, but are you alright—”

I cut off as Danae touched my arm with a shaky hand, her eyes pleading. She slowly shook her head as My lady stormed off, each footstep causing the water to evaporate under foot. She was soon obscured by the steam, a thick puffy trail lingering in her wake.

Hmm, perhaps Danae was right. Perhaps My Lady needed space.

Although, this left the vulpin and I alone.

Surrounded by thick steam and smoke. With no witnesses.

Which she seemed to realize as I turned, my eyes glowing bright white. My axe rose behind her, the blade glimmering amid the fog.

She had caused this; had woken My Lady.

And yet… she’d also saved that precious vial of spices; had stopped me from overstepping with My Lady. It was clear to me now that she was not a morning person.

This must be why she had been avoiding sleeping.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be necessary to kill Danae immediately…

The vulpin looked down at the plate in her hand, realizing she was still holding it. She swallowed hard… then offered it to me.

“Still, uh.. still hungry?”

“No, I am on a diet.”

She looked at me with round eyes. “Ahh… of course you are.”

Danae moved to turn, but my blade stopped her. “But leave the vial.”

“W-why?” She sputtered, looking suddenly reluctant.

“I should test it. My Lady is right. Our Future—conscripts might be planning something. I should hold onto it for safekeeping.”

More [Bullshit] and Danae looked reluctant, but she handed it over when my axe loomed closer. Then she turned and scurried off after My Lady, that plate still clutched between her paws. She soon vanished into the mixture of mist and steam.

Which left me standing there. Alone.

In a massive crater, the remains of my Future Friend’s delightful camp still smoldering. My Lady no longer speaking to me. Danae still somehow alive. And yet…

“This… this… is the best day ever!” I roared.

I was triumphant – victorious in the second battle in the war for My Lady’s heart. I had followed my Future Friend’s instructions to the letter and the result was beyond anything I could have possibly imagined. The memory etched into my mind with perfect clarity. The rise and fall of her chest. The feel of her weight against me, her fingers coiled in my fur. I was closer to getting My Lady to admit her feelings – I just knew it.

After all, I had heard her words. She had dreamed of me…

I had no idea what else my Future Friend had in store.

Yet I couldn’t wait to discover the rest of his battle plans.