Murder Beach, Under-town Sanctuary
Missionary Renzo, formerly known as Capitano Lorenzo Fuoco sits across from Mayor Fetter of Murder Beach contemplating the question of duty and who he serves. Up until he met Miss Jones it was so easy; his duty was to the People’s Province of Vorg and the Party that makes it run. Sure, he had some doubts due to the obvious daily corruption he witnessed but that’s the nature of people. The party worked to keep those people in check. Even top-level officials would get jailed on corruption charges from time to time. He has a duty to uphold the ideals of the party that has provided for him all his life.
Then there’s the duty to his wife. She’s always been supportive of his work as a Cohortes Urbanae. Of course, the same could be said of him, her works as a chirurgo keeps her at the hospital for as many late nights as his polizia paperwork. It’s more than that though, they both agreed to dial back their careers for a decade to raise a family. They should be applying for lighter duties about now and he doesn’t know when this infiltration job will be complete. He has a duty to fulfill his promise to his wife to start a family.
This job has two facets, on the face of it; there’s infiltrating the under town of Murder Beach and uncover its secrets. On the other side, there’s the job of keeping Miss Jones from harm. A job that should now be simpler as he’s learned the monster known as Knob Cairn perished at the hands of the vigilante Terius the Terrible. But the kill order for Miss Jones is still in force, until that is rescinded, he has a duty to protect her.
Nearly a quarter second has passed since Mayor Fetter asked him of what duties is he obligated and does he have any unbreakable loyalties.
Having categorized his duties, he should address his loyalties. First there’s the Party of the People’s Province of Vorg. They provided food and shelter to his family for generations. He’s been told they could never have supplied those things on their own without the assistance of the people’s party. Except now that he’s been outside of Vorg, he’s seen nothing but prosperity everywhere he looks.
The poorest place he visited during his travels was the tiny fishing community of Mosquito Beach. Everyone was healthy, fed, dressed in sturdy, durable clothes that befit their lifestyle. The only thing they were poor in was things. Extravagance and luxury were not present, but not because they were poor. They had so few things because they chose to live in isolation, away from the noise and bother of a large town on a trade route. When they had the opportunity to purchase an essential item like soap, they had no lack of capital to broker the purchase.
The ease at which that transaction took place still marvels him. No paperwork, no appointment, no queue, not even a receipt. Miss Jones handed over a few bars of soap and they were served two square meals, a battery top-off, and given access to the pier. Thinking about the efficiency of the transaction made him realize all the overhead the party and their bureaucracy adds. They say you don’t pay taxes in Vorg because there is no money, when in reality the party taxes every facet of the peoples lives with their unnecessary bureaucratic overhead.
Capitano Lorenzo Fuoco was born and raised in the People’s Province of Vorg, all the people of Vorg have lived, toiled, and suffered the same conditions. There is a kinship they all have for having endured the same pains. Renzo now sees how the Party, the same apparatus that claims to solve our problems is the source of those same problems. The so called “Great Families” are reaping the benefits of the people’s labor. His duty is to the people of Vorg, as is his loyalty, not to the PPoV or the Party.
His duty to his wife. The idea of slowing down their careers and starting a family was his idea. They’ve been growing apart for two years now. Renzo has tried to share the blame, but he works late less than one night a week, where his wife, Clodia does the opposite, coming home on time once a week. Some nights until well after midnight, her excuse being the day’s activities required her and her fellow surgeons to blow off steam at some unnamed watering hole near their hospice.
His plea to ease off their work duties and start a family was his attempt to save his marriage. Something, when he thinks about, he saw no evidence that she shared his concerns. His duty and feelings for his wife, have not been reciprocated in years. His present distance from his domestic circumstances have brought clarity to where his loyalty should lay, and it’s not with her.
The matter of Miss Jones is not as easy to quantify. She’s done him no wrong and has kept her end of their bargain perfectly. She offered him a job and he accepted. She needs to be seen safe until the kill order is lifted, that he can do. Now that Cairn is no longer hunting them, all she need do is lay low until her people do what they do and “fix” the problem.
She belongs to one of the families, a minor family, but still a family. Does she deserve the same disdain he feels for the others? Her family fixes things for the other’s, operating outside the rules of the party. Does that redeem them or make them worse? Do they only fix the problems of the PPoV at the behest of the other families or do they do it for the greater good? The Capitano will need to investigate the situation further before deciding that loyalty.
His last duty is to investigate the under-town and discover what secrets they are hiding. It’s obvious now that he’s sitting on a bench in a sanctuary decorated with ornate tapestries and paintings depicting ancient battles. Many feature a glorious figure smiting all that attack the city walls. A figure that took a vow to defend all that live within that city, no matter the enemy.
Another quarter second has passed, he should consider his response further.
Investigating these people turned out to be much easier than expected, a recent event has given them the confidence to no longer hide underground and motivated them to take their message out into the world.
That recent event was the appearance of a young man of giant proportions, a man that if you are to believe the stories has achieved a fifth spiritual ascension. That same giant is said to have broken the bond between the Free’er and the Dragon; another element depicted in the shrine downstairs. If that mural is truly a representation of what’s to come, he will bring upon the return after two more ascensions.
It’s a fantastic story but one that’s hard to believe, that is until they shared the identity of the young man, they say is the harbinger of the return. That man is named Malo, and when he and Miss Jones were on their journey here, Malo made himself felt across the entire world and pledged to defend it. It was only a wash of feelings, but they were so clear and impossible to misunderstand. That man pledged to defend Renzo personally, it was the same for everyone who will speak of that moment. The promise was not a platitude or generalization to save the world. That young man with all his power will use it to defend the smallest of us, not just the greatest.
That is an ideal Renzo finds very attractive.
Further expanding on the mysterious man’s story; it seems Miss Jones has met a pair of his friends and they spoke very highly of his intelligence and his unique perspective of the world. They both seemed awed by his strength. They did so with no knowledge of the mural or the book of prophecies.
One of those prophecies was fulfilled in the very spot directly in front of him. The young man’s fifth ascension was to take place in a place of quiet grace and break the alter where the light shines alone. There before him is the lone alter of Eternal Grace, in a sanctuary shielded he’s told from all forms of energy, making it blessedly quiet to gifted people. The fifth ascension happened with the death of his lifelong mentor, a Master from Mammatus Study, grief-stricken Malo smashed the alter, thus fulfilling the requirements of the prophecy.
With less than a second passing since hearing the question, the former Capitano has made his decision.
Releasing quick-thought, “There is no duty greater than spreading the word of Grace Eternal. There are no bonds of loyalty so strong as to keep me from spreading the word. I’ll do it.”
Mayor Fetter is stunned, “Really, are you sure you don’t need more time to consider?”
“I’ve considered my decision from many angles. The only thing that can keep me here another day is your word that Malo is returning here to meet up with the mutual friends of my former traveling companion.
“They were once her protector and are partially why she is in danger. I will return that responsibility to them and if Grace favors me, I may get to meet Malo in person.”
Mayor Fetter touches his heart, “Grace Eternal upon you.”
Returning the gesture, Missionary Renzo repeats, “Grace Eternal upon you.”
Rocky Waste Mountain Range, Bearlower
Commander Fenna is looking at the report submitted by Jadeen, no Seer Jadeen. That woman has been a pleasant surprise of resourcefulness. Something the little general was quick to realize and capitalize upon.
It turns out that Job has some unique abilities and even some knowledge not shared by others, but he’s too young to understand much of it. The child excels at judging a person’s character and assessing their capabilities. He asked the human Elias to be his Chief of Staff before learning that he once held exactly that roll with another War Born encampment. He recognized Jadeen’s clever mind and asked her to investigate his own ability to seemingly loan his gift to others.
Afte two months of interviewing his parents and experimenting, she thinks she’s cracked the code and if she’s right, this will be a battle turning discovery. She is to report her findings this afternoon.
Before that though, there’s a meeting with Senior Chief of Staff Elias.
It’s exactly an hour after noon, when her own Chief of Staff, Loua taps on her door and announces, “Senior Chief of Staff Elias is here to see you, shall I let him in?”
“Please do.”
Pushing the door open himself, Elias arrogantly sweeps into the room, “Thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice.”
Taking a seat uninvited, “What are we going to do about this?”
Commander Mayor Fenna knowing full well what he’s talking about, “What are we going to do about what?”
Elias gives her his best dead eyed stare, “Don’t play dumb with me, you were briefed this morning as was I. This Tomas of Brust is demanding General Job present himself, like a common Lost Child.”
Commander Fenna had been at this longer, she should cut Elias some slack, but his attitude makes it difficult, “He’s half right, he is a child after all.
“I think it’s prudent of Lord Tomas to do as he is.
“He negotiated a treaty with the Ranger’s of Bearlower, he knows nothing of your general. You may be human, but you’ve been around our kind for too long. You’re thinking like a War Born, when this situation requires a human touch.
“Luckily, you have me. I’m considered soft by our kind and can temper your learned aggressive behavior.
“So, let’s hear it.”
Elias narrows his eyes, he doesn’t like being spoken down too, especially by War Born, “Hear what?”
Acting innocent, “What would you have me do about this?”
Elias might have grown arrogant in the last month, but he knows when he’s being out maneuvered. Carefully he responds, “Let’s clear up what this is.
“This small fry kingdom is testing us. What game are they playing?”
Shaking her head, “You may be a genius at logistics, but you have no head for politics. This is no game or simple challenge of authority. This is a demand to be introduced to the new player that has usurped the trade authority of Bearlower. The governing body in which they entered into a mutual agreement of trade and defense.”
Fenna pauses to let that sink in, “If you look at it from their perspective, your General is an unknown third party claiming to speak for their trade partner.
“Under similar circumstances, would you not want to meet your new ally, face to face?”
Elias doesn’t like hearing the truth, but he knows it when he hears it, “I suppose you are correct.
“But what should we do? We have a war to prepare for.”
Fenna can’t help but smile as she answers, “Think of this as an exercise in command structure. A general must command his troops no matter where they are deployed. You should be able to accommodate his travel and keep the war effort preparations underway.”
Now it’s Elias’ turn to smile, “Are you saying this is my problem?”
“That’s precisely what I’m saying. Work out the logistics or have our entire treaty fall apart.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
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Commander Fenna gives a scolding look before responding, “Would it be bad to lose our trade with Twoya, the source of our armaments? Would it be a bad thing to lose our trade with Oiho, our primary source of grain and dairy?
“Our alliance with Brusk gives us more than just the finest felt, which we use to manufacture much of our uniforms. It opens the door to all the other city states of South Cenoka. For all of that our young General should happily meet with our first and most important ally.”
Cheeks flushing pink, “Commander Fenna, I apologize. General Job’s importance can get the better of me at times. I will make arrangements for him to travel to Brusk as soon as I work out the communication logistics for the trip.”
Standing as abruptly as he sat, “If you’ll excuse me, I have much work to do.”
Watching the human Elias leave, Mayor Fenna wants to laugh at how much her world was turned upside down by the runt Malo.
Raising her voice just enough to be heard in the next room, “Loua, let me know when my next appointment arrives.”
She only has to wait another twenty minutes before Seer Jadeen is announced and admitted.
“Seer Jadeen, I hear you’ve made some progress. Your last report sounds optimistic, what more can you tell me?”
Jadeen may not have working eyes, but she can navigate her environment better than any person with sight. Stopping a half step from the Commanders desk she stands at attention and gives her report.
“Thank you, Commander, for seeing me in person, when a written report would have sufficed.”
Commander Fenna reads enough reports and prefers verbal communications, “Your work is important, I’m sure to have questions. Please proceed.”
“As you know I’ve been investigating our general’s ability to share his gift with others. At first glance, it appeared to be something he could only do for his parents and under stress. That would have stood up to most scrutiny until I started talking to his other um, staff?”
Fenna was ready for this awkward moment, “You mean caretakers. He’s not yet a year old, he needs tutors and responsible adults around him at all times; please continue.”
“Yes… as I was saying. The other caretakers that spend time with him are also picking up traces of his gift. At first, I thought it was simply proximity, but after interviewing all the people in his circle I noticed a pattern.
“Only his most loyal companions are able to tap into his abilities.
“Which leads me to a theory I’d like to test, if you will allow it?”
Commander Fenna wasn’t expecting this but is pleased, “What is the nature of this theory and how can you test it?”
“My theory suggests that anyone that pledges themselves to Job is able to tap into his abilities. I want to test if that connection is reciprocal.”
Commander Fenna isn’t sure what that means and raises an eyebrow to signal her confusion.
“What I mean, is I’d like to test if someone who is gifted were to pledge themselves to the general, if he would gain their abilities and would he be able to share it as if it were his own.”
Mayor Commander Fenna feels a wave of disappointment, “That sounds great, but we don’t have a whole lot of people with the gift, and he already possesses more than any of them.”
Seer Jadeen would glare if she had eyes, “I was thinking of myself. He has many abilities, but mine is unique and only shared by one other person that I know of.”
Commander Fenna sits back in her chair, fingers steepled, “Can you do that? Pledge yourself to a child?”
Quitting her stance of attention, “Sir, I’ve been looking for someone to lead me to greatness all my life. I was gifted this ability by the Free’er himself. It must be for a reason. The human Elias was given a mission by the Free’er that led us here. It can’t be a coincidence that we crossed paths with the youth. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. The recent events lead me to believe that Job is at the center of the Return.
“Allow me to pledge my loyalty to the general. If he can share my gift with others, we will be unstoppable.”
Commander Fenna unable to think of any reasonable objections; curtly nods consent.
Resuming attention, boots smacking audibly, “I’ll make the arrangements at once. Would you like to be present when I give my oath?”
“Yes, should your theory prove true, we will be changing our battle tactics. Keep Loua informed of your schedule and arrange for my attendance through her.”
Jadeen thumps her chest in salute, “Yes, sir.”
Commander Fenna having evolved into Mayor Fenna has allowed her military protocols to slip and barely remembers to return the salute.
The half-hearted hand to heart is enough for Seer Jadeen, she about faces and exits the office. Leaving Mayor Commander Fenna to her paperwork.
It seems to Fenna that the sun was just at its peak a moment ago when she sees the long shadow of bear mountain covering half her valley. It’s too early in the year for the days to feel this short she gripes to herself.
Needing a break, she allows her mind to wander. A tap on her door interrupts wistful thoughts of her days as a field ranger, “Commander, the proposed demonstration you discussed with Seer Jadeen will be ready in thirty minutes.”
“That was fast, I didn’t expect the general to agree so quickly.”
“My thoughts exactly, but here we are. I arranged for the eastern parade grounds to be clear for our use.”
“So much space, why outside at all?”
“That was at the insistence of the Seer. She cautioned, should this work, the experience will be less traumatic with fewer surfaces in close proximity.”
“I’ll be out in a few minutes; I should finish these requisition forms. Even if this does work, we’ll still need ammunition for all the rifles we purchased. Who knew animal pelts would have such high trade values?”
Snickering at the common joke amongst rangers, “Well we do kill anyone else who tries to hunt these mountains. Having a monopoly is the kind of trade our kind is best suited.”
“Yes, that and conquest. I guess defending something isn’t so different in action. Only the intent and result differ, the methods are quite similar.
“I’ll be out shortly.”
Chief of Staff Loua takes that as a dismissal and returns to her own duties.
Signing her name with practiced efficiency, the form in hand is added to the stack of completed work. Loua will clear the pile and bring her a fresh stack tomorrow.
“Loua, would you like to accompany me?”
“Sure boss.”
The east parade grounds are empty except for a small group of people. Present is a visibly agitated Sr Chief of Staff Elias, both Reccy and Sarich the parents, Seer Jadeen with her ever-present guide Zephyr, and General Job himself looking entirely too small to be in a war camp.
Joining them, Commander Fenna asks, “I hope I did not keep you waiting.”
Seer Jadeen has been around competing commanders in the past, speaks quickly, “Not at all, you are early, as are the rest of us.
“Since we are all here, why don’t we get started.
“As I’ve told you all on occasion, I have a unique gift that I hope I can share with all of you through General Job. If this experiment works you will be given the sight of potential energy. It’s the closest thing there is to seeing the future.
“I brought us outside because I hope you will all soon learn that every surface will reflect potential if you are on any sort of collision course with it.
“It doesn’t matter if you plan on changing direction before smacking into a wall, you will sense that collision which can induce panic until you learn to filter out such things.
“General, with your permission I’d like to pledge myself to your cause.”
Job, who to this point was hugging and partially hiding behind his father’s leg looks uncertain. Letting go and stepping forward he begins to look to have resolved whatever inner turmoil plagued him.
His tiny military uniform does nothing to make him look serious, at twenty-six inches there is nothing that can make him look anything but adorable to all present except Elias.
Job’s small but confident voice addresses Jadeen, “Are you really prepared to do so? I’ve not told you all of my plans.”
Jadeen was wondering if it would come to something like this, and prepared, “You and I are War Born. We both seek purpose; for without purpose, we will die by our own hands. The details of your plan as well as the desired outcomes matters not to me.”
Quietly Job responds, “Even if I plan on fighting to the last man, woman... and child?”
Seizing the opportunity, Jadeen approaches the general, kneels on both knees and holds her hands out in invitation for Job to take.
Looking him in the eyes, “General Job Alderman, only surviving son of Sarich and Reccy of Bellburger, I Seer Jadeen of the Barren Waste War Clan, chosen by the Free’er and gifted with potential-sight, give you my binding word of obedience and promise to defend you until I take my dying breath.”
Jadeen doesn’t know if she should expect anything to happen right away or if it will take time. Maybe this was a waste of everyone’s time after all.
Everyone waits with bated breath until Job’s quiet voice breaks the silence, “I accept.”
Jadeen shudders as something strokes her spirit causing a shiver and a break out of piloerections on her exposed arms.
Job continues, “Beasts are coming. They run on two feet.”
Quickly returning to his father’s leg, “The rat-tor found us again.”
Jadeen notices it too, something weighing close to seven hundred pounds, and five more smaller beasts are approaching at around ten miles per hour from the west. Also, two humans, their efficient quiet movements marking them as rangers, proceed them.
“Remarkable, does anyone else feel this?”
Zephyr doesn’t but draws her sword and knife and turns westward.
Sarich scoops up Job and hands him to Reccy and stands ready to explode at anything that threatens harm against his family.
Jadeen doesn’t move, nor does Fenna. Ravtor would never charge a populated area on their own. Whatever is coming is not a pack wild ravtor attacking Bearlower.
The two rangers break through the tree line first, closely followed by three ravtor. Seeing the group, they angle towards them. The pack of ravtor stop pursuing the rangers and linger by the tree line.
All eyes except for Commander Fenna and Guide Zephyr lock on the approaching rangers. The other two keep peering at something strapped to the back of one of the Ravtor. It’s too dark amongst the trees to make out what it is.
Commander pulls her eyes from the tree line to address her rangers, “Ranger Puck, report.”
Puck glances at his partner James, who gives him a nod to continue, “We discovered another human trying to infiltrate Bearlower. We tried to stop her two miles out, but she refused to stop and comply with our directions. We only barely beat her here.”
Commander Fenna brings her gaze back to the shadowy outlines at the tree line, “All I see is a pack of ravtor, where is this human?”
In the distance a low whistle that lasts almost two seconds causes the pack to surge forward, before settling into a brisk walk.
The lead ravtor pulls all eyes as the bundle on its back reveals itself to be a woman.
Her clothes mark her as youthful, pitch-black cosmetics line her eyes and lips, her hair the same shade of coal black with ash-colored highlights. Wearing a long-sleeved black shirt blazoned with a dragon skull and a split black A-line skirt, and antique combat boots, make her look exotic even if she wasn’t riding the apex predator of South Cenoka like it was a common inu.
Facing a hostile reception, the lady pulls up short and dismounts her ride in one smooth motion while emitting two low whistles.
The ravtors halt and look around impatiently while she walks the last four yards, she gives a wave of greetings.
“Hi, which one of you is in charge?”
Commander Fenna steps forward, “I am Commander Fenna, identify yourself and state your business.”
Curtsying, “My name is Maddison Draco, I came here to make amends for something bad I did a long time ago.”
Nobody knows what to say.
Breaking the silence, Job speaks up, “I like your rat-tors are they friendly?”
Maddison looks at the child clinging to his father’s legs, “Thank you. They’re all friendly if you know the right commands.
“That’s what I’m here to do. I’m going to return to you your rightful mounts.
“Your Creators designed you and these velociraptors to be companions while you conquered new worlds.
“I’m sorry to say that I was instructed to sabotage that relationship when I was young.”
They all heard the same words, none of which made any sense.
“I fabricated two copies of the Sudo-Velociraptor Quick Start Guides for you to reference.”
Pulling the two thin booklets from her skirt pocket, she holds them out.
Zephyr steps forward and takes them. She flips one open and approaches the anxiously waiting ravtors.
Job speaks again, “You knew a creator? Did you meet the War Father?”
Stooping down to Job’s height, “You must be the general I heard about.
“I also heard they call you Job, is that right?”
This snaps Reccy out of her stunned silence, “Where did you hear this?”
“I hear everything. At least everything since Malo liberated me.”
Commander flinches when she hears that name. Problems seem to follow him, what plague of trouble will this strange woman bring?
Pointing, Job speaks again, “Your rat-tor’s like Zeff.”
Zephyr calls back to them, “This book is amazing. All we need to do is whistle the attunement sequence and they’re ready to obey dozens of commands.
Climbing on the back of the same ravtor Madison was riding, she takes the reigns and emits a low long whistle.
All the ravtors begin to move forward. Zephyr guides her mount with the reigns and the others follow.
Madison claps her hands and hops up and down in delight, “She’s good! I thought I was going to spend the next hour getting you all over your fears.
“I’m all done here then. Good luck with your war, General Job.”
Turning briskly, she skips her way back to the tree line while the stunned group alternate their slack jawed stares from Zephyr riding a ravtor and the retreating strange girl.
Commander Fenna after a few awkward starts manages to finally say, “What just happened?”
Elias clears his throat before saying, “I think we were just visited by an emissary of the Dragon.”
Sarich asks, “Why do you say that?”
“She claimed the name of Draco for starters. Then there’s the casual manor in which she handed out knowledge that was held from us for thousands of years. That’s the kind of things the Dragon Priests do.
“Where do you think all these new firearms are coming from?”
Sarich nods along, then adds, “You forget that she said she was making amends for something she personally did long ago. She knew who my son was without introduction.
“That was no emissary. I believe we just met The Dragon.”
Commander Fenna adds, “That aligns with what I know of Malo, the man she mentioned to have liberated her. When I last saw him, he was hunted by a Power Lord. Then months ago, while you were in my office that was him, we felt, vowing to defend us.
“Next he’ll show up holding hands with the Free’er and sing us lullabies until we all go to sleep, I recon.”
That comment elicits a chuckle from Elias.
“Joking aside, how did your experiment go, Jadeen?”
Jadeen, looks to Job, “Can you access me ability now that I pledged myself to you?”
Job looks frustrated as he tries to understand what he’s been asked. He understands his own nature and role perfectly and can often communicate those facts in a mature manner. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s not a year old yet and is still unlocking words and concepts day by day.
“I can tell when things are going to bump, and I felt the rat-tor stomps a long way um-way.
“This is new and scary, there are so many things that can hurt me everywhere.”
Looking over at Reccy, “If it’s ok with you, I can train Job how to use this ability and help assuage his fears.”
“That would be prudent. As for your theory about ability sharing, I too felt the Ravtor’s approach. I believe you’ve contributed greatly to my son’s purpose.”
Everyone spins upon hearing Zephyr’s elated cheer as she reaches a peak speed of forty-miles-per-hour with the other ravtors trailing behind. Racing in a giant arc around the parade ground.
Commander to Jadeen, “Do you think you can get your guide to give me one of those quick start guides. I think I’d like to ride one too.”