…/Proxy

Several masked creeps come out of the woods like a pack of animals, moving silently. Their builds are almost identical to the old man's, but they vary from person to person. Forget escaping, these guys are keeping a tight formation. We have to stay back-to-back, or they’ll just gang up on us. The old man is sneering at me, mean mugging the hell out of me with his crooked ass teeth.

“Hey, wanna use that ability of yours, Zeal?”

“Can’t.”

“Bullshit, just use it!”

“No, I really can’t.”

“If you need me to mess you up a bit, I can.”

“...Still can’t! I would if I could, but…”

“Alright, alright! We’ll just have to fight our way out.”

I say that, but this ain’t gonna be easy. The old fart isn’t fazed by any of my hits. Sure, I mean I got his good, but he isn’t on the ground or even in pain, he’s smirking as if I did nothing but tickle him. And these guys beside him don’t radiate the same aura this guy does, but they’re pretty damn intimidating with how quiet they are.

“What’s da matter? Wussin’ out or somethin’? We ain’t lettin’ y’all of lightly!”

“What the hell did we do to you, you old fart!?”

“Dat boy, right there!”

Zeal holds him up by the head, presenting him with a blank face. “You mean this idiot?”

“Don’t hold him like that, jackass! Look, we didn’t lay a hand on him! We found him like this!”

“Ya take me for a duntz?”

“We’re telling the truth, he must’ve–”

“I heard it! We gonna be takin’ him back, and beatin’ y’all half to death!”

Old fogy isn’t going to listen to a word we have to say! A fight is nice and all, but I’ll have to worry about Chip while I do, and I don’t even know if Zeal is gonna even try to keep him safe, and our opponents are pissed, so this is gonna get ugly.

“Chip, stay behind us.”

“Hey, you don’t have to tell me. Don’t let them hit me in the face.”

They’re getting closer, pointing their weapons at us. Wish I had my sword right about now. Instead though, a purple blur soars over the enemies, perfectly sticking the landing and running to our side. She summons her sword, standing it on the ground.

“No further. This will be the only warning distributed. If you ignore this, I shall display lethal force.”

Oh, thank you, sweet God! Now we aren’t going to get murderized.

“Don’t hurt them badly, Nunnalé.” Richard climbs off of Nunnalé’s back. “Are you guys okay?”

“We’re fine, but why are you guys here?”

“Marie said you were all in trouble. We ran ahead of the others.”

“What, so she can see the future now?”

“Would make things considerably easier, wouldn’t it?”

The old man rubs his beard, patting his chest with his weapon. “Ah, more of ya runts… Ya think numbers are gonna make things easier? Dat ain’t gonna matter. By the time we done with ya, you’ll–”

Cutting him off from whatever intimidating speech he had set up, a loud, sudden yawn, as boisterous as a grizzly bear getting out of hibernation. “Aw…my face…my face!” The guy who face-planted stands up, stretching his limbs. “...Huh? What the heck is going on…? Grandpa?”

“F-finn!” “Grandpa” runs over and past us to the boy, hugging the life out of him, and destroying whatever intimidating aura he had. “Finn! Ya okay!? These sons of bitches hurt you!? Don’t ya worry, we’s gonna beat the snot out of them.

Ya know…that isn’t so scary anymore when he’s hugging him like he’s a little boy, and all teary-eyed at that.

“Um, I don’t know these guys, Grandpa…”

“Huh? But ya face and these lil shits look like a pack of wild animals, they do.”

I flip him off. “Cram it up your ass, you old bastard.”

“Yeah, you stinking old fart…! But what type of animal am I?” Zeal asks, ignorant of how dumb he sounds.

“Oh, ah…well… I cannot remember!”

“Wha– So, they did jump ya!”

“No, we didn’t! We found him like that, and we think he fell from that branch and onto his face. Does that make sense, gramps!?”

“Really? Dat true?”

“Hmm… I think it is, yeah. I was searching for…stuff, and something caught my eye on that branch. I tried to get it but I slipped and hit the dirt.”

“Yep, knew he was an idiot.”

“Ya dumb kid! Didn’t I tell ya to be careful?”

“Yes, right! Sorry, Grandpa! Please…stop...hugging!”

This goes on any longer that guy is gonna die by being hugged to death.

“Yo, is this a cease-fire? Cause we got no reason to fight now.”

“Yeah, guess ya got a point there… Sorry ‘bout dat. Though, ya’ll look like some bad guys.” I hope he means Zeal, cause I sure as hell don’t look like a bad guy. “Apologies if I scared ya, kiddo.”

“That kick to the head rattle your brain or something? I wasn’t scared for a second.”

He responds with a hearty laugh. “Guts, I like it. But don’t ya get it twisted, it takes more than a kick to get me down. Got a head dats harder than iron!” A loud honk from down the road gets the attention of the weird mask people. The black bus’s large body hastily approaches. “Friends?”

“Yeah.” I wave to them, gesturing to Elizabeth that it’s safe over here.

“A black vehicle…are ya the anti-bandit army we been hearin’ ‘bout? Hear them bandits talk about ya. Ridin’ in a black vessel, bringin’ nothin’ but pain but no death.”

“That’s us.”

“Well, ain’t ya got me curious.”

The bus rolls closer until coming to a full stop near us. Several members, including Alex and Marie, come barreling out of the bus, armed to the teeth.

“You guys okay?” Marie bellows, standing with her spear.

“We are unharmed,” Nunnalé reports. “...However, there may be a misunderstanding, to my knowledge.”

“Then…these are not enemies?” Alex speaks up, putting away his sword.

“Pretty much,” Chip answers.

“How do ya know of us?”

“Depends, are you guys from Borghulda?” Marie asks, keeping her spear ready.

“Oh…I get it. Some daft moron down in one of dem villages told ya we’re all dangerous, huh?”

“Are you?”

“Only to bastards who mess with us.” He pounds his chest. “I’m Horgmon! Chief of Borghulda. Nice to meet ya! Hey, ya lot! Take dem damn masks off! We got guests, not enemies.” They all begin taking their masks off, an assortment of boys and not a female in sight. Thank god. If one of them was a girl and I beat them to hell and back… Well, I’d be lame for that. “Who da leader of ya band?”

Marie nudges Alex. He hesitantly walks up, tensing up. “I–I…am Alexander!”

“Oh…are ya now.” The old man moves towards Alex. He puts his mean mug towards him.. “...Alright! Tell ya what! Since all ya ain’t enemies, and we don’t need ta beat ya half to death, why don’t ya come to da village?”

“Truly? You would have us?”

“‘Course, blondie… I know we have lots to discuss. Can dis beast of yours fit us all?”

“Hey!” Elizabeth pops her head out of the bus exit, fuming with anger. “This ain’t no beast! This is a work of damn ART! If ya call her a beast again, ya can walk all the way home! I don’t give a shit!”

That outburst leaves the old man speechless, and I can’t blame him; she can come off pretty strong at the drop of a hat. But instead of calling her out, he starts laughing. “Ah, sorry, sorry. I shoulda known better. Ya have my apologies, lil lady. May we board your vehicle?”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Ehh… Since you were so damn nice about it, sure thing!”

Everyone begins to board the bus. The number of masked people isn’t too many, like 10-12, so this should be fine. But that old dude is the village chief, and it looks like he’s been through a rough fight. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out he was probably there during the final battle of the war, and if that’s the case, then he might’ve seen Sigurd in Alex… Maybe I’m wrong, cause wouldn’t he have attacked if he did? Bigger question though: what is Alex gonna do once we get there? Doubt the locals will be thrilled that he’s his dad’s boy…

“Wow, my face doesn't hurt anymore!”

“You should be fine, but why were you climbing trees?”

“Ah, I was collecting bugs.”

Ew, nasty! No wonder that bag was wriggling like that, and I was going to open that thing!

“Were you going to eat them?” Nunnalé asks, genuinely curious.

The question invoked the image of him eating the most disgusting creatures I can picture. If I puke now, nobody could blame me.

“No way! I was…um…was just…umm… Going to make them fight each other! Yep, that’s it.” If you’re gonna lie, at least don’t make it that obvious. “An-anyway, I appreciate the help! I am Finn! I’m the chief’s grandson.”

“I’m Richard, that’s Nunnalé, and he’s–”

“Proxy: AKA the strongest punk in all of NewPort, and a proud member of the Anti-bandit army. Don’t go forgetting it.”

“Whoa…”

“I know, but don’t feel too overwhelmed by my greatness, my awesomeness, and my–”

“That’s the longest name I ever heard.”

“Oh, come on! How the hell did you think that was my whole name!?”

“Don’t blame him for thinking that.”

“Master, I thought that was his whole name?”

“Well, Nunnalé, you never know, it may be.”

“I see…”

“No it isn’t! Look, just call me Proxy, okay? Cool!.”

“Understood! However, if…if…I may be so bold…can I…”

“Can you…?”

“Ah, no! Never mind, g-g-good day!”

Finn runs ahead of us to the bus.

“The people in this world keep getting stranger and stranger, right, buddy?”

“He was anxious, fearful too when he was answering about the bugs earlier, and just now,” Richard says, pushing up his glasses. “However, those weren’t the strongest emotions in the mix, it was 'embarrassment'.”

“Embarrassment?”

“Yeah… Whatever he’s doing with those things, I don’t want to know.”

“Not even a little?”

Richard pursed his lips, veering his eyes away from me. “I…can’t whole-heartedly say I don’t want to know.”

“Nosy,” I call him with a gleeful smile.

“Wha– You’re the one who wants to know!”

“I never said I wanted to know.”

“As if you wouldn’t!”

“That’s…true.”

“Then don’t accuse me of being the only nosy person here.”

“So, you admit you are?”

“No– I– that’s not what I– You know what I mean!”

“Nah, can’t say.”

“But you do know how to be carried bridal style.”

A painful memory, the most embarrassing moment in all of my 15 years of life.

“Low blow,” I mutter, cringing at the psychic damage it has dealt me.

Anti-bandit army bus - Proxy

Roadburner is following along the bus like before, and I’m just in here, relaxing after the fight I had. Not like I’m tired or anything, but I gotta let my body get some rest to be at my peak. But I can’t quite get a good break in with a certain someone staring at me. Finn is eyeing me up, and it’s beginning to annoy me.

“Dude, if you have something to say, then say it.”

“Did you really fight Grandpa?”

“Yeah…”

“He was tough, right?”

“Yeah…you ever fight him?”

“Not really, it’s just…I don’t think I’ve seen anyone who's gone toe-to-toe with him before.”

“Well, don’t count the geezer out yet. I think he was holding back.”

“He was!?”

“I think so.”

He’s old, there’s no getting over that, but he was handling that stick around like an expert, and even when I was getting hits on him, he never lost track of me. His body mass isn’t for show, it felt like I was hitting a brick wall, and if he was really trying to kill me in a fight, I doubt I’d come out unscathed. Just gonna be grateful he didn’t didn’t have a sword.

“I’m sorry if Grandpa was rude to you guys. You can tell, but he is incredibly protective of me and the rest of Borghulda.”

“Don’t worry about us. It takes more than an old man with a stick and some harsh words to take me down. But what about you? Can you fight?”

“I’m not very good at it, but I don’t… Nevermind.”

“What? Not interested?”

He puts his finger to his lips, lowering his head “Don’t say it aloud!”

“Okay, so am I right?”

“...Yes, but you can’t tell my grandpa, he can never know.”

“Why?”

“He just can’t, okay? Keep it a secret, pretty please!?”

“Yeah, you don’t have to worry, I can keep a secret.”

It doesn’t seem that big of a deal to me. What, do you have to like caving in someone’s skull to be a village chief or something? Actually, that old man said he was gonna beat us half to death a couple of times back there. I might not be far off with that.

“Proxy, come here for a second.” Chip calls over for me.

“Better go see what's up with him. Nice talking to you, and hey, keep those bugs in that bag.”

“Will do!”

I get up, heading over to him. I take a seat next to Marie, Chip, and Alex.

“Hey, Proxy, I was telling Marie what happened. Turns out a villager said that the people from Borghulda are dangerous… Can’t say I don’t agree though, but I guess it was a misunderstanding.”

“I still wonder why they said that in the first place,” Marie ponders.

“Perhaps the residents of Borghulda are wary of others?”

“They said they were violent to outsiders… Also, that capital thing is bothering me. Never heard of that before. I thought he was talking about Borghulda, but now…”

“Well, whatever it is, I don’t think it’ll compare to the kingdom. Right, your highness?” Marie is taken aback by Chip's remark, almost wounded by the title. “Ah, hey I didn’t mean to make fun of you. I was just joking around.”

“Don’t worry, you didn’t do anything.”

“Man, come on, don’t start looking all sad, you’ll make me feel worse.”

“Shouldn’t you already feel bad?” I ask him.

“I do but I don’t wanna feel worse than I already do.”

“You guys don’t have to worry about me. Right now, we should focus on getting more info. Chip.”

He straightens out, stiff as a board. “Ye-yeah?”

“What do you think of the residence?”

“Um, can’t say much… They’re a dangerous bunch, that much I can tell you. But…I don’t think their chief is shady or anything, but we better be careful about mentioning things like…” He hunches down, covering the side of his mouth with his hand. “...You being royal blood, or him being Sigurd’s son,” he whispers. “Don’t really gotta tell you guys, right?” Marie nods in affirmation, but Alex sits there with a resolute look. “Blondie, what’s with that look?”

“I…do not wish to trouble everyone, however, I want to learn more of my father.”

“And the only way to do that is from these guys… Yep, should’ve seen that one coming. Any chance you’ll rethink that?”

“I am sorry, however, I must know, not for idle fancy, but to know of the world my father envisioned… What his ideal peace was, and to understand the real him. Please forgive me.”

Even if he pretends not to have familial ties to Sigurd like he did with Garrick, just bringing up the guy will be trouble, and I doubt these people are gonna be thrilled about fighting with us then. But if that happens, who needs them? We already have a couple of powerhouses in this army, a can-do attitude, and me. We’ll be more than fine.

“Guess asking isn’t going to change your mind. Just be careful then, getting yourself killed for answers ain’t the best way to go about things.”

“I promise and will not allow my pursuit to harm any of you.”

“Even if it does, at least I know what to expect. Besides…we’re all in on this together, so what’s a few bumps and cuts, huh?”

“Aw, he’s so sweet,” Marie says wearing an impish smile on her face.

“Yeah, who knew you could be so caring. So sweet.”

“Shut up! I’ve always been a caring guy!”

“Thank you for your concern, Chip. I care for you as well.”

“Please, don’t make this more awkward, man.”

The bus comes to a stop, almost sending us rocketing forward. The door opens up.

“Alright, ya lugs! We need to disarm the traps! Come on, get to it!

The Borghulda residents leave the bus, grumbling to themselves, murmuring things like “disarming is a pain in the ass.” Sucks for them, but I rather not have traps T-boning our bus, so they better suck it up and do it. About 14 minutes pass before they come back, moaning about the tireless work they had to put up with. The chief looks just as vigorous as ever.

We continued onward, up a small hill. Gradually, the flourishing forest life was thinning out the further we went, the color fading from bright green to a gray, depressing hue Saplings are rooted everywhere under burnt soil.

“Burned just about all of this up to Borghulda… Some people say they saw the smoke from miles out,” Chip recounts. “Not that burnt-up woods are anything new, but it being common wasn’t all that reassuring either.

“Yeah…it sure isn’t,” Marie laments, somberly gazing out at the woods. “Used to see smoke all the time back in the kingdom. Raiders would burn whatever they could before the knights put them down. No matter how vigilant, people always suffered from those attacks. I remember when they made it to the castle…”

“You don’t have to say any more than that,” I tell her. “But were the raiders all from Borghulda or something?”

“Nah, most raiders were people who took advantage of the war, riding into the kingdom, looting, destroying, and killing whoever they could. I was one of those poor people who had to steal stuff just to survive. Can’t blame people for doing that; the whole thing started because the kingdom was hoarding resources.”

“The village right outside the kingdom was not spared from that tragedy,” Alex adds on, downtrodden.

“What happened to it anyway?” I inquire.

“It was dismantled. The residents there were likely chased away. Although, the population was quite small to begin with, and decreased as the war raged on… I always hoped that everyone from there to be in good health. Their kindness was a comfort in those dark times.”

When I first heard the kingdom rejected people from the outside, I naturally thought they were dicks. Don’t get me wrong, they still are, but I can’t say it doesn’t make sense; when people come into your home and messed shit up, of course, you aren’t receptive to them. However, that doesn’t excuse the mines, not one bit.

“Marie…so… This is gonna be sensitive, but it’s about your brother, the other one, I mean.” She tenses up, avoiding eye contact with me, riffed with disbelief on her face. “Shit! My bad! I was just wondering about something, and I–”

“No, no it’s fine… I–”

“Here we are!” Horgmon shouts inside the bus, almost bursting my eardrums with his loud ass voice.

“Hey, you old bastard! Don’t shout like that, especially near my damn brother!”

“Huh? Shut it, ya lil piss sniffer. Ya louder than me, but ya don’t see me bitchin’ and whinin’.”

Man, if you can shut Zeal up, you are my personal hero, old man– No, Horgmon, the living legend… Anywho, I pop my head out the window; the bus heads closer to a village nestling between large mountains and forests. Village, yeah right…this place isn't a dinky village!

“Holy crap.”

I thought it would be a bunch of old buildings and stuff, but this place is a proper, bustling town with buildings, not as tall as the ones from Laguna, but they’re well-made nonetheless. There’s a road leading us in with no blade of grass in sight, or even a pebble on the road, and there are a bunch of people going about their day like usual. We move past the gate they have set up here. It’s not as large as the kingdom’s and made out of wood, but it’s still impressive.

“Alas, we made it. To Borghulda!”