Chapter 11: A Band of Buddies (Part 1!)

It was a long month, but it had paid off for the Oligarch of Suncatch. As held the celebrations, there was scant notice of his new infrastructure project, right in the heart of the Oligarchy.

A massive complex, not built for war, but for training. He commanded great loyalty from his legions since they didn’t care to question the structure. As well as his unquieting requests for more and more foreign scholars and doctors. He only had a couple months left before his war season would start, but his progress exceeded that of his timeline.

Although he always felt bad for the time he lost needlessly. Entertaining plebeian Oligarchs was once such a thing. He scoffed at the idea of a man being granted office just because he earned a million brass a year. Profit isn’t value, value is value, the Oligarch knew.

Though a previous event did disturb him. He was meant to meet the winners of the first concert, but mysteriously didn’t show up. The Oligarch was told that ‘the fighters had to stay at the hospital’. Ha, people need to go to the hospital? He brushed all of his injuries from war. It remained especially of a joke his late brother told him. “Citizens are for tools, and politicians are for fools.”

The duality of power. That one holds all the power in their fists, and the other steals it by saying some comforting words. The Oligarch of Suncatch would be different. From him will be born a perfect mixture of practical and philosophical. The sky and earth. The masculine and feminine, into a new and gracious Oligarch. Androgynous and Universal. In his project, he would teach them the most important lesson every Iozian should know. That every victim must believe, and therefore, this truth.

That tragedy can breed power. That the stereotype of weak victims was false. To make an altruism born from suffering.

The team remained in the hospital for a month, as each recovered at various pace. Except Vega, who was stitched up by the annoyed doctor.

“Can’t you stay fixed for at least a day? What did I tell you about putting those trinkets inside of you?”

“Sorry-sorry. By the way, ya haven’t told me how much this costs.” The antoid gritted his jaws. He wasn’t even receiving the donations he needed.

“Whatever.”

“Because Kaliba told me that I’d have to pay at least a thousand gold.” He paused, and looked up at Vega.

“You have gold?”

“Yep. Won it in a tournament. Along with a pretty lady. Want some?”

“Please?” The doctor quivered out.

Vega’s new outfit was complete. Her standard tunic was no more, as it was a proper jacket, with woven scales inside for added protection. Her right arm instead of being wood was a now series of bendable wires covered in a steel sleeve. It was a gift for donating twenty thousand gold to the hospital.

As she exited, she jumped to her companions. Luiocles was quite bored, but the actress seemed preppy to see Vega.

“Hey Florato! How much am I paying ya again?”

“Nothing? You don’t pay me.” Her voice was bright and cheerful, compared to her previously coy performance.

“Oh. Want to be hired?” Luiocles scoffed, turning away from the girls. He betted against Team Mega in the melee and was down a couple thousand silver. It might take him months to recover his loss, but he had a plan.

“Hey you two. Are we gonna go to the mailing center or are you gonna waste more time?” The friends nodded, and followed him to the building.

“What do people usually pay ya?”

“Mostly in exposure.

“Physically?” Vega prodded.

“Yeah! Like how many guys want to see the same girl in a metal bra with spikes? But… generally a few silver per show.”

“They should be paying ya more since ya so pretty and all.” Florato recoiled, tensing up at Vega. She blushed the same red as her tattered dress.

“Are you… coming on to me?”

Vega had no fucking clue what Florato was asking.

“...How does ten gold per week sound?” Vega offered, not hearing and definitely not understanding what Florato said.

“Good!”

“Nah. Even better.” The trio entered into the office, with passing messengers and equestrians. Dark brown wood made the walls and reflective stone made the floor, with each step echoing. A few men were having a conversation over tea. Luiocles stepped to the counter, to a man with purplish eye bags.

“Hello. I’m Luiocles, I’m here to pick up a package.”

“Code?”

“Metallix.” He spoke with clear authority.

“Check out. Remember kid, you mess this up and the Oligarchs will kill you.” He was handed a fist sized obsidian box. He held it to the eyes of Vega.

“You know about the Yutai Basin? There's an Oligarch stationed there, he’s a strange, but skilled man. He’ll be in a palace, and all you need to do is get there and say it’s from Graham.”

“Who’s Graham?” Florato hissed, knowing that he was trying to pawn off his dirty work to lower class folk.

“Who cares? Just help me with this and you'll be golden.”

“Ya had me at help!” Vega immediately stuffed it into her chest. Luiocles walked past them, happy that he could get back to work.

“Thanks… Vega. See you around.” He snidely strutted out of the office.

“You know I could hold that for you Vega.” Florato held out her palm, but Vega pushed it away.

“No thanks. I wouldn’t want to mess with your boobs.” Vega repiled, not knowing of the conflict she caused in the actress’s heart.

“If I had a brass for every time someone said that, I’d have two brass. Which is actually refreshing to hear in this context.” Although puzzled, Florato was flattered that someone else cared for her form outside of showing it off.

“By the way sir-sir, could I send a message?”

“Sure scarecrow. What will it be?” The exhausted worker pulled a clipboard off his desk.

“Need-need to send this to a place.”

“Messages tend to need that, yeah.” The worker croaked, with the ends of his lips curling.

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“Do ya guys have same day delivery?”

“Unfortunately yes.”

“Hmm. Actually, just do normal shipping. I want to send-send some money back home to the village. It’s from Vega.” She stood on her toes, looking over the desk.

“Odd, what’s the amount of money?” He queried, holding the belief that she was destitute.

“About forty thousand gold.” All eyes in the room turned to the pair. A bitter jealousy emitted from all except the worker.

“Feeling bold today are we. What is the place?”

“Calvin.”

“She means Cavern, as in Cold Cavern.” Florato corrected. The worker sighed, he was accustomed to customers that needed aid from external parties.

“Alright. And to whom? Is it a friend, maybe a farmer perhaps?”

“Nah. To a Mayor Dismas.” Vega corrected, reliving the memories of the village long ago.

“Friends in high places. Alright, deposit the money.” Vega unzipped her jacket, and with the help of Florato, pulled a chest out of her chest.

“You can count it. It’s all there. There also might be a bikini, but don’t ask about that.” The worker nodded and put the chest on to a cart, and wheeled it out of the room.

“It’s real nice you’re doing that for your folks Vega. Not too many people would do what you did. Not even me.” Florato’s hospitable accent shown whenever referring to herself and the just acts of others.

“What do ya mean? I didn't even give them all my money.” Vega didn’t understand what the actress was getting at. Florato cheekily smiled and simply rubbed the hair of the scarecrow.

“Ah. Rubs are nice.” This cozy scene was interrupted by some familiar voices. A loud pair of stomping accompanied by a caw was outside the door.

“Sue me! She had great boobs Lady!”

“Ok! What if I said you had really good looking arms when I’m next to you for a month straight?” Lai bashed open the door.

“Good? Look, a compliment is sweet, an unwanted advance is creepy.” Chakrit shot right back, ready to oppose his partner.

“Your face is a compliment!”

“That doesn’t make any sense!” Both of the bandits stopped in their tracks, seeing the actress and scarecrow. Kaliba and the hawk stared at each, ready to duel.

“If you don’t mind me interjecting, maybe you should listen to a girl’s thoughts before you speak about them.” Florato offered.

“Whatever. I was just saying you were pretty.” Chakrit bowed his head away from her gaze.

“Yeah sure. But what are you two doing here?”

“Collecting our prize money? The one we fought for.” Lai held out her hand, beckoning for her reward. The actress bit her lip, and furrowed her brow.

“No worries Florato. After all-all, sharing is caring.” Vega handed a purse she was carrying, as the two bandits peered into it.

“You know, getting our asses kicked for a couple thousand wasn’t a bad decision, Lady. Good on you.” Chakrit chuckled now, putting the gold into his pack.

“You two have a good day now. By the way, your buddies are just about done recovering. Except Skaldi, how sad.” Lai smiled, and the duo left the office, as the hawk screeched at Kaliba.

“Idiot.”

“You really are a simple soul.” Florato admitted.

“What was-was that?”

“Nothing. Let’s go see everyone. They must be dying to have something else to eat anything besides nutrient juice and organs.” Vega nodded, and they went back outside in the city. It was calm, fewer vehicles now on the streets. Snow started to fall a month back, giving the city a white blanket over its districts. Bugmen wore heavy clothes and kept lamps nearby, werefolk went into their animal forms, and all around took the tradition of wearing earmuffs. The sky was a cold azure, with the distant clouds heaved tons of snow across the land.

“Ya know, I haven’t seen snow before.” Vega admitted.

“Really?”

“Yep, while I’m from Calvin, it was mostly ice and rain we saw there.” She held out her hand, catching a thin snowflake.

“Never been to the tundra. I’m a tribal myself, all I ever got to see was the steppe.” Florato said with pride in her step.

Vega grabbed Kaliba off her shoulder and stroked the crow. She allowed a silence to take hold, as she prepared a question for the actress.

“Do… do ya know a Kaliber?”

“Kaliber? No…but that does sound oddly familiar.” Florato put two fingers to her lips and tapped repeatedly. “Is it a name? Not for your pet I mean.”

“I think Kaliber means something. Something to the voice.” Vega’s smiled lowered and her eyes wobbled, staying open.

“Sorry Vega. I just don’t know too much about the world.” Florato placed a hand on the back of the scarecrow, comforting Vega’s disturbance.

“It’s alright. I’m confused about it. The voice told me it, but it wasn’t like any other person I heard.”

“Well, I don’t know much about voices coming from across Iozia. But I do know alot about making voices. Maybe we can visit the acting school I went to. You’ve been to school, right?” Florato asked.

“A temple. But I learned a lot. Have ya heard of Recor and how he loves you?” Another one of Vega’s practiced responses.

“One too many times. It's funny really, a scarecrow knowing how to read. Ain’t that a bit odd?”

“Odder-than bug dudes and people with long ears?”

“...fair enough.”

Skaldi woke up, in his bandages and bedsheet. He saw Bolato was already awake and reading a comic.

“You alright hubby?”

“Yeah sure. It’s just that those Falconers aren’t here. Maybe they went to get breakfast.” Bolato searched around.

“Have you seen the scarecrow? With the amount of money she’s got we might not need to do the bank job.” Skaldi imagined an island for himself, maybe a manor or two. Supplied by the many luxuries their team bought. Valiato walked in from the adjacent hallway, dragging her toy pony beside her.

“Hey Ska. Are you feeling better?” Skaldi’s body had healed most of its bruises, but there still remained a couple on his arm.

“Yes sweetpea. How are you, is Vega still telling you those stories?” Valiato, still groggy, raised a soft smile. Amir rose from his bed, and walked over to the tea pot boiling.

“Hope she hasn’t gone and spent it all. I appreciate the tea, but…” Bolato took out his pipe, and displayed his lack of tobacco.

“Guess you gotta go cold turkey huh hubby?”

“You’re lucky wine is so cheap in this place. But a cup of tea should do the trick.” Bolato pulled up a table and set the chairs, as Amir poured a cup for each member. They sat together, with Skalid being the slowest to take a drink.

“Do we even need to be criminals anymore? With our winnings, we can lay back till the end of time!” Skaldi proclaimed, staring at the steam rising from his tea.

“Sweetie, it’s not just about us and the money. It’s about the community. Wasn’t it five years ago you said you wanted to go back home? You seemed pretty keen to help the Galtians back then.” Skaldi didn’t appreciate the memory, and shot his eyes to the side.

“Yeah, but we don’t have to go do the job now. Let’s… give Valiato some classes.” He nudged the pint sized slinger. She was too cozy to protest.

“Maybe. But we should wait for-”

“Hey guys! Want to go shopping? And also how are you I guess.” Florato roared out, with Vega just behind her.

“...them.” Bolato muttered.

“Ah! That’s an idea. We could do with some new gear. My dress has been sticking to me recently.” Skaldi massaged his winter outfit.

“And I can get some toys.” Valiato’s attention was caught, as she gulped down the rest of her tea and walked to the pair.

“~Whatever you guys are planning, it must be fun.~” Amir hopped up, shifting his head to the couple to move. They got up, and the party went on a shopping spree.

Florato quickly purchased a set of robes durable enough to last any weather. She was happy that she could afford clothes outside of the costumes she had to rely on. Florato appeared not privy to the group’s operations. She only bought necessities, games, and a box for all of her acting tools.

Amir and Valiato spent their time at the armory, with Valiato translating every small detail Amir declared. Forging bronze sets was cheap but weaker to the average guards equipment, and steel was reserved to notable figures and soldiers. They settled on iron, commissioning two pairs of black dresses, with segmented plates and padding on the inside. Amir had a liking for the Sanguian style of armor, while Valiato chose a Matigas Natao set, along with a few of their emblems.

Bolato had a simple taste. He got a turquoise linen gambeson, and added more belt ornaments. And he commissioned plates of cobalt steel attached to his shoulder.

Skaldi quickly purchased a used helmet that could fit his ears, and as well as an old iron chest plate. During his stay he had started collecting a series of herbs and recipes from the patients that went to the hospital. So he organized a list for pans and ingredients.

Vega waited throughout the week as the team slowly got their armor sets. Normally it takes a month to forge the equipment, but with the improvements made as well as their amount of coins, they got it in quick time. As Vega stared outside of the hospital window, she saw the distant road ahead.

“I can-can hear ya. I know ya need me to help ya.” The call was starting to drill harder into her head. She felt the voice’s pain. It’s demand. It’s command.

“Kaliba. Do ya think they… they will help me?” Kaliba shifted its head, and hopped onto her metal hand.

“Yes-yes.”

“Ya sure?” The bird nuzzled into Vega, making her giggle.

“I guess ya are right. But I’m gonna need something to get there. Maybe a-”

“Cart? Why do you want to buy that?” Skaldi interrogated, confused by the scarecrow’s request.

“I need-need to deliver something to an Oligarch up north-north.” Skaldi turned to Bolato, pleading to him that they should stay. He responded by crossing his arms and lowering his eyes.

“Fine! We only have over ten thousand gold left, it's not like I wanted to spend it while we’re in the city.” Skaldi hissed to himself. Bolato took care of the purchase, securing a pair of war centuries and a study wagon for a thousand. With the additional supplies needed to make the trip, the team was down to five thousand, not including Vega’s own purse, but Florato wasn’t going to make that known.

“Ah, on the road again. What kind of gigs are you guys planning? I heard that there's gonna be one of those old Kai Ren plays happening up north. I could be the big bad barbarian and you Bolato could be the good guy!” Florato only imagined the team as a troupe of entertainers.

“Yeah sure.” Bolato said, as he drove out of Core Civitus and onwards to the Yutai Basin.