Chapter 11: A Band of Buddies (Part 2!)

Vega looked at her map, knowing they had just passed through the border of Suncatch. The sky was turning to midnight, as the frozen tundra melted into a frozen jungle. The trees covered the wagon in shadow. Vega couldn’t see her companions resting. Only Florato and Amir were awake, he was taking the shift of driving through the vine riddled road. She heard their conversation, a simple one.

“~How are you?~” Florato had sparse knowledge of the Tripolian language, and was careful to sound out the tones to Amir, who guided her to the correct way to pronounce it.

“~Good Florato. Why aren’t you sleeping?~”

“~Wonder. Where are we going, specifically?~” Florato pressed, as Amir didn’t know how to deliver the unpleasant news. Periatus was not a place you go to play choice nowadays, it was more of an unfortunate necessity. Being one of oldest provinces, it sported the most developed road networks despite its half of it being jungle. Ice formed on the trees, with them only surviving on the heat producing breaker fruit, a reminder that life can survive in such bizarre places.

“~Old place, not easy~.” Amir broke down the truth into less uncomforting pieces, which Florato understood. She nodded and hopped backward. She put on her blanket and tried to go to sleep. Vega silently moved over, and unconsciously started to stroke the actress’s head. It aided her into a soothing sleep.

“Rest-rest easy.” The scarecrow saw the cold wilderness around her and couldn’t help but to understand its soft melody. The croaks of the animals resemble hushed voices, the cracking of ice to the movement of people. How every frost covered leaf shake sounded like the giggle of a child.

“This is wonderful. How could such a terrible place could-could make such a beautiful song.” Vega’s knack for tempo struck hard, in this place so far from others. She was its lone listener. She was alone, together with it. Amir, in an unassuming manner, placed a hand on his daughter’s brow, brushing it

Brist.

Vega’s eyes went hollow, as did all of her senses. It was happening again. Wraith like in her movement, she unraveled her pack. Like how a skilled surgeon would, she laid out her tools of truth. The paper and pencil. Throughout this frigid night, she would place those damned feelings into clear and believable form. One such feeling was what the voice said.

Failure.

The redhead awoke to the sound of Valiato playing with Vega. They seemed to be playing dice and acting out their selected toy’s reaction. Amir was sleeping so he couldn’t lecture the two. Bolato was still cuddling him so who was driving.

“Oh my god the guy in front of us is fucking dead at the wheel. It’s actually not that hard to drive.” It was the actress, with her voice shaking in bitter annoyance.

“Fucking move fat ass bitch!”

“You okay?” Skaldi called out. Florato spun around surprised, and mildly embarrassed.

“Oh shit! Sorry, did I wake you up?”

“No, but please. No curse words in front of the kids.” Skaldi demanded as he sat beside her.

“I know it might be new to you lady, but it’s called driving.” Florato’s annoyance returned.

“I know how to drive! It’s just this guy doesn’t.” She gestured her hand to the cart ahead of her, which was piloted by an old man. He didn’t turn around at any of her insults.

“If you do need to curse, ass is the only option available. Aside than bitch. But you’re only allotted five of them per month.”

“You're kidding.” Florato nudged her shoulder into Skaldi.

“Would I? Or more specifically, would Amir?” Florato darted her eyes to the snoring Tripol man.

“I can believe that. But I can’t believe this scum won’t hurry up!” Her voice caught the attention of the old man, as he turned to the driver.

“Hey! Can you be quiet? Some people are trying to drive in peace?” The man yelled back.

“Well some people are trying to get up north before they’re an ancient artifact! Move out of the way a little!” The old man scoffed and turned his cart to the right. As the wagon passed by, Florato flipped off the old driver, much to the amusement of the elf.

“You have some fire girl.” Skaldi complemented.

“I suppose we tribals aren’t too different. When it comes to the Oligarchy, having some passion and ambition is what gets you places. Especially on time.” Skaldi snickered, as shifted in his seat to see the pals playing.

“Want to play Ska? Vega taught me a game, it’s called gambling.”

“It's fun-fun, and educational!” Vega tossed the three dice, managing to get three sixes.

“I stole the pot!” She grabbed the toy pot and put her doll beside it. Valiato’s toy horse seemed sad, now going through profound grief.

“If you steal the pot in Jukinas, then you just get beat up.” Florato chuckled out.

“Oh. You’re from the Jukikos tribe, huh?” Skaldi questioned.

“Yeah. Born and raised there some twenty four years ago or so. I’m not loaded with cash so…”

“I could tell by the dress you were wearing back in the city. But, how is it like there?” Skaldi was curious, it was the first time he met another tribal outside of heists and work.

“It’s pretty good. Shining lights, sweeping and flowing paths. I haven’t been in a couple of years, but I heard that the river boat there has gotten an upgrade.” Florato spoke with great pride.

“You know… we were going to go there after the gig with the scarecrow.” Skaldi was attempting to approach the topic of criminality.

“The heist with the Lai bank? Yeah I know.” Skaldi was stunned, and he turned to Vega in an angered sneer.

“It was actually the kid who told me.”

“Sweetpea?” Skaldi asked.

“What? She’s a good person.” Valiato responded, throwing her dice as she did.

“That’s the problem.”

“Calm down. If I was going to turn you in, I would have. Plus, I’m kind of interested to see where this goes.”

“Also I’m paying her.”

“Also she’s paying me.” The actress admitted, as Skaldi reclined back to her. She smiled, showing her full acceptance of their life.

“Well, we were thinking of doing a heist on the river boat so…”

“I’m not here for the heist. I’m here because Vega is paying me the wage I have been waiting for. After a couple months, I could maybe go back to school.” Skaldi’s eyes brightened. Education was a pursuit he had long forgotten.

“Speaking of that, how much does it cost to go? I know there’s tutors, but what about those writing colleges or something?”

“I wouldn’t know. I was lucky enough that my family grew up poor around Sanguians. The college I went to wasn’t too expensive, but it didn’t teach me how to read. There was a pretty cool course on Tripolian, so that was fun. Why do you ask, thinking of becoming a learned criminal or something?” Florato joked.

“Maybe. You know, none of us know how to read aside than Amir and the kid? Besides Tripolian, which isn’t exactly a popular language here, we have scant knowledge about text.”

“What about those comics you have?” Florato asked.

“Bolato can sorta read them, but he just does it for the funny pictures.” Skaldi explained, with the actress clicking her tongue in understanding.

“But yeah. Maybe going to a school sounds like something neat. If they even accept me.” Skaldi hunched down as he spoke. Just then Florato’s face softened.

“Don’t worry. While not all places, there are plenty of colleges that accept outsiders.” The actress said. Skaldi looked down, reflecting on himself.

“What do you think about ghosts?” The elf questioned. Florato recoiled, nervous and puzzled.. She took some time to consider how to respond.

“I suppose… I wouldn’t know about them. Maybe they’re good and all. Maybe they’re just people. I may not understand their experience, but I can try.” Skaldi took a glance at Valiato, and her gloves.

“You already know right?”

“It’s a shame that kid. Here’s hoping your jobs go alright.” Skaldi appreciated her not selling a lie. Florato leaned backward, comfortable again. The next couple of hours were filled with the beating sounds of the jungle. It was becoming less dense but the ice petrified on the trunks of the trees made it hard to tell. The sun glowed through them, casting vibrant shades down. Skaldi had been thinking on family, and he still took glances at the team. The only one awake aside from the actress was the scarecrow.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Your family knows you’re okay?”

“You know I kind of had forgotten them for a bit. But yeah, they’re doing fine. My brother came back from the war two years ago, got himself a nice plot of land. How's your kin doing?”

“Not too nice, can’t lie. Galtians were subjugated pretty hard. Haven’t been there since the last decade.” Skaldi said, with a weight in his heart.

“Money problems?” Florato blurted out. Skaldi nodded, not waiting to reveal his insecurity.

“I understand. We can go visit them if you want. It might not be happiness, but money is a close second.”

“Ain’t that the truth. But not now, after we get the job done.” Skaldi smiled, he enjoyed the presence of another coin-colored mind, not a coin colored persona.

“Are-are we there-there yet?”

“No Vega. Speaking of that, where are we?” Vega handed over the map as Florato analyzed its route. Skaldi’s face was of unresponsive shock.

“Wait, the scarecrow had that? Can you read?” Skaldi asked angrily.

“Yep-yep!” Vega bounced up.

“Can you read this out then? I know our direction but not the name.” Florato pointed to the center of it. Vega leaned between the two, and squinted.

“Gotcha. Ya are going to Periatus.” Vega read it, like it wasn’t anything to be worried about. Florato’s face was also of unresponsive shock.

“Oh. We’re going into Periatus. Well, in for a brass, out with all of the money that I earned.”

“Don’t worry girly, we’ll be out of here within the week.” Skaldi tried to calm the actress, laying a hand on her caramel skin.

“I hope you’re right. I have never been here!” She threw up her hands.

“I get it. Me and my hubby stayed in the lower part of the Oligarch for years. If a tiny elf and a deserter can make it you can too.” Florato’s face cooled as she turned to him.

“You really think that?”

“No!” Skaldi fell backward laughing. Florato stared at him, she was glad that he was having fun over her fear. She was comforted that someone was savoring the thought, which aided her in calming down.

“You are a bastard.” She cheekily spoke.

“Well, I try to be.”

“Can I try-try?” Florato snickered, she enjoyed the contrast between them. Vega the happy go lucky construct, versus Skaldi the sour yet charming elf. Their dynamic kept things interesting as morning turned to day, where Bolato took over again. Everyone was awake now Skaldi and Amir had started to cook. The girls were passing time by studying while Vega doodled on the notebook she bought.

The jungle cleared out to a series of towering plateaus covered in overgrowth. The ice finally became thinner as more natural heating plants lived in these parts.

“~What are you making Ari?~” Amir, with a heavy heart, relinquished an unfortunate truth.

“~...red meat with whatever the boy is adding~.” Valiato beamed, and eagerly speeded up through her studies. Florato struggled but was encouraged by the kid’s excitement. A thin warmth took the crew as smoke rose inside the wagon.

“Hey Bolato?”

“Yeah sweetie?”

“Do you see any towns on that map?” Bolato held it up and was confused for a moment.

“Yeah, we’ll get a trade center within the day. But it’s hard to tell. Someone must have been drunk when writing this.” He turned to see Skaldi on his second cup of wine.

“It wasn’t me!” Skaldi blurted out, as Bolato sighed and turned back.

“Who the hell misspells Vortorus?” The soldier whispered to himself.

“But yeah, with the pace we’re going, we shouldn’t be here for too long.” The cooking was done in a stone part of the wagon, with Skaldi applying the steak on a pan full of butter and seasoning.

“If there's one good thing about being here, it's that the jungle has some neat plants.” He diced breaker fruit, as its slushy cubed flesh poured out. Amir added the fruit into a whisking bowl and added two eggs.

“~If there’s one good thing about being here, it’s that the Oligarchy knows its fruit.~” He mixed the two, creating a carrot colored liquid. Amir placed radish slices into it and laid it on the table Vega was drawing on.

“No thanks. I’m a vegetable.”

“You mean you’re made of vegetables right?” Florato raised an eyebrow.

“Technically, wheat is a cereal. And wheat makes fodder. So technically Vega is animal food.” Valiato corrected both of them, who then went on to correct their thoughts.

“Does-does that mean ya can eat me for breakfast?” Valiato laughed at what was clearly a joke. Vega was left unanswered. But quickly forgot about it. Kaliba flew over to pair cooking, and started to peck at the redhead.

“Scarecrow, your pet is being mean to me.”

“Kaliba, what do ya say?” The bird scoffed and hopped back to his owner's feet.

“Help?”

“Ah. They need help.” She stood up and walked over, as Skaldi tried not to show his annoyance.

“Ya guys need help?” Skaldi tried to ignore her, but Amir passed her Skaldi’s fourth cup of wine and motioned her to toss it.

“Gotcha.” Vega threw the contents out to the street. Skaldi rose up and shoved the scarecrow.

“What are you doing?”

“Helping ya. Helping the big guy to-to be specific.” Skaldi sneered at the Tripol, who was clearly enjoying his angered mood.

“Whatever. Ask me to do something nice and this is how you repay me.” Skaldi muttered to himself as he sat down beside Bolato. Amir waved Vega over. He handed over the spatula, and showed her how to flip the meat.

“Mmh. Meat.” Vega knew of the significance of meat. That it was a rarity, even to the rich men of the village and the bandits who stole animals. She started to flip, and seemed to learn it very well. Amir didn’t notice.

“Mmh. Meat.” She was enjoying watching the meat bubble and sizzle. Amir didn’t notice.

“Mmh. Meat.” Amir didn’t notice, until he noticed his hand was now on Vega’s head. Vega was holding onto his arm and making the motion to caress her hair.

“What were ya saying?” Amir didn’t say anything. But he also didn’t bother to correct her. Her antics were to be tolerated, and the benefit she brought balanced her more neurotic behavior, Amir thought.

“Are you guys done?”

“Almost Bola-Bolato!” Bolato smiled at the sour stench, and his stomach rumbled.

“Hey Bolato!”

“Yeah Vega?”

“Amir is touching me!” Vega’s excited voice did not help the odd statement. He turned to see that Vega was now sitting on the lap of the Tripol, still guiding his hand to rubbing her head. Amir looked displeased, but didn’t want to disturb her.

“Hey kid? Can you ask if Amir gives consent?”

“~Ari Amir, do you give consent to Vega?~” Valiato asked.

“~I consent.~”

“He gives consent.” Valiato translated, with Bolato happy with the result. After half an hour of cooking, Amir rang the bell. The crew found a patch of unfrozen ground and set up their tables. Each member got a fat slice of steak, caked in oil and cooked to medium rare. Their sides had onion with rice and a breaker egg sauce. All of them started to enjoy their meal.

Except two, Vega and Skaldi. Skaldi’s tolerance for her started to wane, as she is the one that had to take them on this big trip. He wasn’t having it with confronting passing through these parts on her terms.

Vega gazed at Skaldi’s silent angry face. She didn’t know what he was feeling, aside from barely touching the food.

“Are ya-ya gonna eat that?”

“Yes, scarecrow. Let me ask you. What does your name mean?” Vega scrubbed her banadage and looked to the sky.

“Don’t know. Something about valleys or plains.” Her stupidity angered him. How was she doing so well, driving the team, and had earned so much despite being such an idiot?

“Want to know what my name means?”

“Not really? Will it help-help me to help-help ya?”

“Maybe. Skaldi means ‘striker heart’, think of it as those love spirits.” Vega smiled and glowed as she leaned forward.

“Ya know spirits?! Tell me!” Yet her enthusiasm over knowledge conflicted with his own. Vega was kind of like a teenager, obsessive and compulsive. Cute, but in a manner that was irritating otherwise. This was a belief of Vega that Skaldi held.

“Another time scarecrow, another time later.”

“What are you two talking about?” Bolato burped out.

“Just asking if he-he gonna eat his food. Did ya guys feed the pets?” Bolato tossed the remaining steak he had for centuries, who ate the pieces in one bite.

“Here Kaliba, have some of the sauce.” She picked up the radish and held it to the bird’s beak. It chomped down, and coughed.

“Guess ya don’t like spicy stuff.”

“That’s what she said!” Skaldi blurted out, as Florato rolled her eyes as the elf.

After twenty minutes, they continued on the road, as the actress took over again. Along with her loud mouthed complaints.

“Screw you, you stupid bimbo bitch!”

“That's three now.” Bolato shot back, as the men started to play cards. Valiato dozed off in Vega’s lap.

“She’s not even awake! Just like this fucking driver, fucking move!” She screeched out, as the wagon in front of her still didn’t move, along with the driver.

“Don’t make me come back there, I’m about to get a pair.” Bolato placed down his cards. A few moments of silence were allowed, before Florato’s curses came back.

“Does the fucker not have ears or something?”

“You know, if I wanted to have this much complaining, I would have dated a woman.” Skaldi chuckled. Florato and Bolato were not amused.

“Skaldi, why are you so upset that we’re on this trip?” Bolato didn’t look up from his cards as he spoke. Skaldi did.

“What? I’m not upset…”

“You’ve been upset ever since we left, so get it out in the open before you explode again.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.” Bolato took a glance at the redhead, and laid down his cards, and sat by the upset driver. Skaldi cast his eyes down, as Amir laughed at the event.

“Shut up… I just… I don't want to think about anything right now.” Skaldi grabbed his flask and started to chug. Bolato looked at the same slow pace wagon, with the unmoving driver.

“He came up on the road an hour ago, right?”

“Yes! The guy in front of us is fucking dead at the wheel!” The supposed driver slumped over and fell off the wagon. Everyone stopped to see the body, with an arrow in it, along with a thin paper wrapped on it.

“Oh my god he is dead at the wheel.” Florato was horrified.

“That’s the idea.” Bolato was honest. The actress collapsed instantly.