Chapter Fifty-Three - Buntimidation

Chapter Fifty-Three - Buntimidation

Chapter Fifty-Three - Buntimidation

I crested a hill to find all four remaining members of the cervid group set in a loose formation on an opposite hill. A little rivulet ran across the ground between us, the water flowing along and masking the tense atmosphere with gentle murmurs.

They had set Amaryllis aside, the Lancer holding his spear close to her neck in an obvious sign that they could hurt her at any moment.

Level check, the leader said.

One of the cervids glared my way. He wasnt one of the two that had attacked me at the bridge, which meant he had to be Three. Shes... level seven. Cinnamon Bun class. Disposition: dreary and resolute, he said.

He must have had a skill similar to my Insight. Since he had used it on me...

An anxious Cervid Lancer, level ?.

An angry Cervid Plains Speaker, level ?.

Those were the two that I had fought on the bridge.

A calculating Cervid Slip Spear, level ??.

A rational Cervid Wind Warrior, level ??.

The leader, and then the one that had just used something like Insight on me. I was expecting a mage of some sort, not a warrior, but maybe that didnt matter.

I just want to talk, I called out. The distance between us wasnt that great, but it was enough that I thought I could dodge any attacks that they flung my way.

Amaryllis glared at her captors, then her eyes softened as she looked towards me. She shook her head minutely, only stilling when the Lancer shifted his spear.

What happened to Two and Four? the leader asked.

I... I swallowed down the bile rising in my throat. Im sorry about Titan and Rex, I said. They didnt... Im sorry.

The leader shifted a little, his hand straying to his hip where a long, curved sword was hung. The others reacted a little too, but the Plains Speaker reacted most of all. Theres no way. Theres no way someone like you got to them,

Stop it, Six, the leader said. It was low, but it still carried over to where I stood.

Shes just a human, Six hissed.

Nows not the time, the leader said and it was the final word on the matter. He turned back towards me, his eyes set and I had the impression he was weighing me. What do you want? he asked.

I want my friend back, I said.

You idiot! Amaryllis finally shouted. Keeping quiet for a whole minute was obviously too much for her. You should have just run. Go tell the oth--

She collapsed to the side and the Lancer pulled the butt of his spear away from her as she coughed and spat and tried to sit back up despite her arms being tied up behind her back.

Im afraid we cant just return the target to you. It would go against the parameters of our mission.UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

I could pay you? I tried, but the cervid shook his head. My few measly gold pieces wouldnt be enough for that anyway. M-maybe you could take me instead?

Im afraid not, the leader said.

Please? I asked, begged really. I didnt want to have to take the next step.

Five, Six, flanks, Three, youre with the target, the leader said.

I shook my head. Please? I dont want to fight.

Gutting you is going to be a pleasure, The Plains Speaker said. If you killed Titan, then theres no need for me to hold back.

The Plains Speaker grumbled, but he shoved Amaryllis back toward me.

My friend screeched as she tumbled down the grassy hill, hair flying every which way as she flopped downhill. She stopped in the steam with a splash.

This operations cost has passed what we were being offered. Were leaving, the leader said across the emptiness between us.

I.... I hope we never meet again, I said. It was the meanest thing I could think to say.

He nodded and backed away. When he and his men were a little ways off, they started to gallop away with surprising deftness.

I waited just a moment before racing down the hill. I almost tripped as my shoes skidded over wet grass and mud, and my spear slipped out of my grasp, but I didnt care. Amaryllis was right on the shore of the little stream at the bottom, coughing and sputtering out a facefull of muck.

I landed next to her and fell to my knees. Dont move, dont move, I said as I pulled a knife from my bandoleer. A few careful tugs undid the ropes holding her in place.

About time. I can hardly feel my oomph!

I grabbed the harpy and crushed her to my chest, then held her at arms' length to inspect her up and down. Youre okay? I asked. She didnt have time to answer. You look okay. Oh, thank you. I hugged her closer, arms around her waist to hold her close as I buried my head in her neck.

Dont hug me, she said. Youre a mess.

Im sorry, I said. I didnt stop hugging.

She paused, then sighed and started rubbing my back. What are you sorry over? You saved me, somehow. That was probably the single stupidest plan I have ever had the misfortune of being part of, but it succeeded, somehow.

I opened my mouth to speak but the words caught in my throat. I took a deep breath, and then it came spilling out in a rush, words tumbling over words and I dont think my story was linear, exactly, but it didnt matter. I told her of looking for her, of going to Gunther and of making a deal and then I paused.

And then what? Amaryllis asked. Or did you finally realise that being knee-deep in mud isnt the place for this kind of conversation?

I killed people, I said.

Amaryllis shifted and I slowly pulled away. I didnt want to. The hug was nice. I missed hugs. But I didnt deserve them.

I looked up and into Amaryllis eyes, only to see her staring back, confused. Youre talking of those ruffians, arent you? she asked.

The, the cervid mercenaries, yeah, I said in a whisper.

Okay, and?

I blinked. Eh?

Amaryllis shifted, then pushed herself up so that she was standing above me. From where I knelt on the ground she practically towered above me, especially with her talons on her hips and her muddy wings flared out around her. Dont be an idiot. They were mercenaries. Mercenaries that tried to kidnap me for the world knows what reason. This was targeted. What you did was just taking out weeds. You even got a level from it.

I was breathing deeply, almost panting now. I swallowed and tried to control the beating of my heart. No. No it doesnt matter that they were doing a bad thing. No one should die, ever. Killing people is wrong.

Amaryllis knelt back down and met my eyes for a long moment. Idiot, she said before hugging me back. Youre just one big idiot, Broccoli Bunch. To think that youd compromise yourself for someone like me. Youre the dumbest person that has ever been. She tightened her grip a little, and I think that she might have sobbed, just a little.

I didnt know what to feel, so I just fell into the hug and held my friend close.

Amaryllis shook her head and the hug ended, but I did feel a little better. Not that I wouldnt have a proper cry later, but now wasnt the time for it. We need to get back to Green Hold, Amaryllis said.

I promised Gunther wed go back to see him, I said.

And thats wise? Amaryllis asked.

Is going back to Green Hold wise? I asked right back.

The harpy tilted her head to the side like a curious bird. Maybe not that big an idiot. Lets go then. Ive had a long morning and could use some of that tea of yours.

***