Million Parts, Part 6
Part 6
Weeks later and Bastion was still wondering in the woods. Getting ever closer to a particular log cabin. Upon arrival at this cabin he waited. Waiting for the undead was second nature. At times he began to feel as if the waiting was what being dead was all about. Time slid over him leaving a slimy trail like a snail. He became a part of the forest and trees, the sun flew over head like a missile and sunk back into the ground only to repeat shortly after.
But Bastion was not kept waiting long. A carriage arrived, and a beautiful young lady followed by a noble escort stepped out and entered the log cabin. He stirred and moved around quietly to the back of the cabin. One thing he learned well was the dead were quite apt at being silent.
When the escort came out back to chop wood Bastion called out to him. “Jeremy, is that you?”
The escort spun around but only could see the stack of logs piled up by two trees. The voice was coming from behind the logs. Jeremy raised his axe up over his shoulder. “Who’s there? How do you know my name?”
“It’s me, your friend. Your lord.”
“I know my lord when I hear him, and you sir sound as a leaper has strangled your throat. Be gone! Or I shall call the guards out front to take you away.
“No! I will not be treated like this.” Bastion stepped out from behind the logs. His armor was still covered in blood and dirt, his skin was pale and clear where it was not torn or broken.
Jeremy’s face drained of color. He felt a bitter cold wind cut through him as if he was naked. He charged the horror before he could think, it was an automatic reaction. He swung the axe down and Bastion grabbed the blade with this left hand. Jeremy tried to pull the axe away but Bastion was too strong. He grabbed Jeremy by the nape of his shirt and held him up too high to run away.
“Stop it Jeremy! Look at my face damn you!”
Jeremy, who had began to flail around like a small child finally stopped and looked. Again he felt the blood drain out of him, and he shivered from the cold. It was his friend, he could tell now. But it changed nothing; he still wanted to kill it. An irrational fear still gripped him. He kicked Bastion and was let go. He hit the ground with a thud and scrambled away backwards until he hit a tree.
“Stay away! Get out of here! Why are you doing this to me?” Jeremy was rasping and screeching the words out as fast as he could over and over.
Bastion pulled his sword from its sheath with a snarl. “Impudence! Contempt! That’s the thanks I get for dying for you!?” Bastion jumped on top of Jeremy and held the blade to his throat. “You had better get a hold of yourself … Friend” . Jeremy looked as if he was about to pass out. He struggled violently but could not move. He struggled and shifted and struggled some more. When he started to get very tired Jeremy finally lifted his eyes to look Bastion in the face once again.
Bastion looked tortured; it was both fury and disappointment on his face. Long creases had taken over his countenance. His eye’s although lifeless longed to have life in them. His cheeks were sunken and thin but remained noble and proud. Jeremy’s hart finally remembered this man. It slowly settled and the fear quietly transformed into calm.
“I … I am sorry my lord” Jeremy said. Bastion looked somewhat ashamed for a moment, got up and sheathed is sword. He tried to help Jeremy back up but he used the tree to balance himself instead.
Jeremy took a moment to catch his breath. “how?” he asked.
“I don’t know” Bastion said and fell back against a tree. “We can’t tell Lonna until we find a way to get me back to normal” He said. He was looking at the cabin longingly but reserved. Jeremy shook his head in understanding.
“What will you do my lord? Forgive me but it seems like you are in quite the predicament” Jeremy avoided looking in Bastions eyes, he was certain if he looked too long the fear would overtake him again.
“I only know of one paladin versed well enough in the light as to bring back the undead.” He looked intently at Jeremy. “But even in a cleaver disguise I could get no place near him”
“Aye, the dungeon is hardest place to get in or out in the kingdom. Some say there is better luck to be had with the treasury…” It had been a joke before but now it had a serious edge to it. “Lets get you inside and warm”.
“Nooo!” Bastion said with ferocity. He covered his face in disgrace. “If she were to find out…”
A young women’s voice called out just then from the cabin. “Jeremy! You’ve kept me waiting here long enough! Get that wood and get back in here this instant!” A door slammed shut.
Bastion had a smirk across his horrid face that made Jeremy sick to his stomach. “Ahh that voice! what melodious tunes could be sung with such a lovely voice!” It was obviously a jest at her expense. Jeremy and bastion had joked about such things many times before. But Jeremy felt somewhat baleful about it this time. “Ahh well I have a cloak to cover your face but you will have to take off your armor.” We can at least stow you away as a traveler in the guest quarters until we can get you a horse to ride into town.
Bastion mulled it over looking here and there undecided. “What will you tell Lonna about this guest? What will you tell her about me?”
“You know she is quite disgusted with the poor. I am sure you will go unbothered” Bastion slowly nodded in agreement. The plan was foolproof he was sure of it.
“All right” Bastion said. They went around to the tool shack on the side of the house and pulled out the cloak. Bastion took off his blood stained armor and covered himself with a large dark cotton and wool cloak. Jeremy called into the house before entering.
“My lady, we have a guest of the family. He had traveled far on foot and requires hospitality for a short while. I shale set him up in the guest quarters”
“Wait just one moment YOU!” Lonna came to meet them at the entry way. “Don’t tell me you were out meandering with vagabonds while I was in here freezing to death!”
Jeremy looked spooked, he was wondering if he gotten himself into trouble already. Bastion loudly cleared his throat and dropped a neatly tied bushel of chopped wood on the floor in front of him. Jeremy was shocked once again “where…” he stopped himself from getting into more trouble. He stuttered for a second and then caught himself, “Ahh you see I was thanking the stranger for chopping some of the wood for me.” Lonna eyed him with serious doubt. She eyed many people with serious doubt these days. “Fine…I won’t turn away a hospitable person in need. Although If he, she or whatever it is so much as wraps on my door I shale have them thrown out with the ashes and in just as many pieces! Now get that fire started and get supper prepared. I refuse to eat late, it will ruin my complexion.” She turned on her heal and headed back into the house.
Bastion turned peeping up through his hood to look for a response from Jeremy but there was none. He notice Jeremy’s eyes had grown dark rings under them…slowly a knowing smirk slid across bastions hidden face.
Far south in the backwater towns and villages of Borden’s kingdom the dragons lead by Nogard talked with the towns folk. They were trying to find their way back to Borden but learning much on the side about humanity. Things they never knew or cared to know until now. Humanity’s capacity for cruelty went far beyond their evil of nature and necessity. At every turn they came across stories of famine, subjugation, tyranny, and war.
Nogard turned to his men one day in a tavern. “These humans are quite the muse.”
“aye, you’ve said so many times” Galvanos said in a low voice not intending to interrupt. Nogard disregarded this comment.
“I have grown board these last few months. And I’ve heard news of a group subjugating the townsfolk here. Normally I’d say let them be and continue. But I’ve grown quite the bloodlust these last few days.” In their world and culture dragons where a very war like race. Their conflict was constant and consistent. Fights for land, fights for mates, and fights for honor.
“Why don’t we kill everyone we come across then?” Galvanos spoke again out of turn. Nogard turned to look at the mutt.
“Why should I waist my magic on such unworthy beings? These people won’t offer any resistance. They won't satiate my thirst for a fight!” Galvanos rolled his wolf eyes at the thought of being that tedious with choosing which humans to kill. But he too was beginning to lust for a good fight and so he didn’t complain.
After leaving the tavern they staggered down the road out of town. The conversation being left as they had all forgotten themselves in the booze. Galvanos had found his way into several predicaments lately this way. As a wolf wondering away from the group made him susceptible to attacks by ignorant townsfolk. This time he was just leading the group waddling from side to side sometimes. Coming to a cross-rodes in the middle of town he began to cross and was run over by a rushing horse and carriage that came to a nye’ing halt. Nogard and the others all stopped there drunken staggers and stared at the wolf’s body crushed into the muddy street. The driver of the carriage got out and ran out over to Nogard. “My god did I run over you dog ? I am so sorry…. O my is that a wolf?” he exclaimed at the sight of the slaughter.
Nogard and the man exchanged puzzled looks for a while… Nogard released a tremendous laughter finally. And the others couldn’t help themselves and burst out laughing to. The man being somewhat confused laughed with them.
In the street a very dirty, very distraught and quite pissed Galvanos stood back up shaking the mud off. Dark thunderclouds began to gather over the small town and the carriage driver stopped laughing. The wolf was staring directly at him with drooling mouth and crazed look in his lightning blue eyes. Nogard and the others stopped laughing and watched Galvanos case down the poor man and maul him. The man escaped however, do to Galvanos being drunk like the others.
When Galvanos returned Nogard was still chucking a little to himself... “feel like going on a hunt my pet? I think I still remember where those other guys place were. Lets Go!” The wolf, nodded it's head, And with that the motley drunken crew set off in search of the towns well armed bandits. Or anything that was armed… or armless and looked kind of treating. Or at times nothing as they would forget where they were going and have to take a break before remembering what they were looking for. All the wile roomers spread across the country side. Of a drunken group, championing the poor and old from the crule and wicked.
Weeks later and Bastion was still wondering in the woods. Getting ever closer to a particular log cabin. Upon arrival at this cabin he waited. Waiting for the undead was second nature. At times he began to feel as if the waiting was what being dead was all about. Time slid over him leaving a slimy trail like a snail. He became a part of the forest and trees, the sun flew over head like a missile and sunk back into the ground only to repeat shortly after.
But Bastion was not kept waiting long. A carriage arrived, and a beautiful young lady followed by a noble escort stepped out and entered the log cabin. He stirred and moved around quietly to the back of the cabin. One thing he learned well was the dead were quite apt at being silent.
When the escort came out back to chop wood Bastion called out to him. “Jeremy, is that you?”
The escort spun around but only could see the stack of logs piled up by two trees. The voice was coming from behind the logs. Jeremy raised his axe up over his shoulder. “Who’s there? How do you know my name?”
“It’s me, your friend. Your lord.”
“I know my lord when I hear him, and you sir sound as a leaper has strangled your throat. Be gone! Or I shall call the guards out front to take you away.
“No! I will not be treated like this.” Bastion stepped out from behind the logs. His armor was still covered in blood and dirt, his skin was pale and clear where it was not torn or broken.
Jeremy’s face drained of color. He felt a bitter cold wind cut through him as if he was naked. He charged the horror before he could think, it was an automatic reaction. He swung the axe down and Bastion grabbed the blade with this left hand. Jeremy tried to pull the axe away but Bastion was too strong. He grabbed Jeremy by the nape of his shirt and held him up too high to run away.
“Stop it Jeremy! Look at my face damn you!”
Jeremy, who had began to flail around like a small child finally stopped and looked. Again he felt the blood drain out of him, and he shivered from the cold. It was his friend, he could tell now. But it changed nothing; he still wanted to kill it. An irrational fear still gripped him. He kicked Bastion and was let go. He hit the ground with a thud and scrambled away backwards until he hit a tree.
“Stay away! Get out of here! Why are you doing this to me?” Jeremy was rasping and screeching the words out as fast as he could over and over.
Bastion pulled his sword from its sheath with a snarl. “Impudence! Contempt! That’s the thanks I get for dying for you!?” Bastion jumped on top of Jeremy and held the blade to his throat. “You had better get a hold of yourself … Friend” . Jeremy looked as if he was about to pass out. He struggled violently but could not move. He struggled and shifted and struggled some more. When he started to get very tired Jeremy finally lifted his eyes to look Bastion in the face once again.
Bastion looked tortured; it was both fury and disappointment on his face. Long creases had taken over his countenance. His eye’s although lifeless longed to have life in them. His cheeks were sunken and thin but remained noble and proud. Jeremy’s hart finally remembered this man. It slowly settled and the fear quietly transformed into calm.
“I … I am sorry my lord” Jeremy said. Bastion looked somewhat ashamed for a moment, got up and sheathed is sword. He tried to help Jeremy back up but he used the tree to balance himself instead.
Jeremy took a moment to catch his breath. “how?” he asked.
“I don’t know” Bastion said and fell back against a tree. “We can’t tell Lonna until we find a way to get me back to normal” He said. He was looking at the cabin longingly but reserved. Jeremy shook his head in understanding.
“What will you do my lord? Forgive me but it seems like you are in quite the predicament” Jeremy avoided looking in Bastions eyes, he was certain if he looked too long the fear would overtake him again.
“I only know of one paladin versed well enough in the light as to bring back the undead.” He looked intently at Jeremy. “But even in a cleaver disguise I could get no place near him”
“Aye, the dungeon is hardest place to get in or out in the kingdom. Some say there is better luck to be had with the treasury…” It had been a joke before but now it had a serious edge to it. “Lets get you inside and warm”.
“Nooo!” Bastion said with ferocity. He covered his face in disgrace. “If she were to find out…”
A young women’s voice called out just then from the cabin. “Jeremy! You’ve kept me waiting here long enough! Get that wood and get back in here this instant!” A door slammed shut.
Bastion had a smirk across his horrid face that made Jeremy sick to his stomach. “Ahh that voice! what melodious tunes could be sung with such a lovely voice!” It was obviously a jest at her expense. Jeremy and bastion had joked about such things many times before. But Jeremy felt somewhat baleful about it this time. “Ahh well I have a cloak to cover your face but you will have to take off your armor.” We can at least stow you away as a traveler in the guest quarters until we can get you a horse to ride into town.
Bastion mulled it over looking here and there undecided. “What will you tell Lonna about this guest? What will you tell her about me?”
“You know she is quite disgusted with the poor. I am sure you will go unbothered” Bastion slowly nodded in agreement. The plan was foolproof he was sure of it.
“All right” Bastion said. They went around to the tool shack on the side of the house and pulled out the cloak. Bastion took off his blood stained armor and covered himself with a large dark cotton and wool cloak. Jeremy called into the house before entering.
“My lady, we have a guest of the family. He had traveled far on foot and requires hospitality for a short while. I shale set him up in the guest quarters”
“Wait just one moment YOU!” Lonna came to meet them at the entry way. “Don’t tell me you were out meandering with vagabonds while I was in here freezing to death!”
Jeremy looked spooked, he was wondering if he gotten himself into trouble already. Bastion loudly cleared his throat and dropped a neatly tied bushel of chopped wood on the floor in front of him. Jeremy was shocked once again “where…” he stopped himself from getting into more trouble. He stuttered for a second and then caught himself, “Ahh you see I was thanking the stranger for chopping some of the wood for me.” Lonna eyed him with serious doubt. She eyed many people with serious doubt these days. “Fine…I won’t turn away a hospitable person in need. Although If he, she or whatever it is so much as wraps on my door I shale have them thrown out with the ashes and in just as many pieces! Now get that fire started and get supper prepared. I refuse to eat late, it will ruin my complexion.” She turned on her heal and headed back into the house.
Bastion turned peeping up through his hood to look for a response from Jeremy but there was none. He notice Jeremy’s eyes had grown dark rings under them…slowly a knowing smirk slid across bastions hidden face.
Far south in the backwater towns and villages of Borden’s kingdom the dragons lead by Nogard talked with the towns folk. They were trying to find their way back to Borden but learning much on the side about humanity. Things they never knew or cared to know until now. Humanity’s capacity for cruelty went far beyond their evil of nature and necessity. At every turn they came across stories of famine, subjugation, tyranny, and war.
Nogard turned to his men one day in a tavern. “These humans are quite the muse.”
“aye, you’ve said so many times” Galvanos said in a low voice not intending to interrupt. Nogard disregarded this comment.
“I have grown board these last few months. And I’ve heard news of a group subjugating the townsfolk here. Normally I’d say let them be and continue. But I’ve grown quite the bloodlust these last few days.” In their world and culture dragons where a very war like race. Their conflict was constant and consistent. Fights for land, fights for mates, and fights for honor.
“Why don’t we kill everyone we come across then?” Galvanos spoke again out of turn. Nogard turned to look at the mutt.
“Why should I waist my magic on such unworthy beings? These people won’t offer any resistance. They won't satiate my thirst for a fight!” Galvanos rolled his wolf eyes at the thought of being that tedious with choosing which humans to kill. But he too was beginning to lust for a good fight and so he didn’t complain.
After leaving the tavern they staggered down the road out of town. The conversation being left as they had all forgotten themselves in the booze. Galvanos had found his way into several predicaments lately this way. As a wolf wondering away from the group made him susceptible to attacks by ignorant townsfolk. This time he was just leading the group waddling from side to side sometimes. Coming to a cross-rodes in the middle of town he began to cross and was run over by a rushing horse and carriage that came to a nye’ing halt. Nogard and the others all stopped there drunken staggers and stared at the wolf’s body crushed into the muddy street. The driver of the carriage got out and ran out over to Nogard. “My god did I run over you dog ? I am so sorry…. O my is that a wolf?” he exclaimed at the sight of the slaughter.
Nogard and the man exchanged puzzled looks for a while… Nogard released a tremendous laughter finally. And the others couldn’t help themselves and burst out laughing to. The man being somewhat confused laughed with them.
In the street a very dirty, very distraught and quite pissed Galvanos stood back up shaking the mud off. Dark thunderclouds began to gather over the small town and the carriage driver stopped laughing. The wolf was staring directly at him with drooling mouth and crazed look in his lightning blue eyes. Nogard and the others stopped laughing and watched Galvanos case down the poor man and maul him. The man escaped however, do to Galvanos being drunk like the others.
When Galvanos returned Nogard was still chucking a little to himself... “feel like going on a hunt my pet? I think I still remember where those other guys place were. Lets Go!” The wolf, nodded it's head, And with that the motley drunken crew set off in search of the towns well armed bandits. Or anything that was armed… or armless and looked kind of treating. Or at times nothing as they would forget where they were going and have to take a break before remembering what they were looking for. All the wile roomers spread across the country side. Of a drunken group, championing the poor and old from the crule and wicked.