Beyond The Wall 2: Noble Intention
Page 24
It's still scrolling even as I fly out, Amaya my only witness. I fly up and into the night, voices chasing me. If I'm going to war, I'm going to be little more prepared.
Chapter 37
The leaderless army on our doorstep is fleeing, which is good and bad. I'll only have to fight them later if things go bad. Means Kawaba's safe for now. I shot off West as fast as I can, heading to the next village, Takaosan. Ten minutes flying in the cold and wet, following the wall and I touch down at their Stone temple.
Basically, a mirror image of the one in Kawaba. Not many lights are in the small village and I put it at half the size of Kawaba. I walk up the steps into the Stone hall, no pull as I'm not carrying extra souls.
The Stone's just hovering as normal and I walk over and place both hands on it, going for the connection.
/////// Shielder Network Connector #00735 connecting...
Establish Connection to "Walshing thru the Wall." Yes or No?
"Yes, power sharing off."
Network connection established; power sharing currently disabled.
Operational Power Now at 00:103:4:07:22
The green cursor stays there and fades as I remove my hands. One down and I'm off again. Another 10 minutes and the hilly village of Enmyoin comes into view. This village is less Japanese and more mountain village, Swiss or German. Tall houses, sloped roofs and very solid log and wood construction. Lots of flower boxes. Lanterns burn on the main street, which leads all the way up to the temple. I do a short wave to the few people on the street that see me. I probably look a mess but doesn't matter. I walk straight up the steps of the temple and go inside.
This Stone Hall is all wood, with benches and table running along the southern side. Animal heads, trophies, hang along the wall. Under them is a bar, back wall of bottles and small casks. It's empty at the moment. Cosy hunters’ room it is. I walk up to the Stone and go to reach out when I hear a voice.
"What ya want with my Stone Shielder? Adding power, we sorely need?" I place my hands down and answer at the same time.
"Something like that."
/////// Shielder Network Connector #00735 connecting...
Establish Connection to "Walshing thru the Wall." Yes or No?
"Yes, power sharing on."
Network connection established, power sharing turning on.
Power Shift beginning in 3...2...1...
There's a slight hum as the smell of ozone fills the air. That burnt air smell. The hairs on my arms and neck start standing on end and then the hum grows to a 'whompf' and I'm airborne and out of the door, not by choice. I right myself fast, stopping face first in front of a rather tall and thick tree. I float back in, reading the Stone.
Operational Power Now at 01:087:06:16:23 across Network: Walshing thru the Wall.
Network connecting to Portal Hub. Constructor Notified.
Power required for Portal Hub.
Nearby Portal Nodes detected.
Warning: Nearby Corrupted Portal Nodes Detected!
Warning: Nearby Corrupted Portal Hub Detected!
Oh joys, more things going on. I look over at the bearded Priest, more fur than robes, two mugs in his hand.
"Thanks for the power boost. You be that Kawaba Troublemaker?" I stride over and take a mug.
"Yup." He nods.
"Good, we needed trouble, makes things more interesting. Drink that fast before the Baroness gets here. She's been testy lately." I scull it down, fire going down my throat and I cough. Gods that harsh. I get a slap on my back for my efforts and he's laughs.
"Yew a strange one, Stone speaks funny to you. Must have come from one of those tech worlds places. Oh well. Off ya go boy. War's starting be my guess and I got my own lads to get ready." His hands flash white and a warm feeling flows thru my limbs, staying there.
"Country bumpkins not dressing you properly, what were they thinking. Now shoo, priest work to do."
Chuckling I float outside. People are racing down the street at me, torches high and a well-dressed woman, heavy dress and sword in the middle of them. No time now, so I wave and take off into the night to much shouting and arm waving. No longer cold as I fly back, I have at least got the network done. Hopefully it will make things easier for all Shielders in the Duke's lands. Now, just to expand them.
The clouds are splitting, stars peering through. And the Night is still cold, matching how I feel. I come in low and land at my temple's entrance. Mari is leaning on the door, Amaya stoic next to her, both obviously waiting for me. Mari starts forward, walking by me. Amaya does the same, then looks back, flicking her head towards Mari. I get the hint and follow. They lead me down streets to the river. A crowd is there along the riverbank, sombre and quiet.
A lone lantern is on the bridge, hanging over the water on a pole. Rika is standing by it, alone in a dark cloak against the cold. Her breath is misting out over the water. Little cries and sobs come from the crowd. Her head goes high as she speaks.
"We lost our peace today as we lost our loved ones. Tonight, we mourn. Tomorrow we will remember them, rebuilding our town as we try to rebuild our lives." She pauses, eyes going through the crowd, looking at everyone.
"I'm not saying it will be easy. I'm saying we will get it done. We will get it done because we have the heroes on our side. Our friends, our families and our new arrivals." She looks up, lifts the pole off the lantern as it drifts slowly upwards, into the night sky.
I watch it rise, wishing I could as well. I just feel detached. I want to cry but the tears have already gone and I'm hollow. I stand watching it, as people cry around me. The noise slowly lessens as people leave. I keep watching, feeling people waiting behind me. Barin stands next to me, tears in his eyes, voice breaking.
"She loved you lad. I never saw as happy as in that last week." He breathes hard. "She defended this town. Saved Lives. NOT YOUR FAULT, okay lad? This fight was started before you were here." His hand goes on my shoulder, gripping it like a vice.
"Not your fault." He forces out again.
"My world has a saying. 'Don't start the fight. But be damned sure to finish it.'" I turn to him. "She deserved better than what I am. What I am going to become. Thank you for sharing her with me." I put my arm out and we grip wrists. And with that I turn to go. Sonya and Aysun are there. Tom, Jim and Craig are behind them. Chen leaning on his spear, lop-sided grin again on his face, somehow seeming very serious. Tom goes first.
"Carriage away at the other worlder's house Lord Walsh. Seems they left in a hurry. See you there." All three bow and leave still armed to the teeth.
Aysun is bruised, battered and absolutely beautiful. Her eyes are puffy and red, matching her nose. She grabs me in a hug, pulling off the remains of my silk armour. I had no idea it was in that bad a shape. I must look disastrous. She’s crying into me and looking up, Sonya is the same.
"Hey. I made it back. It's alright." I keep hugging her as the sound of guards’ approach. Rika is surrounded by troops. She trying to by stoic, her normal mask on her emotions, but it's barely holding. Her voice cracks as she talks.
"To the house Captain Chen." He salutes and we slowly all walk off.
The house is now an armed camp, gate modified to a gatehouse. Extra walls going up, troops camped here now. Inside is a mess. Signs of fighting mostly cleaned away. A teary Molly greets us, with her family. Muted greetings and we are all inside. Foods on the table, no one eating, all mostly quiet. Aysun flinches and pulls something from my lower back. She holds up a tiny sliver of metal. I rub my head with a hand,
"Yeah, that's a thing now. Armour shards and shrapnel stay in after I heal as I don't really feel them anymore." She looks shocked. "It's good. I'm fine. Just got so strong that my skin is tougher." I look at my hands and my dirty body.
"Um, I need to wash. G'night all." I leave them alone and retreat to the baths.
Apart from my boots going into storage, I leave everything else in a basket. They're beyond ruined. Before anyone can disturb me more than in
already am, I wash and clean myself, throwing away a few splinters. With fresh boxers I'm heading upstairs before people realise and head into my old room. Old room from four or five days ago. Seems it became the futon dumping ground, so I quickly stack the beds, lay two out in the corner, over the water garden and lay down. Princess gets the wall near the garden, seeing out and in if she needs to, depending on the side of the pommel she likes.
Hands under my head, I stare up and out over the garden. The door slides open, then closes as several pairs of feet come in. Sonya squeals.
"It's too cold."
And is over at me, piling blankets on the floor and buries herself underneath. Her arms then shoot out, grabbing one of mine and she tries to pull it to her. Not a chance of that happening. She humpfs and disappears into her pile.
Aysun slides down next to me, leaving a small gap. Lady Rika, eyes red, only dressed in a shift climbs in, hugs me and starts crying. In tears she's trying to speak.
"Thank you." Is all I make out. I let her lay there, letting one arm down to comfort her. Eventually she stops crying and moves to look at me, eyes wet and serious.
"No going away until this town is safe." I stare at the ceiling, nodding to reinforce my lie.
"No plans for that, tomorrow is a day for rebuilding, planning and seeing what I can do."
The night is another matter entirely.
Countess Murdock started a fight she thought she could win. Tomorrow night I'll show her that was a very bad idea.
Tomorrow night I'm going to burn a town to the ground.
Time to feed my demons... and my revenge.
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Chiappa Triple Threat
Rarity: Common
Type: Shotgun, modern (ignores non-ballistic standard armour)
Shots: 3, one per barrel.
Rate of Fire: 1, Semi-Automatic. Breech loading.
Range: Standard Long Arm, 100m. Effective to 400 metres.
Damage category: Great (20) Standard, half for summoned ammo. Capable of various ammunition loadouts.
Cost: $2750 AUD or 6 smelted gold pieces
Critical Multiplier: x5
"Remember; no matter where you go, there you are."- Buckaroo Banzai