KILTONT called a town meeting that evening. Everyone was present and we met in the middle of town, the Chief standing on a box so he could speak out over us.

  "After much delay, the caravan has arrived." Kiltont said, a thin smile on his face. "That's the good news."

  "And the bad?" Zerik asked, his deep voice rumbling over the silent crowd, rough with drink or some other kind of intoxicant. Kiltont bowed his head and spoke softly.

  "We are missing more than half of the necessary supplies." A gasp ripped through the crowd and even my eyebrows shot up.

  "Half?" I asked. "That has to be intentional." Kiltont nodded.

  "Yes. Lord Newendom refused my questions, though I believe I know the answer."

  "Martil." I snarled, my hands curling into fists.

  "Easy, Marshall. It isn't fair, but this is how it is. We cannot change what has happened."

  "No, but we sure as shit can send a message." I turned towards the three carts the others had brought in. One of the carts, the one that had flipped, was gathered in a heap next to the others and looked very flammable. The villagers had started to repair it, but it was still broken. Kiltont smiled at me sadly.

  "You are brave, Marshall. Young. You have yet to see how cruel the world is. As we are now, we will not survive the summer. Even if we were to 'send a message', all that would do is hurry our deaths. That gives the Emperor reason to send his Army here and kill us all."

  "So you're just going to give up?"

  "Not giving up. Accepting reality. I cannot save this village. You cannot save this village; but the people within it do not have to die." Kiltont closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, their jade green shone with a fire I hadn't seen before.

  "Your Empire has abandoned you." he called out to the crowd. "In its eyes, you are already dead. Let them think it so. As of today, you are all free. You may do as you please. Leave, stay, it does not matter." Silence hung over the crowd as everyone processed what he was saying. I smiled, glad that my feelings about the man were right. He is a good man.

  "You expect us to leave?!" someone shouted. Whispers spread through the crowd in a wave, the outburst echoed by most of them. "You've kept us chained here for years only to tell us that we are free now? That nothing we've worked for matters?" Kiltont nodded, eyes steely.

  "Yes. Neither I nor the guards will stop you should you choose to leave." Three people broke from the crowd, sprinting for the gate. They left and didn't look back, speeding down the road in the direction the caravan had come from. "This city is dead. I am leaving, and I pray that you do as well. May the gods bless you all." The crowd began to disperse, departing the square in fours and fives as the Chief stepped down. Some of them headed back into the village and others followed the runners out into the grasslands. I turned to Kiltont and said:

  "That's not what I expected you to do."

  "And I expected my country to care about me." he replied with a false smile. "It's been a long time coming, anyway. Some of these people had over served their sentences by years but were unable to get transportation out."

  "They were trapped here?"

  "We all are. No normal man can survive for long out in the Wilds. Especially not these ones." He held up his hand to stop me from speaking. "I see the look on your face. Remember that you are not a normal man here, 'Tank'." Kiltont put extra emphasis the nickname, glaring at me. I nodded.

  "So y'all keep saying. Zerik looks big enough to lift a Steban to me."

  "I am." the Butcher slurred, stumbling up to us. "But not like you. I can move a full grown bull with some difficulty but you waltzed into my shop with one tossed over your shoulder like a rag!" He took a swig from a bottle and stumbled, crashing to the ground. He groaned and gave up trying to rise, settling back onto the street, a sloppy smile on his face.

  "Yeah." I agreed, rubbing the back of my head and turning back to Kiltont. "I've got to be better about not showing out."

  "That is an understatement, Marshall. I had you pegged as a Wayfinder from the moment we met. You must learn to blend in if you want to keep what you have built. Going around freeing Vartin will get you noticed by the Crown, and not in a good way."

  "Yes, sir." I said, sufficiently chastised.

  "Good. Come, I have someone to introduce you to."

  The Merchant was sitting on one of the carts, still sweating. I watched a bead of sweat travel from his receding hairline down his pale face and hang off a fat, quivering lip. I hated him immediately and a scowl formed on my lips. I fought it off quickly, pushing the roiling anger down. Kiltont marched straight up to the Merchant, crossing his arms and glaring at the fat man.

  "Lord Newendom, I've come to introduce somebody." The Merchant, Lord Newendom, glanced at Kiltont and rolled his eyes, standing from the bench and looking down at the bird man.

  "What do you want, commoner." he asked, clearly having not listened to Kiltont. The Chief turned towards me, sweeping an arm my way.

  "This is one of my best Guards and the one hired to protect you." I nodded and stepped forward, extending my hand towards the Merchant.

  "Good afternoon, sir; I am Tank. I fear we got off on the wrong foot. Please, allow me to introduce myself and apologize for my earlier behavior." I fought to keep my left fist unclenched and the smile on my face as I placated the scumbag. Just keep smiling, Marshall. He'll get you to the dinosaurs.

  "I don't care about your 'Guard', Bird." Newendom turned away and sat back down, ignoring us. I scoffed and walked off. Fuckin' dick.

  "Tank!" someone called from behind me. Kiltont was waving me back over. I sighed and walked the few steps back, crossing my arms and glaring at the two men. Somewhere in the back of my mind I recognized I was being petulant and childish, but whatever. Fuck 'em. What are they gonna do, stop me?

  "If he doesn't want my help, that's fine." I said. "We can make our own way to Lindholm or wherever the fuck just fine."

  "Lingholm."

  "Yeah, that one." The Merchant eye's lit up at the mention of the city.

  "Lingholm, you say? That just so happens to be my destination as well. If you'd offer to guard me until then, I might consider taking you."

  "Consider this." I said, raising a finger on my right hand. Newendom narrowed his eyes in confusion, deciding whether to be offended or not.

  "It will cost you." he sneered, turning a malicious grin on Kiltont. "You, in particular."

  "No, it won't." I said, stepping forward. "You will take US; me, my partner, and my wolf, plus Kiltont and his bitch wife, to Lingholm, and you will do so willingly." Rosie, the good girl that she is, backed up my words with her own threat, slobber dripping from between her fangs and azure eyes gleaming with excitement. Newendom paled slightly, beady black eyes flicking between me and Rosie. He rose to the challenge, setting his eyes on me and puffing up his chest.

  "Show some respect, boy. I am your salvation from this backwater hellhole. I must be compensated." I scoffed.

  "Sure, dude. 'Cause you're totally not the only option. How's about..."

  "My Lord." Kiltont said, interrupting me. "Your payment." I glared at the bird man but he ignored me, placing some coins in Newendom's pudgy hand. An averous smile crept onto the merchant's face as he looked at the coins.

  "Finally. Not nearly enough, but I know you are poor, so I'll take this and three heads of cattle." Kiltont's mouth twitched.

  "We do not have three heads of cattle, my Lord." The merchant's eyebrows rose in fake shock.

  "Not even three measly cattle? This town really is the Empire's Ass."

  "Fucker." I grumbled under my breath. What I really said was: "It's not that bad, really. The sunsets are magnificent."

  "Yes, I'm sure the big ball of fire in the sky is beautiful." Newendom sighed, looking at the setting sun. The 'ball of fire' was a soft yellow, nearly gold, and sat just above the horizon, casting long shadows over us. The dark water reflected the setting sun, drawing in its light; a picturesque sunset. "It's too bad, really."

  "Your enthusiasm is palpable."

  "I like the sunsets here." Lia said, approaching from behind. "Much better than the ones in Hylent."

  "See? Lia thinks they're awesome."

  "Ten silver is not enough for me to take two more people." Newendom said, turning away from Kiltont. He didn't give the money back. My fists clenched and I kicked the urge to punch him from my mind. Instead, I said:

  "If ten silver isn't enough, then maybe this will do." Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the coin bag and removed one of the golden coins. My face grinned back at me, cocky and sure. Newendom's eyes lit up and he actually jumped off of the cart. He didn't do it well, being so fat and round-shapped, but he managed. He didn't fall down, at least. The ball of pudge waddled up to me, a bead of sweat dripping from his nose. He reached for my coin but I held it up above my head and out of his reach. He scowled up at me, looking more like a spoiled child, not a middle-aged man.

  "Give it to me, boy!" he shouted, reaching for the coin. I scoffed and raised it higher.

  "No. You want it, you'll take Kiltont and his wife, plus us three," I gestured to me, Lia, and Rosie. "and you'll do it willingly. Clear?" The Merchant scowled at me and fidgeted, clearly not wanting to take the additional people, but the Call of the Coin was too much. He growled and said:

  "Fine. I'll take the five of you. You will be in charge of protecting everyone, Tank." Newendom put extra venom into my name, glaring at me and holding his hand out, palm up.

  "Good." I said, placing the coin in his hand. Newendom's eyes went wide and he snapped his fist closed, slipping the coin into his pocket before I could react.

  "I did not expect someone out here to posses a Soul Coin." Newendom said, giving me an assessing look. I shuddered, his gaze feeling like a rough, oily tongue traveling up and down my body. "How did you come about it?"

  "I'm not telling you." I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. In honesty, I had no idea where the coins came from. Newendom laughed and turned back to his cart.

  "We leave tomorrow morning at the break of dawn, with or without you." he said.

  "Fine." I turned back to Lia, stalking away from the Merchant towards the ocean. She fell in step next to me, Rosie roaming out in front of us. My rage still boiled just beneath the surface and I struggled to get it back under control. FuckFace's stump flashed in my mind and drew a snarl onto my face. I pushed the image away and focused on the sunset, watching the last remnants of light fade away. The Skulls danced in my vision, laughing at me in my wife's voice as I paced up and down the beach, the sand warm around my bare feet. Newendom's bullshit attitude fanned the flames of my anger, a growl echoing from my chest as I fought against it. My shoulders clenched hard and I stopped my pacing, allowing the cool tide to wash over my ankles and letting my breath out slow and steady. I'm okay. I'm not mad. Everything is fine.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  The mood at super was somber. It should have been one of elation and excitement, and yet I was so in my head that I barely spoke while we ate. Lia was still too shy to speak, or maybe she just didn't want to, but we ate in silence regardless. A sadness sat about me as I ate, trying to bring me down, but I didn't let it, forcing myself to enjoy the taco-like things Lia made. They were damn good, too, and I ate more than ten of them, but I couldn't shake this feeling from my heart. Like a cloud had settled over it and refused to leave, no matter how bright the sun or my Spark shone.

  The cloud got a little smaller about two hours later. In the week since we had started living together, it had become my nightly tradition to kiss the girls good night. Rosie got one; okay maybe she got like fifteen, on the top of her head and Lia got one on the lips. Her's I specifically made sure to keep a simple peck, never kissing her for more than a second. Tonight, though, was different. I held Rosie for a solid five minutes, petting the wolf and taking solace in her solid body and stinky smell. She needs a bath before we leave tomorrow. My thoughts ran in circles and I couldn't get them to stop. What the hell's wrong with me? Did coming to this new world mess with my mental fortitude? Why am I letting the death of a man who would have killed me bother me?

  I sighed into Rosie's flank, trying to let the weight on my shoulders go. It didn't work, but Lia's hand did diminish the darkness and she drew my head up, eyes unfocused. I knew the girl was in front of me as I could see the burning forest of her eyes surrounded by a wine-red silk waterfall, but the details were missing. They became clearer when the sun kissed my lips, burgundy hair coming into focus. Ruby lips moved against my own slowly, her tongue licking them ever so slightly. She moaned and moved closer, folding her body into mine. It reacted, opening my lips and taking her tongue with my own while wrapping my arms around her. She melted bonelessly and wrapped her arms around my neck, a slight smile on her lips. I could feel it against my own and smiled back.

  I snapped back to reality as the Demon touched my left shoulder, its bony fingers digging into my skin and ripping me away from the girl. My smile fell into a scowl so deep that even Rosie whined, licking my free hand. I pulled back from Lia, disgust filling my heart, and rose from the bed. My footsteps echoed down the empty hall and I heard the door slam behind me as I stepped out into the night. I looked up at the sky, at the unknown stars and unfamiliar moon. My feelings roiled in my heart and mind, growing even as I stood there, clenched, confused, and exhausted. What the hell is happening to me?

  Forty minutes and multiple apologies later, the three of us were in bed again. I wrapped my arms around Lia but didn't kiss her, instead opting to bury my face in her neck as she held me. She smelled like flowers that had just begun to bloom; Spring, if I had to put a word to it. Lia smelled like spring; the first rains after a long winter or honeysuckle right before it's ready to be picked. Her scent tickled my brain in a pleasing, addicting way and I latched onto her smell, taking as much of its assurity as I could.

  "Sir." a warm breeze whispered in my ear. I looked up into a forest burning bright with concern. "Are you alright?" I nodded, snuggling back into her.

  "Fine." I said. "Just tired." Lia kissed the top of my head and stroked the side with one hand. I was quiet for a moment, the feeling of her hand in my hair consuming my thoughts and spreading peace through my heart before I whispered: "I killed a man today." I felt Lia stiffen, then nod.

  "Yes, you did. Why?" Taken aback by her bluntness, I sat up and looked at her.

  "What?"

  "Why did you kill him?"

  "I didn't want to, he just jumped from his horse and landed on me and I reacted and then his head was in my lap and..." I stopped talking as Lia took my hands in hers and got in my face.

  "Why did you kill that man." she repeated, eyes blazing.

  "To save myself." I said, dropping my gaze from hers.

  "Just you? No one else?" she asked pointedly. "Killing a person changes you, but you can grow from it. It hurts, I know, but you can get stronger from this. That man would have killed you, then Kiltont, and then me. You stopped him from doing that." I nodded, her words making some sense. "This world is cruel, Marshall. Crueler than you could ever imagine and it takes strength to live here. Physical, emotional, everything about you must be strong."

  "I know, it's just..."

  "You will kill again." Lia took my chin in her hand and brought it up, forcing me to look her in the eyes. "That is a fact. Whether it be monster or man, you will take a life."

  "I know, Lia, but I don't want to kill." I snapped. The girl's eyes flashed with anger and her hand clenched around my chin.

  "No one does, but we must. It is a good thing that you don't want to kill. As Chief said earlier, I'd fear you'd lost your mind if taking a life didn't sadden you." I smiled at her; a tired, finished smile.

  "I'll be fine, Lia. I just need to process. I know that to protect you and Rosie I need to get stronger, and that includes my mental as well." Lia nodded sharply, never taking her eyes from mine. "I don't understand, though. Why is this affecting me so much? Why can't I get her out of my head?" Lia's face went through a series of emotions that I couldn't track before settling on a strained smile.

  "Who, Sir?" she whispered through gritted teeth. I shook my head, crushing the line of questioning.

  "Nobody important. She's a liar and a cheater, anyway." The rage sparked in my Core, flaring up at the thought of her. I sighed and laid back on the mattress, pulling Lia down with me. She didn't resist and laid her head on my shoulder, kissing my neck softly and trailing her lips from my neck to my jaw.

  "Who can you not forget, Sir?" she asked again. Her voice was soft and kind but held something in it, a deep-seated sadness that I recognized. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears that faded when she squeezed them shut. She can't forget someone, either. Lia leaned down and hugged me tightly. "You have a kind heart, Sir, and I pray that you do not loose it. But you must harden it. We will be attacked on the road and you will have to fight to stay alive. I will be there for you, as will Rosie. You are not alone." As she spoke, I raised my arms and wrapped her in a hug, pulling her into me.

  "Have you killed before?" I asked. Again, Lia stiffened.

  "Yes." she whispered. "I have."

  "How'd you get past it?" She was silent for a while, long enough for me to sit up and check on her. "Lia?"

  "I didn't have a choice." she said quietly.

  "Oh." That was the last thing we said, both of us retreating into our own thoughts. I fell into a restless sleep that was plagued by nightmares and laughing skulls.

  The sun rose the next morning on twelve or so forms standing in the middle of town. Rosie, Lia, and I stood in a pod next to Kiltont and Marin, and Newendom stood with his crew. There were a few villagers milling around as well. Maybe they're here to see us off? I steeled my nerves as Newendom called for departure.

  "We're leaving!" the Merchant hollered, hauling his bulk into the first of the three wagons. He and the three men he arrived with took the first, the six of us took the second, and some of the guardsmen from the town took the third, Zerik and Zerok among them. They must have bought their passage as well. My cart, the one in the middle, was the broken cart Zerik and Zerok had repaired. Newendom wanted to leave it behind, but Marin and two other women who were coming with us wanted to ride. The cart wheels rumbled over the dirt roads as a whip cracked and the Fire Horses screamed. Lia, Rosie, and I rode through the gates of Rivera for the final time and I turned, looking at the town that had given me a home for a week and a half. A strange feeling of loss pricked at my heart as I watched the walls recede behind us. I didn't want to leave my new home. The sunsets were gorgeous and I doubted I'd ever be that close to the ocean again. Kiltont placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it gently.

  "I know, my boy, but you are meant for more than life in a small town." I flashed to the last time someone had said that to me; my grandfather the day I left for college. I nodded, the walls disappearing from view as the road turned North. Lia intertwined her hand with mine, squeezing it gently as we bumped down the rough road.

  I expected things to be adventurous or at least a little exciting as we travelled, but the first day and a half of our trip was boring as fuck. Literally it was just me walking beside the caravan on one side, Kiltont on the other, and some of the guards at the front and behind. The guards would patrol constantly, with us two as guaranteed flank protection. The sounds of the carts provided a constant background, which allowed my thoughts to roam. Not a good thing, mind you. I spent the first day in my depression slump, unable to bring myself out of it. I was only able to start going back to normal after the world had had enough of my shit. In the early afternoon of the second day of our trip, everything went wrong. I was walking down the road, the carts on my left and Rosie on my right, the tree line about ten yards beyond her. The carts had spread out, Newendom pulling ahead of us by a solid ten yards. What I had taken to calling Zerik's cart was ten or so yards behind me, rumbling along without a care. Everything was spread evenly, and I'd thought that would be beneficial.

  Boy, was I wrong.

  I had drifted into my thoughts, trying to ignore the Demon sitting on the back of the middle cart grinning at me, when someone screamed. It was high and shot through with fear, piercing my eardrums, and came from behind me. The shriek was almost immediately covered by an ear-shattering, terrifying roar. I turned and watched in horror as the trees thirty yards away shook and a massive, bi-pedal shape emerged. Its head was similar to the Devilk's but different in the sense that this creature had a fleshy frill on the top of its skull. The frill was bright red and glowed with an inner fire that dimmed as the creature roared again and its thick tail burst into flames. They spilled from the underside of the tail, leaving a trail of fire behind the monster as it thundered towards Zerik's cart. The beast stopped running and twisted its body, whipping the flaming tail at the cart behind me. The fire flew through the air like a flamethrower, taking to the wooden cart like a fat man to a dessert table.

  Zerik's cart exploded in a magnificent fireball. I felt the heat pass over me and the roar of the flames echoed in my ears. Terror filled my veins when the beast reset and roared again, its clawed hands resting against the ground. The arms were longer than the Devilk, allowing for the creature to run with either two or four legs, depending on what it wanted, and were heavily muscled. My hearing cleared and I became aware of the screaming. Most of it was coming from the second wagon; my wagon. The noise was high and fearful and the beast's head snapped towards it, an excited look in its orange eyes. My own went wide as it began to rumble towards me. Thinking quickly, I raced away from the cart, waving my arms and making a ton of noise.

  "Hey!" I shouted, jumping and waving. "Hey! Over here!" It worked; at first. The beast chased me for a few steps, lumbering after the weird thing that kept screaming. Sadly, though, whatever idiot had screamed initially kept screaming and the beast narrowed its eyes in thought. I watched the gears turning in its head as it slowed and eventually stopped. It looked back at the cart, then at me. I screamed and tried to attract it, but my heart sank when it fucking grinned and turned back towards the cart. Oh no.

  I sprinted back towards the cart but had run farther than I thought. Damn all that running Kiltont made me do. I'm faster than I used to be now. An audible snarl that shot fear into my heart came from my cart and Rosie, the brave girl that she is, launched herself at the monster that was six times her size. She flew through the air, claws extended and fangs bared, aiming for the theropod's exposed throat. Unlike the Devilk, though, this monster had six-foot-long arms tipped with vicious claws. The beast roared in glee, orange eyes flashing, and it grabbed Rosie out of the air, its claws wrapping around the wolf. She yip'ed in pain and a low, menacing growl grew from the creature as it brought Rosie closer to its mouth. My hand reached out, desperate top help, but I was too far. I wouldn't make it in time. My Core heated up, sending energy into my limbs without my say-so. Even more energy began to pour from my core, gathering in my chest. I screamed, doing everything in my power to distract the creature and save my wolf. It didn't work and the frilled theropod bent its head, jaws open and waiting to chomp down on its victim.

  "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!" I shouted. I'd failed. AGAIN. I can't save anyone. I can't even save my only friend in this world. Sorrow flooded the power in my core, rage following almost immediately. As the breath left my lungs, the searing energy surged up from my core and into my throat. It was reminiscent of the heat that saved my life, but way, way angrier. There was a golden flash and a BANG! not unlike a gunshot that bounced around in my head, and the power left me. I was blinded by the golden flash and when my vision cleared, my mouth dropped open. The world had gone silent, the only noise in the sudden quiet my panting and the soft whimpering coming from the beast. The beast itself lay motionless, unmoving except for one of its hands that shifted slightly. I recovered and sprinted for the creature, sliding to a stop three yards away. The whimpers had gotten louder as I got closer and I fought to slow my breathing, approaching the last few feet slowly.

  As I approached, heart hammering in my chest, my eyes went wide. The beast was dead, no doubt about it. A hole twice the size of my fist was located in the theropod's chest and blood leaked from it. I could see wet, red grass through the wound. Whatever had hit the monster had punched clean through to the other side. The whimpering had grown a little now, and I rushed to get the beasts quad-clawed hand off of what I prayed was an uninjured Rosie. As soon as I touched the beast's hand, a screen sprang to life in my vision. I ignored it and focused on my goal, tears springing to my eyes when I saw my wolf.

  She was covered in blood, a huge gash on her back right haunch. It bled freely and I pet her on the top of her head, whispering comforting words. She whined and adjusted, trying to get onto her stomach but was unable too. She laid back and looked at me with wet azure eyes. Her canine face swam as my tears fell.

  "You'll be alright." I whispered to her, pulling the roll of gauze from my Inventory. "I'm going to help you." I looked at the wound, my heart racing. It was long and deep, completely different than the hole from the Steban's thagomizer. This one was beyond my first-aid skills. I still laid the gauze over the wound and pressed my hands over it, trying to stop the bleeding. Rosie whimpered as I applied pressure, squirming under my hands. I cried as I knelt over my wolf, my tears splashing down onto her dark coat and I tried to keep her still. I jumped when someone knelt beside me, putting a hand on my shoulder. Lia knelt next to me, her face filled with determination. My sobs began to slow as Lia took over for me, removing the sticky gauze from the wound. She inhaled sharply as she looked down at Rosie and her whole body began to glow gold. Lia laid her hands on Rosie's haunch and the wolf sighed, closing her eyes. My tears continued to fall though I'd moved to Rosie's head, holding it in my lap and whispering sweet nothings to her. Slowly but surely, the wound closed. I tried not to shift when it fully sealed, letting Rosie rest.

  Lia sat back on her heels, breathing heavily. She shifted and sat fully, wrapping her arms around her knees and resting her head on them. I continued to pet Rosie, my gaze torn between the two girls. Eventually, I felt Rosie slip into sleep. Her breathing deepened and her azure eyes closed, so I removed her head from my lap and laid it down gently. I crawled over to Lia, wrapping the small woman in my arms and holding her as close as I could. Lia was breathing heavily and I could feel her heart pounding as I held her.

  "Thank you." I whispered into her burgundy hair. I kept repeating the sentiment over and over, kissing her in a different place each time. Head, forehead, cheeks, lips, neck, everywhere my lips could touch got a kiss. I felt her come to life as I showered her in thanks, her arms rising and holding onto mine with a surprising strength. My body shook with sobs, emotions completely unchecked. I don't know how long I held her, but I was interrupted by something sniffing at my side. I pulled back from the girl to find Rosie standing by my side, tail wagging slowly.

  "Rosie!" I cried, throwing my arms around her neck and hugging her tightly. The wolf whimpered and shifted, and I pulled back, worry in my voice. "Are you alright? How do you feel?" She barked once, but her feet didn't leave the ground this time. I still got the sense that she was saying 'YES', though. My smile was one of the largest I'd ever smiled as I held my girls close.